The Corran Herald COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY BALLYMOTE HERITAGE GROUP ISSUE NO.43 2010/2011 PRICE €6.00 Lectures €10.00 Ballymote Ballymote Soil scientistandagronomist. Soil Heritage” “AspectsofIreland’s Cultural 8.30 p.m 9.00 a.m Independent Irish journalist,ChiefCriticwiththe 8.30 p.m EnglishPainter inIreland” Historian SATURDAY 31stJULY FRIDAY 30stJULY In CoachHouseHotel,Ballymote,Co.Sligo. Friday 30thJulytoMonday2rd August 2010 Heritage “Derek Hill: Heritage Michael Conry, Dr Bruce Arnold, writerand LECTURE OUTING LECTURE OFFICIAL OPENING Guide: Frank Tivnan MA, Dr Bruce Arnold

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Contents Page Sligo Protestants and the First World War (Padraig Deignan)…………………………………………...... … 3 The Colour and Fashion of Death (Niamh Conlon)…..……………………………………….....……………. 10 Margaret Logan (Eugene Gillan) ………………………..……………………………………………………. 11 Materials from the Robinson Estate Office, Sligo (Mary B Timoney) ……..………………………………… 12 Máire McDonnell Garvey 1927-2009 (Dan Healy) ……………………………...... …………………………. 14 Craftsmen from Bygone Days who left their Mark on our Landscape (PJ Duffy)…………………...……….. 16 John Black of Sligo and his ‘Tyrone’ Posterity (Jack Johnson) ….…………………………………………… 18 Golden Jubilee of Culfadda Church 1959-2009 (John Higgins) …………………..…………………………. 20 My Search for the Craigs of Spurtown (John McDonagh) ………...…………………………………………. 21 Restoration of 1795 Ballymote Mill (John Perry TD) ……………………………..…………………………. 26 On Death Row (Padraig Doddy) ……………………………………………………………………………… 27 Granary Restoration (PJ Duffy) ……………………………………...……………………………………….. 27 Church of Ireland Missions to Roman Catholics of South Sligo 1850-1900 (Miriam Moffat) ………….…… 28 The Spanish Armada in Sligo (Joe McGowan) ……………………………………………………………….. 37 God’s Country (Leo Mattimoe) ……………………………………………………………………………….. 40 The Templars (Padraig Feehily) ………………………………………………………………………………. 41 The Unnames Cave (Kathleen Fairbanks) ……………………………………………………………………. 43 Come Dancing (Kathleen Fitzmaurice) ………………………………………………………………………. 44 The Remarkable Career of Frank Carty BL TD (Tommy Kilcoyne and Rory O’Beirne)…………………….. 45 Ballymote Man Honoured Again in Perth ……………………………………………………………………..46 The Australian Visitors (Bernie Gilbride) …………………………………………………………………….. 47 Michael Doyle 1846-1928 (Jim Higgins) …………………………………………………………………….. 49 Jim Higgins, President INTO 2010-2011 (Harry Keaney and Neal Farry) …………………………………… 53 St Kevin’s R.C. Church, Keash, Co Sligo, before Renovation (Martin A Timoney) …...……………………. 55 A Country School in the 1930s (Maire Ní Mháirtín) …………………………………………………………. 57 Arabian Nights - Travels in Libya (Stephen Flanagan) ………………………………………………………. 59 Diaries of a Farmer (Mary Kelly-White) ………………………………………………………………………62 May O’Donnell NT 1913-2009 (Bernadette White) …………………………………………………………. 63 Where the Annals of the Four Masters was Written (Gregory Daly) ………………………………………… 64 Ballymote 1834-8 (Ordinance Survey Memoirs) (John Coleman) ………………………………………….. 66 The Tubbercurry ‘Conspirators’ (John C McTernan) ………………………………………………………… 72 Changing Circumstances for the O’Gara Family (Maura O’Gara-O’Riordan)……………...... ……………. 73 Where’s That? (Buninaddan) (Padraig Doddy) ………………………………………………………………. 79 Ballymote Cinema to be Restored (John Perry TD) ……………………………………………………….... 80 Buildings, Owners, Occupiers West Lord Edward St Ballymote (Eileen Tighe, Mary B Timoney)……..…... 81 Ballymote Handball Alley 1910-2010 (David Casey) ………………………………………………………. 86 Heritage Group 25th AGM …………………………………………………………………………………… 93 Sponsors ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 93

2 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Sligo Protestants and the First World War by Padraig Deignan

In the years before the outbreak of supporter of the I.P.P., had founded a Unionist to do the same.8 However, the First World War in 1914, most branch of the Irish Volunteers in Sligo Cooper, a passionate defender of the of the Protestant population of Sligo and by the beginning of August there union may also have been under the town and county were campaigning in were over 3,000 members of the Sligo impression that cooperation between defence of the union between Ireland Volunteers.5 Nationalists and Unionists in the and Britain. The total population Britain’s declaration of war on war effort could possibly persuade of Sligo town at the time was about 4 August 1914 prevented conflict Nationalists to revise their position on 11,000 of which over 1,700, or over between Nationalists and Unionists Home Rule. 15 percent were members of Protestant and both the Ulster Volunteers and the At the start of the war Sligo Churches.1 The total population of Irish Volunteers were encouraged by Unionists were trying to gain the County Sligo at the time was over their political leaders to support Britain support of Nationalists both militarily 84,000 and Protestants numbered about in wartime. and politically in the war. In August 8,000 or approximately 10 percent of In an editorial on 8 August 1914 1914, Philip Perceval, a Protestant the total.2 The Protestant population of the Sligo Independent, a supporter of landowner and a leader of the Sligo Sligo was more of a community than a Irish Unionism, praised both the Ulster Unionist Alliance, approached the class. However, for all Protestants in Volunteers and the Irish Volunteers mayor of Sligo, John Jinks, with the Sligo, their respective churches proved for backing Britain.6 The Sligo suggestion that a meeting should be to be the most important for fostering Independent was always wary of the held to form a committee of Unionists community spirit and whatever their fact that it expressed the sentiments of and Nationalists to assist the poor class status the majority of Sligo the Protestant and Unionist minority during the war. This meeting took Protestants were Unionist and were in Sligo and wished to give the place on 5 August 1914, and was opposed to the Third Home Rule Bill. impression at the start of the war that attended by many leading Nationalists Before the First World War Unionists the differences between Nationalists and Unionists.9 in Ireland were represented by the Irish and Unionists were not as fundamental The meeting seemed like a genuine Unionist Party and the Irish Unionist as many believed. effort by Unionists to assist wartime Alliance (I.U.A.). Unionism was well A typical example of many Unionists distress and to work on an equal basis organised in Sligo and by the end of from the south and west of Ireland with Nationalists and both Nationalists February 1914 the total membership at the start of the First World War and Unionists praised each other in their of the I.U.A. in Sligo had reached over was the Sligo Unionist, Major Bryan speeches. However Perceval who was 3,000.3 There was never a sufficient Cooper. Cooper was a member of a instrumental in organising the meeting Unionist vote in Sligo to secure the large Protestant landowning family in was still a committed Unionist and the election of an M.P. from the county in Sligo and until December 1910 Cooper meeting could also be interpreted as a the early part of the twentieth century. had been an M.P. representing South tactic by Sligo Unionists to actively However, Unionists were able to County Dublin and he had campaigned engage Nationalists in the war effort gain representation on Sligo Borough in Britain and Ireland against Home with the ultimate hope that collective Corporation through Robert Smylie.4 Rule.7 Cooper was impressed by involvement may persuade Nationalists On 25 May 1914 the Irish Redmond’s promise of support for that if Ireland remained a part of the Parliamentary Party (I.P.P.) under John Britain and immediately informed the United Kingdom the country could Redmond secured self-government for press of his intention to join the National stand up against outside threats. Ireland when the House of Commons Volunteers and urged every Sligo Another important meeting in passed the Irish Home Rule Bill August 1914 attended by Nationalists for the third time only requiring the and Unionists, was held in Calry king’s signature to become law. Irish village, four miles from Sligo town.10 Unionists led by Edward Carson were The purpose of the meeting was to determined to continue to resist Home form a corps of Sligo Unionists, which Rule, especially in Ulster, where the would be part of the Irish Volunteers. majority of Unionists resided. To Perceval, was again the driving force demonstrate their resolve against Home behind the meeting, and a Unionist, Rule, the Unionists in Ulster had formed Colonel Wynne took charge of the unit. the Ulster Volunteer Force in January At the end of August about seventy men 1913. To ensure that Home Rule had joined the Sligo Unionist Volunteer was implemented, Irish Nationalists Corps.11 The war was proving to be had formed the Irish Volunteers in an opportunity for Unionists to gain November 1913. In February 1914 influence in the Volunteer movement, the mayor of Sligo John Jinks, a strong an organisation originally set up to Brian Cooper 3 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 guarantee Home Rule. difficulty of finding efficient and experience. As there was a shortage of Nationalist experienced officers with Nationalist It also appeared that more than five officers in Sligo to train new recruits, views willing to train Volunteer units.15 Sligo Volunteer commanders responded many from the Protestant Unionist It seemed that Colonel Moore took the to Hillas’s request for information landed families who had experience long-term pragmatic approach towards concerning the commanders, numbers, in drilling men were offering their Volunteer training in Co. Sligo and training and experience of their units services to help organise and instruct he asked the local commanders to by the time he resigned. In addition the Volunteers. On 9 August 1914 work with Hillas arguing that ‘when to McCabe, Tansey and Devins, seven Major Richard Hillas, a Unionist and our officers are trained we can do as other officers in the Irish Volunteers, Protestant landowner in Co. Sligo we like’.16 Colonel Moore, as overall representing six Corps of the County wrote to Colonel Maurice Moore, the commander of the Irish Volunteers, Sligo Volunteers dated their replies commander of the Irish Volunteers, could see the benefits of Unionists to Hillas’s before his resignation on offering to train and organise the officers, but would the local Volunteers 2 September 1914.23 It is not known Irish Volunteers in Sligo and in the accept his wisdom in permitting Hillas if Hillas received all the replies to his absence of a senior Nationalist officer, to impart his military experience? request for information before he took Colonel Moore appointed Major Hillas When Hillas was appointed he wrote the decision to resign and Colonel the County Inspection Officer for all to fifteen Volunteer corps in Co. Sligo Moore was probably correct when Volunteers in Sligo.12 requesting information on training and he asked Hillas to be patient with his Some Sligo Nationalists were logistics and he reported that he had subordinates. now worried that Unionists were received only five replies by 2 September On 18 September 1914 Home Rule becoming too involved in the Irish 1914.17 He interpreted the slow became law and was suspended until Volunteers and some local concerns response to his request for information the end of the war, and a renewed over the appointment of Major Hillas as opposition to him and he wrote a appeal was made to Nationalists in were voiced by Seamus Kennedy of letter to Maurice Moore, tendering his Sligo to join the army. One of the most the Ballymote Volunteer Corps, Co. resignation and maintaining that ‘it is important people in Sligo responsible Sligo in a letter to Colonel Moore. too evident that people of my class are for recruiting during the war was Major Kennedy complained that some Sligo not required by certain supporters of Charles Kean O’Hara. O’Hara was a Volunteers were opposed to ‘Unionist the movement in the Irish Volunteers’. Protestant landowner with extensive officers’ and they did not believe that r Colonel Moore tried to calm Hillas holdings at Annaghmore in Co. Sligo. Major Hillas was sympathetic to the and pleaded with him to wait and be He was also His Majesty’s Lieutenant patient with what he called ‘casual methods’ of his subordinates. Moore argued that the delay in answering the requests for information ‘is due to carelessness rather than any presumed hostility’.19 However, Hillas refused to see it from Moore’s perspective and he was determined to resign.20 Was Hillas right or did he act too impulsively? On 23 August 1914, after he had received Hillas’s letter requesting information Alex McCabe responded with detailed information concerning the Keash Volunteer Corps.21 McCabe was a committed Nationalist and later commanded Republican forces in Sligo during the War of Independence. Colonel Maurice Moore Two other commanders with strong Nationalist views who responded aims of the Volunteers movement and promptly to Hillas were Owen Tansey, some were refusing to serve under a Gurteen Volunteers and Seamus for Co. Sligo and a prominent member Unionist officer.13 Kennedy demanded Devins Grange Volunteers.22 Both of the Sligo Unionist Alliance. O’Hara the removal of Hillas maintaining that men later took a very active role in immediately used the opportunity if he wasn’t replaced then Volunteer the Republican movement during the offered by the granting of Home commanders in the surrounding War of Independence. It seemed as Rule to submit an article to the Sligo districts would endeavour to have if these men shared the pragmatism Champion encouraging Nationalists to their units attached to a neighbouring of Colonel Moore and were willing enlist in the army.24 county’s Volunteer Corps.14 to accept training and organisation At the beginning of 1915 Sligo On 20 August 1914 Colonel Moore from a Unionist officer at least until Nationalists believed they were enlisting wrote to Kennedy emphasising the they themselves gained the necessary in greater numbers than Unionists in

4 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Sligo. The Sligo Champion criticised issues. In February 1916 Wilson, Rule. Unionist volunteering in Sligo in late visited Sligo and spoke to five different Of particular concern to the Sligo January 1915 claiming that Sligo Protestant Unionists. The five men Unionists interviewed by Wilson was Unionists were not volunteering in interviewed were Alexander Lyons, the growth of the Sinn Féin movement. large numbers.25 Sligo Unionists a solicitor from Sligo town, Francis William Fenton told Wilson that Sinn were quick to defend themselves and Nelson, a jeweller, William Fenton, the Féiners in Sligo were more numerous the Sligo Independent reported on a Clerk of Crown and Peace and Arthur than people think and that they meeting of the Sligo Unionist Alliance, Jackson, a large businessman. The wanted Germany to win the war. He in February 1915 where the members fifth Unionist interviewed was Major also mentioned that Home Rulers in expressed their annoyance regarding Charles O’Hara.31 Sligo actually feared Sinn Féin and the Sligo Champion’s criticism of All five men told Wilson that ‘would welcome their arrest’ and Unionist volunteering and argued that Sligo town had done well as regards O’Hara blamed Sinn Féin activity both communities had done well as recruiting, while Alex Lyons and for the small number of recruits from regards recruiting. The Sligo Champion Francis Nelson tried to claim that the country areas of Co. Sligo.38 In did not engage in any further criticism Unionists had done more for recruiting January 1916 the R.I.C. believed that of Sligo Unionist volunteering and in Sligo than Nationalists.32 This claim Sinn Féin was damaging recruitment over the course of 1915 the paper did not seem to be true as the most in Sligo, especially in the country switched its criticism to the lack of prominent Nationalist politicians in areas. In March 1916, Sir Malby Ulster Unionist enlistment.26 Sligo, including the mayor John Jinks, Crofton a Protestant landowner and a Recruiting levels in Sligo town from and the two Nationalist M.P.s, John member of the Sligo Unionist Alliance August 1914 and up to mid February O’Dowd and Thomas Scanlon, were complained that while the government 1915 were high. At this point in the supporting the war effort and had been was demanding more recruits they war 350 recruits and 200 reservists had involved in recruitment since the start were doing absolutely nothing to joined up from County Sligo and of the of the war. control Sinn Féin activists, who were 350 recruits, Sligo town had supplied Francis Nelson and Arthur Jackson frustrating recruiting meetings.39 279 of them, while 152 of the reservists also mentioned that they believed However most Nationalists in Sligo were from Sligo town.27 It seemed the Catholic clergy were not doing were generally supportive of recruiting that the town of Sligo was supplying enough to encourage recruitment.33 and were not publicly opposing it and most of the army recruits since the There is little evidence to suggest it would seem that the low number of beginning of the war and complaints that the Catholic clergy in Sligo recruits from the country areas had that Sligo farmers were not responding were opposed to recruiting at this more to do with the attractiveness of to the call to arms were expressed by time and when Mike O’Leary V.C., a staying on the land while agricultural Nationalists and Unionists at various lieutenant in the Connaught Rangers prices were high. When it came recruiting meetings.28 visited Sligo in November 1915 to to those opposing the war, Sinn Some of the most ardent supporters of encourage recruiting, Catholic clergy Féin did not appear to have a large Britain in Sligo were Protestant women and members of the Sligo Catholic membership or support base in Sligo at who served as nurses during the war Institute provided entertainment for the time. Over the course of the year and also help to set up war charities.29 O’Leary, and the officers and men 1915 the R.I.C. Co. Sligo Inspector However, support for charitable of the Connaught Rangers embarked consistently mentioned that Sinn Féin organisations was an area where both on a recruiting campaign after they were gathering strength in the county, Protestant and Catholics worked had attended mass at Sligo Catholic however he could only point to the closely together and in particular they Cathedral.34 fact that 254 members of the estimated became deeply involved raising funds When Wilson visited Sligo he 4,544 members of the Volunteers in for the sixty-four Sligo prisoners of found that Unionists were focused Sligo were ‘Sinn Féiners’, which was war held in Germany.30 The donations on supporting the war effort and was not a very large number.40 Part of and concern shown by Protestants and informed by the five Unionists he the Unionist exaggeration of the Sinn Catholics in Sligo for the prisoners of interviewed that the Sligo branch of Féin threat in Sligo at the time may war proved to be an opportunity for the I.U.A. was virtually inactive.35 have been to try and rekindle Unionist both communities to combine their Francis Nelson pessimistically support during the war. efforts in a common cause. Were both informed Wilson that he didn’t believe However, on 24 April 1916 units communities becoming closer because that Unionist movement in Sligo could of the Irish Volunteers along with the of their shared experience of the war, ever be reactivated again.36 On the Irish Citizen Army occupied some as Unionists hoped they would, or other hand, Arthur Jackson maintained key positions around Dublin City were old differences lying just under that ‘Unionists would again stand up’, Centre and staged a rebellion against the surface? and that a settlement along federal British rule in Ireland. British troops John MacKay Wilson provided an lines was discussed by some Sligo and police heavily outnumbered the important insight into local Unionist Unionists.37 The fact that some Sligo rebels and on 29 April the insurgents opinion in Sligo at this time. Wilson Unionists were discussing the idea of surrendered. The rebellion was later was travelling around Ireland gaining a federal settlement indicated a change associated with Sinn Féin, even though the opinions of Unionists on various in attitude by Unionists towards Home the party had taken no active part in it.

5 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

The Irish Volunteers in Sligo at the their organisation after the war. the Republican movement.50 Countess time numbered about 136 men in three The British government were Markievicz’s visit gave the Sinn Féin branches and some Irish Volunteer now fearful that the growth in Sinn party a boost in Sligo and by the end of leaders in Sligo knew that the rising Féin popularity was jeopardising the December 1917 Sinn Féin membership was going to take place but because war effort and in March 1917 the in Sligo stood at over 2,700.51 of confusion over the exact date when government proposed the idea that the In January 1918, in order to further the insurrection would commence they various Irish parties should attend a increase the party’s profile Sinn Féin got were unable to mobilise their units in convention and discuss all the issues involved in what became known as the time to take any action.41 relating to Irish self-government and conacre campaign. The campaign was The actions of the British authorities the status of Ulster within a future a spontaneous reaction by land hungry following the Easter Rising were very settlement.47 Many southern Unionists tenants, who were mostly Catholic and heavy handed and while some of the were accepting the fact that some Nationalist, to what was ironically a leaders of the rising in Dublin were form of change in the legislative union government demand for farmers to ‘till executed, local leaders and members between Britain and Ireland after the more land’.52 However, Sinn Féin took of the Irish Volunteers from around the war was inevitable. Even determined advantage of the situation and ‘cashed country were arrested and imprisoned. Unionists like O’Hara seemed to have in’ politically on agrarian discontent. Even though the Irish Volunteers in been convinced to at least think about Sinn Féin activists encouraged large Sligo did not take part in the Rising, the idea of Irish self-government and groups of poorer farmers to confiscate the R.I.C. imprisoned fifteen leaders he displayed a significant change of the lands of large landowners, which of Sinn Féin and the Irish Volunteers mind when he wrote to Sir Malby particularly affected the lands of in the county.42 At first the Rising was Crofton on 27 March 1917 expressing Protestants and Unionists in Sligo. not popular amongst the majority of the view that the I.U.A. should consider However, by March 1918 many of the people in Sligo but the news of the entertaining any proposals made by those involved in the agrarian troubles execution of Irishmen by the British the British government concerning had been arrested and prosecuted.53 authorities swayed public sympathy in Home Rule.48 With the end of the conacre campaign favour of Sinn Féin. On 20 May 1916 On the 21 July 1917 Countess of 1918, Protestant and Unionist the Sligo Champion commented on the Markievicz arrived in Sligo to receive landowners in Sligo could breath a execution of the leaders of the 1916 the freedom of the borough.49 Countess temporary sigh of relief. However Rising saying ‘a sickening thud went it wasn’t long before Sinn Féin was through the heart of Ireland with each given the opportunity to embark on fresh announcement’43 and a week later another campaign in Sligo. on 27 May, the paper’s editorial argued In March 1918 with Allied losses that people from Sligo who had nothing mounting on the Western Front to do with the Rising in Dublin were the British government proposed being arrested and this was resulting in to extend conscription to Ireland. ‘a good deal of dissatisfaction’.44 Although many political movements Sligo Unionists were very in Ireland, including the I.P.P., were concerned over the Easter Rising and opposed to conscription, it was Sinn the expansion of the Sinn Féin Party Féin who had continually opposed and were feeling increasingly more the war and benefited most from anti- powerless to do anything about it or conscription meetings. In April 1918 to influence government policy. When Sligo Corporation and Sligo County Wilson made a return visit to Sligo Council passed resolutions against in late June 1917 he discovered that Conscription and the Catholic clergy many Unionists were ‘despondent as and local Sinn Féiners in Sligo spoke to the future’.45 Other Unionists in out strongly against conscription at a Sligo were feeling much more than large meeting held on 15 April 1918 in despondency and Wilson mentioned Sligo Town Hall.54 a rumour he heard from a Colonel Sinn Féin were now associating James Campbell, who was concerned themselves with the I.P.P. and that the next time Sinn Féin organised Countess Markievicz Military Catholic Church, the respectable a rebellion, they had plans to take and conservative elements in Sligo. Uniform important men of rank hostage in each However, it was Sinn Féin that seemed county. Wilson’s general comment on Markievicz was the daughter of the to benefit most from this national Unionists in Sligo at this time was that Protestant landowner Henry Gore Booth solidarity and ‘recruits rushed not ‘people seem to drift from day to day of Lissadell and the sister of Jossyln into the army but into Sinn Féin and not knowing either what to expect, or Gore Booth, a leading member of the the Irish Volunteers’.55 By May 1918 what to hope for’.46 Which is a strong Sligo Unionist Alliance. However, she Sinn Féin membership in Co. Sligo indication that Sligo Unionists would disagreed with the Unionist politics of stood at almost 4,000.56 Membership have a lot of difficulty in reactivating her family and she became involved in of the Irish Volunteers increased from

6 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

225 members in January 1918 to Unionists’ reaffirming their support for had little idea of how to oppose 429 members in April 1918 and by the Union and rejected self-government either Home Rule or Sinn Féin. As July 1918 membership of the Irish for Ireland. The S.U.C. sought close no Unionist candidate was going to Volunteers in Sligo stood at 646.57 cooperation between Ulster Unionists run for election in either of the Sligo In late April 1918 an anti-conscription and Southern Unionists, which they constituencies, the only plan the Sligo meeting was held in Maugherow, north believed, was essential for successful Unionist Alliance came up with was Sligo, and Nationalist councillors and resistance to Home Rule.bh to urge their supporters to completely the Catholic clergy urged the gathered All through April and May 1918 boycott the election and they strongly crowd to resist conscription.58 Sir the Sligo Independent published the criticised both the I.P.P. and Sinn Féin Jossyln Gore Booth gave a speech at S.U.C.s ‘call to Unionists’ encouraging claiming that the I.P.P. would have this meeting appealing to the young Unionists to speak out against Irish welcomed a British defeat in the war men to join the British army, however self-government.61 In June and July as much as Sinn Féin would have.68 his views were at out of touch with 1918 Charles O’Hara wrote to Lord The comments directed at the I.P.P. the majority and the crowd repeatedly Midleton leader of the I.U.A. praising by Sligo Unionists were unfair and heckled him. Protestant Unionists his work in reaching an agreement at inaccurate and John Jinks, Thomas the Irish Convention. However, he argued that as a result of the agrarian trouble and the conscription crisis ‘any form of Home Government would be unthinkable now as it would mean handing our country over to the Sinn Féiners’.62 With potential divisions in the Unionist movement brewing, O’Hara decided to intensify his efforts to gain more recruits for the army and in August 1918 he wrote to Major Murphy, the recruiting officer in Sligo offering his support and assistance.63 The conacre campaign and the trouble over conscription had damaged recruiting in Sligo and for the period January to July 1918 only thirty-three men joined Josslyn Gore Booth up, the number for the same period of 1917 had been fifty-eight.64 However, continued to support the British O’Hara was now swimming against war effort and refused to criticise the tide of popular opinion in Sligo and conscription. The anti-conscription in early September 1918 a large Sinn Michael O’Leary WWI Poster campaign came to a close in June 1918 Féin led crowd disrupted a recruiting when the British government decided meeting organised by O’Hara and Scanlon M.P. and John O’Dowd M.P. not to extend conscription to Ireland. Major Murphy.65 had endured continuous criticism for In April 1918, during the conscription Evidence indicates that a figure of their encouragement of recruitment crisis, the Irish Convention was 1,000 men who joined the army from and desire to see Britain win the war concluded. A majority of the delegates Sligo town, while 500 men joined from and grant Home Rule. The Unionist at the convention agreed to a scheme of the county.66 A total of 385 Protestant aloofness from politics in Sligo and the Irish self-government with safeguards males were living in Sligo town in 1911 negative remarks directed at Sinn Féin for Ulster Unionists and southern who would have been between the and the I.P.P. was not going to gain Unionists. However, the scheme was ages of 18 and 40 in 1914, which was them any sympathy for their plight as not implemented as Sinn Féin and the the age band for military service in the an isolated minority outside Ulster.69 Ulster Unionists strongly opposed the First World War and 282 of them served However, it is hard to imagine Sligo agreement. in the First World War including forty- Unionists adopting any other policy The convention was an important three who were killed.67 This means than abstention from the election. The milestone in that it was the first time that almost three-quarters of Protestant small numbers of Unionists dictated the southern Unionists, led by Lord males in Sligo town between the ages that they could not possibly hope to field Midleton had supported Home Rule. of 18 and 40 enlisted. a successful candidate in either Sligo A small group of southern Unionists When the war ended in November constituency. As they were completely disagreed with Midleton and on 20 1918, the British government planned opposed to Sinn Fein policies, the only February 1918 they formed themselves an election for December 1918. The other party they could have supported into the Southern Unionist Committee Unionists of Sligo wished to reactivate was the I.P.P. Sligo Unionists could (S.U.C.).59 They issued the ‘Call to their opposition to Home Rule but have supported the I.P.P., which from

7 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 their perspective was the lesser of two notes for the future when at the end of ones left encouraging recruitment. evils, however the divisions within the 1918 he wrote that ‘the bond of common The political apathy shown by Sligo ranks of southern Unionism at the time service proved so strong and enduring Unionists at the general election after along with their tradition of strong that Catholic and Protestant, Unionist the war only increased the alienation loyalty to the Union and the elation felt and Nationalist, lived and fought and of the Unionist population in Sligo. by the Unionists at the British victory died side by side like brothers. Little However, if Cooper, who had been a in the war also prevented them from was spoken concerning the points on leader of Unionist opposition to Home urging their supporters to vote for the which we differed and once we had Rule, could change his views then it I.P.P. showed that it was not impossible for The election, which took place on other Protestants and Unionists to come 14 December 1918, resulted in the two to some form of accommodation with the Catholic and Nationalist majority in Sligo.

Opposition to Home Rule Sinn Féin candidates defeating the two sitting I.P.P. M.P.s. In the south Sligo constituency John O’Dowd M.P. received only eighteen per cent of the poll while Alex McCabe of Sinn Féin received over eighty-two per cent.70 In North Sligo John Clancy, Sinn Féin, Redmond Recruiting Poster received sixty-eight per cent of the tacitly agreed to let the past be buried votes cast, while Thomas Scanlon got we found thousands of points on which thirty-two per cent.71 One explanation we agreed’.73 After his time in the army why the I.P.P. polled better in north Cooper returned to politics and he was SinnFein AnitRedmond Sligo may have been that the North only one of a handful Protestants in the Sligo constituency, which included Irish Free State to take an active part Sligo town, was also home to a larger politically at national level and in 1923 number of Protestant Unionists and Cooper was elected as an independent Appendix many of them may have gone against T.D. for County Dublin, in 1927 he Table 1: December 1918 General Election Results the wishes of the Sligo Unionist was re-elected for the Cumann na for the north Sligo Constituency Alliance and voted for the I.P.P. nGaedheal Party. Candidate Party Votes Percentage share candidate. At the end of the war the Protestant John Clancy Sinn Féin 9,030 68.04 Thomas Scanlon I.P.P. 4,242 31.96 Conclusion Unionists in Sligo were isolated both Total poll 13,272 71.79 politically and religiously from their Majority Sinn Féin 4,788 36.08 Catholic and Nationalist neighbours and the hoped for co-operation between the One seat and an electorate of 18,488 two communities at the start of the war Source: Elections Ireland, General Election, north had never really materialised. While Sligo constituency results, 14 Dec. 1918 (http:// Protestants and Unionists in Sligo electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=1918&con strongly supported the war effort and s=205) (1 June 2006). neglected Unionist politics as the war Redmond inspecting Irish Volunteers 1914 wore on, they made little effort to come to any consensus with the I.P.P. on how Table 2: December 1918 General Election Results Many Protestants and Unionists to oppose Sinn Féin. No effort was for the south Sligo Constituency were dismayed by Sinn Féin’s electoral made locally by Unionists to capitalise One seat and an electorate of 18,013 success in Sligo. However, Major on the agreements regarding Irish self- Candidate Party Votes Percentage share Bryan Cooper, who had served in the government reached by the I.U.A. at the Alec McCabe Sinn Féin 9,113 82.09 72 Connaught Rangers during the war, Irish Conference of 1917-18. The anti- John O’Dowd I.P.P. 1,988 17.91 Total poll 11,101 61.63 and had been a vocal and a passionate conscription campaign further isolated Majority Sinn Féin 7,125 64.18 defender of Unionism before the war Unionists and many Protestants in expressed one of the few optimistic Sligo as they were largely the only Source: Elections Ireland, General Election, south 8 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Sligo constituency results, 14 Dec. 1918 (http:// 24 S.C., 19 Sept. 1914. 1972), p. 360. electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=1918&con 25 Ibid., 23 Jan. 1915. 60 Ibid. s=206) (1 June 2006). 26 Ibid., 3 July 1915 and 25 Sept. 1915. 61 S.I., 6 April 1918, 5 May 1918. 27 S.I., 13 Mar. 1915. 62 O’Hara to Lord Midleton, 8 July 1918 (N.L.I., (Endnotes) 28 Ibid., 17 April 1915. O’Hara papers, MS 16826). 1 Census of Ireland for the Year 1911, p. 32. 29 Ibid., 25 Dec. 1915, Ibid., 29 Jan. 1916. 63 O’Hara to Major Murphy, 21 Aug. 1918 (N.L.I., 2 Ibid. 30 Charles Kean O’Hara’s bound volume containing O’Hara papers, MS 16826). 3 Sligo Independent [S.I.], 28 Feb. 1914. alphabetical list of prisoners of war from Co. Sligo 64 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Jan.-1 Dec. 1918 (T.N.A., 4 Sligo Times [S.T.], 13 Jan. 1912. held in Germany and Turkey, 1915-18 (N.L.I., CO/904: microfilm, N.L.I., POS 8540-2); ibid., 1 5 Sligo Champion [S.C.], 8 Feb. 1914; Sligo County O’Hara Papers, MS 36446/3). Jan.-1 Dec. 1917. Inspector R.I.C. Monthly Report [S.C.I. R.I.C. 31 J.M. Wilson’s tour of Ireland, Co. Sligo, 24 Feb. 65 S.I., 14 Sept. 1918. M.R.], 1 Aug. 1914 (T.N.A., CO/904: microfilm, 1916 (P.R.O.N.I., J.M. Wilson papers, D/989/A/9/7). 66 S.I. and S.C., 26 Feb. 1916 and Sligo Champion N.L.I., POS 8536). 32 Ibid. Sesquicentenary Supplement 1836-1986 (Sligo, 6 S.I., 8 Aug. 1914. 33 Ibid. 1986), p. 57. 7 R.B. McDowell, Crisis and Decline: The Fate of 34 S.C., 13 Nov. 1915. 67 Census of Ireland for the Year 1911, p. 32; War the Southern Unionists, (Dublin, 1997), p. 38. 35 J.M. Wilson’s tour of Ireland, Co. Sligo, 24 Feb. Memorials in Sligo Presbyterian Church, S.I., 27 8 S.C., 8 Aug. 1914. 1916 (P.R.O.N.I., J.M. Wilson papers, D/989/A/9/7). Dec. 1919. War Memorials in Clary Parish Church 9 S.I., 8 Aug. 1914. 36 Ibid. and Sligo Grammar School, S.I., 8 Oct. 1921. War 10 Ibid., 15 Aug. 1914. 37 Ibid. Memorials in St. John’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, 11 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Sept. 1914 (T.N.A., CO/904: 38 Ibid. S.I., 13 Sept. 1947. S.I., 27 Oct. 1928, 3 Nov. 1928 microfilm, N.L.I., POS 8537). 39 Sir Malby Crofton to Denis R. Pack-Beresford, and 17 Nov. 1928. 12 Colonel Maurice Moore to Major R.W. Hillas, Hon. Sec. I.U.A., 11 Mar. 1916 (P.R.O.N.I., J.M. 68 S.I., 30 Nov. 1918. 11 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS Wilson papers, D/989A/8/6). 69 S.C., 30 Nov. 1918. 10550). 40 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Jan. - 1 Dec. 1915 (T.N.A., 70 Elections Ireland, General Election, 14 December 13 Seamus Kennedy to Colonel Maurice Moore, CO/904: microfilm, N.L.I., POS 8540). 1918, South Sligo constituency results, (http:// electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=1918&con 41 18 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS Ibid., 1 April 1916. s=206). (1 June 2006). 10550). 42 Ibid., 1 June 1916. 71 Elections Ireland, General Election, 14 December 14 Ibid. 43 S.C., 20 May 1916. 1918, North Sligo constituency results, (http:// 15 Colonel Maurice Moore to Seamus Kennedy, 44 Ibid., 27 May 1916. electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=1918&con s=205), (1 June 2006). 20 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 45 J.M. Wilson’s tour of Ireland, Co. Sligo, 28 June- 72 John C. McTernan, Worthies of Sligo (Sligo, 10550). 18 July 1917 (P.R.O.N.I., J.M. Wilson’s papers, 1994), p. 19. 16 Ibid. D/989A/9/7). 73 17 46 Bryan Cooper, The Tenth (Irish) Division in Major R.W. Hillas to Colonel Maurice Moore, Ibid. Gallipoli, (London, 1918), p. 253. 2 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 47 Patrick Buckland, Irish Unionism 1: The Anglo- 10550). Irish and the New Ireland 1885 to 1922 (Dublin, The sources for the illustrations are: Redmond inspecting the Irish Volunteers shortly 18 Ibid. 1972), pp 351-52. before they split, 1914 from http://multitext.ucc.ie/ 19 Colonel Maurice Moore to Major R.W. Hillas, 48 O’Hara to Sir Malby Crofton, 27 Mar. 1917 viewgallery/359. 3 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS (N.L.I., O’Hara papers, MS 16826). Michael O’Leary VC poster from http://commons. 49 10550). S.C., 28 July 1917 wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Michael_O’Leary_WWI_ 20 Major R.W. Hillas to Colonel Maurice Moore, 50 John C. McTernan, Worthies of Sligo (Sligo, poster.jpg.

5 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 1994), pp 193-97. Opposition to Home Rule poster from P.R.O.N.I. 10550). 51 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Jan. 1918 (T.N.A., CO/904: 21 Alex McCabe to Major Hillas, 23 Aug. 1914 microfilm, N.L.I., POS 8545). Colonel Maurice Moore from http://www.hughlane. ie/online_catalogue/all-works.php?page=228 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 52 S.I., 16 Feb. 1918.

22 Owen Tansey to Major Hillas, 26 Aug. 1914, 53 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 April 1918 (T.N.A., CO/904: Josslyn Gore-Booth from Sligo County Library Seamus Devins to Major Hillas, 28 Aug. 1914 microfilm, N.L.I., POS 8545). Sinn Fein Anti-Redmond from Thomas Bartlett and (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 54 S.C., 13 April 1918. Keith Jeffery (eds.), A military history of Ireland 23 William Lipsett, Collooney Corps to Hillas, 20 Aug. 55 David Fitzpatrick, Politics and Irish Life, 1913- (Cambridge, 1996), p. 21. 1914; Domnick Bree, Collooney Corps to Hillas, 26 1921: Provincial Experience of War and Revolution Countess Markievicz in uniform from Thomas Aug 1914; Michael McDonagh, Geevagh Corps (Dublin, 1977), p. 127. Bartlett and Keith Jeffery (eds.), A military history to Hillas, 21 Aug. 1914; William Caffrey, Easkey 56 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 May 1918 (T.N.A., CO/904: of Ireland (Cambridge, 1996), p. 9. Corps to Hillas, 28 Aug. 1914; R. B. Anderson, microfilm, N.L.I., POS 8546). Redmond recruiting poster from Thomas Bartlett 57 Calry Corps to Hillas, 29 Aug 1914, Thomas Clarke, Ibid., 1 Jan 1918; 1 April 1918; 1 July 1918. and Keith Jeffery (eds.), A military history of Ireland Skreen and Dromard Corps to Hillas, 31 Aug 1914; 58 S.C., 4 May 1918. (Cambridge, 1996), p. 19. Tom Deignan, Maugherow Corps to Hillas, 31 Aug. 59 Patrick Buckland, Irish Unionism 1: The Anglo- Charles O’Hara from John C. McTernan, In Sligo 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). Irish and the New Ireland 1885 to 1922 (Dublin, long ago (Dublin, 1998), p.545

9 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 The Colour and Fashion of Death Niamh Conlon

Black is the colour most people associate down to mourners but proper mourning with funerals and mourning. The reasons rings were made for people attending for this are varied. Some think the the funeral and were made following wearing of black comes from the Greek, instruction in the deceased’s will. In and later Roman, habit of wearing dark 1616 Shakespeare’s will requested that coloured togas during mourning. Others his friends receive rings valued at 26s believe that black symbolised the night each. Putting the value in the will was and the person wearing it would be very common, what happened to the invisible to the dead, making them safe rings in the long term is often speculated from evil. However, black is not the only on with many suggestions that they were colour of mourning. melted down by the receivers after an In China white is worn, just as it was appropriate length of time. in France during Mary Queen of Scots’ As the popularity and variety of mourning time (mid to late 16th century), which is jewellery grew over time, jewellers kept why she is often pictured wearing white stocks of items for mourning. Some of mourning. In Scotland black was not these were for use with hair which was commonly worn until the end of the 18th provided by the client or later came with century. Before this, many rural women hair already in them. It was common went to funerals wearing red plaids for some jewellers to kept stocks of hair or cloaks, possibly because this was for mourning jewellery. This led to DIY their best clothing or because red was kits coming out that helped mourners considered to be a colour disliked by learn how to make their own hair braids evil. There are reports of lowland ladies for jewellery such as the 1871 book in the early 1700s wearing their brightest entitled “The Art of Working Hair” by dresses and ornaments to funerals. This Skull and Crossbones - detail on a grave Miss A Speighs. By 1877 The Pringles later gave way to the wearing of dark at St Bridget’s Kirk, Dalgety Bay, Fife. Catalogue sold hair braids for mourning colours which was particularly loved by rings, the connection to the dead was the Victorians. well as mourning but its association with now just a symbol. It was during Victorian times that the death goes back over the millennia. Jet Over time mourning became less fashion of mourning reached it height in beads have been found in a few Scottish rigorous and now the use of muted Britain. At this time there were set rules Bronze Age burials and it was also used colours and the black ties worn by men of the length of mourning, the colours to by the Romans. Some archaeologists are probably the only outward signs of be worn and even the types of jewellery believe that the appearance of jet beads mourning and even these are restricted to be worn. For a year following the in burial contexts shows its ritual status, to use at funerals. death of a close relative a Victorian which may have been augmented by woman would be in deep mourning, its electrostatic properties, giving jet Selected Bibliography: this involved the wearing of black to be an air of magic. Others argue that these replaced by other dark colours (green or items were buried with the last of a Arnold, C. (2007) Necropolis - purple) during half mourning and then family or clan line. As often they show London and its Dead, London when the time was right they would signs of wear and bead replacements it begin to wear bright colours again. can be argued that they were treasured Doherty, N. Mourning Jewellery The closer the relationship the longer possessions that were buried when there Article available at: http://england.prm. the period of deep mourning. All items was no one left to inherit them. Either ox.ac.uk/englishness-nuala-doherty- of clothing had to adhere to the rules way jet would have been an expensive mourning-jewellery.html of mourning including accessories, and slightly exotic item. British jet wedding dresses, which were grey or comes from Whitby in Yorkshire which Gordon, A. (1984) Death is for lavender when the bride was in mourning would have been quite a journey in the the Living, Edinburgh Bronze Age. and undergarments which had a black th ribbon. In the 19 century when jet became a Hunter, M. (1993) Mourning Due to the instability of dyes at the fashionable mourning symbol the jet Jewellery A collectors account, time underwear was not dyed black as industry in Whitby thrived. In 1820 there Edinburgh it would probably have dyed the skin. were only a few men working in the jet This did not prevent everything else industry and by mid nineteenth century Pearson, M. P. (1999) The Archaeology being dyed black and exposure to dye over 1400 people were employed in of Death and Burial, Stroud: Sutton chemicals led to health problems such the enterprise. Over time alternatives Publishing Ltd. as asthma and cataracts. Over the hair to jet were introduced to make it more a long back veil to the waist was worn affordable for the poor. French jet, and decorated with ‘weepers’ or black which was black glass, was used, as was Smith, M. (2009) The Church ribbons. A face covering veil was worn vulcanite, a rubber compound invented of Scotland and the Funeral Industry whenever the lady in mourning left the by Goodyear in the 1840s. Unfortunately in Nineteenth-century Edinburgh, house and even children and servants very little French jet had survived to this Scottish Historical Review. Vol 88, were expected to wear mourning. day as it was very brittle and prone to Page 108-133 When most people think of mourning damage. Article available at: http://www. jewellery they think of jet which was made Mourning rings were also common for euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/ fashionable by Queen Victoria. Jet was many years with early ones showing E0036924109000596 expensive and was a show of wealth as religious motifs. Some were handed

10 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Margaret Logan Eugene Gillan

Margaret Logan was born in 1872 in Courtcoolbeg, Drumcliffe, Co Sligo. Her family were farmers who also engaged in salmon and shell fishing. The Logan home was close to the ruins of an old Augustinian monastic site. The remains of a Dovecote called Caislain na Colm was in one of the fields called Pairc na Colm and from an early age Margaret was interested in the history of the folklore of her locality. She was encouraged in this by local historian Bernard Hart. Margaret went to her local school in Rathcormac and later to another in Sligo town. She then attended a convent in Liverpool. Coming home from

Taken at Newtownstewart creamery. Margaret Logan is on the left of the two ladies second, third and fifth prizes for the of the fishermen’s boats were seized several classes of butter forwarded by the and their leaders including Margaret’s Newtownstewart Creamery. Mainly due grandfather and neighbour Morgan to this success the Creamery was able to Farrell were arrested. Both family sell its products to the great ocean liners homes were attacked and damaged. and all the high class hotels in London. Many years later in 1936, Sir Margaret became very involved in Jocelyn Gore Booth visited both both the Gaelic League and Cumann na families and explained that his family mBan. In 1910 she joined the Achonry had not been involved in the burning Creamery. This was a very successful of the houses. He also said that in enterprise and provided a wide range hindsight his family should not have of products. Her efforts to found a taken part in the oyster bed incident. fisherman’s co-op were in part the result Because of her membership of the of her great interest in local history cooperative movement and her activities and in particular the dispute in the in Cumann na mBan Margaret made nineteenth century involving landlords many friends in the Tubbercurry and and the local fishermen in Ballysodare Ballymote areas. The will of the people Bay, Sligo Bay and Drumcliffe Bay. at the time to achieve independence Liverpool Margaret went to study at The rights to the oyster fishing were remained as strong as ever. One the Glasnevin Dairy School in Dublin the subject of several court cases. Sunday in September 1917 she was where she was awarded a gold medal Regarding Drumcliffe Bay, huge among a group of women attached and remained on in the College to teach. damage was caused by the great storm to Cumann na nBan who c1imed When Drumcliffe Creamery opened of 1839. However the local fishermen Knocknasidhe. They resolved that in 1875 Margaret obtained the position managed to restore the beds. Later from day to carry on with their endeavours of Dairy Maid and was delighted to be 1858 to 1862 numerous gales piled sand to achieve independence for Ireland. back home with her family and friends. all over the beds and again and again In 1918 Margaret was invited to Dublin However in 1899 she was approached they were restored by the fishermen. by the Glasnevin Dairy School to discuss by the Duchess of Abercorn to work In 1863 the local landlord Sir Robert exam procedures. It was to prove a fatal in her creamery in Newtownstewart Gore Booth claimed ownership of the journey. While there she contracted the just outside of Omagh. The Duchess oyster beds and refused to meet with the lethal Spanish flu. Margaret came home was a progressive lady and the local fishermen. When the fishermen to Drumcliffe but never recovered and creamery became very successful. arrived at the oyster beds they were died soon afterwards. Her brief but In 1901 Margaret and the Duchess prevented from dredging by a large fruitful life had ended. She is buried in travelled to the Great London Exhibition force, comprised of the Coastguards, Drumcliffe graveyard. where Margaret took first prize in the Police, and units of the British army and Thanks to Mandy Byrne, Mandy major competition. She was also awarded some of the Gore Booth tenants. Many Gogharty and Sally O’Neill..

