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Compiled and Published by Heritage Group Celebrating 30 Years 1984-2014 ISSUE No.47 2014/2015 PRICE €8.00 The Herald Annual Publication of Ballymote Heritage Group

Compiled and Published by Ballymote Heritage Group

Editor: Stephen

Design, Typesetting and Printing: Orbicon Print,

Cover Design and Artwork: Brenda Friel

Issue No 47 2014/2015 –––––––––––––––

The Corran Herald wishes to sincerely thank all those who have written articles or contributed photographs or other material for this issue Ballymote 25th Annual Heritage Weekend Thursday 31st July The Teagasc Centre, to (Right over railway bridge on Road) Monday 4th August 2014 Ballymote, Co. Organised by Ballymote Heritage Group - Celebrating 30 Years (1984 - 2014) Thursday 31st Sunday 3rd Classic Film at 3 pm. Afternoon Tea at Temple The Art Deco Theatre & Cinema House with Classical & The Sound Of Music Baroque Music 7:30pm Tickets €12.50 Admission, Adults €6,Children €3, (Accompanied children free) Tickets from Tighe’s Shop, Ballymote must be purchased in advance from Tighe’s Shop, st Ballymote. Remaining tickets Friday 1 available on opening night 8.30pm. Official Opening 8.30 pm. Lecture: Sligo’s Hidden Mary Kenny, Author & Journalist Bridges Gary Salter, Conservation Lecture: Poets and Priests of Engineer Senior inWorld War 1 Executive Engineer, Mary Kenny, Author & Journalist Saturday 2nd Monday 4th 9 am. Outing: Derek Hill 9 am. Outing: & House and Glebe Gallery, guided walking tour of Churchill, Co., historic town and Raphoe Heritage Town 8.30 pm. Lecture: Family Names in Guide: Martin Timoney, BA FRSAI the Place-names of Sligo MIAI Research Archaeologist & Author Dr. Conchubhar Ó’Crualaoich

8.30 pm. Lecture: The Faddan More Psalter John Gillis, Senior Book and

Manuscript Conservator, 071-9133409 Ltd Print Orbicon Trinity College

2 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Contents Page Ballymote Heritage Group: How it all began (Eileen Tighe) 4 30 years of the Ballymote Heritage Group 5 Patrons, Members and Officers of Ballymote Heritage Group 1984 – 2014 (Submitted by Eileen Tighe) 7 A Walk on the Beach (Bernie Gilbride) 8 Rathmullen School 1958 (Provided by Brendan Lavin) 9 in the Bricklieve Mountains (Sam Moore) 10 Clontarf (Joan Gleeson) 14 Happiness is... (Bernie Doyle) 14 A trip to Aran (Bernie Gilbride) 15 The First Domestic Incident (John McDonagh) 17 Radio (Bernie Gilbride) 17 The Role of Women and Religion in the 1916 Rising (Sandra Murphy) 18 Fighting the Famine in Ireland (PJ Duffy) 24 Changing Times at the Market Yard (Bernie Gilbride) 25 Of Rabbits, Pheasants and Partridge (John McDonagh) 26 The Hunter-Gather (Joe Mc Gowan) 28 The Gods of the Neale (Bernie Doyle) 29 Woulfe Flanagan - The Sligo Connection (John C McTernan) 30 Extracts from the Past (Submitted by Padraig McDermott) 33 Novices and Postulants Walking to Work (Submitted by John Coleman) 33 Catechist, Linguist and Parisian churchman – the life of Rev Dr Andrew Donlevy LLD (Neal Farry) 34 The Irish Anti-Partition League (Submitted by John Coleman) 39 Under African Skies (Bernie Doyle) 40 A Memorable Monsignor (Submitted by John Coleman) 42 The Venerable Nicholas Postgate (Frank Tivnan) 42 Divisions within the Sligo Volunteers at the outbreak of the First World War (Padraig Deignan) 43 Memorabilia from our Recent Past 48 The French at Mullaghmore (Joe McGowan) 49 Coal mining in (Michael Lavin) 50 Gathering at in 3,500 BC (Lynda Hart) 51 Some 19th century Sligo maps in the National Library of Ireland (Martin A Timoney) 53 Deaths of two notable Ballymote residents Jim Kielty and Bernie Dwyer (John Coleman) 57 Vanished Shop Fronts - 2 (Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition) 58 ‘Sincere but Mistaken Men’ – the letters of Joseph McGarrity (Michael Farry) 60 Remembering Keenan Johnson (Reprinted from The Law Society Gazette) 65 A mathematical giant from Screen (Nial Friel) 66 The FCA in Ballymote 67 Markee and the Cooper family (Sam Moore) 68 I’ll forgive but I’ll never forget (Mary Kelly-White) 73 1952 Sligo Senior team (Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition) 74 The Elderly Neighbour (Bernie Doyle) 75 Ballymote and the Shelbourne Hotel (John Coleman) 76 Party Piece to Masterpiece (PJ Duffy) 77 A treasure of Ballymote (Jim Higgins) 78 The first motor vehicles in Sligo (Aidan Mannion) 80 The Lavin Brothers from Killaraght (Tommy Kilcoyne) 82 Students at Coláiste Mhuire (Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition) 83 Invoices from Ballymote Businesses (from the family collection of Tom Wynne of Lissanney) 84 Early Printing in Sligo (John C McTernan) 86 Ballymote Children’s Band, 1960s (Submitted by Mollie Cawley) 87 Ballymote in Slater’s Directory of 1894 (David Casey) 88 Heritage Weekend 2013 (pictures by John Cawley & Paddy Conboy) 89 First Holy Communion class 2014, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Ballymote 90 Confirmation classes 2014 91 Knockminna N.S. First Communion and Confirmation classes 2014 92 Ballymote Heritage Group 93 Sponsors 93

3 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Ballymote Heritage Group: How it all began by Eileen Tighe, President, Ballymote Heritage Group The seed was sown for what was to Una Preston was still thinking ahead Our editor is now Stephen Flanagan, become Ballymote Heritage Group and after about a year in existence she James’s son, who is continuing the in the winter of 1983 as a result of a suggested that we publish what she high standard set by his father. growing interest in archaeology in the called a monthly newsletter covering As our group became well locality. Joyce Enright, archaeologist, local events such as sport, music, etc. established with strong attendance at under the auspices of Sligo VEC, The idea was taken on board and the meetings and lively discussions, the delivered a course in archaeology late James Flanagan accepted the role idea of setting up a heritage weekend in Ballymote Vocational school and as editor. At our monthly meeting of lectures and field trips was explored. it was attended by many, including Keenan Johnson (later Chairman of Our first Heritage Weekend took place the late Una Preston, the late James Ballymote Heritage Group) suggested from Friday 3 August to Monday 6 Flanagan, Betty Conlon and myself. ‘The Corran Herald’ as a title and this August, 1990, in the Teagasc Centre, After the course ended Una proposed was accepted. Requests for material Ballymote. Speakers were Eamon to me that a history and archaeology for publication were generously met; Barnes, then DPP, who performed group be formed in Ballymote saying, writers who contributed to the first the official opening ceremony, Frank ‘If you get the speakers I’ll arrange issue were: James Flanagan, Una Tivnan, Mary Timoney, Brigid Dolan, the venue.’ Preston, Stan Casey, Tom McGettrick, Bishop Flynn, Michael Gibbons and A further course was given by Joyce Elizabeth Brennan, Keenan Johnson, Ted Nealon. Guides for the field Enright and enthusiasm was now Neal Farry, Alfie Banks, John trips were Martin Timoney and Tom beginning to spread. On Wednesday Cunningham and Eamon Sweeney. McGettrick. Our MC for the Heritage 30 May 1984 a group of interested The job of printing was given to Weekends was James Flanagan. In people came together for what was to John Joe Kielty who at that time had conjunction with the first Heritage be our inaugural meeting in the Castle a small printing press in Ballymote. Weekend an Art Exhibition by local Hotel, Ballymote. Officers elected John Joe was very helpful and our artists, which was coordinated by at that meeting were President, first issue, which was a mere 12 A4 artists Brenda Friel and Nuala Dockry, Thomas Tighe; Vice–President, pages and sold for twenty five pence, took place in the . Yvonne Perceval; Chairman, Tom was launched in the Castle Hotel The Heritage Weekend has been very McGettrick; Secretary, Eileen Tighe; on the 25th October, 1985, by the successful over the years and the high Treasurer, Michael McDonnell; late Ted Nealon, TD, who was then standard of its lectures and outings has PRO, Una Preston. Members at that Minister for Arts and Culture. The continued to attract audiences from first meeting also included May O Corran Herald did not turn out to far and near. This year as we celebrate Donnell, Gerard O Donnell, Nuala be the local newsletter that Una had the 25th anniversary of the inaugural Dockry, Gary Conlon, Nellie Tansey, envisaged; rather it emerged as a weekend we remember our recently Elizabeth Murray, Carmel Rogers, periodical with a strong emphasis on deceased patron Matilda Casey. The May Donnellan, Gladys Hannon, the historical. Initially published a success of the Ballymote Heritage John Perry, Mary Rose Cryan, Anne number of times a year it is now an Weekend is testament to the hard Mulhern and Anne Henry. Apologies annual 90-page publication in its 29th work, dedication and commitment of were received from Matilda and Stan year with a cover designed by artist its many members past and present, Casey and Keenan Johnson. Joyce and Brenda Friel. Over the course of 47 alongside the unfailing support of her husband Martin continued to help issues a wide variety of articles and our many lecturers, guides, patrons, and advise us and we also got great photographs documenting local life, sponsors and friends. On behalf of help and encouragement from Martin history, archaeology and culture have the Ballymote Heritage Group I and Mary Timoney, archaeologists appeared. Print runs have increased extend sincere thanks to all who have who have remained with us all the over the years catering for a growing contributed in so many ways over the way. demand and interest; it is widely read years to bring us to where we are this At that first meeting many matters with issues going overseas every year year 2014, celebrating thirty years of of a historical and archaeological even as far afield as Australia. The Ballymote Heritage Group. nature were discussed, led by our It is a matter of great sadness that ‘Ní neart go teacht le chéile’ local historian, Tom McGettrick. We our esteemed and faithful editor, decided to meet on the last Wednesday James Flanagan, is no longer with (A list of Patrons, Members and Officers of every month to continue our us to celebrate the fruits of his great since the beginning is on page 7) intended aim of raising an awareness contribution to our heritage on this of and respect for all that is of our 30th anniversary. James passed to Eileen Tighe, historical, archaeological and cultural his eternal reward on 21 May, 2012. President, interest in our area. May his great soul rest in peace. Ballymote Heritage Group

4 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 30 years of the Ballymote Heritage Group

Speech by Pat McGrath, Chairman representative, and particularly over wonderful variety of activities and of Sligo County Council the course of my term as Cathaoirleach, events on offer – an exhibition of President Eileen Tighe, Chairperson I have been amazed and overwhelmed historical photos of Ballymote, a John Coleman, Members of by the work carried out by community screening of an old Dracula film, a Ballymote Heritage Group, their volunteers all over . lecture on the 19th century Middle volunteers, sponsors, supporters and I am talking about the people who East, an outing to , a guest lecturers, Fellow Councillors: give so generously of their time and lecture on County Sligo’s railways, It is a privilege to welcome each energy for a local cause or the common a visit to Templehouse... and much and every one of you to good, and they invariably do so with a more. this evening to formally honour the willing heart without expectation of The Heritage Weekend is just one outstanding work carried out by your acknowledgement or reward. facet of the Group. They also produce group since it was founded 30 years And if you were asked to The Corran Herald, the hugely ago. identify a model of community spirit informative and much respected This evening we celebrate that and endeavour, for others to study historical journal which opens up new milestone, and also acknowledge and imitate, I would advise people to and fascinating insights into our past. the outstanding and hugely popular look no further than the Ballymote I know from my own experience that Ballymote Heritage Weekend which Heritage Group.The annual Heritage The Corran Herald is a very essential has been a feature of your group for Weekend has become such a popular, purchase every year in households all the last 25 years. flagship event which enjoys the over the area. I take particular pride in the fact goodwill and committed support of It is difficult to encapsulate in a that there has always been a strong the local community and has attracted brief address the exceptional nature association between Sligo County visitors from near and far, many of of the Ballymote Heritage Group, the Council and Ballymote Heritage whom return year after year. regard in which it is held by the local Group, and previous Cathaoirligh And the reason people support it community and the general public – of the Council have ensured they in such huge numbers is the quality you are a shining example of what a attended the official opening of the and the diversity of the weekend’s hard-working, creative and dynamic Heritage Weekend to show their programme, which ensures it is of community can achieve. I wish you support, and this Council’s support, equal interest to the academic and every success with the 2014 Heritage for one of the most important annual casual visitor. Weekend, well done again to everyone events hosted in County Sligo. A quick review of the 2013 concerned. During my years as a public programme illustrates the rich and Thank you.

Members of Ballymote Heritage Group with Patron Eamon Barnes at a reception to mark the 25th Heritage Weekend hosted by Pat McGrath, Chairman of Sligo County Council

5 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Speech by John Coleman, benefit from the wisdom of long-term interesting and have allowed the group Chairman, Ballymote Heritage members and have recently benefitted to make links with likeminded people Group from the enthusiastic contribution of across the country. Jack Johnston A meeting took place on 30 May new members, particularly Ursula is one such and we were treated to 1984 in the then Castle Hotel in Gilhawley as Secretary and Anne impressive hospitality when we again Ballymote to establish a society Henry. Paddy Conboy has for years visited Clogher last year. devoted to promoting a knowledge of been official photographer to record Last year we were able to work with and interest in all aspects of heritage the weekend events. The Group is Ballymote Business Association in in the Ballymote area. The group always grateful for the support of putting together a superb exhibition immediately set about organising our sponsors each year and we must of historic photographs as a special outings and lectures and in 1985 the particularly recall the generosity of project for the Gathering. Mary first Corran Herald was produced. the late Tilly Casey. Cawley did a superb job of persuading It was followed in 1990 by the first Of anyone I have not included I beg owners of old photographs to annual Heritage Weekend which forgiveness. give access to them, including the has become a fixture of August The 46th issue of The Corran Herald notable photographs taken by the bank holiday weekends with a loyal was published last year – beautifully late Batty Cawley, for many years following of people from far and near designed and printed by Orbicon Ballymote correspondent of the The who return each year. in Collooney. Having begun as a Sligo Champion. We now have an I would like to thank council slim volume produced three times a electronic collection of these valuable chairman Councillor Pat McGrath, year, it was developed under James records. A selection was reproduced himself a Ballymote man, for inviting Flanagan’s meticulous editorship into in last year’s The Corran Herald and us here today to mark the 30th a substantial annual publication of a further selection will be reproduced anniversary of the establishment of almost 100 ages in some years. We are this year and in future editions. the group and the forthcoming 25th very fortunate that, following James’s We now have a web site www. Annual Ballymote Heritage Weekend death, his son Stephen has ably taken ballymoteheritage.com set up last organized by the group. on the mantle. year thanks to the efficiency of our I understand that credit for the My own aunt Maisie McGovern secretary Ursula Gilhawley and idea of establishing the group and was a long term member and president professional support of Barry Walsh its journal The Corran Herald must at the time of her death in 2008. She at OSD in Sligo. It is intended to make go to the late Una Preston. We must enrolled me as a member and it was past issues of The Corran Herald also recall the commitment over the as a result that before returning to live available on the site as well as a years of founding members. Sadly in Ballymote the Heritage Weekend selection of the historic photographs. some are no longer with us – Stan and had become a fixture in my diary each Last year we also added a novel Tilly Casey, James Flanagan, Vincent year. event with the showing of a classic Jordan, Tom McGetterick, Mai and Before I became actively involved film in the newly-restored Art Deco Gerry O’Donnell, Yvonne Percival and in the organisation I was always cinema to coincide with a lecture Nelly Tansey. The founding members impressed by a number of things about on Brahm Stoker and his Sligo also included Betty Conlon, Nuala the weekend. These included the connections. We are grateful to council Dockry, Anne Henry, Lilly Murray, impressive line ups of distinguished chairman Pat McGrath for facilitating Carmel Rogers, Tommy Tighe, speakers and the wide variety of the this event. Last year we also had a Michael McDonnell and John Perry. subjects of lectures, which invariably remarkably successful lunch and Eileen Tighe, our current president, includes interesting surprises. tour of Temple House courtesy of was of course a driving force from Everything was of course perfectly Roderick and Helena Perceval and the beginning and continues to devote organised, whether the venue was the this is very gratifying, particularly in enormous energy to both planning Teagasc Centre, the Parochial Centre view of Roderick’s late grandmother the weekend and drawing articles for or the hotel. The tea and homemade Yvonne’s enthusiastic contribution to The Corran Herald from old and new cakes in the early years were a real the group over many years. contributors. The contribution must treat. We have appreciated the support also be acknowledged of Martin and I was always most impressed by the over the years of Siobhan Ryan, Mary Timoney who have provided audience from home and away, ever County Heritage Officer, and we have invaluable advice over the years and keen to learn of something new or for been grateful in the past to receive a have both contributed regularly to new light to be shed on an old familiar modest level of financial support from The Corran Herald. Frank Tivnan has theme. The weekend has become the Heritage Office in the Council. been our guide on many occasions. a focus for people with Ballymote Understandably this has not been Personally I am particularly connections living elsewhere to available recently due to the recession conscious of the valuable contribution return and renew acquaintance with and we have had to manage without over many years of my predecessor familiar places and faces. The post- this support. I would like to take Des Black who was chairman for nine lecture question and answer sessions this opportunity of inviting Ciaran years, and of Betty Conlon as secretary have always been very engaging. Hayes our new county manager and of Pam Benson who continues The outings have also been most to join us during the weekend this in the role of treasurer. We always 6 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 year. I noted in Some remarkable initiatives have and World War I, a subject very much of May 6 a remark he made about been undertaken under the auspices in our minds in this centenary of the the historic responsibility of those of Ballymote Community Enterprise commencement of that tragic conflict charged with governing Sligo: ‘We Company. A beautiful park has been in which so many Irish men lost their are but custodians, tasked with a created around the castle. Nearby lives and others were marked for the responsibility to pass it on to the next is the 19th century flour mill and as remainder of their lives. We are also generation in a better condition than we know the Minister for Arts and delighted that Sligo County Council we received it.’ Heritage visited the site some time engineer Gary Salter has agreed to Outings this year will include a visit ago to mark its designation as the give a talk on the historic bridges of to Westport which is a town which location of a Bianconi Coach and the county with which he has become has benefitted from the policies of Transport Museum based around uniquely familiar due to his work on the local council in relation to the the O’Hara carriage collection from their repair and conservation, which preservation and enhancement of Annaghmore now in the National has earned him an international the character of the town. This has Museum. It would be wonderful if reputation as a conservation engineer; enhanced local pride of place but has the museum could double up as an by my understanding the only one also benefitted the local economy as interpretative centre for the castle and employed by any council in the the attractive atmosphere of this small open up this entire rich heritage as a country. historic town has proved a magnet for resource for teaching history for local We all look forward to the 25th tourists. Ballymote too is a remarkable schools and as a visitor attraction. The Heritage Weekend on the forthcoming historic town as demonstrated by its fine Art Deco Theatre and Cinema has August bank holiday and yet another wide handsome streets and dramatic been beautifully restored. interesting issue of The Corran 800-year-old Norman castle. Sadly We are well advanced in planning Herald. some of our public buildings in for this year’s Heritage Weekend. And finally I wish to renew my prominent locations could do with ‘a We are delighted that distinguished thanks to Council Chairman Pat lick of paint’ – in particular the post journalist and author Mary Kenny has McGrath for inviting us to the office and the redundant old garda agreed to perform the official opening council offices to celebrate ourth 30 station. and lecture on Irish poets and priests Anniversary.

Patrons, Members and Officers of Ballymote Heritage Group 1984 – 2014 Submitted by Eileen Tighe Patrons: Eamon Barnes; Most Reverend Dr. T. Flynn, Retired Bishop of ; Dr. John Dayton, RIP; Matilda Casey, RIP; Mattie Casey. Presidents: Thomas Tighe; Tom Mc Gettrick, RIP; Dr. Stan Casey, RIP; Vincent Jordan, RIP; Gerry Cassidy Maisie Mc Govern, RIP; Eileen Tighe. Vice-Presidents: Vincent Jordan, RIP; Matilda Casey, RIP; Anne Harrison, RIP. Chairpersons: Tom Mc Gettrick, RIP; Keenan Johnson; Paddy Brady, RIP; Eileen Tighe; Des Black; John Coleman. Vice-Chairpersons: Yvonne Perceval, RIP; Carmel Rogers. Secretaries: Eileen Tighe; Carmel Rogers; Betty Conlon; Mary Timoney; Pam Benson; Ursula Gilhawley Treasurers: Michael Mc Donnell R.I.P.; Keenan Johnson; Nellie Tansey, RIP; Betty Conlon; Mary Martin; Gerry Cassidy; Des Black; Maisie Mc Govern, RIP; Olive Byrne; Pam Benson; Anne Henry PROs: Cassie Finn; James Flanagan, RIP; John Coleman. Corran Herald Editors: James Flanagan, RIP; Stephen Flanagan. Members: May O Donnell, RIP; Gerard O Donnell, RIP; Nuala Dockry; Gary Conlon; Elizabeth Murray; Elizabeth Brennan; May Donnellan; Gladys Hannon; John Perry; Mary Rose Cryan; Anne Mulhern; Bernadette O Grady; Esther Cassidy; Mary Cawley; Maureen Egan, RIP; Jack Martin; Bridget Mc Gettrick; Helen Finan; Michael Tormey; Myra Gilmartin, RIP; Nance Tighe; Padraic Dockry, RIP; Anne Flanagan; John Joe Kielty; Mary Perry Paddy Horan; Sean , RIP; Nuala Rogers; Eileen White; Noreen Friel; Brenda Friel; Nellie Jordan; John Conlon; Mollie Howard; Roslyn Duffy, RIP; Marie Perry; Mary Black; Kathleen Coleman; Gordon Beaumont; David Casey; John Cawley; Clare Cawley; Michael Rogers; Gerry Keaney; Pat Mc Grath; Paddy Conboy; Derek Davey ; Owen Duffy; Neil Henry; Tom Lavin; Rita Lohan; Carmel Mc Gettrick.

7 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 A Walk on the Beach By Bernie Gilbride The wind changed as we turned for She had never seen a turf fire of the old farm that bordered the road, home. At first it was only a breeze before – where she came from the known to us as the ‘big meadow’, and with a slight nip to it but in minutes it sun supplied all the heat they needed. though we could see the chimneys became a full-blown gale with a hint She was very interested in the turf and of the old house there was no smoke of the icy region from whence it came where it came from. Looking to one nor had there been for many a year. in the north. Buttoning our coats, side of the fireplace I saw a basket The present owners never lived in the turning up our collars and burrowing filled with blocks of turf, ready to house but the land well stocked our chins in our scarves we hastened replenish the fire. Taking a sod of and in good condition. our steps as much as soft sand would turf in my hands I began to tell her The road had many potholes after allow. of our bogs – how millennia ago the hard frost of winter, which made It was mid March and when the they had been laid down with fallen driving hazardous. The river flowed sun came out mid afternoon earlier trees their base, under oceans whose rapidly and full to our right, gurgling that day, we made for the beach at waters compacted them into the bogs and foaming over rocks and stones , eager to show our friends of today. on its way to Grange and the sea at from Hong Kong the wild Atlantic Not wanting to over-burden her Streedagh. At last we reached the bog. at its best. Knowing that John and with the history of how our bogs Making our way across the nearest Yei Lei loved the sea and were into were formed I briefly told her the bank we showed Yei Lei where it sailing at home, we felt sure the excessively wet climate had rotted must first be pared and then cut with mighty waves with their surfers would the fallen forests, thus forming turf a shleuan, explaining how it is spread impress them. The waves and surfers banks millennia ago. Eventually those along the bank, and left for a few were spectacular as they coasted their oceans receded and farmers found days at least to firm before ‘footing’. way to the beach and our guests were that by cutting, allowing the wet sods Footings are triangular shapes of turf duly impressed. However we had dry, and harvesting the resulting turf standing up against each other, about not bargained for a sudden change in it made excellent fuel. Down the seven wet turf in each footing. After temperature! centuries it has been used to heat our about a week, if the weather is good, On reaching the slipway I was homes, cook our food and boil water. the footings are ready to be clamped, conscious that Yei Lei was trembling, Promising to take her to see where i.e. gathered into a small stack of turf, and so we hurried as fast as possible John’s forefathers had cut their turf and these are left on the bog to dry along the promenade towards the next day, we sat back and enjoyed over the summer, being brought home Strand Bar and Restaurant, hoping a the fire and our drinks as we listened late August or early September. They turf fire would be burning there. I was to the wind whistling down the open are then built into a big ‘clamp’ along not disappointed. On entering a fire chimney. a dry wall, convenient to the house greeted us that would warm the heart Next morning broke bright and clear for use over the winter, or stacked in a of the coldest traveller. The flames and we headed for Grange and the bog shed in the back garden. danced and shimmered, casting a where we cut turf years ago and our ‘A lot of hard work!’ exclaimed Yei golden glow around the bar. Pulling forefathers for centuries before us. Lei. ‘I am glad the sun us warm. our chairs up we stretched our hands About a mile the Sligo side of Grange, Nice as the turf fires look and smell, towards its warmth and began to we turned towards Benbulben at I don’t think I would like having to shed some of our outdoor gear. John Munninane Church and I pointed do all that work every year, to keep went to order hot drinks and I fell out the horseshoe, about halfway up myself and my home warm.’ to wondering just what it is about a the mountain. That is where our bog I could see Yei Lei had lost all turf fire that is so welcoming. Yei Lie lies at a place called Lyle. Long ago interest in the turf. She was staring in stopped shivering and with a happy people walked up to the bog and on wonder at the semicircle of mountains sigh stretched her hands towards the reaching it the first thing they did was surrounding her, not listening to a flames. light a fire, boil the kettle and make a word I was saying. The silence all In a few minutes John was back very welcome cup of tea. It was badly around, save for the call of sheep and with our drinks and Yei Lei was needed in those days, as it is a tough the gurgle of many streams being introduced to her first hot lrish climb when they were carrying tools down the mountains on either side, whiskey and being warned to sip it to cut the turf and whatever provisions held her spellbound slowly. Her first sip brought a wry they needed for the day. Turning to look back towards face but gradually the colour came That tradition continues today, the sea, she stood entranced. The back into her cheeks and she told us though they drive to the bogs now and coastline was rugged with the wild she actually felt she was beginning to are only after their breakfast! By this Atlantic pushing its huge waves thaw. ‘What a comforting drink!’ she time we were well on the road towards ashore, Innishmurray Island almost exclaimed, settling into her chair the bog and I had pointed out the part in under us at our feet. She had never 8 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 seen anything like it before. On our yards further on now and the old turf home to show them to my family right was Classiebawn Castle, with school is used as a meeting place for and to let them feel them. We will light the Donegal mountains behind. Out the local people now, for art classes, a fire in the garden so they can smell came her camera. ‘I must try to take crafts, and so on. But enough history the smoke. Then while it is burning all this, otherwise at home they will for one day – a bit of lunch won’t go I will explain about the bogs and all never believe me,’ she said. ‘It is all astray after all that mountain air.’ the hard work John’s people had to do so beautiful. So wild and rugged.’ She ‘I hope we can have some of your to keep warm in wintertime. It may used the camera constantly almost lovely roast beef or ham and fresh make them appreciate how lucky we until we reached Munninane Church. vegetables,’ she said. ‘I think your are, not to need a fire. I found the fire There she asked us stop as she filmed beef has a wonderful flavour and the so pleasant and comforting, and I will the elegant old building before we vegetables are so different to ours.’ be looking forward to warming myself reached the main road again. Over lunch she said how much she at one next time and to having a ‘hot Turning right at Munninane we had enjoyed the morning and the whiskey’ to warm me inside as well. headed for Grange. ‘This is where mountains. ‘Many times I had heard Now that is something l know my Dad Johns, family went to school,’ I said, of Benbulben but never thought to go would really enjoy.’ pointing out the old school. ‘There is half way up it to look at a bog!’ she a beautiful new school a few hundred said. ‘I am going to bring a few sods of Rathmullen School 1958 Submitted by Brendan Lavin

First row (front row), left to right: Kevin Feely, Tom Feely, Tommy O’Connor, Ann Quigley, Catherine O’Connor, Margaret Egan, Marion Murray, Catherine Feely, Una Quigley, Louis McDonagh, Joe Gilhooley, Jack O’Connor, Tommy Wynne Second row, left to right: Kieran Rodgers, Brendan Killoran, Vincent Feely, Tady Scully, Mary Quigley, Bernie Coleman, Owen Gilhooley, Padraic Murray, Desmond Killoran, Phil Feely, Michael O’Brien Third row, left to right: Mrs O’Dowd (teacher), Pauline McGrettrick, Marion O’Brien, Josie Killoran, Martha Molloy, Sheila Molloy, Kathleen Egan, Patsy Feely, Laura Feely, Maureen McGettrick, Joan Healy Mrs.Barnes [Teacher] Fourth row (back row), left to rigth: Michael Flynn, John Finn, Eddie Scanlon, Tommy Quigley, Kevin Killoran, Tony Murray, Steven Lavin, Brendan Feely, Brendan Lavin, Tommy Murray, John O’Brien, Gerry Scanlon

9 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Prehistory in the Bricklieve Mountains By Sam Moore Kesh Corran, the highest summit of and brachiopod shells (MacDermot the western flank of Keshcorran the Bricklieve Mountains at 359m, et al 1996, 17). By about 250 million Mountain. Research into the caves is located on the western side of the years ago, atmospheric denudation and medieval references to them have range and creates a dominant feature and erosion became extreme. As been well documented by Dr Marion in south Co Sligo. Its height, shape soon as the Carboniferous limestone Dowd of the Institute of Technology and contour lines give it a distinctive became exposed it was bombarded (2001; 2004; 2009; 2013). They are landscape form that makes it stand with a range of various processes highly visible from a substantial out within its location on the east side of denudation, which resulted in distance to the west and are located at of the south Sligo plains. The white a karstic landscape. Because of c. 180m OD in cliffs between 15m and cliffs visible one-third the way up its dissolution of carbon dioxide in water 30m high. Their entrances are facing western flank that contain the Caves of droplets in cloud, the rain that falls on west and the caves are at right angles Keshcorran add to its distinctiveness. the limestone is acid and reacts with to the cliff-face. These entrances Throughout time the mountain and the calcite content of the limestone. were widened, predominantly by the its caves appear to have attracted the This chemical weathering affected action of ice and external weathering attention of humans in various ways, the limestone block of Kesh Corran; processes during the glacial periods. which has provided an interesting and a process lasting around 40 million In geological terms the caves are multi-faceted story in how it might years and creating rifts, solution a series of entrances to a glacially have been perceived over thousands depressions, sinkholes and caves, truncated remnant phreatic maze cave of years. typical of the karst landscape of the system (McAteer and Parkes 2004). Although Kesh Corran is part of area. Interest in the caves is expressed the wider landscape of the Bricklieve During the last 1.7 million years, through George Petrie’s sketch the Mountains and is an intrinsic part of physical weathering, in the form of ice, Caves of Kesh Corran (Fig 1), which the passage tombs that are influenced the creation located on the summits of nearly every of the final form of hill within the range – the Carrowkeel- the mountain we see Kesh Corran passage tomb complex – today. Weathering the following outline focuses only on processes continue to Kesh Corran’s prehistory. (For more this day but at a much detailed information on the Caves of slower rate due to the Keshcorran see Dowd 2013, and on diffuse nature of the the archaeology around the Keash rainfall, which sinks region see Timoney and Timoney through the rock to 2001.) subterranean flow. The rate of weathering The Geology of Kesh Corran on Kesh Corran was Kesh Corran was formed during estimated at a rate of the Carboniferous period (c. 355- 30mm per thousand Fig 1: Caves of Kesh Corran (after Petrie 1840) 310 million years ago). This period years (Corbel quoted in Cotton 2002, appeared on the cover of The Irish saw huge rises in sea levels and on 18-19). The geology of Kesh Corran Penny Journal in 1840. Interest further land rivers deposited sand and silt and its caves “has many features not grew following the discovery of bear (now represented by sandstones and seen in other isolated hills in Ireland bones in the caves in 1887, which siltstones), while in the shallow sea and is the best example of its type” led to an exploratory expedition; the muddy limestones and shales were (McAteer and Parkes 2004). final report of which was published formed. The limestone was composed in 1903 (Scharff et al; Dowd 2013). of fragments of marine animal life, the The Caves of Keshcorran Further excavations were carried out mud being brought to the sea by rivers. The seventeen fissures and caves, in 1929 (Gwynn et al, 1940). Many During this long period the Bricklieve some of which interconnect, known animal bones of bear, deer, wolf, hare limestone formation shows evidence as the Caves of Keshcorran, are and wild pig along with bird bones of being part of a sea, and this evidence considerably well documented in of little auk, common scoter, scaup stems from the abundant occurrence comparison to other areas around and smew, were located in a lower of fossilised lithostrotionid corals in the Bricklieves, and are found on stratigraphic layer in the caves. The the Bricklieves with crinoid stems 10 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 upper layers contained high quantities previously, Kesh Corran is part of the of charcoal along with faunal remains passage tomb complex located on each including ox, goat/sheep, pig, horse, of the summits and ridges within the dog and marine shells as well as Bricklieve Mountains. On its highest wolf, badger, fox, rabbit, hare, snails, point is a possible un-opened passage trout, frog and many species of bird tomb, locally known as the ‘Pinnacle’, (Scharff et al,1903). As part of the and given its location (it is the highest Irish Quaternary Fauna Project some in the complex) and size (it is second of the bone samples were dated and largest in the complex) this cairn is these indicate that much of the fauna most likely a focal monument within of the lower layers did indeed belong the Carrowkeel-Kesh Corran group to the Late Glacial period (Woodman (the other focal monument appears to et al, 1997, 139-40). be Cairn F at Carrowkeel). Archaeology at Kesh Corran There is a magnificent view in all

Species Calibrated Dates Period Fig 3: Enclosures and cairn Kesh Brown Bear 12,040-11,650 BC Late Glacial Red Deer 11,950 – 11,430 Late Glacial Corran Wolf 11,260 – 10,960 BC Late Glacial (Microsoft Bing maps) Hare 12,710 – 11,820 BC Late Glacial Arctic Lemming 10,040 – 9310 BC Late Glacial site, two caves and an enclosure, Stoat 6830 – 6230 BC along with an unclassified barrow Human tooth 200 BC – 30 AD Iron Age just below the spur (see below). The Human tooth 460 – 670 AD Early Medieval Horse tooth 350 – 600 AD Early Medieval passage tomb is northeast facing with Frog 1300 – 1440 AD Medieval an undifferentiated chamber and a Human tibia (L) 1020 – 1160 AD Medieval passage that is 5m long. It is located Radiocarbon dates from Caves of Keshcorran (after Dowd 2009) in a ruined circular cairn with an directions from the cairn, which is approximate original diameter of 15m. at the north end of the mountain and In 1993 a small quantity of cremated measures 26m in diameter and is 5m human bone belonging to one adult high. It is built on a stone platform was located inside the kerbstones, (35m in diameter and is 0.8m high to a which seems to be a later, secondary maximum of 2m at the north side) and internment; possibly in the cairn has a number of kerbstones date (Buckley and Mount 1994, 71). still visible. Dates and objects from A c. 28m diameter enclosure lies the Carrowkeel monuments suggest just to the south of the passage tomb a period of use around 3200-2900BC and c. 40m to the southwest is a 5m (Hensey et al 2014), which could also diameter hutsite which is located just relate to the date of the cairn on Kesh 2m west of Poulagaddy Cave. To the Corran. It lies within the northern east of Kesh Corran are a number of end of a large oval enclosure (206m other cairns on each hill top spreading Fig 2: Kesh Corran with principle north-south by 168m east-west) with eastwards towards Carrowkeel. sites mentioned in this article a D-shaped enclosure (18.5m north- Nearest to Kesh Corran, and apart This region around south Co Sligo has south by 34m east-west) at its southern from Carnaweelan, there are three a dense concentration of upstanding end, which in turn contains an 18m other cairns in Treanmore; a c. 14m archaeological remains from the diameter enclosure, possibly a large diameter cairn and another further Neolithic period onwards; however hut structure. This hilltop enclosure south (on Kelly’s Hill) measuring c. it is during the Neolithic (c. 3,800- does not really exploit the natural 10m in diameter, with a small hutsite 2400BC) and Bronze Age (c. 2400- defences of the hill and although it just 17m north of this and another on 400BC) that the area seems to have has been called a hillfort (Condit et Sheecor hill (12m diameter) just to attracted significant ritual attention, al 1991), which generally date to the the west of Lough Labe. Although mainly in the form of funerary Late Bronze Age, it could date to an none of these have been excavated monuments. There have been no earlier period (Fig. 3). they appear to be part of the overall Mesolithic (c. 8000BC to 3800BC) Another passage tomb lies on passage tomb complex. Another cairn finds yet discovered in the immediate the north-eastern spur of Kesh measuring 8m in diameter is located area, although evidence from this Corran at Carnaweelan. Here there on a south-westerly spur of Kesh period is abundant at is an interesting collection of sites Corran in Murhy townland. 10km to the southwest. As mentioned including a passage tomb, a hut No megalithic tombs have been

