THE VOLUNTEERS JOURNAL OR IRISH HERALD 22ND OCTOBER, 1783 P1
Photo: EO’D
For the Volunteers’ Journal – A card (abridged)
A certain libidinous gouty old gentleman, of the aldermanic tribe, not very far from Grafton Street, is desired to desist from his endeavours to seduce the innocent females of his neighbourhood, otherwise, besides having his name and place of abode made public, he shall undergo a surgical operation, to qualify him for becoming, after he has passes the grand climacteric, a pupil of the celebrated signor’s Giordani and Leoni.
Grand climacteric refers to the 63rd year of a persons life.
VOLUNTEERS JOURNAL OF THE IRISH HERALD 4TH JUNE, 1784 PAGE ONE
Photo: EO’D
(abridged)
At a meeting of the Gentlemen, Clergy and other inhabitants of the county of Galway, at Loughrea, on Tuesday the 25th of May, 1784 pursuant to public notice
Colonel PERSSE in the chair, the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to;
1. that to the abundant and constant importation of British draperies, and other fabrics, are principally owing the calamities of our woolen and other manufacturers, and the ? of credit and distress of the far greater part of the landed interest of this kingdom.
2. that to alleviate as much as in us lies, the mischiefs attendant on the use of such British fabrics, we hereby pledge ourselves to our country and to each other that we will not, from this day, directly or indirectly, either by ourselves or others, import, purchase, wear, consume or in any manner use the woollen or other fabrics or manufactured goods of Great Britain, neither shall we permit the same to be bought, used or worn by our families, servants or others over whom we have any influence, until the Protecting Duties in this kingdom, in favour of its manufacturers, be equal to those now in England in similar cases.
If anyone breaches the agreement we shall in such case not only break off all manner of dealing and connection with such person or persons, but we shall publish his/her or their names as base and treacherous enemies to their country.
If at any time hereafter the journeymen or other working manufacturers of this kingdom should enter into unlawful agreements or combinations to raise their usual wages or that the clothiers, manufacturers or other dealers should raise the prices of their manufacture of goods beyond their usual and just value, we shall in all such cases look upon ourselves as disengaged from, and no longer bound by this agreement.
WILLIAM PERSSE, CHAIRMAN AND JAMES JOYCE, SECRETARY.
Kilcolgan Farm Vice-President Roveagh Branch answers Mr. St. George.
Mr Thomas.Kilkelly of Rhynn, Kilcolgan writes in reply to a letter which appeared in our correspondence columns under the above heading, signed by R. St. George, in which reference has been made to a “Mr. Kilkelly.”
I have, (he says), taken it for granted that I must be the individual referred to, I being Vice-President of the Roveagh branch U.I.L. I have no desire to enter into a controversy especially with a dying remnant of landlordism, whose reputation and records are unique. Now he asks me would I allow a sub tenant of mine to owe £380, without eviction, as Mrs Greally owed his father. This, with other statements, is untrue. We admit there was £50 due of Mrs Greally when her persecution began. An offer of £40 was made as a settlement but rejected, hence the lamentable eviction took place.
Cast out on the roadside with her delicate husband and a family of five, they gathered their belongings a distance away and erected a temporary structure with some sticks and boards against the battlements of Kilcolgan bridge, close by, to secure shelter. The newly erected shed was soiled(sic.) and cast into the river and the rapid current did its part. They subsequently entered the arch of a bridge at the same place and the river being a tidal one, at each swelling of the tide, they had to depart and re-enter it as it abated, Under these circumstances her young family, being unable to endure such trying hardship; contracted consumption until four of her unhappy lot went down into their graves – martyrs in their cause.
Sometime after, her now deceased husband planted a rood of potatoes on the holding. When about to blossom the St Georges clan ploughed them up and, to secure their decay, harrowed them. Some short time after this poor Mr Greally died, and I will leave my readers to think what should be his dying words.
Subsequently at the Petty Sessions Court in Ardrahan 13 decrees had been granted against her for which she paid this penalty of seven days in jail. She had been again brought to Oranmore and Kinvara Petty Sessions, and in all was imprisoned on six occasions. After the death of the predecessor of the present Richard, Mrs Greally again took possession of her old homestead,when she was again brought into the Four Courts where she was unable to defend her claim, and again dispossessed. Some arrangements were arrived at where she was allowed to retain, and live in the house under very stringent restrictions. The present R. St.George was admitted tenant through the intervention of his grand mother. Mrs. Greally had occasion to be away from home and on her return she found her cot burned to the ground and all her belongings.