11 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Materials from the Robinson Estate Office, Sligo

Mary B. Timoney

Two years ago I presented some outline of the I thank Vivienne Gilmore for rescuing and minding these massive collection of Meldrum papers discovered by Martin A. volumes since the late 1970s and for her wisdom in giving Timoney in an upper room of a building that was then soon to be them to Sligo Library. I also thank Margaret McBrien, Ultan demolished on the Meldrum premises in Castle St., Sligo. The McNasser and Martin A. Timoney for help in compiling this story of their discovery was related in the accompanying article article. by Brian Donnelly of the National Archives of Ireland. Those articles were a plea for the preservation of business records References where developments were taking place or families were moving Donnelly, Brian, 2008-2009: “Sligo’s Past Uncovered”, The on. By sheer good luck yet another piece of Sligo history has Corran Herald, 41, 37. been saved by being brought to our attention and deposited in Timoney, Mary B., 2005: Had Me Made: A Study of the Grave Sligo Library Local Studies Archive. Memorials of Co. Sligo from c. 1650 to the Present, One evening last March I had a call from Margaret Keash, TASKS. McBrien in Sligo who told me that one of her fellow members Timoney, Mary B., 2008-2009: “Meldrum’s Account Books, at a painting class, Vivienne Gilmore, was talking of several big Record of the Social Life of 20th Century Sligo”, The account books that were in her shed and in her attic. McBrien Corran Herald, 41, 38. thought that they had come from an office in Sligo several years ago. As Martin A. was heading into north Sligo he made Rent Ledger, No. 10, Register No. 2615 April 7/91 contact with Vivienne and she showed him the books. Yes, Taking this ledger as a sample of the collection and books, big books, the largest is 18” high, two are 5” thick and looking at the entries in it I have extracted the following list of one has 1,000 pages. She told him that there were more in the Clients for Robinsons. Spellings are as in the volume. attic. They had all been rescued from Robinson’s Estate Office in Stephen St., Sligo, in the 1970s. He mentioned the articles Reps. Capt. Armstrong No. II; Dec. 1891 to July 1894 on the Meldrum papers in The Corran Herald in 2008 which Reps. of Baker; Feb. 1894 to Feb. 1900, Mar. 1900 to Dec. are now in the National Archives of Ireland. Several weeks 1900 later Martin A. returned to take a more detailed look at the B. Barstow, Esq.; Mar. 1902 to Nov. 1905 books, including some recently taken down from the attic. He Major John A. Barstow; July 1891 to Jan 1898, Nov. 1898 to expressed the idea that the best home for the books was the local Mar. 1900 Sligo Library Local Studies Archive. Vivienne gave over the Reps. Major John A. Barstow; Mar. 1900 to Jan. 1902 seventeen volumes and some loose papers to him. Following Rev. W. F. Black D.D.; Mar. 1892 to Nov. 1898 a rapid examination of the volumes here in Keash, the volumes C.O. Blake Esq.; Nov. 1894 to Oct. 1897 were transferred to Sligo Library to be put with the one hundred Reps. Godfrey Brereton; Feb. 1892 to July 1896 and eighty items already there from the Robinson Estate Office. R.G. Brinkley; May 1895 to June 1902 Some notes taken from one of the volumes are given below. Sir Benjamin Bromhead; June 1894 to Mar. 1902 The content ranges quite a bit but it essentially concerns John Lloyd Brinkley Esq.; April 1891 to Oct. 1893, Sept. 1893 payments and are good on detail: Account Book; Indexed List to Mar. 1895, Mar. 1895 to April 1902 of Tenants of Landlords, Alliance Assurance Fire Order Book; J.F. Clarke Esq.; June 1891 to Jan. 1893 Alliance Life Proposals; Cash Book; Killaspugbrone and Sligo Cogan & Cogan; Dec. 1896 to Jan. 1900 area; Landlord’s Accounts; Plaintiff / Defendant Accounts; Miss Margaret Cogan; June 1893 to Mar. 1907 Private Cash Book; Rent Book; Workmen’s Accounts and Rev. A. Coates & anr.; May 1894 to Feb. 1896 Payments. Reps. Mrs. Craig; Jan. 1897 to April 1900 They were started between 1850 and 1928 and finished Sir Malby Crofton, Bart.; May 1894 to June 1897 between 1861 and 1981. They were used for between three Col. M.E. Crofton; Feb. 1895 to Dec. 1903 years and eighty years. One was commenced by D.K. Tuner, Reps. Mrs. Craig; Aug. 1898 to Mar. 1897 28 Nov., 1928, a lady who is still recollected in some circles in Reps. Vernon Davys; July 1894 to Nov. 1907 Sligo. Reps. of Davys; May 1914 to Nov. 1918, Feb. 1908 to April Some of the volumes have a label on the inside the 1914 cover. Some of these labels have numbers written in: 288 for Alexander Duke Esq.; Jan. 1892 to April 1894 Aug. 1884, 1060 for Nov. 1928, 2535 for 1895, 2615 for April Laurence P. Duke Esq.; Mar. 1891 to Dec. 1896 1891 and 3984 for May 1902. If these are actual numbers, as Col. J.C. Duke; April 1895 to May 1903 opposed to a code number system, then the Robinson Office Col. R.H. French; Mar. 1892 to June 1896 had almost 4,000 volumes in use by 1902. Capt. J.P. Gethins, (Major Nov. 1895); 1891 to April 1899 The discovery of these books is a major addition to Mrs. A.S. Gethins, Aughris; July 1891 to June 1900 the Robison collection of about one hundred and eighty items Mrs. Emma Gray; Mar. 1895 to Sept. 1908 already in Sligo Library. With research you never know where Col. Wm. Gilmore; Nov. 1894 to Aug. 1898 the next item of information will come from to lead you further. Rev. F.J.C. Gillmor; Aug 1898 to July 1902

12 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

James Grove Grove Esq.; May 1892 to May 1898, May 1898 Mrs. Hannah Wynne; Sept. 1891 to Sept. 1900, Mrs. Wynne to June 1899 died 19th Dec. 1898 Reps. Jas. J. Grove July 1899 to Jan. 1901 Dr. E. and Mrs. Wills-Martin; Feb. 1892 to Nov. 1895 J.M.C. Grove Esq.; June 1901 to May 1906 E.N. Wills-Martin; Dec. 1895 to Dec. 1895 Col. H.A. Hewetson No. II; Sept. 1894 to Dec. 1898 Mrs. F. Wills-Martin; Dec. 1896 to June 1899 James H. Hale Esq.; June 1891 to June 1893, July 1893 to April Francis Wills Martin; Nov. 1899 to Jan. 1900 1896 Reps. James Hale; Sept. 1893 to Jan. 1899 The entries shown are mainly general accounts. There Mrs. Hale; July 1891 to July 1893 is little detail of tenants’ names. Much of the monies out Col. H.A. Hewitson; Dec. 1893 to July 1899 were for rent, income tax, indentures, assurances, with some Capt. R.G. Hillas (Major 1896); May 1893 to Nov. 1897 detail on wages and buying stock and other materials. The John F. Kane Esq.; Oct. 1896 to No. 1903 most interesting information noted is from the accounts of George Keogh Esq.; Sept. 1891 to May 1894, June 1894 to Oct John Brinkley, Fortland House, Easkey. The rates of pay are 1899 given for bog rangers and shore rangers. There are details of John Kilkelly Esq.; May 1891 to 1May 1904 stock buying at fairs at Farranyharpy, Collooney, Ardnaglass, Killadoon; Mar. 1891 to Jan 1895 Ardnaree, Roslea, Dromore West, Tobercurry and Sligo. Costs Reps. Lloyd; June 1891 to Mar. 1896 of ploughing, threshing, mowing and fencing are given and also H.W. Meredith Esq.; Nov. 1893 to May 1894 the names of workers involved. Many of the names recorded, Messrs. Philips & Noble; Feb. 1894 to Aug. 1894, Nov. 1894 like Carnegy, Kilcullen, Conway and Maloney, are still in to Nov. 1907 Fortland area today. Messrs. Pollexfen; May 1902 to April 1907 The entries after the death Major R.G. Hillas, Donecoy, Miss H.A. Mosman; Jan. 1892 to Nov. 1895 Templeboy, in 1897, include cost of advertising of his death, 5/7, James O’Connor Esq.; Jan. 1895 to July 1898, Sept. 1898 to the driver’s fees, etc., at his funeral, £1, and paying J. McDermott Dec. 1904 £1-4-6 for engraving the vault in Skreen graveyard. Strangely Peter O’Connor No. II; Mar. 1894 to Sept. 1894 it was not the local stone masons, Diamonds or Flannellys who Peter O’Connor Esq.; July 1894 to July 1907 got this job but John McDermott who would have been in Sligo Reps. P. O’Connor; Dec. 1893 to Jan. 1896 town at that time (Timoney 2005, 214). Capt. R.W. Orme; Nov. 1892 to July 1896 Charles Webber, Gerrib House, Skreen, paid £20 for an Col. R. S. Ormsby; Dec. 1893 to Dec. 1905 outfit for his son, Charles Kingston, and £10 to R.D. Cuscadden, Major J. Paget; Dec. 1892 to June 1899 a dentist, for him. He paid Messrs. Ponsonby 11/3 for Wood- Johnstone Parke Esq.; April 1892 to Jan. 1901; Johnstone Parke Martin’s History of Sligo in March 1892; this may have been for died 22 Oct. 1899 the final volume which was published in 1892. In May 1892 he Reps. Johnstone Parke; Jan. 1901 to April 1901 paid £18-3-0, 13 years instalments to Nov. 1891 for Dunmoran R.H. Phibbs Esq.; Mar. 1894 to Nov. 1897, Dec. 1897 to July Drainage. 1901 Reps. Miss A. Phibbs; Nov. 1893 to Oct. 1894 John L. Brinkley, Fortland, Easkey Col. Phibbs No 2; Oct. 1892 to Aug. 1894 Sample of expenditure between April 1891 and Oct 1893 Misses. Pollexfen & Co.; Sept. 1896 to Mar. 1902 J. Pery for 14 cwt. Oil-cake 3/6 Mrs. A.G. Leybourne Popham; Nov. 1893 to Feb. 1894, Feb. Joynt & Son for map & attendance in Court Lewis’ case £5-5-0 1894 to Nov. 1894, Mar. 1895 to Dec. 1902 A. Flynne one yrs. salary bog ranger to May 1891 £1-10-0 Mrs. Purcell; June 1907 to Jan. 1912 J. Gray per Peter for threshing oats Reps. Mrs. Purcell; Jan. 1912 to Dec. 1914 Atkinson fortnight’s board wages to 22nd April 1891 £1-0-0 Mrs. M. Ramsey; April 1893 to Jan. 1899 Atkinson amt. of a/c for bran per Devany & McNama 17/6 Mrs. Reynardson; Jan. 1892 to Dec. 1899 H. Golden for carting to Sligo & back 7 loads £3-10-0 J.G. Reynolds Esq.; Mar. 1893 to Dec. 1905 J. Maloney amt of a/c for smith work to date £1-7-9 Maurice Redfern Fitzmaurice Stack, Esq.; Sept. 1894 to Mar. J. Munds 7 weeks wages to 30th May £2-12-6 1895, Jan. 1901 to Jan. 1903 Two telegrams re Fortland House 1/10 David Sherlock, Esq.; July 1894 to July 1985 25 sheep bought at Ardnaglass at £1-17-3 each, £46-10-0 Estate of Thomas Stinson, Esq.; Feb. 1894 to Dec. 1900 J. Kearns 7 heifers bought at Farnaharpy at £9-10-0 each, £66- Messrs. Stirke and Tighe; Dec. 1891 to Oct. 1895 10-0 Thompson No. I; Mar. 1893 to Jan. 1902 R. Morrison 6 cwt. Bone manure £1-16-0 Thompson No. II; Jan. 1897 to Jan. 1897 Geo. Thompson 2 days cutting meadow 1891 £1-0-0 Thompson No. III; Jan. 1892 to Jan. 1898 T. Kilcullen 1 yrs. salary shoreranger to Nov. 1891 £1-0-0 Reps. Thompson I: Feb. 1904 to Feb. 1910 J. Carnegy for ploughing 5a. 1r. 5p. Burns shuttle £3-3-4 Reps. Thompson II; April 1899 to April 1907 Board of Works drainage instalt. due Ap. ’92 £69-0-3 Mrs. Edward Walsh; Dec. 1891 to Feb. 1899 J. Carnegy 12 sacks oats at 17/6 delivered £10-10-0 Charles P. Webber Esq.; Dec. 1891 to May 1894, Dec. 1894 to Men’s expenses at Collooney fair 6/6 May 1895, J. Conway 1 yrs. salary bogranger to Nov. 1892 £3-0-0 C.P. Webber, now Mrs. M. Webber; May 1895 to Nov. 1895 Tom Helly cutting 376 barrels turf at £2-10-0 £3-18-4 Mrs. A. Wood-Martin; Jan. 1893 to Aug. 1895 Col. W.G. Wood-Martin; March 1893 to Mar. 1895 13 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Máire McDonnell Garvey (1927-2009) – An Appreciation

Dan Healy

I first met Máire in the late sixties, I awake she listened for a minute and was and I had a little bit thanks to Sean think it was in Vi (Violet) Preston’s sure it was coming from downstairs. Devanney, R.I.P., in Ballinacarrow home in Kimmage, Dublin. Of course Going down to her sitting room there N.S. where I went to school. Máire was Vi was a former neighbour of mine was the famous Máirtín Byrnes seated fluent in Irish and introduced me to all as she came from a great musical beside a lovely fire complete with the Gaeilgeori who were there. One family in Carnaree, and when she fiddle tucked under his fine beard as he such was Flann Ó Riann R.I.P. who heard I was in Dublin she wanted me played. “God save you, Mam” he said, later joined our group - he might be in her band, the ‘Eamonn Ceannt Céili “I saw the key in the door and thought better remembered in the early days of Band’ which was very popular at the R.T.E. as ‘Dathi Lacha’. He also wrote time. She had frequent broadcasts on a regular piece on place names in Irish ‘Céilí House’ with Sean ÓMurchú. for the ‘Irish Times’ and contributed to The next time I met Máire was at band the “Irish Independent” as a cartoonist practice in the ‘Pipers Club’ premises under the pen-name “doll”. Another in Thomas Street, Dublin. It was usual was Gabriel Byrne, famous actor, who for Vi to have a band practice every volunteered to sing one night when Wednesday evening and there I met all we were short a singer. He sang ‘The the members of the band, and what fun Sally Gardens’. I could do with him we had. I knew nearly all the tunes and now in ‘Durkins’ in Ballinacarrow! as I learned all my music from listening Now back to Máire. She was a powerful to the now legendary musicians from strong lady as regards our country, very young days, the written note did our language and our music. She had not really interest me, but Máire could emphatic and well-developed views on read music or ‘play by ear’. However all topics right up to the Lisbon Treaty Vi insisted she needed the music in which was being debated at the time of front of her. One time when playing at her death. She was very perturbed about a céilí her book of music fell from the the North of Ireland and how the people Máire McDonnell Garvey stand and she had to stop - just couldn’t were treated. When the Catholics were play until some band member in a I’d make myself at home. Threw a burned out of their houses in Belfast she panic got the book back on the stand. few sods on the fire”. She made him worked with helpers including myself She then proceeded to play the eight welcome - and put down the “kittle”. to gather blankets to send to those reels at the end of which one member To further show her energies, as she poor people while all the time she was said “I knew you were a good reader reared her family of five children she beginning to write her first book, “Mid- but didn’t think you could read them undertook to study for her BA and Connacht” (all about its ancient history). upside down”. I suppose it was nerves. H.Dip.Ed. Being Máire, she passed She wrote three more books after that: “A It was there I also met band member her exams and got her degree. She then Traditional Music Journey 1600 - 2000 Ciarán O’Reilly, another great fiddle started teaching in Árdscoil Éanna, from Erris to Mullaghban”, “Cómhrá player who had and has a flair for an all Irish school of note. She also na dTonn”, and “Under the Shadow of the technical side of things, be that taught for some time in Collinstown the Summerhills” (where she tells the recording music or the written tune. Park Community College. This did not stories of her young life before she went Some years later Máire, myself and deter her from her music which she to Dublin), as well as producing four Ciarán would combine our efforts and loved so dearly. She invited me along CDs: ‘The Windy Turn’, ‘Whispering play on the CDs that Máire would to the National Library where she Strains from the Past’, ‘Cómhrá na produce. did much research, procuring books dTonn’ and ‘The Giblin Legacy’. Máire invited me out to her house where dealing with folklore and traditional Speaking about Erris, we knew she and husband Bob were now rearing music. I thoroughly enjoyed it and those five men who went to prison for their five children. Bob did not play going to the lectures. I remember T. protecting their rights. She supported an instrument but loved the music and Danaher especially. He always spoke them all the way and helped them out always had an up to the minute recorder on folklore and old customs in Ireland every way she could. She launched and made some legendary recordings. and would give you a great sense of nearly all her books over there at the Máire had an open door for everyone pride in our own traditional music. Erris Festival, a place she was very but especially for anyone interested in Then we’d go to Connradh na fond of. I travelled with her and heard our music and culture. She told a story Gaeilige, Harcourt Street, Dublin, all the stories of J.M. Synge and once about being in bed asleep at 3.00 where the ‘cúpla focal’ was spoken “The Playboy of the Western World”. AM when she heard lovely fiddle music. amid music and song. You had to A very dear friend of hers from Not sure whether she was dreaming or have a wee bit of Irish to get in there Mullaghban, Co. Armagh, is Josephine

14 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Keegan, a wonderful musician from that was never the same since. A lot of area who also composes lovely tunes and other groups followed but she was has written at least four books of music. the first and music meant more to She has composed a couple of tunes in people after that. What more can I Máire’s honour, and indeed played them say about Máire - she was a fountain for her: ‘Máire mo Chara’, a lovely of knowledge and gave of it freely to slow air, and ‘The McDonnell Garvey anyone who requested it. I could go Hornpipe’ that will be recorded later. on and on. I’m sure anyone who reads Máire was very generous in every any of her books, particularly ‘The way with her time and she was there Summerhills’, will understand what to help anyone in any kind of distress. I mean. She was a regular contributor One thing that stands out in my mind to this publication where she wrote was when Máire had just finished her about music, about local history and exams. She was very tired but still characters from the past. We all know agreed to travel down from Dublin to now the kind of writing she did. play at a céili in Riverstown. Máire was She visited her home place frequently possibly dozing a little as the band van and no visit would be complete without crossed the bridge at Drumsna which going to see Madam McDermott in was planked at that time. The noise Máirtín Byrnes Coolavin. Máire always visited there and the racket made by the van really gave me a greater appreciation of the and I was with her when the prince was startled and frightened her. She thought music, its origins and who collected it. alive. They talked about India where the bridge had collapsed and that we’d Only a short time before she died I asked he worked most of his life. He loved all end up in the Shannon in Drumsna! her about the tune ‘Farewell to Gurteen’ having discussions with Máire. She It seemed like a cruel trick to play and in a jiffy she told me who collected could discuss anything with anyone. but was quite unintentional of course. it - a man from Northumberland The Douglas Hyde conference was a We were welcomed and entertained in the North of England. Little must for Máire and, as her life was ebbing by P McDonagh and his wife Mary things like that were part of Máire. away, one of Douglas Hyde’s collections and we became lifelong friends. We started a music session in ‘The was playing beside her bed ‘Beann All the work Máire did writing, giving Belgard Lounge’, Tallaght, Dublin, Dubh a’ Ghleanna’ which she loved. grinds, teaching and playing music is which was owned by a Sligo man. It Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam. Ni only a fraction of all the work she did was huge - actually the largest in Europe bheidh a leithéid arís ann. while rearing her five children - I don’t at the time. Some of the best musicians, Máire McDonnell Garvey wrote articles know how she did it. But she never poets and sean nós singers were there. for twelve Issues of The Corran Herald. missed Mass every morning while Máire researched and named the tunes She attended many Heritage Weekends she was well, and midnight Mass at and told the stories of their background and participated often either through Christmas was to her very special. She and people were fascinated and music her music or lecturing.

Steam train arriving at Ballymote station, about Dan the Street Singer during a Shopping Bonanza week in Ballymote, about 1990. 2000. This was a special train laid on by Iarnród Photo courtesy Gerry Cassidy Éireann for steam enthusiasts. Photo: Gerry Cassidy

15 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Craftsmen From Bygone Days who Left their Mark on our Landscape. PJ Duffy

They were very often a rare breed of homes with walls of stone began to arched bridges. gifted people who arrived onto the spring up all over the countryside. Right through that era of the mason scene here from time to time, down The better-off classes would set about and carpenter, large numbers of young through the years. Sometimes they constructing fine spacious mansions Irishmen were destined to acquire might emerge from the most unlikely complete with equally well designed and perfect these skills. As we move of places, the progeny of humble and well constructed out-buildings. into the nineteenth century we find parents living in the remotest parts In this post-Renaissance period more rapid development taking place, with of our land. From a very early age it architects and planners were arriving Government programmes drawn up would be obvious that these people on the scene, many of them having for building schools, granaries and possessed certain skills and talents qualified in Scotland and other parts stone bridges spanning the broadest that set them apart from their fellow of Great Britain. rivers in the land. This was to result countrymen. The old less well off native Irish had to in almost full employment for well Survival of the fittest was something settle for modest little thatched abodes qualified carpenters and masons. A we had inherited from our very early constructed mostly from materials large number of them chose to become ancestors and this meant that we had obtained locally. Progress in the contractors themselves. to develop our brains, our skills and field of development created endless In those days grain production was our enterprise and use them to protect opportunities for Irish carpenters and a Government number one priority, our very existence. stone masons. Well trained tradesmen so legislation was introduced to allow Ancient man constructed hill forts and were assured of constant employment. grants to be paid to suitable applicants stone cashels to protect his brood and The better qualified tradesmen could for the construction of granaries to his livestock from imminent danger, be seen working at the big houses be located close to their dwelling and from the weather. The Celts, and their lavish surroundings while houses. This resulted in hundreds of we are told, built staunch crannógs the less qualified were likely to find these buildings being constructed complete with palisades and fortified themselves doing jobs for their fellow right across the countryside. A grant dwellings, near the shores of our lakes. compatriots. payment of five pounds was given for A crannóg usually had a causeway Ironic as this may have seemed, the the construction of a rectangular stone built in shallow water, so arranged as ongoing development had produced building of specific measurements, to baffle entry by strangers. and recruited from among the Irish provided it had a wooden loft, a door The Normans came and by using populace some of the finest craftsmen at each end and a roof covered in blue stone and mortar they constructed the civilised world had ever seen. bangor slates. A grant of four pounds huge fortifications, with towers, It was, as far as construction and was given for a similar building roofed turrets and huge curtain walls to development were concerned, the age with galvanised iron. protect themselves from warring of the stone mason and the carpenter. All this provided a golden opportunity factions. Many of these old structures, Working with meticulous skill these for young tradesmen to get started as though often badly eroded, are still in people had with hammer and chisel contractors and a good number availed existence. produced masterpieces in stone and of the opening. They later progressed Religious orders carried on building wood that to this day stand out as to building dwelling houses, schools and extending their monastic sites singular works of art. and other public buildings. Although with breathtaking skills that have It was subsequent to this kind of now well over one hundred years old, produced some of the great wonders development that we in this country many of these buildings are still in of the world. Sadly for them, those began to produce our very own planners existence. fine buildings did not offer the and architects and developers, but it The names of stone masons who took protection they had anticipated. Cruel was well into the nineteenth century on the task of erecting these buildings persecution was what they afterwards before these made much if any impact still linger on here in folk memory. had to endure. on the building industry here. We still In the closing decades of the last We have been told that for hundreds had to rely on experts brought in from century there were still some people of years our ancestors had to exist abroad to show us how it was done, yet around who could name, for instance, under such conditions, constantly it was our own people working quietly the contractor who had built the living under fear of attack from one in the background who made all the schoolhouse where they had received source or other. It was, it would seem, difference. It was their skill at shaping, their early education. The same well into the sixteenth century before tapering or dressing every stone that applied in the case of some dwelling man began to finally move away from mattered when the builders came houses, granaries and masonry walls. the siege mentality. to put the final touches on religious Prominent names from our own local Planners and architects then began to edifices or stately homes, or position area were John Corley of Knockrower, shed the mantle of fortification to which the voussoir wedges, the keystones Bartley Coen who was born in the same they had been tied for so long. Family used to secure and consolidate stone townland but later resided at Lower 16 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Spurtown, and Jimmy Hunt who kinds of weather, they occupied the our countryside. was born near Killaville church but building site, cutting large blocks of In the 1940s members of the emigrated and worked for a number stone down to size, tapering, shaping previous generation had lots of stories of years in Britain before returning and dressing them, and then assembling relating to the gobán saor and the in the early 1900s. John Corley built them at ground level before placing masons of their time. One man clearly a number of fine two storey houses them on a windlass to be hoisted remembered the days he had spent while still a young man. In the 1920s onto scaffolding near the builders. A drawing stones with a donkey and cart he emigrated to Australia where he tugrope was usually attached to the from a local quarry to a building site. spent the rest of his life. windlass and a quiet horse was used Another aged gentleman had actually During the years 1896 – 1898 Pat to draw the rope through a pulley worked for a time as a mason. He O’Dowd of Goldfield near Tubbercurry situated high up on the building. could give a vivid description of the took on the contract of building the On specialised buildings like type of tools used by those craftsmen present schoolhouse at Killaville. churches only the finest of craftsmen in the course of their work. Most of Numbered among those tradesmen were employed. These worksmen them had each got two, or sometimes recruited to assist him were the would be referred to as cracker-jacks three, hammers to choose from when masons just named. Although this old because of their high level of skill. going to work on blocks of stone. In building, which has been refurbished The people who worked on spires addition, the mason was equipped for time to time, is now well over one were steeple-jacks. To complete the with his mitre board, bob, mason’s hundred years in existence, it still spires, steeple-jacks were sometimes line, large wooden try square, trowel stands out as an example of the skill drafted in from abroad, from places and measuring rod. Some seasoned and craftsmanship exhibited by the like northern Italy where they had old worksmen took measurements tradesmen of that time. already gained massive experience in with their thumb and middle finger In the years 1883 – 1885 Martin their field. and seldom bothered with measuring Igoe of Kilfree, Gurteen, erected a Apart from those people who worked equipment. This used to be referred to schoolhouse at Carn, about a mile on building sites there was also the as the “rule of thumb.” from Gurteen village. Martin, who local stonecutter who worked away One mature gentleman had a story to came from a family of renowned stone quietly in his own backyard. Using tell of days spent drawing bricks from masons, recruited a couple of local hammer and chisel he hacked away at a maker’s yard and delivering them to craftsmen to assist him in the task. large blocks of stone to create lintels, building sites for use in constructing This old building, completed in 1885, window sills and punched stone effect fireplaces, chimney breasts and is still in use as a schoolhouse. bases for under door jambs. He was window openings. During the years 1903 – 1905 the the craftsman who could also produce The old stone masons and the Powell brothers of Moydoo erected small stone pillars for holding wicket engineers who supervised them were a new schoolhouse at Cloonanure in gates and corner stones (quoins) for very precise about the quality of stone the Gurteen area. The brothers had got schools and churches. He could also to be used in an important building. little formal training as masons but hollow out from solid rock a small Several quarries would be tested had acquired enormous experience rectangular basin used to cool red hot before a decision was made. Any erecting granaries in the late 1800s, iron from the forge fire. The water flaking or fissuring would cause the and this old building, though no longer contained in this vessel was reputed stone to be rejected. used as a schoolhouse, is still in a to have healing powers for sore or Today when we stop to examine remarkable state of preservation. strained limbs. He was however better our churches, cathedrals, bridges and With the coming of the railways the known locally as a scythe stone maker, numerous public buildings, we can be country had witnessed the building of and if while cutting meadow you quite sure that what we are looking at the railway stations. Today these fine happened to break your scythe stone, are masterpieces in stone, put there cut-stone buildings must surely stand you would head for his workplace to by persons from a bygone age whose out as masterpieces in fine art and find a replacement. skill and craftsmanship have surely an enduring credit to the people who The passing of the nineteenth century stood the test of time. put them there. The same can be said by and large brought to a close the And when media people come about the craftsmen who built the cut- golden era of the stone mason as we out to the countryside to interview stone bridges over our waterways. had come to know him. individuals for their programmes, The mid 1800s was a period when With the coming of the twentieth they often stand their subjects in full many fine churches were completed century, advanced skills and modern view of these historic buildings in full throughout this part of our country. technology took us into the age of the knowledge that what they, and those As we approach any town or village, concrete block and readymix grout who view their programme, are seeing the first thing we are likely to see delivered to building sites by rotating are priceless works of art. is a church spire jutting right into containers mounted on large lorry the skyline. When we arrive we are bodies. Information contained in this article likely to find one or more churches Later in that century architects was gleaned from conversations built from cut limestone and with a were committed to enhancing the and stories related by members of a streamlined architectural finish that appearance of new house designs by previous generation, many of whom is almost unbelievable. We know that including sections of stonework of lived their lives when the events it was the highly-skilled architects, varying colour and composition in described were actually taking place. masons and carpenters of bygone days their outward facades. This modern who put them there. development gave rise to a very new The masons did all the heavy kind of stone mason who was to groundwork. Working through all establish his own mark on the face of

17 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 John Black of Sligo and his ‘Tyrone’ Posterity

Jack Johnston

John Black of Sligo, merchant and 1832 leaving his wife to raise her had been in the Story family since ship owner, had three daughters who large brood with some help from 1697. It ran to almost 3000 acres and were married into prominent Tyrone her mother. She took her family to was scattered through eight townlands. families. His descendants through these Callowhill where her mother lived but It was William and Sarah who added lines included as grandsons Dr John after a year or two they all removed to the new garden front and Italianate Benjamin Story, the ophthalmologist Dublin. John Black came to his death tower to their mansion house at Corick who was honorary surgeon-oculist to when attending to a young boy that he in 1863 though they still lived for the two Viceroys and to King George V, Sir found crying in the dead house at the most part in Aghabog rectory near Charles Falls, a Conservative MP, and local hospital. Black brought the boy Dartry. They employed the Belfast Surgeon Leslie Maturin, the medical home and fed and clothed him, though firm of architects, Lanyon and Lynn, officer at Kilmainham hospital. by then he had caught the disease who incorporated part of the old house John Black and his father, William himself. in the overall plan. The property today (or Billy) Black, were both merchants Two of John’s sons became is Corick House Hotel – the venue for in Sligo town. William had a rope clergymen in the Church of England the annual William Carleton Summer works and John owned a number of while the third, Johnny, ran away School. sailing vessels. He was an importer to sea. All the girls married except of a wide selection of goods ranging Marion the second youngest. Susan from tea to timber. John also had a the eldest married John R. Himea, a lease of the marine villa of Elsinore civil engineer of Gardiner St. Dublin, out at Rosses Point. Indeed some who in later life had a career in the said that he leased this villa from the colonial service in India and Ceylon. Coopers of Markree as it was part of Jane, Maggie and Jemima became his ‘unofficial’ livelihood. He was the wives respectively of gentlemen reputed to have set cannons on his named Linklater, Von Doddelson and lawn as it commanded the entrance Keene. Jane married Thomas Linklater to Sligo port. Black was reputed to from an old Orkney Family. Their Elsinore, Rosses Point. Front view. be the leading brandy smuggler in the son, Rev Dr Robert Linklater (1839- West of Ireland though a respected 1916) was a prominent ritualist in the July 1988 merchant and pillar of local society. Church of England. He was the Vicar The Storys had sixteen years together He served as churchwarden in St of Stroud, published extensively and at Corick before he died in 1888, John’s parish for the three years from gained an entry in Who’s Who when Sarah survived him until 1909. A very 1822 to 1824. he was a canon of St Paul’s cathedral. fine portrait of her painted by Lavery John Black married a Miss Bessy b Maggie married George Von was at Corick until the house was sold Faucett from a Sligo family and they Doddleson (sometimes Von Dadelzen in the early 1990s. William and Sarah had eleven children - eight daughters and other variants) a Surrey metal had two sons and four daughters. and three sons. Black died a young broker. They lived in a fashionable The eldest son Dr John Benjamin man in the Cholera epidemic of area of Greenwich, with Maggie’s Story was a distinguished eye surgeon sister Marion and two Keene niecesc. in Dublin and was still performing We have no knowledge of their cataract operations when in his early mother, Jemima. The remaining three seventies. He had a town house in daughters through their marriages all Merrion Square but retained some had strong Tyrone links. It is their staff at Corick for his visits North. story that now concerns us. He was a keen cricketer, golfer and Sarah Bernard Black the fifth cyclist and in 1904 set up a nine hole daughter married the Rev William links at Corick. He was High Sheriff Story of Clogher. He had been a for Tyrone in 1911 and in that capacity curate in his native parish until 1844 was a guest at Westminster Abbey for when he was appointed rector of the coronation of George V. Aghabog in South Monaghan. They One of his sisters, Mary Story, was were married at Monkstown Parish one of the first women graduates at the Church in 1848 and lived for the next old Royal University of Ireland. She 24 years in Aghabog rectory. Story taught French in Alexandra College then gave up the parish and returned and was an Irish hockey international. to Clogher where he had inherited Another sister, Marion, became the the family estate. His two older wife of General Sir Edmund Barrow, brothers – both unmarried, had died who had commanded the Southern in their middle life and he came into Army in India. Marion lived on the an inheritance rather unexpectedly. sub-continent for almost 20 years Dr John Benjamin Story, Grandson of The Corick estate was held under before her husband retired in 1919 to John Benjamin Black of Elsinore lease from the bishop of Clogher and Milestown, near Castlebellingham.

18 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

She died in London in 1933. clergyman while three sons became Oxford. Harriet Humfrey Black the fourth solicitors, two working in their Professor Falls once wrote of his daughter married in 1845 John father’s practice, which in later years own family in the Illustrated London William Henry Maturin, a Dublin had moved to Sackville Street. One News solicitor, who also had a practice in of these sons, Thomas who lived in ..…They owned some land but not Strabane. Black practised in Upper Fitzwilliam Square later acquired a much…they attained to the dignity Temple Street and in later years on small estate in Tyrone. He bought of house with a family name, Lower Ormond Quay. The Maturins most of the mountainous townland Fallsbrook…and later (recounting were French Huguenots and arrived in of Lislap East near Gortin and built a some family members) there was Ireland (via Holland) in 1715. John’s shooting lodge on it. He was thereafter a major-general but of his military brother, Charles the barrister, married exploits I am ignorant. an heiress, Jane Baird of Boom Hall This was a surprising admission from near Londonderry and it was their a leading military historian. He was a son, Daniel Maturin Baird who in regular contributor to the News and I 1862 inherited much of the Mountjoy have no doubt if a search were made (Blessington) estate north of Omagh in its files there must be some mention The Earl of Blessington’s encumbered by him of the Faussets of Sligo and Tyrone property passed by sale in the great-grandfather who smuggled 1847 to among others, Daniel Baird, a the kegs of brandy into the coves Derry merchant. Baird’s heir was his Elsinore 1992. Rear view showing around Coney Island and Deadman’s grandson, Daniel Maturin,who in 1875 stables Point. Such was the posterity of John took the surname Baird. He resided Black of Elsinore. at Mourne Lodge, Newtownstewart. a regular visitor to Tyrone, where he John Maturin died in 1889 at his was a JP. He died in London in 1928. nephew’s home in Newtownstewart Charles Fausset Falls the youngest Sources used: and was buried there. Harriet spent son was also a lawyer. In 1890 he her remaining years in Dublin and set up in practice in Enniskillen with Notes on Blacks and Faussets; Story died at Rathmines on 31 January 1907. James Pringle operating as Falls and papers, PRONI: Memoirs of Mrs Her final resting place was at Mount Pringle in Townhall Street. After Mr McClintock-granddaughter of Susan Jerome. They had seven children, Pringle became a King’s Counsel Hime five sons and two girls, the girls both he was joined by his law clerk, John Spark. No 19 (2006) ’The Falls Family; dying in infancy. Leslie the eldest boy Hanna and the firm rebranded as Attornies, Merchants, Farmers and was a surgeon on Achill Island before Falls and Hanna – a partnership that Distillers’ Jack Johnston, pp 11- 16 his appointment as Medical Officer at endures in Enniskillen to this day. Dictionary of Irish Biography Vol 9 Kilmainham Fever Hospital. Albert Charles Falls had a varied career pp 120-121 the second son was rector of Maghera outside his practice as he was a J C McTernan : Sligo: The Light of from 1890 until his retirement in 1926. member of the urban council, was Bygone Days Vol I. pp 78-79 Albert presented new alms dishes prominent in the Orange order and Charles Tyndall, St John’s Church, to the church at Clondevaddock (Co was for some years a Conservative Sligo, nd. Donegal) in memory of his parents, member of parliament. He joined Michael Osborne The Maturin and John and Harriett. A third son, Charles the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Johnston families who was a surgeon, was accidently served in the Great War with the Ulster Belfast Newsletter, 18 Sept 1838 drowned in Ceylon when just 25. Division. He lived in Fermanagh until The Maturins produced a whole 1929 during which time he kept a crop of Irish Anglican clergy, the most racing yacht on Lough Erne. Falls (Endnotes) notable being the novelist, the Rev was knighted in 1923. He was a keen a John was a son of Maurice Charles Robert Maturin (1780-1824). political ‘fixer’ and once arranged for Hime, merchant , Roebuck, Co Dublin. His father, William was a cousin to a number of heads of households to John’s nephew, Sir Albert Hime, was John’s father, Henry Maturin (1771- get a temporary address in a house in Prime Minister of Natal from 1899- 1842). a different Enniskillen ward before a 1903 Elizabeth (Bessie) Black married bye-election. These electors became another Dublin solicitor, Henry Falls. known as ‘Falls’ swallows’. It was his b His death was also listed in In fact Bessie and Susan her eldest sister son, Capt Cyril Bentham Falls, who the Annual Register for 1917 had a joint wedding in St Thomas’s became the eminent military historian. Church. Dublin in September 1838. C B Falls published histories of the Falls, like Story, belonged to a well- two world wars, of the Ulster Division c George Von Dadelszen, known South Tyrone family. Henry’s and of the Irish wars of Elizabeth I. his wife Margaret and sister-in- original base was at Aughnacloy and One of his most enduring works was law, Marion Black were listed at 5 he lived at Derrycush House in that The Birth of Ulster (1936), an analysis Blackheath Terrace, Greenwich on the town until about 1865. From then of the Ulster Plantation, which was 1881 Census of England & Wales. The on we find him at Kentfield House, still in print in paperback sixty years three are still alive at the same address Loughlinstown, Co Dublin with later. His other works included studies in 1901, living with a cook, housemaid an office in Lower Dominic Street. on Rudyard Kipling and Marshal and parlour maid. (Thanks to Grace Henry and Elizabeth had 11 children Foch. His expertise was recognized in Moloney for this and the Linklater –eight sons and three daughters. 1946 when he was appointed Chichele reference) Richard the eldest born became a Professor of the History of War at

19 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Golden Jubilee of Culfadda Church 1959 - 2009

John Higgins

Bishop Brendan Kelly was the chief Ned Keane, John Scanlon, Mike Ward, the place of worship was in the celebrant at the Golden Jubilee Mass Paddy Higgins, Tommy Scanlon, Tom building next door which had been in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Drury, John Igoe (Senior), John Igoe the local church from the early years Culfadda, which took place on July (Junior), Kevin Igoe, Matthew Reid, of the nineteenth century, and before 5th, 2009. There was a vey large Sean Conroy, John Hannon, Mike that it was in a thatched church in the congregation present for this special McGowan, Paddy McGowan and townland of Lisconry. occasion. In his homily, the Bishop John Higgins. The last Mass in the old church congratulated the local community The roofing contractors were the was celebrated by Fr Michael for their loyalty and commitment to Lynch Brothers. Tommy Hamilton and Giblin of St Nathy’s College, on the the church over the years. He paid Vincent O’Shea designed the ceiling. morning of the official opening of special tribute to Canon Jim Finan There was no modern technology this church. Canon Peter Harte was PP and the organising committee for at the time, no teleporters or cherry PP here when the building of the new the marvellous work they had done in pickers, no hoists and no running water. church commenced, and Canon Eddie preparing the church for the occasion. The water for mixing the concrete was Gallagher was PP when it opened. Canon Finan welcomed the Bishop, carried in buckets from the local river. Canon John (Jack) McGarry replaced the large number of clergy present The building blocks were carried on Canon Gallagher in 1973 and was from the diocese, and the laity from the men’s shoulders up ladders and PP here until 1985. He was replaced the parish and the surrounding areas. as they were not unionised nobody by Canon Christy McLoughlin who John Higgins, retired teacher, complained about working conditions. remained as PP until 1990 when the speaking on behalf of the local People were delighted to have this present incumbent, Canon Jim Finan, community, traced the history of the employment in the area at the time, as was appointed. church from the time work commenced there was a severe economic crisis in The following priests served as on its erection in the mid 1950s. the country then. Work commenced at curates during the last fifty years: The erection of the church was 8 am and finished at 6 pm five days a Rev James Flannery 1954 – 1981 made possible by the generosity of a week and the working week finished Rev Pat Lynch 1981 – 1986 son of the parish, the late Fr Nicholas at 4 pm on Saturday. The weekly wage Rev Farrel Cawley 1986 – 1987 Rafferty. Fr Nicholas was born in for labourers was £5-2-6, which was Rev Tom Flanagan 1987 – 1989 the townland of Dernagrang in 1881 less than the minimum wage per hour Rev Roger McDonagh 1989 – 1993 and spent most of his life in the U.S. paid to today’s workers. Rev John Geelan 1993 – 1999 Returning home on his retirement, he The building was completed in 1958 and the last curate in Culfadda was decided to fund the building of this and was officially blessed and opened retired Archdeacon James Gavigan very beautiful church in honour of Our on February 22nd, 1959, by the late from 1999 until his death in 2005. Lady, but he was called to his eternal Bishop James Fergus. The first person baptised in this reward when the work was about two- The cost of the church was £22 600. church was Nicholas Murray and the thirds complete. It has seating accommodation for 400 first couple married here were Mary The work however was completed people. It was designed by Leonard Doyle and Paddy Candon. The first according to the original plans thanks Architects, Dublin. Gowna Wood funeral from it was that of Martin to the goodwill and cooperation of the Industries Ltd, Tubbercurry, supplied Dwyer, Townaghy. local community. Work commenced the altar and altar rails. The furniture John concluded his address by in 1955 when the blocks used in the was designed to harmonise with the expressing the hope that many of the construction of the church were made general architectural character of the congregation present would be alive on site, by three men with a small building. The figurines depicting the for the celebration of the centenary in cement mixer. The foundations were fifteen mysteries of the Rosary on the 2059. laid in 1956. stained glass windows and the stations The following people worked on the of the cross are certainly the jewel in building: John Dodd, contractor, and the crown. Bishop Fergus said at the his brothers Joe and Christy, Andrew official opening “It would be difficult Davy, Josie Connor, Vincent Murray, to find anywhere in a country parish a Bertie Langton, Owen McGowan, succursal church as beautiful as this”. Paddy Kielty, John Francis McGowan, Before the erection of this church,

20 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 My Search for the Craigs of Spurtown John McDonagh

In the year 1899, my grandfather, clearly marked on the 1836 O.S map? the occupants of each townland. In Thomas Mc Donagh, a forty seven To research any area of the past some instances the holdings of each year old returned emigrant, bought centuries requires a great deal of tenant are identifiable. It lists three the house and farm where my family determination. Records are scarce; Craig members, Robert, William, and and myself now live. The vendor was Noble, all with separate holdings of Robert Craig, aged forty five, who like land in this townland of Spurtown, but his father before him, had farmed here the Tithe applotments book of 1825, successfully for a number of years. thirty three years earlier contains Throughout my early years, as I absolutely no record of them. That worked the land with my own father, leaves just church and estate records occasionally unearthing souvenirs for my research. and artefacts from the Craig’s term Alexander Sims of occupancy, I frequently asked the It should be understood that prior questions, Who were the Craigs? to “The Wyndham Land Act 1903” Where did they come from? Where did nearly all the lands of Ireland were they go? Why did they leave? And can in the ownership of landlords, I ever learn what happened to them? often with estates containing many The years have moved on. The thousands of acres. These landlords people who could attempt to answer usually leased or rented the land out these questions are long gone to their to tenant farmers. Because there were eternal reward, but the questions still few other natural resources in the remained in my mind. Although the country, the hunger for land was so “Craigs of Spurtown” are just a distant most were destroyed in the tragic Four great that it was often leased, sub- memory, as I looked forward to my Courts fire of 1922. What are left are leased and leased on again, with the impending retirement, and learned the usually incomplete parochial records, impoverished tenants at the end of complexities of the web, I felt it would estate papers, Griffith’s Valuation the line being forced to pay enormous be an interesting project if I could use Records, Tithe applotments books and totally uneconomic rents. This my new-found skills to find answers and of course tradition and memories system, open to abuse at every level, to some of these questions. of conversations with the previous caused endless hardship, hostility and BEGINNING THE SEARCH -- generation - which should always violence and was a contributory factor LANDLORDS & ESTATE RECORDS be recorded before they too are lost to the catastrophic famine of the 1840s. Where to start? Where to begin? I forever. A number of Acts of Parliament, in the had learned from the older generation TITHE APPLOTMENTS & 1870s and 1880s attempted to redress that Robert Craig, a prosperous and GRIFFITH’S VALUATION. this iniquitous system and eventually successful farmer, sold up his farm The Tithes were a tax on land, payable gave the tenants security of tenure and with his wife Jane, nee Gorman, to The Church of Ireland. Because and co-ownership with the landlord, ( late of Gorman’s Hardware Shop, they were not payable on all lands but the rents still had to be paid. Ballymote) and a young family of and because they were payable by The records show that the last landlord two daughters emigrated to Canada. I everybody who qualified, irrespective for this townland of Spurtown was had no more information. Canada is a of religion or denomination, they Alexander Sims from Collooney, but vast country, spanning six time zones, gave The Church of Ireland a very I gathered that he was a comparative with many provinces, big cities, and a privileged position, thus causing much new-comer to the scene. My father huge population. Finding descendants trouble, antagonism and strife. None remembered him quite well. Our from a family that had emigrated over the less, Tithe records books of 1825 house was a bailiff’s residence, where a century ago, without more definite provide much valuable information the rent was paid over to the landlord. information, could be like finding a on the landholders of that period. My grandfather was responsible for needle in a haystack. However, before On the other hand, Griffith’s notifying the tenants when the rent I embarked on a Canadian search, Valuation records give the first fully was due and providing facilities for I needed more information on their comprehensive and accurate survey the landlord or the landlord’s agent time in this locality. Where did they of Irish property owners in the mid (John Valentine) to collect it. This come from? How many generations nineteenth century. The Valuation much despised enterprise earned an of them had lived here? Were they record of 1858 is easily accessible on allowance on our own rent, and was the builders of our house, which was the web. It contains maps, and lists inherited from Robert Craig, along