11 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 found in the immediate environs of caves but it seems to come from a the Fenian Cycle of tales. It was the mountain apart from a wedge layer that contained Early Medieval sometimes called Céis Chorainn na tomb with a 7m long gallery, which material. Marion Dowd’s work on bhFiann (Keshcorran of the Fianna) is located on a slight terrace on the caves has indicted dates from Iron (Hogan 1910, 172) and is the location the south slope of the mountain in Age and Early Medieval periods that for various stories associated with the Murhy townland. It is one of the few appear to be linked to ritual deposits adventures of the Fianna. The district in this region and suggests activity of human teeth. There was also an around Kesh Corran belonged to the on that side of the hill during the early date of a horse tooth and a family of Gráinne, and her father, king late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age as number of undated dog teeth found in . Gráinne settled wedge tomb dates seem to focus the caves (see Dowd op sit.) A number there with Diarmait after making peace around 2540-2300 BC (Schulting et al of artefacts were also found including with Fionn MacCumhall, and it was 2008, 15). Other possible Bronze Age a whetstone, a bone comb fragment from here that Diarmait set off to from monuments are located around the (Viking type), two bone needles, an to the fatal hunt of the enchanted boar mountain base, such as at Cloonagh, iron saw and a bronze ringed pin, all of Benbulben (O’Grady 1857, 170; on the southwest side of Kesh Corran, of which seem to date to the latter part Breathnach 1968, 141). Interestingly, where there is an embanked barrow of the Early Christian period (8th to the earliest surviving account of the and a mound barrow. 11th centuries) (Dowd 2009, 54). It Pursuit of Diarmait and Gráinne was An unclassified 20m diameter is clear that the Caves of Keshcorran penned by a local scribe, Dáithí Ó quarried out barrow exists on the were used by man as temporary Duibhgeannáin, of Shancough and northeast corner of Kesh Corran below camps and that food was cooked and Ballindoon in 1651, and is contained and northeast of the spur described consumed within them during the in RIA MS 24 P 9 (Breathnach 1968, above at Carnaweelan and in the same Early Medieval period. 140). In the tale Duanaire Finn, Fionn townland. Rev Constantine Cosgrave, and the Fianna are lured into one of parish priest of Kesh Church in the Mythology and Folklore of Kesh the caves of Keshcorran by a one 1850s, in correspondence to the Corran eyed, one legged, three armed blue Kilkenny and South East Ireland The hill, the cairn and the series of coloured, master-smith called Lon mac Archaeological Society, describes caves on the western flank of the Líomhtha where he made enchanted an excavation at ‘Myle’s Cairn’ in mountain all feature in a wide range weapons for them (MacNeill 1982, the vicinity of Kesh where a large of myths and legends, and all feature 185-86, Ó Cathasaigh 1977, 35). The flagstone rested on stone supports as part of Garland Sunday festive best known of the stories is Bruighion set deeply in the ground and only assemblies (see MacNeill 1982, 185- Chéisi Coruinn and this relates to the protruding slightly above ground. 7; Kielty 2001, 1-9). According to the cairn on Keshcorran and the caves; the Through gaps in the supports a Dinsheanchas the name Corran stems Brú of Conaran mac Imidel and his flagged floor was reached where small from the name of the harpist of the four hag daughters. Fionn is watching circular stone compartments formed Tuatha Dé Danann, who was given the the Fianna hunt on the plains below by flat upright stones and covered by a mountain and the plain that extends from the Brú, also referred to as the thin slab contained cremated remains to the west, Magh Chorainn, for his ‘Hunting Mound’, when a doorway and polished beads (Cosgrave 1856- excellent harp playing; and Ceis stems opens in the side of the mound and 7, 52; Wood-Martin, 1888, 268-9). from Caelchéis, an enchanted sow, Fionn and the Fianna are taken into The location of this cairn is unclear, which was killed there with the help the mound to be killed but are finally but the name ‘Myles’ could be derived of Corann’s harp playing (Gwynn rescued by Goll mac Morna (Stephens from maol meaning bare or bald, and 1913, 438; 1924, 292). However, Ó 1946, 203-18; MacNeill 1982, 186; Ó could relate to Carn an Mhaolín, the hÓgáin believes that ceis is a 5th -8th Cathasaigh 1977, 35). Irish name for Carnaweelan where century Gaelic word meaning circuit Ireland’s famous legendary hero and the passage tomb is located. Timoney (2001, 219) and Wood-Martin claim’s high king Cormac Mac Airt was born and Timoney (2001, 12) identify ceis means ‘small harp’ (1882, 101). at Keshcorran and a variety of versions Cosgrave’s excavation as being the The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1837 of the story appear in a number of passage tomb, but the heavily quarried relate the story of the three daughters early texts. However, many of these out barrow could also be a candidate of Mannanán MacLir who dwelt in an versions contain the motif used in his for the excavation. enchanted lake within Kesh Corran birth story where the hero is suckled Although there is Neolithic and Mountain, Cé, Arabach and Léibe, by a she-wolf in Úaim Cormaic Bronze Age activity in the form of who gave their names to the three (Cormac’s Cave). The theme of monuments in the area there is no principle lakes in the vicinity – Lough wolves/hounds being connected with direct evidence for the use of the Cave Key, and Lough na the area of Keshcorran is interesting of Keshcorran during these periods. A Leibe (Herity 2010, 45). as the association appears a number polished stone axe was found in the Kesh Corran features strongly in of times. The root word in Conaran’s

12 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 mac Imidel’s name (mentioned above) perception may have been similar to live in the area and those who visit it is cú, meaning wolf (but also hound), one during prehistory considering all reference the landscape in different Cormac is rescued from úaim Céise the number of prehistoric funerary manners. However, they cannot help Coraind (the Cave of Keshcorran) monuments on and encircling the being struck by the shape and texture where Cormac was being reared by a mountain. Perhaps the summit cairn of Kesh Corran and the Bricklieve wolf by Conamail Conriucht (literally and the caves may have been viewed Mountains and by the extraordinary Wolf-like Wolf-shape), the leader as abodes of ancestral spirits or caves on its western flank. Kesh of the wolves of Connaught (see Ó supernatural beings. Corran creates a sense of place, a Cathasaigh, 1977 for discussion). It The wider landscape around Kesh sense of identity and a memory of is worth noting that wolf bones were Corran contains the other 18 passage both. found in the Caves of Kesh (Woodman tombs of the Carrowkeel/Keshcorran 1997, 140). complex located to the east (apart Bibliography One of the best-known stories about from the Pinnacle, Carnaweelan, Beranger, G., 1779. Journal of a tour the caves concerns an old woman and the three in Treanmore). There in Connaught. Ms4162, National Library of Ireland. who lived at in County is a barrow group at Greenan, and a Bradley, R., 2002. The past in Roscommon many, many years number of other barrows to the south prehistoric societies. Routledge, ago. At Rathcroghan, another place and west, with a considerable number London. steeped in myth, is the cave/souterrain further north on the higher ground Breathnach, R.A., 1968. “Tóraigheacht Dhiarmada agus known as Oweynagat (the Cave of the above Ballymote. One barrow of Ghráinne”. In M. Dillon (ed.). Irish Cats), but was formerly called ‘The interest might be the 22m-diameter sagas. Mercier Press, Dublin. 135- Hellmouth Door’ as it was considered bowl barrow at Bearvaish, which 147. to be an entrance to the other-world. overlooks the Owenmore River to Buckley, V. and Mount, C., 1994. Carnaweelan passage tomb; Sligo, The story tells of the old woman its west. Adjacent to this barrow 1993:199. In I. Bennett (ed.). holding the tail of an unruly calf, the is a bridge built in the 1920s over Excavations 1993. Worwell, Bray. only method she had to bring it home. the Ford of Corraun. A total of 12 Cotton, D., 2002. The natural history However, the calf bolted and ran into polished stone axes (mainly made of of the Bricklieve Mountains. In M.A. the cave but the woman refused to porcellenite from Co Antrim) have Timoney (ed.). A celebration of Sligo. Sligo Field Club, Sligo. 17-30. let go. The calf kept running through been found during the construction Condit, T., Gibbons, M.A. Timoney, twisting passages and caverns until of the bridge and in subsequent M., 1991. Hillforts in Sligo and the following morning, when the calf years in its vicinity (Rathmullen, Leitrim. Emania 9, 59-62. and woman, to her amazement and Bearvaish and Kingsfort ). Cosgrave, Rev. C., 1856-7. Letters. The Journal of the Kilkenny and that of the locals, finally exited the This could suggest an entry point into South East of Ireland Archaeological darkness to arrive, twenty four miles this landscape from the west and the Society, 1, 52. from her home, at the caves of Kesh axes could be votive offerings at this Dowd, M., 2001. Archaeology of (Beranger 1779, 10). natural threshold. the subterranean world. Archaeology The mountains and the ancient Ireland, 15 (1), 24-29. Dowd, M., 2004. Caves: Sacred Discussion monuments on and around Kesh places on the Irish landscape. The symbolic qualities of caves are Corran help make the distant past Unpublished PhD thesis, University wide-ranging; principally deriving visible in the landscape. As long as College Cork, Cork. from the sense of being underground. they have existed they have been Dowd, M., 2009. The Archaeology of the Keash Caves. The Northwest Elements such as acoustics, given new meanings and gained a new Academic Review, 1, 49-60. temperature, smell, dampness, cultural significance through time. Dowd, M., 2013. The archaeology darkness, shadows, claustrophobia etc Monuments acted as memorials to and mythology of the Keash Caves. potentially lead to feelings of fear and the past, and their significance could In M.A. Timoney (ed.) Dedicated to awe, giving a sense of an otherworldly Sligo. Publishing Sligo’s Past, Sligo be potentially altered or added to over Gwynn, E., 1913. The Metrical place, something evidenced in the time. The idea of memory and how Dinsheanchas, Vol III. Hodges and folklore and the possible associations this relates to monuments through Figgis, Dublin. of Garland Sunday events being held time suggests that new meanings Gwynn, E., 1924. The Metrical at the Caves of Keshcorran (Dowd could be established at monuments Dinsheanchas, Vol IV. Hodges and Figgis, Dublin. 2001, 27). Likewise the passage tomb long after the original understanding Gwynn, A.M., Riley, F.T., & Stelfox, on the summit, and indeed the entire of the monuments had been lost. A.W., 1940. Report on a further mountain, appears to represent a Similarly, monuments in their later exploration (1929) of the Caves of perception of an otherworldly domain histories became reference points Keshcorran, Co Sligo. Proceedings of the 29C, 311- as evidenced in the range and type for new agendas and new meanings 347. of medieval literature and folklore often represented by mythical stories Hensey, R., Meehan, P. Dowd, and that are related to Kesh Corran. This (Bradley 2002). Today people who M. Moore, S., 2014. A century of

13 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 archaeology – historical excavation MacDermot, C. Long, C. & Harney, Schulting, R., Sheridan, S., Clarke, and modern research at the S., 1996. Geology of Sligo-Leitrim. S. and Bronk-Ramsey, C., 2008. Carrowkeel passage tombs, Co. Geological Survey of Ireland, Largantea and the dating of Irish Sligo. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Dublin. Wedge Tombs. Journal of Irish Academy, Vol 114C, 1-31Herity, Ó Cathasaigh, T., 1977. The Heroic Archaeology, 17, 1-17 Herity, M (ed.)., 2010. Ordnance Biography of Cormaic Mac Airt. Stephens, J. 1946, Irish Fairy Tales, Survey Letters. Sligo. Four Master’s Dublin Institute for Advanced MacMillan & Co London. Press, Dublin. Studies, Dublin. Timoney, M.A. and Timoney, M.B. Hogan, E., 1910. Ononmasticon Ó hÓgáin, D. 2001. A note on the 2001. Drumrat and Toomour, Co Goedelicum. Four Courts Press, placename Ceis Chorainn. In J. Sligo through seven millennia. In J. Dublin. Higgins, M.B. Timoney, T. Connolly Higgins, M.B. Timoney, T. Connolly Kielty, J., 2001. Keash and Culfadda and J. Kielty (eds.). Keash and and J. Kielty (eds.). Keash and – an overview, topography and Culfadda: a local history, Keash- Culfadda: a local history, Keash- mythology. In J. Higgins, M.B. Culfadda Local History Committee, Culfadda Local History Committee, Timoney, T. Connolly and J. Kielty Sligo. Sligo. (eds.). Keash and Culfadda: a local O’Grady, S.H., 1857. Tóruigheacht Woodman, P., McCarthy, M. and history, Keash-Culfadda Local Dhiarmuda agus Gráinne. Ossianic Monaghan, N., 1997, The Irish History Committee, Sligo. Society, Dublin. Quaternary Project. Quaternary MacNeill, M., 1982. The Festival of Petrie, G. 1840. The Caves of Kish- Science Reviews, 16, 129-59. Lughnasa. Comhairle Bhéaloideas Corran. The Irish Penny Journal. Wood-Martin, W. G., 1882. History Éireann, Dublin. 1(2). 9-13. of Sligo, Vol I. Hodges & Figgis, McAteer, C and Parkes, M., 2004. Scharff, R.F., Coffey, G., Cole, G.A., Dublin. The Geological Heritage of Sligo. An Ussher, U. & Praegar, R.L., 1903. Wood-Martin, W.G., 1888. The Rude audit of County Geological Sites in Explorations of the Caves of Kesh. Stone Monuments of Ireland. Hodges Sligo. Geological Survey of Ireland. Transactions of the. Royal Irish and Figgis, Dublin. Unpublished Report. Academy. 32, B, 171-244. Clontarf Happiness is . . . By Joan Gleeson By Bernie Doyle The teacher called me ‘Miss’ Happiness is waking up in the morning, the sun I knew storm clouds were gathering peeping in through the chinks in the curtains, with For first names were for the clever and the wise a feeling of well-being and limbs without aches or These history lessons will lead to my demise. pains. Happiness is walking through the woods in spring “The date of the Battle of Clontarf?” she said through a carpet of bluebells and arriving in a My mind races, to me that’s eaten bread. Clontarf? I have a cousin there field with a sunny bank a-glow with primroses and She never mentioned battles when or where cowslips. Teacher bellows “Stop twiddling with your hair, Happiness is getting out of your car in your driveway We’re waiting Miss Gardinaire.” and hearing a chorus of birdsong from the back garden. I see my cousin now, the in her hand Happiness is having all your grandchildren and their Playing reels and jigs in the famous Kincora Céile parents to a get-together in your garden, listening Band. to the chatter, shouts and children’s laughter all Ah! Name springs to mind! afternoon, and waving them a cheery good-bye in the High King Brian Ború evening. Address: Kincora, Killaloe. Happiness is in knowing that all those you love have He had enough of Viking plunder Pillaging and ransacking his monasteries asunder. come through their various difficulties and illnesses Brian won that battle but got killed, poor man! safely and well. He should have upped his tent and ran. Happiness is seeing something you would like to buy or a trip you would like to take and knowing that, “Wake up!” I hear her dulcet voice with a little management twitch here and there, you It’s now or never to make my choice can afford to do it. I’ll choose a date, for I must answer. Happiness is being able to get up in the morning, eat Was it ten-fourteen or ten-sixty-six? what you want, do the things you would like to do Please lady luck come smile on me, and know that, even if you are slow and awkward Now’s not the time for one of your old tricks. doing some things, it doesn’t matter a damn! I chanced it, “ten-fourteen Miss” - give or take a year, And by the mere skin of my teeth, I’m here.

That battle fought fadó fadó Good Friday, one thousand years ago.

14 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 A trip to Aran By Bernie Gilbride The day dawned bright and sunny with a gentle breeze. We were on holiday in , staying at the Galway Bay Hotel, and were scheduled to visit the Aran Islands, weather permitting. This was a trip l had always wanted to take and now l was getting the chance. Boarding the bus with light hearts we headed for Rossaville, just out the road a few miles. Rossaville is a busy port, catering for the islands, fishing trawlers, cruisers and sports craft of all sorts. It was a very cosmopolitan place that morning with German, Italian, French and other European tourists and many American visitors. We were a group of about 35 people and were quickly through admittance and directed to the ferry. The ferry was quite large with a restaurant, bar, a couple of lounges, all modern he realised we understood him. He information room before having tea or conveniences. We decided to stay was a mine of information, naming coffee at the outside tables. on deck, and in a few minutes were the houses, bays, and ruins along the At first the road was easy with a on our way. The sea was like a pond route, even stopping at vantage points very gentle incline and we decided with the sun glistening on it and we for photos. to continue a little further. As we watched the Galway coast fade away, Our first stop was at Kilmurvey climbed the view got better and better and admired the Clare mountains village, with its many craft shops, with heather, rocks and ocean on all before they too began to disappear. general purpose shops and café, sides. Gradually it got more difficult With a blue sky overhead and brilliant surrounding a flag-stoned courtyard and at one time we considered turning sunshine we felt we could have been with tables just waiting to be occupied. back, but then having come so far we on a Mediterranean cruise. As we left the minibus there was a encouraged each other to keep going. About an hour and a half later signpost indicating the road to Dun We were not alone as many other Inishmore came into sight and in among many other places. tourists had also decided to visit Dun minutes we were pulling in along the My friend Maureen and l decided to Aengus and were on the road with us. pier at Kilronan. On landing we were try the road to Dun Aengus, knowing The laughter and chatter lightened met by a fleet of multi-coloured mini- it to be a steep climb, but having heard the way and before long we realised buses which we had been advised to so much about the fort we thought we we were making good headway. All take to tour the Island. The bus was might just attempt it and see how far around us cameras were in constant driven by an Aran Islander who spoke we would get. Many of our group use – cine, ordinary, large and small, Irish as well as English to us when preferred to visit the craft shops and old and new, cheap and costly. The

15 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 climbers, especially the foreign 2,500BC. Its triple-wall defences it was easy and in no time we were visitors, were recording the whole built on the western side are said to back in Kilmurvey ordering icecream thing, the actual climb, the scenery, date from 500BC. It is thought to be and enjoying a well-earned rest before the people, knowing it would take one of the most magnificent barbaric the mini-bus came to take us on the the photos to be believed, nothing monuments to be seen, known as ‘The remainder of our tour. less would suffice. It really was an Fort of Aengus’, a pre-Christian god exceptional experience. of , a mystical King. Not having much time left we visited We met many people on their The fort consists of a series of four in rapid order: way down who encouraged us to walls of dry stones built on a high The Seven Churches, ruins of an keep going, assuring us the fort was cliff some 100 metres above sea ecclesiastical study centre from the well worth the climb. We thought of level. The surviving stonework is 7/8th century the men that built the fort all those four metres wide, originally oval or Maggie Danin Cottage, a thatch centuries ago, on orders of Aengus ‘D’ shaped, parts of which have since cottage in the smallest village on the their leader no doubt. What hardship fallen into the sea. Outside the walls Island they must have endured in wintertime. there are stone slabs planted in upright Man of Aran cottage, the original What clothing had they worn as positions, largely well preserved, setting for Robert Flaherty 1930s film protection against the cold and the known as ‘chevaux de frise’, and Man of Aran Atlantic storms? Were they slaves, as they are the most impressive of their We ended our tour back in Kilronan, in Roman times, with no choice but kind known to exist. Dun Aengus the largest village on the island, to obey or face death? Who was this encloses approximately 14 acres of with its lovely shops and cafes. Aengus in whose footsteps we now land, and although clearly defensive it There we bought Aran sweaters and followed on this lovely summer day? is suggested that its primary purpose jumpers with their intricate design. Questions, questions. Perhaps we will was religious and ceremonial rather The designs and stitches are special find some answers in the fort itself. than military. It may have been used to the individual families on the By this time the climb was for seasonal rites – bonfires perhaps, island, where they are hand-knitted. beginning to get really tough. We had clearly visible for miles. The location These designs and stitches have been to concentrate on the road, picking provides a view of approximately 120 handed down for generations, where our way around rocks and over shale. km of coastline and was possibly of they sometimes were the only way to As we drew nearer we rested for a few significant importance in its control identify bodies washed ashore after minutes on a big rock, admiring the of this coastal trading highway. The tragedies at sea. view, before making the final assault. Aran Islands were then possibly the Sitting drinking coffee we spotted We could see for miles around, it was last known part of Europe. our ferry coming in. Once the a spectacular sight, heather, rock and The guide showed us the fire pits incoming passengers had disembarked ocean. Immediately behind us the used for the preparation of food, then we queued to embark, a little sad to be walls of the fort loomed, sturdy stone warned us of the dangers of the site and leaving this extraordinary place, with walls, built to endure. They had stood left us to wander around by ourselves. its stone fields and gardens, its lovely the test of time. We walked around, marvelling at the houses, wonderful scenery, many With the last few yards behind us views and delighted to have made historical ruins and friendly people. we made our way to the arched stone the climb. The younger members We promise ourselves to return again, entrance more fitting to a church than stretched flat on their tummies and to stay a few days and walk the island a fort, we thought, and then we were leaned out over the edge to view the at our leisure. One day is clearly not there. We had made it and I for one sea below, their feet firmly held by sufficient. felt like kissing the ground in my their friends. Then it was time to go. This time we choose to sit inside delight and joy. We made our way back to the entrance in the lounge, listening to the babble We were met by a young tour guide with its beautifully arched opening, of voices in many languages, and who welcomed us all and began to and after casting one glance back we compare our impressions of the give us a little of the history of the viewed the descent, realising it would island with our friends. Well satisfied place. It is one of the most famous probably prove much more difficult with our trip to Aran we recount prehistoric forts in Europe, an than the climb. the highlights of our day and enjoy important archaeological site. It is Over the first 100 yards we stumbled hearing theirs. thought to date from the Iron Age, and slid, holding onto each other and It was a very happy group that probably 1,100BC, though some to the larger rocks until we reached thanked our bus driver as he left us at historians believe it to date from the gentler slopes. From then on down the Galway Bay Hotel.

16 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The First Domestic Incident By John McDonagh

Recall naïve Adam and Eve But I’m really feeling unfulfilled Before she knew what she should do In Eden’s garden splendour And the feeling’s oh-so-hateful The apple she was nipping Without any hint or precedent And Adam waiting on the ground Exploring other’s gender “There’s too much sun and not much Observed her fig-leaf slipping fun In this verdant land straight from My life is oh-so-boring Imagine Eve, the lovely Eve God’s hand Adam’s unappreciative No blemish or no wrinkle The Sun was always shining, And I can’t abide his snoring. Well Adam opened up his eyes No noisy crowds, no darkening clouds And his eyes began to twinkle To need a silver lining “It well may be the PMT That’s making me so snappy.” And as he gazed his hormones fazed No tears or fears, no aging years Said God, “I’ll make a great big snake He begged the Lord for pardon No worries about money And that should make you happy” But he soon forgot, and lost the plot Just birds and bees among the trees And chased her ‘round the garden In this land of milk and honey. Then God did say, “Enjoy your day, I hope your snake stays quiet, And round about and in and out, From head to toes they wore no But as of now, I will allow Through the cabbage, spuds and clothes No apples in your diet flowers No cap no coat nor wellies There were squeaks and shrieks No bra or vest on boobs or chest, “You see my lass they’re full of gas among the leeks No buttons in their bellies And methane clouds are forming The crack went on for hours Just as it seems, I’ve joined the greens No knickers, thong or no long-john To combat global warming.” Then God looked out and gave a shout Would cover their credentials “Those apples are restricted, But a very brief and brown fig-leaf Well, Eve did take this handsome You’re both engaged in ASB Would hide the bare essentials snake I’ll have you both evicted!” And loved him ‘til he withered In pond and glade they swam and But one fine day, he got away And as they shivered in the cold played And up a tree he slithered In rain and desperation With joy and exultation Poor Eve (in normal female mode) As Eden nursed the world’s first In one great bound she left the ground Began the lamentation At the dawning of creation And after him went climbing, Despite her pace beside her face Says she “I’d like to take that snake But Eve was odd and said, “Dear God She saw an apple shining And ram him down your trapple!” I know I sound ungrateful Said Adam, “All I wanted was TO EAT THE BLOODY APPLE!” Radio By Bernie Gilbride My source of information, Variety the basic theme, Important for freedom, My stimulant to conversation Effortless t’would seem To each generation

Introducer of pleasure Drama any choice, This freedom guaranteed, Music at leisure Politics every voice Worldwide would succeed

Once large and awkward, Music to sing along, All lives to enhance Now fit in a pocket Opera to brood upon With hope to advance

Companion while walking, Defender of the exploited, You are Background to talking Injustices pinpointed My companion down the years, Used to sooth my tears Sauce for celebration, Upholder of free speech, Solace in consternation Across continents you reach

17 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The Role of Women and Religion in the 1916 Rising By Sandra Murphy The roles of women and religion were curtailed quite quickly after However, marriage problems and are subjects that have not received the men were released from prison a split from her husband led to her adequate attention in the popular but nonetheless they had now been being the target of much criticism, history of one of the most important involved in a political movement and and membership of Inghinidhe na events of modern Ireland. In fact the their influence in the revolutionary hÉireann dwindled from 1908. participation of women in the 1916 tradition was only to increase from Rising was extensive. In addition to then on. the traditional female roles such as In terms of militant political cooking and nursing, women were movements, the Fenian movement also involved in other more warlike of the late nineteenth century also activities. They directly assisted the provided an opportunity for female combatants by delivering messages, involvement. Although there was by moving ammunition around and no actual organisation for their by motivating and raising the morale involvement, the women as sisters, of the men. Closely connected to this mothers, wives and daughters assisted theme of motivation is the role played their men by offering first aid, food, by religion. Time and time again, safe-houses and other services. It participants and bystanders alike is likely that their influence at this turned to religion for guidance and stage was also ideological. The comfort. risings of 1798 and the 1860s had At the turn of the twentieth century, imprinted themselves onto Irish women’s roles in society were folklore. It is likely that romanticised changing. The increasing availability stories of these failed rebellions of education to women meant that and the heroism associated with they were gradually branching into them were told by mothers to their professions which had previously been impressionable young boys and girls the reserve of men. In 1884, the Royal in the decades afterwards. The fact Countess Markievicz University of Ireland awarded degrees that these were militant nationalist to women for the first time. Although movements defined the method of It was later taken over by Helena many women at this time were still active nationalism from then on. Molony. Molony was an actor from restricted to primary education due The main rebel participants in Dublin who was also involved with to economic circumstances, the the were The Irish the Irish Women’s Franchise League. widening of the availability of degrees Volunteers, The , She launched the women’s paper to women opened up a way for them Cumann na mBan and Fianna Éireann. Bean na hÉireann in November to increase their political standing in The foundation and administration of 1908. It was Molony who introduced society. these organisations involved women Countess Markievicz to Inghinidhe In many societies, the women’s on a number of levels. Inghinidhe na hÉireann. Countess Markievicz suffrage movement is perceived as the na hÉireann originated in opposition was born Constance Gore-Booth. beginning of women’s role in politics. to Queen Victoria’s visit in 1900. She was the daughter of Sir Henry However, in Ireland at this time there The organisation continued after Gore-Booth, an Anglo-Irish landlord. was a generation of women who had the opposition to the royal visit, In 1903, having married the Polish been involving themselves in political encouraging the study of Irish Count Markievicz, she moved to movements. The Land League of literature, language and drama. The Dublin. She became involved in the 1880s provided the opportunity first president of the organisation was Inghinidhe na hÉireann and Bean na for women to become involved in a Maud Gonne, the daughter of a British hÉireann in 1909, and in the same political movement when the leaders captain. She came to Ireland when her year assisted in the foundation of the were imprisoned, and the Ladies Land father was stationed in the Curragh nationalist boy scout organisation, Na League took over their activities. They and became an ardent nationalist. Fianna. An objection was made to her

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Cumann na mBan, was formed. It During the course of the Rising, was subordinate to the Volunteers Cumann na mBan carried out a wide and its members were trained in first range of tasks, such as preparing aid. One of the most notable roles of meals, delivering messages and Cumann na mBan during the Rising administering first aid. Although the was that of messenger. Along with sources provide little evidence that some of the men, women were sent there was much need for their First Aid out to deliver dispatches across the services, there is sufficient evidence city as communication lines had to say that they provided a reasonable been severed. They were given white amount of support to the men. Their armbands with red crosses on them in primary roles seemed to have been the hopes that this would prevent the in providing meals, where food British Forces from firing at them or was available, delivering messages, placing them under arrest. running errands and raising morale. In 1914, the Volunteers secured Their role in delivering messages was funds to buy arms and in July of that a particularly precarious one. Winnie year they landed 15,000 rifles with Carney was stationed in the GPO ammunition at Howth and Kilcoole. during Easter Week. She had arrived Helena Molony The arms which were landed in there with the original occupation Howth arrived on board the Asgard, force on Monday and remained there involvement at the foundation of the the yacht of Erskine Childers and until the building was evacuated due Fianna on the grounds of her being his wife, who was on board with her to fire. She had a typewriter with her female. She was defended by Bulmer friend Mary Spring Rice. They had and spent her time typing messages Hobson and allowed to continue in her accompanied the arms from Germany and orders for the other rebel leaders role.1 She was also an ardent socialist and were greeted in Howth by a stationed around the city. These and was involved in the ITGWU. crowd of Volunteers. Mrs Childers messages were taken by women She was to become one of the more was involved in the organisation of who wore white armbands with a red famous participants of the Rising and the Volunteers. The arms brought in cross in the hopes of being mistaken was heavily involved in politics in the through Kilcoole had left Germany on for Red Cross workers. They had to years after it. Molony also introduced board another ship, the Kelpie, which move through increasingly dangerous Dr to the nationalist had a Kitty O’Brien amongst its crew.2 streets, in constant danger from the cause. Lynn was a doctor originally Josephine Clarke, widow of Liam British Forces and indeed from stray from Co Mayo. She, like many others, Clarke, recounted that before the bullets from their own comrades’ became involved in the Irish Citizen Rising she was advised not to appear guns. They were acknowledged by Army in the aftermath of the 1913 to be involved with Cumann na mBan a William Christian, stationed at Lockout and continued to play an in public so that she could be used Northumberland Road during the active role after that. She was the chief to transport dispatches during the week: ‘We were full of admiration medical officer of the ICA for the Rising. She recounts that her pre- for them as the action required Rising and played a prominent role in Rising activities included bandage- courage and resource in order to get moving around the city and treating making and filling in mobilisation past the British Patrols.’6 One of those who needed medical attention. orders.3 Eamonn Ceannt’s widow, these messengers worthy of note was From 1910 onwards, Home Rule Áine, detailed how Cumann na mBan Elizabeth O’Farrell. Elizabeth was a became the most prominent issue had obtained old tweed costumes to be nurse who was stationed in the GPO in Irish politics. Women who had made into sleeping bags and how her during Easter Week. She attended previously campaigned for suffrage sister Lilly procured the material with to wounded in the GPO along with for women now turned their attentions which the Tricolour flag was made by her friend Julia Grenan. Elizabeth to the acquisition of Home Rule. The a Mrs Mellows.4 Volunteer women was selected by Pearse to approach Home Rule Bill of 1912 led to the also provided accommodation for the the British Forces regarding the formation of the Volunteer Volunteers. They provided what could surrender. She was then sent back Force to resist Home Rule, by force be described as ‘safe houses’ for the to Pearse to get an unconditional if necessary. The spectre of a militant males. For example, Annie O’Brien’s surrender. She accompanied Pearse to unionist force in the North inspired family had Con Colbert staying with surrender to Brigadier-General Lowe the formation of the Irish National them in the run-up to the Rising. She and subsequently brought surrender Volunteers in November 1913, led provided him with his breakfast on orders to the other rebel garrisons by John Redmond. Consequently, the morning he was mobilised into around the city. Seán Byrne, a first aid in April 1914, a women’s auxiliary, action.5 worker stationed with the Boland’s

19 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Severe damage to Dublin’s Sackville Street ( now O’Connell Street) Mills garrison, recounts the arrival on were enough people wounded in City Imperial Hotel on Sackville Street. Sunday morning of a woman at the Hall to warrant Dr Lynn going there After the surrender, women railings claiming to have a message to treat them, but in other locations continued to offer their assistance for Commandant Pearse, and that ‘the members of Cumann na mBan to the men. When a British military she then left and came back later had very little First Aid work to do.’8 officer attempted to get the Cumann for a second time. This was surely The main role of Cumann na mBan na mBan girls to say they had only Elizabeth delivering her surrender in the Rising, as perceived by the participated by administering first aid, orders. Her second visit was due to members themselves, was to ‘prepare they refused. They stated that they Eamonn deValera’s refusal to accept food and generally to look after the had gone out as belligerents with the surrender orders from anyone other welfare of the men.’9 Their adherence men and that they would have done than McDonagh. to these instructions was absolute. In anything that was asked of them.12 The most prominent medical care one instance at Marrowbone Lane When the GPO garrison were being provider from within the ranks of Distillery, ‘the garrison had been short detained on the green of the Rotunda the rebels was the afore-mentioned of food and the girls had left it all for hospital, one volunteers noted seeing Dr Lynn. She was present with Seán the use of the men.’10 Winnie Carney put her coat over Seán Connolly when he died on the roof The rebel cause was also assisted by McDermott as he slept.13 The sources of City Hall. Seán’s brother Matthew many women who were not involved also show that the women provided was also present in City Hall. He as members of any organisation. moral support to the men. When had heard that his brother had been One despatch carrier named Ignatius those arrested after the surrender of seriously wounded but was unable to Callender noted how when he returned the Marrowbone Lane distillery were go to him. He later heard that Dr Lynn to his house with ammunition which being marched to was in the building and treating the he was to deliver to Church Street by the British forces, the women were wounded. She later recounted Sean’s the next morning, his mother took it reportedly asked to sing marching last moments to his brother.7 It is from him believing that she was less songs by the men.14 clear from his account that Matthew likely to be stopped by the authorities. There is a distinct connection was comforted by the fact his brother She brought it as far as Blackhall between women and the clergy at had not been alone at the time of his Place from where a Mrs Murnane’s the time. Irish society in Dublin was death. Dr Lynn also told him of his daughter brought it over the barricade only beginning to emerge from the sister’s work in treating wounded in King Street.11 On another occasion, chivalric ideas of the Victorian Age. in the same building. The numbers the wife of one of the rebels, a Mrs Especially among the upper classes, of Volunteers wounded seemed to Redmond took messages home for a it was expected that women would depend very much on location. There number of the men stationed at the be segregated from men to some

20 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 extent. The clergy provided no risk participating.20 Another Volunteer stay the night in the Imperial Hotel.26 to the sexual integrity of women and stopped into the University Church There are also the priests who tended with the high rates of adherence to on Earlsfort Terrace to say a prayer on to those who had been arrested. One Catholic ideals, priests were far more his way to his battalion.21 In another Volunteer reported that a Fr McCarthy connected to the lives of the women pre-emptive blessing, the tricolour fetched him a change of clothes of their parishes than they are today. flag which was in Eamonn and Áine while he was in . Attendance at mass and confession Ceannt’s house was ‘brought in and He was later visited by Fr McCarthy was strictly adhered to. The immunity sprinkled with Easter water.’22 when he was in Portland Prison.27 afforded to priests allowed them a Another important role of religion There were also those who attended freedom of movement that other adult in the Rising was that of providing the men who were executed in their males did not have during Easter comfort following the surrender. last moments. A Fr Albert attended week. Many of the newspapers had In the aftermath of the Rising there Con Colbert at his execution and had to cease printing and martial was great uncertainty regarding the later passed on a message from him law severely curtailed movement. possible fates of those who had been to a friend.28 Fr Albert also visited As a result, correct information was arrested. They were held in a number the ladies of Cumann na mBan in difficult to come by. When Áine of places before they were either Kilmainham as the executions were Ceannt was seeking information on released, deported to English prisons, taking place. According to Lily the fate of her husband, her sister-in- or executed. A great camaraderie Curran, he consoled them, blessed law suggested that she should go and had developed between the men and them and heard confessions. He also speak to the priests in Church Street women of the various units and there took messages from them to their as that was ‘where the only reliable is evidence of great anguish on the families and as a result, Lily received information could be found.’15 There part of those waiting for word of the sweets and biscuits from her brother are numerous incidences in the sources fates of friends and family members. Tom.29 Members of religious orders of the women and men attending In Richmond barracks, a group of also played a part in the Rising. One mass and confession before hostilities Volunteers who had been arrested witness statement records the wish of began. In one case, a member of the recited the rosary after lights out before a Sean Cody to express appreciation second battalion recalled how four to they settled down for the night.23 to nuns from St John’s convent for six weeks before Easter week, they Áine Ceannt recalled saying the preparing food for the men in the were instructed to ‘go to confession Rosary between three and five-thirty Church Street and North Brunswick and to keep [themselves] in the state of am the morning that Eamonn was to Street area.30 grace for any eventuality.’16 On Easter be executed.24 In another example Assessing the impact of the Rising Saturday, one volunteer noted that of religious devotion, a group of on Dublin civilian women is difficult. there were thousands of men and boys Cumann na mBan women on the eve There are few written accounts of present at confession.17 Attendance of being transported to Kilmainham their experiences. Newspapers and at confession was to prepare them in gaol to be searched for the first time witness statements provide some case they met their deaths during the since their arrest, worried about what information. Dublin city centre was hostilities. However, they also turned to do with the guns they still had in badly damaged during the Rising. It to religion to protect them. Their their possession. They decided to say is estimated that the damage caused families also turned to prayer as a the rosary for guidance on what to do was two and a half million pounds way of coping with the fact of their and then hid them on ledges up the sterling. The damage to businesses in loved ones going out to fight. Ignatius chimney.25 It is clear that prayer and the area of the fighting must have been Callender’s mother ran after him as he religion pervaded every aspect of the severe. In places, entire streets were left to join his battalion to pin a badge Rising. reduced to rubble. In the midst of this of the Little Flower to his clothes In addition to providing accurate rubble lay the remains of the shops saying ‘you’re alright now, the Little information in the days following and offices of Dublin. Shops which Flower will protect you.’18 the surrender, the clergy of Dublin had not been destroyed were likely to In another instance, Ignatius carried assisted in a number of ways. During have been looted. Deliveries into the a message to the wife of an unnamed the hostilities, several priests put city had been severely disturbed and volunteer to say that her husband had themselves at risk by administering the fighting and martial law had made received confession. Her reply was the sacraments to those involved in it difficult for people to move around, ‘Oh, thank God.’19 Men also stopped the Rising. On Sackville Street, a Fr reducing their customer levels. This to pray before going on individual Headley of Dominick Street church must have caused significant hardship tasks during the Rising. Before an crossed from the GPO to the Imperial for the business owners, employees attack on Broadstone station, Fr Hotel under heavy fire to hear the men and their dependents. One business Albert and another unnamed friar and women’s confessions. The firing owner lost her business as a result of gave a blessing to the twelve men was so intense that he then had to the rising through different means.