Should St.George have any doubt as to accuracy of the foregoing observations, I’d appeal to him to interview Mrs Greally, who now resides in Oranmore, and I have no doubt she will convince him of the facts and probably more than what I have detailed.
Now, as regards the resolution which he referred to, passed at a meeting of the Roveagh branch.U.I. League expressing condemnation of certain methods adopted by certain people. This, it appears, aroused the indignation of the ex-policeman, and consequently he approached a National Press to expose his grievance by the omission of facts and figures, and the deduction of 300 acres down to sixty. l would be grateful if he would produce his receipt for the sum of £90, which he asserts he was at a loss through the action of the U.I.League, which forced him to leave the force. If he had counselled with me prior to his departure, I may have advised him, but now I emphatically decline to do so. He left out his nice station in Macroom, and came to Kilcolgan to declare war against the people and their organisation. Well, as regards his offer in reply to Mr. Corbett’s letter, this is a deliberate lie. He offered us the bone but retained the flesh; if however, he is under the impression that he made the offer of those farms by paying him the rent, I hope there is nothing to prevent his goodness to do so again, when he will have the views of those who appear, in his estimation as land sharks. He should have substituted the word landlord sharks, but it seems his taste for the word was gone. I can assure Mr. St. George that our organisation is not little but formidable and impregnable and Nationalist to the core, having neither selfish motives nor vindictive aspirations. but honesty and justice. which we will uphold and maintain within constitutional methods, until Mrs Greally is secure from her persecutors, and the 300 acres are parcelled out to the deserving and needy in the locality. Then, and not till then, shall a flag of truce be raised.
The Right Hon. Archer Martyn, Justice of the Count of Appeal of British Columbia, writes as follows on his kinsmen of Tullyra Castle and Dongorey;
In the Record Office, among the grants pursuant to Privy Seal, there is one dated at Westminster, February 21, 1615, to Oliver Martyn, of Kinvarra, gentleman, of the Castle of Kinvarra, and the parcels of Kinvarra, Ballybranegan and Knocknechollin, containing 1 quarter, etc, in the Barony of Kiltaraght (Kiltartan) in the county of Galway, to hold of the Earl of Clanricard, by the like tenure as by inquisition taken at Loghreogh (Loughrea), 16th September, 1607.
And on the same day there was also granted to the said Oliver the privilege of holding a Saturday Market at Kinvarra. This shows (says my well-informed informant) that Richard’s possession of Kinvara Castle, that is Dunguaire, was confirmed as early as 1615 and doubtless he must have purchased it from its O’Heyne proprietor at an early date, because there was then no question of forfeiture, nor any marriage between the families, that I have ever heard suggested. Foster’s Irish Chieftains, pp 188, 432, gives some particulars of Doonguara, and says that Richard Martyn (several times mayor of Galway) got Dunguara Castle, near Kinvarra, from the chief of the sept of O’Hynes and that his first residence in the county was that place, and that he later was granted Tullyra (Tulira) by King Charles. He was succeeded by his son Oliver, the Jacobite M.P.
In the indenture of Connaught, given in full in O’Flaherty’s “West Connaught,” p.323 the exact reference to Oene Montagh O’Heine, of Downgorye, otherwise O’Heine – that is Eoghan Mantach (tootless). Three years after the said composition, Dunguaire was in the possession of Hughe Boye O’Heine, son and heir of said Owen, on 23rd July, 1588, XXX of Elizabeth, as is shown by the grant on p.405 of “Hy Fiachrach.”
Then we learn from the Civil Survey of 1641 (“Hy Fiachrach” p.405) that in that year there was no Heyne living in Dunguaire, though a long list of Kiltartan O’Heynes is given, with their residences, which shows that Dunguaire had already passed from them.