21 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 with the farm. It also brought the rather We started to run the film, and research, because it was through him, doubtful title of Peace Commissioner. I despaired. It contained reams of that I eventually learned where the Alexander Sims came from material, some in Irish some in Latin, Craigs had originated, and to where Scotland. He was a member of a some literary endeavours including they finally emigrated. I subsequently very industrious family, who had a three-act play, genealogy dealing learned that Robert C. of the 1849 made their money from a number of with the O’Reilly clan, stretching all survey died Aug 15, 1865, aged seventy lucrative industries in the Collooney the way back to the fourteenth century eight and that his son Noble C. died area. Sims bought out the landlord’s and documents dealing with just about on 23/4/1883 aged sixty three years. interests in Spurtown and Ougham at everything under the sun. My eyes As I continued reading the O’Reilly an encumbered estate court in Sept were giving out, I was fast forwarding, papers, the next significant documents 1873. Both townlands were part of the at a reckless rate, and having thoughts that came to light were letters dated lands once held by Nicholas Taafe, of abandoning the whole operation, September 1864, from Noble Craig Earl of Carlingford, and granted to when I caught a glimpse of a carefully to M.J O’Reilly, Heath House, Major Thomas Harte, (a Cromwellian written headline entitled, “A Survey Abbeyleix. It was evident that Noble grantee) on a nine hundred year lease, of Ballinspur August 1849, for Myles Craig was collecting rents and acting two centuries earlier, but that’s a story John O’Reilly. Survey undertaken by as a landlord’s agent. There were rent for another day! John Nary, Surveyor”. At last I was accounts, valuations and, surprisingly, THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES & getting someplace! I was reading a a reference to when O’Reilly “was THE O’REILLYS document that nobody had read with managing the place himself”. From A search in The Record Office revealed any degree of interest, for the past 160 reading the insignificant bits of gossip that Sim’s predecessors were Myles years. Among the listed tenants, was that were passed on, it was clear George O’Reilly, and his father, Myles one “Robert Craig”. I had found an O’Reilly was very familiar with this John, then residing at Heath House ancestor to the subject of my research. area and its people. One can only Abbeyliex. Co. Laois. This piece of This was the first tangible and surmise that he had been living here information astonished me. I knew verifiable evidence that I could find at some stage in the fairly recent past. that house well! By a strange quirk of about the early Craigs of Spurtown. The closing-time bell in the library fate, an uncle of mine had lived there Ballinspur or Spurtown meant that the search had to be for the last few decades of his life. The townland of Spurtown, in the half abandoned for that day, but I would More curious than ever, I browsed parish of Killavil, and the civil parish definitely be back! I had answered through “The Landed Estate of Kilshalvy, is now divided into three one of my own questions. What I Database”. My search was rewarded: parts, Spurtown Lower, Knockanima, discovered left me in no doubt that the I learned that records, papers and and Spurtown Duke. These sub- first Craig came to Spurtown in the manuscripts, of both Myles George and divisions appear to have taken place 1830s or 1840s. Next question, where Myles John O’Reilly were presented after the 1849 survey. For that, the did they come from? The answer to to Trinity College, Dublin, in 1954 by whole townland is treated as one that came from a very improbable sou Myles George’s grand-son, Captain unit under its ancient Irish name— rce. Beresford Mundy (a WW 1 survivor), Ballinspur. I browsed on through THE KANSAS CONNECTION and that they were now available the carefully preserved documents In the course of my web search, I to the public on microfilm. Copies becoming more and more excited by regularly trawled the L.D.S. Family were also available in The National what I was finding. Search website (Mormon Church online Library Archives in Kildare St. More In “The Nary Survey” Robert Craig genealogy) for death and obituary accessible to the general public, this was the only Craig listed. His land notices. Because my subject could was where my search now headed. and buildings carried a rent of £13- be anywhere in the U.S.A. or Canada, Complete amateurs, and greenhorns 3-1 but nine years later in “Griffith’s I could not confine my search to any at this type of work, my sister and Valuation” of 1858, there are three particular area. Needless to say, the myself went to the reading- room in Craigs in Spurtown: William, a son of name Robert Craig cropped up many, the National Library, naively thinking Robert’s, living in our house, valuation many, times and I investigated every we could be out of there in a couple of £22 at that time, Robert, (the same one, but to no avail. Then, just before hours. It was only when I had gone man, or another son?) who had a field Christmas 2009, I found a submission through the normal procedures and sub-leased from William, at a rent of listing the death of “Robert Craig”, made my request for the O’Reilly £4 (we still know it as “Bob’s Field”), Windsor, Ontario, Jan 1935. His Papers that I began to see the enormity and Noble, another son of Robert’s date of birth was given as 11/3/1847, of the task facing us. There were apparently a brother of William’s who in Ballymote Co Sligo. Everything three rolls of microfilm, with each roll lived in Knockanima, and who also had appeared to fit within my parameters, literally containing volumes. However a farm, in the neighbouring townland and I set about the complicated task the staff were very helpful, and advised of Deechomade. Thankfully, these of contacting the submitter. When us of one particular roll that they felt holdings are all identifiable on the map. I eventually made contact I found would be more relevant to our search. Noble Craig is very important to my an extremely kind, courteous, and

22 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 knowledgeable lady who responded wedding of Robert Noble Craig, and The first Robert Craig listed was the immediately to my emails and who Jane Gorman in Emlafad (sic) on one I was looking for. Robert N Craig, was able to fill some of the gaps 10/4/1880. No further information year of birth 1855-Ireland. Wife that I thought never could be filled. given, no witnesses, no proper address, Jane, two daughters Mary and Sarah. She informed me that “Windsor just a very bare record of the wedding, It was a perfect match. I had hit the Robert” was her great, great but it verified what I’d learned from pay-dirt. The place of residence was grandfather and that his father, Joseph, the past generation. Arthur, Wellington North, Ontario. came to Ballymote from Tollyganee, I felt confident that at last I had found Once again I was back on the web, Co. Down. That Joseph and family the right subject. Events subsequently going back through every little piece fled Ireland to escape the effects of the proved my assumption wrong. There of information I could find, concerning famine, when her Robert was only an were two Robert Craigs in Spurtown Arthur. I was amazed when I found a infant. She also informed me that her at that time, one born 1853, to William 1906 map of The Township. When Robert was married in Windsor, and & Mary Anne. The other Robert my imperfect P.C. skills eventually that their first-born was christened Noble was born 17/3/ 1855 to Noble allowed me to blow the map up to a Noble. I had the right family, but the & Mary Anne. He was also baptised readable size, and I started to read the wrong branch and the wrong Robert!! in the Methodist Faith and it was he names thereon, I felt it wouldn’t be out that married Jane Gorman. All very of place in Ballymote, Riverstown, Births, Deaths and Marriages confusing! There had been three Robert Gurteen, or any other area of Co. Sligo. My next search was an online trawl Craigs born in Spurtown between All the names had a local ring to them. through the records of Co. Sligo 1847 and 1855. Their grandfather Practically all Sligo names, all common heritage and genealogy society, was also Robert and there may have in this particular locality. They even and once again I got snippets of been an “Uncle Robert” as well. To have a street named “Sligo Road,” information that started to bind my make matters even more confusing, in the local town of Mount Forest. story together. The first piece of really William and family left this area circa It was a farming area and one could interesting information---William 1870 and the house and farm where see immediately that it had been Craig from Speertown(sic) full age!! they had lived was subsequently recently laid out and well planned. Married Mary Anne Harte (aged 16) occupied by Noble and his family. The farms were all oblong in shape, of Donroat p Kilmacshalgan, Drumore It was only when I finally got in all stretching back from the road, West. The marriage took place in touch with the Craig descendants in mostly around 100 acres in size. Every Kilmacshalgan C.I. on 9/11/1852. The single one had road frontage, with the religious denomination of both was dwelling house situated convenient “Church of Ireland.” William’s father to the road. It was evident that this was Robert, and the witnesses were was a relatively new settlement. In David Harte, and Noble Craig. We can their midst was the farm of Robert N reasonably assume that William and Craig-- 83 acres stretching backwards Noble were brothers. The first-born to from the Owen Sound Road, with the marriage was Robert, they also had The Canadian Pacific Railway in the Thomas, Mary Eliza, Joseph, William, Ontario that I learned the whole story. immediate vicinity. There were three Sarah, James and John. There may Noble Craig married Mary Anne other Craig families in the immediate well have been others; records from Shera in Boyle Church of Ireland area, John, James and Hugh. There that period are often incomplete and on 19/7/1848. The witnesses were were also Morrisons, Gormans unsatisfactory. John Crawford and Edward Shera. and Grahams, whom I know were The place of residence was given as relatives. Can I conclude that Robert How many Robert Craigs? “Daghamara “ which I presume is C. left Spurtown and emigrated to Further expeditions to the Heritage how an unfamiliar clergyman may site added other significant pieces of have spelt “Deechomade” information: Robert’s Church baptism Ontario---Canada record, and also the Church record of Many hours were spent searching the a marriage. The baptism record shows shipping lists from the last years of the that Robert Craig, son of William nineteenth century, without any success and Mary Anne, of “Spurtown, whatsoever. It appeared as if the Craigs near Ballymote” was baptised on of Spurtown had disappeared into the 18/10/1853. Parish district, Sligo mists of time. Then on a hunch and Circuit, denomination, Methodist. with my previous success in mind, Unusual--- both his parents and his I thought if one family member had many siblings were all Church of gone to Ontario, well maybe??? I Ireland. The Church marriage record trawled the 1901 Canadian census is also slightly unusual. It records the and met with instantaneous success.

23 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Ontario, to start a new life with his Robert Craig passed away on there is a clear photograph of Noble brother-in-law and relatives, like The 20/6/1935, and his wife Jane on Craig who died in 1883, the last link Founding Fathers of old? 29/12/1938. From her obituary I between Spurtown and the illustrious MOUNT FOREST learned that she was born in Co. O’Reilly family. This is what has made Another foray through the 1911 Wexford and that Robert and Jane had the whole exercise worthwhile. Jim Canadian Census revealed that Robert eleven children, but only Annie and Scot is contemplating a visit to Ireland had moved from his farm in Arthur Sarah survived. in 2010. Ballymote and Spurtown will and was now living in Mount Forest Sarah Buchanan died on1/3/1978 certainly make him welcome. where he owned a machine-shop. aged 88. She had no family. Annie Once again I was on the web looking Nightingale died on 7/11/1965, aged The Analogy for any snippet I could find. Again I hit 83. She had a number of children and As the time marches on, I cast my luck! A book, “Memories Of Mount grandchildren and I feel privileged to mind back to the tales I have heard Forest,” by Arthur Walker Wright, have made contact with them after a about the Craigs of Spurtown and my was published in 1928, to celebrate the time lapse of one hundred and eleven own grandfather. I picture two men diamond jubilee of the local newspaper years. in their late forties, each crossing the

“The Mount Forest Confederate”. I The Descendants Atlantic from a different direction in was able to read this book on line and In the course of the last few weeks the closing months of the nineteenth was thrilled to see that Robert Craig, I have exchanged many emails and century. Each in pursuit of his own the one-time owner of my house and photos with the great- grandchildren dream. One, my grandfather, returned farm had been a town councillor of Robert and Jane Craig-- Marjorie to his roots, to his family and the place for Mount Forest in 1908 and 1909. Dennis and Jim Scot. I have received of his birth, with a spring in his step, I emailed the editor, and he directed numerous photographs that are of and the confidence of a man who had me to the archives of The Wellington great relevance to the heritage and made it. He had built up a highly County Museum. There I got in history of this area and I now know successful and specialised contracting touch with two very courteous and how Robert, Jane and their two business, building coke ovens for helpful ladies, Elysia and Karen. daughters looked. There are also the big mining interests in the coal- Their research finally allowed me photos of John R Gorman, one of the fields of West Virginia. He had rubbed to close the remaining gaps. Among principal Ballymote shop-keepers in shoulders with the “big-boys of the many newspaper cuttings that the late nineteenth century. There’s Bramwell”, and had enough savvy to they sent me were obituary notices even one of his father, Abraham. get out before the cataclysmic strike for both Robert and his wife Jane. Also a priceless shot of Gorman’s and subsequent collapse of 1895. Also for their two daughters Annie shop, showing a wonderful view of The other man, Robert Craig, had Nightingale, and Sarah Buchanan, the premises with a paved foot path also reason to be pleased with himself. both of whom were born in Spurtown. outside. But almost unbelievably, Tradition says he was hugely popular

24 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 in the area. Within his forty five years, long history of the human race. The he had nearly doubled the size of his world of one hundred years ago is holding and been elected to the Grand almost unrecognisable. Science and technology have made gigantic strides, with so many amazing developments reflecting man’s inventiveness. Air travel, lunar landings, space exploration and the atomic age, to name but a few. However, I’m convinced that the greatest revolution of all must be the I.T. development which allows me to sit here, in the same corner, in the same house, where Robert Craig and his forbearers must have often sat, and with a lap-top upon my knees research and write this article.

Noble Craig 1820-1883 Photos Courtesy of Marjorie, Dennis John R Gorman (Left) – Brother in- and Jim Scott – Great grand children. law of Robert Craig

Thomas Mc Donagh circa 1890

Abraham Gorman (Father of Jane Craig)

Jury (Boyle Union). He ran a very successful and modernised farm for the time and was involved in nearly all local committees and community affairs, before deciding that his destiny lay with his cousins and relatives John & Dotie Gorman in the township of Arthur, Ontario. I have childhood memories from the 1950s of two old men discussing the farewell dance that was held in our barn (still standing) for the friends and neighbours to say goodbye to the Craigs. Amazingly, one of the newspaper cuttings that I received from Mount Forrest mentions his pride in the “handsome gold watch and chain”(pictured) that was presented to Robert by “the people of the village” before he departed for Ontario. It’s now nearly one hundred and eleven years since the Craigs left Spurtown and my own predecessors took up residence here. This has Robert Craig (2nd from Left) been an unprecedented period in the Outside Craig’s Implement Shop Mount Forest Canada 25 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Restoration of 1795 Sir Jocelyn Gore-Booth Mill in Ballymote set to be a flagship Tourist Attraction for County Sligo.

John Perry T.D

The restoration of the old Corn Mill history and information collection on As well as the feature of the newly in Keenaghan Ballymote by the the Taaffe Family of Ballymote Castle. restored mill itself, it will encompass Ballymote Enterprise Company under There will also be a tourist visitor much of the diverse and unique history the Direction of its Chair John Perry centre in the newly restored Mill as of this region of the County. will result in the development of one well as craft shops, a restaurant and “The Corn Mill Restoration will bring of the northwest’s premier tourist ancillary facilities. back into use this facility as a tourist attractions and a flagship development The Original set of Bianconi Coaches attraction, which will respect the history for County Sligo. which will go on permanent display of the building, its importance to the The Mill was built by Sir Jocelyn in the Mill’s Transport Museum were town of Ballymote and will preserve Gore-Booth of Lissadell in 1795. donated to the State by the O’Hara for future generations an image of the It survived until 1941 when it was family of Annaghmore Co. Sligo past in a contemporary context where destroyed by fire. It is listed as a in 1952. Chairman of Ballymote old functions are recognised, but protected building. Enterprise Company John Perry allow new functions within a suitable The features and attractions of the TD has now secured the return of environment. It will also provide a newly restored mill will include; these Coaches to Ballymote from the much needed employment boost in the a Transport Museum where a set National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. current difficult economic conditions. of 10 original Bianconi Coaches These Bianconi Coaches were the “I wish to compliment the Project will be displayed; the mill wheel original mode of Public Transport prior Design and Management Architect, will be restored to its full working to the establishment of the country’s James Drew and his company for order; the Paddy Killoran Room, a rail network, and were introduced by his outstanding work in designing memorial and musical tribute to the Charles Bianconi in about 1815. and planning this restoration project. great Ballymote traditional musician, Deputy Perry stated; “This is a very Ballymote, South Sligo and the Paddy Killoran; a memorial display to exciting development for the town of wider region can look forward to a Brigadier General Michael Corcoran Ballymote and indeed the northwest truly unique and flagship attraction of the 69th ‘Fighting Irish’ Regiment region as a whole. This flagship tourist upon completion of the restoration of and a collection of 69th Regiment attraction will be among the most Ballymote Corn Mill. Memorabilia which is currently on unique in the Country and will provide “Phase 1 of the restoration work is due display in Collins Barracks, Dublin; an enormous boost to tourism and to to commence in the coming months.” the Taaffe Family History Room, a the wider economy in County Sligo.

26 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 On Death Row … Padraig Doddy

The Irish War of Independence of the with the Sergeant’s murder, although and Jack all joined the IRA. They early twentieth century comes alive he was not involved in the shooting. joined the Garda Siochana later on in the pages of an autograph book He was held at Crumlin Road Jail, and Malachy became a detective. He kept by the prisoners in Crumlin Belfast, until his trial. He had several had two daughters who have passed Road Jail, Belfast, in 1921. Below are alibis who stated he was in their on. He died in England in the fifties pages written by two Ballymote men, company at the time of the shooting. and was buried in Ballymote. I know Michael Gray of Ballinaglough and However he was later convicted of nothing of his having been in Crumlin Malachy Doddy of Old Rock. the murder and sentenced to hang. Road Jail.

Michael Gray was born in While he was awaiting execution, Ballinaglough in 1898. He had an the Truce was signed in London and older brother Pat and a younger sister this eventually allowed prisoners like Mary. His parents were Mary Doddy him to walk free. He later joined and Michael Gray. Pat worked in the Garda Siochana. He died in the McManus’s Bakery for many years. mid 1960s. His two sons and one Michael was a student at St. Nathy’s daughter currently live in Dublin. College in Ballaghadereen for some Malachy Doddy was born in Old time. Both brothers joined the IRA. Rock, Ballymote, one of a family of Sergeant Fallon (RIC) was shot about ten. His father, also Malachy, dead in Ballymote in November 1920. was an RIC man. Malachy, Jimmy Michael Gray was arrested and charged Granary Restoration PJ Duffy

This old granary situated at Ballyfahey, days letting a draught pass through the renovated with its character and Killavil, was originally built for the building, thus allowing the grain to be architecture being totally preserved. Orr family in the 1800s. At that time separated from the chaff. it was grant-aided by a five-pound This building, now in the ownership payment from the Government of the of the McDonagh family, was recently day. Many of the stone masons of the time were so eager for employment that they actually did all the stonework for that amount. The large gable door on the east end was where the grain was riddled and winnowed after being threshed by flail on the granary loft. A door on the west end was left open on windy

27 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Church of Ireland missions to the Roman Catholics of South Sligo, 1850-1900

Miriam Moffitt

The onset of famine conditions in the their converts having returned to the the arrival of tens of thousands of west of Ireland in 1845 provided fresh Catholic Church. Irish famine migrants into English opportunities by which evangelical cities. In their opinion, the Irish Protestants from England could mount The arrival of the Great Famine of migrants who flooded into English an aggressive campaign to convert 1845-48 provided suitable conditions cities brought with them ‘popery, in the Roman Catholics of Ireland to whereby a renewed effort could be all its degrading and debasing forms’. scriptural Protestantism. 1This article made to rescue the souls of Irish They were confident, however, of will trace the development, operations Catholics from the ‘errors of Rome’. ‘peace and goodwill amongst men’ and decline of missions to Catholics in This resulted in the formation of the if these migrants were brought to the Coolaney section of County Sligo Society for Irish Church Missions a knowledge of ‘vital Christianity’ and in the Ballaghaderreen-Boyle area to the Roman Catholics, a Church through aggressive missionary work of Roscommon-east Mayo. Mission- of Ireland mission who spearheaded in Ireland.2 work in Coolaney was undertaken by the ‘second phase’ of the Second Revd George Garrett, whose father Reformation. The arrival of potato blight in the was rector of Ballymote, assisted by summer of 1845, followed by three the fundraising efforts of his brother, Efforts to convert the Roman Catholic years of harsh famine conditions, Revd John Garrett. Another mission population of Ireland to scriptural was of pivotal importance in the was founded at Ballaghaderreen by Protestantism were underpinned establishment of the Society for Revd Anthony Thomas, a brother- by the genuine conviction among Irish Church Missions to the Roman in-law of George Garrett. These men evangelical Protestants that souls Catholics which was founded by an made strenuous efforts to change the trapped in the clutches of the Roman English clergyman, Revd Alexander religious character of Ireland; this religion were outside the scope of Dallas. Revd Dallas’s interest in the essay will estimate the success of their salvation and were, without question, conversion of Irish Catholics was crusade. destined for the fires of hell. They sparked by a chance meeting with were also, however, influenced by Revd Anthony Thomas, then rector and This crusade to convert the Catholics unvoiced political and sociological missionary clergyman in Connemara of Ireland, often termed the Second motives as many English Protestants and later rector of Ballaghaderreen.3 Reformation, gathered momentum wished to curb the political power of In 1846, even before the onset of in the wake of the Act of Union of the Catholic clergy, which had been extreme famine conditions, Revd 1800. The first phase of the Second influential in the successful campaigns Dallas started a small-scale mission Reformation occurred in the 1820s for Catholic emancipation and relief to the Catholic community at and 1830s, notably in the districts of tithes. They also wished to ‘civilise’ Castlekerke, near Clonbur on the of Kingscourt in County Cavan, the ‘barbaric Irish’ and to imbue north shore of Lough Corrib in Achill and Erris in County Mayo, Catholic peasantry with the values of County Galway. Here he established Dingle or Ventry in County Kerry the English middle-classes: industry, schools for children and adults, at and Doon in County Limerick. A sobriety and – above all – loyalty to which food was distributed and where great number of organisations from the Empire. Supporters of missions to the teachings and doctrines of Rome almost all Protestant denominations the Catholic poor of Ireland naively were clearly and often insultingly were engaged in mission-work among believed that the Irish peasantry, if denounced. He freely admitted that the Catholic population. Missions of converted to Protestantism, would problems in funding his Castlekerke this nature were carried out by the automatically become hard-working, mission were solved by the arrival of Irish Society (a Church of Ireland sober, loyal citizens of the Empire. In the famine which provided ‘streams mission) and by missions of the other words, the ‘Irish Problem’ would of charity’ in the shape of funds from Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist be solved by the religious conversion England which allowed his mission to churches. However, by the mid 1840s, of Ireland’s Catholics. ‘maintain many souls within the reach missions founded during the ‘first of the gospel salvation, who would phase’ were in severe decline, most of Many Englishmen were horrified by otherwise have passed out of the body 28 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 into their spiritual darkness’.4 Clearly of famine, flocked to these Protestant Connemara, the activities of the Irish Dallas made use of famine conditions, missions where food and clothing was Church Missions were aimed at the not only to persuade the Catholic distributed. No mention was made in very poorest of society, who swiftly community to avail of his mission mission literature of the distribution and eagerly availed of the relief and services, but also to encourage English of food and supporters were education offered at its schools and supporters to donate generously to repeatedly assured that vast numbers services. Encouraging reports of his cause. Within a short time of of Catholic were deserting the Church vast attendances were relayed to its the establishment of Castlekerke of Rome. In fact, the Irish Church growing body of supporters, through mission, bible or scriptural schools Missions repeatedly and strenuously its printed annual reports and in the were established around the shores of (and correctly) insisted that none mission’s monthly publications, The Lough Corrib, staffed by an impressive of its missionary income was used Banner of the Truth and Erin’s Hope. number of scripture-readers, mission- to provide any form of assistance. teachers and ordained missionaries. It never mentioned, however, that a The mission commanded considerable parallel relief fund existed called ‘The support among English Protestants In 1848 Revd Dallas expanded his Fund for the Relief of the Converts in the early 1850s, bolstered by the missionary operations westwards, and Children of Connemara’, which increasing anti-Catholic sentiments founding mission-schools, and provided food and clothing to those of the time. Funds flowed into the later mission-churches throughout who attended its schools and services. Society’s coffers and it seemed at one Connemara and Íar Connacht. Mission-supporters in England were time that its objective of converting Missionary work among Connemara’s convinced that Irish Catholics were the Catholic population of the entire Catholics had been tried in previous deserting the ‘Church of Rome’ in island was not only achievable, but decades during the tenure ofArchbishop their thousands (which was certainly was practically unstoppable. Although le Poer Trench of Tuam who had correct) inspired by purely doctrinal the Mission could correctly report that appointed Revd Charles Seymour motives (which was certainly not large numbers of former Catholics to the region. In 1822, Revd Charles correct). were now regular attenders at its Seymour was replaced by his nephew, services, descriptions of missionary Revd Anthony Thomas, who remained Without a doubt, the mission progress portrayed to its supporters in Clifden until 1851 when he was could correctly boast of attracting were greatly exaggerated as when, transferred to Ballaghaderreen. Revd large numbers of Catholics, a fact its founder, Revd Dallas, boasted Thomas was assisted in Connemara acknowledged even by the Catholic to a London audience in 1851 that by two missionary curates, Revd Church which was greatly alarmed Ireland was, by then, fifty per cent Mark Anthony Foster (later vicar of at what it saw as an attack on its Protestant.10 Killedan, near Kiltamagh) and Revd flock. In September 1851, Paul Brabazon Ellis. Protestant missionary Cullen, Archbishop of Armagh (later While Ireland was not, in reality, fifty work in Connemara, which aroused Archbishop of Dublin and Cardinal), per cent Protestant by 1851, the Irish intense opposition from the Catholic informed the Vatican that in the Glan Church Missions and its supporters clergy, got off to a promising start but district of Castlekerke, 140 out of believed that religious conversion had gone into abeyance somewhat 150 families had ‘perverted’.7 The on a nation-wide scale was possible. by the famine era.5 Thomas Plunket enormous success of the Irish Church Encouraged by its recent successes in succeeded Archbishop le Poer Trench Missions horrified the Catholic Connemara and in the slums of Dublin, as Bishop of Tuam in 18396 and clergy of the region, who repeatedly missions were established in a number wholeheartedly supported the efforts condemned the distribution of food of rural locations including portions of the Irish Church Missions until his to the starving on condition that they of counties Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon death in 1866. This support extended to reject their Catholic beliefs.8 and Leitrim. Proselytising efforts had the eviction of tenants who refused to been made in some of these regions send their children to mission schools Bolstered by its success in Connemara, since the start of the century by on his estate, as discussed later. the Society for Irish Church Missions Presbyterian and Baptist missions, was officially established in March and by the Anglican Irish Society and Following the arrival of the Irish 1849.9 It established an extensive others had tried to capitalise on famine Church Missions in Connemara in missionary operation in Dublin, conditions to bring about religious 1848, sixty-four mission schools, where the ranks of the poor and change. fourteen new Protestant churches and destitute had been swelled by the four orphanages were established west many persons impoverished or In 1847 Emily and Rebecca Irwin of a line from Spiddal to Leenane. The rendered homeless by the famine who applied to the Society of Friends poor of the region, ravaged by years had gravitated to the capital. As in (Quakers) for funds to establish a

29 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 scriptural school at Boyle, County centred on a parish held by a former Thomas of Ballaghaderreen.20 Roscommon, but were refused. Connemara missioner. Missionary sermons were preached Although these ladies considered once a month in St John’s Church in that Catholics had ‘greatly lost their By 1853, six agents were employed Sligo town and at Collooney,21 and faith in their church and their clergy in the Lower Balla mission, with occasionally at Ballymote, Coolaney and are now ready to receive sounder mission-houses rented in Kiltamagh, and Knocknashee.22 Weekly meetings, instruction’, the Quaker committee Balla and Ballyhane.16 Their agents, optimistically termed ‘inquiring could not countenance ‘anything of they said, were well received at classes’, were held each Mondays a party or sectarian character’ and first, but were soon denounced by at the mission house in Sligo and considered ‘the present particularly the Catholic clergy which resulted each Friday in Collooney; weekly unsuitable for proselytising’.11 Revd in violence towards mission agents, meetings were also held at Lissadel. Joseph Verschoyle, rector of Coolaney converts, and their property. Catholics In mid 1854, the west-Sligo mission also applied for Quaker relief to be were forbidden to speak to persons was again active in Ballymote and distributed in his parish schools during connected to the mission, or admit Coolaney, and also in Dromard and the famine era. In spite of the fact that them to their houses, or to sell to Donelva [Dunowla?]. It reported two-thirds of his pupils were Catholic, them. At Kiltamagh and Ballyhane that ‘ignorance and bigotry’ was the Society of Friends replied that ‘we the persecution of agents and converts widespread in Tubbercurry but that in cannot make grant to a school that is was particularly severe.17 Ballymote the people were ‘enquiring’ evidently sectarian’.12 but were closely watched by ‘clever Revd Thomas explained the need for and subtle priests’. 23 Mission-work in the Ballaghaderreen mission-work in the Ballaghaderreen district commenced shortly after the district, telling that the area was ‘under A Ragged day and Sunday school was arrival of Revd Anthony Thomas in the entire domination of Romanism’.18 established in Sligo town, attended by 1851, when he succeeded his cousin, The fact that the Catholic bishop of fifty-four children in 1853 who made Revd Joseph Seymour (son of Revd Achonry resided in the area would ‘very rapid progress … considering Charles Seymour, one-time missioner have added impetus to his crusade. In the short time they have been under in Connemara) as parish rector.13 early 1853, Revd Thomas preached instruction’. Agents of the Sligo Good inter-faith relations existed five missionary sermons outlining mission visited over two hundred during Revd Joseph Seymour’s the errors of Catholic teaching people each week that year, and tenure in Ballaghaderreen and he to good-sized congregations at the mission reported that two Sligo worked closely with the Catholic Ballaghaderreen, Ballymote and families had ‘come out of Rome’ and clergy in accessing and distributing Clogher (a Presbyterian Church many more were of a mind to do so famine relief. He died in 1850, worn near Ballaghaderreen). He assured being ‘convinced of the errors of their out by his famine-exertions and was supporters that his efforts were system’.24 mourned by the entire population of successful, telling of two Catholics Ballaghaderreen, Catholic as well who had attended his sermons in The missions in Sligo town and as Protestant. However, the tenor Ballaghaderreen and assured him that in west Sligo were much more of religious life in his parish was to they were ‘convinced of the truth of successful than the Ballaghaderreen change with the arrival of his cousin, what was put before them’. He told mission which encountered strenuous Revd Anthony Thomas.14 of others who wished to send their opposition from the outset and which children to his mission-school, some floundered in the mid 1850s. At first, The Irish Church Missions also of whom would travel three miles for the Irish Church Missions rented a utilised the presence of Revd Mark this purpose, passing several Catholic ‘good and commodious slated house’ Anthony Foster at Kiltamagh national schools on the way.19 in Ballaghaderreen which functioned (Killedan parish). An extensive as a schoolhouse and in which their mission was established in east-Mayo A mission was established in Sligo agents lived. Trouble soon broke out in June 1852, strangely termed the town in October 1852, followed by as the mission faced a hostile reception ‘Balla mission’. It functioned as two a west-Sligo mission in early 1854, from the local Catholic community. sub-missions called Upper Balla and which centred on parishes to the Every window in the mission-house Lower Balla, divided at the town of south of the county. It was especially was broken and its owner, whom the Swinford. Lower Balla covered the active in Coolaney, where mission mission described as ‘a poor simple area from Balla to Kiltamagh and work was strongly supported by Revd man’, asked them to leave at the Ballyhane, Upper Balla stretched George Garrett, curate of Killoran end of January 1854. Mission agents from Swinford to Ballaghaderreen.15 (Coolaney) from 1847 to 1863, whose suffered ‘every species of annoyance As can be seen, each sub-section was sister was married to Revd Anthony and persecution’ and were forced

30 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 to withdraw to the parish church Protestant Church on the day after St involved the use of converts and older [situated in the small graveyard Patrick’s Day, giving him the name pupils of mission schools as informal beside St Nathy’s College]. For a Patrick.31 No record of this baptism teachers, teaching their neighbours short while they lived in the belfry, exists in the baptismal register of and relatives to recite five verses porch and vestry of the parish church Boyle parish. No baptism took place of scripture per month. Payment of and held school in the church-porch, on 18 March 1855; only two boys were ‘Irish teachers’ (who taught in both but the mission folded within a short baptised that month, neither of whom the English and Irish languages) was time.25 Kiltamagh mission officially could be described as converts, and dependent on results. In Connemara, closed in 1853 and Ballaghaderreen no child was christened Patrick in that many families depended on income in 1854, and work continued in Balla year.32 Publications of the Irish Church derived in this way and it is likely that and Ballyhane until 1859 and 1861 Missions regularly included personal this was also the case in west-Sligo. respectively but on a very small scale. details which gave a convincing air of Mission-work continued on a reduced authenticity to their reports. In some From the viewpoint of the Catholic scale in east Mayo for another few cases, as we can see, these accounts of clergy, Irish teaching was the most years. In 1855, the mission reported missionary progress do not stand up feared of all the methods of the Irish that ‘Roman Catholic young men to scrutiny. Church Missions. As Irish teachers come across a dangerous bog, in the were, by nature, native to the area and darkest nights, to learn and to read the After its initial flurry, it appears that worked among their own families and scriptures’ at its school at a school at mission-work ceased in counties neighbours, the Roman clergy found Buckhill, near Ballaghaderreen.26 It Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim but it impossible to prevent their access appears, however, that all aggressive activities continued in the Coolaney within the Catholic community. This mission-work in Mayo had ceased by region and in Sligo town, chiefly was certainly the case in Coolaney the mid 1850s. through the efforts of Revd George where Revd Garrett commented Garrett. Revd Garrett laboured that ‘The English and Irish teaching In the post-famine era, in addition to energetically to save the Catholic souls continues to baffle the priests’ and a the Sligo and Balla missions already in the Coolaney region warning them few months later reported that the mentioned, the Roscommon and against trusting in the non-scriptural priests had ordered at a recent station Leitrim mission of the Irish Church doctrines and practices of Rome. In that the scriptures should not be read Missions was active in six locations: 1858 he cautioned those living on or learned. As proof that priests were Athlone (1851-54), Carrick-on- the side of the Ox Mountains ‘against powerless in obstructing the work of Shannon (1853-56), Croghan (1852- worshiping the Virgin, bowing down Irish teachers, Revd Garrett reported 52), Boyle (1852-57), Mohill (1853- before the host, trusting in the priest that he had a group of ‘grown- 54) and Roscommon (1851-57).27 for absolution, or vainly resting upon up young women’ who answered any merit or penance of their own’.33 remarkably well, and some labourers The Irish Church Missions established In September 1856, he presented who ‘learned while at work’. He also an ‘important station’ in Mohill, County ten converts for confirmation by the told of older men and women, who Leitrim, where the parish schoolroom Bishop of Tuam and claimed that he were unable to read but who committed was ‘kindly lent’ by the rector (Revd held back many others who were in verses of the bible to memory,35 and Arthur Hyde, grandfather of Dr need of further instruction. He also said that Irish teachers were crucially Douglas Hyde),28 but admitted that described the deaths of two steadfast important in connecting with the mission-work in Carrick-on-Shannon converts who refused admittance to Catholic population, and had ‘spread encountered much opposition.29 In the priest in their dying hours. His their ramifications pretty extensively its Boyle station, the Irish Church converts for confirmation included through the district, and are therefore Missions reported that the number a family grouping of a father, son not easily uprooted’.36 of persons who came nightly to read and daughter, all adults who wished and to learn the scriptures was ‘most that they might ‘as a family dedicate He claimed that local Catholics encouraging’, but they conceded themselves to God’.34 disapproved of the priest’s that converts came under enormous denunciation of the mission work pressure to return to their former The Irish Church Missions opened and of himself personally. The priest church, especially during a parish a mission-school at Creevaun near had, he reported, criticised all those mission given by Redemptorist priests Coolaney in March 1858, known who were ‘base enough to send their in 1854.30 The following year they locally as ‘Rinn School’. It was children to be corrupted by us’ and had reported that agents had unhindered around this time that Revd Garrett called Revd Garrett a devil, a jumper access throughout the parish, and that intensified the mission’s system of and a dance-master.37 one convert baptised his son in Boyle ‘Irish teaching’ or ‘text teaching’. This

31 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Revd George Garrett’s interest in church to the Irish Church Missions advertisements for his sermons the conversion of Irish Catholics but could not prevent their activities regularly urged that ‘R.C. friends, was shared by his brother, Revd in the district. The last mention of hear and judge for yourselves’.48 John Garrett, a Church of England a missionary sermon in Ballymote clergyman in Manchester. Their church occurred during the tenure of Mission-work in Revd Garrett’s grandfather, Revd William Garrett, Revd Garrett, while mission-agent former parish of Killoran (Coolaney), and their father, Revd John Garrett, Thomas Crump certainly circulated passed to its new clergyman, had between them served as rectors scriptures within the parish in 1866.44 Archdeacon Hamilton Townsend, a of Ballymote for over a century.38 A native of County Down who had been memoir of the Power le Poer Trench, Revds George and John Garrett educated in the Ventry Mission in the evangelical archbishop of Tuam, worked energetically to outline Kerry.49 He was a vigorous missioner suggested that good inter-faith the false and superstitious beliefs with seventeen years experience of relations existed in Ballymote during held by the Catholic population in the Irish Church Missions,50 and who the tenure of Revd John Garrett.39 Ireland to supporters of the Irish had recently come to prominence Other sources suggest this might not Church Missions, assuring them in his previous parish of Ballyovie have been the case, telling instead that that this could be remedied by direct (Tourmakeady) during the infamous Revd John Garrett, father of George missionary work. In 1866, George episode often referred to as the ‘War and John, held extremely anti-Catholic Garrett told a Dublin audience of his in Partry’. views and saw ‘all the horrors of personal experience of missionary popery … in each effort to alleviate the work in the west of Ireland, where Hostilities between the Catholic and civil and religious disabilities of his Catholics who previously attended Protestant churches in the Partry- fellow-countrymen’.40 It appears that ‘many absurd superstitions … such as Tourmakeady district on the shores John Garrett’s political views were holding stations at holy wells’, would of Lough Mask in west county Mayo at odds with those of the Catholics now be ‘ashamed to be seen going began when the local landlord, of Ballymote, he certainly took an through such these foolish and idle Thomas Plunket, Protestant Bishop active part in the campaign to prevent mummeries’.45 However, as we will of Tuam (1839-66), threatened to Catholic emancipation arguing in 1828 see later, this change in the practice of evict tenants who refused to send that he wished ‘to repel these agitators Catholicism was not altogether due to their children to schools of the Irish who are destroying the country’.41 His Revd Garrett’s efforts. Church Missions. A vicious war political views regarding Catholics ensued between the Catholic Church, do not seem to have impacted on Even after his transfer to Lacken in the shape of Archbishop John his charitable work and, like Revd in north Mayo in June 1863, Revd MacHale of Tuam and Father Patrick Seymour in Ballaghaderreen, he Garrett acted as missionary for the Lavelle, parish priest of Partry, and worked and laboured tirelessly to Sligo mission, which functioned on a the Anglican Irish Church Missions in secure relief in the famine years.42 reduced scale until he was transferred the shape of Bishop Thomas Plunket to Kilmeague in County Kildare in of Tuam, his chaplain and nephew His sons George (b. 1821) and John 1873. A Protestant colony had been Revd William Conyngham Plunket, (b. 1824) were probably too young to founded in Kilmeague in the 1830s and Revd Hamilton Townsend, parish witness their father’s strong objections to shelter persecuted converts to the rector.51 This battle for the souls of to the campaign for Catholic Protestant faith but the colony appears Partry’s peasantry, which took place emancipation, but would have fully to have folded at some time before in the 1850s and early 1860s, was appreciated his condemnation of 1857, but left a feeling of religious fought at local level and was the the anti-tithe agitation in the 1830s, bitterness in the parish.46 From his subject of numerous court-cases. It which would have seriously impacted Kildare parish, Revd Garrett regularly was frequently reported in the national on their own circumstances. Revd preached in the ICM’s Mission’s and international media and was twice Arthur Moore, who succeeded John Church in Townsend Street, Dublin raised in the House of Commons. In Garrett as rector of Ballymote in and at various venues throughout the rewarding Revd Townsend with the 1855, found the district ‘torn asunder capital. His sermons invariably took position of Archdeacon of Achonry with religious bigotry and political issue with some aspect of Catholic and rector of Killoran in 1863, Bishop strife’. He swiftly closed the Orange doctrine as when he spoke in the Plunket was clearly showing his Lodge, which remained closed for mission-school-room in the Coombe approval for Revd Townsend’s efforts the twenty-five years of his tenure on the ‘Feast of Corpus Christi and to promote mission-work among the but was re-opened by his successor, the divine worship of the lifeless Catholics population. Revd Thomas Walker in 1880.43 Revd host, mere modern novelties of and Moore did not grant the use of his in the Church of Rome’.47 Newspaper With the transfer of Archdeacon

32 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Townsend to Killoran in 1863, had boasted an attendance of eighty- Thomas Crump was transferred to Coolaney mission was separated from three in 1865, census results show Connemara in 1869 but returned that of Sligo town. Revd Garrett, that only twenty-six pupils attended to Coolaney in 1873 as teacher at although now stationed at Lacken in Creevane in 1871, nine of whom were Creevane school; by this time mission North Mayo, continued to supervise Catholic. Ten years later, there was one finances did not stretch to a scripture- the Sligo mission, while Coolaney Catholic pupil and nineteen Church reader. The Irish Church Missions mission came under the control of Ireland children in the school and had quickly learned that child- of Archdeacon Townsend. Two in 1891, all of Creevane’s sixteen focussed proselytism was the most years after his arrival in Coolaney, pupils were members of the Church of efficient method of gaining long- Archdeacon Townsend introduced Ireland. Presbyterian mission schools term conversions, and as finances Thomas Crump, a mission-agent in County Sligo did not experience dwindled towards the end of the from his former embattled parish of this total removal of Catholic pupils century, they maintained teacher- Tourmakeady. He was also assisted by during the Land War, although the numbers in preference to scripture Mr and Mrs James Gallagher, teachers number of Catholic pupils attending readers. In addition to teaching at at Creevaun. Crump was to serve over Presbyterian mission schools declined Creevaun, Crump took Sunday school twenty years in Coolaney, as scripture from eighteen to nine between 1871 in the courthouse and in the church reader from 1865 to 1869, and as and 1891.56 in Coolaney. Michael Farry has teacher of Creevaun mission-school noted that, until recently, Crump was from 1873 until he retired on pension Mission reports regularly tell of remembered as a person who looked in 1894.52 converts and former pupils from this down on Catholics.57 district being transferred to mission Archdeacon Townsend’s first report institutions in other locations. The Archdeacon Townsend reported in in 1865 praised the existing state of 1869 report told that two Coolaney 1876 that many Protestants who the mission, telling of twenty Catholic girls who were sent to Mrs D’Arcy’s had previously attended Catholic children on the roll of Creevaun training school for servants in Clifden national schools were now enrolled school, out of the total of eighty- and that a boy was sent to the Boys’ at Creevaun school as a result of three, and reporting that six Irish Home in Dublin but died soon after, Crump’s excellent teaching, he also teachers taught the scriptures to sixty firm in his newly adopted faith. told that Irish teaching was bringing or seventy Catholics each month. The mission looked after not only the scriptures within the reach of His scripture reader (Crump) was, he the religious needs of its converts forty to fifty Catholics each month. said, ‘very active in working up the and mission-pupils, but also their He reported that since his arrival in Sunday schools’.53 The following year vocational and employment needs. It Coolaney fourteen years ago, seven he reported that Crump’s ‘excellent founded ‘training’ institutions where converts from Rome had died steadfast example, his quiet demeanour, and his children who passed through their in the Protestant faith, three of whom patience in dealing with the prejudices schools could learn skills likely to lead had died during the previous years. and superstition of the people is to employment, such as Mrs D’Arcy’s The most recent death was that of a gaining ground day by day’ and told servants’ training school in Clifden. man, the last of three convert brothers, that Crump circulated religious tracts An agricultural school for boys was who was practically deaf as a result of and periodicals in the neighbouring founded at Rockfield in Connemara a beating he received from Catholics. parishes of Collooney, Ballisodare, to teach horticulture and animal As the Burial Register of Killoran for Ballymote and Tubbercurry. Some husbandry; it was known locally as this period was destroyed in the fire in members of the local Protestant ‘Forty Boys’ as this was the number the Public Records Office in 1922, we community supported his efforts, but of boys it could accommodate in its can neither verify nor disprove Revd he admitted with regret that ‘there are dormitories. When declining finances Townsend’s claim. many who are hinderers instead of forced the sale of Rockfield in the being helpers’ and these looked upon 1880s, the mission ordered that it Without a doubt, the Irish Church his mission-work with ‘scorn and not be sold to a Catholic. Archbishop Missions and other Protestant contempt’.54 John MacHale, however, arranged missionary societies gained that it was purchased on his behalf and conversions from Rome throughout Catholic attendance at Creevane school placed it under the care of the Christian the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, decreased in the 1870s, mirroring the Brothers. This former school of the but probably on a smaller scale than trend in west-Galway where Catholic Irish Church Missions has become their publications would suggest. attendances at Connemara’s mission- better – or more notoriously – known In many cases, the ground had been schools fell to zero during the era of the as Letterfrack Industrial School. broken by the missions of the pre- Land War.55 Although Revd Townsend famine era (Hibernian Bible Society,

