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The Journal of the FFederationederation ooff LLocalocal HistoryHistory SSocietiesocieties VVol.ol. 2233 22018018 COONASCANASCAḊ NNAA GCUUMANNMANN STTAIREAIRE ÁIITIÚLATIÚLA THE JOURNAL OF THE FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES VOL. 23, 2018 FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES Conascaḋ na gCumann Staire Áitiúla LARRY BREEN, HON. EDITOR LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 i LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 © FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES 2018 COVER ILLUSTRATION: TOMB 51, LISTOGHEL, CARROWMORE MEGALITHIC CEMETARY, CO. SLIGO PUBLISHED BY FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES TYPESETTING AND DESIGN J. J. WOODS PRINTED BY NAAS PRINTING LTD., NAAS, CO. KILDARE. TEL.: (045)872092 ii LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 CONTENTS Page THE FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES V FEDERATION OFFICERS/COMMITTEE 2017-2018 VIII EDITORIAL X ARTICLES A SUMMER VISIT TO IRELAND 1846 — MRS. FREDERIC WEST Denis Marnane, Tipperary County Historical Society 1 THE UNITED IRISH LEAGUE Aidan Clarke, Westport Historical Society 12 NOW WE’LL HAVE A GOOD NIGHT’S TALK Eamon Leonard, The Old Athlone Society 16 IRELAND’S FIRST CAR OWNERS Myles Duffy, Rathmichael Historical Society 29 THE LEGEND OF ROBIN HOOD 37 THE GREAT OAK AT SHERWOOD FOREST Marie J. McCarthy, Cork Western Front Association 39 COWAN’S SHOPS, CLONDALKIN – 1946-1999 Adair Cowan, Clondalkin History Society 44 THE CORK HARBOUR TRAGEDY John Hennessy, PC, Cork Harbour Islands Project 49 A Joycean Tour of Clongowes Wood College Brendan Cullen, Clane Local History Group 52 THE SIPPI FAMILY Kieran Groeger, Youghal Celebrates History 59 TIPPERARY GLOVE FACTORIES — A BYGONE ERA Mary Alice O’Connor, Tipperary Excel Centre 63 DERMOD O’HURLEY, ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL AND CATHOLIC MARTYR Eamon Kiely, Kilkenny Archaeological Society 66 FOTA HOUSE AND DOROTHY BELL’S FAMILY Marie Guillot, Cloyne Literary & Historical Society 72 A E RUSSELL — FROM ARMAGH’S FINEST TO IRELAND’S SOCRATES Brian McKernan, 82 GENESIS OF PARTITION—CHANGING POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN ULSTER 1914-18 Johnny Dooher, Strabane, F.U.L.S. 97 SHARING AND CARING FOR LOCAL HISTORY Doreen McBride, Banbridge Historical Society 109 LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 iii ATHY AND THE SPANISH FLU, 1918 Frank Taaffe, Athy Museum Society 115 FROM BALLINACURRA TO ANTARTICA — A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY André Saubolle, Remembering Edward Bransfi eld 126 CIRCUS MEMORIES OF THE 1960S James Scannell 131 LESSONS FOR HISTORIANS IN THE TUAM MOTHER AND BABY HOME SCANDAL Eugene Jordan, Galway Archaeological and Historical Soc. 138 SOCIETY NEWS 152 FEDERATION EVENTS FEDERATION AGM — SLIGO 168 MINUTES OF THE AGM 164 AGM SLIGO — SECRETARY’S REPORT 171 FEDERATION VISIT TO EAST MIDLANDS 2018 176 SEMINARS 2018 180 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 182 MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION 2018 183 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM 189 iv LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT DOES HISTORY The Federation of Local History Societies was established in 1981 to promote the interests of amateur historians and voluntary museums and to represent their views. In the intervening years the number of affi liated societies has grown signifi cantly. AIMS The aims of the Federation are: 1. To encourage research in the fi elds of history, archaeology, folk-life and folklore. 2. To exchange information among affi liated societies through the medium of newsletters, publications, seminars, etc. 3. To develop mutual support among affi liated societies. 4. To encourage the publication of information of historical interest and the better utilisation of Archives. MEMBERSHIP Membership of the Federation is open to all Local History societies, Archaeological societies, Field Groups, Folklore and Folk-life societies, Family or Genealogical Societies and local museums. Other similar organisations which don’t come within these categories can be linked with the Federation through Associated Membership. HOW THE FEDERATION OPERATES The Federation has a voluntary secretariat by which societies can help one another and combine to achieve results which could not be achieved by individual effort. The member societies come together twice yearly at different venues around the country. The Annual General Meeting and Seminars, Lectures and Workshops provide an exciting exchange of ideas from all over the country. The Federation’s Journal is a source of information on the activities of the member societies and its contents indicate the widespread LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 v and growing interest in local history, which highlights the need for such an organisation as the Federation. INDIVIDUALS When you join your local history group you are joining a lively group of enthusiastic people who share a common interest in local history, archaeology, folklore. You do not need to have any particular qualifi cation or a high level of knowledge of the subjects outlined, but as a member, you will learn much about your heritage, in a most enjoyable way, by having access to the lectures and slide shows organised during the autumn, winter and spring. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM IS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON THE FEDERATION WEBSITE: www.localhistory.ie vi LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES OFFICERS 2018 - 2019 PRESIDENT: CANON SEAN O’DOHERTY, P.P. DURROW, CO. LAOIS TEL. (057) 873 6156 EMAIL: – [email protected] CHAIRMAN: PADRAIG LAFFAN 92 SPRINGHILL AVENUE, BLACKROCK, CO. DUBLIN. TEL. 087 2555239 EMAIL: - [email protected] VICE CHAIRMAN: MICHAEL MULLALLY 11 ABBEY ROAD, BARODA COURT, NEWBRIDGE, CO. KILDARE TEL. 087 2536522 EMAIL: – [email protected] SECRETARY: BETTY QUINN CORDOOGAN, MONASTERBOICE, CO. LOUTH TEL. (041) 9826710 EMAIL: – [email protected] TREASURER: MAIREAD BYRNE, 135 DARA COURT, CELBRIDGE, CO. KILDARE TEL. (087) 223 9410 EMAIL: – [email protected] EDITOR/PRO LARRY BREEN 8 THE PADDOCKS, NAAS, CO. KILDARE TEL. (045) 897445 EMAIL: – [email protected] LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 vii COMMITTEE MEMBERS Josephine Byrne, 64 Floraville Avenue, Clondalkin, D 22. Email: [email protected] Kay Lonergan, 142, Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, D 3 Email: [email protected] Eugene Jordan, An Chorrbhuaile, Bearna, Co. na Gaillimhe Email: [email protected] Frank Taaffe, Ardreigh House, Athy, Co. Kildare. Email: [email protected] Dick Ryan, 6 Hillcourt Road, Glenageary, Co. Dublin Email: [email protected] Eamon Leonard, Kilwarren, Ballinora, Walterfall, Co. Cork Email: [email protected] James Dockery, The Rise, Hodson Bay, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Email: [email protected] Mary Kenehan, 51 Rhebogue Meadows, Dublin Road, Limerick. Email: [email protected] Marie McCarthy, Red Gates, Lisladeen, Berrings, Co. Cork. Email: [email protected] Martina Griffi n, Lorelei, Toorphelin, Moate, Co. Westmeath Email: martinacloghergriffi [email protected] Clare Walsh, 14 Kenure Court, Powerscourt Lawns, Waterford. Email: [email protected] J. J. Woods, Brigadoon, Craddockstown Road, Naas, Co. Kildare email: [email protected] THE SOCIETY’S WEBSITE ADDRESS IS http://www.localhistory.ie FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/localhistory.ie/ viii LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 E DITORIAL In many respects 2018 turned out to be an interesting and eventful year. The advent of the General Data Protection Regulations was thrust upon us, causing concern for some of our members about exactly what was required. We were able to provide some guidance and guidelines for our membership. It was a busy year, as usual, with a varied programme of events organised by the Federation which took place all around the country. The Federation AGM was held in Sligo town. This was the fi rst time to hold our fl agship event in the county and we were not disappointed with our choice. Hosted by the Sligo Field Club, it was a huge success. Delegates enjoyed a memorable weekend with a most impressive programme organised by our hosts. With many walks and talks it was an opportunity to learn more about Sligo’s unique history and heritage. We extend a special word of thanks to Sligo Field Club for organising the event and for their warm welcome and hospitality. This year’s UK trip took us to the East Midlands. Based in Nottingham it was a wonderful experience which took us to the cities of Leicester, Lincoln and Nottingham, and many other interesting places along the way. We held two seminars, one in the spring and one in the autumn. The spring seminar had a regional theme and took place in the Hodson Bay Hotel near Athlone. The speakers expressed the importance of local history at grass roots level and shared their own personal experiences in the community with the audience. The autumn seminar “All about Archives” was a big success. The impressive Lexicon in Dun Laoghaire was the venue and we had a record crowd of eighty and more in attendance. This subject of local archives arose when an interesting question was posed by one of our members. Liam Clare of the Foxrock Society had experienced diffi culty in trying to secure a place to deposit his personal history archive. “What does one do with a personal archive?”. In the absence of a suitable depository it could well end up in a skip! The Federation feels that this is a key issue facing the preservation of local history material all over the country. We believe the solution lies in promoting collaboration between archivists and local LOCAL HISTORY JOURNAL 2018 ix historians and that we have an important role to play in making it happen. The Archive Seminar is the fi rst step in this direction and we plan to set up a programme of engagement with archivists around the country in the coming year. This year was the one hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Leinster. The commemoration of this tragic event was remembered in many presentations lest we forget all those who lost their lives. Congratulations to all those whose hard work ensured it was kept in our memory. The “Celebrating Cork Past Family Festival”, held in Cork City Hall, was again a resounding success and the Federation stand was well attended by many visitors to the event.