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Mrs Callender was the proprietress suffered when the Volunteers seized was formed. The Irish National Aid of Lucan restaurant in the city. Eighty the Mendicity Institute, a charitable Association raised and distributed per cent of her business was from organisation which offered meals to funds for those who suffered as a soldiers who placed the destitute. It is estimated that 2,500 result of the Rising.41 There was some orders with her. In the aftermath civilians were killed or injured during tension between the two organisations of the Rising, when she was heard the Rising.38 and they amalgamated in August expressing remorse for those who In light of the far-reaching ill-effects 1916. In addition to the aid they had been executed, the British soldier of the Rising on the citizens of Dublin, distributed, the women dependents of eating there challenged her for her it is not surprising that many of those the executed men provided a link to remark saying that it was ‘more than who were involved found themselves the men who had by now reached the [she] said for [their] poor fellows the target of hostility. One group in status of martyr for the Irish cause. who were killed.’31 Gradually, the particular notable for providing this History remembers the women of British soldiers stopped placing their hostility were the ‘allowance women.’ 1916 who went on to gain notoriety orders with her and by June, she had These were women whose husbands in Irish politics in subsequent years. closed the restaurant. There was also a were serving in the British army. Apart from Countess Markievicz, no significant effect on the home lives of For them, British rule afforded their evidence has been found of women the citizens of Dublin. In one instance, husbands a chance to earn a meagre actually participating in combat a group of volunteers provided food living to support their families. There situations. Countess Markievicz to the residents of a street which they were also Irish soldiers among those participated as a member of the ICA had barricaded.32 This indicates that who were deployed to suppress the and not of Cumann na mBan and she the residents were unable to leave Rising, such as the Dublin Fusiliers. was to take an active role in combat to procure food for themselves. The Some of these men may very well situations. However, the other women Volunteers had taken possession have been family members of the of Cumann na mBan, although they of businesses, private houses and women voicing their opposition. may not have been quite as militant tenement buildings alike. The people When the City Hall detachment was as history makes them out to be, living there must have suffered being marched to Kilmainham jail, were totally dedicated to both the significant disruption. They would Matthew Connolly reported having republican cause and to the support of have had to leave their homes, find marched through ‘several groups of their men. It has been shown how, on alternative accommodation and then hostile people.’39 It was only when numerous occasions, they displayed deal with the destruction which was the leaders of the Rising were being extreme courage and determination. caused in their homes on their return. executed that public opinion changed Women were heavily involved in Their freedom of movement was also in favour of the Volunteers. By the the nationalist cause on an unofficial restricted. On Easter Monday, it was time the men were being brought to level during the Fenian era, and by noted that families who had taken jails in England, the crowds who 1916, they were officially involved. day trips to the sea had difficulty gathered in Dublin were greeting Women assisted with the setting returning to their homes when public them with cheers.40 up and running of nationalist transport systems stopped running. In the months after the rising, there organisations such as Cumann na Seamus Daly reported seeing families was a need for relief systems to assist mBan and Na Fianna, providing them with small children still attempting the dependents of those who had been with the political platform to advance to make their way home at two or killed or interred during or after the further into the world of politics. The three am.33 Even those who could stay Rising. There were some relief efforts role of the woman in the family is also in their homes were under threat of for the civilians on the part of the notable, mothers told stories of the being raided. In one case, a family in British authorities but they did not Fenians to their children, who in turn Gloucester Street were told by British extend to those whose relatives had took up the nationalist cause. During soldiers that if they looked out the been involved in leading the Rising. the course of Easter week, the women window, they would be shot.34 Many people lost their jobs as a took on most of the tasks not related to There were also many civilians result and found it difficult to secure fighting in order to free the men to do who lost their lives as a result of the employment elsewhere. Kathleen the fighting. It was not just the women Rising. Among them was a Nurse Clarke launched the Irish Volunteers directly involved in the hostilities Kelly, another nurse in the South Dependents Fund using money she who participated but also the citizens Dublin Union, a woman who was had been given by her husband before of Dublin. Some citizens supported shot dead outside her home on Capel the Rising. Its executive committee the Rising by providing practical street,35 and a woman who died of a was comprised of women including assistance to the participants and others seizure when her neighbour’s house Áine Ceannt, Margaret Pearse and who objected to the rising made their was raided in the course of Easter Lil Colbert. Shortly after this another feelings known also. The background week.36 37 The poor of Dublin also organisation with similar intents to all of this is the Irish Catholic

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Church. The sources provide a wealth Hearne, Dana, ‘The Irish Citizen 1914- 18.Ibid., p 7. of information on the devotion of the 1916: Nationalism, Feminism, and 19.Ibid., p. 15. people of Dublin to their religion and Militarism’ in The Canadian Journal of 20.Witness Statement Number 1035, 8 Irish Studies, Vol. 18, No. 1, (1992), pp March 1954, The Bureau of Military also a number of stories of the clergy 1-14. History, p 12. who put themselves in danger to Kinsella, A., ‘Medical Aspects of the 1916 21.Witness Statement Number 646, 5 attend to their parishioners. It is clear Rising’ in Dublin Historical Record, Vol. February 1952, The Bureau of Military that religion played a very important 50, No. 2 (1997), pp 137-170. History, p. 7. role in the Rising. Although men still Matthews, Ann. Renegades: Irish 22.Witness Statement Number 264, 27 Republican Women 1900-1922. (Cork, April 1949, The Bureau of Military held the political power at this point, 2010). History, p. 24. women were growing ever more McNally, Michael, Easter Rising 1916: 23.Witness Statement Number 268, influential. In the years following the Birth of the Irish Republic, (Oxford, 2007) undated, The Bureau of Military History, Rising, the increased participation of Smyth, Hazel P., ‘Kathleen Lynn, M.D., p. 16. women in politics was shown when F.R.C.S.I. (1874-1955)’ in Dublin 24.Witness Statement Number 264, 27 Countess Markievicz was elected Historical Record, Vol. 30, No. 2 (1977), April 1949, The Bureau of Military pp 51-57. History, p. 16. to the Dáil. The fact that the Irish ______25.Witness Statement Number 805, 17 Volunteers Dependents Fund had only 1.Witness Statement Number 8, 12 June February 1953, The Bureau of Military females on its Executive Committee 1947, The Bureau of Military History, p. 5 History, p. 13. indicates the political independence 2.Witness Statement Number 1248, 17 26.Witness Statement Number 1687, 27 that women were now seeking. They September 1955, The Bureau of Military September 1957, The Bureau of Military History, p.4 History, p. 18. had fought alongside their men for 3.Witness Statement Number 699, June 27.Witness Statement Number 268, their nationalist cause and they now 1951, The Bureau of Military History, p. undated, The Bureau of Military History, demanded recognition for it. 15. p. 18. 4.Witness Statement Number 264, 27 April 28.Witness Statement Number 856, 8 June Bibliography 1949, The Bureau of Military History, p. 1953, The Bureau of Military History, p. Primary: 23. 6. 5.Witness Statement Number 805, 17 29.Witness Statement Number 805, 17 The Irish Independent February 1953, The Bureau of Military February 1953, The Bureau of Military The Anglo-Celt History, p. 5. History, p. 15. Witness statements, all from the Bureau of 6.Witness Statement Number 646, 5 30.Witness Statement Number 1035, 8 Military History February 1952, The Bureau of Military March 1954, The Bureau of Military 1758, undated422, 8 August 1950 History, p. 9. History, p. 16. 923, 25 February 1954 7.Witness Statement Number 1746, 27 31.Witness Statement Number 923, 25 1760, undated November 1958, The Bureau of Military February 1954, The Bureau of Military 856, 8 June 1953 History, p. History, p. 19. 1248, 17 September 1955 8.Witness Statement Number 805, 17 32.Witness Statement Number 1035, 8 1035, 8 March 1954 February 1953, The Bureau of Military March 1954, The Bureau of Military 699, June 1951 History, p. 8. History, p. 11. 264, 27 April 1949 9.Ibid. 33.Witness Statement Number 360, 2 8, 12 June 1947 10.Witness Statement Number 264, 17 March 1950, The Bureau of Military 646, 5 February 1952 April 1949, The Bureau of Military History, p. 35. 1687, 27 September 1957 History, p. 42. 34.Ibid., p. 49. 550, 3 July 1951 11.Witness Statement Number 923, 25 35.The Irish Times, 5 May 1916. 1746, 27 November 1958 February 1954, The Bureau of Military 36.Witness Statement Number 264, 27 304, 14 October 1949 History, p. 13. April 1949, The Bureau of Military 268, undated 12.Witness Statement Number 264, 17 History, p. 15. 563, 1 August 1951 April 1949, The Bureau of Military 37.The Irish Times, 29 April 1916. 148, 29 June 1948 History, p. 44. 38.Michael McNally, Easter Rising 1916: 805, 17 February 1953 13.Witness Statement Number 563, 1 Birth of the Irish Republic, p. 91. 736, 9 October 1952 August 1951, The Bureau of Military 39.Witness Statement Number 1746, 27 909, 29 October 1953 History, p. 10. November 1958, The Bureau of Military 360, 2 March 1950 14.Witness Statement Number 805, 17 History, p. 13. 428, 22 September 1950 February 1953, The Bureau of Military 40.Witness Statement Number 1687, 27 Secondary: History, p. 10. September 1957, The Bureau of Military Benton, Sarah, ‘Women Disarmed: The 15.Witness Statement Number 264, 27 History, p. 29. Militarisation of Politics in Ireland 1013- April 1949, The Bureau of Military 41.Ann Matthews, Renegades: Irish 23’ in Feminist Review, No. 50 (1995), pp History, p. 35. Republican Women, 1900-1922, (Cork, 148-172. 16.Witness Statement Number 1687, 27 2010), Chapter 6. (Kindle edition) Connell, Joseph E.A., ‘Countdown to September 1957, The Bureau of Military 2016: Inghidhe na hÉireann/Daughters of History, p. 5. Ireland Clan na nGaedheal/ Girl Scouts 17.Witness Statement Number 923, 25 of Ireland’ in History Ireland, Vol. 19, No. February 1954, The Bureau of Military 5 (2011), p. 6. History, p. 5.

23 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Fighting the Famine in Ireland By PJ Duffy

Ever since the dark period of the Irish Famine, much has been written about how and why this disaster took place in our land. Most researchers and historians readily place the blame on the blight and subsequent failure of the potato crop. But the question has been asked, why were we so dependent on the potato crop in the first place? At that time it would seem our country was very much overpopulated. Potatoes were always a plentiful crop so a crammed population became over-dependent on them. During the period when the potato crop had failed here and the famine was at its peak, there were thousands of people in the London area of Great Britain who were surviving on the brink of starvation. Alexis Soyer (4 February 1810 – 5 August 1858), a chef at London’s Reform Club, operated a huge soup kitchen for London’s poor in Leicester Square. Alexis Soyer in 1849 He had sometime previously been abroad with the British army where he out to the country he was amazed to supplied to people being served was employed devising recipes for the discover how much stuff was going with soup, which has been described forces. When he heard about what was to waste while a whole population as wholesome and nutritious. This taking place in Ireland he volunteered was starving. In abandoned gardens action, while not bringing the death to go there and offer his services and along his route cabbage plants like rate to zero, at least slowed it down advice as a chef. kale and broccoli were growing wild; so that there might be more possibility When he arrived into Dublin he was also garlic, a plant that could be useful for relatives of the deceased to bury met by hundreds of starving people all to give flavour to soup. He explained their dead. eager to sample his recipes for human that during his life he had seen a huge Even in the 1940s people working survival. He erected a huge tent with amount of fresh material going to in the fields were able to point to a wood and canvas on the esplanade waste and being dumped into refuse spot where a man died in 1848 while outside the Royal Barracks in Dublin. bins that if turned into soup could returning from a soup kitchen. His He installed a 300-gallon coal-fired prevent thousands of people from next of kin were quickly notified. boiler and supplied soup and chopped starving. They took charge of his remains, vegetables to hundreds of hungry He contacted landlords and other brought his body home to be waked people. Huge sections of beef, mutton prominent people and got their co- in his own little house, and on the and pork were chopped up and cooked operation in setting up suitable soup following Sunday took it to the local in this boiler. The appetising aroma kitchens at various locations around graveyard to be interred in the family that came from the tent was mouth- the country. He devised a suitable plot. Before that time hundreds of watering for a hungry people who recipe for those people in charge. A dead people were buried without surged forward in droves to avail of government supervisor took charge coffins in unmarked graves situated in the food on offer. and directed that at all times hygiene the corners of fields. Immediately following on his was paramount and utensils in use in Dublin venture he recommended that kitchens must be scalded with boiling Reference: Readers Digest Stories of soup kitchens on a smaller scale be water after use in order to avoid the a Previous Generation. set up at suitable locations around spread of disease. the countryside. On one of his trips Ladles and enamel mugs were 24 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Changing Times at the Market Yard by Bernie Gilbride

As I parked my car in the Market we youngsters sang and danced if we farming implements. Yard in Sligo the other morning I got had a chance, practising for when we This was not the only use for to thinking of all the changes there would all be famous film stars. To the yard. Sligo Corporation used it over the past few years, and wondered be in the ‘pictures’ was everyone’s to store its equipment for making what the old neighbours in Temple ambition then. Alas, I don’t think any and repairing roads – sand, gravel, Street would make of it if they could of us realised that dream. stones, a big stone crusher, a huge come back and see it now. The entire Every Saturday morning would steamroller, barrels and barrels of tar, centre has been cleared away. The see the yard full of horses, carts and and a tar spreader which had a fire three massive gates are gone and it is farmers with all their wares: hay, underneath to keep the tar bubbling open to drive through at any hour. potatoes, cabbage plants (when in and spreadable. The smell from it My earliest recollection of the yard season), oats, turf and blocks. There permeated the whole area. There was is of a huge fire on the left-hand side were so many carts they overflowed a water sprinkler to wash down the as one enters from Temple Street. I on to Temple Street, lining both streets after the market. was being held up to an attic window sides. One could see the bargaining The town fire tenders lived there so that I could see the flames. I have going on: the farmers with their big too, while the firemen lived in since discovered the building on fire cocks of hay overhanging the cart the neighbouring area to be easily had been a shirt factory and its burning showing the good quality out, the available in case of fire as there were down was catastrophic for our small buyer sticking his hand into the centre very few cars and no mobile phones. town at that time. Being very young of the hay, pulling out a handful, In fact one of the first phones was this aspect of the fire meant nothing smelling it, running it through his installed in the fire tenders’ sheds. to me, but the flames really took fingers. Then the bargaining would Outside each gate was an emergency my fancy, much as fireworks do for begin, with much walking away and bell behind glass, to be broken if the children today. arguing the price until eventually yard was locked in order to raise the At that time the yard was completely a deal was made. With a spit on the alarm. Then the gate nearest the fire enclosed, having three massive gates: hand and a handshake the money was was opened and off they went. one at each entrance, to Temple Street, handed over, and the ‘luck’ money The town brass band had a place High Street and Dominic Street. handed back. Often there were carts there too and could be heard and These gates were approximately 15 of bonhams and their squeals could sometimes seen practising on Sunday to 20 feet high and very heavy. They be heard way down in O’Connell mornings or on summer evenings, were padlocked each evening at 6pm Street. Carts too of young calves with much to our delight. During the war and re-opened each morning at 7am their velvety soft frightened eyes, the Local Defence Force used the yard by a caretaker, who lived in a house in occasionally allowing their noses to for drilling and marching and this we the yard. I can still see the huge keys be rubbed. loved to see. that hung from his belt. Inside the In fact on Saturday morning, Market Now as I sit here, all around me gates were stores on either side of the Day, the place was a seething mass are modern elegant apartments with yard. I would assume that these stores of humanity, with animals, produce, beautiful balconies. Where once were once dwelling houses, but at that horses and carts thrown in for good the old stores stood, once again time they held all sorts of equipment measure. The noise – much shouting, are dwelling places. The yard is for Sligo Corporation. Just inside the laughter, neighing of horses, braying completely open with through roads Temple Street gate was a big watering of donkeys, squealing of bonhams to Temple Street, High Street, and trough, continuously overflowing, for and the odd fiddle or melodeon being Dominick Street and lots and lots the horses to drink from. played and of course dogs barking – of car parking spaces. It’s only five The entire centre of the yard was made it a lively place indeed. minutes’ walk from the town centre covered and slated, with a large On Temple Street corner stood a pub. and is a very popular spot for parking. open-ended platform at either end. In It too would be filled with farmers and Having parked I must be going, and between was an open space capable buyers all during the market and many must not forget to put up my ticket, of taking at least ten to 12 horses and a deal was sealed with a drink, with otherwise it might cost me 20 euro carts. The platforms were of stone much of the ‘luck’ money being spent instead of 65 cent for my ticket. covered in very heavy timber similar on it. Another pub stood at the High No doubt the old neighbours would to railway sleepers, and were the Street entrance. All along High Street have much to amaze them -- a woman height of a normal cart, so that the cart were shops that complimented the parking a car, the number of cars drawn alongside was easily unloaded. country trade, selling grain, groceries around, having to pay to leave the car On each platform were huge scales and huge blocks of salt. The hardware for even an hour, but most of all, the capable of weighing anything and stores, which were numerous, sold now completely open Market Yard. everything. On these same platforms spades, forks, rakes and all types of

25 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Of Rabbits, Pheasants and Partridge By John McDonagh

It’s hard to believe now but in the the winter months, taking dozens of cross-bars and handlebars of bicycles. post-war era of the hungry 1950s rabbits every week and transporting Sadly, the ‘myxo’ put an end to all an amazing number of people them directly to Dublin by rail, thus this activity, affecting a complete supplemented their income and cutting out the middleman. Needless wipe-out of the rabbit population and supplied protein to their family’s to say, this fraternity didn’t see the thereby depriving many enterprising diet by trapping, snaring, lamping, onset of ‘myxo’ as beneficial in any young fellows of their Christmas shooting or otherwise capturing the way. pocket money, and for some of the humble rabbit. I understand that the vast majority more seasoned hunters removing a I can remember very clearly of the rabbits that were traded ended useful supplement to their income. hundreds of rabbits being sold at the up in butcher shops in Dublin but a Rabbits were first introduced to the Ballymote markets, which were held sizeable number were exported to British Isles in the thirteenth century each Thursday in the wintertime. The England, where post-war scarcities by the Normans, to provide meat and rabbits, paunched and hung in pairs, still existed. The dealers were usually fur. Hunting them was the preserve of could vary in price from a low of one small-time traders who also bought the aristocracy and any ‘commoners’ shilling and three pence to a high of poultry, game, wool, horse-hair and found hunting them were severely four shillings and six pence. A fairly any other commodities with potential punished, sometimes by death. normal price would work out at about to return a profit Rabbits being rabbits, they quickly two to three shillings. I have very vivid memories of two multiplied until they became a pest Taken in context, the price of a pint competing dealers in Ballymote, each that was eventually eliminated by the was then around two shillings and two with a small pick-up truck, one parked myxomatosis. pence, so the trapper with a couple outside the Hibernian Bank (now the Pheasants and partridge were also of dozen rabbits for the market each Bank of Ireland) and the other, just introduced to Ireland from France by week could look forward to a fairly across the road, outside Johnston’s. the Normans. They were regarded as bountiful Christmas. They shouted insults lustily across the game birds and once again hunting Lamentably, the whole enterprise street at each other as they competed or taking them was the prerogative of was brought to a sad and sudden end for the rabbits which were being the aristocracy – a privilege that was by the introduction of the hideous brought to town for sale, in cars, vans retained and jealously guarded by the myxomatosis disease, which was and donkey-carts but mostly, on the landlords in much more recent times. introduced to this country around 1954. Before the intensification of agriculture the countryside looked completely different. Fields were much smaller and usually bounded by dense hedgerows and big earthen banks which the local people called ditches. Oats and potatoes were grown on nearly every farm, creating a perfect habitat for all kinds of wildlife, especially rabbits. Indeed rabbits could be seen as resource or a pest, depending on where your interests lay. If you were a farmer growing oats or barley, which most farmers did at that time, then your entire crop of germinating seedlings (locally known as ‘braird’) could be decimated by a heavy infestation. On the other hand, some seasonal workers became fully professional rabbit trappers during Ballymote court records of poachers being prosecuted 26 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 the landlords, the Royal Irish taking game. Constabulary and later by the Gardaí. However, across a little stream from The ‘Petty Sessions Records’ from our townland were the townlands of Ballymote court show hundreds of Lissananny and Ballybrennan, the prosecutions in the mid to late 1800s preserves of the Gore-Booths, with brought by William Craig, and later by a bountiful supply of pheasants, his son Robert, against poachers on the woodcock and partridge. Well preserves of the Gore-Booth family. watched by the Craigs and their The Craigs were gamekeepers for the successive gamekeepers, as well as Gore-Booths and appear to have been the police, it was an adventurous and remorseless and unrelenting in their rewarding activity to slip across the pursuit of those who would dare to river in the early morning and return In compliance with the various trap, shoot or otherwise take any of again undetected with a few pheasants, land-acts of the nineteenth and the baronet’s game. or partridge in the bag. My early twentieth century most of the The courts too took a very dim view late father and uncles specialised landlords sold out to their tenants, of poaching and there are several and revelled in this activity. They but the terms of sale nearly always records from the 1880s showing fines had many good tales to relate about contained a clause which gave them of up to £5 or two months in prison close encounters with and subsequent (the landlords) the exclusive right with hard labour for poaching. (£5 escapes from the gamekeepers and to ‘hunt, pursue, shoot or otherwise would represent three or four months police. take the game from the said lands’ wages at that time.) By the time I started to use a gun, irrespective of the of the new owner’s This rigorous enforcement of the the Craigs were long gone and the wishes. He or she was often denied game laws didn’t seem to apply in Gore-Booth estates were in terminal the right to pursue or take pheasant, our particular townland. The landlord decline. The game rights were then partridge, hares or mallard from their here was Alexander Sim from leased by a consortium of wealthy own holding. Colooney . The preservation of game Sligo businessmen and were minded These regulations and game and shooting rights never appear to by the Gardaí but the temptation to laws were taken very seriously have been a priority with him and continue the family tradition was as and rigorously enforced both by his tenants were not restricted from strong as ever.

Ballymote Court Records

27 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The Hunter-Gatherer By Joe Mc Gowan

Spring is the best time for anyone wishing to gather winkles, báirneachs (limpets) and other tasty morsels by the seashore. They can be eaten only in a month with an ‘R’ in it. This is the time of year to pick sleabhac, crannach and other delicacies too. Sleabhac, an edible seaweed, grows in abundance on bare rocks in the tidal zone. It is available only at low tide. Reminiscent of the biblical manna that turned up out of nowhere to feed the Israelites, this hardy plant springs forth only during the winter months. Shortly now, with lengthening days and stronger sun, it will disappear, and all that will remain is bare inhospitable rock. In past times this seaweed was a valuable addition to the dinner table. During famine times it helped to keep The author gathering sleabhac at Leac na Meala many people alive, along with dilisc, accessible. Even though these seaside again when we went to the shore. carrageen and crannac. plants are wholly organic and packed They feared and respected the waters Sleabhac grows only in special with nutrients, a new generation is that nurtured and fed them but, in an places and is best plucked after a growing up that has never heard of unguarded moment, would equally spell of frost. The spot where I went them. take their lives. ‘Bíonn a cuid féin ag recently to gather my share is aptly As I pluck the dark brown weed I an bhfarraige’ they believed: the sea named Leac na Meala (the Honeyed think of my parents and the old people must have its due. It was unlucky to Rock). While spoken Irish has died who knew when and where to look save a drowning person. A place in out in this area, people still refer to for this food and who crowded the the deep was destined for a corpse; seaside places by their Irish names: seashore until not a pick was left; a someone must fill it. The rescuer Pollyarry, Ros Caoireach, Leac Cam, people who lived by their wits and would, in time, forfeit his own life in Cromadach and so on. Every section their intimate knowledge of nature. place of the life he saved. of shore had, and still has, its own They knelt in the same places that I I am grateful to be here in this designation and a reputation for good do and gathered this delicious food beautiful place, at the edge of the fishing or good seaweed, different that re-generates miraculously year Atlantic in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, places at different times of the year. It after year. I think too of the hungry, and grateful for the knowledge the was as important to other generations emaciated creatures who scoured the old people have passed on to me. to know these names as it is now seashore in famine times. A small Sleek cars and power-walkers whiz for shoppers to know the streets and bag of sleabhac, mixed perhaps with by on the cliff road above, oblivious addresses of favourite stores in our báirneachs and winkles, would keep to the secrets of nature encrypted in towns and cities. them alive for another day. As I work, the landscape. They stare, and perhaps So much has changed in such a somehow I feel their spirits are close wonder, at the unusual sight of a lone short time in Ireland that, now, very by. hunter-gatherer crouched by the few bother to gather sleabhac. It The roar of the ocean behind me waves. may be nowhere near as healthy or is timeless and reassuring as, alone -- wholesome, but for busy lifestyles, with my thoughts, I gather and reflect. A book of short stories called The food on supermarket shelves is pre- ‘Never turn your back to the sea,’ the Hidden People will be published by packaged, convenient and much more old people warned us time and time the author this year. 28 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The Gods of the Neale By Bernie Doyle

In my childhood I often heard tales which were all called Connovcht, came up from the hollow into the field of the Gods of the Neale, and I from Con’s portion. His son, Loo I found an animal a short distance remember climbing through a gap in Lava Adda, who founded the Druids, away – a magnificent specimen – and the wall of the Kilmaine demesne, was thought to have drawn all his he was striding briskly, confidently down the Ballywalter road in search knowledge from the Sun. Loo’s Gods and purposefully towards me. I called of them. So when I was passing that were adopted by Con and Edna of the out to Gráinne and Fergal and they way a few years ago I thought I would line of Heber. This Loo Lava Adda ran towards me. We had, by now, show them to my daughter and her may be the character named in later spotted the wicket-gate in the wall friend. We found the broken wall and stories as Lámh Fhada, whose and by common consent we sprinted climbed into a hollow and there were arm, lost in battle, was reputed to be towards it, Gráinne’s long legs taking the fearsome gods! buried under an upright stone, known her there first. That left Fergal and We faced a square stone structure locally as the Long Stone, which is myself some yards behind, separated holding an inscribed slab. Above this situated at the junction of the Headford from one another and not very well is a smaller plinth, into which are and Cong roads just outside the village placed. I stopped. Fergal stopped. inset what look like three grotesques of the Neale. A few miles distant on The bull stopped. We had a triangular plundered from mediaeval churches. this same road to Cong lies the site of confrontation for about ten seconds. The first is a cow sitting on its tail, to the ancient first battle of Moytura. The Then I shouted to Fergal: “You go the right of this is a skirted be-capped current local explanation is that these down the hollow and climb over the figure holding some sort of shield, and Gods of the Neale are, in fact, nothing wall and I’ll head for the gate. One, the third, underneath the other two, more than a collection of artefacts two, three . . . go!’ We were so busy represents a horrible-looking cow pillaged by an eighteenth century running that we never really saw with claws and ruffles and rejoicing in Lord Kilmaine from various ruins, which one of us the bull went for. But a tail with three fingers and a thumb. and placed together as a type of folly. we cleared the field all right. Above this again is a still smaller I decided to join the others and On the way home, passing the gates plinth with a pointed finial, and an to have a look at the site of the of Kilmaine House with the statue of inscription on three sides. The only Lonsencan Stone built into the orchard a lion sitting atop each pillar, I was inscription I could make out, written wall. This was a slab, about fifteen reminded of the story of the old lady in Latin, translates as: ‘Pray for the inches square, with an inscription years ago. One Sunday her starting soul of Manchus who made me. Died of undoubted antiquity. In the 1940s time for setting out for Church was 1526.’ While I was examining this, the the slab was returned to the church at delayed by five minutes. She hurried others went off to explore the ruins of Breaffy, Castlebar from whence Lord along to make up the lost time. ‘But,’ Kilmaine House. Kilmaine had originally filched it. But she said eloquently, ‘the bell struck I have since found out that the the side stones are still in position and me at the Lions’ Gate.’ main inscription tells us that we have the inscription on these reads: ‘The On then past that curious structure, here the Gods of Con, and we are to above stone was found at Breaffy, Co. known as the Weathercock, which have confidence in Loo Lava Adda Mayo AD 1732 in a coffin inscribed in consists of a series of receding steps. Vackene, the Shepherd of Ireland. Irish characters as the coffin of Genan It was rumoured that Lord Kilmaine’s Those images were found in a cave which contained a skeleton twelve and brother had been to Egypt in the behind the place where they now a half feet long. Genan was King of eighteenth century and was given a stand, and were the Ancient Gods of Ireland AM 3352 and this monument plan of a pyramid, which was then the Neale, or the Gods of Felicity, is erected to show the antiquity of the scaled down for the family estate. from which the place is called in Irish Irish character and the size of mankind Perhaps there was a weather vane on Ne Héille and in English ‘The Neale’. in those early ages. AD 1756.’ top, visible from the house, which Loo Lava Adda reigned in 2577 The others had shouted something helped the family to plan their daily BC and was then 60. Cedna reigned about cattle when they were making programme. Our day, at least, had had in 2994 BC. Con Moil was the son of their way to the house but I told them lots of excitement. Heber who divided his kingdom with that cattle are always curious. There his brother. He had the western parts, was no need to worry. But when I 29 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Woulfe Flanagan – The Sligo Connection

By John C McTernan

The Flanagans alias Woulfe Flanagans the newly-formed Baronial repose of the soul of Very Rev. John were an old Roscommon family Committee. Stanilaus Flanagan, Dean of closely associated with the royal John Stanilaus Flanagan (1821- . Died at Adare on the 11th O’Conors, and were described as ‘a 1905), eldest and only surviving son October, 1905 aged 86 years. Catholic professional family from the of Francis and Catherine, succeeded Some years of his childhood were wealthier strata of the upper middle to the Rathtermon property. He was spent in this parish and in or about classes which through the ownership educated privately and in his early 1854, in conjunction with the of landed estates merged with the twenties forsook his inheritance Birmingham Oratory, of which he was a upper classes.’ By the mid to late 19th and went to Paris to study for the member, he restored and enlarged this century they had attained eminence priesthood. Shortly after the outbreak church. in the legal profession and were also of the Revolution in that city in 1848, he Terence Flanagan of Drumdoe, substantial landowners, holding 2,000 returned home for a short time before , and , Co Kildare, acres in Co Sligo in addition to an resuming his studies as a member the eldest son of John and Catherine equivalent amount in Roscommon of the Oratorian Congregation in Coyne of Clogher and Rathtermon, and Clare. Birmingham, founded by John Henry in 1813 married Johanna Woulfe, In the late 18th century John Newman, subsequently Cardinal daughter of Stephen Woulfe of Co Flanagan of Clogher in the Newman, where he was ordained in Clare and Lord Chief Baron of the of , the then-head of the family, 1851. He quickly gained a reputation Irish Exchequer. They had three sons, held 525 acres, plantation measure, as a leading theologian, and as such John, Stephen and Terence, each of under a Fee Farm grant, close to finds regular mention in the published whom adopted the additional name of Lough Gara in the half barony of works of Cardinal Newman. On the Woulfe. Coolavin. In the 1790s he purchased foundation of the Catholic University John Woulfe Flanagan (1815-1869), Rathtermon and adjoining lands in in Dublin he accompanied Newman JP, DL, the eldest son, studied law and Killaraght, formerly part of the Lorton to the Irish capital and while in was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn. estate, for £6,570, an investment that Dublin, with the assistance of fellow He was also a member of the Irish generated a handsome income from Oratorians, he restored and enlarged Bar but never practised. Instead, he the rearing of horses and selling them Killaraght church where he had lived the life of a country gentleman, to the army during the Napoleonic worshipped in his youth. held the rank of Captain in the wars. He was returned as a registered In 1861 Fr Flanagan disposed of Roscommon Militia, was High elector in the Co Sligo Parliamentary his landed property in Coolavin to of Sligo in 1860 and for a number of election of 1796. He died in June 1819 his cousin, Stephen Woulfe Flanagan, years a Grand Juror for both Sligo and possessed of the lands of Rathtermon, before taking up an appointment as Roscommon. He also sat on the Boyle Cloontycarn, Lisgullaun, Inch Island chaplain to the Earl of Dunraven at Board of Guardians, was Chairman at and the deer park at Cloonlough. in Co Limerick. In 1866, the time of his death and widely hailed In his will, dated a year earlier, he most likely through the influence as an authority on the workings of the bequeathed the property to his son, of the late Earl’s family, he was Poor Law system. Francis Flanagan, for life, and made appointed Administrator of the Adare Following the death of his father in provision for his widow, Winifred parish and parish priest on the death 1846, he took up residence at Drumdoe, (nee Coyne), and other offspring. of the incumbent, Revd T S O’Grady. Ballinafad, which the family had Francis Flanagan married Catherine He was subsequently elevated to the leased a decade and a half earlier from Molloy and built Rathtermon House rank of archdeacon and finally a dean Viscount Lorton of Rockingham. In on a site overlooking Lough Gara. of the Diocese of Limerick. For over 1848 he married Susan, only daughter A number of their offspring died in forty years he laboured in his adopted of Sir Michael O’Loughlin, Master of childhood and following his wife’s parish with singular devotion and was the Rolls. He had a reputation of being death he forsook his inheritance and widely hailed as a man of remarkable a model landlord, befriending those emigrated to the USA. An extant ability and theological attainments, in need, especially in the harsh years document lists him as residing and the friend and advocate of the of 1861-62. Shortly after settling at in Kentucky in 1849 but nothing poor and needy. He died in October Drumdoe he remodelled and enlarged further is known of his fate in his 1905 and is buried within the parish Corrigeenroe church for the benefit of adopted country. During his tenure church at Adare where an inscribed his tenants at Drumdoe and the local at Rathtermon he engaged himself tablet marks his final resting place. A community in the politics of the day. In 1828 he plaque in Killaraght church, erected In March 1867, already well versed attended the inaugural meeting of the by his nephew, Stanilaus J Lynch, also in local administration, he announced Co Sligo Liberal Club and afterwards recalls his memory: his intention of offering himself as a took an active part in the affairs of Of your charity pray for the Liberal candidate in the ensuing Co

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Stephen Woulfe Flanagan (1816- 1891), second son of Terence and Johanna Woulfe, was educated in France and studied law at Trinity College, Dublin. He was called to the Irish Bar in 1838 and joined the Munster Circuit. He was later appointed a QC and a Bencher of King’s Inn. During the Famine years he was an inspector in the Boyle area for the Poor Law Commissioners. In 1849 he was appointed Secretary to the Incumbered Estates Court and a decade later a judge of the newly-established Landed Estates Court in which capacity he enjoyed a wide respect and the esteem of his colleagues. He was also a Privy Counsellor of Ireland and Great Britain. Judge Flanagan was one of the most respected legal practitioners of Flanagan family plot, Corrigeenroe his era, and in his later years resided in Dublin’s fashionable Fitzwilliam Sligo Parliamentary election on the defeated through ‘a combination Place. He married Mary, daughter of understanding that the outgoing MP, of bribery, intimidation and the John Richard Corballis, QC, the first Richard Swift (Liberal), would not be kidnapping of voters.’ Catholic Baron of the Irish Exchequer contesting the seat. However, he later In a subsequent hearing before a Court, by whom he had six sons, all withdrew when the latter decided to Select Committee of the House of but one of whom had the advantage re-enter the race. Commons the election was declared of an Oxford education; and five With the approach of the 1868 null and void, and Major Knox daughters, one of whom, Frances, a general election a vacancy arose in was unseated. In anticipation of a popular young girl, was accidently the representation of the of by-election John Woulfe Flanagan drowned in Lough Arrow. It appears Sligo on the unexpected retirement was again unanimously nominated she was accustomed to boating on of the outgoing MP, Sergeant as the Liberal candidate and was the lake close to the family lakeside Richard Armstrong (Liberal). In widely expected to be victorious on residences at Lecarrow and Drumdoe. advance of the election the Liberal the second occasion. However, a On the evening of 4 July 1898 she voters of the Borough, on the Commission of Inquiry into corrupt was observed boating some distance recommendation of Bishop Laurence practices at Borough elections led to from the shore and bathing her feet, Gillooly, unanimously selected the abandonment of the anticipated as was customary, over the side of John Woulfe Flanagan, described as by-election and the subsequent the craft. Some time later the boat ‘an independent gentleman and an disfranchisement of the Borough of was seen drifting closer to the shore advocate of religious equality’, as Sligo in July 1870. In the meantime, but unoccupied. Over the following their standard-bearer in opposition to John Woulfe Flanagan had fallen ill four days police and neighbours were Major Laurence Knox, the proprietor and died unexpectedly, and without engaged in dragging the lake in search of the Irish Times, who was standing in heirs, in October 1869, aged 54 years. of her body, which was eventually the Conservative interest. In what was His passing was widely mourned, recovered on Friday, July 7, and described as ‘the most tense and hard- not least by the Liberals of Sligo. subsequently interred in the family fought election of that era’ Flanagan His funeral from Drumdoe to Boyle plot in the grounds of Corrigeenroe is said to have ‘presented himself in railway station, the first leg of the church. a manner which commanded respect journey to the family vault in the Stephen Woulfe Flanagan was an and won him many friends.’ Contrary O’Connell Circle in Glasnevin extensive landowner holding 3,500 to his popular appeal, a general Cemetery, was the largest ever acres in both Sligo and Roscommon, approval of his political principles witnessed in the area, a fitting tribute but mostly in the parish of Killaraght and the backing of the Catholic clergy, to the esteem he was held in not only which he had inherited from his he lost by a handful of votes, 241 to by his tenants but the public at large. Flanagan forebears. In 1863 he 229. Despite the setback the Sligo The cortege consisted of more than purchased Rathtermon House and Champion proudly proclaimed that seventy vehicles representative of lands from his cousin, Revd John S Capt Flanagan had polled the largest the resident gentry and the Catholic Flanagan, together with Drumdoe, number of votes ever recorded by a clergy, including Bishop Gillooly, containing 169 acres and previously Liberal candidate in Sligo and was from over a wide area. held under two separate leases from

31 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

John Woulfe Flanagan 1815 - 1869 His younger brother, Stephen Woulfe Flanagan, Jnr, JP (1854- 1940), graduated in law but never practiced. Instead, he specialised in conveying and for a time operated as a Land Agent, mostly in the Dublin area. In 1898 he married Emily Gertrude, youngest daughter of Capt Hugh McTernan of Heapstown House, a Resident Magistrate, and subsequently took up residence at Lecarrow Lodge which had been built by his father, Judge Flanagan. He died in January 1940 and is buried in the grounds of Corrigeenroe church in a grave shared with his wife, Emily, who outlived him by a mere four weeks. They were survived by a son, Hubert, a solicitor by profession, who practiced in Dublin, and a daughter, Mary of Lecarrow Lodge, the last of Killaraght Church called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn. He the family to reside in County Sligo. practiced law only briefly, resided for A highly respected member of the the Lorton estate. A year earlier he had a time at Rathtermon before taking community, noted for her kindness acquired nearby Lecarrow, a holding up journalism and moving to London and generosity, especially to those of 33 acres on the shores of Lough where he found employment with The less fortunate, she died in May 1987, Arrow, in the Landed Estates Court. Times newspaper in 1886. A gifted aged 83, from injuries received in a Judge Flanagan died in September writer and well versed in European car accident on her own driveway, 1891, aged 75 years, and was buried languages and culture, he became a and is buried in the family plot at in the family vault in Glasnevin widely read leader writer on the topics Corrigeenroe church. cemetery. of the day and the author of a series John Woulfe Flanagan, JP (1852- of articles on the Parnell affair that Sources 1929), lawyer and historian, the attracted a wide readership. He died Killaraght: a Parish History, 2002, eldest son of Judge Flanagan and his in London in November 1925, and John Woulfe Flanagan: wife, Mary Corballis, was educated was survived by his wife, Maria, the In Memoriam (O’Loghlin Papers, at Oscott College, Birmingham, daughter of Major-General Sir Justin NL), The Times, 18 November 1929. and at Oxford, where he studied Sheil, a son, John, and a daughter, law, qualified as a barrister and was Maria.