33 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Irish Society, Presbyterian Missions, neighbouring parishes attended the of Protestant interests in the face of Baptist Missions). Some who were funeral of his son the previous year an increasingly powerful nationalist influenced by pre-famine missions left (but did not enter the church).62 This population.65 the Church of Rome at that point, others may reflect mutual respect among were rendered more susceptible to the clergyman of the various churches, By this time, both Archdeacon efforts of the post-famine Irish Church and does not suggest an increased Townsend and his scripture reader had Missions. Occasionally converts from affinity among the Catholic population each served the Irish Church Missions previous missions were employed as for Archdeacon Townsend’s mission. for over thirty-five years. In 1887, the agents of the Irish Church Missions, archdeacon was sixty-five years and their ability to speak Irish being an In spite of the inter-faith tolerance Thomas Crump was at least fifty-five important asset in the early years of in Coolaney of which Archdeacon and probably much older. Crump had its operations. One such convert was Townsend boasted, it is clear that been employed as an agent of the Irish Patrick Sheridan, who was employed his own views were extremely anti- Society before the establishment of by the Irish Church Missions at Catholic. He would have had little the Irish Church Missions.66 When Castlekerke and Tourmakeady. 59 His in common with the neighbouring Townsend and Crump joined the tombstone, which can be seen in the population which was overwhelmingly organisation there was a very real hope graveyard of St Anne’s Church, Easky, Catholic and nationalist. We can that conversions on a nationwide scale reads only imagine what they would have could be effected. In the intervening thought of comments he expressed in period, the futility of the mission’s In loving memory of Patrick 1883 that ‘it was the spirit of the Bible objectives, and the exaggerated nature Sheridan, who fell asleep and the Reformation that inspired the of their claimed successes had come in Jesus on the 25th of June pen of Shakespeare, nerved the arm of to light. Much had been publicised 1877, in the eighty-fifth Cromwell, and sanctified the genius regarding the offensive nature of their year of his age. Converted of Bunyan’.63 He regularly celebrated methods, especially their insulting on early life from the errors notably Protestant anniversaries and denunciations of Catholicism. Above of Romanism, he was for festivals. He preached in October 1885 all, however, the results of each census more than half a century on the Bicentenary of the Revocation from 1861 confirmed that Protestant a bold and able defender of the Edict of Nantes, which he said numbers in Ireland were not increasing of evangelical religion. gave him an opportunity of showing but were actually decreasing. As he lived, so he died, ‘the intolerant and persecuting trusting wholly in Christ spirit of Rome … [and] she is still Support for the Irish Church Missions for salvation. Also Hannah that same persecuting system, only began to decline from the mid 1850s, his wife, who died Dec. she lacks the power’. His report due to a number of factors. The 18th 1870’. stated that the Church of Rome was Crimean War (1854) and the Indian ‘Nationally tyrannical, ecclesiastically Mutiny (1857) caused the interest As the inscription states that the schismatical, theologically heretical, of the mainstream English public to tombstone was erected by his sons, and socially immoral’.64 be diverted from missions to Irish John and William, Baptist ministers in Catholics to missions to ‘heathens’ America, it is probable that this man It is evident that by this time in the east. Reduced support and the was converted through the efforts of Archdeacon Townsend’s efforts consequent reduction in income led to the Baptist missions. Archdeacon are directed more at his existing a contraction of missionary work. The Townsend gave thanks that many, like Protestant parishioners than at the Irish Church Missions attempted to Patrick Sheridan, had been rescued ‘non-converted’ Catholic population. remedy this situation by founding the from the ‘darkness and error and He instructed his parishioners in West Connaught Church Endowment superstition of Rome’,60 asserting on how they should resist the ‘seductive Society (WCCES), which it hoped another occasion that ‘Truly the Irish teaching of Rome … [and] crafty would provide funding for its existing Church Missions is doing a mighty Romish agents’. This shift in focus missions, thereby enabling the annual work’.61 reflected an increasing terror at the income of the Irish Church Mission to prospect of Home Rule in the face of be diverted to new or previously ‘un- Revd Townsend described the an impending Home Rule Bill and was missioned’ locations. amiable relationship between the in line with the overall activities of the denominations in the 1880s, stating Irish Church Missions which gradually The chief organiser and fundraiser the Catholics were generally ‘friendly (but unofficially) changed its raison for the WCCES in England was or indifferent’ and remarked that there d’etre from an aggressive mission to Revd John Garrett, brother of George was less hostility than formerly. He Catholics, becoming instead a bastion Garrett, one-time missioner at told how Catholic clergyman from

34 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Coolaney. John Garrett’s publication, in the tightly-knit communities of rural had been maintained throughout the Good News from Ireland, published Ireland. In 1868, the mission made the previous centuries when numbers of in 1863, gave a glowing, if somewhat decision to concentrate its efforts in clerics were low. In the latter half of exaggerated, account of the work areas which provided some degree of the nineteenth century, and especially of the Irish Church Missions.67 Its anonymity and established missions in after the advent of Paul Cullen as description of missionary progress the cities and large towns of Belfast, archbishop of Armagh (1850-52) was quickly rejected by Sir Henry Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford. Revd and later of Dublin (1852-74), during Cunningham, an English Protestant, Benjamin Irwin, who spent fifteen the period when diocesan control of in Is Good News from Ireland true?68 years as a missionary in Connemara, parish clergy and administration was Cunningham’s criticism of Garrett’s explained that rural Catholics were intensified, the Catholic clergy took work was unconvincingly answered reluctant to embrace scriptural possession of the rites and rituals of by George Venables’s publication, The Protestantism because of ‘family, religion, and moved them within the Good News is true in which Venebles social and political ties’.71 A study confines of church buildings. admitted that the 1861 census results of Archdeacon Townsend’s reports were somewhat disappointing and suggests that, while not publicly Although at first glance we might think that persons connection with the admitting it, he may have veered in Revd Garrett was incorrect in assuming mission might have exaggerated their the same direction. From c.1880 he credit for this decline in ‘superstitious’ success or ‘spoken of the progress too speaks less of winning conversions religion, there is a significant degree much as a romance, and in terms too from Rome, and stresses instead his of truth in his assertions, but not in glowing’.69 efforts to strengthen the faith of his the way he would have imagined. flock so they can resist the increasing The increased discipline and the In the wake of the disestablishment of power of Rome. As already stated, this more structured systems of parish and their church in 1869, few members of should be viewed in the context of an diocesan administration evident in the Church of Ireland saw any merit increasingly confident and competent the Catholic Church from the second in continuing a costly and ineffectual nationalist force. half of nineteenth century occurred mission to the Catholic population as a direct response to Protestant of Ireland. Irish support for the The death of Archdeacon Townsend in missionary work. In effect, the mission had diminished markedly 1895 brought an end to the operations activities of the Irish Church Missions by then and support from England of the Irish Church Missions in spurred the Catholic hierarchy and was already in severe decline. While Coolaney. The previous year Thomas clergy to reform church practices and some Protestants, like Archdeacon Crump had been transferred to to eliminate the superstitious forms Townsend and Thomas Crump, Bundorogha in the Delphi Mission of religion which so offended Revd wished to continue and even expand (near Leenane). He retired a few Garrett and his ilk. mission-work among the Catholic months later. population of Ireland, they were met The ultimate result of this obliteration for the most part with indifference and It would be untrue to suggest the Irish of folk-religion, however, was the even hostility from fellow-Protestants. Church Missions made no impact direct opposite of the aims of the Irish The once promising crusade had on the faith of Ireland’s Catholics. Church Missions. Instead of casting failed and by then the era of landslide Revd Garrett was certainly telling aside their superstitious practices in conversions belonged to a previous the truth when he told his Dublin favour of scriptural Protestantism, generation. If anything Catholic efforts audience in 1866 of the decline in the Catholic laity adopted a form to thwart the success of Protestant ‘absurd superstitions’ in south County of tightly regulated and highly missions cemented the position of Sligo, but in reality his mission was structured Catholicism, in which the Roman church in Ireland as it only indirectly responsible for the discipline was enforced at parish level ensured increased vigilance on the obliteration of the folk-religion which through sodalities and confraternities part of Catholic clergy, especially in had persisted in isolated regions.72 The overseen by Catholic clergy. Contrary proselytised areas. It also reinforced Catholic Church was more directly to the aspirations of the Irish Church the connection between Catholicism influential in reducing participation Missions, the power of the Catholic and Irishness in the Irish psyche by in what Garrett described as ‘foolish clergy was increased and the laity depicting religious conversion as a and idle mummeries’ than were the adopted doctrines and practices treacherous coupling with the English Protestant missions. Remnants of that were significantly more Rome- enemy.70 pre-famine religion, which often ward in orientation than previously. involved patterns and celebrations of Although the change in character of The Irish Church Missions came to holy places, was generally conducted Irish Catholicism in the second half realise that conversions are less likely without the presence of clergy, and of the nineteenth century cannot be

35 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 totally attributed to the activities of reality? (Cork, 1970), pp 207-08. 1881 (Archives of the Grand Orange Lodge proselytising missions, their presence 15 Irish Church Missions, Annual Report, of Ireland, Belfast); Sligo Champion, 24 Dec. contributed significantly to the 1853, pp 41-44. 1880. 16 Irish Church Missions, Annual Report, 44 Banner of the Truth, June 1854; Irish outcome. 1853, p. 43. Church Missions, Annual Report, 1866, p. 17 The Irish Missionary Record and Chronicle 94. The Irish Church Missions, through of the Reformation, Mar., Aug. 1853. 45 Irish Times, 10 April 1866. persons like Anthony Thomas, 18 Irish Church Missions, Annual Report, 46 Dublin University Magazine, xxv (1845), George Garrett, Hamilton Townsend 1853, p. 43. pp 735-38; The Nation, 19 December 1857. 19 47 and Thomas Crump, sought to change Irish Church Missions, Annual Report, Irish Times, 19 June 1873. 1853, pp 43-44. 48 Irish Times, 17 Jan. 1874. the religious character of Ireland. 20 J.B. Leslie, Clergy of Tuam, Killala and 49 J.B. Leslie, Clergy of Tuam, Killala and These gentlemen certainly altered Achonry (n.p., 2008), p. 364. Achonry, p. 642. the form of religion espoused by the 21 Irish Church Missions, Annual Report, 50 ICM, Annual Report, 1863, p. 78. majority population but ironically, 1853, p. 51. 51 Events at Partry are described in Gerard 22 their crusading mission to rescue Banner of the Truth, June 1854, pp 98-99. Moran, A radical priest in Mayo, Fr. Patrick 23 Banner of the Truth, Jan. 19-20, June 97- Lavelle, the rise and fall of an Irish nationalist souls from the ‘errors of Rome’ 98. 1825-86 (Dublin, 1994); Gerard Moran, The merely strengthened and intensified 24 Irish Church Missions, Annual Report, Mayo evictions of 1860 (Westport, 1986); the Roman influence on the Catholic 1853, p. 51. Miriam Moffitt, Soupers and Jumpers, the population of Ireland. 25 Banner of the Truth, Feb. 1854, pp. Feb. Protestant missions in Connemara, 1846- 31-32. 1937 (Dublin, 2008), pp 80-84. 26 52 1 Throughout this essay, the term Catholic Banner of the Truth, Feb. 1855, pp. Feb. Between 1869 and 1873 he was a scripture may be read as Roman Catholic and unless 82. reader in Connemara, serving Clifden, 27 specified otherwise, the term Protestant may Agency Books, 1856-60 (Irish Church Castlekerke and Spiddal. 53 be read as Church of Ireland. Missions Archive). ICM, Annual Report, 1865, pp 77-78. 28 54 2 William Marrable, Sketch of the origin and Banner of the Truth, Apr. 1854, p. 64. ICM, Annual Report, 1866, pp 93-95. 29 55 operations of the society for the Irish Church Banner of the Truth, 1855, p. 82. ICM, Annual Report, 1883, p. 52; Miriam 30 Missions to the Roman Catholics (London, Banner of the Truth, Apr. 1854, pp 63-64. Moffitt, The Society for Irish Church 31 1853), p. 451. Banner of the Truth, Apr. 1855, p. 81. Missions to the Roman Catholics, 1849-1950 32 3 Alexander R. C. Dallas, The story of the Baptismal register of Boyle parish, MS (Manchester, 2010), p. 192. 56 Irish Church Missions, Part 1 (London, No. P 840/2/1 (Representative Church Body There were Presbyterian mission schools 1867), p. 8. Library). in the following parishes: Castleconnor, 33 4 Dallas, The story of the Irish Church Banner of the Truth, Jan. 1858, p. 19. Easky, Kilfree (Clogher), Kilglass and 34 Missions, Part 1, p. 93. Banner of the Truth, Oct. 1856, p. 161. Kilmacshalgan (Dromore West). 35 57 5 Irene Whelan, The bible war in Ireland Banner of the Truth, Mar. 1858, p. 49; July Farry, Killoran and Coolaney, p. 114. 58 (Dublin, 2005), pp 248-50. 1858, pp 114-15. ICM, Annual Report, 1875, pp 78-79. 36 59 6 The archbishopric of Tuam was discontinued Banner of the Truth, Aug. 1858, p. 131. His wife, Hannah, was also a convert. 37 60 under the terms of the Irish Church Banner of the Truth, Aug. 1858, p. 131. ICM, Annual Report, 1880, pp 52-53. 38 61 Temporalities Act, 1833. Revd William Garrett, was rector of ICM, Annual Report, 1866, p. 95. 62 7 Quoted in Desmond Bowen, Paul Cardinal Ballymote 1765-1806, his son, Revd John ICM, Annual Report, 1882, pp 55-56 63 Cullen (Dublin, 1983), p. 170. Garrett, from 1806 to 1855. Baptismal ICM, Annual Report, 1883, p. 53. 64 8 Miriam Moffitt, Soupers and Jumpers, the Register of Emlyfad, MS No. P.203/1/1 ICM, Annual Report, 1885, p. 41. 65 Protestant missions in Connemara, 1846- (Representative Church Body Library): J.B. Moffitt, Irish Church Missions, pp 228-33. 66 1937 (Dublin, 2008), pp 69-80. Leslie, Clergy of Tuam, Killala and Achonry Proceedings of the Irish Society, 1850. 67 9 It operated as the Special Fund for the (n.p., 2008), p. 364. John Garrett, Good news from Ireland. An 39 Spiritual Exigencies of Ireland since 1847 and J. D. Sirr, A memoir of Power Le Poer address to the archbishops and bishops of the was formally re-organised as The Society for Trench, last archbishop of Tuam (Dublin, Church of England (London, 1863). 68 Irish Church Missions on 24 March 1849. 1845), pp 378-9. Henry Stewart Cunningham, Is ‘Good 40 10 A.R.C. Dallas, Protestantism in Ireland: J.C. MacDonagh, Ballymote and the parish news from Ireland’ true?: remarks on the Lecture to the Church of England Young of Emlyfad (Dublin, 1936), pp 166, 175. position and prospects of the Irish Church 41 Men’s Society, 10 February 1851 (London, Sligo Journal, 10 Oct. 1828. establishment (London, 1865) 42 69 1851), pp.193-94. Desmond Bowen, Souperism, myth or George Venables, The good news is true; 11 Emily and Rebecca Irwin to Society of reality? (Cork, 1970), pp 209-10. or, what an English clergyman saw in 43 Friends, 7 Oct. 1847 and draft reply 15 Orange Lodges were opened, and dormant Connemara … with a preface by the Rev. Dec. 1847, quoted in Liam Swords, In their lodges revived, at many locations during W. C. Plunket (London, 1865), pp 54-5, and own words, the famine in north Connaught the era of the Land War. In County Sligo. A passim. 70 (Dublin, 1999), pp 231, 258-9. lodge was established at Drumcliff (1880) Moffitt, Irish Church Missions, pp 125-26. 71 12 Quoted in Michael Farry, Killoran and and Lisadell (1881), and another at Boyle Letter from Benjamin Irwin, Irish Coolaney (Trim, 1985), p. 94. (1881) which came under the umbrella of the Ecclesiastical Gazette, 4 June 1885. 72 13 Charles Henry Seymour, son of Revd Grand Lodge of County Sligo and a dormant Irish Times, 10 April 1866. Joseph Seymour, was rector of the intensely lodge at Ballisadare-Beltra was revived in proselytised region of Achill during and 1880. Report of the proceedings of the Grand immediately after the famine. Orange Lodge of Ireland at the half yearly 14 Desmond Bowen, Souperism, myth or meeting held at the Rotundo, Dublin , 1880,

36 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 The Spanish Armada in Sligo Joe McGowan

Throughout 1587 and early 1588, rumours wind changed to south-southwest and for which there is sufficient reason in the that Philip of Spain was assembling the commander of the Armada, the Duke great hardships and misfortunes I have a massive fleet to conquer England of Medina Sidonia, ordered that the fleet passed through since the Armada sailed were spreading like wildfire. English should sail North around Scotland and from Lisbon for England, from which intelligence sources confirmed these Ireland and back to Spain. our Lord, in His infinite good pleasure, rumours but Elizabeth, even up to early During the journey many of these ships delivered me. As I have not had an 1588, when the massive fleet was nearing were wrecked along the coast but three, opportunity to write to you for more than readiness to sail from Lisbon, believed the La Lavia, La Juliana and the Santa a year, I have not done so until now that that a war situation could be avoided. Maria de Vison reached the coast of God has brought me to these States of From the outset, the Spanish fleet Sligo. Francesco de Cuellar was aboard Flanders, where I arrived twelve days ago seemed destined for bad luck. After a this last group of Armada ships wrecked with the Spaniards who escaped from the month at sea, little progress had been towards the end of September 1588. He ships that were lost in Ireland, Scotland, and Shetland, which were more than twenty of the largest in the Armada. In them came a great force of picked infantry, many captains, ensigns, commanders, and other war officials, besides several gentlemen and scions of nobility, out of all of whom, being more than two hundred, not five survived; because some of them were drowned, and those who reached the shore by swimming were cut in pieces by the English, whom the Queen keeps quartered in the Kingdom of Ireland… …The ship I sailed in was from the Levant, to which were attached two others, very large, to afford us aid if they could. In these came Don Diego Enriquez, ‘the hunchback’, as commander; and not being able to weather round or double Cape Clear, in Ireland, on account of the severe storm which arose upon the bow, he was forced to make for the land with Streedagh Spanish Armada Memorial Photo by Martin A Timoney these three ships, which, as I say, were of made due to unfavourable winds. Food, was driven ashore at Streedagh strand, the largest size, and to anchor more than which was badly packed, had gone rotten near Grange in Co. Sligo, territory of the half a league from the shore, where we and drinking water had become stagnant. O’Conor but garrisoned by the English. De remained for four days without being able Scarcely had the major part of the fleet Cúellar eventually documented his to make any provision, nor could it even reached the shelter of Corunna, in the shipwreck at Streedagh, the subsequent be made. On the fifth day there sprang North West of Spain, when a fierce gale horrors ashore, and his attempts to find up so great a storm on our beam, with a arose in the Bay of Biscay, scattering the hospitality from friendly chieftains sea up to the heavens, so that the cables remaining ships. By the time these had notably O’Rourke and MacClancy as he could not hold nor the sails serve us, and made their way back to Corunna and were made his way back to Spain via Antrim we were driven ashore with all three ships ready to sail again with fresh provisions, and Scotland. upon a beach, covered with very fine it was July 12th. Morale was much higher His use of the term ‘savage’ to describe sand, shut in on one side and the other as the fleet of over 130 vessels, galleons, the Irish should not be regarded as by great rocks [Streedagh]. Such a thing galleys, merchantmen, galleasses, supply pejorative. Contemporaries referred was never seen: for within the space of an ships and pataches, carrying almost to inhabitants of Galicia, in their own hour all three ships were broken in pieces, 30,000 men, hoisted sails for the English country of Spain, in the same way. This so that there did not escape three hundred channel. eyewitness account of the shipwrecks men, and more than one thousand were Approaching the mouth of the channel makes Francisco de Cuellar’s letter a drowned, among them many persons of the Armada moved in a tight crescent- most valuable social document. importance, captains, gentlemen, and shaped battle formation. However, A condensed version of Captain other officials… the English succeeded in breaking the Cuellar’s Adventures in Connacht and …And as it would not be right to omit to crescent by sending in fireships by night, Ulster: mention my own good fortune, and how causing panic among the Spaniards. In the ‘I believe that you will be astonished at I got to land, I say that I placed myself subsequent sea battle of Gravelines, grave seeing this letter on account of the slight on the top of the poop of my ship, after losses of ships and men were incurred by certainty that could have existed as to my having commended myself to God and the Spanish fleet while the English fleet being alive. That you may be quite sure to Our Lady, and from thence I gazed came through relatively unscathed. The of this I write this letter, at some length, at the terrible spectacle. Many were

37 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 drowning within the ships; others, casting Spaniards stripped to the skin, without with the information of the old woman, I themselves into the water, sank to the any kind of clothing whatsoever upon decided to go to the shore, where I saw two bottom without returning to the surface; them, chattering with the cold, which was Spanish soldiers approaching, stripped others on rafts and barrels, and gentlemen severe, and thus I stopped for the night naked as when they were born, crying out on pieces of timber, others cried aloud in a deserted place, and was forced to lie and calling upon God to help them. The in the ships, calling upon God; captains down upon some rushes on the ground, one bore a bad wound in the head, which threw their chains and crown-pieces into with the great pain I suffered in my leg. they had given him when stripping him. the sea; the waves swept others away, I was then wet through to the skin, dying They came to me, as I called to them from washing them out of the ships. I went to with pain and hunger, when there came up where I was concealed, and recounted to the Judge Advocate — God pardon him! two people—one of them armed, and the me the cruel deaths and punishments that — he was very sorrowful and depressed, other with a large iron axe in his hands— the English had inflicted upon more than and I said to him that he should make and upon reaching me and the other man one hundred Spaniards they had taken. some provision for saving his life before who was with me, we remained silent, Then we went off, and searched for the ship went to pieces, as she could not as if we had not anything amiss with us. something to eat along the shore—of last for half a quarter of an hour longer; They were sorry to see us; and without biscuits, which the sea was casting up— nor did she last it. Most of her complement speaking a word to us, cut a quantity of when four savages came up to me to strip of men and all the captains and officers rushes and grass, covered us well, and me of the clothing which I wore, and were already drowned and dead when I then betook themselves to the shore to another was grieved and took them away, determined to seek means of safety for plunder and break open money-chests seeing that they began to maltreat me, my life, and placed myself upon a piece and whatever they might find, at which and he may have been a chief, for they of the ship that had been broken off, and work more than two thousand savages respected him. the Judge Advocate followed me, loaded and Englishmen, who were stationed in This man, by the grace of God, assisted with crown-pieces, which he carried garrisons near there, took part… me and my two companions, and brought stitched up in his waistcoat and trousers. … At the dawn of day I began to walk, us away from there, and remained a good There was no way to detach the portion little by little, searching for a monastery while in our company, until he put us on a of wreck from the ship’s side, as it was of monks, that I might repair to it or might road which led from the coast to a village held fast by some heavy iron chains, and recover in it as best I could, which I arrived where he lived. There he told us to await the sea and the pieces of timber floating at with much trouble and toil. I found it him, and that he would return soon and about loose struck it, nearly killing us. deserted, and the church and images of put us on the way to a good place. Along I managed to find another resource, the saints burned and completely ruined, with all this misery, that road was very which was to take the cover of a hatchway, and twelve Spaniards hanging within the stony, and I was unable to move or go a about as large as a good-sized table that church by the act of the Lutheran English, step forward, because I went shoe-less, by chance the mercy of God brought to who went about searching for us to make and dying with pain in one of my legs, my hand. When I tried to place myself an end of all of us who had escaped from which was severely wounded. My poor upon it, it sank with me to a depth of six the perils of the sea. All the monks had companions were naked and freezing times my height below the surface, and I fled to the woods for fear of the enemies, with the cold, which was very great; swallowed so much water that I was nearly who would have sacrificed them as well and not being able to exist nor assist me, drowned. When I came up again, I called if they had caught them, as they were they went on in front by the road, and I to the Judge Advocate, and I managed to accustomed to do, leaving neither place of remained there supplicating God’s favour. get him upon the hatchway cover with worship nor hermitage standing; for they He aided me, and I began to move along, myself. In the act of casting-off from the had demolished them all, and made them little by little, and reached a height, from ship, there came a huge wave, breaking drinking places for cows and swine. whence I discovered some huts of straw; over us in such a manner that the Judge As I did not meet with any one at the and going towards them by a valley, I Advocate was unable to resist it, and the said monastery, except the Spaniards entered a wood. wave bore him away and drowned him, hanging within from the iron window When I had gone a distance of two shots crying out and calling upon God while gratings of the church, I sallied forth of an arquebus in it, an old savage of drowning. I could not aid him, as the speedily, and betook myself to a road more than seventy years came out from hatchway cover, being without weight at which lay through a great wood. When I behind the rocks, and two young men, one end, began to turn over with me, and had gone by it for the matter of a mile, I with their arms—one English, the other at that moment a piece of timber crushed met with a woman of more than eighty French—and a girl of the age of twenty my legs. With great exertion I righted years of age, a rough savage, who was years, most beautiful in the extreme, who myself upon my supporting timber; and, carrying off five or six cows to hide them were all going to the shore to plunder. supplicating Our Lady of Ontanar, there in that wood, so that the English who had When they saw me pass among the trees, came four waves, one after the other, and, come to stop in her village might not take they changed their course towards me, without knowing how, or knowing how to them. As she saw me, she stopped and and the Englishman came up saying, swim, they cast me upon the shore, where recognised me, and said to me: ‘Thou ‘Yield, Spanish poltroon’, and made a I emerged, unable to stand, all covered Spain’. I said yes to her by signs, and slash at me with a knife, desiring to kill with blood, and very much injured. that I had been shipwrecked. She began me. I warded off the blow with a stick The enemies and savages, who were to lament much and to weep, making me which I carried in my hand; but, in the on the beach stripping those who had signs that I was near her house, but not to end, he got at me, and cut the sinew of my been able to reach it by swimming, did go there, as there were numerous enemies right leg. He wanted to repeat the blow not touch me nor approach me, seeing in it, and they had cut the heads off many immediately, had not the savage come up me, as I have said, with my legs and Spaniards. All this was affliction and with his daughter, who may have been hands and my linen trousers covered hardship for me, as I travelled alone, and this Englishman’s friend, and I replied with blood. In this condition I proceeded, badly injured by a stick of timber, which he might do what he wished to me, for little by little, as I could, meeting many almost broke my legs in the water. At last, fortune had subdued me, and deprived

38 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 me of my arms in the sea. They took loaded with plunder and our things, and taken since then have been beheaded. him away from me then, and the savage it did not displease the old man that I This I have wished to write to you. began to strip me, to the taking off of my had been sheltered in his house and well From the City of Antwerp, 4th shirt, under which I wore a gold chain of treated. October, 1589. Sgd. FRANCISCO DE the value of rather more than a thousand In the morning they gave me a horse and CUELLAR. dollars. When they saw it, they rejoiced a boy to convey me over a mile of bad greatly, and searched the jacket, thread by road that there was, with mud up to the thread, in which I carried forty-five crown- girths. Having passed it by the distance of De Cuellar’s account of his escape from pieces in gold, that the Duke had ordered the shot of a cross-bow, we heard a very drowning and his subsequent adventures to be given to me at Corunna for two great noise, and the boy said to me, by was written in Antwerp on October months’ pay; and when the Englishman signs, ‘Save yourself, Spain’ (for so they 4th 1589 to a friend. It survives in two saw that I carried a chain and crown- call us); ‘many Sassana horsemen are manuscripts: MS N-7 of the Academia pieces, he wanted to take me prisoner, coming this way, and they will make bits de la Historia and MS 1750 of the saying that he should be offered a ransom. of thee if thou doest not hide thyself: come Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid, both of I replied that I had nothing to give; that I this way quickly.’ They call the English which documents lay in oblivion for was a very poor soldier, and had gained ‘Sassanas’. He took me away to hide in three centuries until the Spanish text, that, what they saw, in the ship. The girl some rugged places among the rocks, drawn from the original, (La Armada lamented much to see the bad treatment I where we were very well concealed…’ Invencible) was edited and published received, and asked them to leave me the De Cuellar and his comrades eventually by Caesáro Fernández Duro, who was a clothes, and not to injure me any more. made it to the safety of O’Rourke territory Spanish naval officer in Madrid, in 1884. They all returned to the hut of the where they were given food and shelter. Other publications include: that of P. savage, and I remained among those From there they travelled to the castle of O’Reilly, ‘Remarks on Certain Passages trees, bleeding from the wound that the Mac Clancy in Rosclogher Co. Leitrim, in Captain Cuellar’s Narrative of his Englishman had inflicted upon me. I directed there by a priest (also on the run Adventures in Ireland after the Wreck of proceeded to put on again my jacket and from the soldiers) who told them they the Spanish Armada in 1588-89 followed sack-coat; moreover they had taken away would be given shelter by this chieftain by a Literal Translation of the Narrative’, my shirt, and some relics of great value who was a “very brave soldier and great Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, which I wore in a small garment vestment, enemy of the Queen of England and of Series III, iii (1893) pp 175-217; Hugh of the Order of the Holy Trinity, that had her affairs, a man who had never cared Allingham, Captain Cuellar’s Adventures been given to me at Lisbon. These the to obey her or pay tribute, attending only in Connacht and Ulster, A.D. 1588 savage damsel took and hung them round to his castle and mountains, which made (London 1897). her neck, making me a sign that she wished it strong”. Following three years documentary to keep them, saying to me that she was a The English, hearing that Mac Clancy research, an archaeological team, Christian: which she was in like manner was harbouring Spaniards, moved against under the direction of Dr Steven Birch as Mahomet. From her hut they sent me a him: of Scalpay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, boy with a poultice made of herbs, to put ‘One Sunday, after Mass, the chief, with discovered the remains of the three upon my wound, and butter and milk and dishevelled hair down to his eyes, took us Armada ships on Streedagh Beach, Co. a small piece of oaten bread to eat. When apart, and, burning with rage, said that he Sligo on 4th May 1985. In a booklet the boy was about to turn back, he told could not remain, and he had decided to detailing their extensive finds they me to continue travelling straight towards fly with all his villagers, their cattle, and their report this on the La Juliana (site 1): some mountains that appeared to be about families, and that we should settle what we ‘…This site has, due to its more six leagues off, behind which there were wished to do to save our lives.’ exposed position, revealed the largest good lands belonging to an important De Cuellar insisted on defending the archaeological assemblage. It comprises savage very friendly to the King of Spain; castle and, after a siege of seventeen days, sections of articulated ship structure O’Rourke, and that he gave shelter to, and did so successfully. Despite the grateful overlaid by extensive concretions. Held treated well, all the Spaniards who went Mac Clancy’s offer of marriage to his within the concretions are iron and stone to him; and that he had in his village more sister, De Cuellar was determined to make shot of varying calibre, and lead sheeting. than eighty of those from the ships who his way back to Spain via Scotland. After Sitting on top of this concretion were reached there naked. At this news I took many more adventures and enduring three anchors and three bronze guns. The some courage; and with my stick in hand, much hardship and treachery this he did three guns have been lifted and are being I began to walk as best I could, making eventually via Scotland. conserved by the National Museum of for the direction of the mountains or for Experiencing treachery to the end his Ireland. Further elements of the ship can the north of the mountains, as the boy had narrative concludes: be seen protruding through the sand with told me. ‘I reached the shore [of Dunkirk] in one composite piece being identified as That night I reached some huts, where my shirt, without other description of a floor rider, its scarf still recognisable. they did not do me harm, because there clothing, and some soldiers of Medina A further four wooden spoked wheels, was in them one who knew Latin; and who were there came to help me. It was making a total of five, were also recorded. in the necessity of the circumstances, sad to see us enter the town once more, At a later date the continued exportation our Lord was pleased that we should stripped naked; and for the other part we of sand from the site uncovered the rudder understand one another, talking Latin. I saw, as before our eyes, the Dutch making of the vessel overlying another bronze gun narrated to them my hardships. The Latin- a thousand pieces of two hundred and with lifting dolphins…’ (From a report speaking man sheltered me in his hut that seventy Spaniards who came in the ship by Steven Birch and D. M. McElvogue night. He dressed my wound, gave me which brought us to Dunkirk, without printed in The International Journal of supper, and a place where I might sleep leaving more than three alive; for which Nautical Archaeology (1999) 28.3: 265- upon some straw. In the middle of the they are now being paid out, as more than 276, Article No. ijna. 1999.0227 night his father arrived and his brothers, four hundred Dutchmen who have been

39 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 God’s Country Leo Mattimoe

From a casual glance at an Ordnance On a clear day when Knocknarea national language, the only exception Survey map encompassing most of was visible in the distance, I could see in the entire European Union. Co. Sligo, stretching from the Sliabh the great cairn, the most impressive Over this period mistakes were made, Garnh range of mountains in the west man-made structure in the county, some of them deliberate and now we to the Arigna range in the East and built, presumably without planning have to pay for them in various ways. from the Dartry range in the North to permission, 6000 years ago and Change is inevitable but the pace and the Bricklieves in the South one cannot predating the Egyptian pyramids. It quality of change must be monitored but be struck by the diversity of the still remains and presumably will and properly regulated, to ensure that landscape. There are lakes of all sizes remain, the most impressive and development does not involve the and shapes, some with many islands, interesting sight on entering the spoliation of our precious natural and some with few and a few with none, environs of Sligo. Even a ten story built heritage. This is God’s Country. and there is an abundance of rivers. hotel at Carraroe could not compete. We have a wonderful, practically Equally obvious are the shaded areas One summer Sunday morning unspoilt, landscape and nobody, of varying density, denoting hills over twenty years ago I noticed an for the sake of popularity or gain, and mountains. All of these physical elderly man on the roadway outside has the right to deprive us of this. features bear beautiful names in my house. He was American and had Mankind has left his marks on the our native language and allow us to walked the three miles from Sligo landscape from prehistoric times, glimpse into the minds of our ancestors. town, intending to visit Innisfree. The which tell a story and to consciously There are associations with gods, only problem was that Innisfree was destroy them is like ripping pages goddesses, heroes and great events on the other side of the town and he from a valuable book. The ring from our prehistoric and historic past. had nearly arrived in Strandhill. He fort on your land is more precious I feel privileged to have been born told me it had been his life’s ambition than the extra few square metres of and reared in this wonderful part of the to see the lake isle of Innisfree and land you gain by tampering with it world, a niche that luckily has escaped to experience the peace there. I then and if it has a name it can be a vital the worst excesses of unbridled realised that this man (Sam Ennis was link to a person, usage or event. capitalism, even though the signs were his name) was not just a sightseer: We escaped the negative results of ominous until quite recently. I have he was on a pilgrimage. So to help the agricultural revolution. Much in known freedom as a child, the kind of the pilgrim’s progress I drove him Europe was destroyed in the interests freedom that William Wordsworth had to the lake isle. Unfortunately it was of production and economic growth. in mind when he first visited Tintern too choppy for him to get a boat In Ireland, superstition and an innate Abbey. The shapes, forms and colours but I arranged for him to get out respect for things ancestral ensured of the landscape delighted the senses the next day, which he did. I have that we have inherited an enviable and were a pleasure to behold. There forgotten most of the conversation store of archaeological material. were trees to climb, rivers to fish and but one phrase sticks in my mind. He Now we cannot preserve everything; paddle in and dusty bohereens to turned to me and he said “You are even Carrowmore was new at one time. explore. The fields and woods were blessed, this is truly God’s Country.” If a preservation order were placed on not out of bounds and the children During the intervening years we have every old structure we would end up of my generation were country wise. seen much change. We have witnessed as one big museum. However, there We heeded warnings and sensing unprecedented opportunities for are certain things that speak to us danger came as second nature to us. young people, all kinds of recreational from a mysterious and distant past, I drank clear water from spring facilities for young and old alike, which are irreplaceable. All of wells and not from plastic bottles. vastly increased job opportunities and this, like our language, literature I have heard the first song of the chances to travel and see the world. and music are the hallmarks of our cuckoo in joyous anticipation of Unfortunately we blew it. We spread identity and all the plastic leprechauns Summer. I have heard the corncrake concrete instead of manure, some and t-shirts advertising a popular Irish while working in the meadow and of it on the best agricultural land in drink are merely phoney substitutes. I’ve heard the cricket in the hearth. Europe. We built modern crannogs on So let us wake up and appreciate what I’ve been startled by a waterhen on flood plains. We gazed at computer we have. We are an ancient nation and the riverbank. I have outstared a fox at screens till cross-eyed. We tolerated should be proud of that status no matter the edge of the wood and have tended the greed, arrogance and ignorance of what part of the land we come from. a sick calf in the corner of the field. the so called movers and shakers in our So be on the alert and don’t make life The only ‘gateway’ project I society and we congratulated ourselves too comfortable for those who would was involved in was to make sure on being multicultural when not one seek to deprive us of our precious the gate was closed to ensure in ten of us is capable of conducting landscape and unique heritage. the cattle didn’t wander out. a sustained conversation in our own Keep it God’s Country.

40 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 The Templars Padraig Feehily

Prior to the arrival on the book shelves invade. progressive, the invaders welcomed of the best selling book “The Da Vinci The Treaty of Windsor was negotiated the friars to Ireland in the thirteenth Code”, little interest existed amongst with the High King Rory O’Connor. century – Dominicans, Franciscans, the general public in the history of the Rory was left as King of Connacht Augustinians and Carmelites. The Knights Templar in Ireland and very under Henry who became Dominus new Orders were for the most part meager details are to be found in the Hiberniae (Lord of Ireland). The regulated from abroad with English bibliography of the Order about their treaty, made in 1175, opened the way officials in charge. history in this country, though even for a mass migration from the English The invaders organised the Irish these often depend for their authority mainland to Ireland. The coming of the world to their standards; possibilities on mere tradition. foreigners changed Ireland’s religious of colonization were immense. The history of the Crusaders and more and socio-economic structure. The Now for the first time Ireland knew especially of the chivalry of Knights Church was reorganized and the parish systematic agriculture and estate of the Temple has for hundreds of as the basic unit of local focus. Tithes management. The only people to be years formed an attractive study to the were introduced and coinage made its displaced were the Gaelic nobility historian and romance writer. That so appearance for the first time in Ireland as the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy had little should be definitely known on replacing cattle to some extent as a been in England, and this was not the subject is not to be wondered at means of exchange. because of any anti-Gaelic policy but when we remember that, soon after rather because of a struggle for power the suppression of the Templars, the between two groups of aristocracy: absence of orderly government and the the Normans and the Gaelic. With this long continued civil strife destroyed new social order came the Templars. in a great degree the historical continuity existing in other countries. Origin Of The Templars Further too, the fact that most of the The capture of Jerusalem by the Templars possessions were handed armies of Islam in 1065 AD. and the over to the Knight Hospitallers harsh treatment of pilgrims outraged produced such confusion in people’s the religious feelings of Christendom minds that lands seem to have been to such a degree, that at the preaching attributed to one or the other Order. of Peter the Hermit, everyone from During the height of the Templar prince to peasant was faced with influence in Europe, Ireland was part an extraordinary enthusiasm which and parcel of the Templar province culminated in the first Crusade and of England; although there were the recapturing of Jerusalem by the separate Masters for both countries, Crusaders in 1099 AD. The flow of they seem to have been chosen pilgrims recommenced with fresh in the English General Chapter We might suppose that, with numerous ardour. Though the armies of Islam from among the English brethren. religious houses throughout Ireland, were driven out of Jerusalem, they still In advance of appraising the the moral well-being of the people was infested the countryside and lost no establishment of the Templars in assured. Unfortunately this was not opportunity of pillaging and slaying Ireland, it is necessary to consider so, for after the long centuries of the the unfortunate pilgrims. To remedy some background history. Viking wars and consequent upheavals the deteriorating state of affairs, nine ‘Strongbow’ (Richard de Clare, there was spiritual and moral laxity. noble knights formed themselves Earl of Pembroke and Strigul) led the Deeds of violence were frequent, even into a company for the protection Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland against priests and nuns and against of pilgrims on their way to the holy from Wales. Henry II of England, church property. Consequently, the city. They bound themselves together furnished with a papal bull and Norman invasion produced a new wave under the rules of the Augustinian the need to ‘proclaim the truths of of religious activity and the religious canons, with vows of chastity, poverty Christian religion’ to the Irish people orders in particular benefited from the and obedience. At the outset they had of which he fully convinced the pope, Norman advance. Always quick to no church or fixed abode but in 1118 was given permission in 1155 to seize on what was new, practical and AD Baldwin, King of Jerusalem, gave

41 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 them a church (which had been turned the eastern seaboard; these involved Order in Ireland. Though a long way into the Al Aqsa mosque) erected manors in Carlow, Louth, Kilkenny, from the head of the Order in London, originally by the Emperor Justinian. Kildare and Dublin. the Masters had more freedom of Built on the Temple Mount, it inspired Where land hitherto had been action. The local church officials their name “Poor Knights of Christ and used for cattle grazing, the Templars objected to the Templars holding the the Temple of Solomon” or “Templars”. commenced cropping wheat, soon advowsons (the right to recommend The church with the adjacent buildings producing a surplus which they could a priest for a vacant parish) and this became their headquarters until the move about and sell throughout privilege led to certain hostility. Christians were finally driven from the country. In 1213 the king also Although they produced a surplus Jerusalem. Baldwin induced Saint permitted them to export their own of corn in Ireland, the pastoral way Bernard, the Abbot of Clairvaux, to wool for sale. of life had not disappeared. A large interest himself and the Pope in the The Templars in Ireland retained number of horses other than draught new order. At the Council of Troyes the Normal manorial structure. The horses suggests the breeding of other in 1128 AD Saint Bernard undertook tenants were in the main Irish as classes may have been a special skill to revise their rules and draw up a recorded in the plea rolls of Edward of the Irish Manors. code of statutes for the government of I. They were liable to render effective Clonaul, Co. Tipperary is a prime the religious and military Order of the service to their master and if any tenant example of industry at work within the Temple. forfeited his fee (title) they (the Order manorial system. A number of horses of the Temple) might put themselves of high value was found recorded in in seizen (possession). If a tenant the accounts at Kilsaran, Co. Kildare, was amerced (fined) for any cause the and the record includes goods that amercement was collected and handed suggest the Templars may have over to the Order. Unclaimed waifs stimulated the local cloths industry: found on their lands were to belong “six ells of white cloth in store as well to them. In addition these privileges as robes in coloured wool”. were added to by King Edward I who gave them complete criminal and civil The Templars in Co. Sligo jurisdiction over their tenants and Archdeacon O’Rorke in his History vassals: to try criminals by ordeal of of Sligo Vol II, pp 73 ff, suggests that pit and gallows. The king also freed the Templehouse castle Teaghtempul them from all military services and was not the work of the Templars but ordinary feudal customs. was built by MacWilliam Burke in Besides the aforementioned 1263 AD and called Loghnehely (Ath- privileges, the Templars enjoyed, under angaile). O’Rorke further suggests the authority of Papal Bulls, freedom that in a 1307 state inventory of from excommunication of themselves Templar possessions, “there is not a An early 17th century map showing or interdict on their churches by word of Templehouse Castle or the an earlier Templar Castle. bishop or priest. They had their own county Sligo property, an omission Map courtesy of Public Records office chaplains to accompany them; their which seems to prove that those Northern Ireland dwellings too were to be considered religious had nothing to do with the as sanctuaries and any felon flying property”. However Mr. Herbert there was safe from arrest. Wood, BA (Oxon) in a paper read to Reliable record for the presence The head of the Order was called the Royal Irish Academy, April 8th of the Templars in Ireland is dated the Grand Master. Next in line were and 22nd in the year 1907, states the 1177, when Matthew the Templar the Priors – who governed the large following: “County Sligo Teachtemple “witnessed” an Irish charter and the estates, the several portions of which or Templehouse – Goods worth first known grant of land by Henry were governed by Preceptors. They in 73s.8d.; a yearly value of lands, 40s.; II, a deed in frankalmoign i.e. “on turn governed the serviente: men-at- one church, 40s.” This preceptory was condition that the grantees prayed arms. In Ireland the head of the order called Loghnehely in the certificate of for the soul of the grantor and his was called Master of the Knighthood 1 Ed. III. It obtained this name from ancestors”. By the year 1308 the Irish of the Temple of Ireland. The Masters the lake Lough Awnally (ath-angaile). lands were the third most valuable in Ireland were officers of the English In the Annals of Loch Cé the castle of of all the Templar holdings. They Crown and auditors of the Irish Tech Temple is mentioned (1270), and were located in Sligo in the west but Exchequer. Surrounded by a hostile Templehouse is its modern name. In most of their lands were centered on population, life was difficult for the the taxation of 1302-6 the vicarage was

42 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 called Kellecath, and corresponded a preceptory and these were managed drew large revenues. to the modern parish of Kilvarnet. by stewards. Beside their free tenants It would be reasonable to expect On the suppression of the Templars they had firmarii and betagii on their that the Templars should have left a it passed to the priory of Saint John lands, who had to give certain days considerable mark on the history of of Randown, which is stated to have assistance in the year. The Templars the times. But the only reference to held 16 quarters of land here, and in their preceptories held manor courts them in the Irish Annals states the fact the rectory and tithes. Archdeacon and also ecclesiastical courts in which that in 1183 the Orders of the Templars O’Rorke contends that the castle was a canonist sat and dispensed justice. and Hospitallers is confirmed. This built by MacWilliam Burke in 1262, A privilege which they shard with however is a mistake as the Order of but he is certainly wrong in stating the feudal lords of the time, and which the Templars was confirmed in 1128 that the Templars had no possessions was much prized, was that of having and that of the Hospitallers in 1113. here. mills to which not only their tenants, The Order farmed some of their but neighbours also, came to have their lands; portions they let out to tenants. corn ground. By the law of “milling ********************* They also possessed or leased small stoke”, tenants were bound to support portions of land – not large enough for the mills set up by their lords, who The Unnamed Cave Kathleen Fairbanks

Situated in the townland of Viewing Bay during the many wars kidnapped and hidden in this cave for Cuilsheeghary More, Ballinafad, that took place in this Island of ours. a period. Co. Sligo and Aghanagh district, just We do know it is not possible to venture Very little has been recorded of other behind the Church and visible from in too far as there is a lot of water and events or happenings. the N4 motorway, is a cave. mud but many folks did scrawl their During the summer school holidays This simple cave has a remarkable initials on the rock at the entrance. the children love to go and play near feature of an undated stone seat at During winter time when cattle lived the cave and have a rest on the famous its entrance. From here there is a outside they took shelter near the cave stone seat wondering who thought of panoramic view of the Ox Mountains, and the local farmer was able to give putting it there those many years ago. the Arigna and Curlew mountains, and them fodder for food there. That will always remain a mystery also Lough Arrow. Interesting to say just some miles and the cave another one of “Ireland’s On a sunny day the surrounding area away over the hills are the Caves of Hidden Gems”. looks magnificent with the whitethorn Keash. blossom and the aroma of wild A bedtime story often told was about This was once an area owned by The flowers, with nearby birds chirping in “The Little People”, the fairies who O’Healy clan for many centuries, the overhanging shrubbery. travelled underground and came to later came the Ffolliott family and the Maybe this cave was used as a visit. landlords took over, it was then many Hunting Lodge. The fox is known to The local people loved to recall English families came as emigrants have his home there. an incident about a judge who was and were granted portions of land It also may have been used as a on his way to the Sligo courts being here.