The exact reference in the 1617 grant is as follows:
“Grant to Oliver Martyn of Kinvarra, gent. In Killaraght (Kiltartan) barony the castle of Kinvarra, and the parcels of Kinvarra, Ballybranegan, and Knockechollen, containing 1 quarter eleven-twelfths of Crossoby Clowassy;
1 quarter, Lecarrowoughteraghmong, Scribagh, and Downan;
half quarter Killinkyeny;
1 quarter, half of Cahirseraley quarter;
one-fourth of the half of quarter of Sessinnegarby, Townincallagh half card.
Fannaby half card;
Mabery Kighobirr half card to hold Saturday market at Kinvarra, and a court of free powder, and the usual tools; rent 10s Irish;
To hold according to an inquisition taken at Loughreagh, 16th September, 1617.
In Joyce’s “Names of Places,” vol.ii, pp 194-6, the following note on Guaire Aidhe, and a p.195 says;
“Half a mile east of Kinvarra, on the seashore, stands an ancient circular fort, one of those so common in most parts of Ireland, and this is all that remains of the hospitable palace of Durlas. Moreover it has lost the old name and is now known by the equivalent name of Dun Guaire, or, as it is anglicised, Dongorey, Guara’s fortress. A modern castle, built by the O’Heynes – modern as compared with the earthen circumvallation – stands in the middle of the ford and occupies the very site of the house of Guara the Hospitable.
Dalton, in his “Statistical Survey of Galway” (1824?7) says(p.466) the castle of Kinvarra is in good preservation.
Joyce, in “Irish names of Places”. p.522, speaking of the origin of Kinvarra, says;
“The highest point reached by the tide in a river was sometimes designated by the term Ceann-mara i.e. the head of the sea; from a spot of this kind on the River Roughty, the town of Kenmare, in Kerry, received its name; and Kinvarra, in Galway, originated in the same way, for the Four Masters call it Ceannmhara.
The Art of Making Rebels
HOW THE GOVERNMENT PERSECUTED A KINVARA MAN AND HIS FRIENDS
Mr. William Hynes, Kinvara, one of the hunger strikers recently released from Wormwood Scrubbs, was arrested at Abbey, Loughrea, early in Spring, and confined in Galway prison. He was remanded on a few occasions while “the minions of the law” were trying to make a case against him, but subsequently he was released without a stain on his character. The Government, not to be outdone, re-arrested him a few weeks later, and deported him to Wormwood Scrubbs along with Mr. Patrick Kilkelly, now the chairman of the Gort District Council, and hundreds of others.
Mr. Hynes is the youngest son of Mr. Patrick Hynes, Doongora, Kinvara, and comes of a good old stock of fighting Nationalists. He is grandson of the late “honest Bartly Hynes,” of Killina, the first man in Ireland to be prosecuted for having his name in Irish printed on his cart, and who, to credit be it said, refused to pay the fine imposed by a pair of British “Removables.” His brother, Mr. Michael Hynes, was arrested after the Rebellion of 1916, and imprisoned at Frongoch. His cousin, the late Mr. Patrick Hamberry was, following the Rebellion, imprisoned in Frongoch, and died as a result of his cruel treatment immediately after his release.
From “Cloona” (Ballinrobe)
How is our good friend Bartley Hynes, of Kinvara and has he altered the Gaelic inscription on his donkey cart? The Irish class at the Depot has not been started yet, but they are investigating whether the crosses on donkeys’ backs are “legible.” My laureate had dedicated his ballad, “The Ould Bad Scrawl” to the Kinvara “copper,” but so far has not apologised to the authors of the “Ould Plaid Shawl.”
This is how he tears the cloth:-
Not far from ould Kinvara, on a merry August day,
When winds were singing cheerily there came across my way
As if from out the sky above an earthquake chanced to stray
An ass, a cart, a man named Hynes, likewise a load of hay.
He tripped along right joyously, his hat upon three hairs,
And seemed as if this cruel world from him had kept all cares.
His bright eyes glistened ‘neath his brows – he looked so trim and smart,
As he pointed to the name of “Hynes” in Irish on his cart.
I courteously saluted him, “God save you sir,” said I.
“God save you kindly, sir,” said he, and winked the other eye.
“I’ll thank you for your name,” says I, “as well as your address,
I’m a constable of police, and I fear you’re in a mess.
By 12 and 14 Vic.,, you see, and section ninety-two,
Your name must be upon your cart, so I must summon you.”
“Bedad,” says he, “’tis like ‘Lynch’ law, me liable to fines!