32 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Extracts from the Past

Submitted by Padraig McDermott

From the Sligo Journal,18 October Immediate Possession Given to PEAS per do. 1850 the Purchaser who will have the HOUSEHOLD BREAD per lb. Auction of a valuable grazing farm to advantage of Prime Winter Grass now at their Depot. be sold by auction at Doyle’s Hotel, on the Lands. Persons wising to contract are Ballymote, on Friday the 25th instant, Terms – Cash, and the Purchaser to requested to state the terms on which at the hour of One O’Clock, p.m.The pay the usual Auction Feeds of 5 per they would supply the several articles interest in that well-known and cent. mentioned per ton &c. valuable Farm called Cloonahinshan. Higgins and Grose, Auctioneers And whether for two or three months, Situated within Three Miles of October 14, 1850 with the prices respectively – or Ballymote, on the road leading from contracts would be entered into, to the above town to Tubbercurry, From the Sligo Journal, Saturday rise and fall with the markets, weekly. containing 153 Acres, Irish Measure. 16 April 1847 Tenders would be received for the The character of the Farm is well To contractors supply of the above, and for the known for its Fattening qualities. It The Relief Committee of the Electoral distribution of same, on or before the is now upwards of 20 years since the Division are desirous of contracting 24th day of April next. Land was broken up. for the supply of the following: Address – The Rev James Franks, All the particulars relative to the OATMEAL per Ton. Title, &c., will be satisfactorily set INDIAN MEAL per ditto. Contractors require to name securities. forth on the Day of Sale, and the RICE per cwt. Novices and Postulants Walking to Work Submitted by John Coleman

Novices and Postulants walking had been established in 1878 as candidates become novices and with their spades to work in the part of a revival of the order which some went on to take final vows farm at the Cistercian Abbey of had been suppressed in Ireland (see Mount St Joseph web site - Mount St Joseph, Roscrea, Co during the Reformation. Manual www.msjroscrea.ie). Today there Tipperary in 1963. labour was seen as an important are 200 Cistercian monasteries of Vocations were at a high point at this part of the monastic life and the order world wide. Photo from time in Ireland. The monastery of farming by the monks supported the collection of John Benson the Order of Cistercians of the Strict self-sufficiency. (1917-1986) who lived in nearby Observance (OCSO) at Roscrea After an initial period as postulants, Nenagh, Co Tipperary at that time.

33 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Catechist, Linguist and Parisian churchman – the life of Rev Dr Andrew Donlevy LLD

By Neal Farry

The precise birthplace of Dr Andrew circumstances, in this locality and Council of Trent (1545 – 1573) thrust Donlevy has given rise to a degree in both the dioceses of Achonry the Ballymote cleric into a reforming of speculation, but the Parish of and Elphin.’ The year of birth given role. During the 1600s the relative Ballymote has for a long time put here is clearly incorrect because the poverty of the Irish students for the forward many a staunch claimant to inscription on Andrew’s tombstone in priesthood travelling to mainland requisition the honour. the vaults of a chapel in Paris states Europe gave rise to the practice of Archdeacon Terence O’Rorke is that he died in 1746 at the age of 66. ordaining young men in their mid- unsure of Andrew’s place of birth and All the aforementioned historians twenties in Ireland before they he states that it was either Ballygawley are in agreement that the youthful proceeded abroad for their necessary or Templehouse, both localities being Andrew was educated in Ballymote’s clerical higher education. This meant home to families of that name in the elusive hedge-school of the penal that as ordained priests these students mid 19th century. John Mc Ternan times. In 1710 he travelled to Paris could make a meagre living by notes that the Ballymote historian JC in defiance of the law that forbade ministering as priests and receiving McDonagh is adamant that Ballymote Catholics from these islands going stipends for masses. Within the Irish can claim the honour. At the present abroad for education. Disguised as a College in Paris these priest-students, time there are families by the name sailor and toiling under the authority the Community of Priests, were of Dunleavy in the Lecarrow, of a friendly Catholic sea-captain governed by four ‘proviseurs’, elected Oldrock and Ballinacarrow areas. Fr was a frequent means of escape. Fr every three years by the members of Liam Swords in A Hidden Church – Swords believes that it was likely the body of ordained students for each Achonry, records no birthplace for Dr that all the classical education of the of the four Irish provinces. Donlevy. Elsewhere Fr Swords asserts young Ballymote clerical student was By the 1730s the severity of the that the bilingual catechist Andrew acquired at home prior to his trip to Penal laws in Ireland was waning. ‘Dunleavy’ came from Bellaghy but mainland Europe. Some leading Irish ecclesiastics he provides no evidence to bolster this Andrew enrolled in the Irish College argued that ordaining older students claim. Another Ballymote historian, and was ordained in due course. To before sending them abroad for the late Tom McGettrick, said that supplement his philosophical and clerical education led to abuses. Some it was part of the oral tradition of theological education, his academic pre-educated ordained priests refused Ballymote that Andrew was born career followed an impressive to leave Ireland after ordination while in a house on the Rock where ascending path. In October 1718 some others were unruly influences the JP Bookmaker’s premises are he registered in the Faculty of Law in the streets of continental cities and now located on O’Connell St. Mr in the University of Paris where were less amenable to discipline in McGettrick is at pains to point out he was awarded a Baccalaureate the Irish colleges. Furthermore, in the that in documents for the year 1825 and a Licentiate in Law. In June Irish College in Paris there was rivalry in the National Archives, one finds the 1722 Rev Dr Andrew Donlevy was between the ordained students and Donlevys as occupiers of a ‘house and appointed the founding Prefect of the Donlevy’s clerical students due to the plot’ in two locations in Ballymote. Community of Clerics and Scholars superior income of the priest-students The author of the foreword in the (clerical students) in College des who benefited from mass stipends. third edition of Rev Dr Donlevy’s Lombardes on Rue des Carmes by the In Paris the drive for reform was bilingual Irish Catechism, published incumbent Archbishop of Paris, Louis spearheaded by Dr Andrew Donlevy, by Maynooth College in 1848, de Noailles. and he enjoyed the support of Abbé de addresses the issue as follows: ‘The Within a decade of gaining authority Vaubrun, a major-superior of the Irish Rev. Andrew Donlevy was born, we in the Irish College, Dr Donlevy College and by Cardinal de Fleury, believe, in the year 1694, and received found himself embroiled in a bitter the new Archbishop of Paris who his early education in or near the town controversy and in conflict with the also held the post of First Minister to of Ballymote, in the county of Sligo, majority of the Irish bishops. His zeal King Louis XV. Two other superiors in the Diocese of Achonry. Here his for administering the Irish College in the Irish College, Rev John Burke ancestors had lived in comfortable along the lines envisaged by the of Cashel and Rev Walter Daton of

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the attention of Cardinal Imperiali, library and other Parisian libraries. the Cardinal Protector of Ireland. In Harris was engaged in translating Sir 1736 a French Royal Commission James Ware’s History of Ireland from was on the point of ruling in favour Latin to English (1631 and 1639). of Dr Donlevy and the reformers. The In 1775, 29 years after Dr Donlevy’s Commission’s judgement was ready death, the Community of Students for delivery to Versailles to receive the and Clerics was transferred from the King’s signature when the Vatican- Lombard College to a new college based Cardinal Imperiali wrote to in Rue de Cheval Vert, renamed Rue Cardinal Archbishop de Fleury in des Irlandais in 1807 by the Emperor Paris, asking him to side with the Napoleon Bonaparte, leaving the priest-students. As a result of this priest-students in the old Rue des intervention by the Papal authorities Carmes Lombard College. The the publication of the expected college in Rue des Irlandais is now the royal decree was suspended and Dr Irish Cultural Centre. Donlevy’s campaign for reform was Dr Donlevy continued in his effectively thwarted. The clerics of secondary role as a Professor of the Congregation of the Faith in the Catechetics in the Sorbonne and his Dr Andrew Donlevy is buried in the Vatican were also swayed by the work there found expression in his vaults of L’Eglise St Ephraim des arguments of the Irish Bishops. The catechetics publication An Teagasg Syriens Vatican authorities were keenly aware Críosduidhe do réir Ceasda agus Ossory also favoured reform. The that victory for Dr Donlevy and the Freagartha. The first edition of Rev reformers believed that only non- Parisian reformers would influence Dr Andrew Donlevy’s Catechism of ordained students should be accepted the enrolment policies of all the Irish Christian Doctrine was published in in the Irish Colleges all over Europe Colleges in Europe. Paris in 1742. A second edition was and that the practice of ordaining The Bishop of Kilfenora, then published in Dublin in 1822 and a third priests prior to their clerical education residing in Tournai, wrote to Bishop edition was printed in 1848. The third should be discontinued. Archbishop John O’Hart of Achonry to ask that edition, except for a condensation of Butler of Cashel agreed with Abbé de Dr Andrew Donlevy be recalled to the preface, reproduced the Catechism Vaubrun and Dr Donlevy that there his home diocese. Bishop O’Hart as it appeared in the first edition in was an overabundance of priests in seems to have ignored this request. 1742. The author is eager to emphasise Ireland and that the ordination and In the Irish College in Paris the status that his Catechism is not a concise reception of regular novitiates should quo remained and priest-students summary merely suitable for children, be suspended for five years. In 1733 continued to study at the college until but a full treatise of both dogma and Abbé de Vaubrun estimated that the French Revolution. King Louis XV morals, and it was designed for the there were about 300 Irish priests in issued a decree abolishing elections great masses of the Irish people who Paris and many of them were seeking in the Irish College and from then knew no English. The first edition admission to the Irish College where on superiors were appointed by the was an octavo volume of 574 pages there was insufficient accommodation. Archbishop of Paris for an unlimited with the text in both Irish and English, The majority of Irish bishops term. Dr Andrew Donlevy remained the pages being printed alternately disagreed with Dr Donlevy and the as head of the student community in Irish and English characters. The other reformers, and they wanted no until his death in 1746. Catechism is written in a style of change to the existing system. The His status as an Irish churchman stern clarity and defining uniformity Irish bishops argued that a majority of does not seem to have been of doctrine required by the Council of the younger clerical students from the seriously diminished because he Trent and it received the imprimatur Community of Clerics and Scholars was subsequently appointed Dean of of Michael O’Gara, Archbishop of under Dr Donlevy’s authority in the Raphoe Diocese. However, there is no , two other Irish bishops, six Irish College remained in France on record of him ever visiting Donegal. Doctors of Divinity from the Sorbonne completion of their studies rather than Dr Donlevy continued to enjoy a pre- and the Principal of the Irish College. returning to Ireland. eminence in the intellectual circles These eminent ecclesiastics confirm Fr Terence O’Gara, Fr Dominick of Paris. It is significant that the Irish that the Catechism is, in all points, Kearney and the other Achonry historian Walter Harris acknowledged very conformable to both scripture priests in Paris were among the 114 the many favours he had received and tradition. signatories to two petitions in protest from Andrew who borrowed and Dr Donlevy was very clear in his against Dr Donlevy’s campaign for transmitted to him in Ireland many objectives and in his own preface he reform that were sent to Rome for useful books out of King Louis’ outlined his modus operandi with

35 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 these sentiments: ‘The plainest and most obvious Irish is used throughout, preferring, with St. Augustine, to be censured by grammarians, rather than not to be understood by the people. Foreign expressions, except those consecrated to religion, are diligently avoided. The English part is, perhaps, too literal a translation from the Irish. It is for the sake of those who only understand the English or who may be inclined to learn the Irish by means of this translation.’ Fr Liam Swords has noted that Irish was mostly a spoken rather than a written language during the early 1700s and that more than two million Irish speakers in Ireland and abroad were illiterate in Irish, but used English, Latin, French or even Italian The ‘S’ seat along the tree trail in the grounds of IT Sligo that was when the written word was needed. Dr inspired by Andrew Donlevy’s Gaelic letter and tree list. The sapling in Donlevy clearly intended to instruct the backcround is a willow or saileach. the plain people and clergy of Ireland language and is profound, detailed, oruinn annsa Naomh Lá-so? F: Oibre in the tenets of their Catholic faith and extensive, thought-provoking and saothracha nó corpordha mar a tá, to perhaps raise the literacy levels in remarkably modern in its approach. treabhadh agus foirseadh; reic agus the among Irish people In the first and third editions of ceannach; agus a leithéide eile, go at home and abroad. It is also clear Donlevy’s Teagasg Críosduidhe háirighe gach uile ghné peacaidh. that he first wrote the catechism in the Irish sections were in Gaelic Q: What works are forbidden on this the Irish language and then translated characters or font. Of necessity I have sacred day? A: Servile or laborious the work as literally as possible into provided the following Irish examples bodily works, such as ploughing and English. The population of Ireland in from Dr Donlevy’s Catechism printed harrowing; buying and selling and 1742 was an estimated 2,850,000 after in Roman script and the letter ‘h’ is such like; but particularly all sort of the famine of 1740, which resulted in always used instead of a ‘séimhiú’ to sin. 400,000 deaths. aspirate consonants. The small number of questions and C: Creud is cóir dúinn do dhéunamh answers quoted here from the third D’ON TREAS AITHNE. -- an lá-so tar lá eile? F: Urnaighthe edition of the catechism represent Coimhéid an tSaoire mar is cóir. (The agus oibre diagha: mar a tá Aifrionn a miniscule extract from the work. Third Commandment – Remember to go cinnte, agus seanmóir d’éisdeacht, The Irish versions as written by Dr keep holy the Sabbath day). leabhair spiorádalta do léigheadh, an Donlevy are presented first and then Ceasd: Creud é an ní horduighthear Paidrín do rádh, no deághoibre eile do followed by his English translations. ris an aithne-si? Freagar : Orduighthear dhéunamh. The topics are chosen at random, dúinn an Domhnach, Lá an Tighearna, Q: What are we obliged to do on this are out of context, and they are do choimheud agus do naomhadh, day more than another? A: To pray and specifically selected to demonstrate do réir mar orduigheas Dia agus an do Godly works; such as to hear mass some brief examples of Dr Donlevy’s Eaglais. punctually; to assist at the sermon; to writing in his native language. It Q: What is required in this read spiritual books; to say the beads; seems likely that Irish was Andrew’s Commandment? A: We are required or to do some other good works. first language since even a century to keep and sanctify Sunday, the later Irish was still being used in Lord’s day, as God and the Church In the chapter dealing with the Mass the rural areas around Ballymote. order us. Exod. 20, 8, 9, 10: Jer 17, 27. we read the following explanations: These short answers are extracted (The relevant scriptural passages or C: Cia hiad an drong nach néisdeann from much more lengthy series of Church Council Documents that give an tAifrionn go modhamhuil? F: questions and answers that investigate authority to each response are quoted An mhuintir fhéuchas no amharcas each topic. For instance, the chapter after every answer.) a nunn agus a nall, ag comhrádh ré dealing with meditation or mental cheile nó ag amhuillidh air feadh prayer involves thirteen pages in each C: Creud iad na hoibre a tá toirmisgthe mhór-choda do’n Aifrionn agus fós an

36 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 dream éisteas é ar leath-ghlún no air leath-luighe ré taca. Q: Who are they who hear Mass with disrespect? A: Those who gaze or look about, talking to one another, or amuse themselves with trifles during a considerable part of the Mass, and also those who hear it upon one knee, or leaning half stretched upon any thing.

C: Creud is indhéunta chum Aifrionn d’éisdeacht go cráibhtheach? F: Is cóir do neach é féin d’iomchar go gnaoidheamhuil, tromdha; agus Dia do ghuidhe ó chroidhe agus ó aighneadh; ‘óir is Spiorad Dia agus an dream adhras é is éigin dóibh a adhradh a Spiorad agus a bhfírinne.’ Q: What is to be done in order to hear Mass devoutly? A: One ought to behave himself modestly and gravely, and to pray to God with all his heart and soul; for ‘God is a spirit and they who adore him must adore Him in spirit and in truth.’

C: Nach díoghbhálach do chách, an tAifrionn a rádh a dteangaidh nach dtuigid uile? F: Ní díoghbhálach: óir ní bhfuil is an Aifrionn acht urnuigh agus íodhbairt, a tá d’ualach air an “tSagart amháin” do dhéunamh chum Dé ar son an phobuil. Os a cionn sin, aithnighe an Eagluis do gach sagart parráiste, cuid éigin do’n Aifrionn do mhínieghadh do chách, nó thabhairt fá deara a mhínieghadh dhóibh go minic, agus go háirighe air laethibh saoire agus Domhnaigh. The title page of Dr Andrew Donlevy’s Catechism Q: Is it not hurtful to the people that comprise a litany of the usual acts cardaoibh geárrtha, lé dírlibh meallta, the Mass should be celebrated in a of injustice with which we are all ré comhartha sóirt, nó tré ainbhfhios language that is not understood by familiar since our religious formation an cheárrbhuidh’. all of them? A: It is not; for the Mass in school, and through instruction as ‘By him who cheats in bargaining; is only a prayer and sacrifice; which adults by way of homilies in church. deceives by false weights and the priest alone is obliged to offer I have taken particular notice of the measures; by playing with set cards; for the people. Moreover, the Church following morally proscribed actions by cogged or false dice; by making commands every parish priest to because they seem to be relevant signs to his partner; or through the expound often some part of the Mass to the lifestyle of young men who ignorance of the gamester’. to the people, or to get it expounded were contemporaries of Dr Donlevy, As one of the addenda to his Teagasg for them, and particularly on Sundays perhaps as soldiers of the Irish Críosduighe Andrew included a brief and holydays. Brigades, with whom the author was catechism-cum-prayerbook in 60 very familiar: quatrain verses, totally in Irish, that D’on Seachtmhadh & d’on had been composed by a Franciscan Deachmhadh hAithne. The sins ‘An té do ní mealltóireacht lé priest, Fr Bonaventure O’Hussey, in against the 7th & 10th Commandments tomhas lochtach, ré himirt maille ré the early 1600s.

37 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

With an eye to providing a teaching Fearn = (Alder): F, f : i.e. F Ephraim des Syriens. His tombstone is aid to help Irish Catholics to read and sound as in English as here inscribed: Hic jacet – Andreas speak their native language, the second Gort or Geith = (Ivy): G, g : Donlevy – Communitatis Clericorum addenda that Dr Donlevy incorporated i.e. G sound as in Greek Hibernorum, per 24 annos Praefectus in his book of catechetics was an Irish Uath or Uathadh = et Ejusdem Restaurator – Suae potius grammar entitled The Elements of the (Hawthorn): H, h : i.e. H sound Fundator, Obiit die 7a Xbris, 1746 – Irish Language. Vowels, diphthongs as in English aetatis 66. Requiescat in Pace. (eg ‘ao’); triphthongs (eg ‘eoi’) and Iogha = (Yew): I, i : i.e. I or i The following is a translation of the consonants are outlined with special sound as in French or English title page of the 1742 edition: emphasis on pronunciation and the Luis = (Rowan): L, l : i.e. L The Catechism of Christian changes that occur in the various sound as in English Doctrine by way of Question and grammatical cases and declensions. Muin = (Vine): M, m : i.e. Answer drawn chiefly from The For the really serious students of Irish M sound as in English Express Word of God and Other Pure the author recommended that the Nuin = (Ash): N, n : i.e. N Sources. ‘Hear counsel and receive more laborious Irish grammar of M. sound as in English instruction that thou mayest be wise Hugh McCurtain be consulted. Onn = (Whin or Gorse): O, in thy latter end’ – Proverbs xix. 20. James Foran of the Institute of o : i.e. O sound as in English Paris. Printed by Seumus (Jacques) Technology, Sligo, has described Peathboc or Peith = (Dwarf Guerin at St. Thomas Aquinas, Rue the work done in the Sligo College Elder): P, p : i.e. P sound as in St. Séverin (1742) with the permission in 2000AD to illustrate the method English of The King and the Imprimatur of the described by Dr Donlevy by which Ruis = (Elder): R, r : i.e. R Doctors of Divinity. means reading the Irish language sound as in English could be taught using a list of eighteen Suil = (Willow): S, s : i.e. S Sources: An Teagasg Críosduidhe - 3rd trees, each being associated with sound as in English Edition – Rev Dr Andrew Donlevy LLD one of the Irish letters. At the Sligo Tine or Teith = (Holly): T, (Published by J. Duffy for Maynooth College a footpath and a tree trail t : i.e. T sound as in English College, 1848) was established to illustrate the Irish Uir = (Heather): U, v, u : i.e. The History of Sligo – Town & County, Vol 2. - Archdeacon O’Rorke alphabet using Dr Donlevy’s letter U sound or oo as in English. and tree list and an illustrated leaflet Worthies of Sligo – John C. McTernan was produced to interpret the walk. Emlaghfad and the Parish of Ballymote The foregoing letter name and – J.C. McDonagh ; Individual seats were carved from tree list is drawn from Donlevy’s A Hidden Church – The Diocese of stone to represent each letter in the Catechism. Achonry, 1689-1818 – Fr Liam Swords vicinity of an example of each of the The Naturalists – Institute of native Irish trees. The Maynooth College-based Technology, Sligo (2000 AD) The 18 letters of the Irish alphabet author of the Preface of the 1848 Irish Language Books in the Collection are presented here under the following third edition of Dr Andrew Dunlevy’s of the Library of Institute of Technology, headings: 1742 Teagasg Críosduidhe has noted Sligo – James Foran (Corran Herald, Name of letter the fact that this bilingual catechism Issue No. 41) Its corresponding tree was the last book of Catholic religious Dunlevy’s Irish Catechism – Rev The letter in Gaelic print instruction to be printed in Gaelic Thomas Mulligan (Corran Herald, Each letter’s phonic pronunciation as characters or font on the Continent, issue No. 28) in Latin, French, English or Greek and that the third edition (1848) was Three Books of Ballymote – Tom This presentation is based on Rev the first such publication to be printed McGettrick (Corran Herald, Issue No. Dr Donlevy’s language teaching in Ireland in Gaelic font. Andrew 24) th th suggestions. certainly did not set out to amass 17 & 18 Century Ballymote: Ailm (Elm) = A, a : Sounds distinctions of a material nature in the Fitzmaurices and Dunleavys – Padraig Doddy (Corran Herald, Issue No. 39); like A as in Latin, French and world of Gaelic printing, and the fact Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris – English; that he did not allow his name to be Historique Beith (Birch) = B, b : i.e. B printed as the author of the first edition sound as in English Rivalry and Reform in the Irish College, C of An Teagasg Críosduidhe is ample Paris, 1676 – 1775. Essay by Dr Liam Coll or Ceith = (Hazel): , proof of his self-effacing approach to Chambers, Mary Immaculate College of : i.e. K sound as in English c his sacred and profound task. He died Education, Limerick. Duir or Deith = (Oak): D, d in 1746 owning neither property nor Achonry and Its Churches (6th Century : i.e. D sound as in English wealth and was buried in the vaults to the 3rd Millenium) – Fr Liam Swords; Eadha = (Aspen): E, e : i.e. E of the Irish College chapel in Rue des Treasures of the Irish Language – sound as in Latin or French Carmes which is today L’Église St Dublin City Public Libraries. 38 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The Irish Anti-Partition League Submitted by John Coleman The Irish Anti-Partition League was established in 1945 and was particularly active in Ireland north and south and in England from then into the 1950s

O’Curry Copy Book Concert Poster 1962

Cover and sample page from the O’Curry copy book which was used to teach children writing, including cursive script which was standard for use in writing in English and the Gaelic script which was taught in schools during the first decades of the new state.

Flier for Primary schools’ concert Ballymote on 21st March 1962

39 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Under African Skies By Bernie Doyle

Palm trees waving in the breeze and fought over this strategic port. high. Our minibus weaved in and out, the shimmer of the sun on the sea Leaning on the old sea wall it was easy jostling for position with taxis, trucks, greeted me in the morning. Mombasa to feel its antiquity and to imagine the minibuses, safari jeeps and bicycles as Beach Hotel, owned by a safari group, scenes of cruelty of bygone years as we moved past run-down tenements. is built in the Afrikaner style with we watched the workers toil under Accommodation is expensive wide open spaces in the hall, dining- great loads unloading a cargo ship. in Mombasa: 400 to 600 Kenyan room and along the landings upstairs The old mission bell still hangs in shillings for a room without water or to allow the pleasant breezes from the its campanile, where once it rang electricity. Most people (in the 1990s) Indian Ocean to filter through. out a warning to the natives that the earned about 400 shillings a month. The hotel grounds were patrolled slave traders were approaching. It Slightly better rooms in different by security men at all times and one gave some of them time to escape the blocks cost 2,400 shillings per month was not encouraged to go outside ‘blackberrying’ ships. Fort Jesus, the for water and electricity supplied, eg except in a minibus or taxi. I drifted enormous, impenetrable military fort a tap and light bulb. There are no down by the waterfalls and out of the built by the Portuguese in 1595 and sockets so one cannot even plug in hotel grounds to paddle in the Indian subsequently used as a prison by the an electric kettle. As a result most Ocean. At once I was surrounded by British, is still intact. Its cannons and workers live outside the city and African men all beseeching me to guns are in place but it is now used as walk six to eight kilometres to work. come and buy in their shops. These a historical museum. A few streets have modern well-built shops consisted of a mat, or even a flat Moi Avenue, the principal street buildings, such as Treasury Street, stone beneath an overhanging cliff, in Mombasa, is dominated by the which houses the banks, commercial on which they laid out their wares. giant (aluminium) white elephant insurance and oil companies. What a wonderful talent for carving tusks presented by Queen Elizabeth. Senior government officials, army they had – all the animals in different We walked through the municipal personnel and rich businessmen live sizes carved in mahogany, ebony and fruit and vegetable market, with in wonderful houses. There is such soapstone. I bought from them until its pyramids and mounds of exotic a contrast between the sumptuous my purse was empty and consoled and colourful fruits. On to the tea, hotels and fabulous houses and the myself by knowing that I was giving coffee and spice bazaar just opposite, native huts and tenements in the city. directly to people in need. There is where we were expected and greeted There seems to be no in-between. You such visible extreme poverty in and with a free bottle of mineral water. live in luxury or poverty. around Mombasa. As eighty per cent of the people are I booked a safari in Shimba Hills One of the traders, who also sold Muslim, it is not surprising to find with a stay in a tree-house in the boat trips out to the coral reef, had so many mosques both old and new. tropical rainforest. With an English asked me to come out to his house Jami Mosque, built in the 1960s, of couple I set off in a safari jeep and he would take me to an African white marble with fantastic carvings through the city and on to the Likoni supermarket where I would meet the and mosaics, is open to the public. A ferry, which takes only five or ten real people of Kenya. I would have local co-operative factory was housed minutes to cross over to the southern dearly loved to have done this but I in long, low open-sided thatched mainland. Thousands of people make was a bit nervous about going far from huts. The men, who work when and the daily crossing in both directions the usual tourist trail. The following for as long as they wish, sit on an and there are stalls of fruit and food evening he sold me a picture – very earthen floor. They carve and polish set up beside the ferries. Another colourful on a black background – for the most beautiful images. They must couple joined us at Diani Reef Hotel £5 and a nail-scissors and the flip- sell their products in the co-op shop. and we set off at breakneck speed for flops off my feet. It is an Aladdin’s Cave with carvings the Shimba Hills. This is the old road A tour of Mombasa showed us the of jungle animals, as well as human to the border with Tanzania and is a antiquity of the city, now 2000 years heads and statues. All the carvings heavily populated area with farms and old, and once a great slave-trading are exquisitely done and come in some brick-built houses, but mainly port. Arabs, Portuguese and English all sizes, from life-size to one inch the traditional thatched-roofed huts.

40 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

The tree house is situated eight he hides so well that it is difficult to We pulled into a village of 9,000 kilometres into the tropical rainforest get a sighting. We were very lucky native people who lived in huts and is a delight to behold. Built of that morning as we came across a herd scattered through the trees. There was wooden logs around a large tree, it of sable antelope and buffalo. We met a small circular school nearby and a overlooks a waterhole for animals. another jeep of tourists who had not very deep well with a stone-built wall We were unlucky that the monsoon seen anything at all! That evening we and cover. Six or seven women were rains had been late that season so went on a walking safari – we drove taking turns operating the pulley to thirsty animals were scarce. There for a few miles and then went on foot. lower and raise their buckets. They are open spaces along the corridors As we drove along the roadway our then filled containers with the water and in the bar (where a bush baby driver stopped and pointed down and took them into the forest to sell visits) and the dining-room. Although beneath the road. We counted eight to other families. Here I saw the only there is a limited supply of electricity, elephants, as close to us as the end well-fed, spirited and happy children each room is supplied with a lantern, of a house, all eating leaves from I had seen in Kenya. They played and candles and matches and has an the trees. Our guide carried a loaded ran and laughed as children ought to. old-fashioned heavy-bladed ceiling elephant gun, so heavy it was hard In a clearing, long logs had been fan and a balcony overlooking the to lift, which he would use only if an laid in a circle around an arena of waterhole. Along the corridor were animal charged us. But, he reminded compacted earth. We sat on the separate washrooms and toilets for us, they are wild animals and this is logs and watched a cabaret: dancing each sex. their territory. by costumed girls, marvellous My most vivid recollection of the Round a campfire, where we were gymnastics, fire-eating and juggling. rainforest is of the sounds. There is supposed to watch the sunset only It was a wonderful performance a non-stop chatter of wildlife with it was cloudy, we had drinks and and well worth the few shillings we thousands of insects flying around, snacks and talked to our guide. In the contributed. But best of all was the joined by bats after dark. There are distance we saw a lone bull elephant, sight of young children outside the really three layers of sound: a deep whose herd had been taken over by a circle performing all the gymnastics base hum or buzz overlaid with a younger bull. The local farmers are and juggling. It gladdened my heart. constant chatter, overlaid again with not in favour of safari game parks. For While this was in progress two young the chirps and calls of the birds. And instance, one farmer in this particular girls had made my acquaintance. One then there was the hum of the fan! An area had harvested his crop of oranges, had a baby with her, the other was at early call with a pot of tea at 5.15am laid them in a pile covered with straw school. Both needed help. We were heralded the day. A bat must have under a tarpaulin, to await collection going to a snake farm to view several flown in while the door was open. I by a truck to take them to the port early varieties of snakes and turtle. They left my door open and headed down next morning. During the night a herd ranged from tiny thin green snakes to the ladies’ bathroom, hoping he of elephants had eaten, squashed and (invisible in grass I would think) would fly out again. Here I surprised destroyed his entire crop of oranges. to huge thick, wonderfully marked an elderly German man in the shower. Cattle and sheep had been attacked by pythons, none of which I would care He promptly bolted into the loo while leopards and lions. So the local people to meet outside their cages! The man I retreated back to my room. The bat want the parks fenced, which would who had originally put the collection was still in occupation, while behind destroy the animal and plant life. together retired from the business after me the German was coming with We also went on a trip to Mtwapa he had received sixty-five snakebites stealthy steps to try to regain his room Creek in a glass-bottomed boat, which in total and just survived the last one. opposite mine. I chanced going into allowed us to see a variety of colourful There is always a time to shout ‘Stop’. my room, and as soon as possible, fled fish of strange shapes and sizes as we When I came out again there were again, but I got rid of the bat. sailed down by the hotels and houses. my two friends who chatted to me and Long dirt roads spread out for miles, We met yachts, motor boats and the escorted me back to the boat. They with flat signposts on tree stumps at Arab dhows that have sailed these told me of the native cure for malaria – intervals. The morning was overcast seas for centuries. When we came to the Neem tree. Burn the leaves and the and misty, and out of the mist emerged the palatial residence of a German smoke drives out the mosquitoes. Boil two giraffes on to the roadway ahead. family, who own hotels and safari the leaves and bark and the resultant We watched as they made their way tour companies, the crew laughed: juice cures malaria. gracefully into a field to graze. There ‘You know, he has not got Alsatians I would love to go back to Kenya were many traces of leopard spoor but guarding his estate. No, he has lions!’ and Tanzania.