43 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Come Dancing Kathleen Fitzmaurice

At a recent session of our Active at Conway’s Cross and in later Garvey and his Band. The next Age Group we got chatting about our days the Pavilion in Kilmactranny, big dance hall to come on the dancing days. We spoke about house to mention a few. This meant scene was Fenaghville in rural Co. dances, the local dance halls, forays that there was a dance within Leitrim. It was purpose built with further afield and the Carnivals. striking, or rather cycling distance, maple floor, exotic lighting and the House dances were held for every week-end but sadly our pick of the bands. It was the place different reasons. There was the finances restricted our attendance. to go. Tooreen Hall in Mayo made “American Wake” where the Local Bands provided the music the headlines too and there was family of someone about to seek in the local Halls. There was the the Mayflower in Drumshanbo. fame and fortune in the U.S. was legendary Havana Band from Later the Reynolds brothers built treated to one last party, a dance Boyle-three Cryan brothers, Francis, halls at several venues in the mid- in his or her own home. I suppose Michael and Leo who, reputedly, lands of which Cloudland was one. this served as a distraction on recited the Rosary on their way to a The 1950s was the era of the the final night among family and dance. They certainly had their own Carnivals. They were an entirely friends and it often went on right style of music and Francis would new departure. A large Marquee into the early hours of the morning. encourage all and sundry to “take was erected in a suitable spot. It Indeed one lady recalled one the floor” with his exhortation, had a good dancing floor and aimed emigrant who at the end of the “I want to see you all swerving”. at catering for a big crowd. Several night set off on foot for Arigna The Conlon Band, Ballyfarnon, parishes ran Carnivals as fund- Railway Station to board the train was a great favourite in this part raisers and if all went well, they on the first leg of her long journey. of the country. It comprised some were an ideal way to collect money. A group of family and friends members of the Conlon Family of A carnival usually lasted for ten accompanied her to the Station the village, with Stephen Sheerin days and during that time there and her baggage was so meagre and Joe Martin. Their lively music might five or six dances, a concert that they had no trouble carrying it. got us on the floor. Boyle Crystal and a Ceile. Only top class bands Another house dance was part of Band provided music in all the local with huge popularity were worth the “Game and Dance” often held halls from time to time and later engaging so there was no place in the run up to Christmas. The there was Wood’s Band, a family for the humble halfcrown. Taking game was a card game for which group from Drumshanbo of which your sweetheart to the Carnival a there was a charge, the prize a we have happy memories. There was few times put a big hole in your turkey or maybe a pig’s head, if it also a Band called “Flynn’s Men” pocket! Some of the big bands coincided with pig-slaughtering and they enjoyed a big following. were The Clipper Carlton, The time. The dancers had the kitchen The usual admission charge Melody Aces, The Mighty Avons, for their activities, making the to local dances was the old half- Bros Walsh, Jack Ruane and the floor flags resound to the half-sets, crown and there were no alcoholic one and only Mick Delahunty. polkas and Stack O’ Barley and drinks on sale. There were soft But fashions change. The Singing the fine music of local musicians. drinks to buy and tea was often Pub took over and where once Every village had a Dance Hall. served with no charge. We got we graced the big maple floor our They were to be found at practically there on bikes at no cost, so the successors frequented the Singing every crossroads. They were magic wand to a good night’s Pub or the Disco. Gone are the simple structures lit by oil-lamps, dancing was the elusive half-crown days of the little local hall and the just large unheated rooms with a As things got back to normal canvas of the marquee has rotted in stage, a space which served as a after the war cars re-appeared someone’s back garden. But we can cloakroom and very basic sanitary and we went further afield. The still recall our favourite Ballroom of facilities. In my area there were Gaiety in Carrick was the venue Romance because happy memories Halls in Highwood, Geevagh , on St. Stephen’s Night to dance to last forever. Corrigeenroe, Ballyfarnon, Jackie’s the wonderful music of Stephen

44 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 The Remarkable Career of Frank Carty, BL, TD

Compiled by Tommy Kilcoyne and Rory O’Beirne

Francis J. Carty was born in April side with the Volunteer movement to Ireland he was rearrested and 1897 in Clooncunny in the parish of and as a result of the influence of brought back to prison in Mountjoy. Achonry/Mullinabreena. His parents Carty and McCabe the South Sligo Following the truce with the British Mr and Mrs John Carty were farmers. area was particularly well organised. in July 1921 and the subsequent He attended Carrowrile National Classes for Volunteer officers were signing of the Treaty, all republican School. While still in his teens he organised and Carty travelled by prisoners including Carty were became closely attached to the Sinn train to Sligo to attend one of these. released. He later played a prominent Fein organisation. The Irish Volunteers In many areas the members of the role on the anti-treaty side during were founded in Dublin in 1913 Sinn Fein clubs also joined the local the tragic 1922/23 Civil War. and Frank Carty was present at the Dramatic Society which provided a He was elected for the first time as a inaugural meeting of the Volunteers cover for meetings of Volunteers and TD representing Sinn Fein at the 1921 in the spring of 1918 Frank Carty General Election in the Sligo and East was a member of the Mullinabreena Mayo constituency, becoming the Dramatic Club that staged two plays youngest deputy in the Dáil. He was in the local Technical Hall in Lavagh. aged 24 and of smart appearance and The officers of each Sinn Fein fine physique. He was known as the Club and Volunteer company were ‘Babe’ of the House, a ‘Babe’ however often the same and the county was who stood over six feet tall and weighed slowly organised into Battalions over fifteen stone. He retained this with Carty elected as Commandant seat in the General Election of May of the Tubbercurry Battalion early 1922. He was returned as an Anti- in 1918. He was actively involved Treatyite TD for the Sligo and Leitrim in organising the Volunteers or the constituency at the General Election IRA, as they were increasingly of August 1923. Subsequently he was being called, and in October 1919 returned as a Fianna Fáil TD with he commenced weekly classes for an increased majority at each of the Company and Battalion Officers. five General Elections between 1927 Following a raid for arms on the and 1938. He was also Chairman of residence of Col Alexander Perceval Sligo County Council from 1928 at Templehouse in February 1920 to 1934 after which he did not seek Carty was arrested and imprisoned. re-election to that particular post. While serving his sentence in Sligo Frank Carty was a remarkable man jail he was elected to the first Sligo in many respects. In addition to his Republican County Council and also farming interests, he studied law and held in Tubbercurry in May 1914. as chairman of Tubbercurry Board of was called to the Bar at King’s Inn in With the outbreak of the World War Guardians. In May 1920 Carty was 1936. He was a forceful and eloquent later that same year a major split took rescued from Sligo jail by a number speaker and possessed of a keen place in the Volunteer movement with of prominent Volunteers and made intellect, qualities he used to advantage the majority supporting John Redmond his way to the Ox Mountain region of in the law courts, Dáil Eireann and and the war effort. Some branches Cloonacool. He remained there on the the local councils. He was a born such as Mullinabreena where Carty run with a number of other Volunteers leader, an able public representative was in charge continued to support and under his leadership several and a legendary figure in the fight for Eoin McNeill and the Republican raids were carried out on the police national freedom. He married Kathleen movement. During the 1916 Easter and military in the Tubbercurry area. Margaret McGowan from Templeboy. Rising he was preparing to join the He was arrested near Moylough She was a teacher by profession. conflict in his native county along with in South Sligo in November 1920 They did not have any children. leading IRB man Alec McCabe, a native and imprisoned in Derry jail from His unexpected death in September of Keash, when news of the surrender where he made another daring escape 1942 at the age of forty five caused in Dublin put an end to their plans. in February 1921. He succeeded great shock throughout the county and During 1917 the spread of the Sinn in reaching Glasgow but while further afield. On the day previous to Fein movement continued side by making arrangements to return his death he appeared to be in excellent 45 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 health and paid a visit to Achonry Co- Heart, Mullinabreena, on Saturday, tombstone was removed and replaced Operative Dairy Society, of whose 12th September, 1942, and a large and by a black granite Celtic Cross which committee he was chairman for many representative cortege followed his bears the inscription: years. In the afternoon he travelled to remains along the winding roads of Thy Will be Done Ballymote on the Achonry Creamery his native parish to Achonry Cemetery In lorry and did not return home till about where his comrades of the Old IRA Loving memory of midnight. At the inquest evidence was formed a Guard of Honour and fired Frank Carty given by Annie Gavaghan, who said a volley of shots at the graveside. The BL, TD she had been employed as a maid in Last Post was sounded by Mr. Willie the Carty household for four months. Lavin, Ballymote, and the oration was Late O/C 4th Brigade She had prepared his supper the night delivered by Micheál O’Chléirigh, 3rd Western Division IRA before he died but he did not eat it. TD, Mayo, who described Frank Died 10th September, 1942 After he went to bed she heard him Carty as a giant of a man in everything Aged 45 years going to the bathroom on a number he did and said his loss was not just His wife of occasions and she believed he parochial or provincial but national. Kathleen Margaret was vomiting. In the morning he An Taoiseach was represented BA, B Comm, HDE complained of a severe pain in his by Patrick Smith, Parliamentary Died 6th march, 1998 heart. At 9.30am she sent a messenger Secretary. Among the many other Aged 90 years for the priest and the doctor. When Dr. public representatives present were Ar dheis De go raibh a nanamacha Harry McDonagh, Ballymote, arrived G. Boland, Minister for Justice, S. at approximately l1am, Mr. Carty O’Grady, Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Sources: was dead. In evidence the doctor M. Brennan T.D., P. J. Rogers T.D., R. Worthies of Sligo. Profiles of said there were no signs of external Walsh T.D., Senators Ruane, McEllin Eminent Sligonians of Other injury or violence and gave the and Lynch, Alderman William J. Tolan, Days, John C McTernan 1994 opinion that death was due to angina Mayor of Sligo and Eugene Gilbride, The Sligo Champion, 1942 pectoris and cardiac failure. His Chairman, Sligo County Council. Sligo 1914-1921 A Chronicle wife was not at home when he died. A fine stone Celtic Cross was of Conflict, Michael Farry 1992 She had cycled to Sligo the previous subsequently raised over his final Sligo and its Surroundings, day and stayed the night there. resting place in Achonry Cemetery. Tadhg Kilgannon 1926 Frank Carty’s funeral Mass was Crossed firearms were also part of From Plain to Hill. A Short History of celebrated in the Church of the Sacred this monument. In later years this the Parish of Achonry 1995. Ballymote Man Honoured Again in Perth The Brendan Award is conferred the organisation of bingo nights to they could, be they. immigrants, annually by the Australian-Irish help raise money for a soup kitchen Aboriginals or single mothers. Heritage Association on an individual in Fremantle turned into a lifelong To mark his retirement, and to thank who has made “an outstanding commitment and involvement with the him for his years of membership and contribution to the cause of Australia’s Society. They worked at the provision his years as President, a surprise party Irish heritage”. Tom Kearns from of food to those in need. They helped was organised for Tom. Certificates Emlaghfad, Ballymote, was presented of appreciation and badges were with this award at a special function presented to him and to Kathleen. in Perth’s Irish Club on Monday April As well as her work for SVP, 19, 2004 (The Corran Herald 38, 34) Kathleen has long been involved in Now, very recently, Tom has been teaching Natural Family Planning and honoured once again on the occasion working with Pregnancy Assistance of his retirement from the St Vincent which provides a house where de Paul Society for his life-long women in need of help can go to find contribution, along with his wife Tom and Kathleen Kearns accommodation and advice. Kathleen, to the work of the Society. They have been active with SVP source and supply furniture where since shortly after their arrival in needed (their garage at times was Australia back in the winter of 1970. like a furniture depot). They helped What started out as helping with wherever they could, and whoever

46 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 The Australian Visitors Bernie Gilbride

It was a bright June morning at the turn hotel and many times my grandmother chances were of ever coming back. of the century. On reaching the office told us of the garden and that particular What delighted them most was the she saw a message on the fax machine. tree, which she said had been planted by portrait of an elegant foreign-looking Someone was starting the day early, she my great-great-grandfather in honour of woman in what had been the sitting- thought. It was from Australia. Aha! That her birth all those years ago. I am so room of the old house, now the Visitors explains it. Taking the fax up she read: thrilled to be able to have room 21, as Lounge. In truth, Isobella resembled the ‘We wish to book a week’s holiday it is now known, because it was there lady in the portrait: she had her dark hair, with you as advertised. Double room my great-grandmother was born. We dark eyes, long face, high forehead and from 14 - 21 July inclusive, preferably lived with my grandparents while they Eugene had photographed her from every one of the two front rooms in the old were alive and were regaled with many angle and direction with the portrait. house. Please advise if available.’ stories handed down to them as children This lady was her Spanish great-great- Consulting the booking chart for July about the old home way back in Ireland. grandmother Isobel who had come to the she ascertained that, yes, No. 21, one I have always hoped to visit here one old house as a bride so many years ago. of the rooms requested, was available. day.’ The evening before they left they asked Typing in the reply with a welcoming It was very evident that this was if they might take the portrait down. This note she asked for confirmation of the indeed a very special visit and she was request was granted and as it was very booking. She watched as the machine so glad that room 21 had been vacant heavy, John, the handyman, assisted. delivered the message, only noticing for them, seeing that it meant so much Turning it very carefully onto its face then that the visitors were coming from to the young woman. Telling them about Isobella ran her fingers very gently over Perth, Western Australia. She marvelled the wedding cancellation, she said that the edges of the frame towards which at modern communication - so new to room 21 was their ‘Bridal Suite’ and but her grandmother faced in the portrait. her generation but so readily accepted for that cancellation it would not have We watched in amusement wondering by the younger people of today. A short been possible for her to have had it. ‘It’s what she was about. After a moment or time later the confirmation came through an ill wind that blows nobody good,’ she two we heard a very slight click, part in the name of Cassidy. An Irish name, said with a laugh. Holding out her hand of the frame slid away, and she stood she thought, probably coming to seek out the young woman said her name was almost speechless and trembling as she their roots. Later that day the receptionist Isobella McConnell-Hart, now Isobella drew a tiny box from the deep space. remarked that they were filling the Cassidy. Opening it she withdrew a piece of faded vacancies caused by the cancellation Over the next few days they wandered paper wrapped around a very old gold of the wedding booked for that week. all over the grounds exploring the ring. Slipping it on the third finger of The whole thing had slipped her mind gardens and even the meadow where her right hand with tears running down until on the evening of 15 July a Mr the sheep grazed so contentedly. her cheeks, she held her hand high. The Eugene Cassidy was being paged during ‘Perhaps there were sheep there in light caught the ring, causing the ruby dinner and a very tall man answered the great-grandfather’s day too,’ Isobella in the centre to glow blood red and the call and was directed by the receptionist remarked to Eugene, ‘and that was his surrounding diamonds to sparkle. We to a private booth nearby. reason for settling in sheep country all gasped at its beauty. ‘Yes,’ the receptionist said in answer where we now own a sheep farm.’ ‘Mother was right. This is her great- to her enquiry, ‘He is the Australian who This they could only guess at. They grandmother’s treasured ring brought arrived last evening with his wife and wandered along the many roads near all the way from Spain, a last gift to they are occupying room 21 as they had the hotel and were anxious to know her from her own mother. Her tearful requested. They appear to be in their all about the area. They appeared to Spanish mother had slipped the ring from early 30s and on their honeymoon.’ know the places to visit in the nearby her own finger as she held her daughter Taking a stroll through the dining town and villages, even along the river in her arms for what she knew would be room a little later she made a point at the back of the hotel which had once the last time, bidding her keep it safe, as of talking to the guests at each table. been part of the original property, as if it was valuable and she might need cash On reaching the Australian couple, familiar with every nook and cranny. sometime.’ When the portrait was being who happened to be seated at a table At the top of the driveway stood an framed her husband, Tieman, had the overlooking the rose garden, she old oak tree and with unerring instinct frame made deep enough to secrete the suggested that they take a walk there they had found their great-grandparents’ box with the family heirloom, known after dinner and, pointing out an old initials entwined in a heart-shaped V, only to them. rose tree entwined with honeysuckle, which their great-grandparents had ‘My mother died last year,’ Isobelle told them of the beautiful scent from carved there on their wedding day - said, ‘and a couple of days before she it at that time on a summer evening. now much higher up the trunk of the died, while I sat with her, she told me Smiling broadly, the young woman tree, but just as they had been described of the secret hiding place of the ring. said ‘I know all about that rose tree and to them. As these souvenirs gave the I thought it was the ravings of a dying am looking forward to doing just that couple so much pleasure she was loathe woman as it had never been mentioned this evening.’ Seeing the question in her to ask what had happened and why in any of the tales about the old house. eyes, the young woman continued ‘My that couple had left the home they so “This secret has been passed down from great-grandmother was born and reared evidently loved and gone so far away, mother to daughter and I am passing it in this house long before it became a knowing, at that time, how slim their on to you. Promise me if ever you go to

47 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Ireland you will seek it out,” she said.’ Before the owner, Mr Michael Connellan, saying he was hoping to Isobelle had promised she would but Connellan, arrived, Eugene rang the buy the portrait from him. There was no never thought she would come half- Manageress and asked if he might have a doubt about her delight. With shining way round the world to see where her word alone with her. She readily agreed eyes she hugged Eugene, and turning to great-grandparents had once lived. She and told him to come to her office on Mr Connellan held out her hand saying: thought the old house was probably long the first floor down the corridor from ‘Thank you, oh, thank you.’ Turning demolished and its contents scattered his bedroom. It was quite evident that back to Eugene with a frown on her to the four winds, including the old he was very upset. He asked her if she face, she asked if they could afford portrait should it ever have existed. thought there might be any way he it and what it would cost. Eugene ‘Only for you, Eugene, who always could buy the portrait and, perhaps, assured he could afford it - just about! ! wanted to see the country of your the ring, having found it now meant so ‘The ring will have to be valued ancestors and decided we would spend much to his wife, as she could imagine. but we will think of that another day.’ our honeymoon here, I would never Telling him that the present owner, Mr Leaving the Manageress and the owner have come. It was by pure chance we Connellan, was on his way she suggested in the lounge, Eugene and Isobella saw the advertisement for here in the he wait and speak to him, as she had no made their way back to their room. Travel Agent’s office; the name rang a power in those matters. Eugene eagerly Michael Connellan and the Manageress bell and we rather thought- perhaps? agreed. The Manageress suggested they sat for quite a while discussing the maybe? - stranger things have happened, both go to the Lounge and rang the whole affair. She showed him the ring so we had them fax you for a booking. kitchen to order a pot of coffee for them. saying it was very beautiful but rather I am sure you noticed my delight as so About a half-an-hour later Mr Connellan old-fashioned in her opinion. They many of the old stories came to life for arrived. He was an elderly man who examined it in detail and Michael thought me - the carving on the tree, the old rose immediately tried to put Eugene at ease. about it as he turned it over in his hand, tree in the garden, the river way to the He congratulated him on his marriage admiring how it glowed and sparkled. back, even the bedroom with its east and wished him years of happiness ‘I think it would never have been found window looking out over the gardens before he mentioned the happenings only for the mother’s remembering and its south window overlooking the of the evening. He was absolutely the old story. I think it belongs to that estuary. All these had been described amazed by what had happened. young woman. It would be a crime to me so many times,’ said Isobelle. Then Eugene asked him if he had in my eyes to deprive her of it. What ‘I only told Eugene of my mother’s ever had the portrait valued saying do you think?’ he asked. Nodding wanderings last night as we discussed he would like to buy it for his wife, her head she agreed completely. the many stories that had come to life if possible, should Mr Connellan be ‘Better Isobella should have it, who for us. It was he who decided to ask willing to sell it and he be able to afford would truly appreciate it, than that it to have the portrait taken down just it. ‘Just the portrait,’ as he knew the ring be bought for someone who would to see if there was any truth in what I would have to be valued separately. probably love it for its beauty, but for had been told, and knowing we would ‘The idea of a sale has never come up whom it would have no real meaning,’ hardly have a chance ever again to before now,’ said Mr Connellan, ‘but, she agreed. With that Michael prove or disprove what Mum had yes, the portrait was valued last year at Connellan suggested she ring room 21 told me. Eugene is fascinated at how €2000. As I’m thinking of selling the once more and ask them to come down. I resemble my great-grandmother, as Hotel I would consider selling it, as the In great trepidation the pair appeared all my siblings are either blond or red- new owners might not even be interested thinking that Michael Connellan had haired, hence all the photos. He wanted in such an old portrait - modem art changed his mind about selling the to show all at home how like her I being the “in” thing nowadays. I had portrait. So imagine the delight when was in actual fact. Now this I cannot always liked the painting. For me, he opened the tiny box, took out the believe! I never mentioned to anyone it was part and parcel of the place, ring, and held it out to Eugene, saying: what Mum had told me until last night.’ giving it a sense of history and a touch ‘Another ring for you to put on She started trembling and sobbing as of elegance.’ Eugene’ s face lit up. Isobella’s finger. I think it should be she slid onto the chair near the portrait. ‘I can afford €2000,’ he said with hers to wear and enjoy - a present for her Kneeling before her Eugene put his a broad smile. ‘Please say you will sell wedding from a great-geat-grandmother around her, soothing her as best he it. I know it will delight Isobella and of long ago.’ Oh! The delight! could. ‘Isobella love, you must take console her if the ring is out of our reach.’ ‘Are you sure?’ Isobella asked with off the ring. It may indeed be your ‘I would like to meet this “Isobella” tears in her eyes again as she hugged Mr ancestor’s ring, but first we must speak if I may,’ said Mr Connellan. Connellan, ‘it is probably very valuable.’ to the owners of this Hotel and then ‘But, of course,’ said Eugene, ‘I will Smiling as he hugged her back, he said: to a solicitor. I would assume it now ring our room and have her come down. ‘I hope you never have to realise belongs to the Hotel owners. In fact I’m sure she’s wondering where I am. I its worth, and having met your new I’m sure it does.’ Taking the precious only said I wanted to collect my paper husband, I don’t think you will.’ ring Isobella re-wrapped it in the faded which I had left here in the Lounge.’ The following morning with much tissue paper, put it back in its box and Making the call he asked Isobella to hugging and good wishes the Cassidys handed it to the Manageress. With come down to the Lounge. At first left for Donegal, the county from which Eugene’s arm around her waist they she said she could not as her face was Eugene’s great-grandfather had left for went to their room. The portrait was re- blotched with tears, but he persuaded Australia on a prison ship, but of whom hung and the Manageress went to her her saying he was sure nobody would he had no stories or information of any office to ring the owner, who lived a notice and it was important that she kind except that he had been deported to few miles away, to inform him of what come. She arrived in a few minutes, Van Diemen’s Land from Tory Island. had occurred. He immediately agreed having washed her face and changed. Now Eugene, a lawyer, was returning to come and meet the couple involved. Eugene introduced her to Michael hoping to find out why.

48 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Michael Doyle 1846-1928 Jim Higgins

(As Michael Doyle was elected Central Teaching conditions then. School Attendance Committees etc., are Secretary of the INTO in 1910, and as Set up by the 1831 Education Act and not eligible for the position of National another Ballymote man now becomes intended to be multidenominational, Teacher. The Commissioners regard President of the same Organisation, it the new National Schools soon became the attendance of teachers at public is highly appropriate to pay tribute to denominational. The local clergy became meetings, or meetings held for political them both, in this and the following the managers and in this capacity were purposes, or their taking part in elections articles). all-powerful with the right to hire and fire except by voting, as incompatible with Michael Doyle was one of the founder at will without giving reason or notice. the performance of their duties and as members of the Irish National Teachers’ a violation of rule which will render Organisation in 1868. He was born at them liable to withdrawal of salary.” Floghena, Doocastle, Bunninadden, on There were specific instructions the Sligo/Mayo border in December given in matters relating to cleanliness, 1846. He was the son of a small farmer neatness and decency as teachers were and miller, and while an infant during expected not alone to give good example the Great Famine and “Black 47” he themselves but to carry out personal was lucky to survive. Stories of soup inspections every morning of children’s kitchens, the poorhouses and the coffin faces, hands, hair and clothes. Other ships must have made an indelible duties ranged from looking after the impression on his youthful mind and school building and contents and also to must have influenced the course of ensure that each family brought a cart of his long life. At the age of 21 he was turf to provide some basic heat. I came sworn in as a member of the Fenian across the following document at an Brotherhood by Jeremiah O’Donovan in-service course many years ago and I Rossa himself and his ability, energy have no reason to doubt its authenticity! and fearlessness made him a trusted Golden Rules for Teachers 1879: leader, and he soon became an officer. Teachers each day will fill lamps and Later on he played a prominent part in clean chimney before beginning work. the Land League Movement in Sligo. Each teacher will bring a bucket of coal After his primary education at the for the day’s session. local school, Michael Doyle trained as Michael Doyle Memorial in Make your pens carefully! You may a teacher in London. He graduated with Ballymote whittle nibs to the individual taste of first class honours. His first teaching each child. position was at a school in Lorrha, Salaries were only one-third of the Men teachers may take one evening Co. Tipperary, where he taught for a corresponding salaries in England; they a week for “courting” purposes or two short time before his appointment as were paid only quarterly and through the evenings to attend church regularly. principal teacher in Ballymote in 1868. managers who could withhold money if After ten hours in school, you may For 45 years he taught in Ballymote not satisfied with a particular teacher. In spend the remaining time reading the which is a few short miles from his 1872 a system was introduced whereby Bible. birthplace. Stories still exist in the area the teacher’s payment was made to Women teachers who marry or engage about this larger than life teacher who depend on the answering of pupils at in unseemly conduct will be dismissed. influenced the lives of everyone around an annual examination conducted by an Every teacher should lay aside a sum of him, and one lady is adamant that for a inspector of the Board of Commissioners. money for his declining years, so that he period of time he carried out the duties of Increments and promotion depended on will not become a burden on society. registrar for births, marriages and deaths. the results. This system lasted until 1900. The teacher who smokes, uses liquor, Michael Doyle was married to Ellen Strict rules to be observed by frequents pool and public halls will give Healy who also came from Doocastle, National teachers included (1) to reason to suspect his work, intention and and they had three daughters, Kathleen, avoid fairs, markets and meetings integrity. Winifred and Eily. Kathleen was a National – especially political meetings; (2) to teacher and taught in Lackagh N.S. avoid controversy; (3) not to take part The beginnings of protest. To understand the importance of in elections except to vote; (4) not to By the 1840s teachers were using nom Michael Doyle’s courage and tenacity keep a public house or lodge in one. de plumes and anonymous letters to it is necessary to give a brief sketch of The Commissioners went even further the national newspapers as a way to the education system in that Ireland in in issuing their code in April 1900 highlight and protest about their highly which he lived. when the following rule appeared:- restricted and unfair employment “Urban Councillors, Rural Councillors, circumstances. Local meetings of Poor Law Guardians, members of 49 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 teachers began to be held in spite of beginning, and at every Congress but at such meetings often involved a condemnation by the Commissioners two since 1870.” forty miles walking return journey in and harassment by inspectors. all kinds of weather, it is little wonder Eventually “Redress Committees” Doyle as Central Secretary. that Doyle attracted the admiration were formed which sought to bring In July 1909 the Central Secretary and loyalty of teachers throughout the together the representatives of teachers of the INTO Dr. Clarke died suddenly country. The pursuit of justice was on a national basis. However teachers and the CEC elected Michael Doyle to his only reward for such dedication. quickly recognised the need for an act as Central Secretary pro tem until a The Irish School Weekly of October 11th independent voice from outside the new Central Secretary would be elected 1913 published the following comments profession to articulate their grievances. at Congress 1910. There were three made by Hugh 0 Donnel1 (later to become Vere Henry Louis Foster was identified candidates on the ballot paper for the president in 1927) and John Rafferty, in as such a person. Vere Foster was a post in 1910: Michael Doyle, James the course of an appeal for contributions former diplomat and had considerable McGowan (Dromahair) and James to a testimonial for Michael Doyle: “Mr. wealth which he used to establish “The Hegarty (Rathfarnham, Dublin). Doyle Doyle joined the profession close on 50 Irish Teachers Journal”. Teachers were won with almost 52% of the votes cast. years ago and soon he began to attract encouraged to come together to promote In the year 1868 that he was appointed the notice of Tyrone House (i.e. The their cause and so the INTO was born in to Ballymote, the first two INTO National Commissioners) and he was 1868. Congresses had taken place in Dublin privately informed that they were about (in August and December) so it seems to dismiss him. To his eternal credit Doyle joins the fray. likely that he was busy organising local this stripling defied them and the INTO Following graduation from training branches to give a fearless voice to Branch to mark their appreciation for in London Michael Doyle’s first “downtrodden” teachers of the day. I his manliness sent him to next Congress appointment to a teaching post was in have no evidence to show that he was an as their delegate.” This must be a Lorrha N.S. Co. Tipperary close to the INTO activist in Tipperary but it would reference to his first Congress in 1870. Offaly border. He was 21 years old and seem very likely that he would have Continuing they state “For a speech it must have been while teaching here been, as it was in 1867 that the Fenian delivered in Ballaghaderreen at the that he was sworn in as a member of Rising took place there and we know he first public meeting of teachers held The Irish Republican Brotherhood by was a member and an officer in the IRB. in the Province of Connaught, he was Jeremiah 0 Donovan Rossa. He later It would seem that he got on very well officially threatened, and warned to became an officer in the IRB. It is also with the clerical managers in Ballymote look to his future prospects; but the interesting to note that Catherine Mahon, and indeed that they encouraged and thunders of Tyrone House do not seem the first woman president of INTO, was supported him. The Irish Teachers’ to have frightened him very much, for born in North Tipperary in 1869. She Journal of 1872 shows that Rev. James shortly afterwards, owing to some crisp and Michael Doyle campaigned together McDermott C.C. Ballymote paid five criticisms of Sir Patrick Keenan and the on many issues from 1907 to 1913 and shillings towards Mr. Chamney’s Board of his day, he was permanently remained friends until his death in 1928. Indemnity Fund while Michael Doyle reduced by £2 in his annual salary, which In the year 1868 Michael was appointed himself managed to contribute a half with interest, would by now amount to Principal of Ballymote Boys’ N.S. and crown. In 1913 Very Rev. Canon Batty a very large fine indeed. Surely now, he remained there until his retirement in 1913. Quinn P.P. Ballymote contributed £2 this impudent critic of the Board and Having learned the necessity of political towards Michael Doyle’s Testimonial- its officers was squelched. An ordinary involvement while in Tipperary, it seems ---a most generous amount at the time. man would, but Michael Doyle was no that the young Michael wasted no time in Having management on his side therefore ordinary man, and he was not squelched.” becoming active when he returned to his meant that Doyle could be even bolder Two further public meetings followed native soil. In later years (1910) he was and more daring in his criticisms of the soon afterwards, one in Sligo and able to say: “At the early age of twenty commissioners and the inspectorate. one in Bal1aghaderreen, and Doyle one (i .e. 1867) I took off my coat to the again repeated his criticisms, and wearisome and difficult work then before In pursuit of better conditions. “took another £5 worth out of the the wretchedly-paid, down-trodden With the arrival of the INTO teachers Commissioners and their inspectors”. teachers, just emerging out of darkness; were emboldened to meet together in Congress delegates on learning about the and ever since in Press and on platform their schools although Doyle tells us that fines were “roused and delighted” and - in many a hard-fought campaign with inspectors often chased such members as they reimbursed him considered that all the pains and penalties attached - the from school premises. This may they had got good value for their money. sword has never been sheathed. Nor explain why “South Sligo INTO” met The Board now threatened instant can it be said that this was for personal in Tubbercurry in 1872, with the next dismissal should he repeat the offence distinction or reward, for the results and meeting arranged for Ballymote N.S. By but it seems as if this was like the outcome have been all the other way. rotating the venue any “nosy parkers” proverbial “red rag to the bull” as Doyle Threatened, depressed and fined I kept could be put off the trail. Branches sprung was not for turning, and as previously on the even tenor of my way, unflagging up in Sligo Town, North Sligo, Curry, stated this may well have been due to and undeterred, and with pardonable Ballymote, Boyle and Ballaghaderreen the good relations he had with the clergy pride”. He goes on to state that he “has and there is evidence that Doyle and managers of his own school. Of been in the thick of the fight since the addressed all of them. As attendance course he must also have been aware that

50 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 even teachers who had the full support while it should have been £60 per year. the Summer months. Birrell withdrew of management were dismissed by the the bill and promised to present it again National Board of Commissioners. We to include all schools as requested. know that 40 years later on 15th October The Birrell Grant. It was a great victory for the INTO 1912 Edmund Mansfield, Vice-president Michael Doyle championed the cause of and Doyle was lauded for it by the of the INTO was summarily dismissed the underdog for all of his professional teachers throughout the 32 counties. by the Board from his post as principal life and this was never more evident of Cullen Boys’ N.S. in Co. Tipperary, than his stance on the distribution of Doyle INTO Vice President. for a speech he had made calling for the The Birrell Grant. Augustine Birrell was As his term of office as Central Secretary removal of a senior inspector from the 66 years of age when he was appointed drew to a close, and as retirement District. Ironically enough, Doyle was to Chief Secretary for Ireland in January beckoned, it is rather curious that Michael be succeeded as Central Secretary by the 1907, and he had been Education Doyle should want to contest the election same Mr. Mansfield until his dismissal Secretary in England, where he showed for Vice President in 1913/1914 but was reversed two years later. The courage an interest in primary education, before contest it he did. He gives the dismissal shown by Doyle in the “dark days”, his promotion to Dublin. He was also of Vice President Edmund Mansfield and which he continued for 45 years renowned for his friendly attitude the previous October as one reason why led to The Dill Enquiry of 1914 which towards teachers and hopes were high strong continuity was required and that exposed, condemned and overturned that he would help to bridge the gap he would be the ideal person to help the iniquitous and unjust inspectorial between the pay of teachers in Ireland Mansfield as the new Central Secretary. system in Irish primary schools. and teachers in Scotland and England The second reason he gave referred to who were paid almost twice as much. his visit to meet Chief Secretary Lowther Pensions Following intensive representations from in King Harman’s Rockingham Estate Doyle took an interest in the need for INTO the Birrell Grant made an extra 34 years earlier, when he succeeded in pensions while still a very young man. £114,000 available to supplement the getting £1,300,000 towards pensions for One can only assume that the poverty salaries of national teachers. However, national teachers. He now wanted to be and misery surrounding his early years neither Principal Teachers with under present when Lloyd George presented in the aftermath of the famine had made 35 pupils nor Assistant Teachers would a revised pension scheme later in the a deep impression on him. The miserly receive any share in the extra money. year 1913, as he would be ideally alert salary of the teachers of his day made Within the ranks of the INTO, there to any “obstacles” which might arise. it impossible to save and the prospect were many differing opinions as to how He refers also to literature of other of depending on the workhouse or the money should be divided, but Doyle candidates as “very peculiar and “County Home” in retirement would be was adamant from the beginning that no sinister” and “not unexpected”. It would unthinkable. The Powis Commission teacher should be excluded. He further seem as if he suspected sectarian or of 1870 accepted that pensions should argued that the grant should not be paid political influences which he wanted be made available to national teachers on capitation bonus system, thereby to defeat. Bitterly critical letters to the but the money available was derisory. paying more to teachers in larger schools ISW were exchanged between himself In 1878 Doyle became aware of a visit than those in smaller schools. This was in and the other main candidate for the to Rockingham Estate near Boyle of fact a revolutionary proposal at the time position Mr. H. E. Carter of Belfast. the then Chief Secretary for Ireland because it would mean equal pay for The result was very close - Mr. Lowther- and he managed to get equal work, although no attention was when the votes were counted at a deputation of four to meet him. Mr. drawn to that fact (perhaps deliberately) Congress: Doyle 2997, Carter 2882. Thomas Little of Keash N. S. was one at the time. At the June 1908 meeting His last letter to the teachers of Ireland of the four. Shortly after this meeting a of the CEC, Doyle proposed that the paints the picture of a sad, disappointed grant of £1,300,000 was added to the Central Secretary Or. Terence Clarke yet proud advocate for teachers’ rights. pension fund for National Teachers. inform the Chief Secretary Mr. Birrell This letter appeared in ISW on March Almost 35 years later on 11th of that INTO would insist that all teachers 7th 1914 and is printed in full below: December 1913, Doyle was in London be paid the same amount irrespective of I desire to inform my friends in the with Catherine Mahon and Edmund rank or size of school. (Dr. Clarke died National Teachers’ Organisation that I Mansfield to meet with The Chancellor unexpectedly later that month and was shall not be a candidate for any office on of the Exchequer H.P. Hamilton to succeeded by Doyle). Catherine Mahon the Executive Committee this year or in discuss improvements in pension rights who was now a member of the CEC the future. Had I gone on for honours for for teachers. He was disillusioned and seconded the motion and it was passed another turn my friends, no doubt, would disappointed with the lack of progress by the narrowest of margins (7 for and 6 gather strongly around me and once again made and as he retired his own pension against). Mahon later confided that she place me at the head of the poll. But I was reduced because of fines and salary and Doyle argued for hours to convince am wearied and grievously disappointed reductions imposed for union activity. the executive to vote in favour of their at the outcome of all the agitation on Catherine Mahon, who herself refused on motion. When the bill came before the the pension scheme, and therefore have principle to accept a testimonial, wrote to House of Commons later in the year all definitely made up my mind - after a I.S.W. to argue that an exception should Irish M.P.s spoke against excluding the hard and strenuous fight for forty six be made in Doyle’s case as his pension smaller schools, because teachers had years - to retire to that rest and oblivion would amount to only £47 per year, been very active in lobbying throughout so necessary to a person of my age.

51 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

To the teachers of the West, as well reference to the support he had received INTO President Mr. A. J.Faulkner and as to my friends and supporters in the not only from the clergy and Bishop General Secretary Mr. Jackie Brosnahan, other provinces, I bid a very reluctant. of Achonry, but throughout the whole attended a wreath-laying ceremony in adieu. Through good and evil report, in of the West of Ireland. He said that Ballymote in June 1968 to mark the all the vicissitudes of a somewhat stormy clerical managers were among the most centenary of the founding of the INTO. and eventful career, they accorded me staunch and loyal supporters of INTO. The centenary of Doyle’s election as an unswerving and loyal support on the Michael Doyle lived out the rest of his Central Secretary is upon us and INTO Executive for more than a quarter of a retirement in Teeling Street, Ballymote, have organised a complete clean up of the century. The memory of this shall always and passed to his eternal reward on July statue, the refurbishment and rebuilding be green and unfading - an abiding 27th 1928, aged 82 years. On the 5th June of the base, sanding and repainting of strength and comfort in the days to come. 1930 a life sized statue of white marble the surround and covering the inside of With the fervent hope that the on a limestone base and surrounded by the plinth with black marble. The work younger members of our profession wrought iron railings of intricate design, has been carried out to the very highest may in the future emulate the ardent was unveiled in his honour before a standards by Jimmy Cawley of Cawley and unflagging zeal and perseverance distinguished audience. It is located in & Scanlon Ltd. Ballymote. The company which characterized the pioneers of front of the Ballymote Court House and have refused to take any payment. the Organisation, and with kindly just a few yards from where Michael wishes for even my hard - headed and Doyle lived since 1868. Mr. W.P. Ward Acknowledgements: insuppressible opponents in the “North of Ballinasloe, President of INTO, Ballymote Heritage Group for various East Corner”, I remain my dear friends, was the principal speaker and gave a articles on Michael Doyle in The Corran your very faithful servant, brief outline of Doyle’s commitment Herald. Michael Doyle, Ballymote, 2nd March to national teachers. Ballymote Branch The Sligo Champion for several articles 1914. had organised the fundraising, and the on Michael Doyle but particularly those The CEC hosted a dinner in his honour secretary Sean Breheny N. T. received of 1930 and 1968. in Dublin on September 19th 1914. special praise. “ Neither political borders One Hundred Years of Progress; The On the 29th December 1914 a lavish nor religious denominations curtailed Story of the INTO 1868-1968 by TJ reception and presentation was made the list of contributors.” Mr. Eugene O’Connell (General Secretary 1916 to to Michael Doyle in The Loftus Hall Carragher of Portadown, ex president 1948). Ballymote. Local dignitaries of Church of INTO, was also present and spoke in John McTernan for “Worthies of Sligo”. and State were in attendance as well as glowing terms of Doyle and his unselfish National Teachers of Sligo for “National teachers from all parts of the country. and resolute opposition to injustice from Schools of County Sligo”. The CEC was represented by Mr. J. wherever it came. Hugh 0 Donnell, Ann McConnell in Head Office for “Irish McGrath B.A. from Ballaghaderreen. Cloonanure N .S., another ex President School Weekly”. An illuminated address and a substantial of INTO, also spoke in praise of his “Catherine Mahon First Woman president testimonial were presented to him and late friend. Nor did the passage of time of the INTO” by Sile Chuinneagain. in his reply Mr. Doyle made particular allow the memory of Doyle to fade, as

At the opening of the 2009 Heritage Weekend a presentation of crystal was made on behalf Mrs Mary Ann Sheridan (nee Gardiner), of Ballymote Heritage Group by Eileen Tighe, President BHG, to James Flanagan to mark sister of the famous Gardiner musicians his completion of twenty five years as editor of The Corran Herald. (Corhubber). She had the only shop in Photo: Paddy Conboy Marren Park. - Photo courtesy Esther Cassidy

52 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Jim Higgins, President of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation 2010-2011

Harry Keaney (Sligo Champion) and Neal Farry

After working for more than 40 years as boom were squandered when it came Mistress. Now, in what Mr. Higgins a national school teacher, Jim Higgins to primary school education. For describes as “these sad times generally”, will certainly be going out on a high in example, he points out that despite a teachers’ own self-image is something 2011 because last Easter he took over campaign to reduce class sizes, the he is concerned about. “It’s criminal as president of the 36,000 member fact remained that Ireland still had for anybody in authority to erode the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation. the biggest class sizes in Europe. As image of teachers in society or tear that Jim is the well-known and highly for the role of the Catholic Church in down. And it has nothing to do with respected principal of Scoil Mathona education, Mr. Higgins says he went to money. It’s to do with trust,” he says. Naofa, in Ardkeeran, Riverstown. Mr. Secondary School to the Mercy Sisters One incident on the 16th September Higgins’s term as president will last in Ballymote and he pays a warm and 1961 aptly illustrates the steely for a year, from Easter 2010 to the next generous tribute to the Mercy Order for determination and the raw educational INTO Annual Congress in Easter 2011. their heroic and unselfish contribution ambition that characterised the youthful When the 61-years old Battlefield, Jim Higgins. On that Saturday morning Culfadda, native assumed his position, the thirteen year old schoolboy defied it was, in one sense, the closing of an the ferocity of Hurricane Debbie when 83-years old historical circle. The last he cycled the six miles from his home time a Sligo person was president of in Battlefield to Coláiste Mhuire, the INTO was in 1927. It was Hugh Ballymote, to the astonishment of O’Donnell, a staunch GAA man who the skeleton staff and the handful taught Mr. Higgins’s father, Paddy, of intrepid students who braved the in Cloonanure National School, near elements on that tempestuous day. Gurteen. Jim received his own primary “And the last time there was education at the two-teacher Culfadda an INTO congress in Sligo was National School and, in 6th Class, in 1905 and the next one will be was taught by his brother, John, in Easter 2011,” Mr. Higgins states. Carrowcrory National School, Keash. The history of the INTO dates back After second level in Colaiste Mhuire, to 1868, to an amalgam of 71 local Ballymote, he went to St. Patrick’s teacher associations. The organisation College of Education, Drumcondra, has always been an advocate for and qualified as a national teacher teachers and, by extension, for pupils Jim Higgins with first class honours in 1968. At and parents. Now, as Mr. Higgins his graduation Jim distinguished prepares to take over as president, a to education generally and for the himself by annexing the College’s number of issues dominate the primary particular educational role they played Gold Medal in Educational school agenda. in the Ballymote catchment area. Psychology and Education. They are: the public service Traditionally, the teacher, and Jim started his teaching career in expenditure cuts, the pupil/teacher particularly the local national school Palmerstown Boys’ National School ratio, the continuing failure to teacher, occupied a very special on June 15th, 1968. He subsequently provide an optimum teaching place in Irish society, respected attended U.C.D. and graduated with a and learning environment for all not only as a teacher but as a torch BA in 1971 and H Dip Ed (Hons) in 1972. primary school pupils, and what bearer who inculcated in succeeding From 1974 to 1976, Mr. Higgins is likely to be the increasingly generations a sense of themselves taught Educational Psychology in a debated role of the Catholic Church and their identity, their history and Federal Advanced Teachers’ College in the future of primary education. culture, their religion and values. in Pankshin, Nigeria, West Africa Mr. Higgins feels there was no doubt The school principal was, after all, under a secondment scheme sponsored but that the fruits of the Celtic Tiger traditionally called the Master or the by the Department of Education.