For writing in my native tongue the name of Bartley Hynes!”
Some people sigh for riches, some people live for fame,
And some upon their vehicles in Irish put their name.
My aims are not ambitious, though my wishes, don’t you see,
Are to get a quick promotion in the gallant R.I.C.
I’ll summon them through Galway, and I’ll summon them through Clare;
I’ll have no Irish on their carts, but English everywhere,
Else peace of mind I’ll never find, this motto’s next my heart
“When a name is writ in Gaelic, put the owner in the cart.”
Connacht Tribune 1st July, 1961
On Sunday Carnival time, despite the rain, opened in Kinvara.
Some fifty years ago Lady Gregory wrote her patriotic little masterpiece, “The Rising of the Moon,” with a setting on Kinvara Quay. On Sunday the Kinvara Dramatic Society, under producer Mr. Thomas Donnellan, N.T. staged her drama, somewhat adapted for the purpose, in its natural setting.
The actors lived up to the occasion from the moment “Sergeant” (Tom Johnston) opened his colloquy with the “Sign-painter” (Paddy J. Keane). The body of the play where Kieran Moylan, in the role of the Ballad-singer, gradually awakens the dormant patriotism in the Sergeant’s heart was very well done.
Eire (Miss Mary Moylan) then comes to the Quay accompanied by her four green fields. Connacht (Miss Patsy Huban), Leinster (Miss Maura Byrne). Munster (Miss Nell Fahy) and Ulster (Miss Roisin Moylan). The patriot leader recites “My Dark Rosaleen” in her honour and places a crown on her head following which she recites “My Four Green Fields,” by Lady Gregory, and each of her handmaidens take up place by her side while the St. Patrick’s Band, Galway, which had played appropriate music all through, renders a triumphal march and the national flag is hoisted.
The Fancy Dress Parade
The rain was again a spoilsport for the Fancy Dress Parade where remarkable inventiveness was shown in a large entry which gave the judges, Mr. M. McDonagh, Ballinderreen and Mr. M. Dolan (Ardrahan) plenty to ponder over.
Several Eichmans passed by together with “John Caldwell,”, “The June Bride Turned November Wife,” a “Space Flight” trio, the “Final touches to Kinvara Pitch,” “Rainier, Grace and Family,” “Irish Stew for Princess Grace,””Raftery,” “Hikers for the Kinvara Hostel,” “Latest Fashions,””Kennedy Back From Vienna,” “Grace’s Biggest Thrill,””Looney,” the “Poteen Maker,” “First Aid and Last Aid,” “Lady Gregory as the Unexpected Guest”, at last Saturday’s meeting in Coole, the “Baluba,”, the “Mexican Pair,” “Capt.Ringrose” together with an assortment of other topical figures.
The prizewinners were;
Most Humorous;
1. “Poteen Maker” – Sheila Nolan
2. “Biggest Thrill” – Gertrude Keane
Most Topical;
1. “Final Touches to Kinvara Pitch” – Michael and Finbar Brogan
2. “Another Victim of Eichman” – Thomas Nolan
Prettiest;
1. “Mexican Pair” – Francis and Mary Greene
2. “First Aid and Last Aid” – Kieran Doyle and Maura Doyle
SENIOR SECTION
1. “Space Crew” – Michael Connolly, Thomas Tannian and Joe Forde
2. “The Unexpected Guest – Lady Gregory” – Brid Gleeson
3. “Setanta comes to Faitche Padraig” – Michael McMahon
Most Humorous;
1. “The Baluba” – Sean Nolan
2. “Kennedy Back from Vienna” – Martin Greene
3. “June Bride and November Wife” – Anne Morris and Christina Deely.
THE MAYORAL ADDRESS
Mr. Ml. Leech, Mayor of the Festival, welcomed all and urged the younger folks to bring the old people to see the festivities. He also urged all bachelors and their fiancees to visit his “marriage bureau” where he would advise on all premarital problems.
Following the festivities at the Quay the competitors paraded behind St. Patrick’s Band to the Dancing Marquee where the prizes were presented by the Pageant Queen, Miss Mary Moylan, and the competitors entertained to tea.
The Carnival which lasts for three weeks is in aid of the new 3,500 Gaelic Pitch in Kinvara which will be formally opened on the concluding day, July 16th.
The Burren and Beyond 