41 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 A Memorable Monsignor Submitted by John Coleman: Photograph and Card from the collection of the late Maisie McGovern

Monsignor Patrick J Roughneen was parish priest of Ballymote from 1943 until his death in 1970. The title of Monsignor (My Lord) or domestic prelate was bestowed by Pope Pius XII in 1954 as a mark of distinguished service to the church. The full splendour of the official dress included touches of purple. Monseignor Roughneen had been educated in the Irish College in Rome and attended Vatican II. He was a great advocate of the siesta having and they always dressed in black. experienced its benefits during his As can be seen from the photograph youth in Italy. he was an impressive figure and those He brought the St John of God who remember him can vividly recall sisters to Ballymote and vacated him striding along purposefully with his house beside the castle to his chest thrust forward and it was not accommodate them. He had two full- difficult to believe the legend that in time housekeepers Anne Rochford his youth he had rescued a man from and Delia McGettrick in residence drowning. The Venerable Nicholas Postgate By Frank Tivnan Dr Nicholas Postgate was a heroic there was a conspiracy to install a lower jawbone is venerated in the martyr priest of the Yorkshire Moors. Catholic king, he managed to ferment Church of the English Martyrs, Dalton According to tradition of the Eske a renewed and fierce persecution of Terrace, York City. We celebrate his Valley, Nicholas Postgate was born English Catholics. It was to be the last feast day on August 7th. at Kirkdale House near Egton in time that Catholics were put to death North Yorkshire circa 1596. He was in England for their faith. One of the educated at Douay College in France last victims - though not the very last where he obtained a Doctorate of - was Nicholas Postgate. Divinity. He was ordained priest for During the panic engineered the English mission on 20 March, by Oates, a prominent Protestant 1628 and returned to England when magistrate in London, Sir Edmund he was 32. Berry Godfrey, was murdered and For a number of years he worked Oates loudly blamed the Catholics. Sir as chaplain for rich recusant Catholic Edmund’s manservant, John Reeves, families in Yorkshire. Around the set out to get his revenge. For reasons 1660s he finally established his base which are not clear, he decided to in Ugthorpe in South Yorkshire where base his actions in the Whitby area, he remained travelling on foot the possibly because he knew that priests length and breadth of Blackmoor as a arrived there from France. Nicholas disguised travelling priest. He refused Postgate was hunted and caught, and the offer of a horse and insisted on he was hanged, drawn and quartered walking all over his huge mountain at Knavesmire outside the city of York parish. in 1679, at the age of 82. He gave spiritual nourishment and He is one of the 85 martyrs of practical help to everyone, regardless England and Wales and was beatified of their place in society or religious by Pope John Paul II. persuasion. He aided the poor and In St Hedda’s Church in Egton gave them food and clothes; in short he Bridge there is a magnificent stained was a 17th century Good Samaritan. glass window by Thomas Denny Owing to Titus Oates’ feigned depicting Fr Nicholas Postgate Popish Plot, in which he claimed walking along a moorland path. His 42 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Divisions within the Sligo Volunteers at the outbreak of the First World War

By Padraig Deignan

We don’t know where we stand, and it is time enough for us to shout for our friends when we know who they are. Seamus Ó’Cinnéide, Ballymote Volunteer Corps, 1914

Britain’s declaration of war on 4 August 1914 prevented conflict between nationalists and unionists and both the Ulster Volunteers and the Irish Volunteers were encouraged by their political leaders to support Britain in wartime. In order to guarantee Home Rule, Redmond wished to show that the nationalists of Ireland were behind Britain in the war, and on 3 August 1914 he promised the support of the Carson inspecting the Ulster Volunteers, 1913 Irish Volunteers for Britain’s war was a shortage of nationalist officers over the Volunteers and shaping effort and their co-operation with in Sligo to train new Volunteers and the organisation to their own unionists in defending Ireland. many from the Protestant unionist ends.7 Seamus T Ó’Cinnéide of the However, Home Rule was still not landed families who had experience Ballymote Volunteer Corps, Co Sligo, on the statute books when war was in drilling men offered their services voiced concerns over the appointment declared in August 1914 and the Sligo to help organise and instruct the of Major Hillas in a letter to Colonel Champion, a strong supporter of John Volunteers. On 9 August 1914, one Moore.8 Ó’Cinnéide complained Redmond and the IPP, was keen to such man, Major Richard W Hillas, that some Sligo Volunteers were highlight this fact. In an editorial on a unionist and Protestant landowner opposed to ‘unionist officers’ and 8 August 1914 the Sligo Champion of Donnecoy, Templeboy, Co Sligo,3 they did not believe that Major Hillas expressed the belief that if Ireland wrote to Colonel Maurice Moore, the was sympathetic to the aims of the was going to support Britain in the commander of the Irish Volunteers, Volunteer movement. Ó’Cinnéide war, then the country should Carson offering to train and organise the Irish demanded the removal of Hillas, inspecting the Ulster Volunteers, 1913 Volunteers in Sligo.4 On 11 August maintaining that if he wasn’t replaced be treated with justice in peacetime.1 1914, in the absence of a senior then Volunteer commanders in Edward Carson had pledged the nationalist officer, Colonel Moore support of the Ulster Volunteers for appointed Major Hillas the County Britain and in an editorial on 8 August Inspection Officer for all Volunteers 1914 the Sligo Independent, the chief in Sligo.5 Hillas submitted an article unionist organ in Sligo, praised both to the Sligo Champion encouraging Carson’s ‘patriotic offer’ of the Ulster Sligomen to join the Irish Volunteers Volunteers, and Redmond’s offer of saying: ‘It is the bounden duty of the Irish Volunteers. every man fit to bear arms to enrol On 1 February 1914 a meeting himself in the Irish Volunteers.’6 The was held at Sligo Town Hall, where question now was, how would Sligo over 450 men enrolled in the Sligo nationalists respond to the increasing Branch of the Irish Volunteers, unionist involvement in the Irish which was one of the first in the Volunteers? country.2 At the beginning of August On 22 August 1914 the Sligo there were almost 5,000 enrolled as Champion editorial expressed the members across the county. There concern that unionists were taking Colonel Maurice Moore 43 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 the surrounding districts would were willing to accept training and endeavour to have their units attached organisation from a unionist officer at to a neighbouring county’s Volunteer least until they themselves gained the Corps. necessary experience. On 20 August 1914 Colonel Moore wrote to Ó’Cinnéide emphasising the difficulty of finding experienced officers with nationalist views willing to train Volunteer units and he maintained that ‘It seems to be a choice between unionists officers or no officers.’9 Colonel Moore took the long-term pragmatic approach towards Volunteer training in Co Sligo and he asked the local commanders to work with Hillas for the moment, arguing that ‘When our officers are trained Alec McCabe we can do as we like.’10 This seemed strongly nationalist Volunteer like a reasonable request and Colonel Corps commanders in Sligo were Moore, as overall commander of the determined to secure the best possible Irish Volunteers, could obviously see training for their units. Some of those the benefits of using unionist officers. that responded promptly to Hillas’s Owen Tansy But would the local Volunteers accept request for information later featured It also seemed that more than his wisdom in permitting Hillas to very prominently in the republican five Sligo Volunteer commanders impart his military experience? movement. In fact, even before he responded to Hillas’s request When Hillas was appointed he received a request for information for information concerning the wrote to fifteen Volunteer corps in from Hillas, Alec McCabe (1886- commanders, numbers, training Co Sligo requesting information on 1972), commander of the Keash and experience of their units by the training and logistics. However, on 2 Volunteers, Ballymote, wrote to time he resigned. In addition to Alec September 1914 Hillas reported that Hillas on 18 August 1914. He reported McCabe, Owen Tansy and Seamus he had only received five replies. He himself as company commander Devins, seven other officers in the interpreted the slow response to his and added that he was ‘delighted to Irish Volunteers, representing six request for information as opposition have some sensible person placed at corps of the County Sligo Volunteers, to him and tendered his resignation, the head of affairs in the county.’15 dated their replies to Hillas’s maintaining that ‘It is too evident that On 23 August 1914, after he had enquiries before 31 August 1914. people of my class are not required by received Hillas’s letter, McCabe The Sligo Volunteer commanders, certain supporters of the movement responded with detailed information William Lipsett and Domnick Bree in the Irish Volunteers … under these concerning the Keash Volunteer of the Collooney Corps, Michael circumstances the Irish Volunteers Corps.16 McCabe, the principal of McDonagh, Corps, William must always remain an undisciplined Drumnagranchy National School Caffrey, Easkey Corps, Robert disorganised mob and I for one could near Keash, was a member of the Anderson, Calry Corps, Thomas not remain as a responsible officer militant republican organisation, the Clarke, /Dromard Corps and of this force.’11 Colonel Moore tried Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) Tom Deignan, Maugherow Corps, to calm Hillas and pleaded with him and later commanded IRA forces in all responded to Hillas before his to wait and be patient with what he Sligo during the War of Independence resignation on 2 September 1914.19 It called the ‘casual methods’ of his and Free State troops during the is not known if Hillas received all the subordinates.12 Moore argued that the Civil War.17 Two other commanders replies to his request for information delay in answering the requests for with strong nationalist views who before he took the decision to resign, information ‘Is due to carelessness responded promptly to Hillas were and Colonel Moore was probably rather than any presumed hostility.’13 Owen Tansey, Gurteen Volunteers, and correct when he asked Hillas to be However Hillas refused to see it Seamus Devins, Grange Volunteers.18 patient with his subordinates. from Moore’s perspective and he was Both men later took a very active role However, there was undoubtedly determined to resign.14 Did Hillas act in the republican movement during some opposition to Hillas amongst too impulsively? the War of Independence and the Civil the ranks of the Sligo Volunteer Hillas may have been overly War. It seemed as if these men shared movement and it seemed to be sensitive and it seemed that many the pragmatism of Colonel Moore and enough to persuade him that he was

44 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 not acceptable as the Irish Volunteers County Sligo Inspection Officer. In addition to his own complaints concerning the distrust of many within the Sligo Volunteers over his unionist politics and his Protestant land- owning background, Hillas received a letter dated 2 September 1914 from Diarmiad Coffey, secretary to the chief of staff of the Irish Volunteers, informing Hillas that two south Sligo Corps areas were now attached to the Ballina and Charlestown Corps of the Irish Volunteers in Co Mayo.20 No specific reason for this regional transfer is made apparent in the letter and it could quite possibly be due to an Thomas Scanlon speaking to crowd outside Sligo Town Hall organisational change. However, it is Captain Foley as Inspector of the town and spoke to a large crowd more likely that the territorial change County Sligo Volunteers.23 Foley later outside the town hall declaring, was the result of displeasure with declined the offer of the position in ‘Ireland is now and shall be for all Hillas within the Sligo Volunteers, the Volunteers, as he was preparing to times a nation once again.’28 Scanlon especially considering the earlier serve in the British army.24 argued that Ireland had received its hostility expressed towards him There seemed to have been a freedom from a country at war and by some Volunteers in south Sligo, hardening of nationalist attitude in stressed Ireland’s obligations to the represented in particular by Seamus Sligo at this time and on 29 August . If Scanlon believed Ó’Cinnéide’s letter on 20 August 1914 the Sligo Champion argued that his triumphant speech was going 1914. On 1 September 1914 the that Home Rule must be on the to go down well with all sections of Mayor of Sligo, John Jinks, who had statute books before the Volunteers Sligo society he was sorely mistaken, earlier supported Colonel Moore’s would fight for Britain, saying that and the speech received a very mixed appointment of Major Hillas,21 wrote ‘If not, English legislators will find response from the crowd with some to Moore expressing his sorrow that the invitation to Irishmen to calling him a liar and shouting ‘To at Hillas’s decision to resign and go to be shot to pieces for King and Hell with the Empire.’29 Fighting recommended that a Captain Foley of Country will not be responded to then broke out amongst the crowd, Rossaville take his place.22 In a letter with any great enthusiasm.’25 On the which was reported by the Sligo to Jinks dated 2 September 1914, same date a small piece appeared Independent. Moore, aware of the time constraints in the Sligo Champion, which was John Redmond had no doubts on in preparing the Volunteers during probably submitted by Ó’Cinnéide or what Ireland should do in wartime wartime, immediately appointed a member of the Ballymote Volunteer and on 20 September 1914 he gave a Corps, declaring that the Volunteers should ‘not be too sanguine to express opinions on the present European struggle. We don’t know where we stand, and it is time enough for us to shout for our friends when we know who they are.’26 However, with the trouble over unionist involvement in the Irish Volunteers and the lingering doubts over Home Rule aside, the RIC Inspector for Co Sligo was able to report at the end of August 1914 that people’s sympathies were with the British forces.27 On 18 September 1914 Home Rule became law and was suspended until the end of the war. The next day Redmond calling on volunteers to John Jinks Thomas Scanlon MP visited Sligo recruit

45 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 speech at Woodenbridge, Co Wexford, urging the Irish Volunteers to join the British army to guarantee the granting of Home Rule after the war.30 Would Redmond’s support for the British war effort divide nationalists? Eoin MacNeill, the founder of the Volunteers, and some Volunteer leaders did not support Redmond’s position. The Volunteer movement was split between the majority, who now called themselves Irish National Volunteers (INV) (generally referred to as the National Volunteers), who backed Redmond, and the minority, Irish Volunteers on parade the Irish Volunteers, who remained that the majority of Volunteers in the membership from 300 to seventeen under MacNeill’s leadership. The county supported John Redmond’s and he claimed that the seventeen Sligo Champion remained firm and position. However, the meeting failed men were branding Redmond as supported the official party line of the to form a working County Board for ‘the mercenary recruiting agent of IPP and supported Redmond and the the Volunteers. On 30 September the British Government.’ However National Volunteers, declaring that 1914 the Sligo Champion argued that McCoy’s real purpose seemed to ‘Mr Redmond and the Irish Party are the majority of Volunteers in Co Sligo be exploiting the opportunity to the nearest thing to a government that took Redmond’s side and Volunteers promote himself within the Volunteer we possess and simple commonsense in Sligo were ‘true to a man to Mr movement and he mentioned ‘that demands that they should have the Redmond and the Party.’32 The he would be prepared to undertake controlling voice in the direction of various branches passed resolutions organising work in this county if the 31 the Volunteer force.’ of support for Redmond in September committee requires such’, and listed The next step for the Redmond and October. However, support for the out his credentials saying he had IPP’s position was not universal, and plenty of experience in organising on 8 October 1914 the Tubbercurry men and that he was a retired RIC Irish Volunteer Corps passed a sergeant.35 resolution affirming their allegiance It seemed that National Volunteer to MacNeill.33 HQ did not take McCoy’s concerns However, a letter from Charles seriously and later on 22 February McCoy, Ballylara, near Tubbercurry, 1915 McCoy again wrote to Volunteer to Volunteer headquarters in early HQ complaining that they had done November claimed that the 8 October nothing in relation to his letter dated 8 meeting of Tubbercurry Volunteers October 1914 to revive the Volunteer was not representative.34 McCoy Corps in Tubbercurry, and that there believed that what he described as were no National Volunteers in ‘general apathy’ had reduced active Tubbercurry. He believed that he

Eoin MacNeill supporters in Sligo was to ensure that most Volunteers in the county joined the National Volunteers and not the Irish Volunteers, and on 30 September 1914 a meeting was held in Sligo Town Hall to form a County Board for the National Volunteers. The mayor, John Jinks, John O’Dowd and Thomas Scanlon, along with delegates from twenty-four Irish Volunteer Corps around Co Sligo, attended the meeting. The meeting was a success for the IPP and showed John Redmond inspecting the Irish Volunteers, 1914.

46 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 could have done something if he had of the skilled instructors joined up received ‘assistance, guidance or as well. Reports on local National Further Reading encouragement from the executive Volunteer units in the Sligo Champion Deignan, Padraig, The Protestant 36 community in Sligo, 1914-49 (Dublin, authority to proceed.’ An RIC report mention this and on 10 October only 2010). on the meeting in Tubbercurry on 8 very small numbers were attending Farry, Michael, Sligo 1914-1921: a October mentioned that the meeting drill practice in and chronicle of conflict(Trim, 1994). was attended by thirteen men who Skreen/Dromard in Co Sligo.40 On 7 Farry, Michael, The Irish revolution 1912- were opposed to Redmond’s policy of November 1914 reports in the Sligo 13, Sligo (Dublin, 2012). support for Britain.37 Champion indicated that there was Endnotes A small number of others were a general ‘slacking off’ in Volunteer 1 S.C., 8 Aug. 1914. also opposed to Redmond and in late units in the county.41 2 Ibid., 7 Feb. 1914. October 1914 anti-recruiting posters Why did it take so long to organise 3 Hillas Family Papers (of Seaview, were found all over Sligo town. the Volunteers in Co Sligo after the otherwise Donecoy) (Sligo Co. Library They dismissed Redmond’s policy declaration of war? Much can be [S.C.L.], Estate records, No. 589); Celeste Byrne, ‘Hillas of County Sligo’ in The of cooperation and declared that blamed on the lack of Volunteer Irish Ancestor, iv, No.1, (1972), pp 26-9. the Volunteers were for the defence interest after Home Rule was 4 Major R.W. Hillas to Colonel Maurice of Ireland, and ‘that individual achieved, and while many of the Moore, 9 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Volunteers must be true to their original members enlisted, few Moore papers, MS 10550). pledge and not desert Ireland or others seemed willing to take on the 5 Colonel Maurice Moore to Major R.W. Ireland’s army for England’s army.’38 thankless and demanding task of Hillas, 11 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). At the end of October 1914 the RIC organising the National Volunteers 6 S.C. 15 Aug. 1914. Co Sligo Inspector reported that three in Sligo. The trouble with Hillas had 7 Ibid., 22 Aug. 1914. branches of the Volunteers – Keash, also delayed organisation at a crucial 8 Seamus T. Ó’Cinnéide to Colonel Tubbercurry and Grange – were time. However, although there were Maurice Moore, 18 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., remaining as Irish Volunteers and were local problems in organising the Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 39 9 Colonel Maurice Moore to Seamus T. supporting MacNeill. However out Volunteers the British government Ó’Cinnéide, Ballymote Sligo Volunteer of the estimated 5,000 members of the could have done much more to help Corps, 20 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Volunteers in October 1914 only 280 the National Volunteers in the country. Moore papers, MS 10550). supported MacNeill. From the IPP’s After all, the National Volunteers had 10 Ibid. perspective the numbers opposing been committed to supporting Britain 11 Major R.W. Hillas to Colonel Maurice them in Co Sligo were very small and in the war and had recruited thousands Moore, 2 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). most probably did not concern them of men around Ireland for the British 12 Colonel Maurice Moore to Major R.W. too much. army. The British government never Hillas, 3 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 13 Ibid. 14 Major R.W. Hillas to Colonel Maurice Moore, 5 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 15 Alec McCabe to Major Hillas, 18 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 16 Ibid, 23 Aug. 1914. 17 John C. McTernan, Worthies of Sligo (Sligo, 1994), pp 189-93. 18 Owen Tansey to Major Hillas, 26 Aug. 1914; Seamus Devins to Major Hillas, 28 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 10550). 19 William Lipsett, Collooney Corps to Hillas, 20 Aug. 1914; Domnick Bree, John Redmond presents an Irish flag to the Irish Volunteers about 1915 Collooney Corps to Hillas, 26 Aug 1914; Michael McDonagh, Geevagh Corps to After the IPP secured Home Rule did much to encourage the National Hillas, 21 Aug. 1914; William Caffrey, and the declarations of support for Volunteers, who had not joined the Easkey Corps to Hillas, 28 Aug. 1914; Redmond and the most enthusiastic British army, in their efforts to become R. B. Anderson, Calry Corps to Hillas, members had joined up, there seemed involved in home defence. As David 29 Aug 1914; Thomas Clarke, Skreen and Dromard Corps to Hillas, 31 Aug to be no real role for the Volunteers Fitzpatrick has argued, most probably 1914; Tom Deignan, Maugherow Corps and there was a falling off in support the government remained suspicious to Hillas, 31 Aug. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice for the National Volunteers. Most of all nationalists.42 Moore papers, MS 10550).

47 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

20 Diarmiad Coffey to Hillas 2 Sept. 26 Ibid. 36 Charles McCoy to Volunteer H.Q., 22 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 27 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Sept. 1914 Feb. 1915 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, 10550). (T.N.A., CO/904: microfilm, N.L.I., POS MS 10550). 21 John Jinks to Colonel Moore, 19 Aug. 8537). 37 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Nov. 1914 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 28 S.C., 26 Sept. 1914; S.I., 26 Sept. 1914. (T.N.A., CO/904: microfilm, N.L.I., POS 10550). 29 Ibid. 8537). 22 Ibid., 1 Sept. 1914. 30 S.C., 26 Sept 1914. 38 S.I., 31 Oct. 1914. 23 Colonel Moore to John Jinks, 2 Sept. 31 Ibid. 39 S.C.I. R.I.C. M.R., 1 Nov. 1914 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore papers, MS 32 S.C., 3 Oct. 1914. (T.N.A., CO/904: microfilm, N.L.I., POS 10550). 33 S.C., 10 Oct. 1914. 8537). 24 Captain Foley to Colonel Moore, 34 Charles McCoy to Volunteer H.Q., 40 S.C., 10 Oct. 1914. 4 Sept. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore 5 Nov. 1914 (N.L.I., Maurice Moore 41 Ibid., 7 Nov. 1914. papers, MS 10550). papers, MS 10550). 42 David Fitzpatrick, Politics and Irish 25 S.C., 29 Aug. 1914. 35 Ibid. life, 1913-1921 (Dublin, 1977), p. 54. Memorabilia from our Recent Past

Petrol rationing coupons dating from the oil crisis of the early 1970’s when OPEC limited supplies to western nations.

Share Certificate for the North- West Regional Co-operative Society Ltd 1958, signed by Directors Stan Casey and Dr Tommy Taheny. The company was set up to establish a mart in Ballymote, but was wound down after NCF took over running the mart.

48 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The French at Mullaghmore By Joe McGowan

The hilltops with glory were glowing, head was blown off by an English T’was the eve of a bright harvest day cannon ball. It landed at the foot of the When the ships we’d been wearily gangway to the hold where the three waiting fishermen, being unarmed, had taken Sailed into ’s broad bay refuge. Describing the event later, - The Men of the West, by the Clancy they recalled that the skull looked like Brothers a bloody red bowl. When the fight was over the French Just over two hundred years ago captain was forced to surrender his the light of freedom burned fiercely ship and all hands were taken prisoner. in every Irish heart. Carricknagat, The Mullaghmore men’s position was Vinegar Hill, Castlebar, Collooney desperate. It was English practice at and Killala: these names are etched that time to give honourable surrender in history’s pages. In 1798, French terms to the French and treat them as General Humbert landed a small prisoners of war. The fate of the Irish, expeditionary force in Kilcummin, being British subjects, and as such . The force was sent at regarded as traitors, was to be tortured the invitation of the United Irishmen. General Humbert and executed out of hand. Irish volunteers flocked to join the On arrival in London the Frenchmen French ranks and soon General When the French ships, so anxiously were released and given safe passage Humbert’s Franco-Irish Army took the awaited, eventually appeared off to France but our three friends were city of Killala following the ‘Battle of Mullaghmore Head three local men tried, sentenced to death and brought Killala’. went out in their fishing boat to the to the Tower of London to await But what of Mullaghmore? Look man-o’-war. Their mission was to execution. Sitting in their grim cell where you will and the name is explain to the Frenchmen that there we can imagine that the sentence of nowhere to be found. Yet here in North was no way to transport munitions death echoed in their ears, disturbing Sligo, men dared to struggle one more and supplies because of the seizures. their days and haunting their sleep. time for freedom too; their hearts beat The captain of the French boat, taking Darkness increased their terror. The in unison with the hopes, the promise, the three men aboard as volunteers, judge’s pitiless face and his black cap the dream of Irishmen and women decided to sail for Killala to join up of death burned in their brain. They everywhere for a free Irish nation. But with the main invasion fleet. remembered his macabre sentence it was not to be. On their way south, near word for awful word: ‘You are to be When leaving France, Humbert had Island, an English cutter coming from hanged by the neck, but cut down been assured that several expeditions the direction of the Donegal shore before you are dead, your bowels shall would land simultaneously with his intercepted them. Following a fierce be taken out and burnt before your at various points along the coast. Part engagement the French boat, pounded face, your head shall be cut off, and of the original invasion plan was to with canon and musket fire, was your body divided into four quarters to land some of the French fleet with captured. be disposed of as his Majesty pleases.’ munitions and soldiers at Mullaghmore In later years, when recounting their Looking at the comfortless steel harbour. The plan of action was to adventures, the Mullaghmore men door and iron bars they wished for march southwards, take Sligo town, recollected in vivid detail the events the daub floor and thatched roof of and, crushing all resistance in their of the day. They recalled that early home, for the warmth and comfort of path, join up with Humbert’s troops in the fight one of the ship’s officers, neighbours who must by now have marching northward from Killala. assessing their situation as hopeless, given them up for dead. The English, anticipating just such attempted to fly the white flag of On the eve of their execution the a move, had planned well. They surrender. After a fierce argument governor of the jail, as was customary, impounded all the horses and asses with his superior officer, whose orders paid the Mullaghmore men a last visit. in Mullaghmore and surrounding were to fight on, the junior officer was During the course of the discussion villages. Without draught animals to shot dead where he stood. that followed they discovered that draw the carts, transport of any kind In another incident during the fierce the governor was a good friend and was impossible. struggle, the top of a French marine’s old schoolmate of Colonel Dickson 49 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 of , a townland in the time Colonel Dickson responded to the story I now tell, were Barry, Mc neighbouring county of Leitrim. Governor’s inquiry with the word that Cannon and Kelly. Moved by their plight he granted the the men were indeed hard-working -- three men a stay of execution telling fishermen from Mullaghmore. On the Author’s note: This account was told them that he would contact Dickson. strength of this testimony they were to me by Bernie Barry of Bunduff, If the colonel replied with a reference set at liberty and given free passage to RIP. It had been handed down from of good conduct for the prisoners, quay. generation to generation in his family they could go free. From there the men walked home from 1798. His ancestor was the Barry Another month went by. The three where they told and retold their mentioned in the account. men, buoyed now by a glimmer of fantastic story of ‘98 for many a year. hope, waited for the fateful answer. In The names of the three men, whose Coal mining in Arigna By Michael Lavin On the other side of the mountain mine for the next day’s work. They biggest customer was Arigna Power from where I live in Sligo is the area also used the explosives and extended Station, which was used to produce known as Arigna, which was a coal the roads. The hutches were filled electricity. It was built in 1958 on the mining area until it closed in 1990. and pushed out to the straight road by shores of Lough Allen and was the The biggest mining company was men known as ‘drawers’. The hutches first major power station generating known as Arigna Colleries Ltd owned were then linked to a wire rope which station in . by the Leydon family. There were also pulled them outside by means of a The power station closed down in a number of smaller mines in the area small engine. 1991, leaving the mine without its such as Flynn and Lehany, Tiernans, It was then tipped on to a screen, biggest customer, and this along with Noones and Greens. which kept the big coal on top and coal being imported led to the closure The main road into the mine was let the smaller stuff down below, of the mines. There is a place known known as the ‘straight road’ and the sometimes known as ‘slack’ or ‘culm’. as the Arigna Mining Experience other smaller roads were known as Timber props were sometimes used to which has an exhibition and an ‘branches’. The coal was cut at the keep up the roof in weaker spots. underground tour by former miners. It coalface by the coal cutters lying on Some of the coal was sold locally, attracts a lot of visitors in cars and bus their sides. These men were known some to local hospitals, schools and tours. Every year at Christmas, Santa as ‘brushers’ and also prepared the other small businesses. However the comes to the mine and that also is a big attraction for the children to see Santa underground. Some years before the mine closed the coal was taken out by ‘opencast’, which means the bog and the rock was taken out from the top with big machinery to get at the coal below. This in turn led to a new industry starting in the form of a stone quarry. The quarry in turn employed some of the men laid off by the closure of the coalmines. The stone from the quarry is used in the making of roads and in foundations for local housing projects. The quarry supplies some decorative stone too for garden edges, graves tops and such things. Recently was renovated and sixty houses were built in the grounds and the local quarry supplied the stone. TheArgina power plant

50 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Gathering at Carrowmore in 3,500 BC By Lynda Hart

2013 was the year of the ‘Gathering’, been surrounded by a reconstructed are still marked, some by saint’s days when people came back to Ireland cairn (mound of rocks). In antiquity (St Brigid) or by festivals (Garland to reunite with family and friends a cairn of sorts covered the central Sunday). The pagan Gaelic calendar and to trace long-forgotten roots. It monument, but when it was first gave the names to these seasonal was a great success, with many more constructed and what it looked like periods. (beginning of visitors coming to the ‘home place’. remain a mystery. winter), Imbolc (spring), Bealtaine But is this gathering of family, of The central chamber at Listoghil (summer) and Lunasa (autumn). clan, a new phenomenon? By looking is a box-like structure. Like all the To our ancestors Samhain would at one of our most ancient Sligo sites monuments at Carrowmore it has five have the most important of these we can now say that people have been upright stones with a capstone resting seasons. (This is not to say that the ‘gathering’ on this island for a very upon them. Listoghil also has a front names or the exact times of these long time. ‘blocking’ stone which is pointed. periods were known to the ancients, Carrowmore is a Neolithic ritual Also like the rest of the small but by using the path of the sun and site that nestles in the centre of the monuments, Listoghil was probably the seasonal changes they could mark Cuil Iorra peninsula, a landscape free-standing when it was built. An the seasonal cusps). dominated by mountain artificial platform about 48 metres At , we can see one of with the famous Maeve’s Cairn at in diameter was first built, then the the most impressive sun alignments its summit. The surrounding area chamber placed upon it and it was at the winter solstice. On the shortest has ancient remains from every pre- surrounded by up to three stone day of the year (21 December), at historic era. circles. dawn, the rising sun travels down the Carrowmore is a passage-tomb In 2008 it was discovered that on passage and illuminates the chamber. complex, of which there are four two occasions during the year the sun Stonehenge, possibly the most main sites in Ireland – Carrowmore enters the chamber at Listoghil. iconic of monuments, was known to and Carrowkeel in County Sligo and Our Neolithic ancestors were the mark the sunrise on the longest day Lough Crew and the Boyne Valley first farmers. They were far more ‘in of the year (21 June). Recent studies complex (Newgrange, , tune’ with nature than we have been by the Riverside Project have shown ) in . for a very long time. The seasons that the primary use for the site and Carrowmore, unlike the other three were their calendars. Through the the surrounding areas was at the sites, is not considered a ‘classic’ subtle changes that start each season winter solstice sunset, and that huge passage-tomb complex, as it does they knew when it was time to sow, gatherings would take place at this not have the cruciform chambers tend and reap their crops. They would time with feasting and people and of the other sites. This may be due have been able to tell the best times animals travelling from as far away as to the fact it is older than the other for the animals to breed or to be killed Cornwall and Scotland. sites and it is where the Neolithic in for food. Ireland began. Most passage tombs Today, the beginnings of the seasons Back at Carrowmore on the are dated from 3500 BC to 3000 BC, but recent dating from bone-pins taken from Carrowmore have placed the monuments from 3700 BC to 3100 BC(1), making it not only one of the earliest Neolithic sites in Ireland but also in Great Britain. The Carrowmore complex consists of a large central chamber named Listoghil, surrounded by small satellite monuments. There are approximately 29 remaining in various conditions. Some are as good as the day they were first constructed, others a few stones in a field. Since 2003 Listoghil has The sun rises in the saddle of the mountains 51 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 morning of 31 October, 2008, my colleague Padraig Meehan waited for the sunrise. As the sky lightened the first rays of the sun began to appear. (2) Looking towards the Ballgawley mountains there is a ‘saddle’ or dip. At each end of this saddle is a natural marker, and as the sun begins to rise it did so in this saddle between the two markers. As this was happening something remarkable began in the chamber at Listoghil. The sun struck the pointed front stone causing a spear of light to travel across the underside of the capstone, and then as the sun rose higher the whole of the chamber was filled with an orange glow that emanated from the monument, as if A tomb at Carrowmore it were filled by fire. This lasted for Ancestor worship was possibly the and marked at another monument at about ten minutes and then it was single most important part of these Carrowmore which is in line with the gone. Within a few days the sun’s people’s lives. Their belief in the central chamber. It is possible that the path has taken it away from the power of their ancestors drove them first people to inhabit the island of saddle and the tomb, moving along on, clearing and working the land Ireland, the Mesolithic people, also the Ballygawley mountains until at with their stone tools and antler picks. marked the seasonal cusp by watching mid-winter it comes to a standstill. Once arrived at Carrowmore there the sunrise in the Ballygawleys. Then it starts to make its way back, was plenty of time to feast and to Today people travel from all over rising again in the saddle at around party, but also to reflect and honour the world to visit Carrowmore, some 9/10 February and again lighting the the ancestors that played such an because it is an important site in chamber at Listoghil. important part in their everyday prehistory, others to tick it off the The end of October and the beginning life. There would have been music, ‘what we saw in Ireland’ list. of November mark Samhain, the singing, chanting, clapping and For others it has a deeper, spiritual seasonal cusp between the end of shouting. Musical instruments could draw, a place for meditation and autumn and the beginning of winter. have been made from the bones and reflection. For our Neolithic ancestors this would horns of their cattle. Unions would Carrowmore has always been a have been a time of great importance. have been made and families and special, sacred place where the bones The crops would have been harvested. friends re-united. of our ancestors sleep in peace. The fruits and berries would now be Excavations at the central A great deal of faith in the Irish coming to an end, spoiled by the first monument showed that on each side weather is needed and on the 31st harsh frosts, and animals would need of the chamber large fires had been October and the 10th February to be culled. Only the strongest of the lit, ceremonial fires that warmed the usually only grey skies prevail but breeding stock would be kept as there bones of both the living and the dead. on those dates there is a gathering of would not be enough food to keep These gatherings would have lasted people hopeful of seeing the sunrise at them all through the winter months. for many days and nights, and when Listoghil as their ancestors did 5500 So this was a time for coming the sun rose and entered the chamber years ago. together, for gathering. The excess our ancestors would have honoured -- meat and crops would be eaten at their ancestors. (1) Bergh, S and Hensey, R., great feasts. Were the monuments at When the Neolithic era ended these 2013 – Unpicking the chronology of Carrowmore built to celebrate this monuments were not abandoned. We Carrowmore important time? Did our ancestors see re-use in both the Bronze and (2) Meehan, P, 2013 – Listoghil: A travel great distances bringing not Iron Ages. Different belief doctrines, Seasonal Alignment? only the fruits of their labours but but still a sacred place where the also the bones of their ancestors to bones of the ancestors could be be interred in these small, simple but placed and revered. The sunrise was hugely important tombs? still important in the Bronze Age 52 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Some 19th century Sligo townland maps in the National Library of Ireland

By Martin A Timoney

The National Library of Ireland, on Room have many reference works of Sligo but this is not consistent. Kildare St, Dublin 2, is open to all. on the open shelves and many index The binding seems to date to 1904 You need ID and you apply in person volumes – ‘finding aids’ as some when Alex Dickie signed it on 25th for a reader’s ticket. They take your call them – that allow you to spend January of that year. Considering the photo and you get a card to wear endless hours in research. The large fire at Rockingham House on 10th around your neck as you enter into a brown Guard Books and the Hayes September 1957, are we not so lucky wonderful store of Irish culture. Catalogues have served and continue that these maps have been in a secure The Reading Room is in the main to serve the people of Ireland. Today long-term store since the early 20th building on the north side of Dáil one can access this index information century at least? Square and the Manuscript Room is online through the website, nli.ie, The maps are large, 50 cm by 70 down at the TCD end of Kildare St, but that method of doing research cm, though some are as much as two the building with the monkeys playing is not quite as effective as using the metres across. They generally show a billiards on a sloping table. The hard copy. How often have I found single townland or part of one, though Photographic Archive is in Temple a significant or long-lost reference some show several townlands. Bar. The Genealogical Advisory in the Guard Books while looking The scale is given, not as a bar Service, where people can be advised for something else! Before using a scale, but normally as ‘20 perches to 1 in their pursuit of recent or historical computer search engine you must inch’. Because the originals have been family trees, is in the main building. know what you are looking for and creased in the past our reproductions You read the books or manuscripts someone must have presented that here may not be consistent across any in the reading rooms, you cannot take information in the way you are one map. them away to read at your leisure, but searching! There is also an 18th century the reading rooms are very conducive series of 36 maps of this Sligo and to doing research. You can copy Catherine Fagan Chase Roscommon estate, NLI 21F13, by material under certain conditions but One of these indexes that I have often Thomas Cuttle and further maps older works deserve extra care and it found very useful is the Map Index, a are among the Longfield maps, NLI is best to let the seasoned staff do the bound typescript of about fifty pages. 21F43 to 21F45 of this area. handling in order to protect the books. Recently I got it out in desperation NLI was opened in 1890. Under while confirming that Catherine Fagan, Estate Maps in Themselves copyright law a copy of all publications Dr Kieran D O’Conor’s ancestor in These maps are mainly from a time from within the State are to be sent the 1730s, was from Felton outside before the Ordnance Survey 6” maps to NLI. This in itself has built up a of Boyle, and not Feltrim, Co Dublin, that record our county in the 1830s. great store of books but the collection as had been believed from a mention They are unique, painstaking, ornate includes many earlier works acquired in one of Charles O’Conor’s letters. pieces of work, worthy of being put through purchase and donation. There Felton was confirmed on two maps, on display in the Big House. Today, are also manuscripts, microfilms, 14A1(30) Patrick’s Well for 1824, and these historical documents are often photographs and all sorts of materials 14A2(7) Sandhill for 1834, but this traded as antiques and left to fade on our country’s past. placename is not of a townland today. on a drawing room wall. Many have The staff at the duty desk are the cartographer’s name at the foot fountains of help and information Rockingham Estate Maps of an elaborately written title and the and often they have come back to me That Map Index brought me to three devices are works of art in themselves. suggesting other works that might large volumes of manuscript maps of I often wonder about the descendants be of use and telling me of others the Lorton King Harman Rockingham of these surveyors or cartographers, researching similar fields. Their estates around Boyle. These three artists in their own right. Not all maps personal touch has been of great volumes, 14A1, 14A2 and 14A3, are dated, though the cartographic benefit more than once. have well over two hundred mainly style may allow a future researcher 19th-century hand-drawn maps. to extrapolate date and cartographer Researching The titles suggest that the first two in some cases. In some instances the The Reading Room and the Manuscript are of Roscommon and the third is presence of a road might date a map.