53 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

He returned to Palmerstown in 1976 juvenile football matches, at Ballymote Millennium Committee that published and in September 1977 was appointed G.A.A. and Ballymote Celtic football “The National Schools of Co. Sligo principal of Ardkeeran N.S., in games, at Riverstown and Ballymote 1831-1999”. Jim’s motivational Riverstown, where he still teaches. Community Games Athletics and organizational skills were well He succeeded the late Master James meetings, and at Corran A.C. Athletics rewarded when this excellent history Casey, who had previously taught in meetings. Jim served on the committee reached the bookshops and played Coolbock, in the parish of Riverstown. of Co. Sligo Cumann na mBunscol a major part in raising the profile of Mr. Higgins has been an INTO and he was always in the forefront primary schools and primary teachers member all his teaching life, even of the organisation of competitions at the dawn of the new millennium. while in Nigeria. He served as Sligo right up to County Finals days. Jim’s perseverance ensured that branch secretary, secretary of Sligo His school football and hurling Sligo was the only county in Ireland Principals and Deputy Principals teams distinguished themselves in to undertake such a valuable project. Forum before being elected to the Cumann na mBunscol competitions, Mr. Higgins’s election as president INTO executive committee by the winning County Sligo football of the INTO coincides with what teachers of Sligo and Mayo in 2002. and hurling Cumann na mBunscol will, in effect, be the culmination After his election as secretary of competitions on numerous occasions. of a distinguished teaching career. Sligo Branch Jim became a regular Jim is particularly proud of his three A temporary teacher began work in delegate to the Annual Congress pupils, Louise Harte and Sarah Ardkeeran N.S. on January 7th 2010 where he identified the opportunities McDermott, for football, and Terri and at the INTO Annual Congress in to promote improvements in the Gilligan for camogie, who represented Salthill at Easter 2010, Mr. Higgins was delivery of quality primary education. their school and county in Croke Park formally installed as INTO president. As a teaching principal, Mr. Higgins in All-Ireland day exhibition games. He intends to retire on August 31st 2011. has been eager to see improvements in The well prepared quiz teams from Now, more than forty-two years time allowed for administration duties. Ardkeeran N.S. frequently struck after he first stood in front of a class, Mr. Higgins is married to Frances; fear in the hearts of opponents in the Culfadda man can certainly look they have one son, Damien, a Scór na nÓg, Gárda Association, back on a career that typified the best barrister, and four daughters, Teresa, Cumann na mBunscol and Pioneer of what was always regarded as a Very an occupational therapist in Galway, Association quizzes. One of these Important Person in Irish society - the Claire, a solicitor with the law firm teams won the silver medals at the local national school teacher. Callan Tansey, Aileen, a secondary National Final of the Pioneer Quiz. school teacher in Manorhamilton, and Mr. Higgins also tried his hand Eimear, a barrister. He also has two at producing plays in Irish and he grandsons and one granddaughter. succeeded in bringing two Irish In spite of his grassroots involvement language plays from Ardkeeran with the INTO at branch level in Sligo school to the provincial finals and Dublin throughout his teaching in Taibhdhearc na Gallimhe. career Jim could still be described as At local level in Ballymote Jim a late developer within the context Higgins was elected to represent of the INTO structures. Within six the Carrigans area on Ballymote years of his appointment as secretary District Community Council in of the Sligo Branch he was elected 1984. As a member of the research to represent the primary teachers committee Jim played a vital part in of Sligo and Mayo on the Central carrying out a survey of the social, Executive Committee of the INTO. agricultural, historical, sporting and Prior to his all-consuming dedication educational needs of the community. to his constituency of primary teachers The “Ballymote Survey Report” since 2002 and since he assumed his document that was published by the onerous workload, Jim has given research committee proved invaluable dedicated service to all activities that in later decades as a roadmap for involved young people in Riverstown, the later development of facilities the parish where he worked and in and services in the community. Ballymote, the parish where he lived While he was secretary of Sligo from the day he arrived in the area Branch of the INTO Jim Higgins from Dublin in 1977. He attended and established himself as a driving force to assisted at Shamrock Gaels G.A.A. play an instrumental role on the INTO

54 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 St. Kevin’s R.C. Church, Keash, Co. Sligo, before Renovation

Martin A. Timoney

Last year I presented research stamp sized very dark photocopies Foras Forbartha architectural surveys in The Corran Herald establishing that of two photos of the inside of Keash in the 1970s. Copies of their reports the locally accepted date for St. Kevin’s Church prior to the 1977-1979 of 1973 and 1976 are in Sligo Library R.C. church in Keash, Co. Sligo, reconstruction. The originals of these Local Studies Archive; curiously Keash as being 1809 is correct. That long photos that she discovered are in the church is not listed in either report. I TCH text was reduced for inclusion Irish Architectural Archive in 45, have not been able to contact William in the Bi-Centenary Mass booklet Merrion Sq., Dublin 2, where they Garnerman but Dr. Maurice Craig, but some additional information that were examined and found to be of now more than ninety years young, came to notice while the TCH article much better quality than expected. responded saying that he could not be was at the printer, mainly through Jim The IAA made excellent copies at sure, having visited so many buildings and Elizabeth Taheny, was included. about 19 cm square size. The quality in those years; see Further Reading While the mass booklet was being is good and they are reproduced here below for some of his works. I do prepared for printing by Fr. Pat Lynch with the permission of the IAA. This recollect Craig taking a small Minnox in Tubbercurry some more pieces of yet again underlines the importance of pocket camera out of his pocket during information came to hand, mainly Irish society maintaining and staffing a public lecture and saying that a through Kathleen Brehony and Padraig archives of our heritage. building may be gone by the time you and Nora Drury. There was total There are code numbers on get back again, so take a photo, just in consensus that the pre-1809 church these photos which are in the An case! While the Keash photos are of was at the side of Bóthar an Corran in Foras Forbartha collection of photos the format of that camera the case is Cross townland just outside of Drury’s in IAA. There is no clear record of not proven, but it looks most likely that farmyard. From local knowledge and who the photographer was. However, Dr. Craig should be given the credit. looking at the two remnant buildings I from personal knowledge there were The date of photos has to be am not certain which side of the road really only two possible architectural between 1970, the earliest date that the church was on. historians, Dr. Maurice Craig and Craig, or Garner, would have been in Some weeks later Mary B. William Garner, nowadays Garnerman, the field examining buildings for An Timoney rediscovered almost postage both of whom were involved in the Foras Forbartha, and 1977, the start of

Photo 2: Looking down the interior of the Women’s Photo 1: Looking up the interior of the Men’s House, House, Keash R.C. Church, Co. Sligo, as it was prior to Keash R.C. Church, Co. Sligo, as it was prior to the the start of renovations in 1977. start of renovations in 1977. Photo Courtesy Irish Architectural Archive. Photo Courtesy Irish Architectural Archive.

55 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 the renovations of the church. the altar was placed so that it faced got from Kathleen Brehony, Paddy For those who do not know directly down the Men’s House, with Costello, Padraig and Nora Drury, the unusual arrangements within the Women’s House been seen out of Imelda Killoran, Jim McGill, Kathleen this church they should look at the the corner of the celebrant’s eye, so to Cosgrove, Pat and Kathleen Ward and plan of the church drawn by Donagh speak. Today the altar is diagonally set Jim and Elizabeth Taheny, all local McDonagh in Swords (1997, 226). with each side getting equal viewing. parishioners. Derry O’Connell gave me Photo 1 is looking up the The church has been dry-lined proper terminology for the timberwork interior of the Men’s House of Keash so one can not see the ‘scars’ of previous within the church. Colm O’Riordan at church as it was prior to the start of arrangements in the masonry. In that IAA was also helpful. renovations in 1977. At that time the regard it could be informative to see great metal pole dominated the church. the junctions of the walls between the Further Reading The King post truss structure of the roof Men’s House and the Women’s House. Bernelle, Agnes, ed., 1992: was open for all to admire the diagonal I have also speculated that the Men’s Decantations, A Tribute in wood sheeting. Similar diagonal House was extended at some stage, Honour of Maurice Craig, wood sheeting faced the galleries. The something that might be recognisable Dublin, Lilliput. post-Vatican II altar, made by John in the fabric of the wall. The spacing Craig, Maurice, 1976: Classic Irish Mulvey, had replaced the altar to be between the three windows down the Houses of the Middle Size, side of the Women’s House is not even London, Architectural Press. and there may be a story of alteration New edition 2006: Dublin, or extension there also. Ashfield. The Stations of the Cross are Craig, Maurice, 1982: The Architecture Keash AD 1809 Stone those there now, being of late 1950s or of Ireland, From the Earliest 1960s vintage they were kept. All of Times to 1880, Dublin, Eason. seen on the inside of the cover of the the woodwork was destroyed by wood Craig, Maurice, & Garner, William, bi-centenary mass booklet. The altar infestation; one seat end was still at the 1973: Preliminary Report rails, except for a section, had been parochial house when we came here in on Buildings & Sites of removed. The sacristy doorway was 1985. Historic Interest in County to the left of where it is now. There The timber wallplate over Sligo, Dublin, An Foras was a side altar in the corner with the altar was decorated with cut Forbartha, Conservation & windows in the adjacent walls. These trefoils and quatrefoils while the side Amenity Advisory Service: two windows, and an additional one in wall had alternatingly set trefoils. All Limited Distribution; copy in the roadside wall, were blocked up and these were simply made by drilling Sligo Library Local Studies the tabernacle is now set in this corner. holes through the timber. There were Archive. I have not learned what happened to similar quatrefoils in the facia board Garner, William, & Craig, Maurice, those windows. of the porch of the parochial house in 1976: Buildings of Photo 2 is looking down the Cloonagh; the porch dates to 1915, the Architectural Interest in Co. interior of the Women’s House side house to 1885. Sligo, A Preliminary Survey, of Keash church as it was prior to the The renovations undertaken Dublin, An Foras Forbartha, start of renovations in 1977. There is in the time of Canon John Alexander Limited Distribution; copy in slight damage to the negative. The McGarry was expected to cost £25,000 Sligo Library Local Studies photo shows the flat floored gallery but came to a total of £86,000 and the Archive. with stairs, and a confessional box in first post-renovation mass was said in it Swords, Liam, 1997: A Hidden Church, the opposite corner; there was a gallery on the night before the arrival of Pope The Diocese of Achonry, 1689- to the Men’s House also. The gallery John Paul II in Knock in September 1818, Blackrock, Columba was about 16 ft deep. There was a 1979. Press. side window on the left which is now Timoney, Martin A., 2009: “On St. blocked up but it is recognisable in the Acknowledgements Kevin’s R.C. Church, Keash, plasterwork outside and one wonders The two photos of Keash RC Co. Sligo”, The Corran if this was originally a doorway. The Church were rediscovered by Mary B. Herald, 42, 17-19. gas heaters were tended to by Francie Timoney in September 2009. Their Timoney, Martin A., 2009: “St. Kevin’s McDonagh, the local shopkeeper. The reproduction here is courtesy of the R.C. Church, Keash, Co. Sligo, organ is in front of the seating. There Irish Architectural Archive. The cost of 1809-2009”, in St. Kevin’s are two styles of bench ends, that with getting the prints was borne by Keash Church, Keash, 1809-2009, a trefoil head is the commonest. Parish through Canon James Finan, Bi-Centenary Celebration, In all the of the pre-renovation P.P., Keash. Additional information Keash, Keash Parish. photos of the church that I have seen on the church and its predecessor was

56 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 A Country School in the 1930s Máire Ní Mháirtín

We rushed out the school gates school opened in 1928 so the nearly cut away but still a few and as soon as they shut behind us Reunion covered the years from bogholes here and there that iced the cheering began. As the crowd then until 1980. Now it is one of over in the winter (in those days scattered it became less but it had the best afternoons I remember. we had a lot of winters like the one been heard all over Coolbock and I started school in 1931. There we just had). We were able to have across the hills if the day was fine. were just two rooms and two lots of enjoyment sliding on them, You see we had just gotten our very small cloakrooms, a small until someone would chase us, for summer holidays; it was possibly playground for the girls and one our own safety. Once the ice was the middle of July, we never knew for the boys and with a lavatory broken they were quite deep: here exactly what day we would get which is beyond description at was one where Eileen was nearly them. We were not going off to drowned, only that a man heard Spain or some sunny country, our cries and came to our aid. She indeed we seemed to have lots is dead now many a year as indeed of sun at home those days. It are most of those who travelled that was just the freedom from being road with me, God rest them all. someplace at a special time. We The road was rough and stony spent the time working at hay and and we got many stone bruises turf and there were always picnics and sore feet, but the verge involved and enjoyed, then if all was nice and soft for our feet the work was finished in good time and we walked there mostly. we might have a day at Strandhill. Seventy to eighty years ago there The School as it is Today On our way down the hill from was very little traffic on country school of course we had to say the top of each. It was more up roads; there was only one car goodbye to our friends. There to date than the previous old that I can remember to take the were four cottages as I remember, school, which had a thatched roof, Protestant children to school in the older people lived in the first two, one room, and a small loft. My town, and how we envied them in but then there was Mrs. T who parents had their schooling there. the bad weather. With such little kept a few jars of sweets. If a Our school was on the hilltop, the traffic, cattle could graze along the child had a penny or a halfpenny, old school at the bottom, and my roadside and the grass was nice and one got a few sweets screwed up mother pointed out to me where a soft and it soothed our aching feet. in a bit of paper; she always gave hedge school had been in former Across the road, another memory, enough to pass around. I don’t times, across the road where her not a happy one because for it I got think she could have made any grandparents were at school. the only three slaps from the master money on them. Then next there The old school was in use from 1867 I ever got in my schooldays. There were Maggie, John and Martin, a to 1928, when our school opened. was a pile of old turf along the sister and two brothers. The men The Stream was just a nice little road, which we thought was just were very quiet and did not talk brook flowing by the roadside. spodagh, we had a competition a lot, but Maggie was different: We dallied there, there was no to see who could kick most of it she belonged to the Blue Shirts, hurry, on the school holidays back in the trench, I don’t know which was a forerunner of Fine the Master would not heed us, who won but I know I got doubly Gael and she always wore a blue but on normal school days he punished because it belonged to shirt and would shout - “Up the would come and chase us home. my Uncle and he complained to Blue Shirts” every chance she got The Stream no longer exists: it is my parents. I can assure you he even louder than we could cheer. dried up. I wonder is the old well was not my favourite relation from At this point we would have still there? During hot weather at then on. reached “the Stream”, and the lunch time two senior girls could The Master rarely punished the cheering would have faded a bit go there for a bucket of water to girls but he kept the boys in “their as we took our different roads. give all a drink - there was no place” as he would say and had That was the day we got our water of any sort in the school. a habit of tweaking their noses holidays but we had many more I stand at the Stream and look which was very painful. He was a like it. I think most of us had along about a half mile of road small man who came from some a happy time going to school. which holds a great lot of my part of the Gaeltacht, he loved All this came back very clearly school memories. In those days Irish and instilled a love for it in to me a couple of years ago when it was just an old bog road, rough anyone who cared and many of there was a school Reunion. Our and stony. On either side was bog us did. He was a member of the

57 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

County Council and once a month than it was in my schooldays but I felt honoured to read a prayer took out his old bike and cycled the the verge is a scrub; cattle cannot and be part of it. Then there was bad roads into Sligo for a meeting. graze there now, too much traffic. a lovely tea for all. It lived up to Then the Mistress was in charge in The bog holes are gone, some land the tradition of being well done. his room and a senior pupil, usually has been reclaimed and in meadow, It was always noted as a good a girl, was in charge in her room. a lot of it is just overgrown old school and pupils would come In those days seventy to eighty bog. The gate which we crossed from other schools to finish off years ago there were no expense is gone and there is a nice little their last two years or so with accounts for County Councils. roadway there instead.There are us, always providing they had Then on to the gate we had to some new houses on the hill where a bicycle and could cycle there. cross over to get the shortcut the cottages were, all the old people That is many years ago now up the hills. We passed around are dead and gone, but they have but the name still lives on and by the house and whenever the left us with such great memories. I know that Mr Enright keeps apples were falling, Mrs Robbie The school now is quite modern, it the history still alive from bits I would have a bucket of them left was not so easy to see and compare read in the paper now and then. at the wicket gate for us to help as there was a big crowd of past A day like our Reunion covering ourselves. Then down the lane and pupils all like myself anxious so many years does not happen nearly home. One side of the lane to renew old acquaintances and too often I’m sure. There were was a high mossy bank, and we compare the school to our time. To children, parents, grandparents always got quiet as we came down my amazement on the wall amongst and perhaps even the odd great there because the little wrens others was something I had written grandparent present, and I’m nested in the moss year after year. when I was ten. That year there was sure it brought many a happy We thought it was the same ones a big search on for folklore, we memory and sad one too. back each year, it was only when were asked to go to old people and Much thanks to the young people we knew about birds we learned get stories from them. They are now who organised the whole thing. that a wren only nested about once preserved in the Sligo Folk Park. in the same place; it was probably Even though the playground was O God be with those happy days, their families which came back, covered with seats on the day of When life was free of care; but it was such a thrill to hear them. the Reunion and they were full I’ll not forget my childhood friends Looking down the road from of people, I could remember each I’ll always hold them dear. the Stream now, it all seems so spot and the games we played. We different. The road is a bit better had a lovely Mass that day and

At the 2009 annual dinner of Ballymote Heritage Group in the Coach House Hotel, Ballymote. Seated (L/R): Eileen Tighe, President Ballymote Heritage Group; Mary Martin, Joint Treasurer BHG; Matilda Casey, Patron BHG; Betty Conlon, Secretary BHG Standing (L/R): Barry Tighe, Patsy Tighe, Anne Flanagan, Gerry Cassidy, Mary Black, Olive Byrne, Jack Martin, James Flanagan Editor The Corran Herald, John Conlon, Mary Casey, Pam Benson Joint Treasurer BHG, Des Black Chairman BHG, Paddy Horan, Carmel Rogers Vice Chairperson BHG, Bernie Dwyer, Michael Rogers.

58 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Arabian Nights – Travels in Libya Stephen Flanagan

Libya is one of those places that wanders into western news every now and again, and not usually for good reasons. Most recently there was the tragic air crash with its miracle nine- year-old survivor. Earlier this year there was a controversy over Libya’s admission to the UN Human Rights Council, with allegations of a shaky record on that very topic. Before that, Libya refused entry to members of the Schengen countries due to a diplomatic row with Switzerland, and before that they welcomed home the Lockerbie bomber with open arms after his release from prison on health grounds. And for Irish people, the country is eternally linked with Colonel Gadaffi and the supply of guns to the IRA in the 1980s. So I didn’t know quite what to expect when I touched down in Tripoli in Ruins of a temple in Leptis Magna. This was the home of the cult that November of last year. Even though I was most intellectual, interested in philosophy and the arts rather than had read about the country in advance the barbarism of the arena I still assumed we would see some of the hallmarks of developing nations - proactive trinket sellers, bargaining taxi drivers, run-down buildings, rough-paved streets. Though I knew the country had a significant amount of oil revenue, I was under the impression that it was closer to the more southern countries of Africa than its northern neighbours in Europe. I could not have been more wrong. Tripoli is a cosmopolitan city in the north-west of Libya, not far from the border with Tunisia, sitting on the shore of the Mediterranean. It’s a relative stone’s throw from the southern reaches of Italy, which has been both a blessing and a curse over the course of the country’s history. Walking through the city in the dry heat of late evening, The Desert at Dawn it’s not hard to imagine you’re in an Arabic-influenced version of Rome or title, was celebrating forty years in dedicated to his achievements in the Paris or Barcelona. Tripoli has more in power since the bloodless coup d’état museum, but alas it was not open on the common with modern Europe than it in 1969. His influence and personality day of our visit. It must surely be worth does with the sand-swept streets of the loom large in the country. In the main city a return trip. desert cities further south. museum of Tripoli, proudly displayed Libya is formally known as the One of the first things we noticed on beside priceless Roman statues and Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab the drive into the city from the airport intricately beautiful two-thousand-year Jamahiriya, and is nominally run based were signs in Arabic with the Roman old mosaics, sits the Jeep that he used on on the rules of Gadaffi’s Green Book, numerals for ‘40’ displayed beside a the night of his takeover. And across the which is on sale in several languages at picture of the Colonel. Muammar Abu room is the Colonel’s old Volkswagen the major sites around the country. It’s Minyar al-Gaddaf, to give him his full Beetle. There is in fact an entire floor broken into three sections and contains

59 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 thoughts on the Colonel’s vision for Our trip took us on a wandering loop came from books I read as a child, how a state should be run, starting south from Tripoli through the Sahara and as with almost everything else in with a comprehensive deconstruction and back to the coast. We spent six Libya the stereotype didn’t reflect the of democracy as practised in western nights camping in the desert, taking reality. One of the Bedouin drivers countries and suggesting a complex in its sights along the way. There are for our group was a former lecturer in and more representative system 60,000 known cave paintings and a technical college in a city south of instead. The book is not without its rock carvings in Libya, some of them Tripoli, and drove tourists around as a more controversial ideas - towards the more than 8,000 years old. Many of side-job. And of course, all the drivers end, he starts to talk about his vision for them are of elephants and giraffes owned their own cars. the day when the sporting stadiums of and crocodiles and other animals, The group travelled in two parts. There Libya will be empty because the people which seem incongruous in the sandy were four Landcruisers for the tourists, will be out actually playing sports, not desert until you remember that at the guide and state-mandated policeman watching them. Some years ago he tried time their creators lived there, that is who accompanied us. A fifth carried to put that particular idea into action and what they saw every day. Until a few all the food supplies for the group, and cancelled an international soccer match. thousand years ago, north Africa was was driven by the cooks. The Bedouins There were riots on the streets in Tripoli. verdant and lush, similar to the present- had grown up in the desert, and could Other ideas from the Green Book day safari sites of the southern part of easily find their way around. In the have wider acceptance. The country is the continent. morning, the guys driving the food wealthy from the production of oil - as Libya seems to have a complex truck would take off across the desert our guide Tarek put it, you can’t put relationship with tourism. On the one and the four Landcruisers for the up a tent in the desert without starting hand, the country is far more open than tourist party would proceed at a more a geyser. And as Libya is run along it used to be. On the other, the country leisurely place, stopping to look at the socialist lines, that means the wealth is itself is not suited to mass tourism. Sites carvings and paintings and arches and shared. So every adult Libyan citizen are far apart and difficult to get to, and other wonders of the desert. When we gets a house for free, courtesy of the facilities in the desert can be minimal, to were driving, the desert seemed all the state. And a free car. And an annual put it delicately. And tourism is not an same to me, a recurring background of share of the oil money. Gadaffi’s Green important part of the economy, which dunes and scraggly trees and rocks and Book states that a person cannot be fully is dominated by oil production. The sand. But then when it was lunchtime, happy without the means to support most famous sites have a protective we would cross a dune and there would themselves, and the free house and car fence to keep tourists at a distance, but be the guys from the lunch truck in are the execution of that idea, all funded in many others you can just walk right the shade of a tree or an overhanging by the happy fact that the country has up and touch what you’re looking at. rock, preparing food for everyone. The 3.5% of the world’s known oil reserves You shouldn’t, of course. But people same at night - we would come around according to BP. do. At least with rock carvings, the a corner in an endless sea of sand-dunes Yet even in the provision of free cars, touch of tourist hands doesn’t make as the sun was beginning to set, and find there is something of the totalitarian much of a difference, and I must admit the cooks at work. To me, who still gets nature of the state - until recently that touching something that a person lost pretty regularly in Dublin, it was only farmers and tour guides were worked on 8,000 years ago is a unique like magic. permitted to have 4X4 vehicles suitable feeling. There are three layers to the Sahara in for driving in the desert. That put the We moved through the desert in Toyota Libya. The first is very rocky, and looks mostly roadless Sahara effectively off- Landcruisers driven by Bedouins. The quite like the surface of Mars, especially limits for everyone else. image I had of a Bedouin probably in the reddish light of the setting sun.

The Big Arch Rock Carving of an Elephant 60 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

The second has fewer small rocks and there are broader patches of sand. Huge boulders are common, ranging up to the size of large buildings. The final layer is how you would typically think of the Sahara - sand dunes and sand shining bright in the sun as far as you can see. The desert is a remarkable place. The weather was mild enough while we were there that it was possible to sleep outside at night, even though it got down to just a few degrees above zero. At the most southerly part of our trip we were two days’ drive from the nearest town (prompting the guide to give us gentle warnings about trying not to break a leg) and so there was zero light pollution. At night it was breathtaking. The Milky Way glimmered across the sky like a handle, plainly visible, and Roman Theatre at Leptis Magna the stars were bright and glittering and countless. I fought to stay awake even Further in is a market where all sorts building of about 140 grain silos. When after the long days just to try and drink of goods from Africa and Europe were it was active, each family in the nearby it in. on sale, and there is another theatre like town had their own silo, and some were Tarek told me that many people cry the one at Sabratha. It easy to picture rented out to long-term visitors. About when they are leaving the desert after what life would have been like there half way up, there was a crumbling ledge their first trip, and though I scoffed for the well-heeled Roman citizen circa running around the granary, maybe a silently at first, I came to understand why. 200 AD, on their way from the baths metre wide, which gave access to the Bumping back onto solid road after the to the theatre or back to their villas on upper level. When I asked if I could go days travelling on sand felt jarring and the nearby hills. And how much better up there, the guide shrugged and said unwelcome. But we still had things to it was to be one of those people, rather sure, but told me to be careful. There look forward to: two of the finest Roman than one of the countless slaves that was no handrail or ropes or anything sites in the world are in northern Libya. propped up the society. else to prevent a fall. It’s unthinkable The Roman Empire never expanded The country’s general disinterest that would be allowed in the west, but if very far into the country - once they in tourism is somewhat paralleled I had fallen in Libya, there would have had control of the cities and the olive with a laissez faire attitude to their been no-one to sue. production of the north they seemed archaeological treasures. As one Visiting Libya makes me wonder what to find expansion further south more person put it to me, many of the locals it must have been like when the elite of trouble than it was worth. But they left are amused that foreign tourists are Europe went on their Grand Tours back an incredible legacy in Sabratha and willing to come and pay money to see in the day, when travel was a luxury out Leptis Magna. rocks. Much of the excavation work of reach to normal people and sites were Both of those sites are old Roman cities is done by Italians, who are eager to less regimented and controlled. Today, that have been uncovered and restored, rediscover the glories of their own the world’s headline attractions - the primarily by Italian archaeologists. We past. But Libya’s own sites often seem Mona Lisa in the Louvre, the Sistine saw Sabratha first. Ancient stone pillars to be almost ignored. We went to see Chapel, the Pyramids - are drained of reach up out of the desert, marking the a Garamantian town which flourished their meaning through the infrastructure boundaries of where great buildings between 500BC and 500AD, where necessary to support so many visitors. once stood, and original Roman roads the remains of mud-brick walls stand a Libya is not like that, or at least not wind through the site. The highlight is a few feet high and map out the town and yet. And while that was liberating and reconstructed Roman theatre, rebuilt to what it was like. It has been excavated invigorating, it is not sustainable or the archaeologists’ best understanding by archaeologists seeking information scalable. If you have 1,000 visitors of what it would have been like when on the almost-forgotten Garamantes, a year, you can let them in to tramp it first stood. but it’s fragile and brittle. Nevertheless, around. For 1,000,000, you cannot. Leptis is even bigger and more we were just let in through the gates to And I wonder too if the treasures I saw spectacular. Walking through it you the sites and allowed wander where we will still be there for the generations to can see the athletic fields where there pleased. There are no ropes or paths or come. The distance that preservation were games and training, then the baths guidelines. puts between the visitor and the site where wealthy citizens went to unwind, Tourism is also changed by the fact is a regrettable necessity. But for now, first in the comfort of a sauna and then the country is run by Arabic law. One it is mostly absent in Libya, and the the shocking cold of the frigidarium. stop on our trip through the desert was experience is deeper and richer for it. at an old granary, a circular two-storey

61 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Diaries of a Farmer Mary Kelly-White

He was a tall man of 6ft, wore a hat and it despite the obvious obstacles. It Tom liked horses and during his smoked a pipe. The son of a farmer, took about two years for the truth voluntary exile in the country he he was the eldest of nine and he flew to dawn on them. They took turns worked hard. The land in Arigna was the coop aged twenty-four. Ten years living in town keeping the children at too hilly for tractors so he ploughed his senior, his bride was the youngest school and spending time on the farm. and mowed for neighbours as well of her family. She too was a farmer’s For many years five or six of the as himself. He made and sold creels daughter. By 1933 she had spent children at a time spent school for donkeys, he kept a registered bull seven years in America where she holidays on the farm, some liked it for breeding, and he kept a record made her fortune. They were married and others didn’t. It was great fun of everything he did. The Notes in 1935 and came to live in Sligo and the neighbours were delightful. section of his Diary gives a detailed town where they opened a grocery Apart from the bus from Sligo to account of his life as a farmer. shop in Pound Street, now Connolly Ballyfarnon and the three mile slog During that quarter of a century the Street. They had seven children and across the mountain there was no seven children finished school, the four lived on their wits like most people at other mode of transport, and although boys qualified as motor mechanics; the the time. They were my parents Tom the scenery was and still is the best eldest girl qualified as a Clerical Officer and Bea Kelly. They did everything in Ireland we did not see it, we were with Sligo Co. Council; the youngest they could to make money; they conscious only of the rough mountain girl qualified as a Nurse and the one kept a fowl yard and sold eggs, they road and all the hilly bends, and then in the middle, well she became a free gave dinners on fair and market days, the mossy heathery slopes down to lance Jill of all trades with distinction. they hired out the large storage sheds the thatched cottage in the middle of a Aged 24 and not married the oldest behind the town house for everything field down the valley. We were falling boy got sick and died in 1964. Aged 38 and anything from which rent could between two homes. There was only also single, the Nurse got leukaemia be collected, they cut trees and sold one solution, Tom would have to stay and she died in 1977. The others got blocks and turf. Tom loved horses on the land alone and Bea would stay married, had babies and christenings, and even then he had a pony and cart. in Sligo, keep the children at school and the mechanics had cars. The That was long ago and by 1950 and we would continue to spend the twenty miles got shorter and shorter times were changing. The seven school holidays on the farm. It must but Tom and his thatched house were children were progressing through the have been very lonely for Tom all growing weary. The gable was leaning two schools, the three girls through alone in that dark little house day for some time and eventually part the Mercy Convent, and the four after day night after night for twenty of the thatched roof collapsed. Tom boys through St. John’s National seven years. There was no electricity was in the process of retiring from School, Temple Street. And then it for the first few years but there was the land, he was selling his cattle, his happened! I’m not sure whether it was a travelling library and Tom liked horse had died, he hadn’t replaced his Providence or not, at the time I thought reading. Again and again he surprised last dog, and he wasn’t feeling good it was the end of the world, but now, us when he arrived at the back door himself. He returned to live with Bea half a century later, I’m not so sure. of our town house having cycled the in the town house and everything was My mother’s bachelor brother died twenty miles up hill and down dale rosy for a while. He got cancer of the suddenly that year and his house and just to be with us. And that brings aesophagus as many pipe smokers do farm which was my mother’s family me to the Diaries. They span from and after a short illness, five weeks, home fell into our laps. All of a 1956 to1981, five hardback books of he died in 1981 aged 71. Two years sudden cattle, fowl, fields, trees, and different sizes, not custom made but later1983 aged 83, Bea lost her life a thatched house belonged to us, a hardback ledgers cut in half and set in a house fire. And that was when town family. The only snag was the out as follows: I got the Diaries, in a broken damp twenty miles of road between it and Contents suitcase. Apart from the suitcase and us, no transport, and we all townie Notes General knowledge his Raleigh bike which he got for his kids knowing nothing about the house twentieth birthday Tom had no other Cows such as (a) animal weights, on the prairie or how to live in it. personal possessions. From farming backgrounds Tom and Ploughing (b) plan of family grave, Bea were delighted, it was a windfall Mowing (c) valuation of land, of a kind and they tried to embrace Potatoes (d) accounts etc, also included

62 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 MARY (MAY) O’DONNELL N.T. Máire Bean Uí Dhómhnaill (1913 - 2009)

Bernadette White

May O’Donnell, “Robin Hill”, being a high priority for her. She always weekly meeting. She first joined the Keenaghan, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, gave every pupil equal attention and never Legion of Mary in Dublin when she died peacefully on 13th December 2009 showed favouritism towards any child. was a young teacher there. Through at Sligo General Hospital. Prior to In early years in her classroom she her work in the Legion she travelled to her admission there on 12.12.2009 the had a black range which belched more many regions in Ireland, England and dedicated Nursing staff at Ballymote smoke than heat when the wind blew Wales. When she was well into her 80s Community Nursing Unit cared she went with a group to Glasgow and her for the previous seven years. met with many different religions on the Before retiring to Ballymote she doorsteps but she said they were never lived with her late husband, Gerard, on insulted or discouraged but always a farm at Rinbane, Ballinacarrow. She treated with courtesy and respect. was heartbroken when her husband She was a constant visitor, every week died in January 1988 and found it a when she had the health to do so, to Sligo very difficult time, but thanks to her General Hospital and St. John’s Hospital, relations, good neighbours and friends Sligo, often with her good friends Ann in Ballymote she was able to start taking Harrison, and the late Maureen Egan, part in the various activities again. from a certain direction and anyone and others - they used to go armed with It is extremely hard to know where who knew May will know that she baskets of goodies and home made buns to start with May but she could only loved heat. She used to line up all the etc. and distribute them to all they came be described as being interested in bottles of milk and tea on the range to in contact with. May could always be practically everything: education, keep them warm and distribute them to relied on to visit if there was somebody nature, heritage and much more the children at lunch time. Lunches were in the community sick or dying. May was born in Carrentavey, eaten at the desk and supervised by her A member of Ballymote Heritage Ballinacarrow on February 26th1913 to to make sure that there was no wastage. Group from its foundation in 1984, Francis & Bridget Keane. She had one Beyond teaching there were many she attended all meetings and took brother Frank and two sisters, Bridie interests especially her lifelong love part in all its discussions and activities Keane (later Mrs O’Hara) and Christina of reading, music, promoting the Irish – especially its Heritage Weekends Keane (Mrs Clancy). She was educated Language, bridge, walking, heritage, (when her baking talents contributed at the Ursuline College Sligo and then and the many organisations she much to the after-lecture refreshments). went on to do her Primary Teacher belonged to i.e. St. Vincent De Paul, May loved dancing and she and her late Training Course at Our Lady of Mercy, Legion of Mary, Ballymote Bridge husband Gerard were great followers Carysfort Park, Blackrock, Dublin. In Club, Ballymote Heritage Group and of Tony Chambers and his band. her final year there she was presented the Irish Countrywomen’s Association. Travelling she also loved and she with a Gold Medal for the best essay Religion was an extremely important went to New Zealand, America, in Irish and this was for the whole of part of May’s life. Her devotion to Lourdes, Fatima, made many Ireland - she loved and always nurtured Our Lady was unique and she was a trips to England and visited nearly the Irish Language throughout her life. frequent visitor to Knock. Daily Mass every county in her native Ireland. After qualifying she spent some was a must and she was great at giving She loved her garden and years teaching in Gardiner Street, a lift to anyone she would see along especially her roses - she also had Dublin. When an opportunity arose the way. The Rosary or two a day were lots of fruit trees: apples, raspberries, to return to her native county she was part of her routine and any visitor who blackcurrants and gooseberries, and successful in securing a post in Scoil happened to call while she was reciting homemade jam was always available Lassara Naofa, Ballinacarrow, where the Rosary was invited to take part. She at her home. She also loved baking she taught from 1943 to 1977 (she was loved to drive and this gave her great and her apple tarts were amazing. acting principal from 1970 to 1971). She independence in travelling wherever she In 1995 she was awarded a “Sligo was a dedicated and efficient teacher. wished to go - she drove until she was 90. 750” medal under the Telecom Éireann She loved children and always had a Her love of life and helping others (eircom)-sponsored “Special Person carload to school with her; this of course were very important to her. May was Award” scheme. was before the School buses were in constantly looking after the needs of In 2000 she was nominated action. Parents appreciated her gentle others in her own way, quietly and with for a County Person of the Year way with the children and how she was dignity and absolute confidentiality. community award and a presentation always able to coax the best from them, She was part of the local Legion of of Sligo Crystal was made to her. despite discipline and good manners Mary in Ballymote and loved the Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a hanam.

63 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Ag Drobhaois - A Footnote to the Question of Where the Annals of the Four Masters was Written

Gregory Daly

A proposal to erect a monument in 13th century church.2 The stone itself is and west. Significantly, an extensive County Leitrim to The Four Masters sandstone, of a pale, yellowish colour. area of marshy ground separates this and their work provoked a storm of The nearest medieval ecclesiastical hill from what would have been (and controversy in the form of letters to site is the Cistercian abbey of Assaroe, still is) a major route to and from Ulster. the Irish Independent during the years just outside the town of Ballyshannon The local placename here is the Ross 1936 and 1937. The issue debated was and about five miles distant from the (Ros, ‘wood’), suggesting the area was where exactly the Annals were written, Magheracar site. The abbey at Assaroe scrub covered or wooded at one time. and there was much disagreement was suppressed in the later part of According to the Civil Survey 1654 over the interpretation of Mícheál Ó the 16th century, but a Cistercian - 1656, the land on which the house Cléirigh’s brief descriptions of that community appears to have survived was located belonged at that time to location. Although some eminent there until-1607.3 Very little of the abbey “the College of Dublin” (Trinity)5. scholars such as Fr. Paul Walsh, Henry It is possible that the lands granted Morris, and Brendan Jennings OFM to the college were originally part of took part in the debate, much of it was the monastic lands of Assaroe. Sir verbose and pedantic, with opposing Henry Sidney’s Description of Ireland views being held in much contempt, in 1598 also mentions the castle on making the letter pages of today seem the banks of the river Drowes at tame in comparison. So as civil war raged in Spain and the world slipped ever closer to the conflagration of World War 11, “the megalomania of 1 the diocese of Raphoe” asserted itself The Carved Stone in the pages of the Irish Independent. It is generally accepted today however, buildings survive, and apart from a small that the Annals were compiled at a collection of carved stone at the site, and temporary Franciscan refuge somewhere some incorporated into the graveyard near the river Drowes, which forms the wall, the worked stone has disappeared. county boundary between Donegal and Although there is no match between The House at Magheracar. Dartry Leitrim. My mother’s family home what remains of the carved stone at Mountains in the background. at Magheracar in County Donegal, Assaroe and that found at Magheracar, Bundrowes as being in the hands of near Bundoran and close to the river it is still the most likely provenance.4 the 0’ Donnells at that time.6 The Civil Drowes, had long been identified by A somewhat similar moulding is Survey describes it simply as “old local tradition as a site associated with found on a doorway at Boyle abbey, of castle” in the 1650s, although this may the Four Masters. This oral tradition which Assaroe was a daughter house. not necessarily mean it was a ruin then. persisted well into the 20th century, and Although Mícheál Ó Cléirigh was a was often brought to my attention as a Franciscan, the hereditary seat of the Ó boy by the older members of the local Cléirigh family was close to Assaroe community. The house is marked on at Kilbarron, and the Annals record the first edition of the OS 6 inch map members of the Ó Cléirigh family being 1837, and the site is marked Church buried there. So is there a link between and Burial Ground (site of) on the the pieces found at the Gilmartin house first edition of the OS 25 inch map in Magheracar and the local tradition surveyed in 1905 and published in 1906. identifying the house as the site of refuge Originally a thatched house, it was of the Annalists? The fact that there was damaged by fire in the 1980s, and a The Sandstone Basin or Font of a stronghold in the form of an 0 Donnell- decision was taken to replace it. During indeterminate age held castle at Bundrowes may well have demolition, a large, elaborately carved Other pieces found on the farm at the been a deciding factor in the choice of stone was found in the south west corner Magheracar site include an oval shaped this location. It is possible the carved wall of the house. This architectural sandstone basin or font, and part of the stone was at some time brought to this fragment features pronounced ribbed top stone of a rotary quem. The house castle. Also of interest is information moulding and probably formed part of itself was situated on the north facing given by a Peter Kelly to Justices of the the window or door of a late 12th - early slope of a low hill with good views north Peace on November 4th, 1712, to the

64 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 effect that “the last mass he heard was at Bundroos in the county of Donygall”.7 The presence of the stone and other items, however, cannot be taken to prove anything other than the site being a good example of an oral tradition borne out by some material evidence, and shows that such traditions should never be dismissed. The controversy referred to above, concerning precisely where the Annals were written, and the rival claims of Leitrim and Donegal, tend only to distract from their real value. As regards the monument, a new one was erected in the Diamond, Donegal town, in 1938. A new parish church in the town had already been dedicated to them. Much later, in 1975, a fine monument in bronze was placed on a bridge crossing the river Drowes at Mullinaleck, on the Kinlough (Co. Leitrim) and Bundoran (Co. Donegal) road, thereby forming something of a peace boundary between Map showing location of House the two counties. 3 Stalley, Roger, 1987: Cistercian Manuscripts Commission, Dublin. Monasteries of Ireland, Yale 6 Hogan, Edmund, SJ, (ed.). 1878: A 1 Irish Independent, July 11th 1936 University Press, London Description of Ireland in 1598, by Sir 2 Corlett, VChris, 1999: Final 4 Chris Corlett, Con Manning Henry Sidney. Dublin and London. report on archaeological testing 5 Simington, Robert C. (ed.). 1937: 7 Burke, William P. (ed.). 1969: The Irish at Magheracar, Co Donegal. The Civil Survey AD1654 -1656, Priests in the Penal Times (1660 -1760). Unpublished county of Donegal, Vol III Irish Irish University Press, Shannon.

At an afternoon dance in the Loftus Hall, Ballymote, on New Year’s Eve 1955 Photo courtesy Gerry Cassidy 65 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Ballymote in 1834-8 - Interpreting the text and illustrations of The Ordinance Survey Memoirs

John Coleman

We are all familiar with the ordinance or snipe. A description of topography The most poignant aspect of the survey maps of Ireland which, until the notes cairns and forts, particularly Memoirs is the description of the developments of satellite technology, a square fort at Rathdooneymore conditions in which the majority of informed our primary impression about what our island looked like and provided us with navigation tools to make our way about the country. The ordinance survey was established in 1791 as a function of the military and it continues its work today. (1) What are less well known are the Ordinance Survey Memoirs, observations of the surveyors, officers of the Royal Artillery and Engineers, made while they were travelling the country making the survey. These memoirs and letters form a comprehensive survey of statistical, botanical, geological and ethnographic information recorded in the period 1834-8. They form a remarkable firsthand account of Ireland just a few years before the failure of the potato crop and the great famine. They provide a very moving and immediate account of how people lived. This project was abandoned in 1840 after only covering Ulster. We are fortunate in that hand written notes and drawings on the Ballymote area have survived and are preserved in the Royal Irish Academy, coincidently also home to the original manuscript of the Book of Ballymote. (2) The Memoir of the parish of Emlaghfad was written by Lieutenant P. Taylor and in the version published by the academy runs to seven pages. Lieutenant Taylor begins with an account of the landscape, climate, botany and zoology. He laments the lack of woodland, but notes that five years earlier 17 stems of oak were unearthed in a bog in Rathdooneymore. Finds of oak and fir are noted elsewhere, including oak stems laid horizontally in bog at Ballybrennan. There was mature growth of ash, elm, birch and recent formations of Scotch fir, spruce, larch, alder and oak. We are told of a great abundance of mallard, widgeon, teal and diver to be found at Templehouse, but Urn in Templehouse demesne not many grouse, partridge, woodcock Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy ©Royal Irish Academy.

66 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Ruins of Emlaghfad Church by William Groves Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy ©Royal Irish Academy.

Graveyard and ruins of abbey, with new church Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy ©Royal Irish Academy. 67 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 the population lived. To read history is was no epidemic or virulent disease. manufacturing? As a surveyor we must one thing but there is something very The main diseases he characterised as trust the accuracy of his description immediate and moving in reading a ‘rheumatic afflictions’, consumption, of the corn mill as 18 feet in diameter contemporary account of our own ‘catarrhs’, ‘superabundant dyspepsia’ and 3 feet 6 inches broad with the parish in an earlier time of great distress (!) and ‘febris’ [fever] He notes that water power fed from ‘Loch Ardree’. for many. In the countryside Lieutenant 2/3rds of many family members have The town had its constabulary barracks Taylor describes a population living emigrated to ’the Canadas’ in the last and Roman Catholic chapel erected in in great poverty and destitution and 8 years and that many others would do 1815 which had accommodation for sustained on a subsistence diet of likewise if they could afford the £2. 10 about 1,000 [while built 14 years before potatoes and milk and employed in s. to £4 passage from Sligo port. emancipation, the penal laws had been weaving of coarse linen or woollen The Town slackened]. The church (of Ireland) cloth. He noted average families of 6 The account of the town of Ballymote (1832) had accommodation for 660 and living on small size of farms from 2 to records a population of about 900 the Methodist meeting house (1827) 10 acres with few above 20. A plough and 146 dwelling houses. There were 150. [The distinction between church, with 2 horses is hired through the parish markets for sale of potatoes, butter, chapel and meeting house is worth and little is grown beyond oats and poultry etc. There were 7 fairs a year noting. Even as a child in the late 1960s potatoes. Rents of from 7s. to 40s. per for the sale mainly of ‘horned’ cattle I remember that my mother would talk acre had to be paid together with tithe and pigs but also horses, sheep, asses, of going to the chapel, not the church.] to the Church of Ireland. We are told goats and fowl (he details prices). Earlsfield House is described as that the health of the population was Linen was sent for sale to Collooney or ‘quadrangular’ in form – the right side improved by the local dispensary where Sligo. There is one particularly cryptic evidently had not yet been extended Dr Loughead saw about 86 patients per comment ‘No trade or commerce is to double its length back to front. The week over his two visits on Mondays carried out in the town’. Surely there ‘premises, orchards and gardens’ had and Thursdays. He noted that there were shops? Did he mean no trades or ‘run to great dilapidation’. The Gore

Sculpted head of man with triple crown, above Round tower in the townland of Carrownanty near southern door of ruined abbey. Ballymote Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy ©Royal Irish Academy. ©Royal Irish Academy. 68 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Ruins of castle, Ballymote, with tower and three story building by William Groves, civil assistant Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy ©Royal Irish Academy.

Castle ruins situated in Templehouse demesne built by the Knights Templars AD 1303 [with later additions], by William Grove Reproduced by permission of the Royal Irish Academy ©Royal Irish Academy.

69 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Booth’s agent George Dodwell lived was built in 1815, and accommodated brick, probably in the mid eighteenth elsewhere [he had his own estates, 1,000, can be seen in the grounds of century to hold then modern sash was also agent for Lord Palmerston the abbey ruin. It is generally accepted windows. The whole facade had been at Classibawn and built Kevinsfort in that the Loftus Hall incorporates part of rendered or plastered to cover over the Sligo for himself]. There was ‘a very this building. However, the illustration alterations. The top of another mullion limited plantation’ to the south and east we get does not give the impression of and transom window can be detected of the house and in Deroon. a large scale building and the drawing just above and to the left of the gothic Schools is very primitive in contrast to the [pointed arch] window; an inspection A section on schools notes that there detailed depiction of the abbey; it is of the building today reveals more were seven in all: We only get details difficult to imagine that it was drawn of this window as some of the render of 5; one in Ardree (founded 1834) and by the same hand. What we see is an has fallen away. We do not frequently another in the town (f. 1832) in receipt L shaped building with the wing to find mullion and transom windows of £8 and £10 per annum respectively the left much closer to the abbey ruin in this part of the country – Donegal from the National Board of Education. than the present day hall. The block castle comes to mind. These must be In the town there was a second school, with the gothic window on its end the remains of a substantial Jacobean in the courthouse, founded in 1815 gable might be part of the main body mansion created by Edward Crofton and supported by the bishop and vicar of the present hall. In accordance with who was granted the land by King (Church of Ireland) [Was this the stone liturgical practice the altar would have James 1st and set out to impress with building attached to the court house, been located at the east end, opposite a home reflective of his new wealth until recently occupied by Miss Taylor? the gothic window visible to us. and position.(3) It also reflects a move This brings back vivid memories of The ‘tower’ in Carrownanty is not away from the fortified early dwelling my own school days when on the way a ’tower’ as such since those who living to more comfort relaxed living; back to school after lunch we queued at remember it confirm that it was not a his granddaughter Mary later inherited the counter in the room to the left side building; nevertheless the much later the estate and was to marry William of the front door where Miss Taylor local GAA team were known as ‘The Perceval. The gothic style window must dispensed from an infinite selection Round Towers’. The tower is not have been inserted after the blocking of liquorice pipes and other delicacies depicted in its landscape setting but up of the mullion and transom window paid for in large copper ‘old’ pennies]. simply in isolation. It is a peculiar to the left in the late 18th or early 19th There were schools at Carrowkeel structure with an odd top to the cone century gothic revival. The draftsman (1835) and Rathdooneymore (1834). and a primitive base to the shaft. There has cleverly suggested a shaft of light All the schools received their principal are what appears to be metal protrusions coming through the gothic doorway of funding in the form of ‘scholars’ fees’ from the tower which could relate to its the ruin. There is gothic revival style of from one shilling to one shilling and reputed function as a flag pole to signal fret work above the door to the left. six pence per quarter year – the latter rent days. Was it erected for this purpose? The roofless church in Emlaghfad two had no other source of funding. The or adapted to that use? It remains a had at this time only been abandoned last two schools were entirely Roman mystery when it was constructed but it a few years as a place of worship: The Catholic, as was the national school in undoubtedly resembles in appearance church in the town was only completed the town. The court house school had an ancient round tower and may be a in 1832. Emlaghfad church has round 52 protestants and 21 catholics while very early example of the Celtic revival headed windows since it predated the that at Ardree had 6 protestants and 156 which did not become widespread until gothic revival – it could date from the catholics. There were more boys than much later in the nineteenth century, mid 18th century or even the late 17th girls: Ardree 102/60; Ballymote (NS) with the rise of cultural nationalism. century. It is said to be on the site of a 40/30; Ballymote (Court Hse) 45/28; Was it the monument noted by Samuel much earlier foundation from which the Carrowkeel 39/16; Rathdooneymore Lewis in 1835 and thus wrongly parish takes its name. The stout tower 19/17. described by him as an obelisk? has so called stepped ‘Irish‘ battlements The Drawings The view of the ruined castle at and also characteristically Irish solid The accompanying drawings on loose Templehouse shows the ivy covered stone spires at each corner. Moving leafs along with the survey reward stone medieval tower on the right with the Church of Ireland place of worship close examination. Four are signed by the wide medieval entrance in the centre. from this fine church in Emlaghfad William Groves, civil assistant to the The left side of the building is of much leads one to speculate that this must survey – the castle ruins in the town and later date. Inspection of the remains of have marked an important point in at Templehouse, Emlaghfad Church the building on the left today reveals the development of the town. Church and the tower in Carrownanty. They a red brick construction with stone of Ireland residents were evidently no are not sophisticated works of art or quoins (left end/corner of the building). longer prepared to make the journey out draftsmanship - that of Ballymote castle The two rectangular windows in the of town and were prosperous enough is the best. Nevertheless they are a source centre include the remains of stone to support the construction of a new of a good deal of interesting material mullion and transom windows typical and even more impressive building. and provide a stimulating addition to our of the Elizabethan or Jacobean period The new church must have been at understanding to the history of the area. [reign of King James 1st (1603-25)]. the edge of the expanding town since The catholic chapel which we are told These windows were narrowed with it had available a large site surrounded

70 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 by extensive grounds, opposite the Ballymote. RIA reference for the in association with the Royal Irish new market house. Newtown was to memoirs is RIA, OS Memoirs, Box 50, Academy, 1998. The Memoirs contain develop beyond it – all of O’Connell III, III, 1. Sligo. Parish of Emlaghfad. much additional information on the Street was called Newtown Street in The text of the Memoirs was published area, especially on topography and the 1911 census. My memory of my as Ordinance Survey Memoirs of agricultural matters in 7 printed pages. aunt Maisie using that name for the Ireland, Volume Forty, Counties of (3) John C. McTernan, Sligo: The street was recently confirmed when I Ulster 1834-8, Cavan, Leitrim, Louth, Light of Bygone Days, Vol. 1, p. 466, found a note she wrote “left Roscrib Monaghan and Sligo, ed., Angelique Castlebar, 2009. 20 April 1964 moved into Newtown”. Day and Patrick McWilliams, pp. 176- The Sculpted head of man with triple 182, The Institute of Irish Studies, crown, above southern door of ruined abbey is usually taken to be an image of a pope due to the triple crown: The top of a formal arch beneath the head suggests that this piece was once located in another location – possibly above a more formal doorway. The drawing of the Urn at Templehouse is done with an odd perspective; the urn seen directly while the plinth is seen at an awkward and improbable angle slightly from above. The urn has an odd cone shaped top similar to the cone on the round tower and with a mask on the front set in a baroque style strap work cartouche. Roderick Perceval is not aware of such an urn surviving at Templehouse today. The text and drawings provide significant and very rare evidence th relating to Ballymote in the early 19 This is a sketch of Templehouse Castle, probably before 1820, including the century. While the above discussion late 18th century alterations in the ’Batty Langley’ gothic style [Batty Langley demonstrates that drawings or other (1696-1751) advocated the gothic style in his influential work Gothic Architucture contemporary illustrations cannot be Restored and Improved (1741)]. This illustration is reproduced from John C read at face value, when studied in a McTernan’s The Light of Bygone Days, vol I, Houses of Sligo and Associated wider context they are a rewarding Families, 2009, p. 219. source of material to increase our understanding and to further stimulate our curiosity about the past. Note: The drawings are all on paper that measures 20cm x 32cm. The titles, including capitalisation, are as noted in the Memoirs. The drawings were photographed by the author in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy and grateful thanks are due to the academy staff for their kind assistance and to the academy for its generosity in permitting drawings to be published here. Thanks to Roderick Perceval of Templehouse for permission to inspect the ruins there. (1) Civilizing Ireland: Ordinance Survey 1824-1842, Ethnography, Cartography, Translation, Stiofan O’Cadhla, Dublin, 2007. This is a photograph of the ruin of Templehouse Castle today, showing the (2) Nuala Rogers wrote about Jacobean window which was blocked up in the 18th century when render was the memoires and illustrated the applied to the whole façade covering the red brick. The underlying seventeenth accompanying drawings in the century red brick mansion is probably unique in this part of the country and 2nd edition of her book Aspects of possibly in Ireland as a whole. Photograph: John Coleman.

71 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 The Tubbercurry ‘Conspirators’ John C McTernan

On the morning of April 2nd 1884 no occupation; Thady Higgins, no were returned for trial at the Summer Tubbercurry and surrounding areas occupation, “a young man”; Michael Assizes. were all agog on learning that eleven Murphy, “a weaver from Benada”; When the case came before the local men had been arrested at their Patrick N. Fitzgerald, a commercial Assizes in July 1884 the Crown respective addresses in an early morning traveller, “decidedly the most refused to proceed on the grounds that swoop by the police on the suspicion that respectable looking and best dressed of a fair trial was not possible owing to they were part of a Fenian conspiracy. the prisoners and the apparent leader of statements reported to have made by They were committed to Sligo Gaol the group in court”. Nicholas H. Devine of Tubbercurry in and were later joined by one Patrick Prior to the commencement of the which he proclaimed the innocence of N. Fitzgerald who had been arrested judicial proceedings it became known the prisoners on the charges they were in London for his alleged involvement that John Moran, one of the prisoners, facing and referred to the foul means in the organization of a Fenian cell had turned informer and was about to adopted by the Crown in its endeavour in Tubbercurry. It was subsequently give what was then known as “Queen’s to secure convictions. Although Devine learned that the group had been under evidence”. Moran, whose mother ran denied making the alleged remarks, police surveillance for some time. a public house in Tubbercurry, was he did however admit to publishing a In gaol they were initially treated as aged 28 years and unemployed. In the printed circular seeking financial help ‘untried’ prisoners and were allowed words of the “Champion” reporter he to cover the costs of defending the certain privileges but precluded from “did not have the appearance of much prisoners. intercourse with each other. They intelligence” although he was very In the circumstances the trial on charges were remanded from week to week to sure of his facts as they related to the of conspiracy to murder and treason, give the prosecution an opportunity other prisoners”. On cross-examination was not proceeded with then and, at of perfecting the charges against them he admitted to being a member of the the request of the Crown Solicitor, the including that of committing murderous Fenian movement from the early 1870s Judge approved of the transfer of the outrages. and an ‘Invincible’ for two years. trial to Dublin. On the application of On the morning of April 31st 1884 In his opening address the Crown the defence six of the prisoners were the ‘conspirators’ were brought before Solicitor stated that there was “ample allowed out on bail, with the remaining a Magisterial Court and charged with evidence” of a Fenian conspiracy in Co. five, Armstrong, Donoghue, Fitzgerald, being members of the Fenian Society Sligo and in the Tubbercurry district Higgins and Lowry, regarded as the and having conspired with each other in particular and that the principal leaders of the group, remaining in to murder James Donoghue, Clerk of organisers were Patrick J. Sheridan, custody to await trial in Dublin in the the Tubbercurry Poor Law Union, John James Lyons, a shoe maker, Patrick following October. Brett, jun., a Poor Law Guardian and Reynolds of Pound St. and Patrick N. Owing to the illness of Patrick N. land agent then residing at Streamstown, Fitzgerald “who combined and agreed Fitzgerald, then in Kilmainham Gaol, and others. to levy money for the purchase of the State Trial before Judge Harrison The prisoners were identified as arms”. He also revealed that three of and a jury of twelve men of differing follows by a “Sligo Champion” reporter the above had fled the country leaving persuasions did not open at Green Street who also commented on their personal Fitzgerald the sole survivor in custody. Courthouse until November 1884. After appearances: James Lowry, a licensed It was also revealed that between 1880 five days hearing the proceedings came publican and hotel owner, “who and 1883 the Tubbercurry district was to an abrupt and sensational ending presented a rather decent appearance”. very unsettled and a few dozen outrages not merely with a verdict of acquittal Luke Armstrong, a shopkeeper, “who had been reported. of the accused but an unanimous was better dressed than his Tubbercurry The hearing was spread over two weeks expression of opinion by the jurors that companions”; Owen and Pat Gannon, and for most of the time was taken up the principal witnesses produced by farmers from Carrownacreevy; James with the evidence of the informer and the Crown, namely, the afore-mentiond Connolly, owner of a large tailoring of individual police and focussed to a John Moran, the informer, and a felon concern in the town; Patrick Donoghue large extent on the attempted murder of named Patrick Delaney, were unworthy of Corsallagh. “a stout dark man with James Donoghue, who was suspected of credence. The Dublin based no occupation”; Patrick Durkan of of passing information to the police, “Freeman’s Journal” severely rebuked Carrowntober, “a middle-aged farmer’; in his office at the Union Workhouse the Crown for saddling the members Michael Durkan, “an elderly egg- in December 1881. At the conclusion of the carefully selected jury with the dealer”; John Moran of Tubbercurry, of the proceedings the prisoners responsibility of attempting to convict 72 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 political prisoners, and Fitzgerald in the pseudonym ‘Fr. Murphy’. He then At the time of his arrest he was particular who was then in poor health, joined the ‘National Invincibles’, a described as being thirty to forty years on the evidence of two “unworthy of secret society operating under the of age, of middling height, was “slightly belief”. umbrella of the Irish Republican stooped in his gait” and respectfully Following the collapse of the trial Brotherhood, and toured the country in dressed in a dark suit. Elsewhere he Fitzgerald and his fellow ‘conspirators’ disguise organising branches. was referred to as “a slight man” with were immedediately released with their Following the murder of Chief a stoop on his shoulders and walked characters unimpaired. Secretary, Cavendish, in the Phoenix “with his head thrown back”. Rejoicings on a large scale took Park in May 1882, reputedly by the In April 1889, on the occasion of place in Tubbercurry when news of the ‘Invincibles’, Sheridan escaped to Sexton’s return as M.P. for South Sligo release of the prisoners was received by America and settled for a time in New he attended a bonfire in Tubbercurry in telegram. In response to a request the York where he found employment on the company of P. J. Sheridan and later Sligo Fife and Drum Band lost no time the staff of the “Irish World” newspaper visited Luke Armstrong’s shop. In the getting to Tubbercurry and paraded the and at public meetings loudly confirmed Spring of 1880 both he and Sheridan streets accompanied by large crowds his association with the ‘Invincibles’. were among the platform party at a Land who cheered enthusiastically. He was later joined by his wife and League meeting in Curry. Following Sketches of the Principal family and moved to Colorado where the collapse of the State Trial in Dublin ‘Conspirators’ he became a prominent rancher and in November 1884 Fitzgerald, then Patrick J. Sheridan, a native of where he died in March 1947 In an in poor health, returned to his native Bohola, Co. Mayo, married Mary obituary a former comrade referred to Cork. Nothing further is known of his Anne McDermott, the daughter of him as “a notorious Fenian organiser” subsequent career prior to his death in a hotel keeper in Tubbercurry. They who for a period had been ‘Head Dublin in October 1907. subsequently settled in the London Centre’ for County Sligo. * * * area where he became acquainted with * * * Luke Armstrong (1853-1910) was a the leaders of the Fenian Movement Patrick N. Fitzgerald, a commercial prominent Tubbercurry merchant in in England. On his return home he traveller from Cork, was arrested the late 19th century. In his youth he was appointed Master of the Swinford in London on April 10th, 1884, by a joined the Fenian Movement and later Workhouse, a post he was relieved of Sergt. McDonagh of the R.I.C. who the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a year later. He then took up residence had followed him to England three of which he acted as ‘Head Centre’ in Tubbercurry as the proprietor weeks earlier. He was escorted back for the County. His premises was a of MacDermott’s Hotel and on the to Dublin and thence to Sligo where on popular rendezvous for the so-called formation of the Land League was foot of his known connections with the ‘Conspirators’, including P. J. Sheridan appointed Land League organiser for wholesale arrests in Tubbercurry a week and P.N. Fitzgerald, and as such was Connacht. earlier he was charged with conspiracy kept under constant police surveillance. In the months that followed he to murder and of treason felony and He was closely associated with the GAA was one of the principal speakers at lodged in Sligo Gaol with his fellow from its formation, was a member of Land League meetings at Gurteen, ‘conspirators’. From an early age he the Co. Board in 1888 and three years Tubbercurry, Curry and other venues was closely associated with the National later was named in a Crime Special throughout the Province, on which Movement and was a close friend of Branch report as being in attendance at occasions his utterances were noted for the old Fenian, John O’Leary. He was a championship game at Sooey in the repeated emphasis on the adoption of widely known as a Fenian organiser company of other IRB ‘suspects’. physical force means to achieve their and later as an agent for the Irish Following the collapse of the State aims. Republican Brotherhood. According Trial in November 1884 he supported After the Proclamation of the League to the evidence of the informer, John constitutional agitation and was elected as an illegal organisation in 1880 he Moran, Fitzgerald was one of the onto the Board of the Tubbercurry Poor was arrested in Tubbercurry and lodged founding members of the secret society Law Union, of which he was a member in Kilmainham Gaol. A local balladeer known as ‘The Invincibles’. for over thirty years and Chairman penned a few verses on the event, the Arising from his Fenian connections he for a period. He was also a District opening lines of which ran as follows: was under police surveillance during Councillor and in 1899 was elected as He spoke up for the tenants’ cause his regular visits to Tubbercurry in the a member of the first County Council and never changed his coat. His voice late 1870s where he was known locally for the Benada Electoral Division, a was heard round Sligo Town and also as ‘Mr Fitz.’and ‘Mr Sullivan’. He position he held until 1905. He died in Ballymote. usually stayed overnight in Sheridan’s 1910 and lies at rest in the family plot On his release he escaped to Paris Hotel which was a popular meeting in Kilcummin cemetery. with a price on his head but returned place of the leading ‘conspirators’ in a year later disguised as a priest using the immediate neighbourhood.

73 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Changing circumstances for the O’Gara family and Jacobite residents of Saint- Germain

Maura O’Gara-O’Riordan

In the early years following their the chapel royal.iii of the soldiers who had served in the arrival in France in the winter of Irish regiment of James II at Saint- 1691/2, those involved in the Jacobite French–Spanish connection Germain would serve their future conflict in Ireland found that conditions France, embroiled in a major conflict army careers. gradually became reasonably secure with several European countries, Though Philip V became at the Stuart court in exile at Saint- signed the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697 ruler of Spain in 1700, he was only Germain-en-Laye, a few miles outside that settled the Nine Years’ War. As recognised as King of Spain in Paris. Louis XIV, king of France, had peace with England was included in 1713, the year in which the Treaty of provided an annual pension of 600,000 the Treaty, Irish Jacobite supporters Utrecht was signed between several livres for his cousin, James II, and after were very angry with the French for European states. During these years his death for his son and successor having failed to restore the Stuarts to plans were formed by the Jacobites to James III.i This allowance was used to the throne of England before ending make a further attempt to invade both maintain the Château-Vieux of Saint- the war.iv England and Ireland from France. Germain provided by Louis XIV for Louis XIV broke the Treaty Troops led by the Duke of Berwick, the deposed king and his court. The of Ryswick following the death of the natural-born son of James II, were pension covered the royal family’s James II in September 1701, when he supported by James III, Louis XIV, personal expenses, the household recognised James’s thirteen-year-old the pope and others. The Jacobites budget, staff salaries and various son, James Francis Edward Stuart, as troops prepared for an expedition but other costs. Irish army members were king of England, Scotland and Ireland. it failed in the spring of 1708. Plans employed in the regiments of James v. were also discussed between 1706 and II in France, where they took part Ten months earlier, in 1700, 1708 for a proposed Jacobite invasion in the ongoing European conflicts. when Charles II of Spain died, his of Ireland and a list was drawn up of However, Louis XIV was paymaster grand-nephew, Philip, of Anjou, exiled Irish aristocrats who would for all the Jacobite troops.ii A number was named in his will as heir to the wish to take part. Under Connacht the of wives of the senior officers were Spanish throne, in the hope that a following names appear: Lieutenant employed in the royal household lasting peace would be made between General Dillon; O’Gara; Lieutenant which was almost fully staffed by Spain and France. Philip was born in General O’Shaughnessy and Captain Catholics. Children of the household France; his grandparents were Louis O’Conor. It is very likely that the staff and of Jacobite army personnel XIV of France and Maria Theresa, O’Gara mentioned is Colonel Oliver were baptised in the chapel royal of sister of King Charles II of Spain. In of the Queen’s Dragoons as his eldest Saint- Germain, and marriages and November 1700, Louis XIV accepted son, John who did serve as an officer deaths were also recorded in the same the terms of Charles’s will which was in Dillon’s regiment would only have parish register. also a breach of the Treaty of Ryswick. been fourteen years old in 1706.viii Colonel Oliver O’Gara, vi William III of England, and Ireland, Leading up to the Treaty of grandson of Fearghal O’Gara, Lord of known as William II of Scotland, died Utrecht, when France was negotiating Moygara and Coolavin, County Sligo in March 1702 and was succeeded peace with England, a political and his wife, Maria Fleming, daughter by Queen Anne. During her reign reality was acknowledged at the of Randal, Lord Slane, of County the title for the crown ruler changed court of Saint-Germain: James III Meath, lived in Saint-Germain where in 1707 to King of Great Britain would have to leave France. James their eleven children were baptised and Ireland. The suggestion of an was made aware that some English between 1692 and 1708. There is no alliance between Spain and France led government ministers were refusing record of the date on which Oliver and to the war of the Spanish Succession, to sign the Treaty of Utrecht while Mary reached Saint-Germain. Mary 1701–1714, which involved all the he remained in France as Jacobites in had certainly arrived there before 25 great powers of Europe and weakened England, Ireland Scotland and France October 1692, when their first-born France and Spain considerably,vii and had continued plotting methods to child, John Patrick, was baptised in was to have an impact on where many take back the throne of England for

74 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

James. His mother, Queen Mary of finally moved to Rome in 1719.xii had already commenced their careers. Modena, left Saint-Germain to spend There is no record of the three most of her time at the convent of the Conditions at Saint-Germain daughters who may have survived.xiv Visitation at Chaillot in Paris. following the Treaty of Utrecht Three of Oliver and Mary James moved his court to Bar- Queen Mary of Modena was in poor O’Gara’s sons, John, Oliver and le-Duc in the spring of 1713, in the health from about 1712 onwards when Joseph, joined the Irish regiments district of Alsace–Lorraine, now in she rented an apartment at Chaillot. in the early years of the eighteenth northeast France next to the German Even though she returned to the court century. In France these regiments border. It was a partly independent in Saint-Germain for short periods, were recognised under the name of duchy which was regularly used as members of her staff were mainly idle the serving colonel. Many members a bargaining tool in French–German but received pensions. She was to die of former Jacobite regiments in wars. James remained at Lorraine at Saint-Germain in 1718. Following France went to Spain, where several as Louis XIV promised to continue the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht regiments were created between 1698 paying the pension and later agreed to thousands of Irish soldiers who had and 1715, including the regiments of divide it between James and his mother. been taken out of active service came Waterford; Hibernia; Ultonia (Ulster), ix Queen Mary gave substantial sums to live at Saint-Germain and existed Limerick and Irlanda. The majority of her own private money to James for in great poverty. With the defeat of of soldiers who fought with the Irish the Jacobite cause, as did the Duke of the Jacobite invasions of 1615–16 regiments under Louis XIV in the war Lorraine and, later, Pope Clement XI.x all hope of ever returning to Ireland of the Spanish Succession 1701–1714 Louis XIV died on 1 September 1715 faded. The queen made every effort and who wished to continue with a and the duke of Orléans became regent to help the increasing number of the military career were transferred to for Louis XV who was an infant. poor in Saint-Germaine but after the Irish regiments in Spain to serve James Butler, second Duke of the Regent delayed paying the royal under Philip V. A few outstanding Ormond, who had been lord lieutenant pension, conditions continued to agreements were settled between of Ireland from 1710 to 1713 under decline with people having to sell Charles VI the Holy Roman Emperor Queen Anne, changed his allegiance many of their possessions in order to and Spain following the signing of the from Anne to the cause of James III in buy food. In a document compiled in Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 therefore the the final years of Anne’s reign. When Spring 1718 it is recorded that Colonel conflict with Spain was not finalised Queen Anne died in 1714, the throne Olliver O’Gara’s wife [i.e. Mary] was until 1714. was given to George I, the Queen’s receiving a pension of 25 livres per Oliver and Mary’s eldest closest living Protestant relative, mensem from the Queen [Mary of son – baptised John Patrick – was though she had more than fifty closer Modena]. (Personal communication referred to in all records, other than Catholic blood relatives. George was with Edward Corp, author of A Court his baptismal certificate, simply as born in Germany. He was ruler of in Exile (Cambridge, 2004), and John. He had by 1710, at the age of Hanover, a state in the Holy Roman Professor of British History, University eighteen, already begun his military Empire; his elevation to the throne of Toulouse, France, September 2006). career in France. John was an officer of Great Britain and Ireland inspired Both Oliver O’Gara and his wife are in the regiment of infantry of Dillon in some of the English Protestants to clearly identified in the following 1710, and by 1715 he was a captain in support the Jacobite cause. extract: the regiment of the Count of Tinmouth In 1715, as pro-Jacobite Berwick.xv riots swept through parts of England, Wife of Colonel Olliver After 1715 the next listing for Ormond escaped to France around the O’Gara, who commanded the Queen’s John O’Gara is as a lieutenant colonel time of Louis XIV’s death. James III Regiment of Dragoons in France. on the reserve list in the regiment and many of the Jacobites based at She is sister to my Lord Slane who lost of Limerick in 1718, when he was Saint-Germain organised the troops. a considerable estate for his loyalty. twenty-six years of age.xvi As the They set forth for Scotland and landed She has a son unprovided for. Her regiment of Limerick was one of those there in January 1716 where James husband has a Pension, as Reformed serving in Spain it can be suggested was declared King,xi but in less than Colonel in the Court of France.xiii that John had moved there by that five weeks had to leave for France. time. In 1722, he was awarded the Shortly after his return to France the It is evident from this source that the knighthood of Santiago (Saint James). French regent exerted pressure on son who had not been provided for xvii James to transfer to the Papal States in was Oliver and Mary’s youngest son The particular award of Italy by cutting off his French pension. Joseph, who would have been nine knighthoods in Spain ‘continue to be James and his court settled for some years old in 1717. His three older recognized down to the present day time at Pesaro and Urbino in Italy and brothers John, Oliver and Charles as titles of the highest honour and

75 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 prestige'.xviii When the ‘military orders in French and translated to Spanish. regiment in exile, and their places of of chivalry’ were first established - A testimonial in his favour dated origin in Ireland. The thirteen listed in twelfth-century Spain, the orders June 1710, from De Burke, regiment are: had rules which 'combined the of Burke, Briancon. (Burke stated James Francis Fitzjames, ordinary aims of a religious order that John was an officer in Dillon's duke of Lira, brigadier, who was born with the duty of fighting the infidels’. regiment of infantry). in France of Irish mother. George xix Through the centuries the orders - A testimonial in his favour dated June Bagnal and Peter Sherlock, both became very strong and wealthy. 1715, from the Count of Tinmouth colonels, were described as being The Spanish crown took four orders, Berwick, Paris. (The count stated that born in Ireland although no place Santiago, Calatrava, Alcantara, and John was a captain in his regiment, a is given, whereas the birthplace for Montesa under its control in the gallant man and a good officer) Daniel MacSweeney, also a colonel, sixteenth century, and a fifth order, - A testimonial in his favour dated is listed as County Cork. Daniel that of Charles III, was founded in the May 1722, from James, Duke of O'Sullivan Bear, count of Berhaven, eighteenth century. The three orders Ormond, Madrid.xxiii born in Bantry, County Cork, was a of Santiago, Calatrava and Alcantara colonel in the Spanish service. Others were brought under the control of the The number of witnesses were: John Murphy from Wexford and kings of Spain, recognised by Pope or sponsors giving sworn affidavits Thomas Burke from Killonan, County Adrian VI in 1523.xx The principal varied from candidate to candidate. Limerick, both holding the rank of ecclesiastical seat for bestowing the There were twenty witnesses or lieutenant-colonel. Three captains are orders today is the Church of the four sponsors in John O'Gara’s case. listed, John Coghlan, born in County Orders in Madrid. The candidate had Their occupations were: four clerics, Offaly, Diego Pettit, born in Leinster to be nominated by the king for the three serving knights of Santiago and and Charles MacCormack, described award. Documents required from the thirteen officers in the Spanish service. simply as being born in Ireland. Robert candidate were proof of his genealogy, All were required to answer the same Lynch, born in Connacht, was a major his noble origin, his qualifications, his ten standard questions. of the Limerick regiment. Raymond personal worthiness and certificates. The clerics who supported John Burke of Ireland is just listed as an Witnesses or sponsors giving sworn O’Gara’s cause for knighthood were officer in the Spanish service. No affidavits were interviewed and Edward Fitzgerald, a Dominican, details of rank were given for Richard recorded. Two members of the Council born in County Longford; Nicholas Butler, born in Ireland. of Knights were appointed to examine Bodkin, a Franciscan, born in Galway The sponsors who agreed to the submissions, present them to the city; Nicholas Falon, a priest, born promote the cause of John O’Gara Council of Knights who then either in Connaught, Ireland, and James for the knighthood of Santiago were gave their approval or rejection of the O'Hara, described as a ‘cleric’, born obliged by the standard requirements candidate. in Connaught. of the Spanish Orders to answer a The documents of the orders The serving knights of the series of ten questions on his family are kept in the National Historical order of Santiago who supported John background, character, social status Archives in Madrid and provide O’Gara’s nomination were: Tobias and general suitability for the honour a rich source of information on Burke, knighted in 1702, born in that was to be bestowed. When the family background of the Irish Farranatlaba, County Limerick and reading the genealogical data for men and their families who were described as a captain in the Spanish John’s ancestors that was submitted awarded knighthoods by the Spanish service; Thomas Barry, knighted in by his sponsors, it is obvious that crown. All the records are available 1706, colonel of the dragoons in the they had consulted the same sources on micro film. Almost two hundred Spanish service, born in Cork city, and before giving evidence under oath. Irishmen were awarded the honour of Miles MacSweeney knighted 1714, a The fact that the same inaccuracies knighthood in various orders, from colonel in the Spanish service, born in are repeated in the genealogies by all Daniel O’Sullivan Beare in 1607 to Ballymacrice, County Limerick.xxiv twenty witnesses is further proof that Henry Borrás O’Brien in 1889.xxi The details of the thirteen a common source was used to obtain John O’Gara was recommended by army officers in the Spanish service information. Philip V, king of Spain, grandson of who were witnesses for John O’Gara’s The documents show that, on Louis XIV. nomination for knighthood are also his father's side, John's parents and In the case of John O’Gara, his preserved in the National History paternal grandparents were named documentation runs to 78 leaves in Archives in Madrid. Although some correctly. However, due to some the manuscript,xxii and the material of the records are less complete, they confusion between the names of includes: provide information on the army John’s great-grandparents and great- - A copy of his baptismal certificate, ranks attained by members of the Irish great-grandparents, the witnesses

76 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 incorrectly gave one set of his paternal Dna Maria though he has heard of her such a way that no Irish man can write great-grandparents as Thady O'Gara by his Irish friends in Madrid; and that an “O” before his name without being and Maria O'Hara. John’s paternal for the same reason he knows that the noble; and thus these houses of Ogara great grandparents were Fearghal candidate’s parents live in St. Germain and Ohara have always had this O’Gara and Isobel (Elizabeth) Taafe as they brought him up and they call letter as an indication of their ancient whereas Thady O’Gara and Una (not him their son and he calls them his and well-known nobility; and in the Maria) O’Hara were John’s great parents…….. same way the houses of Oconor and great grandparents, that is, Fearghal’s Orourke which are the suitor’s names parents.xxv To the second question he answered; following the paternal line. Have Another error names John's [concerning his relationship with the the initial “O” being equally old, grandmother's parents as Charles candidate and giving his own age] noble and distinguished in Ireland; O'Conor Donne and Mary O'Rorke. That he has no kinship with the and following the maternal line, the According to the O'Conor Donne candidate….. and that he is 50 years suitor is legitimate son of Dna Maria Genealogy,xxvi Charles' wife was old. Fleming and daughter of Reynaldo Anne O'Mulloy. However, Charles Fleming and Dna Maria Cathalina O’Conor's mother and daughter-in- To the third question he answered: Barnabal and thus he is legitimate law were both named Mary O'Rorke, [concerning the legitimacy of the descendant and great-grandson of which may have caused confusion candidates family] Dn Ricardo Fleming Baron of Slane among the witnesses. John O'Gara's That the candidate and his and Dna Cathalina Oneil daughter ancestors were described in detail in parents and grandparents on both his of the Count of Antrim; and after the 1722 by the sponsors in their responses father’s and mother’s side were born name of Barnawall the candidate is to the questions put to them as part of in legitimate marriage in accordance also great-grandson of the knight the process towards the knighthood: with the Catholic Church and that Patrick Barnwall from Cricstown and The text below is a record of the there is no illegitimacy or bastardy in that there is no Jewism, Moslem or responses given by the fourth witness this family and no son or unmarried converted blood in this family being Father Nicolas Falon and is a good man or woman and that if it were not one of the noblest Christian Catholic example of the average answers so he would have had notice of it from families in Ireland.xxviii submitted by all twenty witnesses. the Catholic Irish families and he would also know it as far as he is from To the fifth question [concerning In Madrid June 3rd 1722 Dn. Francisco the same Province as the candidate's the religion of the candidate], he Costanzo and Dn. Miguel De Perea, parents and grandparents both on his answered: knight and member of the Holy Order mother's and father's side.xxvii That he confirms what he of St. James, concerning Lieutenant answered to the previous question and Dn. Juan Ogara’s action, call the To the fourth question he answered: that he knows the candidate’s witness Dn. Nicolas Falon native of [concerning the noble origin of the grandmothers both on his mother’s Ireland, priest and head of the Hospital candidate], and father’s side are Christian of the Irish in this city, who swears That the candidate’s parents with no Jewish or Moslem blood, to tell the truth and not to reveal the and grandparents both on his mother’s and that they have never had any secret of this Act: and father’s side belong to nobility dealings with those races in whatever In answer to the first question he either following the masculine or way you may consider, and that this is answered: [concerning how well he feminine line as Dn. Oliver Ogara, well-known in Ireland and also what knows the candidate] the suitor’s father was a Member of he has heard his ancestors saying. That he knows Lieutenant the Commons from Sligo and attended Colonel Dn Juan Ogara and that he King James II last speech in Ireland To the sixth question [concerning the has heard saying he is candidate to the and descends from the Baron Dn. occupation of the candidate and his Holy Order of St. James: that he is 29 Tadeo Ogara of the House of Coolavin, family], he answered: or 30 years old and that he was born father of Dn. Juan Ogara who was That neither the candidate in St. German of France and that he the candidate’s grandfather on the nor his father nor anyone in his is son of Dn. Oliviero Ogara, native father’s side, and also father of the family has ever been merchant or of Coolavin and Dna Maria Fleming, above mentioned Dn. Oliver Ogara; barterer; that neither of them has had his legitimate wife, native of Slane that Dn. Tadeo Ogara married Dna any mean, idle or mechanical in County Sligo, Connaught, Ireland: Maria Ohara who was also noble as it occupation; that the candidate and and that he knows Dn. Oliviero, the is shown by the ‘O’ which is the initial his parents live on the salary they suitor’s father, because he has seen of her name, and which is a sign of are given in Spain and France for their him sometime, but he has never seen distinction and nobility in Ireland in military services as the candidate's

77 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 father was Colonel in France and the several generations on both sides, it that he has seen them bringing him candidate himself is now lieutenant- is hardly surprising that the sponsors up and taking care of him calling him colonel; and that the rest of his made errors in their statements. There their son, in the same way that the ancestors lived on the incomes of their are a number of inaccuracies that candidate called them his parents'.xxxvi estates, which are today confiscated relate to the genealogies and county of John O’Gara, Knight of in Ireland because of the candidate origin of Mary Fleming, John O’Gara’s Santiago was not listed in the 1724 and his parents having supported mother. Her maternal grandmother review of the regiment of Limerick James II and the Catholic religion.xxix was named as Dna Maria Catalina so one may conclude that he had Barnewall when it should have read changed to the regiment of Irlanda To the seventh question he answered: Eleanor Barnewall. Eleanor had a where he was mentioned some years That he knows the candidate sister named Catherine, who was later.xxxvii John’s career in the military rides his own horse and that he was married to John Berford.xxxii Mary's continued for a number of years as told by the officers of Limerick's paternal grandparents were given his name appeared in his reviews in Regiment that the candidate has his as Richard Fleming and Catherine the regiment of Irlanda in 1731, 1733, own arms.xxx O'Neil, legitimate daughter of the Earl 1734 and 1737. of Antrim. Richard Fleming was the In May 1727 a Lieutenant To the eighth question he answered: name of Mary's first husband, but not Colonel O’Gara was awarded a [concerning a physical challenge] the name of her grandfather. Mary's baronetcy by James III. In The Jacobite That he does not know the paternal grandparents were William Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and candidate having ever been challenged Fleming, nineteenth Baron of Slane Grants of Honour, published in 1904, by anyone. and Ann MacDonnell, daughter of the the Lieutenant Colonel O’Gara is Earl of Antrim. Ann MacDonnell's identified by the Marquis of Ruvigny To the ninth question he answered: mother was Ellis O'Neill, daughter of and Raineval as Lieutenant Colonel [concerning how his colleagues rate the third Earl of Tyrone, not daughter Oliver O’Gara, MP for County Sligo him] of the Earl of Antrim.xxxiii in 1689. Ruvigny continued with his That he knows the candidate When it came to establishing an narrative by relating further details of has never been dishonoured but he is identity for Maria Catalina's (Eleanor) Oliver’s marriage partner, the names considered a Christian knight by the Barnewall's family the sponsors were of three of Oliver’s surviving sons, officers of his regiment, ready to fulfill correct in saying that she belonged to mentioning a fourth son without his duties. the house of Sir Patrick Barnewall of naming him and naming one daughter. Crickstown, [Co. Meath], as Patrick However, it is certain that Ruvigny’s To the tenth question he answered: was Eleanor's brother. According identification is incorrect as it is to many sources, Patrick, Eleanor known that Oliver O’Gara MP was Neither the candidate nor his and Catherine were offspring of dead by 15 May 1726.xxxviii parents nor his grandparents both on Richard Barnewall second Baronet of Oliver was colonel of the his mother's and father's side nor Crickstown and Julia Aylmer.xxxiv The Queen’s dragoons in France from at any of his ancestors has ever been house of Barnewall was described least 1697, from which post he had punished; that neither the inquisition as that of 'a very old family, Papist retired on a pension by 1717. As nor any other ecclesiastical or secular landlords and barons related to the his son, John, knight of Santiago court has ever imposed a penance House of Kingsland, Viscounts of was the only member of the O’Gara on any of them; that neither of them Kingsland, whose nobility both on family who had reached the rank of has ever suffered public or secret the father's and the mother's side is so lieutenant-colonel by 1727 one may punishment, and that they have never well known among Irish people'.xxxv suggest that he was the O’Gara who been questioned of their faith; on the Some of the sponsors’ knowledge of received the baronetcy. The entry in contrary, they have risked their lives geography was rather poor: Slane was the Stuart Papers at the Royal Archives in defence of the Catholic religion and stated to be in Sligo, Connaught rather in Windsor Castle states that: lost their estates in Ireland, and that than in County Meath, Leinster. Lieut. Colonel O'Gara was made a this is well known in Ireland, and that Regarding other aspects of Knight and Baronet of Ireland by this is all he knows about what he has the candidate's life that sponsors were warrant dated 2 May 1727. He was in been asked, and thus he signs an oath asked to comment on some stated the Spanish service and it was noted as we do.xxxi that they knew either one or both of that he ‘may serve The King with John O’Gara’s parents. Robert Lynch, Success in case of necessity’. ‘Lieut. Given that the sponsors Major of Limerick regiment, stated Colonel Ogara, of good conduct, had to produce family genealogical that 'he knows the candidate's parents brave & Secret, & trusted by The information that went back over as his own acquaintances in France, Kings friends in England’ xxxix

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The review of the regiment of Irlanda September 2006. xxxv Micros 112 NP/377 exp. in 1737 is the last live record that xiv M. O’Gara-O’Riordan 5854, MM Santiago, fo. 18v. has been discovered for John (Juan). ‘Births, baptisms and deaths in xxxvi Micros 112 NP/377 exp. In 1761 when his younger brother the exiled O’Gara family after the 5854, MM Santiago, fo. 24r. Joseph was receiving the Knighthood Jacobite defeat’ The Corran Herald, xxxvii M. Walsh, ‘A Galway of Alcantara in Spain, it was noted (2009/2010 ), No. 42, pp 25-9. Officer of the Spanish Navy’, Galway that his brother Don Juan de OGara, xv M. Walsh (ed.) Spanish Archaeological and Historical Society, knight of the habit of Santiago died as Knights of Irish Origin, (1965) vol. ii, (1954/5), vol. xxvi, p. 32. a lieutenant-colonel of the regiment of p. 6. xxxviii “An Act to enable Mary Irlanda.xl xvi R. Wall, ‘Irish Officers in the OGara Widow to sue for her Jointure Spanish Service’ in Irish Genealogist, Lands.” Bills passed on 15 May 1726, (1978) vol. 5, no. 5, p. 603. House of Lords Journal, vol. 23: 1727- (Endnotes) xvii Micros 112 NP/377 exp. 5854, 1731 pp 121–41. i E. Corp, A Court in Exile MM Santiago, Archivo Historico xxxix SP/106/84 by the permission (Cambridge, 2004), p. 5. Nacional, Madrid, fo. 9r. of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. ii P. Wauchope, Patrick xviii Walsh (ed.) Spanish Knights xl Archivo Historico Nacional, Sarsfield and the Williamite War of Irish Origin, , introd. p. v. Madrid, exp. 1085, Alcántara, fo. 46r. (Dublin, 1992) p. 285. xix Ibid. iii M. O’Gara-O’Riordan xx Ibid. ‘Births, baptisms and deaths in xxi Ibid., p. vi. the exiled O’Gara family after the xxii Micros 112 NP/377 exp. 5854, Jacobite defeat’ The Corran Herald, MM Santiago, Archivo Historico (2009/2010 ), No. 42, pp 25-9. Nacional, Madrid. iv E. Ó Ciardha, Ireland and the xxiii Micros 112 NP/377 exp. Jacobite Cause, 1685–1766 (Dublin, 5854, MM Santiago, Archivo 2001), p. 102. Historico Nacional, Madrid; Walsh v Corp, Court in Exile, p. 59; (ed.) Spanish Knights of Irish Origin, Ó Ciardha, Ireland and the Jacobite pp 4–8. Cause, p. 112. xxiv M. Walsh (ed.) Spanish vi E. Ó hAnnracháin, ‘Irish Knights of Irish Origin, (1960) vol. i. involvement in the “surprise of Page number? Cremona”, 1702’ in T. O’Connor and xxv W. Betham & J. B. Burke’s M.A. Lyons (eds), Irish Communities additions c.1860 to Roger O’Ferrall,’s in Early-Modern Europe (Dublin, Linea Antiqua of 1709, vol. ii, p 151. 2006), p. 430; Ó Ciardha, Ireland and xxvi D. Mac Dermot, MacDermot the Jacobite Cause, p. 112. of Moylurg, (Nure, Manorhamilton, vii Ó hAnnracháin, ‘Irish 1996), p. 390. involvement in the “surprise of xxvii Micros 112 NP/377 exp. Cremona”’, p. 430. 5854, MM Santiago, fo. 21v viii Ó Ciardha, Ireland and the xxviii Ibid. fo. 20r. Jacobite Cause, p. 147. xxix Ibid. fo. 22v-23r. ix Corp, Court in Exile, pp xxx Ibid.fo.. 23r. 281–90. xxxi Ibid.fo. 23v. x Ibid., p. 291. xxxii S. B. Barnwell, The Irish xi Ó Ciardha, Ireland and the Genealogist, (1961), vol. 3, No. 6, p. Jacobite Cause, p. 429; Corp, Court 202. in Exile, p. 298. xxxiii J. H. Ohlmeyer, Civil War xii Corp, Court in Exile, p.p and Restoration in the three Stuart 309-14; Ó Ciardha, Ireland and the Kingdoms, The career of Randal Jacobite Cause, p. 430. MacDonnell, Marquis of Antrim, xiii Personal communication 1609-1683 (Cambridge, 1993) pp 44- with Edward Corp, author of A 5. Courtesy Padraig Doddy Court in Exile (Cambridge, 2004), xxxiv S. B. Barnwell, The Irish and Professor of British History, Genealogist, (1961), vol. 3, No. 6, p. University of Toulouse, France, 202.

79 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Ballymote Cinema to be Restored to Former Glory

John Perry T.D.