53 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

It is possible that some of the post- 1838 maps have been copied from those sheets using a pantograph, those were the days before photocopying. These maps show a landscape, inherited from long before the present owners. They proudly say ‘This is my property, where I get rent from; these people are my subjects.’ They also tell the next generation what they have inherited from the past, and what they hold to pass to the next generation. The orientation diagrams, cardinal- points, can be beautiful works of art, and we often wish that the map detailing was equally detailed. The maps were for specific purpose and were orientated to suit that purpose. Killavill in 1826, Copyright National Library of Ireland North, normally at the top, can be at the side or the bottom, or tilted at an line’ of a new road or ‘road under edition. A very useful exercise for a angle, to accommodate the shape of a construction’ as that on the map of local nineteenth century local historian townland on the rectangular sheet of Derrygollagh. Even more informative would be to index the 229 14A 1-2-3 paper. is ‘New road from Templehouse maps and the Cuttle volume as well, Spellings can vary, even on one map, made to this’ and then further north picking up not just the places given in and some are rendered phonetically. ‘Intended road’ for the next section of the map titles but also the names of Local placenames tell us so much of road leading north to the Tubbercurry places, features and people. our local geography. to Coollaney road. Map 14A3(49) of Brougher in the Ballinafad Valley, Some of the Sligo Maps What is shown surveyed 1843, shows the ‘Old Road’ Killavill These maps show the fields, their which is of medieval or earlier date and Map 14A3(3) is Killavill by James acreages and potential usage. Heights today is a most beautiful waking road Johnston in 1826. The property is are not given, but mountains are and to the south of it ‘New Intended shown rotated clockwise about 45 shown by shading and rivers and lakes Line of Road’. Several clachans degrees. It shows a property of 13a are also shown. Bogs, bottoms and or clusters of houses are shown. It arable and 3r-20p of cut-away bog and heathy mountain and other poor land is most regrettable that milestones totalling 14a; the total area of Killavil are indicated – these maps were for are not shown considering Foran’s today is 137a. Somewhere there may collecting rents. They are rent potential recognition of the milestone on Two still exist an account book telling us maps, not far off ‘land use potential’ Mile Hill in Ballyglass on the Sligo of who held the lands. Irwin owns for maps, a theme frequently heard from to Dublin road through Calry (Foran Ballyfaighey across the river, Dodwell Brendán MacAódha, my Geography 2013, 298; Timoney 2013-2014, 19- for Ballantrufane and Killavill. This professor. Houses, buildings and the 20). Dr Arnold Horner suggests that map of 1826 shows four buildings occasional monument are shown. it dates from the period 1630 to 1750 close together. There is a mill and a Surrounding townlands with their and has something to do with Grand house on the west side of the road. On owners’ names are given. Some maps Juries. the east side of the road a house and have properties numbered; hopefully a single-part chapel is shown close to the corresponding lists have survived. Making Use of these maps and parallel to the road. One minor Very few monuments are shown. Landlord, tenant and family lineages road winds its way NW to Ballyfahey Absence of features does not mean can be analysed. The historical across the Black River. The other road that they were not there, the content information in these maps can be goes SE and has a building either side was selected. To a geographer or used in conjunction with the Griffith of the road where it exits the property. historian they are not just works of Valuation, Tithe Aplotment records By 1838 the OS map of Killavil art but a record or snapshot of a small and the Registry of Deeds. The Synge shows three features. Beside the area at a point in time. Survey of 1749 covers the Dioceses of Mill Ruin a Kiln is shown. The R. The nuggets of undated penciled Elphin, and so the eastern part of Co C. Chapel is shown as an L-shaped additional information can be Sligo, though one has to advise cross- building with the main part parallel infuriating, such as changes of checking the original manuscript to the road, as on the 1826 map but acreages. Some show the ‘intended version with the published 2004 with an extension eastwards from the

54 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 north end. By the OS 1:2,500 plan of corrections give us Toniponra. The 72 poorer land)’ as a precursor. 1911-1912, the mill is gone as is the acres with the exception of about 24 old church and a new R. C. Church acres of ‘Heathy mountain’ is shared Lurgan is shown further in off the road. The out among six holdings of ‘arable and The 1822 map of Lurga, 14A3(22) field boundaries of 1826 are reflected pasture’, each between 7 and 9 acres. gives us Lurgan, 111 acres between in these later maps and in the present These are, from NW to SE, Bartly Feenagh Lough and Bunamuck day field system. Dowd, Domnick and John Brannen, Lough. Access to this drumlin This map is most important in that it Michael Gaffney, Bartly Dowd and townland was from the south. On the shows a chapel here in 1826, two years Edwd Gaffney, James Brannen & 1838 OS map that access is shown as before Catholic Emancipation; the Mannion, and, finally, James Conlan being by a footbridge at this point. It present Keash church dates to 1809 & Keelty. Four of these six properties seems as if the settlement focus was and even that had a predecessor from were held in a joint partnership. The at the centre of the townland but no at least the 18th century (Timoney surrounding townlands were Cross house is shown. Five parcels of land 2009-2010). also has a pre- held by Mr Duke, Knocknacroy held are detailed in the index; only one Emancipation chapel (Palmerston by Lord Kirkwall, and Toniloughlin is attributed, No 5, and that is to a Estate map, NLI 16F17, of 1814- held by Lord Kirkwall. Mr John Taaffe. Lord Kirkwall held 1815). Toniloughlin is not a designated Kingsfort and Clooneen, Lord Lorton townland now; it is shown on 14A1(26) held Feenagh and Knockbrack. Tonaponra as being within Drumnagranshy A more colourful map of Lurgan, Map 14A3(1) is, regrettably, an and to the east of the road from 14A3(25), is the survey work of JD undated map of Toniponra. The 39 Cross townland in Keash through to Hall from 1827 for Lord Lorton. This acres mapped are parcelled out among the Meeting House at Graniamore. map has a decorative north-point, Mat (or Mall) Cryan 15 acres, Michl Local knowledge today, from Paddy adorned with a quiver of arrows. Gafney 14 acres, Domnk Dowd & Co. Brennan, Tommy and Phil Dyer and The map is shown as being NE-SW 5 acres, and finally (Wm) Bell 5 acres; Mary Dyer, is that it was of about while in fact the townland is NW- the mountainside is not mapped. 25 acres but that it was to the west SE. The land is held by Andr Baker Map 14A1(26), dated 1822 is of that road and immediately north Esq, and four Scanlans: Laurence, titled Tonipoanry, though pencilled of the western part of Tonaponra in Thomas, Laurence Jr and John. There Drumnagranshy. One part of it goes are variations of property boundaries by the name Sleibhín. between these two maps, particularly Dr Conchubhar Ó Crualaoich around the centre where three informs me that the Placenames buildings are now shown in 1827; two Branch has no historical evidence or three buildings are shown further for ‘Toniloughlin’, but he notes that south in the townland. Lochlainn occurs as a personal name among the Mhic Dhonncha and he suggests something like Tamhnaigh The map on the left side of 14A3(23) Lochlainn, ‘Lochlainn’s patch of shows Kilglass for 1823 by James green land (usually surrounded by Johnston.

Toniponra, nowadays Tonaponra, Lurgan in 1822; Copyright NLI in 1822; Copyright NLI 55 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

The road from Ballymote is shown as continuing SE towards ‘Keshcurran’.

Sources and Further Reading Cuttle, Thomas. 1770 NLI 21F13: Maps of part of the former estate of the Right Honble The Earl of Kingston in the counties of Roscommon and Sligo taken from a map made in 1724 by Mr. Garret Hogan and coppied in 1770 by Tho. Cuttle, and then Exact maps of part of the estate of the Right Honourable Edwd Lord Kingston of the counties of Sligo & Roscommon by Tho. Cuttle Jun. 1765. Foran, Jim, 2013: “Mapping Sligo into the Twenty-first Century: A Review Article” in Timoney, ed., 2013, 297- 300. Horner, A., 2011 Mapping Sligo in the early 19th Century with an atlas of William Larkin’s map of county Sligo, 1819, Dublin. Larkin, William, 1819 A map of the county of Sligo in the province of Kilglass in 1823; Copyright NLI The key gives ‘Arable and pasture’, Connaught in Ireland. Kilglass is a townland of 190a to the ‘Heathy bottoms’ and ‘School House NLI MS 14A1, 14A2. Maps of the north of Inishcrone. The owners of the tenement’, a parcel of 2a 2r 30p, up estates of the Rt. Hon. Harman King surrounding townlands are Park Mr in the north corner of the townland, Harman in the , Digby, Coogy-bar Earl of Kingston, on the east side of the road towards by various surveyors. Two large folio Lefany Mr Carter, Drinaghan Mr . The map gives ‘Old Chu volumes, containing 182 coloured Pew and Carrownedan Mr Tennant. Yard’ with the little block outside the maps, some with names of tenants, Coogy-bar is nowadays Quigabar. graveyard being the medieval church 1778-1887. itself. NLI MS 14A3. A book of maps of the estate of the Rt. Hon. Harman King Emlaghfad Harman in the Co. Sligo by various The map on the right of 14A3(23) surveyors. Large folio volume of 49 shows Emlifad, nowadays Emlaghfad maps, coloured and some showing for 1823 by James Johnston. names of tenants, 1814-1886. The surrounding owners Timoney, Martin A., 2009-2010: “On are Woodfield Lord Kirkwall, St. Kevin’s R.C. Church, Keash, Co. Keenaghan, Kingsfort and Cloonagun Sligo”, The Corran Herald, 42, 17-19 Lord Kirkwall, Carrowcaleany Lord Timoney, Martin A., 2009: “St. Lorton and Crookgrana Mr Dodwell. Kevin’s R.C. Church, Keash, Co. Crookgrana is Knockgrania and Sligo, 1809-2009”, in St. Kevin’s Carrowcaleany is Carrowmacleany. Church, Keash, 1809-2009, Bi- The index tells us of a 20a Glebe in Centenary Celebration, Keash, Keash the north of the townland. The rest Parish. is shown in the index as arable and Timoney, Martin A., ed., 2013: pasture, 322a, and two twenty-acre Dedicated to Sligo, Thirty-Four bogs. The plot for the graveyard is Essays on Sligo’s Past, Keash. shown as a trapezium but no buildings Timoney, Martin A., 2013-2014: are shown. The present road up to “Three Stones and A Well Dressed the graveyard from the SE continues Man: The Story Behind the Story”, around the graveyard towards The Corran Herald, 46, 2013-2014, Ballymote and a minor road is shown 18-22. Emlifad, nowsadays Emlaghfad, in continuing NW on into the fields. 1823; Copyright NLI 56 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Deaths of two notable Ballymote residents Jim Kielty and Bernie Dwyer By John Coleman

private in the regiment who won the Victoria Cross. Bernie was passionate about history and was a devoted supporter of Ballymote Heritage Weekends, particularly enjoying the coach outings to visit historic sites. But Bernie’s interests were wider than local or national heritage and he loved to travel and see for himself the great cultural sites of Europe and the Middle East. He loved to talk of his visits to Rome and Athens. I remembered telling Bernie that I had visited Cannes in the south of France and Bernie remarked ‘there’s a very nice hotel on the beach’ – and indeed Bernie Dwyer he was right. Jim Kielty Bernie was particularly proud of the It is appropriate that the Corran beautiful and unique shop front of the repaired but sadly did not have the Herald should mark the passing of family business, a product of local art funds to maintain the shop doors Ballymote’s oldest resident Jim Kielty and craft. He knew the importance and windows and these are now in (born 1917) who died last year and of preserving the painted wooden need of some loving care. It would Bernie Dwyer (born 1936) who died doors and windows in their distinctive be a great monument to Bernie that earlier this year. Jim and Bernie lived blue colour and would have been this rare surviving important historic all their lives on O’Connell Street and horrified by their replacement with façade and shop front be preserved both featured in James Fennell and PVC. He ensured that the hall door and restored as it is such a beautiful Turtle Bunbury’s beautiful 2009 book and the gateway were appropriately feature of the town. Vanishing Ireland - Further Chronicles of a Disappearing world. James Fennell’s superb photographs of both Jim and Bernie are reproduced here. Jim lived through a period of extraordinary change and he loved to recount stories from memories of his youth and of the earlier history of the town in which he took great pride. He told Turtle Bunbury the history of the important Norman castle and of the , held in the Royal Irish Academy. Of particular interest in this anniversary year of the commencement of the First World War, Jim spoke of traumatised veterans visiting his father’s pub and he recalled Martin Moffatt, a Bernie at his shop 57 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Vanished Shop Fronts - 2 Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition ( For Vanished Shop Fronts - 1, see issue No.46)

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59 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 ‘Sincere but Mistaken Men’ – the letters of Joseph McGarrity By Michael Farry

Sunday, 30 July 1911, was a glorious day, much appreciated by those attending the various Garland Sunday outings in County Sligo, including the annual pilgrimage to the holy well, Tubbernault, beside Sligo town. Among those who attended were two south Sligo friends, employees at Achonry Co-operative Creamery, who stopped on the way to take photographs at the Teeling monument outside Collooney. This monument to the 1798 Irish and French insurgents who defeated an English force nearby had been erected as a result of the centenary celebrations of 1898. While the men were taking photographs a motor stopped. The occupants, an Irish American couple touring the country, engaged the men Joseph McGarrity driving his father John. Taken in Ireland, date in conversation, which, in view of unknown. the venue, naturally turned to politics (Joseph McGarrity Collection. Digital Library@Villanova University). and nationalism. The Americans and Irish discovered that their attitudes whose objective it was to assist the , and the interests of the to current political developments Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) Irish race.’ McGarrity supported this coincided and they exchanged names to achieve an independent Ireland. newspaper, which was run by the Irish and addresses. Later, when the O’Grady took a photograph for American Fenian, John Devoy. Americans returned home, the men Mrs McGarrity, presumably of the The surviving correspondence, engaged in a short correspondence. couple at the monument, and they though short, is interesting in that it The Sligo men were 24-year-old parted. The men attended the pattern show that in spite of the impression James Marren of Carrownedan, at Tubbernault and the McGarritys given in local nationalist newspapers Mullinabreena, and 18-year- continued their Irish tour, sending a such as the Sligo Champion and the old Thomas O’Grady, Doomore, postcard to O’Grady from Belfast. Sligo Nationalist, there was some . Both were farmers’ In the McGarrity Papers in the dissatisfaction with the activities, sons. O’Grady was assistant manager National Library, Dublin, there are aims and achievements of the Irish at Achonry creamery and Marren five letters to McGarrity, three from Parliamentary Party (IPP) under its was also employed there. The Irish Marren and two from O’Grady, and leader John Redmond. Americans were Joseph McGarrity a draft of a reply from McGarrity to On the surface County Sligo was (1874-1940) and his wife Kathryn. O’Grady. The letters were written thoroughly loyal to the party with a Joseph was born in Carrickmore, during the period December 1911 well-organized, active, county-wide County Tyrone, emigrated to the USA to May 1912 and we have no way network of parish-based branches of in 1892 and settled in Philadelphia. The of knowing if the correspondence the United Irish League (UIL). These couple had married in Philadelphia in continued after that time. McGarrity operated as constituency branches of June 1911, and their Irish visit was part wrote at least three letters to one or the IPP and their monthly meetings of an extended European honeymoon. other of the two men and also sent passed regular resolutions of support Joseph was a successful businessman some copies of the weekly newspaper, for Redmond and the IPP. and a leading member of Clan na Gaelic American, ‘A journal devoted Neither Marren nor O’Grady Gael, the Irish republican organisation to the cause of Irish independence, supported Redmond or the IPP. 60 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

‘the last battle for Home Rule.’ O’Dowd told a South Sligo UIL executive meeting in Ballymote in December 1911: ‘We are in sight of the promised land and now stand on the threshold of freedom . . . which will enable each and every one of us to live in a free and happy Ireland, governed by Ireland’s own laws and representatives subject only to an Irish executive.’ He also paid tribute to the importance of Irish America to the IPP and its constitutional fight for independence: ‘If it were not for Ireland’s standing army represented by the millions of her exiled children scattered all over the globe, the Irish Party could never have brought you so A postcard included by Thomas O’Grady in his letter to McGarrity, far on the road to freedom.’ 14 January 1912. It shows the Teeling Monument and the Catholic When the third Home Rule Bill was Cathedral in Sligo. (National Library of Ireland) eventually introduced in April 1912 Both were steeped in the tradition of Treaty Stone, ‘that silent witness the Sligo Champion welcomed it as revolutionary nationalism and their of British perfidy.’ He also visited ‘far and away the best Home Rule heroes were generally physical force the memorial to the Fenian Peter measure that Ireland has ever had a men – Wolfe Tone, Michael Dwyer O’Neill Crowley, in Kilclooney chance of obtaining’, and the IPP and and Robert Emmet. They contrasted Wood, between Mitchelstown and local MPs supported it unreservedly. the idealism and selflessness of Kildorrery, . O’Neill In his letter to Marren, McGarrity was these with the IPP politicians of Crowley had been killed during the scathing about the bill calling it a ‘pig the day. Their ultimate aim was the Fenian rising of 1867. in a poke’. Referred to Redmond’s complete independence of Ireland. O’Grady praised Marren calling statement ‘that it will make the Irish Their reading matter included John him ‘a staunch patriot and as sound loyal and the Empire secure’, he said Mitchel’s Jail Journal and History an Irishman as ever trod this glorious ‘I would rather see Ireland sink in the of Ireland, and the poems and sod’, and noted that Marren had been sea than to see her loyal to England.’ stories of William Rooney. Marren engaged in promoting the purchase of Marren agreed: ‘It is not even Home told McGarrity that he had just read Irish-made goods, in teaching Irish Rule in its ordinary restricted sense, George Bermingham’s Northern Iron, in the area and in distributing radical and certainly it is nothing in the published in 1907, a historical novel newspapers such as Irish Freedom. nature of a national settlement . . . about the United Irishmen’s uprising The correspondence coincided Why Ireland should give up her high in 1798 in which the protagonist is with the final stages of drafting and and holy ideas to willingly become a the son of a Presbyterian clergyman. the publication of the 1912 Home province of any Empire but above all They read radical newspapers, Rule Bill. Redmond’s alliance with of Britain’s pirate empire seems too Irish Freedom and Sinn Féin. The the Liberals had resulted in the 1911 unintelligible.’ former was published monthly by Parliament Act which removed the This correspondence also coincided the IRB in Dublin from 1910 until House of Lords’ right to veto bills with McGarrity’s campaign against it was suppressed in 1914. It was passed in the Commons and meant the Abbey Players performances of controlled by Tom Clarke and Seán that the upper house could not block The Playboy of the Western World McDiarmada, later signatories of the a home rule bill. The Home Rule in Philadelphia. The January 1907 1916 Proclamation, and was edited Bill was being drafted during 1911 performances of Synge’s play at the by Bulmer Hobson. Sinn Féin, a and while the Sligo Champion was Abbey Theatre had been disrupted by weekly, was edited by , certain that it would be a good bill, some nationalists who denounced the published between 1906 and 1914. it showed little interest in the details play as a libel upon Irish peasant men Marren told McGarrity that on of its provisions. Both Sligo MPs, and, worse still, upon Irish peasant holidays in mid-May 1912 he visited Thomas Scanlan for North Sligo and girlhood. When in 1911 the Abbey places of separatist nationalist interest John O’Dowd for South Sligo, rallied Players embarked on an American including Limerick and its famous constituents for what Scanlan called tour, with The Playboy among the

61 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 repertoire, many Irish-American groups expressed alarm regarding the potentially harmful effects of The Playboy on the image of the Irish in America. Performances in Boston, Chicago and New York went ahead without serious incident. However in Philadelphia in January 1912 McGarrity was the prime mover in repeated audience disturbances and he was instrumental in having the actors brought to court to answer charges of engaging in a public performance that was ‘lascivious, obscene, indecent, sacrilegious or immoral.’ The case was dismissed. McGarrity mentioned the incidents in his letters to the Sligo pair and coverage of the disturbances appeared in the Gaelic American newspaper which he sent them. The story was also covered in Irish national newspapers and in Irish Freedom. Both Sligo correspondents praised McGarrity for his actions in ‘teaching Yeats a lesson’, O’Grady adding that he felt ‘ashamed that we ever feathered [fathered?] such a vandalised ruffian in Sligo.’ A cartoon published in The Gaelic American newspaper, 2 December Marren and O’Grady were strong 1911, making fun of Yeats and the Abbey Players, ‘protectors’ of the supporters of the Irish language. playboy in the USA O’Grady told McGarrity that ‘Mr Marren has also made a great headway the national spirit in your hands. On By the time of its victory in the 1918 in this district in Irish teaching.’ The you and you alone depends Ireland’s election the network of UIL branches 1911 Census Marren family return was future.’ He advised them to write in County Sligo had been replaced by completed in Irish though the father to Patrick McCartan, Carrickmore, a similar number of Sinn Féin clubs signed it in English. All the family Tyrone, an Irish republican who which operated in much the same were returned as being able to speak emigrated to the USA as a young way. Marren was indeed correct when Irish. The handwriting suggests that it man and became a member of Clan he told McGarrity that ‘an exceptional was James who filled the form in Irish. na Gael in Philadelphia. He returned opportunity will come for those who Their 1901 form had been completed to Ireland in 1905 and continued are in earnest in preaching Irish in English. Marren opened each of his working closely with the IRB. Independence’, but even he couldn’t three letters with ‘A Chara Dhilis’ and The ideas espoused by Marren, foresee the succession of events which signed his name in Irish to the first O’Grady and McGarrity were not would ensure that opportunity. two but signed James Marren to the popular in 1911/12 when the vast While it appears that neither Marren third. The file contains the envelope majority of Irish people supported the nor O’Grady were members of the addressed by Marren to McGarrity in IPP and expected that party to achieve IRB or Sinn Féin at the time of this December 1911 on which he wrote Home Rule, which would give a correspondence both seem to have McGarrity’s name in Irish (Seosamh limited form of self determination. become active soon afterwards Mac Oireachtaigh, Uasal) and beneath The attitudes and ideals they shared when Alec McCabe organised both in English. seemed out-of-date relics of the organisations in the area. McGarrity encouraged the pair previous century. But the irony is that McCabe was born in 1886 in Keash, to continue their work in spreading within seven years these very attitudes south Sligo, where his mother was a the separatist doctrine. ‘You young appeared to sweep the country with primary teacher. He also became a men of Ireland have the keeping of the rise of Sinn Féin. teacher and was appointed principal

62 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 of Drumnagranchy National School, applied for parole his case would be present is to endeavour to get a wider Keash, in 1910. According to Tom looked into with a view to allowing circulation for papers such as ‘Irish O’Grady’s witness statement to the him back to his employment. When Freedom’ and ‘Sinn Féin’ also to Military Bureau, Marren became Marren refused to submit his case for recommend such books as Mitchel’s IRB centre for Mullinabreena and he investigation O’Hara complained, ‘I ‘Jail Journal’ Rooney’s works and himself became centre for Cloonacool. went to a good deal of trouble on your others of a similar kind, and as ‘Irish Both were involved in the rapid behalf.’ Freedom’ puts it this month to turn growth of Sinn Féin in 1917. Marren, Joseph McGarrity continued his ourselves into National firebrands this with Owen Tansey of Gurteen, became support for armed separatism until his together with learning and speaking joint secretary of the Sinn Féin South death in 1940 and was involved with the Irish language and supporting Sligo constituency organisation which plans for the Easter Rising, support Irish Industries is to my mind the work was formed in April 1917 and later for Sinn Féin and the IRA during the of the hour. became the Comhairle Cheantair. In war of independence, the anti-Treaty The Irish Language should not be left early 1918 Tom O’Grady wrote to IRA in the civil war, and post civil war out of any programme we lay out for Sinn Féin headquarters as assistant Sinn Féin and IRA activities. ourselves, for on no other foundation secretary of this body. can an Irish nation be builded (sic). Marren, Alec McCabe, Pádhraic Extracts from the Correspondence I have secured eight subscribers here Ó Domhnalláin and Owen Tansey for ‘Irish Freedom’ and hope during went forward for nomination as 16 December 1911: James Marren the summer to get more. Sinn Féin candidate for South Sligo to McGarrity constituency for the 1918 election. During the coming years we require 26 February 1912: Thomas Tansy and Marren withdrew before plain speaking on National questions O’Grady to McGarrity the convention and McCabe was and no man should be allowed to After reading your patriotic letter selected. McCabe had an easy victory promise for this nation loyalty to the many times in succession, I found a in the election over the sitting MP, British Empire in return for an Act- fresh zeal of Nationality creep around O’Dowd. of-Parliament-created legislature. me as indeed it was one of the most Marren and O’Dowd appear not Irishmen can never be loyal to the interesting letters I have ever read, to have taken prominent parts in the pirate Empire or any other Empire, therefore; I owe you a great deal for IRA campaign during the war of and remain true Irishmen. all the information I have received. independence. In Tom O’Grady’s Your very nice remarks with regards witness statement he said that from 22 January 1912: James Marren to to the outlook of political affairs in 1918 on ‘younger men … took over McGarrity Ireland has my confirmation, as every from the men responsible for the early The work of the immediate present is word bears testimony to what I can see organisation of Republican activities’ to keep alive, and spread the doctrine and read of every day in the political in his and surrounding areas. He of true Nationality. During recent atmosphere. would have been only 25 in 1918. years but scant attention was paid I cannot tell you presently what Both however are listed on parish IRA to those who upheld the flag of Irish kind of measure it will be and I am company volunteer rolls for 1921, Independence, the people looked on of the opinion that 25% of our MPs O’Grady for Cloonacool and Marren them as sincere but mistaken men – are equally as ignorant. The majority for Collooney. they in fact considered that it was the of the Irish people are anticipating At the end of December 1920 wrong time to raise such an issue, or great benefits by it, and as regards Marren was arrested by Crown forces at least to push it to the front. this point I cannot tell. Some people in Collooney and was interned in A change in Irish conditions must are predicting it will be only a Ballykinlar Camp, . He however come during the present year, subordinate Parliament thereby was manager of the Collooney Co- hence the need now for propaganda meaning that every bill to be passed Operative Creamery and one of the work. In the ordinary course of events in this so called Parliament will have creamery’s main supporters, Charles the recent reaction would be likely to to go before the English Parliament, O’Hara, used his influence to try be followed by a period of activity, and and if this is so, every bill that will to have Marren released, saying he considering the circumstances it is be passed for the good of Ireland ‘practically runs the business and the safe I think to say that an exceptional will receive its mutilation as sure as district will suffer much naturally if opportunity will come for those who the Treaty of Limerick was violated he has to be interned.’ As far as he are in earnest in preaching Irish on the banks of the Shannon. In my knew, he said, Marren did not belong Independence. opinion at the present time this is the to ‘the extreme party.’ O’Hara was When it comes we must be prepared Parliament ‘that will have the green told by Dublin Castle that if Marren but the best thing we can do at flag flying over it’ as many times

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from the movements of the past. But Redmond or no other man can sell to Britain the rising manhood of Ireland and the generations yet unborn. They will owe allegiance to Ireland and to Ireland alone. I am writing to Dr McCartan and hope to be able to do something more to increase the circulation of ‘Irish Freedom’.

Sources Manuscripts, National Library of Ireland Joseph McGarrity Collection, MS 17,644. The headline from The Gaelic American, 27 January 1912, regarding the Sinn Féin Letters, MS 10,494. protests in Philadelphia against the Playboy. Charles K. O’Hara Letterbooks MS 16,827. stated by our Irishmen on U.I.L. and promised Home Rule Bill has been A.O.H. platforms. introduced. It is not even Home Rule Printed in its ordinary restricted sense, and Marie Veronica Tarpey, The role of 17 April 1912: McGarrity to certainly it is nothing in the nature Joseph McGarrity in the struggle Marren. Draft. of a national settlement. To offer for Irish independence. (New York, The Home Rule Bill is I fear a ‘Pig in the assistance of the Irish people in 1976). a Poke’ and Mr Redmond’s statement building up the British Empire in Sligo local newspapers 1911-1921. that it will make the Irish loyal and the return for this miserable Bill is to The Gaelic American, 1910-11. Empire secure is if told as a truth by offer what no man or no party has the Irish Freedom, 1910-11. the man is nothing less than treason to right to offer. Why Ireland should give Ireland. I say from my heart if Home up her high and holy ideas to willingly Internet Rule makes Ireland loyal may it never become a province of any Empire but National Archives of Ireland, Census pass. I would rather see Ireland sink above all of Britain’s pirate empire of Ireland 1901, 1911, http://www. in the sea than to see here loyal to seems too unintelligible. census.nationalarchives.ie/ England. If the bill were offered to Parnel (sic) Military Archives Dublin, Military … But bill or no bill you young in his day be would probably have Service Pensions Collection, men of Ireland have the keeping of accepted it for what it was and make Organisations and Membership the national spirit in your hands. On use of it to get more, in fact make it a Files, MA-MSPC-RO-279. http:// you and you alone depends Ireland’s stepping stone to Irish Independence. www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/ future. Parnel’s word that ‘no man can set online-collections/military-service- bounds to the march of a nation’ are pensions-collection 27 May 1912: James Marren to conveniently forgotten by the men who Bureau of Military History, Tom McGarrity claim to be his successors. The chief O’Grady (WS 917), Alec McCabe I also saw by the Irish and American is in his grave and British Liberalism (WS 277). http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory. papers that you were looking after the plays hide-and-go-seek with Ireland ie/ ‘Playboy of the Western World’. The at Westminster. This to some extent Villanova University, Joseph staging of such plays in America or is what might have been expected McGarrity Online Collection. other countries should be resented. once Ireland began to bargain with http://www.villanova.edu/library/ Filthy plays in any case should not England by sending members to her digital/collections/mcgarrity/ be allowed, but when these plays are parliament thereby acknowledging staged in foreign countries and when English supremacy she was bound to they are taken as typical of Irish life whittle down her national demands. they are especially hurtful to our With a strong man at the helm feelings. Irish America in this case did possibly the party would not have its part. fallen so low, with its present leaders Since I wrote you last the long and advisors it has cut itself away

64 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Remembering Keenan Johnson Reprinted from The Law Society Gazette

Judge Patrick Keenan Johnson was went on to lecture and tutor law born in Ballymote, Co Sligo, in students at the Society’s Law School. 1922. He was the second youngest of Keenan was appointed a judge of the six children and attended Ballymote in 1975 and, having National School, where he was taught spent a year as a moveable judge, he by the late John A Barnes (father of was assigned to the then district of former DPP Eamonn Barnes). Rathfarnham and Dundrum. He was At that time, very few children appointed to the District Court area got the opportunity to avail of a of Waterford and Kilkenny in 1979 second-level education. Keenan was and served there until his retirement fortunate that Master Barnes took in 1992. In 1982, he was appointed a keen interest in his pupils and in a member of the Special Criminal developing their talents. Master Court. Barnes tutored Keenan for his While serving as a judge, Keenan matriculation examination, which was renowned for his energy as a enabled him to proceed to university worker and his keen interest in the and study law in 1938 when he law. He always liked to administer was 16 years old. It is a notable justice with compassion and achievement that Keenan went humanity. directly to university from national Outside of the law, he continued to school, without ever attending Judge Patrick Keenan Johnson be involved in community activity secondary school. period. He also immersed himself and was a driving force behind the In 1939, he was awarded a silver in his work and in providing support acquisition of a permanent residence medal in the Law Society Preliminary and guidance to his children. In 1970, for the Waterford charity, Children’s Examination. He qualified as a Keenan married Therese Campbell, Group Link. In his years working solicitor in 1943 and was awarded the newly appointed district health as a judge, Keenan realised that a special certificate in his final nurse from Trillick, Co Tyrone. It children from troubled backgrounds examination. As he was only 20 was a whirlwind romance, with and difficult home environments when he qualified, at that time he was Keenan proposing after four weeks needed the stability and consistency still considered a minor, so he had to of courtship and marrying within five that organisations like Children’s wait seven months post-qualification months. It proved to be a long and Group Link provide. In 2005, he to reach his 21st birthday – then the happy union. Keenan and Therese returned to his native Sligo, where age of majority – before setting up were blessed with two girls, Helen he continued to enjoy a happy and his own practice in Ballymote, with and Geraldine. Keenan was also fulfilled retirement. Fortunately, a sub-office in Riverstown. blessed with ten grandchildren and Keenan’s final illness was relatively In the early years, together with four great-grandchildren. He always short and, though his passing leaves a group of friends, he took great said that Helen and Geraldine kept a huge gap in the lives of his family delight in putting on shows featuring him young at heart, and he revelled and friends, they have the consolation local artists. He wrote many of in the fact that his daughters were the of knowing that he led a happy, the comic sketches and sometimes same age as his older grandsons. complete and fulfilled life. He died rendered piano accompaniment. He Keenan always took a genuine on 23 February 2013, aged 90 years. married Helen Stephens in 1949 and interest in young people and was Our deepest sympathy goes to his they had five children. Keenan was a great man to provoke debate and wife, Therese; his daughters, Ann, devastated at Helen’s untimely death discussion with them. In later years, Patricia, Helen and Geraldine; his after a short illness in 1966. His deep this was to prove an immense benefit sons, Brendan, Keenan and Hugh; religious conviction was his mainstay to him and, following his retirement and to his extended family. Ar dheis during this difficult and lonely as a judge of the District Court, he Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

65 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 A mathematical giant from Screen By Nial Friel

On 24 May 2000 at the College England to study at College. and most venerable positions in de France in Paris, the so-called There he studied a wide curriculum mathematics. Among the many Millennium Prize problems were that included pure mathematics, luminaries to have held this position announced. These are seven problems Newtonian mechanics, hydrostatics, were Sir Isaac Newton and more considered to be the most challenging optics and astronomy, all topics that recently the well-known mathematical in mathematics. One of these, as yet Stokes would later make profound physicist Stephen Hawking. unsolved problems, was to prove the contributions to. Stokes was in As mentioned before, Stokes was Navier-Stokes equation. And the prize esteemed company in Bristol – one of consumed by research. However, this for solving this? An incredible one his fellow students was John William was soon to change in 1857 when he million dollars. Strutt Rayleigh, later to become became engaged to Mary Robinson, It is not an understatement to say that the Nobel physics laureate, Lord the daughter of the astronomer at the mathematician who derived this Rayleigh. . He wrote many equation, George Gabriel Stokes, is Stokes’ was heavily influenced letters to her which give an insight into considered one of the most important by his mathematics teacher, Francis his character and personality. Ever the figures in the history of mathematics. Newman. As an interesting aside, mathematician, he wrote in one letter: Any student of mathematical physics Newman was the brother of Cardinal “I too feel that I have been thinking will almost certainly know of his John Newman, who later founded the too much of late, but in a different work through several eponymous Catholic University of Ireland, which way, my head running on divergent theorems and laws, including the is today known as University College series, the discontinuity of arbitrary aforementioned Navier-Stokes Dublin. While at Bristol his eminence constants . . . I often thought that you equations, Stokes’ law and Stokes’ as a scientist was foretold through would do me good by keeping me theorem. Simply put, his work has several prizes in mathematics which from being too engrossed by those had a profound impact on science and he won. Following the encouragement things.” engineering. of Newman, he entered Cambridge Clearly, such sentiments may not University in 1837 as an undergraduate have stoked (no pun intended) the Early Life In Skreen in Pembroke College. He was to romantic fires as Mary might have Stokes was born in Skreen, Co remain in Cambridge for the rest of hoped. Indeed it was recorded that Sligo on 13 August 1819. He was academic career. Stokes at one point wrote her a fifty- the youngest of six children born to five-page letter (!) explaining that the Gabriel Stokes, the Protestant minister Life in Cambridge nature of his scientific career may not of the parish of Skreen. His mother, By all accounts Stokes’ was a be well suited to married life. It turned Elizabeth Haughton, was herself prodigious undergraduate student. He out that she came close to calling off the daughter of a protestant minister graduated in 1841 as senior wrangler the marriage, leading Stokes to write from Kilrea, Co Derry. Evidently in mathematics, a title given to the top to her: ‘Then it is right that you should George Stokes’ upbringing was a placed student in mathematics. Upon even now draw back, nor heed though very religious one. Indeed, every one graduating he immediately embarked I should go to the grave a thinking of his three older brothers went on on what was to become a distinguished machine unenlivened and uncheered to become a priest. Stokes received career in research and was offered a and unwarmed by the happiness some schooling at home where his fellowship at Pembroke College. His of domestic affection.’ However, father taught him Latin grammar. life during this period was almost the marriage did go ahead and this Life in Skreen appeared to be idyllic. exclusively focused on research and coincided with a dramatic slowdown The renowned mathematician Joseph publishing. He published his research in research activity. The above quote Lamor described his early life thus1: findings at an incredibly frequent rate. gives some evidence to the idea that “The home-life in the Rectory at It was said by his colleagues that there Stokes welcomed this change in Skreen was very happy, and the was not a topic in mathematics and lifestyle. children grew up in the fresh sea- physics which he did not work on. His However it did not necessarily air with well-knit frames and active scope and range of work was vast. By imply a slowdown in other aspects minds. Great economy was required contrast, a typical scientist works on of his working life, and he held to meet the educational needs of the very few research topics and develops many important positions outside the large family...” At the age of 13 Stokes expertise in a very narrow research university. He was secretary and then began his formal education in Dublin area. This was most certainly not the president of the Royal Society from where he attended Rev R H Wall’s case with Stokes! 1854 until 1890 and also served as a school in Hume Street. In 1849 Stokes was appointed member of parliament for Cambridge Lucasian Professor of Mathematics University from 1887 to 1892. Stokes Education in England at Cambridge. The Lucasian chair died on 1 February 1903 and is buried In 1835, aged 16, he moved to in Cambridge is one of the oldest in Mill Road cemetery, Cambridge.

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Stokes’ many contributions to the earth is offset by the friction of So what were Stokes great the air around them, so that clouds are achievements? There are simply too essentially suspended water particles. many to note to properly do justice to Stokes also provided mathematical the impact which his work has had. explanations to questions including: However, possibly his best known Why are sounds more difficult to hear work is the Navier-Stokes equations, standing upwind? What is the nature one of the seven Millennium Prize of X-rays? problems in mathematics mentioned Stokes also had interests in optics earlier. These describe mathematically and here his expertise in the dynamics the equations of motion for the flow of fluids led him to make the important of fluid or viscous substances. The discovery that haemoglobin, the Navier-Stokes equations are incredibly red blood pigment, occurs in two valuable because they describe different states: with oxygen and many diverse physical situations of without oxygen. Stokes discovered interest. For example, they are used this by analysing the spectrum of light in situations ranging from modelling from haemoglobin molecules. In turn the weather to describing the airflow this lead to understanding the vital around an aircraft wing. function which haemoglobin plays, It is interesting to note that after namely carrying oxygen and taking Stokes had derived these equations away carbon dioxide. The breadth of motion he discovered that he George Gabriel Stokes and impact of Stokes’ work is truly was not the first to do so. A French today’s age of the internet. This work amazing. mathematician, Claude-Louis Navier, was published in 1845 in his seminal Now, time for us to set off to prove had carried out a similar analysis paper entitled On the theories of the the Navier-Stokes equation. A million some years previously, although using internal friction of fluids in motion. dollar awaits! different assumptions. It is curious to He also published several papers on note that the reason for this duplication the effect of internal friction of fluids 1. J Larmor, Memoir and scientific of research effort was simply that the including the effect of friction on a correspondence of the late Sir George Cambridge mathematicians were swinging pendulum. Gabriel Stokes (2 vols, Cambridge, unaware of the work of continental He also explained mathematically 1907) mathematicians at this time, a fact why clouds hang in the air. Broadly which is of course unimaginable in speaking, the fall of water droplets The FCA in Ballymote

The FCA on Parade in Ballymote, Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition

67 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 and the Cooper family

By Sam Moore

Markree Castle is located in the townland of Markree Demesne in the Barony of Tirerrill and the Civil Parish of in County Sligo. It is currently operating as a three star hotel and is a large country house with clear evidence of 18th and 19th century architecture. Markree is referred to as a castle not due to any archaeological or historical evidence, but because of its elaborate 19th-century gothic architecture. The house is a protected structure under the Sligo County Council record number 294, registered in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage number 32402629 and is listed archaeologically as a 17th-century house in the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) SL026-038. South East facade of Markree Castle. Most of the portion of this side of The inventory record (no. 2888 in house is the work of Francis Johnston, architect, 1802-4. The left side of Egan et al 2005, 483) states that the the image is part of a late-18th century building remains of a 17th century house are 1890s (Redmill 2014). This article Regarding the landownership of incorporated into the south west end of deals with the history of the Coopers Markree, an inquisition held in Sligo the present 18th/19th century Markree from the mid-17th century until the town on 26 September 1614, before Castle and consist of three walls, beginning of the 19th century with Sir John King and others, informs three stories high, built of random specific reference to their house. us that ‘Markrea’ was the property limestone rubble with roughly dressed of Maurice Caech McDonogh of quoins. It records that the south west The house is found on an area of flat Cloonamahon in 1598. His lands wall retains its full length of 19.1m; ground within a drumlin belt 2.28km were granted to Alderman Weston of the north west wall is incomplete and south-southeast of the confluence of Dublin. In 1620 the lands, including measures 20.9m, while the south east the Owenmore River and the River the ‘quarter of Marcre alias Macreagh’ wall has a short return of 5.85m. It Unshin. Where they join becomes the passed to Sir Francis Annesley also records a slight base batter on Ballysadare River which flows through (O’Rorke 1878, 149-51). From a the north west wall and that the wall the important pass of the Colloney survey in 1635 a soldier called Patrick thickness is 1.35m. Gap in the and enters Crawford was given a grant of lands Much of the western end of the Ballysadare Bay after a series of falls in and around Markree. Crawford sold present building is predominantly (O’Dowd 1991, 2-5). The house is his lands to Patrick Plunkett, second the work of Francis Johnston, who situated on a meander only 19m from son of Sir Christopher Plunkett of Co remodelled and extended the house in the west bank of the River Unshin, Louth. Plunkett took up residence on 1802-04 and it is this part of the house which flows to the north west after his new estate and remained until after that is suggested to be built from passing the house. Markree is referred 1641. He took an active part in the the fabric of a 17th century structure. to in various documents or maps by insurrection as a confederate and then Dramatic alterations and extensions, the name of Markrea, Marckrea, forfeited his estate (O’ Dowd 1991, including the entrance, chapel and Marcre, Macreagh, and Mercury, and 93). dining room, were all executed by is derived from an Anglicisation of Joseph Gilt, the London architect and Marcréidh ‘a land suitable for horse- Plunkett was involved in various architectural theorist in the 1840s. riding’ according to logainm.ie (2008- actions during the insurrection Further additions and alterations 14) (although McTernan (2009b, 46) including the siege and capture of were carried by Maitland Wardrop in and O’Rorke (1878, 62) record it as Sligo town during Christmas of 1641 the 1870s and James Monroe in the magh reagh; ‘a brown plain’). to January 1642 (ibid 105-6). He is 68 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 recorded as Captain Patrick Plunkett Earl of Bellamont, on 2 November The names of ‘Rathgrany’, of ‘Rathgrane’ in a deposition of 1689, along with the grant of 77,000 ‘Rathgran’ or ‘Rathgrane’, the Thomas Jans recorded by Richard acres of forfeited Irish lands. He died neighbouring townland west of Coote in May 1653 concerning on 5 March 1701 in New York, USA, Markree on the Down Survey, atrocities carried out at Templehouse where he was Governor (Mosely appear to be interchangeable with during the wars (CULTURA 2014). 2003, 1029). Both the 1st and 2nd Earls that of Markree. Patrick Plunkett In the Calendar of State Papers for of Collooney appeared to have played is listed as owning Markree but in Ireland in 1647 Captain Francis a role in the success of cornet Edward the Deposition of 1653 mentioned King was given custodianship of the Cooper. above he is of Rathgrane and in the then-ruined Collooney Castle with In the 1659 census for the parish Hearth Money Rolls for Sligo in 1665 four quarters of land belonging to of ‘Ballissadar’[Ballysadare] we see Edward Cooper is recorded as living Brian Óg McDonagh (who died in an that Edward Cooper, gent, is listed at Rathgrany in a house with three attack on Frederick Hamilton’s castle as a ‘titulado’ in the townland of chimneys (MacLaysaght 1967, 30). at Manorhamilton) along with the ‘Marckrea’, which had a population It is recorded that Richard Coote, lands of Rathgraney and Markree (12 of three English and fourteen Irish Lord Baron of Collooney, had an quarters with a rent of 20 shillings) (Pender 2002; Wood-Martin 1892, impressive house with ten hearths, also which were forfeit by Patrick Plunkett 423). The term ‘titulado’ is a person in Rathgrany (ibid) and it is known (Collooney Castle was a McDonagh claiming to be entitled to land, but that his house was located somewhere towerhouse, owned by O’Conor- whose claim, not having been decided in the modern town of Collooney as Sligo). These lands were to be held on, was thereby rendered titular in noted in Downing’s Description of for Parliament (Mahaffy 1901, 596). point of fact. By 1653 the officers Sligo of c.1684 (Ó Muraíle 2002, Following the rebellion of the and men who had served with Charles 241; see also Timoney 2005/6, 24- 1640s the armies of the English Coote and who were promised arrears 26). (Downing does not mention the Commonwealth, commanded by had the news from the general council Coopers or Markree.) Cromwell, emerged victorious of the army (with Coote being one MacLysaght (1967, 21, note 6) and began a massive transfer in of its members) that they should be suggests Rathgrany might refer to landownership from Irish Catholics to receive lands and should be ‘settled in the modern townland of Rathgran in English Protestants. Edward Cooper those quarters where they have served Kilvarnet parish, but this is unlikely was cornet in Sir Charles Coote’s and best acquainted.’ (Dunlop 1913, as it lies 8.7km west of the present regiment of dragoons during the wars. 365.) townland of Markree Demesne. A A cornet was originally the third and Co Sligo withdrew from any large (SL026-028) in Markree lowest grade of commissioned officer transplantation because of the Demesne is called Rathgran on the in a British cavalry troop, after captain influence of officers in Sir Charles 3rd edition OS map and this townland and lieutenant. Richard Coote (who Coote’s regiment who ‘demanded most likely merged with Markree to took the deposition mentioned above), and eventually got a large part of their form Markree Demesne (a townland 1st Lord Coote, Baron of Collooney, arrears paid with land.’ (O’Dowd today measuring 507 acres) after King was born in 1620. He was the brother 1991, 133.) An aspect of this to James II granted Cooper the power to of Sir Charles Coote with whom happen successfully was for the empark 500 acres in 1686 (see below). Edward Cooper served, and had gained land to be accurately surveyed and By 1662 we can assert that Edward the rank of Major in the service of the mapped. This task was overseen by the Cooper was living at Markree in a General Monck’s Regiment of Horse. surgeon-general of the English army, house with three hearths. Richard was created 1st Lord Coote, William Petty, who created the Down Baron of Collooney, Co Sligo on 6 Survey of Ireland in the years 1656- O’Rorke (1878, 154-6) records September 1660. He was invested as 1658. On the Down Survey maps that on 20 September, 1666, the a Privy Counsellor in December 1660 Markree is labelled on the County Commissioners certified that ‘they and died on 10 July 1683 at Christ and Barony Maps. On the Parish Map have compared and examined the Church, Dublin. we see a house marked in Markree, Petition and Schedule of Cornet He was succeeded by his son Richard presumably the residence of cornet Edward Cooper and found that the Coote, 1st Earl of Bellamont and 2nd Edward Cooper, named as being a claimant has purchased the debentures Lord Coote, Baron of Collooney, titulado there in the 1659 census. hereafter mentioned, from the parties who, in 1688 was one of the first to Although the conventions may not be hereunder and hereafter named, join William of Orange. He held the correct it appears as a house with three whose lots fell in the County Sligo,’ office of Governor of chimneys. The date of construction and provides the list of purchases in 1689. In May 1689 he was attainted of this house is unclear as it appears made by Cooper. These parcels of land in his absence by the Irish Parliament to have been the residence of Patrick are recorded in the books of Survey of King James II. He was created 1st Plunkett before he forfeit his lands. and Distribution of c1670 (PRONI

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those reported to have been disloyal to him, eventually tallying between two and three thousand in a bill of attainder. Both Coote and Cooper were quick to join with William, and Arthur Cooper took an active part in the proceedings of the neighbourhood during the period of the Wars (1688- 91), not only keeping a garrison of horse at Markrea. In January 1689 Arthur occupied for a time after defeating Captain Terence McDonagh’s company (Childs 2007, 39). The Coopers re-established themselves at Markree following the Treaty of Limerick in October 1691 (O’Rorke 1878, 158; Bell and Robus 2014, 44). A map dated 1704 drawn Down Survey Map (detail) of the Parish of Kilross and Ballysadare by the surveyor George Hillas on indicating ‘Markrea’ and a three chimney house. behalf of Arthur’s son Joshua Cooper, Ms:MIC532/1-13) which show the issue, with his second son, Arthur (b. who inherited the estate, indicates the proprietors in 1641 on the left and the 1667), inheriting the Sligo property shape and form of the demesne of change of ownership following the (O’Rorke 1878, 156). ‘Mercury’ (Sligo County Library Map Acts of Settlement and Explanations In 1686 James II granted Arthur ref 2010; National Library of Ireland of the 1660s. Edward Cooper is listed Cooper various denominations of Ms 16 I.16 (2)). This map shows the as owning the 146 acres, two perches land known as the Manor of Markrea. extent of the demesne and provides of land at Markree (no. 23) as indicated He also granted Arthur Cooper the detail for each field size and names on the Down Survey map, which was authority to hold courts, the ability to each of them. What is interesting are forfeit by Patrick Plunkett. He is keep a prison, to empark 500 acres, two fields called ‘Brick Kiln Field’ unusually listed as a Catholic in the and ‘to hold two yearly fairs for and ‘Lime Kiln Field’, indicating the Books of Survey and Distribution and ever on the lands of Tubberscanlon availability of building materials. it could be his marriage to a Catholic, (Tubberscanavin).’ (ibid, 157-8).) A frustrating element is that details Margaret Mahon, or some political Richard Coote, the 2nd Lord Coote, of the form of the house are not very reason that this was the case. Within Baron of Collooney, and Arthur clear. A detailed tracing of the lines, a few years of this, in 1688, he was Cooper, as leading members of carried out by zooming into to an one of the founders of the Protestant Protestant Association in Co Sligo image of the map, failed to clarify Association of Sligo. founded by 1688, had formed the nature of the plan. A substantial By 1666 Edward Cooper purchased garrisons; Coote at his fortified house rectangular form with an open just over 2820 acres in Co Sligo in Collooney, and Arthur Cooper, rectangular projection on the northeast (McTernan 2009b 46). In Kerry with a garrison of horse, at Markree with a second open ended slightly he bought debentures to the extent (Wood-Martin 1889, 106). larger rectangular area to the south of of 1368 acres and in Limerick, he However, in the Act of Attainder, the projection is marked on the map became owner of 1013 acres. The passed in the Parliament which James at the present location of the house, estate in Limerick is probably linked II held at Dublin in 1689, the names but its orientation is more east-west to Edward’s marriage to Margaret nee of Richard Coote, Arthur Cooper of than the house is today. No scale was Mahon, the widow of Conor O’Brien Markree and his brother, Richard legible on the map but an approximate who was killed in the Cromwellian Cooper, also of Markree, were put on comparison by overlaying the 1704 siege of Limerick, (ibid; O’Rorke a list of the attainted (O’Rorke 1878 map with a rotated 1917 25”-to-one- 1878 194-5; Bell and Robus 2014, 66; McTernan 2009b, 46-7). In 1688, mile Ordnance Survey map gives a 43). All his lands in Sligo, Limerick, the English King James II, driven off very approximate dimension of 43m and Kerry amounted to just over 5,200 by the ascent of William and Mary, east-west by 20m north-south. As is acres. At his death in 1679, Edward came to Ireland with the sole purpose plain to see the river’s size and form Cooper left the Limerick and Kerry of reclaiming his throne. After his has changed and a six-pier bridge estates to his third son, Richard; the arrival, the Parliament of Ireland is located c120m north west of the eldest, Edward, having died without assembled a list of names in 1689 of present day two-pier bridge (NIA

70 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 reg. no. 3240614). Also of note is the lawn, walled garden and ‘wilderness’ (a ‘bosquet’) depicted on the map of 1704, all features of a post-1660 demesne. By 1727 the Cootes had left Sligo and sold Collooney (alias Cashel) and several other denominations of land in Co Sligo to Joshua Cooper of Markree for £16,945 5s. 6d. From that time until the beginning of the 20th century the Coopers owned all Collooney, with the exception of the spot on which the Methodist chapel now stands, which was sold as a barrack plot in March, 1729. By the purchase of the Coote estates in 1727, and the departure of Lord Bellamont from Collooney, and the addition of them Tracing of Hillas’ 1704 map (detail) indicating possible building where to the Markree estate, Joshua Cooper, Markree Castle is today (original map courtesy Sligo Reference Library) the son of Arthur, became one of the and five of his six children had died, house built in the later part of the 18th largest landed proprietors in Sligo leaving Alicia as his sole heir to his century, as to be expected, as Joshua (O’Rorke 1878, 71; McTernan 2009b, large estate worth approximately Cooper was one of the wealthiest men 47). Between 1720 until his death in £100,000 (Legg 1996, xv). Before in the country at the time. 1757 he represented Sligo County in his death in 1762 Synge suggested to This Joshua died in December 1800, the Irish Parliament for 37 years (ibid). his son-in-law and Alicia to ‘buy up aged 71, and was buried in Collooney. Joshua’s rise to greater power led to always all the land they could’ (ibid). He was succeeded by Joshua Edward him building a new house sometime Joshua Cooper did exactly this and Cooper, a colonel in the Sligo in the 1730s. Regrettably we do not owned an estate of around 36,000 acres Militia. It was he who commissioned have a description of this building with an annual income of £10,000 in Francis Johnston to undertake the during this period, only a remark by rentals as well as becoming one of gothic architectural transformation Rev. William Henry from his Hints the first and largest subscribers to the of Markree. He modified the River towards a natural and topographical Bank of Ireland in 1783-4 (McTernan Arrow for fisheries along with his history of the County of Sligo in 1739, 2009b, 47). He opposed the Union nephew who says: and represented Sligo in Parliament of Stephen’s Green, Dublin, who [97] Mercury [Marcrea]. The from 1768 to 1783. managed the estate following his uncle Seat of Joshua Cooper Esquire is a Joshua Cooper entertained being declared insane in 1804. Joshua regular and very Elegant piece of numerous guests at Markree including Edward Cooper died in 1837 and the Modern Architecture . . . It deserves Arthur Young in 1776 who described estate went to his brother Edward a more particular Description than Cooper as an industrious and modern Synge Cooper (Quinn 2009, 824-7; I can give, not having seen it since farmer (ibid; Simms 1961, 158; see McTernan 2009b, 47-8). As Mark it was finished. This Gentleman has also Young’s account of his visit to Bence-Jones describes, concurred by another handsome Seat in the Town Markree in Hutton 1892, 234-241). John Redmill and drawn in the plans of Collooney, which once belonged to Joshua Cooper also accommodated by Johnston in 1802, the building, the Earl of Bellamont (Timoney 2013, the Italian artists Beranger and Bigari before modification by Johnston, 151). at ‘Mercrea’ in July 1779 where ‘they was two storeys over basement with This suggests a date of some form were well received, and there they a five-bay front, a three-bay break new house at Markree built in the dined, supped and spent the night.’ front with a one bay on either side of 1730s. The ‘handsome Seat’ refers to (Harbison 2002, 100.) Another visitor, a curved bay (Bence-Jones 1988, 201- the former house of Richard Coote, Coquebert de Montbert, describes 2; Redmill 2014). Lord of Collooney (ibid). the house in 1791 as a ‘regular and Nothing in the present-day Joshua Cooper died in 1757 and very elegant piece of modern [my architecture suggests anything earlier his son, another Joshua, inherited emphasis] architecture . . . a fine house than the mid-18th century. Based on his estate. Joshua had married Alicia surrounded by trees.’ (McTernan the late 17th century Down Survey Synge in 1758, the heiress of Edward 2009a, 392; Ní Chinnéide 1976, 64). Maps and Hearth Money Rolls, Synge, , whose wife It appears there was another modern along with the 1704 demesne map

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bygone days. Sligo families; chronicles of sixty families past and present. Vol. II. Avena Publications, Sligo. Mosely, C. (ed.), 2003. Burke’s peerage and baronetage 107th edition. Burke’s Peerage and Gentry Ltd, Delaware. Ní Chinnéide, S., 1976. A Frenchman’s tour of Connacht in 1791. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 35, 52-66. NLI (National Library of Ireland) Ms 16 I.16 (2) ‘Photostat’ copy of a map of the demesne of Mercury Co Sligo 1704. O’Dowd, M. 1991. Power, politics and land: Early modern Sligo 1568-1688. Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Dublin. Ó Muraíle, N., 2002. Downing’s description of County Sligo, c.1684. In M.A. Timoney (ed.) A celebration of Sligo: first essays for Sligo Field Club. Sligo Field Club, Sligo. 231-42 O’Rorke, T., 1878. History, antiquities, and the present state of the parishes of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet in the County of Sligo. James Duffy and Sons, Dublin. Tracing of the plan of existing 18th century building based on drawings by Pender, S. (ed.) 2002. Census of Ireland Francis Johnston 1802-4 (after Redmill 2014) c.1659. Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin. by Hillas, there was a 17th century Dunlop, R., 1913. Ireland under the Quinn, J., 2009 Edward Joshua Cooper; house on the site of the present-day commonwealth: Being a selection of Joshua Cooper. In J. McGuire and J. Quinn Markree Castle. A re-build certainly documents relating to the government of (eds.) Dictionary of Irish biography from Ireland from 1651 to 1659. University the earliest times to the year 2002. Vol. occurred in the 1730s and again in Press, Manchester. 2. Royal Irish Academy and Cambridge th the mid- to late-18 century based Egan, U., Byrne, E., Sleeman, M., Ronan, University Press, Cambridge. 825-7. on the architecture and the referral S. and Murphy, C. 2005 Archaeological Redmill, J., 2014 Markree Castle, Co of the Conque de Montbert to Joshua inventory of County Sligo Vol. 1: Sligo Sligo. Proposed new entrance at lower Cooper’s modern house in 1791. It is South. Dublin. Stationary Office ground floor. Interim conservation this late 18th century building that one Harbison, P. 2002. ‘Our treasure of assessment report. Part 1 – Draft antiquities’: Beranger and Bigari’s assessment of the building. Unpublished can see in the fabric of the present day antiquarian sketching tour of Connacht in report. house as can be seen from Johnston’s 1779. Wordwell, Bray. Simms J. G., 1961. County Sligo in the drawings of 1802. Hutton, W. A (ed.) 1892. Arthur Young’s Eighteenth Century. The Journal of the Tour of Ireland (1776-1779). George Bell Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,. Acknowledgements. and Sons. London. 91 (2), 153-162. Thanks to John Redmill, Charles Legg, M.L. 1996. The Synge letters: Sligo County Library Map 2010 Cooper Cooper and the staff of the National Bishop Edward Synge to his daughter estate: Map of the Demesne of Mercury, Alicia, Roscommon to Dublin, 1746- surveyed for Joshua Cooper by George Library of Ireland and Sligo County 1752. Lilliput Press, Dublin. Hillas, 1704. Reference Library. Logainm.ie 2008-14 Placenames Timoney, M.A., 2005/6. Bellamont References database of Ireland: Markree Demesne. House, Collooney, and other 17th century Bell, K. and Robus, V. 2014. The http://www.logainm.ie/45230.aspx. fortified houses in Co Sligo. The Corran Coopers and Markree. In K. Bell (ed.) Accessed 24/4/14. Herald, 38, 24-26. Hidden histories.; Political/historical MacLysaght, E., 1967. Hearth money Timoney, M.A., 2013 Hints towards a perspectives of Sligo. Sligo LEADER rolls with full transcript relating to Co natural and topographical history of the partnership, Sligo. 43-44. Sligo. Analecta Hibernica, 24, 1-89. County of Sligoe, by the Rev. William Bence-Jones, M., 1988 A guide to Irish Mahaffy, R. P., 1901. Calendar of the Henry, 1739. In M.A. Timoney (ed.) country houses. Constable, London. State Papers relating to Ireland of the Dedicated to Sligo: thirty-four essays Childs, J, 2007. The Williamite wars in reign of Charles I 1633-47. Stationary on Sligo’s past. Publishing Sligo’s Past, Ireland 1688-1691. Continuum Books, Office, London. Keash. 129-155. London. McTernan, J. 2009a. Sligo: the light Wood-Martin, W. G. 1889, History of CULTURA 2014. 1641 Depositions: of bygone days. Houses of Sligo and Sligo, Vol II, Hodges and Figgis, Dublin Deposition of Thomas Jans - 1653/5/16 associated families. Vol. I. Avena Wood-Martin, W. G. 1892, History of http://kdeg.cs.tcd.ie/1641/?q=deposition/ Publications, Sligo. Sligo, Vol III, Hodges and Figgis, Dublin 831101r096. Accessed 24/4/14 McTernan, J. 2009b. Sligo: the light of

72 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 I’ll forgive but I’ll never forget By Mary Kelly-White

It was Sunday February 23rd 2014 by post to the remainder of the family haunt him at dead of the night and the focus for the sermon was in Sligo to buy needles and either May his hens never lay, may his ‘forgiveness’. post them to us in Glenkillamey or horse never neigh, may his goat fly ‘To forget is to really forgive,’ make sure that whoever was coming away like an old paper kite. the priest was saying, recalling the on holidays next was carrying the That the flies and the fleas may the words of a song from his teenage needles. Once the new needles wretch ever tease; may the piercing years, I’ll forgive and I’ll try to forget. arrived there was no stopping us in March breeze make him shiver and I was mentally transported back to the music room. shake when I knew and sang that song. Just Our mother, who we called Ma, May the lumps on a stick raise the out of college, madly in love with a knew when each record arrived and bumps fast and thick on the monster boarder from which of her sisters had brought it that murdered Nell Flaherty’s drake. who couldn’t wait to leave Sligo from America in the early 1910s or There were at least three more and get back to his native Leitrim. 1920s. Ma liked John McCormack verses. And then there was Lannigan’s July was passed, August closing in but I don’t remember us being Ball: and there was I on holidays in the impressed with his Flowers of the Six long months in Brook’s Academy dark upper room of an old thatched Rarest or Believe me if all Those learning to dance for Lannigan’s cottage. It was as close to a grand Endearing Young Charms. I suppose Ball. She stepped out, I stepped in parlour as was possible, six large we were too young to understand the again; I stepped out she stepped in gilt-framed pictures hanging from lyrics, and anyway we thought John again . . . the green distempered damp walls; McCormack was too slow. Dad on And Danny Boy. We had learned melting Irish lace curtains and heavy the other hand hadn’t a musical note that song in School ‘as Gaeilge’: dark velvet drapes hiding the tiny in his head but he loved the lyrics Maidin Ui mBearra, but finding the cobwebbed window. His Master’s and he was desperately keen for us to lyrics in English to the Londonderry Voice Victrola / gramophone in listen to the words. Air was a bonus. a damp case, and a box of vinyl Nell Flaherty’s Drake; My name it I was ready for the real romantic records on a small solid mahogany is Nell and the truth for to tell, I come songs, especially where someone table between the open fire-grate and from Coothill which I’ll never deny died or emigrated such as The Lament a glass-fronted display case. I had a fine drake and I’d die for for an Irish Emigrant: Part of our family was on holidays his sake, that my grandmother left me I am sitting on the style Molly where from a three-storey town house where and she going to die we sat side by side, on a bright May we had only ever seen a gramophone The dear little fellow his legs morning long ago when first you were in Woolworths and we had no idea they were yellow, he could fly like a my bride. . . how one worked. So finding a swallow and swim like a hake But the graveyard lies between Molly gramophone and vinyl records which ‘Till some dirty savage, to grace and my step might break your rest, now belonged to us because our his white cabbage, most wantonly for I’ve laid you darling down to rest bachelor uncle was dead, we spared murdered my beautiful drake. with your baby on your breast. no effort getting through the records. May his spade never dig, may his And another, Red River Valley: We almost wrecked the whole sow never pig, may each hair in his From this valley they say you are collection by lifting the needle arm wig be well thrashed with the flail going, we will miss your bright eyes half way through the song, we were May his door never latch, may his and sweet smile; so anxious to hear all the songs as fast roof have no thatch, may his turkeys For they sat you are crossing the as possible. And if that wasn’t awful not hatch, may the rats eat his meal. ocean, to brighten your pathway enough we never changed the needle May every old fairy from Cork to awhile. until it fell out and we replaced it with Dún Laoghaire dip him snug and airy Come and sit by my side if you love other rusty needles, until our mother in river and lake me, Do not hasten to bid me adieu rescued the whole room from us That the eel and the trout they may But remember the Red River Valley, before we had destroyed everything. dine on the snout of the monster that and the cowboy who loved you so It was then we learned that the murdered Nell Flaherty’s drake. true. needles needed to be new and May his pig never grunt, may his As you go to your home by the ocean changed often, so a message was sent cat never hunt, may a ghost ever may you never forget the sweet hours,

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That we spent in The Red River true? get bored at the constant repetition, Valley; and the love we exchanged True to you who is now going to leave but we couldn’t get enough of it, ‘mid the flowers. me, I am parting forever from you. singing along with and without the And finally the song that I couldn’t Yes I’ll return every token, ‘twas a records like karaoke, often forgetting forget. In the song ten years had ring and a lock of your hair the words that we knew the previous passed but for me it was only ten A card with your photograph on it, day. But now thinking back it was weeks: and a face that’s as false as it’s fair. like spending a few weeks in the Do you remember the evening I’ll take back every fond word and Gaelteacht learning Irish, soaking the moon through the bushes did token, let it be as though we never up the experience. We were getting shine met music and poetry which we will With a smile and a kiss as a token, And I will return every token, I’ll never forget. you promised that you would be mine forgive but I’ll never forget. When I told the priest how his sermon Then why did you try to deceive me Because Dad couldn’t sing he had inspired me he said: “God works when you knew that my heart was so couldn’t understand how we didn’t in mysterious ways.”

1952 Sligo Senior Gaelic football team Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition

The Sligo senior Gaelic football team that played against Mayo in Charlestown during the 1952 Connaught championships. Back Row (L-R): Joe Flannery, Fintan Quigley, Frank Gaffney, Brendan Wickham, Nace O’Dowd, Mick Gaffney, Mick Christie, T. J. Murphy, John Cogan, Paddy Dwyer (suit), Joe Masterson, P McGovern (Bro.), Johnnie Durkin, Ray Tully, John J. Lavin (suit). Front Row: Barney Oates, Ted Nealon, Paddy Mullen, Tommy Ryan, Tom Dunleavy, Paddy Christie, Ned Durkin, Paddy Kennedy, Austin Briody, Frank White, Pat Brennan (‘Click’) (suit) The players were identified by John Francis Kelly (Tubbercurry), Tommy Joe Hunt, Jimmy Tighe, Paddy McGuinness and Neal Farry (Ballymote) Report of the match from Sligo G.A.A. 125 History 1884-2009: Not for many years had the senior team played with such skill and determination as that displayed in their meeting with all Ireland champions, Mayo, at Charlestown. It was a memorable game, characterised by tough championship exchanges in which Sligo lost two of their best players on the day, Ted Nealon and Ned Durkin, through injury. Mayo were outplayed for long periods before eventually getting through by a margin of three points, 0-9 to 0-6. Stars of the losing side were Tom Dunleavy at fullback, Barney Oates at right halfback, Ned Durkin at midfield where he outplayed Padraig Carney for most of the hour, Mick Christie and John Cogan in attack. Substitute Frank White stole the limelight when he replaced Frank Gaffney at midfield in the second half. Sligo: TJ Murphy, T Nealon, T Dunleavy, P Christie, B Oates, N Durkin, A Briody, F Gaffney, N O’Dowd, P McGovern, J Cogan, M Christie, P Mullen, M Gaffney, T Ryan. Subs: (used) F White, P Kennedy, F Quigley

74 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The Elderly Neighbour By Bernie Doyle

‘Bring this roll of butter with you,’ you? As for you, my little schemer, dog,’ said Nora. ‘He sits quietly in his said Aunt Mary as I was leaving for didn’t you drink a bucket of milk a own corner while you are having a Nora’s house. It was mid-June and while ago? Shoo, shoo! Away with the meal. This old blackguard of mine has Uncle Mick had asked me to tell Nora lot of you now.’ me shamed – always begging!’ that he would be arriving to cut her Nora Moran was about 70 years of ‘Rover is all right. He’s a good dog, hay first thing in the morning. I was age at the time. She was a tidy little Mrs Barry. Doesn’t he take care of delighted as I was fond of Nora. woman who always wore a black yourself and the animals night and The walls of Nora’s farm and the blouse and a long black skirt down to day?’ said Willie. farms of Willie Burke and my uncle her ankles, and even a black apron. ‘Indeed, you’re right, Willie,’ Nora merged beside the old stone windmill. For her Sunday best she wore a long said, delighted to have her dog praised. Here I had only to cross a small stone black coat and a hat (somewhat like ‘He’s a good dog, Mrs Barry. Indeed wall, but there was a problem – Nora’s Miss Marple’s) to Mass or on the he is,’ Willie agreed. But what was horse. Why should I, who was used to odd trip into town. Her kind face was wrong with Willie I asked myself. our own horses and the donkey, fear wrinkled and her gray hair was drawn Didn’t he know that Moran was Nora’s horse? But I was afraid of him back tightly from her face into a bun Nora’s surname?’ Who was this Mrs and of her cattle too, and I couldn’t at the back. She lived in a little white Barry? I had opened my mouth to say a word about it in case I became a thatched cottage with small windows. settle the question when, luckily, Mrs laughing-stock in the village. The door was always open and the Brady from the next house came in, Nora lived alone with only her hens wandered in and out at every and I had to help Nora to get a cup of animals for company. She spoke to opportunity. You walked directly into tea for her as they told her about the the hens, to the horse, to the cow, the the kitchen facing a large dresser filled hay. calf and the cattle. They were all pets. with crockery. A big iron kettle hung When Mrs Brady rolled up her She only had to stand at the field gate from a crane over the open-hearth fire; sleeves Willie made himself scarce, and call out to them and they would the table was covered with an oilcloth; graciously escorted by Nora to his all come running. So when they saw an oil lamp hung on the wall and there own farm wall. Mrs Brady moved or heard anyone coming near the field were three or four kitchen chairs and in a whirlwind of organised chaos, the horse would trot towards you, two stools. Nora sat in a sugán chair reducing the quiet delph, slumbering followed closely by whatever animals beside the fire. She had a separate in their haze of light dust, to rows happened to be in the field. You could bedroom and a parlour but I was never of gleaming ceramics. The oilcloth see my dilemma – when I ran, they in the parlour. was washed, the chairs scrubbed and ran because they were curious. But I When we came into the house Nora I swept the floor and brought in two had a plan – a quick hop over the wall, pulled a few red coals onto the hearth buckets of water from the well. a dash through a gap into an empty and put on some eggs to boil. She ‘Ye made a great job of it,’ beamed field, then a mad sprint down to the lowered the kettle on the crane and Nora when she returned.’ Now gate, over that and I was safe. put a few kippens and a few clods everything is ready for the hay and the But I was lucky that day. When I of turf on the fire. I left the butter on meitheal’. raised my head above the wall there the table for which Nora thanked my ‘Ah yes, you have a good team was Nora and Willie Burke down the aunt. The breakfast dishes had not here,’ agreed Mrs Brady and they field, so I called to them. They came to been washed because Nora had been accompanied me to my own wall. meet me as I gave them the message. too busy outside. So I got the basin ‘They’re all set for tomorrow,’ I told They decided which neighbours and some hot water from the kettle Uncle Mick when I met him in the would help to save the hay. The three and washed the dishes. I must admit yard. ‘Willie Burke was there but he of us walked with the dog down the to an ulterior motive. Nora’s cups had called Nora ‘Mrs Barry’. Why would field leading a procession of horse, thick black marks round the handles: he do that? Who is this Mrs Barry?’ cow, calf and five or six cattle. When mourning rings, my aunt called them. ‘Come on inside to your aunt and we came to the gate near the house When the eggs were boiled Nora took we’ll ask her,’ he said. Of course, Aunt Willie and I walked through, and Nora the wheaten bread from the window- Mary solved the mystery. In her youth turned round and spoke: sill where it had been cooling. She Nora had married Tom Barry, a much ‘Shoo, shoo! Off with you, Bob, spread Aunt Mary’s butter on the older man. Within seven years he had there’s no work for you today and slices and we sat at the table to a tasty died suddenly. They had no family. you’ll be in the stable tomorrow while meal, while Rover sat on the floor She has been a widow for more than the hay is being cut. And what’s wrong beside Nora, his eyes glued to her. thirty years. with you, Polly? Didn’t I just milk ‘There’s one sure sign of a mannerly ‘But why don’t they call her by her

75 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 married name?’ with the cock of hay winched up on in bed, a thing no one had ever seen ‘Nora Moran is her maiden name it and tied with a steel rope, and made her do. Mrs Brady and her family and, I suppose, because her married its way homeward. were looking after her and keeping life was so short they continued to call The children sat on the rear edges of everything shipshape for her. Nora her Nora Moran. I have never heard the bogey behind the cock. The men was terrified that she would be sent to her called anything else.’ forked the hay round the pole, while hospital. When Aunt Mary was trying The weather continued fine. The one man remained on top to keep it to persuade her to send for a doctor meitheal of neighbours helped to save level and firm. When it reached the Nora pleaded with her: the hay. I brought buckets of spring desired height it was secured by hay ‘Don’t bring the doctor. He will water with a handful of oatmeal ropes weighted with stones. The cock send me into hospital and I will never dissolved in them out to the men in builder slid down and another man come home again. I’ll stay here where the field, and helped the women bring climbed up a ladder and thatched the I have spent the whole of my life.’ out the sandwiches, brown bread, sheep-cock with straw. In winter the The poor woman had pneumonia and boiled eggs and tea to the field at mid- sheep would eat the hay at the bottom when the doctor was eventually sent day. Nora shared these out and in the and the cock gradually slid down for, it was too late to save her. The evening the men returned to her house the pole. Children really enjoyed neighbours respected her wishes and for the fine meal that was waiting for haymaking time. took turns staying up with her at night, them. Soon it was time to bring the I didn’t see Nora for a few weeks and she died peacefully at home. hay in near the haggard where the long after that. Then we heard she was She left her house and farm to the pole awaited the new sheep-cock. The sick and we went to see her. We found Brady family but I feel her spirit still big horse pulled the wide flat bogey, that she was really ill and was lying lingers there. Ballymote and the Shelbourne Hotel By John Coleman I published two articles in The Corran Herald last year and in the 2009/10 issue on the involvement of the Fitzmaurice family with the linen industry in Ballymote. While visiting friends for Christmas, I was leafing through celebrated novelist Elizabeth Bowen’s 1951 history of Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel when I noted that one of the houses that occupied the site had been the home first of Thomas Fitzmaurice, 21st baron and 1st earl of Kerry, of his second son, John, 1st earl of Shelburne, and of his grandson Thomas Fitzmaurice (1742-93). It would have been used when they attended sittings of Parliment. It was sold for a sum of £6,000 on the latter’s death in 1793 to pay off debts on his bankrupt estates. The house occupied the part of the hotel site at the corner of Kildare Street, to the left in the photograph.The original house was demolished and replaced after neglect under military occupation before establishment in 1824 as a hotel. The hotel name recalls it’s distinguished former residents, though the spelling was varied.