Ballymote Enterprise Company has announced the full restoration and refurbishment of Ballymote Cinema. Speaking on this matter the Chairman Deputy John Perry recently stated: “I am delighted to announce as Chair of Ballymote Enterprise Company that we are now at an advanced stage of planning the complete refurbishment of the old Cinema Building in Ballymote. Work will commence on this project within the coming weeks, and we aim to have the facility up and running by Christmas. “The building will be fully restored to its original glory, in keeping with its unique charm and characteristic “art- deco” design. It will serve as a state-of- the-art theatre/performance space with the most up-to-date sound and lighting technology, as well as a cinema. “This project will be a huge boost for Ballymote as a town. It will act as a cultural hub for the entire South Sligo region, aiding in the promotion of traditional Irish music, dance, theatre, and film. It will further enhance Ballymote’s reputation as a cultural centre as well as the tourist potential for the town. “This 220–seater theatre refurbishment will be carried out in such a way so as to remain faithful to the original unique design, and when “Art-Deco” was a major design others. completed, will retain as many of the movement worldwide in the 1920’s, “The cinema closed down in 1975 original design features of the building 30’s and 40’s. The Ballymote cinema and has been unoccupied since. But as possible, while still providing the building was one of the only such now I am very proud to be able to say most up date and modern facilities. buildings constructed in Ireland, and that the sound of music, song, dance, “One of the most unique exciting this remains the case, so certainly theatre, and film will once again fill this features of this venue will be the live it is of a very unique and historical beautiful building, and that the people link-up with Broadway Shows in New significance that these original features of Ballymote and the surrounding York. This fantastic 3-D experience are retained. region will have an entertainment will give the audience to believe “Part of the design feature of venue of international class which that they are sitting in at a show in Ballymote cinema was the high will be one of the finest and most Broadway itself. This feature has quality acoustics, for which the venue unique venues in the country. It will proven to be a huge success in Dublin was renowned. In its heyday of the I have no doubt prove a resounding theatres, and will no doubt prove 40’s 50’s and 60’s venue played host success, and will attract both national likewise in Ballymote. to many renowned luminaries of and international acts to perform.” “Built in 1947, Ballymote cinema entertainment, such as Jimmy O’Dea was an “Art-Deco” design building. and the great Maureen Potter among

80 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Buildings, Owners and Occupiers of West Side of Lord Edward Street, Ballymote, Co. Sligo

Eileen Tighe and Mary B. Timoney

West side of Lord Edward Street, formerly Market St. This work or setting down a sequencing of owners and occupiers of the buildings of Ballymote started in the 1990s when Eileen Tighe recorded Dermot Henry’s local knowledge of the town which he had heard from his mother, Mary Ann Henry, nee McGann, died 1998. Most buildings were traced back to the Griffith Valuation of the 1850s which was printed in 1857. Work on the pre- 1950 rate payers was done for some of the buildings in the Valuation Office, Dublin. The Valuation Office recorded the rate-payers; these could either be the owner, owner of the lease or the tenant, depending on each contract or agreement. Both the 1901 and the 1911 Census, which listed the occupiers of he later emigrated to America. There Ester Cassidy. They changed it to a the buildings, were also used. Some was a dressmakers upstairs where Bea grocery shop, now closed; Gerry and information was gathered from local Quigley, Jane Walsh, Ellie Davey and Ester continue to live here. Darby’s son, people. The first number in our listing Mrs. Gordan, nee Supple, worked. Thomas, had a large furniture business for each property is the number from the in Ballaghaderreen. Joe worked with his GriffithValuation . This numbering runs 5(b): Gerry & Ester Cassidy brother, Thomas. Joe retired Ballymote, from 5(a) to 23(b). Most of the dates 1858 Dominick Dowd house and yard to Carrownanty (John Meehan’s). are as from the Valuation Office records. valued £4-10-0, leased from Michael Spelling of names is as of these records. O’Brien 6: Tommy and Carmel Lavin Every effort has been made for accuracy. 1871 Darby Dowd 1858 Edward O’Brien house yard and Any further information or corrections 1901 Census (12), Darby O’Dowd, 53, office £9, leased from Sir Robert Gore- will be gratefully received. farmer, wife Margaret, sons Thomas, 26, Booth. shop assistant, John, 13, and Joseph, 12, 1862 Patrick O’Brien 5(a): Gerry & Ester Cassidy and daughters, Mary, 24, no occupation, 1867 Dominick Dowd 1858 Andrew Morrison had a house and Teresa, 18, monitors, Katie, 16, and 1882 John Brennan yard total value £6-10-0, leased from Maggie, 14. 1890 James Hannon Michael O’Brien. He was followed by 1911 Census (13), Darby O’Dowd, Hannon’s drapery and shoe shop. John Patrick O’Brien farmer and widower, daughters, Mary, Toolan worked here. James, a brother Andrew Walsh now 28, no occupation, Teresa, now of Matthew, married Ellen, a sister of Ann Leonard 25, N. T., and Margaret, now 22, lace Luke Hayden, in 1891. They lived in John Cunningham instructress. Thomas, John, Joseph and Gaol Street. They had 5 sons, Thomas, 1880 Andrew Walsh Katie not listed. Walton, Leo, John and Bernard. James 1901 Census (17) Anne Walsh, 50, 1924 Mary O’Dowd Hannan was member of the Irish Land b. Gurteen, boarding house with two The Hibernian Bank had temporary League and at times held the office of boarders, Gertyde McMahon, 25, offices here, probably while their Vice President and President. He was telegraph, b. Westport, and Maggie premises were being renovated across a member of Sligo County Council Marren, 19, dress maker, b. Doocastle. the road. Darby’s son, Johnny O’Dowd, from c. 1899 to 1929. In 1895, he was 1911 Census (14) Anne Walsh, 72, and his daughters, Mary and Tess, a a Justice of the Peace for the county widow. National Teacher, had a stationary and (Hannan 2000-2001, 2-3). 1921 Darby Dowd now held 5(a) and 5 book shop here. Then it passed to their 1901 Census (11) James Reath, drayman, (b) niece, Pauline Tighe, nee Healy. Pauline 28, b. Co. Louth, wife, Annie, 28, b. Co. A Walsh man had a shoe shop here, leased it and later sold it to Gerry and Meath, children, Patrick, 4, John, 3, and

81 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Mary,1. the bicycle shop. children, Mary, 12, and John Joe, 10, 1911 Census (12) Owen Cleary, tailor, 1966 Vacant assistants Mary Feely, John Cunnane 36, his wife Mary, 32, daughters, Mary, 1974 Desmond Johnson. Des Johnson and Edward Cunnane, visitor Margaret 8, and Winnie, 2, and baby, Edward. had a pub here c. 1960s. Nolan and a charity boarder, Pat Coyle. In 1901 and 1911, James Hannon had Tom Johnson and his wife had a gift In 1901 Matthew was in what is now the shop and Reath and Cleary would shop here. Hayden’s on the other side of the road. have had the living quarters. Hannons sold the hotel and went to live In 1959 Tommy and Carmel Lavin 8: Tom Johnson in Dublin. acquired it for a shop selling menswear 8 and 9 became one before 1901 The hotel had 24 rooms in 1911 (pers. and shoes. Today Tommy and Carmel com. Keenan Johnson, Senior). Bernie live in the house and their daughter, 1858 Michael Flynn house and yard, Flannery and brother, Paddy, ran it in the Margaret McCarthy, runs a ladies’ total value £3, leased from Robert L. 1930s, until it became bankrupt. Vacant, clothes shop here. Morrison then Mrs. Margaret Johnson, in 1933, 1880 Obadiah Stewart bought it. Her daughter, Martha ran it, 1883 Robert L. Morrison bank officials and commercial travellers William Sleator, 1892 Gore-Booth stayed in it and there was a shop and lessor restaurant in it. Jim Hogg’s wife, Molly Robert L Robinson Redican, was the first bar maid. In 1901 Census (9), Harriette Morrison, 28, September 1949 lodgers were no longer hotel proprietoress; niece, Eva Morrison taken and it was just a bar and grocery. 14; boarder, Robert Gordon, 27, bank Keenan Johnson, Senior, lived in it and cashier, b. Co. Antrim, and servants, had his practice here before 1947. Margaret Dowd, 20, and William Des Johnson, Margaret and Thomas’ Anderson, 18. son, ran it as a furniture store. Part was 1902 Susan ? rented to Jim Hogg for a butcher’s shop. 1903 Harriett ? Tom Johnson, Des’ nephew, Kevin’s 1905 Mathew Hannon son, has the furniture business there today with Joe McNulty. 9: Tom Johnson Robert L. Morrison house, office and 10: Vacant land total value £18, leased from Sir 1858 John Cawley, house, office and Robert Gore-Booth yard total value £6-15-0, leased from Hotel Robert L. Morrison 1905 Matthew Hannon 1876-1878 value increased to £8-5-0 7: Tom Johnson 1901 Census (8), John Cawley pub, 1858 Stuart Irwin house yard and office 9 and 10 widower, aged 74, and his children total valuation £14, leased from Sir 1921 B.J. Flanery John, 30, assistant, daughter Anne, 26, Robert Gore-Booth Margaret Johnson in 1933 assistant, and servant Mary Towhey, 32. 1873 Jane Irwin John Hogg 1911 Census (9), John Cawley, 48, 1879 Stuart Irwin 1911 (10) Census Matthew Hannon, merchant, wife Theresa, 29, daughter, 1880 Obadeah Stewart publican, with his wife and two daughter, Mary Ellen, 4, and servant 1884 vacant Kate O’Hara, 18. 1885 Robert L. Morrison After 1911 John and Theresa moved 1892 Miss Heyden their business to O’Connell Street. 1901 Census (10) Richard Tomplin, Batty Cawley, their son, ran it as pub solicitor, 28, b. Co. Cork and grocery; today it is Aidan and Gerri 1901 Census (10.1) Lizzie Hayden, 23, Tighe’s newsagency and gift ware. draper, b. Co. Roscommon, her sister, 1923 Mrs. Margaret Johnson ran a pub Nannie, 19, draper assistant, visitor, here for a short period. The Johnsons Maud Feeley, draper assistant, b. Co. moved from here to Creamery Rd. Leitrim, 16, and domestic servant, Bessy 1924 Bernie Flannery of hotel McGowan, 20. 1928 John V. Kerr, chemist; he lived in 1909 James Hannon Teeling St., where Vinne McDonagh 1911 Census (11) described as a lives today. warehouse, no inhabitants. 1952 Harry Horan chemist, wife Colette, 1921 M.J. Kevins Paddy Rogers’ sister 1924 M.C. Kevins Christine Lennon, chemist Kevins bicycle shop Paddy Kearney, chemist shop 1932 John J. Begley Vacant John-Joe and Margaret Begley continued

82 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

11: Closed and general servants, William O’Harrd, 7, and Margaret, 4. His niece, Lillie Patrick McGetterick, leased from 62, and John Meehan, 15. Smith, 18, a shop assistant, and two Thomas Mullen, house, office and 1920 John Benson boarders William Beresford, 29, a bank garden total value £6-15-0 John Benson, drapers, wife, Jane Walsh, official, and William Watson, 26, a 2nd 1862 James Mullen a dress maker; they had four children, Class Custom and Excise Officer, were Martin Rogers, uncle of Pat James Annie, Maisie, Kathleen and Johnny. in the house on the night but not their Rogers, T.D. Lizzie Brady served her time here. children, Marjorie and John. This is 1876 Bridget Phillips Kathleen married Dan Coleman, Maisie Perry’s Supermarket today. 1901 Census (7), Bedilia Philips, 60, married Paddy McGovern, son of James 1905 Kate O’Rorke publican and shop keeper, single, and and Maggie (above 1905 and 1907) 1907 Sarah Wilson her niece, Maria McGolderick, 28, shop Paddy McGovern went to America and 1910 Miss McGowan assistant. on returning bought Roscrib House. 1911 Census (6), Jane McGowan, 1911 Census (8), Bedilia Philips, 1974 Kathleen Coleman 56, shop keeper, single; niece, Annie publican, single, now 82, and Maria John and Kathleen Hogge Connolly, 12, b. Glasgow; lodgers, McGolderick, 39, niece, shop assistant, Sharon Ford, now Perry, hairdresser Winnie Condon, 20, scholar, Marlen nieces, Netta, 17, and Lizzie Healy, 14, Joe McNulty rented it to Margaret O’Connor, 35, b. Co. Clare, examiner both b. Co. Leitrim, and Mary Greham, Lavin Ordnance Survey, married, and Keady 18, domestic servant. Vacant Flynn, 41, b. Sligo, civil servant 1921 Maria McGolderick Siobhan’s Hairdressing Salon Ordnance Survey, single, and domestic 1931 Louis Harte, brother of Canon servant, Kate Davey, 25. Peter Harte, P.P., Ballymote 1927 Thomas Johnson. The Johnsons 1940 Thomas Keenan moved here from Creamery Rd. 1974 Michael Gannon 1928 Mrs. Margaret Johnson, Tommy Keenan’s pub; his brother, newsagency, books and fancy goods. Henry, lived with him in the 1930s. She changed it to a chemist shop with Michael Gannon and wife, Mary. Mr. Wrixon, chemist, from Cork. He Phil Davey lived in Ballymote, where David Johnny Davey Mulaney auctioneer is today, he later Eugene Irwin, Hugo’s bar went to Collooney in 1930s. McNulty Richard Molloy. Richard married Closed Margaret Johnson’s daughter, Martha, and the Molloys ran a chemist shop 12: Siobhan’s hairdressing salon here. They later moved across the road to run a drapery and pub. 1858 Edward G. Hunt, house, office Sheila Johnson had her chemist shop and yard total value £3, leased from Sir here. She closed the shop in the 1980s Robert Gore-Booth and continues to live here.

12(a): James Cregg leased from William Reddican 13: Rochford and Gallagher, Solicitors. 1873 - Cawley 12 (b): Sheila Johnson 1874 Charles - Michael Fox 1858 John McElroy, house, office and 1879 Michael Preston 1873 John –erins yard total value £3-17-0, leased from Sir 1884 Vacant 1879 Patrick Hoey Robert Gore-Booth 1886 James Henderson 1886 Henderson Richard Sharkett 1901 Census (6), James Henderson, Vacant 1879 Patrick Dawson bootmaker, 50, his wife, Charlotte, 36 1887 Christopher Smith 1901 Census (4), Patrick Dawson, and sons, Abraham,15, and James, 8, 1901 Census (5), Christopher Smith, 38, Publican, 58, b. Co. Mayo, and wife, daughter, Maggie, 16, and his brother- leather merchant, wife, Margaret, 35, Mary, 30, son, Michael, 10, daughters in-law, Thomas Sleator, a postman. daughters, Elizabeth, 9, and Marjorie, Delia, 11, Nora, 8, Lillie, 6, and Gertie, 1904 Hayden 5, and sons John, 7, Edward, 3, and 3, sister-in-law, Lizzie Anderson, 19. 1905 James McGovern, butcher Christopher, 1, shop assistant, James Mary and Lizzie were sisters of Charlie 1907 Margaret McGovern Girvan, 14, domestic servant, Mary Anderson, Mill Street. After James’ death Maggie McGovern Finnegan, 18, nurse servant, Mary 1911 Census (5), Patrick Dawson, spirit married Thomas Carrol. Lenehan, 14, and messenger Michael merchant, 70, b. Co. Mayo, wife Mary, 1911 Census (7), Thomas Carrol, 50, McFadden, 14. 42, Delia, 21, shop assistant, Nora is butcher, b. Co. Leitrim, wife, Maggie In 1911 Census Christopher Smith, a listed as Norrie and is a shop assistant McGovern, 36, stepdaughters, Winnie, general merchant and J.P., now 49, lived and Gertie as Gilly,18. 15, and Josie, 5, stepson, Paddie, 13, in 22, Gaol St, with wife, Margaret, now 1916 Maria Dawson lodger, Celia P. Egan, 26, shop assistant, 47; children born since 1901: Lewis, 1931 Delia Dawson. She lived here

83 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 with her sister, Gertie. 1921 James Rogers recently married. 1950 Thomas Rogers 1923 Michael McAndrew 1912 John Keenan 1950 Tommy Rogers and wife Bridget, 1925 P. Flannery 1926 Mrs. Margaret Johnson, nee Garda Sergeant in Co. Offaly(?), brother 1927 John V. Kerr, Keenan, lived here with her husband, of Pat James Rogers, T.D. She ran it as 1928 Michael McAndrew, drapery, with Tom Johnson. They moved to Johnson a pub. his wife, Kate Sheridan. They had four house, Gurteen Rd. and back again. Rented to A.I.B. children, Michael, Margaret, John and They also lived where Sheila Johnson is Closed Noel. today (no. 12). Rochford and Gallagher Michael, son of Michael McAndrew, 1929 Pat Cawley with his wife, Sarah Coleman. They Paddy Cawley, drapery and 14: Ballymote Pharmacy had four children, John and Catherine, confectionery; he had been assistant in It became one house with 15 before Declan and Raymond. Joe Healy’s drapery shop. He married 1911. Closed Annie Durcan. They had six children, John Dyer, house, office and garden Ballymote Pharmacy Gerry, Maura, Aidan, Liam, Eamonn total value £9, leased from Sir Robert and Carmel. Eamonn was killed, by a Gore-Booth fall, on Keash hill on Garland Sunday 1879 Catherine Dyer (1954?) 1907 George Morris Closed 1910 Vacant James Duffy, Keash, farm accountant. 1915? Temporary Barracks, now surrendered 17: Closed 1911? Francis Dyer John Fox house, office and garden total 1921 James Rogers value £5, leased from Joseph Loughhead, 1924 J. McAndrew M.D. 1926 Michael McAndrew 1879 Eliza Fox 1928 Mrs. Margaret Rogers Patrick Barlow, in 1890 he also held 6 1952 Michael McAndrew acres of land in Camros P. Downey, (Alfie), rented as a butcher 1901 Census (1), Patrick Barlow, 43, shop publican, wife, Brigid, 41, daughters, In 1950s Charlie Dyer sold sweets here Mary, 9, Ellen, 7, Brigid, 6, and Kate, 1975 Scanlon and Irwin 4. Closed, McAndrews joined it to their 1911 Census (1), Patrick Barlow, drapery shop, next door. publican, now 56, wife Bridget, 52, John Joe Kielty, printer three daughters, Mary not here. Andy Robus photocopying, computers, 1933 Kathleen McCarron, (Kate), son-in-law of Peter O’ Connor, 16: James Duffy married Bernard McCarron and they photographer. George Bell house, office and garden had a daughter, Mary B. Siobhan Hair Salon total value £4-10-0, leased from Joseph 1938 James McGetterick Ballymote Pharmacy Loughhead, M.D. Pub Jim McGetterick; he married in, she This became one with No. 15 at different James Kearns was Katie O’Gara; May, their daughter stages; in both 1901 and 1911 Census 1873 Michael Keenan from Gore Booth married Michael Donlan. and during McAndrew’s time. 1896. 1901 Census (3) Francis Dyer, 50, 1901 Census (2), Michael Keenan, 68, grocer, single, his sister, Brigid, shop shopkeeper, wife, Anne, 54, sons, John, Closed assistant, 55, niece, Margaret Sheridan, 26, and Patrick, 20, shop assistants, 20, Sheila O’Neill, cafe shop assistant, 25, and servant Mary daughters Kate, 23, N.T., later married Yvonne McGowan and her sister Gannon, 47. Lipset, and Margaret, 18, telephonist. Michelle had the cafe and James Drew 1911 Census (4) Francis, now 63, Anne was Anne Wims and she was aunt offices upstairs. sister Bridget, now 73, niece, Margaret to Canon Pat Wims. Kate was a teacher Sheridan, 35, shop assistant, and servant in Drumcormac National School. She 18: John Keenan house, office and yard Mary McGuin, 16. married Willy Lipset and they ran M Ó with a total value of £5 leased from Cianain photo shop, now Droughton’s Joseph Loughhead, M.D. 15: Ballymote Pharmacy Teeling Street. Their daughter, Nuala, Michael Keenan James Dyer, house and garden, total married Sean Droughton, a custom 1879 leased from Bartley Coghlan value £1-15-0, leased from Sir Robert and excise officer. Margaret married 1884 Vacant Gore-Booth Tom Johnson, Post Master, they had six 1889 Police Barracks 1897 Vacant children, Keenan, Kevin, Des, Shelia, 1901 R.I.C. 1896 Francis Dyer with new total value Martha and Monica. 1902 lessor Kate Coghlan of £7 1911 Census (2), John Keenan, 40, 1908 Martin Beirne 1911 Vacant shopkeeper, wife Elizabeth, aged 29, 1920 R.I.C. Barracks burnt one night in

84 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

August 1921 raised by Bingo in Loftus Hall, some McElroy 1923 Commissioner of Public Works, of the directors were Paddy Mullen, Tom Johnson Ruins John Meehan, Eamon Gannon, Tommy Sid Ruddy 1934 Munster and Leinster Bank Lavin, John McMenimen Garda, Paddy McElvanny Becomes one with 19 at some stage, Gerry Cassidy, Neal Farry and Tom Paddy Mullen possibly as a barracks McGetterick. Jerry Callaghan Sheds at back, Dan Brennan, sadlier, Elaine Harrison 19: Robert Clarke house, office and Des Johnson for weighing pigs and Dwelling until Paddy McElvanny’s garden total value £5, leased from ESB office and a Magee man, cobbler time Joseph Loughhead, M.D. who lived in a room upstairs in main 1862 Patrick McGetterick building. 23(a) and (b): Ulster Bank 1879 Vacant, lessor now Bartley Reconstructed under an ANCO social Henry Williams house, (a) offices and Coghlan employment funded scheme garden total value £18 and (b) land just 1889 Margaret Coghlan Ballymote Community Centre over two acres total value £3-5-0 1902 Kate Coghlan Northwest Health Board Ulster Bank from Sir Robert Gore- See 18 Bank Munster and Lenister Health Service Executive Booth Bank The weighbridge was situated in front 1870 Ulster Bank 1941 Garda Barracks of the Market House. Today the cover 1873 John Corry Vacant of it has been placed near its original 1875 James C. Tew 1901 Census and 1911 Census, only position. Hay and cattle were weighed 1901 Census (26) Joseph Tew, bank gives the initials of the constabulary, outside and turkeys and wool inside the manager, 58, wife, Harriet, 48, step- and occupation of their fathers, e.g., Market House. daughters, Winifred, 20, Kathleen, 17 farmer’s son. John Diamond displayed headstones and Gladys, 15, and servant, Brigid along the side of the Market House and Higgins, 68. 20 & 21: Market House, Market-house he came out from Sligo for orders on Ulster Banking Co. and yard, tolls of markets, and garden Market Day. 1911 Census (30), William Adams, bank held by Sir Robert Gore-Booth manager, 41, wife Agnes, 34, daughters, Ballymote Credit Union Muriel, 5, Emily, 3 and baby Elsie, and 1901 Census (27) Isabella Steele, weigh In 1947 Keenan Johnson, senior, bought domestic servant, Belinda Heaver, 18. mistress, widow, daughter, Isabella, 28, a site, part of the Market House land teacher, and servant, Sara Jane Flaherty, and built a solicitor’s office, with living References 18. quarters upstairs which were rented. Hannan, Michael, 2000-2001: 1911 Census (28) Isabella Steele, weigh Tommy Tighe bought the building “Remembering James Hannan”, The mistress, widow, 72, daughter Lily, 38, and practice. Keenan Johnson, junior, Corran Herald, 33, 2-3. and servant, Maggie Kevins, 17. served his apprenticeship with Tommy Kielty, Jim, 2005-2006 “Ballymote Mrs. Steele lived in the Market House. here, and he bought both back c. 1984. Public Houses, from 1910 to the Present” A Mrs. Steele, Ardcarn, Sligo, was Ballymote Credit Union in 1990s. in The Corran Herald, 38, 40. buried in Emlaghfad graveyard in April Tighe, Sean, 1998-1999, “Ballymote 1920 (Emlaghfad Parish records). 22: Post Office Garda Station”, The Corran Herald 1919 Congested District Board Exemptions Police Barrack, office 1998-1999, 31, 24-25. 1923 Ballymote Electric Lighting Co. and yard leased from Sir Robert Gore- Timoney, Catherine, and Cryan, and Town Improvement Committee Booth Orla, 1999-2000: “Ballymote Street The building was called the Power 1889 John Coleman Furniture”, The Corran Herald, 32, 46- House, run by Town Improvement 1901 Census (16), John Gorman, Ch. 47. Committee, some of its members were of Ireland, 54, wife, Elizabeth, 51, sons, Griffith Valuation, otherwise known as Frank Sharkey, Owen Brehony, Thomas Joseph, 22, Candidate B.A. T.C.D., The Primary Valuation. Regan, Tom Johnson and Patrick Francis, 20, clerk and telephonist, John, Valuation Office records Rogers. 15, Arthur, 13, and Frederick, 9, John 1901 Census 1947 Town Improvement Committee Craven, P.O. assistant, 20, and Bridget 1911 Census owned Market House, Fair Green Duffy, servant, 21. Ballymote Parochial Census 1932 collected tolls on Fair days. 1905 John Gorman Postmaster Thomas James Gallagher, Marren Park, 1911 Census (29) Elizabeth Gorman We thank Dermot Henry, Keenan son of Hughie who worked in Mill, was with her son, Francis, Bridget Duffy, Johnson, Senior, Tommy Lavin and caretaker of Power House and did the servant, 30, and boarder, Robert Wright, Gerry and Ester Cassidy for filling out weighing, followed by Tim Healy, big 24, Two Day Custom and Excise Officer, many details in the sequences. Jim Reynolds and then Dermot Henry b. Co. Down. just weighing. 1926 Elizabeth Gorman It became Youth Centre c. 1960, funds Dowling

85 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 Ballymote Handball Alley 1910 - 2010 David Casey

Handball has a long and distinguished McCormack of Swinford. history in the Ballymote area. An The following piece was written by ‘The records also tell us that the first ordnance survey map of Ballymote - the late John Benson for the souvenir committee elected to administer the 1837 - shows a ball-alley on or near its programme in 1970: affairs of Handball in Ballymote was present location. The Sligo Champion composed of the following- Michael reported in January 1890 that a meeting Ballymote’s Handball Past Walsh of O’Connell St. (chairman), was held in the National school room, Joseph Healy of Main St. (Secretary) Ballymote, for the purpose of building ‘Visitors to the recently reconstructed in addition to Frank McDonagh of a ballcourt in the Fairgreen, Ballymote. ballcourt in Ballymote will have O’Connell St., Batt Henry, N.T., Tom The site was given by Sir Henry Gore just cause to marvel at the amazing McManus, William Lipsett, Thomas Booth. A committee was appointed: transformation that has been wrought on Regan and James Fraser. Also Tom President, Rev. P J O’Grady, CC ; the old open court that has served many Scully and John Albert Farry, who was Treasurer, James Flanagan; Hon. Sec. former generations of handballers. secretary for fourteen years. John Cogan ; Committee: Bernard The new alley serves as an imposing ‘All the above and possibly many Cogan, James Frazer, Patrick Dockery, monument to the boundless zeal and others were associated, in one way or James W Gaffney, Matthew Hannon, never ceasing endeavour of Michael another, with the handball game in the James Hannon, Michael McGlynn, and Hannon and his small band of loyal and early stages and can be said to be the Patrick Coghlan. It was decided to hold industrious co-workers. To those men early pioneers of the game in the district. a collection to raise funds and to have all credit is due for not alone keeping With the passage of the years younger a concert if more funds were needed. alive a game that had all but died but for blood was introduced to the game. One The report concluded: ‘For many years putting it on a new plane to an extent has nostalgic memories of the stirring this project has been contemplated, but where Ballymote is now looked upon as challenge games that were a feature now the young men of the town, having one of the key handball strongholds in of the sporting life of Ballymote in the no other amusement during the summer the country at the present time. twenties and thirties. Who can forget evenings, have determined that it shall ‘All this has not been accomplished by those exhibition games on Sundays succeed with the success it deserves. The the touch of a magic wand however, for when such worthy exponents as the meeting shortly afterwards adjourned.’ many obstacles had to be surmounted Hannon brothers, Michael, Patrick and The present ball-alley was built 100 before the dream eventually became a Luke battled against the equally famous years ago in 1910. reality. It is therefore opportune at this Regan family, John Thomas, Michael Progress report: juncture to journey back, in retrospect, Joe and Vincent. 1910 Original alley built. over the years to a period approximately ‘Others who made quite an impression 1953 One side wall leaning dangerously, 60 years ago, at which point handball in the handball code around this period removed and rebuilt; side walls raised, activities in Ballymote began to be were Gardai Kilmuray (now retired in followed by new back wall and new recorded. The old handball alley was Dundrum Co Dublin) and T. Lowry (at floor. Total cost 500 pounds. built in about the year 1910 by a man present in Galway), Patsy Gallagher, 1955 Gallery, with dressing room, named Thomas Anderson of Marlow, Jack Meehan, Johnny Price, Jack Hoey, added. Cost 300 pounds on the site of the present alley, leased and also the Donegans who enthralled 1957 1st All-Ireland Semi-Final. by Sir Jocelyn Gore-Booth. Among us with some stylish exhibitions. Val 1964 Side walls raised to standard 24 the players who frequented the alley in Henry N.T., has continued to play the feet, gallery extended and raised. Cost those early years were Michael Egan of game right down the years and his sons, 200 pounds. Carrownanty and Thomas McManus Justin, Marcus, Raymond and Dermot 1967 New roof installed. Contractors (senior), and this pair we learn, are have added lustre to the game in the – Keenan Bros., Ltd. of Muine Bheag. credited with having won the first Ballymote and Sligo colours. Another Total cost 1,400 pounds . tournament sponsored by the local club. fine handballer of this era was Mickey 1968 Wiring and lighting for night Other prominent exponents of the period Price of Keenaghan, who also featured play, installed and interior snowcemed. were John Barnes, N.T., Tommy Doddy, much in college handball spheres. Cost 150 pounds. Thomas McManus (junior), Michael ‘Let us now move on to the early forties Morrison, the Spellman brothers of when the shadows of war disrupted The sources of above funds were Moygara, John Hannon of Grattan St., sport of all kinds. Handball was no town collections, raffles, dances, 25 John Andrew Dockry, John Joe and exception and for about ten years hardly drives, members’ fees, gates, grants James Dockry, John Joe McEniff, Paddy a ball was played in the fast-decaying from G.A.A., and balance raised by way McGovern, Owen Cunnane, Batty alley. It then appeared that a game, that of loan. Healy, John Joe Lane of Ballintogher, had for so long been synonymous with The labour was all voluntary except Vincent Cunningham, Dick McNulty sport in Ballymote, was quickly dying. for the roofing contractors. and Jim Hunt of Gurteen, also Paddy And well it might have been but for the

86 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011 unflagging and unyielding enthusiasm to the county while the Hannon brothers Henry in the Souvenir programme for of Michael Hannon who rallied to the Michael (Junior) and Joey, won honours the official opening and blessing of cause. Michael gathered around him a for the Ballymote club at County and Ballymote ball-alley in 1970. The article small band of enthusiasts that included Provincial levels. Minor All-Ireland was titled Elmnaghnaughton – A Nursery Mickey Cunnane, Tim Daly, the late honours in softball singles were won for Handballers.Batt Henry along with Mickey Scanlon of Teeling St., Miko by Marcus Henry in consecutive years a small group of handball enthusiasts Hannon, Eamonn Hannon, Michael F while the same player, partnered by built a handball alley at mlaghnaughton Hannon, John P Hannon, Des Walsh, John Gaffney, won the National doubles in 1923. Then in 1926 Batt and the local Jim Finn, the Cassidy family of Emmet title in Junior Softball in 1967. National handball committee replaced this ball- St., Paddy Reynolds, Fonso Sheridan, League honours came to the Club in alley with a modern full sized regulation and others. the previous year and those involved in ballcourt. This was the first back-walled ‘These men set to work to raise funds this fine victory were Des Walsh, Jim court to be built in Co. Sligo and it was for the new project and gradually the Finn, Marcus Henry, Frank Cawley and a venue for inter-county championship work took shape. The late Frank King the redoubtable Eamonn Hannon. The games for many years. engineered the venture. Great credit following year the club was beaten in must also be accorded to the following the National League final by Wexford. local tradesmen who gave much of their Then in 1969 the Club won the All- Handball in 1970s time and labour to the building of the Ireland Club Championship, the players Looking back to 1970 and the following new alley- Mick Gildea, Tommy Duffy, responsible for this were Des Walsh, years, there were many people playing Joe Flannery, Paddy Egan, Pat Scanlon Marcus Henry, Eamonn Hannon, and handball both young and old. The facility of Carrigans and the late Pat Mullen of Josie Mattimoe. Those are but a small of the roofed and floodlit ballcourt was a Teeling St.. Tim Daly supervised the fraction of the successes achieved by the great boost to the game in the region. The electrical installation and all through Ballymote handballers down the years late Michael Hannon and the handball gave unstintingly of his time and labour and, if one is to judge by the present committee gave great encouragement to as he had done in other sporting activities dedication shown by the younger the younger players. There was a lot of in the town from the time of his arrival members, the future seems to hold even sport in playing, even if it was only a here in the mid forties. greater promise for handball in this area. game of side-alley. There were often two ‘Mention must also be made here of The installation of lights a few years or three such games going on at the same good work rendered by such as Alfie ago has enabled players to get in many time with others waiting to come in to Banks, Leo Hannon, Johnny Kilcoyne, extra hours of practice while the new play. Many of the young players learned Noellie and Michael Healy, Alo Ward, roof has made the game independent of how to play handball in this way and Alfie Scanlon, John J. Gorman, Michael weather conditions. Handballers come practiced anywhere they could, against McGettrick, Gerald Murtagh and Mick regularly from such places as Collooney, a wall at school etc. The organisation of Hever. To bring the alley to its present Charlestown, Boyle, Gurteen, Sligo, games by the club fostered an interest imposing state took many years of Kilaville, Tubbercurry, Curry, Tulsk, in handball in the young players. hard work but all those involved in the etc. Special mention must be made There were many successes in the venture have the satisfaction of seeing a here of the contribution being made to handball court in the years following most edifying and fruitful conclusion to the club by G.W.I., Collooney, many of the official opening in 1970. Eamon their labours. whose employees are valuable members Hannon (RIP) and Paddy Walsh won ‘Let us turn now for a brief moment to of the club. the All-Ireland Junior Softball Doubles the game of handball itself and see what ‘In conclusion, we would appeal to all championship in 1974. The Minor strides have been made in that direction the young boys in the locality to interest Hardball Doubles All-Ireland went to down the years. Successes at county, themselves in what is fast becoming one Francis McCann and Michael Porter in provincial and national level have been of the most popular games in the world. 1976. numerous. Harking back to 1947 we Far Colaiste Mhuire, Ballymote won have the pleasure in recalling Sligo’s beyond our shores, in such regions the All-Ireland colleges handball first and only success in Senior Softball as Canada and the U.S.A., handball is championship in 1976. The members doubles championship when Joe Bergin played even more widely than is the of the victorious team were Francis and Jim O’Rourke of Ballisodare won case here at home. McCann, Michael Porter, John Cawley, through. ‘N.B. In chronicling the names of Padraig Hurley, Jim Dockry and Colm ‘Then we had to wait until Des Walsh the many people who in one way or Conway. of Collooney won for Co. Sligo the another were associated with Ballymote In 1977 the Colaiste Mhuire Ballymote first Junior singles in 1961. By this win handball, it is quite possible that memory team, Pat Dockry (RIP), Padraig Dessie had set a very high standard for has lapsed in the case of some and, if Hurley, Jude Cassidy, Jim Dockry, Sligo handballers to maintain. But in such be the case, we humbly apologise to Francis McCann, Tommy Connell, John later years the Sligo star won even greater those whose names we have omitted.’ Cawley were winners of the All-Ireland honours and esteem until finally in 1966 Senior Singles, Senior Doubles, Junior he won the Co. Handballer of the year Doubles, and runners-up in Juvenile award. Also Dessie’s two brothers Paddy Handball in Emlaghnaughton was Doubles. Trainer Michael Hannon and Raphael, gave honourable service the subject of an article by the late Val (RIP). Teachers Tommy Kelly and

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Brendan McLoughlin. and Francis McCann was the winner of played handball for Ballymote and Co. Ballymote Community games the Masters ‘A’ All-Ireland Singles title Sligo for many years . Tony and Martin handball team in 1977 was Pat Egan in the same year. Meehan won a Co. Sligo minor doubles (RIP), Martin Golden, Tommy Connell, The 2002 Masters ‘A’ Doubles All- championship. Padraig McCann and Jude Cassidy. Ireland winners were Francis McCann Tony was Secretary of Ballymote Francis McCann and Michael Porter and Michael Porter. Also in 2002 Handball club. He was also secretary were winners of the U21 Hardball Michael Porter won the Master ‘A’ of Sligo County Board for three years. Doubles All-Ireland in 1979. Singles All-Ireland. In 1996 he became club Secretary of St. In 2005 Martin Golden won the Masters Comans in Roscommon, a position he Handball in the 1980s and 1990s ‘B’ All Ireland Singles championship. held for 10 years. Tony also served as The 1980 Vocational schools All- Seamus Duffy and Pat Sullivan of St Roscommon County Chairman and on Ireland Singles title was won by Padraig Mary’s club were winners of the Emerald the Ard Comhairle of the Irish Handball McCann. In the Senior Doubles, Masters ‘B’ All-Ireland Doubles 40 by Council. He continued his playing Padraig McCann and Padraig Cawley 20 in 2005. career with Roscommon and won an All- were winners. In 2006 Seamus and Pat won the 60 by Ireland Masters doubles 60 by 30 title The 1981 Junior Softball Doubles All- 30 All-Ireland title. with Mickey Walsh. He won three more Ireland was won by Francis McCann Paddy Walsh has won many All- All-Ireland titles with Stephen French and Michael Porter. Ireland Masters handball titles in singles in the Masters 40 by 20 ‘B’ doubles, In 1982 Padraig McCann and Jude and doubles including 3 consecutive with Martin Bruen in the Masters 60 by Cassidy were members of the Sligo Diamond Masters ‘A’ Doubles titles 30 ‘B’ doubles, and P.J. Moran in the Regional Technical College team which with Mick Kelly. Golden Masters ‘A’ doubles. Tony also won the All-Ireland Higher Education Paddy Walsh and Pauric May won a won a number of Garda national titles. Colleges Handball Championship and Masters Doubles in 2009. Paddy Walsh Every good wish to Tony in his tenure as League double. The other members also received the Special Achievement President of the Irish Handball Council. were Joe Melvin, Ballaghaderreen, and award at the National Handball Awards Conor O’Donnell, Bundoran. in December 2009. The Annual Michael Grateful thanks to: Martin Sweeney was the winner of Hannon memorial cup in 2009 was very Peggy and Dessie Walsh the All-Ireland Junior Softball Singles well supported and was won by the Jude Cassidy and Gerry Cassidy in 1983. The GAA Yearbook, ‘Gaelic Sligo-Leitrim combination of Seamus Martin Golden Stars’ selected Padraig McCann as a Duffy and Jamie Murray. Eamon Tighe Francis McCann GAA Sports star of the year in 1983. and Mathew Davey won a 60 by 30 Martin Casey (RIP) was a member Under-16 Connacht title in 2009. Sources: of the University College Galway Sligo Champion, Saturday, January 25th teams which won the Irish Universities This is a brief look at handball in , 1890. Ballymote Items Colleges Handball championships in Ballymote and Ballymote ball-alley Sligo GAA 125 History 1884-2009 1983 and 1984. in the past 100 years. There are many – Incorporating- A Centenary History In 1987 Francis McCann and Simon others who have participated in handball 1884-1984 Edited by Tommy Kilcoyne. Davey won the All-Ireland Junior by playing the game, and supporting the Chapter 17 (Champion Handballers Hardball Doubles championship. club over the years. and Hurling Men). Handball Sligo In 1991 Francis McCann won the GAA History (1984 – 2009) by John 40 by 20 Junior Singles All-Ireland Ballymote ball-alley has continued to McLoughlin. Championship. Brian Meehan and host championhip games in the 60 by Souvenir Programme produced for Francie Cawley won the Golden Masters 30 game. In recent years the Ballymote the Official opening and blessing of Doubles All-Ireland title in 1996. was one of the venues in Co. Sligo for Ballymote Sligo defeated Galway and Mayo in a the One-Wall handball championships Handball Alley 1910 – 1970. Including special one-off Team of Ten competition between 1999 and 2008. reproduction of the article Ballymote’s which celebrated the 75th anniversary The Ballymote handball committee Handball Past written by the late John of the Handball Council in 1999.The have worked hard to keep the game Benson. members of the Sligo team were Shane going and keep the ball-alley up to Notes from Emlaghnaughton – A Bruen, Kevin Meehan, Francis McCann, standard. A new floor was built in some Nursery for Handballers by the late Val Michael Porter, Jude Cassidy, Simon years ago and new dressing rooms MacEnri in the Souvenir Programme Davey, John McLoughlin, Vincent installed, and other maintenance works 1970. McKeown, M J Shiels, and Peter Davey. have to be done regularly. Top Ace Irish Handball Annual 2009, Also in 1999 Gary McTernan and Colm Article: Tony Hannon the Custodian in Henry won the boys Under-17 Connacht Tony Hannon President of the Irish Irish Handball by Michael McGee. championship. Handball Council Top Ace Irish Handball Annual In 2008 Ballymote born Tony Hannon, 2009, County Profile-Sligo by John Since 2000 son of the late Michael Hannon, became McLoughlin. Dermot McTernan won the boys Under- President of the Irish Handball Council. 15 singles Connacht ‘A’ title in 2000 Tony who is based in Roscommon

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Back Row L/R: Michael Hannon, Paddy Walsh, Raphael Walsh, Eamonn Hannon RIP, Tony Grey, Seamus O’Donnell, Mickey Cunnane, Dessie Walsh, MJ Gallagher RIP, Michael Hannon RIP, Alo Ward RIP, Leo Hannon RIP, Mickey Scanlon RIP (Group from Collooney, Kilmacteigue and Ballymote at Ballymote handball alley, August 1959) Front Row (L/R): I Scully, Sean Duffy, Michael Healy, Tony Hannon, Jim Hannon, Mattie McNulty. Picture courtesy Dessie and Peggy Walsh

At the official blessing and reopening in May 1970 after the roof and floodlighting had been provided. Sligo Champion photo 89 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

At Convent National School, around 1949. Front Row L/R: Tommy Healy, Hubert McDermott, Sam Reid (?), Gerry Mattimoe, Paul Galvin, Noel Gardiner, Pat Rogers, John Cassidy, Hugh Scanlon, Ivan McNulty Second Row L/R: Patricia Mattimoe, Nell Chambers (?), Eileen Meehan, ? Brady, --, --, Angela Scully Third Row L/R: ? Charlie McGarvey, Tommy Wims, ? Quigley, --, Etta Healy, Sheila McCloskey, --, --, Imelda Egan, Tommy Haran, Gerry McDonagh, Back Row L/R: ? Scott, Paddy Prior, Brendan Benton, Jimmy Healy, Patrick Hunt, Raphael Cassidy. Photo courtesy Frances Heneghan and Dr Ivan McNulty

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál First Communion 2010 Back Row (L/R): Ms Áine Davey (Class Teacher), Chloe Healy, Luke Tarmey, Amy Scanlon, Aaron Keenan, Shauna Anderson, Kevin Woods, Leah Reynolds, Fr James McDonagh CC Ballymote, Fr Gregory Hannan PPballymote. Second Row from Back (L/R): Jason Dwyer, Megan Scanlon, Darragh McSharry, Laura Healy, Dylan Coggeran, Casey Cullen, Conor Finn, Ms Dolores Taheny Principal Teacher. Second Row from Front (L/R): Eoin Mitchell, Ewan Murrin, Thalia Kelly, Zak O’Dowd, Aisling Golden, Mark Conlon. Front Row (L/R): Nicola Redican, April McGuinn, David Gardiner, Katie Hogge, Ryan Walker, Aoife Loughlin, Nathan Egan, Michaela Kielty 90 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2010/2011

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál 5th Class Confirmation 2010 Back Row (L/R): Fr James McDonagh CC Ballymote, Patryk Gwizdz, Ms Kathleen McCann Class Teacher, Mrs Kearins, Conner Murtagh,Fr Gregory Hannan PP Ballymote. Second Row from Back (L/R): Stephen Mulligan, Niamh Quinn, Aisling Durey, Amy Kerins, Ciara Davey, Shauna Conlon, Sophia Cogan, Paddy Creegan, Ben Gorevan, David Woods. Second Row from Front (L/R): Kelly-Ann Gardiner, Siobhán Tighe, Martin Nally, Gabriel Rafferty, Jude Perry, Jonathan Mulligan, Mikey McGuinn, Emily Redican, Ciara Keenan, Saoirse O’Dowd, Seamus O’Donnell-Gavaghan, Darragh Ward. Front Row (L/R): Kevin Conlon, Jack Hever, Emma Devlin, Ashleigh Egan, Emma Downes, Most Rev Brendan Kelly Bishop of Achonry, Rebecca Downes, Shauna Byrne, Soni Underwood, Caolan Gallagher, David Quinn.

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál Sixth Class Confirmation 2010 Back Row (L/R): Fr James McDonagh CC Ballymote, Patricia Hunt (Class Teacher), Children: Michael Rafferty, Ella O’Dowd-O’Doherty, Saoirse Tonry, Emma Hever, Mikey Finn, Jane Finn, Ciara Dolphin, Molly Finn, Carla Benson, Fr Gregory Hannan PP Ballymote Middle Row (L/R): Aimee Ford, April Devlin, Keith Golden, Cathal O’Dowd, Matthew Cunnane, Malachy Healy, Ruairí Kilgarriff, Shannon Kerins, Laura Woods. Front Row (L/R): Jonathan Devaney, Diarmaid Collis, Shauna Healy, Chelsea Mcgowan, Most Rev Brendan Kelly Bisop of Achonry, Eva Finn, James Hannon, Conor Booth, Eoghan Doyle, Lee Muldoon.

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Knockminna N.S. First Communion 2010 Back Row (L/R): Mrs Louise King Principal Teacher, Fr James McDonagh CC Ballymote, Mr Brian Henry Class teacher. Middle Row (L/R): Seamus Hailstones, Daniel Breslin, James Waters, Brendan Hailstones, Annie Spearman (Server). Front Row (L/R): Jamie Hannon, Philomena Nally, Lisa Hunt, Rebecca Cunnane, Leyla McGlynn.

Knockminna N.S. Confirmation 2010 Back Row (L/R): Fr James McDonagh CC Ballymote, Cathal McNulty, Mrs Louise King Principal Teacher, Brendan Muldoon, Shannon Taylor, Fr Gregory Hannan PP Ballymote Middle Row (L/R): Darragh Hailstones, Deirdre Kerins, Claire Tansey, Roisín Cawley, Niamh Kerins, Roisín Faughnan, Kerrie-Ann Murtagh. Front Row: Most Rev Brendan Kelly Bishop of Achonry.

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Heritage Group 25th AGM An encouraging, successful and landmark year was reported at the 25th Annual General Meeting of Ballymote Heritage Group which was held in Fawlty Towers, Ballymote, on Monday November 9th, 2009. At the Heritage Weekend, held in the Coach House Hotel, Ballymote, the Group had proudly celebrated a quarter century of its own existence and the existence of The Corran Herald, as well as twenty years of Heritage Weekends. The Weekend itself had lived up to all expectations and its lectures and outings were much appreciated and enjoyed by the large audiences. The 25th anniversary edition of The Corran Herald, with its 84 pages of its usual broad range of articles and photos, had sold extremely well. After the meeting and its elections, the Officers and membership of the Group are as follows: President: Eileen Tighe Vice-President: Ann Harrison Chairperson: Des Black Vice-Chairperson: Carmel Rogers Secretary: Betty Conlon Treasurers: Pam Benson and Mary Martin PRO and Editor of The Corran Herald: James Flanagan Olive Beirne, Mary Black, David Casey, Matilda Casey (Patron), Gerry Cassidy, John Coleman, John Conlon, Anne Flanagan, Brenda Friel, Noreen Friel, Paddy Horan, Gerry Keaney, Jack Martin, John Perry TD, Marie Perry, Nuala Rogers, Michael Rogers.

Sponsors

Ballymote Heritage Group gratefully acknowledges the generous sponsorship of the Heritage Weekend provided by the following:

Sligo Co Council Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2010 Tente Ltd AVA Systems Ltd FBD Isurance Eamon Scanlon TD John Perry TD and Marie Tighe’s Newsagents Matilda Casey Michael and Carmel Rogers Elizabeth Gilhawley Jack Martin

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