76 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Party Piece to Masterpiece By PJ Duffy

John Gilmore was a young man who if they were musicians. Others would . Those people making was born and reared within a short contribute by singing songs of their the record stressed the fact that in distance of Carrowmore and the hill former homeland. making the 78 RPM record alteration of Knocknashee. According to legend, John Gilmore was one of those would be made, but the theme of the while still in his youth he showed people who could neither sing nor whole thing would remain intact. remarkable skill as a carpenter and play, so some time before the party When the recording became available stonemason. In his late teens he he put pen to paper and jotted down to the public it was accompanied by a became involved in the construction a recitation about his native place. suitable melody and it soon became business of the day. This activity took It was a nostalgic piece beautifully extremely popular, especially among place mainly in his local area around written about his early days the Irish people at home and aboard. the old parish of Achonry. Every time around Carrowmore and the hills During the 1920s and 1930s persons he was on the road going to or from of Knocknashee. From reading its returning from America were likely farm work he would see the hill of contents one soon gathers he had no to take home a record of The Hill of Knocknashee in the distance. He was intention of ever returning to his old Knocknashee in their baggage among very well acquainted with the place, homeland. It is obvious he had made the recordings of other Irish artists. having on several occasions climbed friends in his chosen land, perhaps Here at home the collection would the hill and experienced its breath- from among the many immigrants build up to an enormous box full of taking views of the local countryside. who worked and resided there. He 78 records, but numbered among As a young boy he had fished on the began his piece: ‘Dear friends we meet the lot somewhere you would come which flowed nearby. He in love tonight on Colombia’s tranquil across The Hill of Knocknashee. In had also bathed in the same river. shore.’ He was aware beforehand that recent years with the emergence of Knocknashee, situated in the old the meeting was to take place near local radio the song has been hugely parish of Achonry, is a giant hill fort Colombia’s coastline. popular and is frequently requested that rises to a height of around of After he delivered his recitation on popular programmes being sung around 900 feet and has a flat top said most of those present thought it was in ballad form by Mullinabreena to contain several acres. The brow of something of a classic, and only musician and singer Harry McGowan. the hill once contained a huge palisade Gilmore was capable of doing it. The first two verses of the song are as that gave protection to the ancient After all he was a gifted fellow who follows: people who at one time resided there. sprang from a family background of Dear friends we meet in love tonight Distinct traces of this ancient exceptionally talented people. One On ’s tranquil shore settlement can still be found there. John of those present obtained a copy Three thousand miles from Erin’s Isle Gilmore became involved in a serious after coming to the conclusion that That we might see no more quarrel with his farmer workmates if a suitable air was added it was Far dearer still is that fair hill and partners in the construction the making of a very good ballad. Than any other to me business. The whole episode resulted The night came to a conclusion and And in our own dear native tongue in him getting into serious trouble everyone present went their own way. They call it Knocknashee with the law of the day. He abandoned But a good while later Gilmore’s his country and a short while later he party piece surfaced as a ballad So dear to me fond memories showed up in South America where he being sung at a party in another Sweet recollections bring kept a low profile, moving from one part of America. It was soon being How oft I’ve listened the live-long day job to another. performed as a ballad at parties and To the thrush and blackbird sing As was customary at that time concerts in various parts of America, How softly did that cuckoo call emigrants away from home would and became extremely popular with From out yon hollow tree quickly make contact with one Irish emigrants, especially those from And how sweet the another. This practice usually took the west of Ireland. When recording sound re-echoes around place right across America. John companies came along searching for The hill of Knocknashee Gilmore was invited to a gathering talent to put on their 78 recordings, -- scheduled to take place in Colombia, they visited the Irish community Author’s note: The above article was not far from the South American to discover musicians and singers taken from the stories and lore of a coastline. Those taking part would worthy of being recorded. One of previous generation. usually bring along their instruments the ballads chosen was The Hill of 77 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 A treasure of Ballymote A review by Jim Higgins History of Ballymote and the Parish Romulus and Remus are to Rome, so AD and the rise of the O’Connors of of Emlaghfad by James Christopher is Cormaic Mac Áirt to Ballymote – he Connaught to become High Kings McDonagh, 1936 was reared by a she-wolf in the caves take centre stage. of Keash before ascending to the Following the Battle of Clontarf in Introduction throne of Tara as Árd Rí from around 1014 and the arrival of the Normans This wide-ranging, detailed and 227 AD to 266 AD. Ballymote, at in 1169, the author has finally reached scholarly examination of ancient the centre of the Barony of Corran, the central core of his work as he texts, manuscripts and folklore ‘may be justly proud’ and display traces the fortunes of the McDonagh attempts to chronicle the story of Cormaic as ‘an example of greatness clann from the construction of Ballymote and environs, from the to its future sons.’ Many centuries Ballymote Castle by Richard de mists of prehistory up until 1936 previously, and following the defeat Burgo in 1300. Tomoltagh Mac when the book was first published. of the Fir Bolgs by the Tuatha Dé Donagh came to prominence in 1308 Such an undertaking is a mammoth Danann at the battle of Moyturra in and for almost the next 300 years the task, by any yardstick, but for a single the neighbouring Barony of Tirerril, family Mac Donagh were involved individual no matter how competent, we are told that ‘the victors were in the ups and downs of castle it would seem impossible. absorbed by the conquered’ and that ownership until Hugh O Donnell However, a labour of love one such family called O’Bennaghan took possession in 1590. In 1391 the overcomes all obstacles and the gave their name to Book of Ballymote was compiled author tells us of two major individual (the rock of the O’Bennaghan). It is for another Tomaltagh Mac Donagh influences which convinced him to not clear how this surname may be and there is a fine synopsis of its proceed. His father Eugene Andrew traced back so many centuries, but it contents. The author also reminds us McDonagh recited to him many is reassuring and satisfying to know that Mary McDonagh of Carrowkeel of the traditions of the McDonagh that as we look out across the ring- was the mother of family ‘in order that I might write fort in our back garden, someone of the United States ‘Fighting 69th’ a history of the clan,’ and his called O’Bennaghan may have lived fame, and that his lineage could encounters with Jimmy Tighe of here several thousand years ago! be traced as a direct descendent of Rosscrib were ‘enshrined in the days The ‘dinnseanchas’ or ‘lore Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan. of my childhood.’ He further states of place’ found in the Book of The Penal laws and religious that it is his aim to ‘review the history Ballymote is explored further and tensions, the establishment of the of this famed place down through the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhail linen industry in 1774, as well as the ages, and so awaken an interest and the Fianna and the romantic the impact of the famine and the in its local history so long dormant.’ tale of Diarmaid and Gráinne get subsequent land war, and the war of The resulting fruit of his labour is respectable mention. The coming independence are topics which also an absolute gem and an invaluable of Christianity and the difficulties receive considerable attention. reference work for anyone interested experienced by Saint Patrick are also The 24 chapters take up just in the story of Ballymote. Academic explained. 190 pages and are followed by and painstakingly detailed though As well as being a local history, an appendix which explains the it may be in part, there is also the narrative now takes on a national derivation of every town-land in the nevertheless a wealth of folklore and dimension as the story of Ballymote parish. There is a list of priests of the tales of human interest which make becomes the story of Ireland. The parish from 1401 and the succession it attractive not only to the historian Annals of the Four Masters and of vicars of the . but also to the ordinary reader. the Annals of Loch Key are quoted The final entry consists of a list of frequently and details of many superstitions still remembered in Overview ancient battles fought in the locality Ballymote in 1936. History and mythology complement are related. The Battle of Corran in In order to give a flavour of the each other usefully, as pride in one’s 681 AD and a sequel Battle of Corran contents I have chosen the following native place requires that we trace in 701 AD are related in some detail. few entries which captured my our roots as far back as possible. As The Vikings arrived in Sligo in 810 interest.

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on the main Sligo to Dublin road. Go to Kean’s for lamps, How Ballymote got its name It was also from Ballymote Castle To Gorman’s for stamps; The name of the town which sprung that O’Donnell, accompanied by Go to Kelly’s for candy, up around the castle in 1300 passed Tomaltagh Mac Donagh and others, To Coughlan’s for brandy; from Áth Cliath An Chorainn set out for Kinsale in 1601. Go to Flannagan’s for malt, to Ballycliath (reminding us of As well as being great warriors To Roger’s for salt; Dublin), or the town of the hurdles. the O’Donnells were renowned as Go to Gorman’s for tar, Subsequently it became known book-collectors, and the fame of To Scully for a car; as Ballymoat (and later spelled the Book of Ballymote made them Go to Dyer’s for jam, Ballymote), or the town of the desirous of possessing it. The price To Hannan’s for ham; moat. Baile An Mhóta as gaeilge. they paid for it is recorded in the Go to Smith’s for figs, A deep broad trench surrounded the Book itself as one hundred and forty To Murray’s for gigs; castle and its outbuildings, and this milch cows. It remained with the Go to Mackey’s for hops, survived down to the end of the 17th O’Donnells until the Flight of the To Flannagan’s for chops; Century. The medieval town lay for Earls 1607, then to Trinity College Go to Keaveney’s for bread, the most part within this moat. in 1620. It disappeared from Trinity To McGlynn’s for thread; some time later and showed up Go to McDonough for wicks, The Battle of Ceis Corran 971 AD variously in Drogheda 1767 and in To Ward’s for sticks; One of the greatest battles of Celtic Auxerre France in 1779. In 1785 Go To Henery’s for beer, Ireland, prior to Clontarf, was fought Chevalier O’Gorman of Auxerre To Cuffe’s for good cheer; between, Murchadh, King of Aileach made the generous gift of handing Go to Keenan’s for meal, (Innisowen in Donegal) and Cathal, it over to the Royal Irish Academy, To Dyer’s for veal; son of Tadhg, King of Connaught where it remains to this day as one of Go to Dockery’s for eggs, in the year 971. Victory went to Ireland’s most treasured possessions. To Henderson’s for pegs; Murchadh and Cathal was killed, Go to Clarke’s for boots, together with ‘countless’ other kings Football teams of 1894 To Hannan’s for suits; and princes, all of whom are buried There were six active football teams Go to Reilly’s for carts, in a ‘royal mausoleum’ at the ruins in Ballymote in 1894. At least two To Lyttle’s for tarts; of Toomour Abbey. The scene of the of them often brought victory to the Go to ’s for hats, Battle however has been identified as parish in the county championships, To Sweeney’s for spats; none other than the town-land where played in the field at Carrownanty, Go to Cawley’s for tweeds, I was born – Battlefield, Culfadda. now the site of Saint Columba’s To Barlow’s for the weed; We usually rendered the name as Cemetery. The team members of the Go to Farry’s for boards, ‘Páirc An Chatha’, but the author victorious ‘Round Tower’ team of To Head McKeno for swords. here refers to it as ‘Clooncagh’ or the 1894 reads as follows: J. Chambers ‘meadow of battle’. (captain), M. Dohill, P. Reynolds, It certainly looks as if the Ballymote B. Henry, M. McGuinness, J. of 1894 had far more choice, variety Sale of Ballymote Castle McGuinness, B. Healy, W. Parkes, J. and competition than the town as we In the final years of the ‘Nine Years J. Henry, D. McKeown, J. Hannan, know it in 2014! War’ it was vital for the leader of the J. Mooney, M. Rogers, M. Dunne, J. Gael, Hugh O’Donnell, that he would McNiffe and J. O’Connor. Conclusion control the strategic stronghold of This book is a treasure trove of Ballymote Castle. To this end, he First Train information and if reprinted I believe bought the castle from Clann Mac On the 3rd of December 1862 the first it would be a bestseller not only in Donagh at a cost of four hundred train passed under the shadows of Ballymote, but throughout County pounds and three hundred cows. It Ballymote Castle into the brand new Sligo and beyond. It is sad and was from here that O’Donnell set station. disappointing that not a single copy out for the Battle of the Curlews, is available in Ballymote Library. I where he defeated Sir Conyers Ballymote Shopping Spree 1894 extend grateful thanks to my brother Clifford in 1599. The scene of that The business houses of that time John Higgins of Culfadda for the battle has been marked by a bronze organised a joint advertising loan of his copy to enable me to sculpture of a warrior mounted on campaign in ballad form as follows: write this review. horseback overlooking Lough Key 79 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The first motor vehicles in Sligo By Aidan Mannion

The horseless carriage or motor vehicle was initially seen as a great danger to people on the roads and as a result, registration plates were introduced to identify vehicles. France led the field with licence plates in 1893, followed by Germany in 1896 and the Nederlands started the first national licence plate in 1898. The Sligo Star reported on the 26 July 1900 that an ‘Aerial 3’ wheeled motor cycle passed through Sligo. The Motor Car Act of 1903 introduced registration to the British Isles, with Ireland allocated two letter registrations always including the letter “I” and county Sligo becoming O’Connell Street, Sligo, showing the scale of the vehicles to the street size. EI. A Zodia registered EI 3423 and Capri registered BEI 743 are parked on A 4.5-horsepower Sterling Panhard the right-hand side. Voitirlteg owned by Mr Robert based and included a 24 horsepower 32-horsepower Metallurgiqus Simpson-Pettigrew, Ardmore, Sligo, Whitlock Aster, a six-horsepower registered as ‘EI 105’ by Chas. Alfred was the first motorcar registered in rear-driven De Dion, and a12- Chaplin, 26 Old Bond Street, London. Sligo, on the 18 February 1903 as horsepower Sunbeam. ‘EI 13’ was Could this be the little tramp? ‘EI 1’. George Kerr Jnr of William given to Sligo’s first omnibus, a Arthur Jackson was the owner Street had his Ariel 2 and a quarter- Stirling 12-horsepower omnibus owed of one of the early super cars – a horsepower motor bicycle registered by Sligo Motor Services of Bridge 28-horsepower Daimler seven-seater on 24 December 1903 as ‘EI 2’. The Street. John Gilbride of Stephen Street in park blue with yellow lines and car cost £1 to register and the motor registered his Gilbride two-and-a-half silver pleats, which was given ‘EI bicycle five shillings. horsepower motor bicycle under ‘EI 123’. The first Rolls Royce 40/50 Five of the first ten vehicles 96’. HP limousine in blue with yellow registered in Sligo were English- A real curiosity was the lines was given ‘EI 199’, owned by a Mr Robert More of London. The Everitt Company of Victoria Garage, London, registered three of their own Everitt cars as EI 233, EI 234 and EI 235. Are these the first personalised number plates? The Sopwith Aviation Company Ltd, of Kingston-on-Thames, registered vehicles under EI 252, EI 337, EI 500, EI 502, EI 521, which may reflect the fact that the first aircraft registrations were based on radio call signs allocated in 1913. Irish aircraft are registered with EI at the start of all their registered numbers. Sir Joss. Gore-Booth, Lissadel, was the first to register agricultural Victoria Bridge, Sligo, before the motor vehicle, circa 1900. Note the early equipment – a Overtune farm tractor cyclist and horse-drawn bread cart in the background and a Wyles motor plough in 1917. 80 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Use of registration numbers over time: Reg no. range Dates used EI – EI9999 12/1903 – 11/1959 AEI1 – ZEI999 11/1959 – 02/1980 IEI – 9999EI 02/1980 – 04/1986 IAEI – 835AEI 04/1986 – 12/1986 87 SO – 12 SO 01/1987 – 12/2012 131 SO – Present Day 01/2013 –

Sources: Volume 1 and 2 of the register of motorcars at Sligo County Library Archives of the Sligo Star newspaper Dedication: This article is dedicated to the memory of Fintan and Eileen Newport, Fintan`s Racing Services, Tubbercurry and Bob English, Henderson Motors who were great friends and driving forces behind the revival of the O’Connell Street, Sligo, with a van HEI 115 coming up the street and two Connacht Motor Club.About the author: Morris Minors parked on opposite sides of the street (BEI 683 and Aidan Mannion is a local antiquarian with EEI 925) a special interest in motor vehicles and a In the first six years of registration collector of early postcards, photographs in Sligo 105 vehicles were registered and postal history. with the following analysis: Some early registrations Place of ownership: Registration Vehicle Owner Registration date Sligo Town 20 EI 118 Spyker 15 HP John Hozie, Castledargan 10-Dec-09 Sligo County 6 EI 194 NSU Motorbike PJ McDermott, Bunnadden 9-May-10 EI 224 Sunbeam 12/14 J Flannery, Tubbercurry 29/07/1911 England 75 EI 241 Rudge Motorbike JP Layng, Knockalasa 4-Jan-12 Other Irish 4 EI 247 Rudge Motorbike J A Welphy, Ballymote 22/04/1912 EI 219 NSU Motorbike Rev A M Haire, Gurteen 2-Aug-13 Type of vehicle: EI 305 NSU Motorbike Rev J Jordan, Curry 14/06/1913 Motorcars 43 EI 307 20 HP Ford Motor Dr E K Frazer, Riverstown 20/06/13 Motorcycles 61 EI 340 Belize Motor 10/12 M J Howley, Tubbercurry 20/01/1914 Omnibus 1 EI 440 Wall Autowheel 1 HP Rev P J O`Grady PP, Keash 4-Jul-15 EI 446 Ford Car 20 HP F McDonagh, Ballymote 21/05/1915

Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition

Coláiste Mhuire Students Ladies on the way to mass

81 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 The Lavin Brothers from Killaraght By Tommy Kilcoyne

Sligo GAA and served as president of Sligo County Committee from 1946 to 1974. He was County Board Patron at the time of his death in 1975. His address to the County Convention each year was always in the Irish language and he never missed an opportunity to preach the Irish way of life. He was in his early sixties when he passed away in 1975. John Joe Lavin’s football career was indeed a colourful one. At club level he represented at different times Gurteen, Coolera, Derroon and Ballymote in Sligo. When he moved to Dublin he played with Geraldines and Westerns. Two of his fondest memories were in winning a Sligo County Junior Championship with Gurteen in 1944 and later a Senior Championship with Rev Dr Tom Lavin Ballymote in 1948. John Joe Lavin Reverend Dr Tom Lavin and John Joe His inter-county involvement Tom ‘Click’ Brennan of Tubbercurry Lavin, two brothers from Killaraght spanned a period from 1937 to as his boyhood idols. In later years he near the Roscommon border in Co 1951 and during that spell he was had nothing but praise for the talents Sligo, gave a lifetime of loyalty an automatic choice for Connacht of Nace O’Dowd, Mick Christie, and service to the Gaelic Athletic Railway Cup teams for eight years. Tom Dunleavy, Frank White, Jimmy Association. Both excelled at athletics What were his greatest thrills with the Dooney, Mick Gaffney, Paddy Best and gaelic football. Sligo Senior County Team? He had no and brothers Colm and Aengus Tom was excellent at the hurdles doubt about that. Coming first in his McMorrow. He rated Mickey Kearins, and long jump and earned quite a priorities was that historic draw with whom he described as ‘a natural reputation, particularly in schools’ All-Ireland Champions Roscommon footballer’, as the pick of the bunch. athletics. He played football with in Abbey Park, Boyle, in the Connacht He admired Mickey’s ability to kick Gurteen and was a member of the first Championship of 1944. John Joe’s points from any angle with either foot Sligo team to win an All-Ireland title, Sligo scared the living daylights out of and described him as probably the best the Junior Football Championship them on that June Sunday. A draw was player of all time to ‘ride a tackle’. of 1935. He played an outstanding the result and Roscommon went on to John Joe was also a noted athlete. part in that campaign, usually at win the replay and eventually went In local competitions he was regarded corner forward, but suffered the on to collect their second All-Ireland as invincible. In 1941 he entered the disappointment of being unable to play title. John Joe gave two of his greatest Connacht Championships and won in the final. Along with his colleagues displays in a Sligo jersey in those two the long jump and hop, step and Josie McElhone and Gerry Henry he memorable encounters. Asked about jump championship. The following was studying for the priesthood in the player who proved his toughest years he added the 100-yard and 220- Maynooth College and the rigid rule opponent when he played at centre- yard championships of Connacht. In of the time did not allow participation half-back for Sligo, he mentioned 1943 he carried off the prestigious in football matches, even an All- Cavan’s Mick Higgins whom he Flannelly Cup for being the best all- Ireland Final. Fr Tom was ordained to regarded as the most talented centre- round athlete in Ireland. Many more the priesthood in 1938. half-forward of his era. honours were won in those years. For Reverend Dr Tom Lavin, his title in Of the older football brigade in instance, from 1943 to 1945 he held later years, was a noted scholar who Sligo he regarded the seven Colleran the national title in the hop, step and continued to take a keen interest in brothers of Curry, Mick Kilcoyne and jump. 82 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

In later years John Joe was held until his death in January, 2001. Brothers from Killaraght over three domiciled in Dublin and became a In 1995 he achieved a notable quarters of a century, ably and regular contributor to GAA discussion double which pleased him greatly. constantly supported by their sister programmes on RTE Radio. However In the space of a few months he was Mai Clune, has inspired successive his roots and loyalties remained awarded the Roscommon Hall of generations of Sligo GAA people and embedded in his native Sligo. From Fame Award for Athletics and the will surely continue to do so long into his retirement from inter-county Sligo GAA Hall of Fame Award. the future. football in 1951 to his death fifty years The Sligo award was presented to later he continued to follow closely him at his home in Dublin by County Sources the fortunes of Sligo GAA, being a Board Chairman Joe Queenan. I had Sligo GAA 125 History regular attendee at all major games the pleasure of being present on that The Sligo Champion Kilcoyne GAA Park Tubbercurry while his health allowed. He served occasion also. John Joe was in his opening 1964, official programme as patron of Sligo County Committee early eighties when he passed away in Tom Lavin, Geevagh before following in the footsteps of 2001. Tom Clune his brother Rev Dr Tom in 1976 when The ability, achievements and he became president, a position he loyalty to Sligo GAA of the Lavin Students at Coláiste Mhuire Photographs collected for the Gathering photography exhibition

83 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Invoices from Ballymote Businesses Early 20th Century Invoices from the family collection of Tom Wynne of Lissanney

Invoices from William Kane, 1933 and Matthew Hannan, 1922

Receipt from Ballymote CO-OP, 1927

84 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Invoice from James Gilmartin 1930

Invoices from P Rogers, 1952 and Martin Tom Tighe, 1935 Invoice from Ballymote Concrete Products, proprietor PF Begley, 1952 85 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Early Printing in Sligo By John C McTernan

The art of printing was introduced Sligo Independent had 200, while survived. In all probability the paper to Sligo in the latter half of the 18th the long established Journal was did not appear regularly until 1771, century, probably in 1750. The struggling for survival with only a at which date it was published twice earliest recorded printer was Michael quarter of the Independent’s total. weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Parker of the Sligo Journal and over Editors and proprietors of local by Michael Parker in Castle Street. the following century the names of newspapers figured prominently in In 1793 John Gray became printers and publishers have survived the public life of Sligo Borough. proprietor and he successfully guided in the various imprints of that period. Four of them held the office of mayor its fortunes until his death in 1809. Newspapers apart, the output of – Alexander Gillmor of The Sligo Shortly afterwards it was acquired by the early Sligo printing presses was Independent, Charles Sedley of The Alexander Bolton. Under his control small, and only a handful of items Sligo Chronicle and both Edward the paper enjoyed improved circulation have survived the ravages of time. Verdon and PA McHugh of The and the device used in the heading was A number of the extant publications Sligo Champion. McHugh was for altered to an oval enclosing the Arms are of an official nature and carry the many years an influential Member of Sligo surmounted by a crown. imprint of Alexander Bolton, Kings of Parliament for the North Sligo During the cholera outbreak of Arms Press, Castle Street. Bolton constituency. 1832 Alexander Bolton and his eldest was the Crown printer in Sligo from son fell victims to the disease and 1800 to 1830. Practically all the Sligo Journal [1771-1866] died on the same day. His widow remaining items relate to various The Sligo Journal was the first in a then assumed the proprietorship and religious controversies. The Halliday long line of Sligo newspapers. The employed Christopher Moore, late collection of pamphlets in the Royal date of the first issue is not certain since of Saunders News–Letter, Dublin, Irish Academy contains a number of few copies of the early issues have as editor. Under his guidance the publications bearing a Sligo imprint. Sligo made a substantial contribution in the development of the provincial press in Ireland. Between the years 1771 and 1950 over twenty newspapers, magazines and periodicals were printed and published here. The lifespan of the various organs, excluding The Sligo Champion which is still flourishing, varied from six months to a century. In 1828 Sligo could boast of two newspapers and that figure increased to three by 1850. Some insight into the cutthroat competition that existed between the different local organs may be gleaned from the official circulation returns for the mid 19th century. In 1855 weekly sales per issue for the respective papers were as follows: The Sligo Chronicle 400 copies The Sligo Journal 135 The Sligo Champion 130 However, a decade later the stamped weekly circulation figures revealed that the The Champion had more than doubled to 280, the The Chronicle came next at 230, the newly launched Mastheads of 19th and 20th century Sligo Newspapers 86 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 paper had achieved a circulation of 1839. In 1850 John Gore Jones Jr, of were anything but cordial. over five thousand copies by 1837. Johnsport, a barrister of note, assumed In the issue of 9 March 1866 The following year John P Somers, a the role of editor and in September of The Journal announced that it was candidate in the Borough Election of the following year he proclaimed The suspending publication but would that year, brought a successful claim Journal to be ‘the recognised organ of shortly appear in another form. This, for defamation of character against the Protestants of the town and County however, was not to be and so Sligo’s The Journal. of Sligo’, a claim hotly disputed by the earliest newspaper collapsed after an Moses Monds, JP, one time Mayor newly founded rival, The Chronicle. existence of almost over one hundred of Sligo and subsequently Secretary of Over the following decade and a half years. the Harbour Board, replaced Moore in relationships between both organs Ballymote Children’s Band, 1960s Submitted by Mollie Cawley

As part of a fancy dress competition, the little boy on the far right (Michael Cawley) leads a donkey and cart in which sits Patricia Tansey and Catherine Cawley (shown) representing ‘the beautiful Miss Bradys, in a private ass and cart’ in Percy French’s comic ballad Phil the Fluther’s Ball. Other indentified children include: left side (left to right) Manus McGuire; Cillian Rogers; Roger Cawley; Sean Hargadon; Anthony Hargadon; Dolores Taheny and right side (left to right) 1st, Gerard Banks; 3rd, John Cawley; and 4th, Mary Cawley. Thanks to Mollie Cawley for the photograph and to Mary Cawley, who features with her brother and sister, for her recollection of the occasion.

87 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Ballymote in Slater’s Directory of 1894 By David Casey

Slater’s Commercial Directory of Rathmullen, T. D. Mc Gowan, master Hannon Stephen, boot & shoemaker Ireland was first published in 1846, Church Education Society’s schools Hawkesby Jackson, commissioner for with later editions in 1870, 1881 Knockanarrow – John Carr, master oaths and 1894. The directory of 1894 Church School – Miss Williams, Hayden M. hotel & posting house &c was published in two volumes. It is mistress Henery James, grocer subdivided into the provinces and has Railway Station, Patrick Carley, Henery Paul, grocer sections for Dublin and Belfast and station master Hogge John, grocer sub-sections for Cork, Limerick and Mail car to Tubbercurry from the Keane Robert, boot & shoe maker Galway. post office, at 5.40 a.m.& at noon & Keane William, china &c. dealer The location of each town and returns at 7 p.m. Keveney Patrick, baker village in the directory is given in Killoran Thomas M, grocer relation to the nearest railway station. Private Residents: McDonagh John P, emigration agent There are lists of villages and towns Cooper Miss Margaret, Cooper hill McDonogh James, grocer & draper and other places. The population D’Arcy Martin, Doo Castle McGaun Andrew, grocer statistics are from the 1891 census of Filan Rev. Patrick C.C. McGetrick Thomas, grocer Ireland with a short topographical and McDermott, Very Rev. John D.D, P.P McGinnis Thomas, boot & shoemaker geographical summary. McMunn Andrew M.D. McGlynn Michael, draper In the 1894 Slater’s Commerical Morrin Rev. John C.C. McGuire Philip, tinsmith Directory the town of Ballymote O’Hara Chas. W. D.L., J.P., Gurteen McHugh John, carpenter comprised an area of 46 acres with a Tew J. M. L McMunn Andrew, M.D. surgeon population of 1,049. The following list Mahon Joseph S, process server is from that edition of the directory. Commercial Marcey Hugh, grocer (Bold text has been added for ease of Barlow Eliza, egg merchant May James, tailor reference.) Begley James, grocer Morrison & Son, auctioneers and Berreen Mary, grocer valuers Post, Money Order & Telegraph Carroll Andrew, tailor Morrison Martin, cooper Office & Savings Bank – John Carroll Thomas, tailor Morrison Patrick, cooper Gorman, postmaster. Deliveries, 7 & Cauley Bartholomew, egg merchant Morrison Robert L, grocer & draper 11.15 a.m. & 2.50 p.m.; dispatches Cawley John, grocer Muldoon Patrick, baker 2, 10.20 & 10.50 a.m. & 2.15 & 9.10 Coghlan Bartholomew, grocer Murray & Sons, coach builders p.m. Coghlan Patrick W. grocer O’Brien James D, timber mer. & Court House, Jackson Hawkesby, Coghlan Patrick, grocer grocer keeper. Cryan Michael, saddler O’Dowd Darby, boot & shoe maker Market House, M. Steele, keeper Cuffe Richard, grocer Phillips Bridget, grocer Dispensary Medical Officer & Davey Margaret, egg merchant Quigley Martin, boot & shoe maker Registrar, Andrew Mc Munn Davey Martin, grocer Reading Room & Library (Mrs & Constabulary Station, W.S. Howard, Daveys James, hotel & posting house Miss McMunn, hon. librarians) sub-inspector Dawson Patrick, grocer Rogers Annie, grocer Church of Ireland – Rev. Thomas Devaney Jane, grocer Rogers Patrick, grocer Gordon Walker Dockry Bartholomew, china & glass Saultry & Sons, carpenters Catholic – Very Rev. John Mc dealer Sharkey Catherine, boot dealer Dermott D.D, P.P. ; Rev. John Morrin Dockry John, grocer & china dealer Steele, Misses, private school & Rev. Patrick Dyer Francis, grocer Sweeney James, grocer & draper Filan, curates Dyer James, tailor Tew J. M. L. manager Ulster Bank Wesleyan – Ministers various Flanagan James, grocer & auctioneer Ulster Bank (J. M. L. Tew, manager) National Schools: Flanagan Joseph, butcher Walsh James, boot & shoemaker Ballymote, Michael Doyle, master; Gallagher Matthew, grocer Walsh John, boot & shoemaker Eliza Kelly, mistress; Marcella Daly, Gallagher Thomas, grocer Ward Ellen, grocer infants’ mistress Gardiner Nicholas, grocer -- Carnaree, P. J. Batelle, master Gorman, R & R, millers Reference: Slater’s Directory 1894 Carrigans, Martin Quigley, master Gorman Henry, grocer National library of Ireland Carrownagh, P. Brennan, master Gorman John, grocer & ironmonger Available on microfiche in main Drumcormack, Mary F. Doyle, Gorman John R. grocer & draper reading room at IR 9141 s 30. mistress Hannan & Co. grocers & drapers Book can be viewed at LO3636 in Knockminna, Michael Kelly, master Hannon Michael, blacksmith manuscripts reading room.

88 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Heritage Weekend 2013 Picture of Temple House lunch courtesy of John Cawley, all other pictures taken by Paddy Conboy

Malcolm Billings performing the official opening Sunday Lunch Temple House

An appreciative audience Anne Flanagan and Sr Nell Chambers enjoying a cup of tea after Malcolm Billings’ lecture

Enjoying lunch in Clogher Parish Hall prepared by staff of Tyrone County Club in Omagh 89 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Visit to Tullynally during the 2013 Heritage Weekend First Holy Communion class 2014

Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Ballymote First Communion Photo May 2014 Back Row: Fr Gregory Hannan, Ms. Dolores Taheny Principal, Fr. James McDonagh, Mrs Helen McGetrick class teacher. Row 3: Ellie Ward, Laura O’Dowd, Sinead Ryan, James Kilcoyne, Senan Fallon, James Healy, Alicia Davey, Ryan Riera, Shellie Ward. Row 2: McTiernan, Michael Murtagh, Hollie Kerins, Thomas Sweeney, Jade Flannery, Patrick Coen, Alicia Hogge, Gareth Rogers Front Row: Daniel Flannery, Louise Anderson, Tiernan Mongey, Adam Benson, Lucy Walker, Aine McGlone, Oisin Glavin, Kaylee McLoughlin

90 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015 Confirmation classes 2014

5th Class

Back Row: Fr James McDonagh, class teacher Ms. Sinead Gilhooly, & Fr. Gregory Hannan Row 3: Sarah Tighe, Clara Corcoran, Ciara Kielty, Clodagh Currid, Bridie Ward, Saskia Davey Buurman, DÍarmuid O’Dowd, Annie Mullen, Grace Rafferty. Row 2: Cian Kilcoyne Matthew McGrath, Daire McGee, Rebecca McGlone, Tristan Regan, Sean Cunningham, Jack Lavin, Callum Murrin, Cόra Connolly, Níamh Connolly, Katie Egan, Rebecca Murtagh. Front Row: Oisín Moffatt, Abbi Walker, Nessa Brennan, Roland Scanlon, Ciara Conlon, Bishop Brendan Kelly, Dervilla Donohoe, Anne O’Brien, Latisha Mulligan, Breanna McMorrow, Farrah McDonagh

6th Class

Back Row: Fr James McDonagh, class teacher Ms. Patricia Hunt , Principal Ms. Dolores Taheny, Fr Gregory Hannan. Row 3: Luke Tarmey, Aaron Keenan, Amy Scanlon, Laura Healy, Aisling Golden, Chloe Healy, Shauna Anderson, Katie Hogge, Leah Reynolds, Thalia Kelly. Row 2: David Gardiner, Dylan Coggeran, Mark Conlon, Ewan Murrin, James Waters, April McGuinn, Aoife Loughlin, Casey Cullen, Nicola Redican, Megan Scanlon, Michaela Kielty. Front Row: Ryan Gallagher, Conor Finn, Darragh MacSharry, Zak O’Dowd, Nathan Egan, Bishop Brendan Kelly, Tom Ward, Eoin Mitchell, Jason Dwyer, Ryon Walker, Kevin Woods.

91 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Knockminna N.S. First Communion 2014 Priest; Fr. James Mc Donagh. Altar Servers: Brendan Hailstones, Jamie Hannon Back Row: Principal: Mrs. Louise King, Daniel King, Joseph Curran, Dalton Taylor, Jamie Quinn, Keilan Hannon, Tiernan O’Connor. Class Teacher: Mr. Brian Henry. Front Row: Tomas Faughnan, Michael Kerins, Sinead Nally, Nicole Wynne, Cassandra Clarke-Quigley, Shane Drury,

Knockminna N.S. Confirmation 2014 Back Row: Fr. James Mc Donagh P.P., Fr. Greg Hannan, Curate Middle Row: Sinead Nally, Kate Brehony, Laoise King, Mrs. Louise King, Princpal, Daniel Breslin, John Keenan, James Mc Morrow. Front Row: Rebecca Cunnane, Lisa Hunt, Ceili Faughnan, Jamie Hannon, Brendan Hailstones, Aaron Brennan. Seated: Bishop Brendan Kelly.

92 THE CORRAN HERALD • 2014/2015

Ballymote Heritage Group Patrons: Eamon Barnes, Mattie Casey Most Rev. Dr. T. Flynn, Retired Bishop of Achonry Officers President Eileen Tighe Chairperson & PRO John Coleman M. Litt., FRSA Vice-Chairperson Carmel Rogers Secretary Ursula Gilhawley Joint Treasurers Pam Benson, Anne Henry & Mary Martin Editor of The Corran Herald Stephen Flanagan

Members: Desmond Black, Mary Black, Olive Byrne, David Casey, Gerry Cassidy, Mary Cawley, Paddy Conboy, Derrick Davey, Owen Duffy, Anne Flanagan, Brenda Friel, Noreen Friel, Paddy Horan, Neil Henry, Gerry Keaney, Tom Lavin, Rita Lohan, Carmel McGettrick, Pat McGrath, Jack Martin, Eddie O’Gorman, Mary O’Gorman, John Perry TD., Marie Perry, Nuala Rogers, Michael Rogers Sponsors

Casey’s Pharmacy

Currid’s Pharmacy

Elizabeth Gilhawley

Jack Martin

Michael & Carmel Rogers

Tighe’s Newsagents

Tente Ltd.

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