Author: The Burren and Beyond

B.A., M.A.(Archaeology); Regional Tour Guide; Dip. Radio Media Tech; H.Dip. Computer Science.
Posted in Posts and podcasts

Banshee – 1829

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Freeman’s Journal 12th September, 1829 p 4. (abridged)Kinvara 1939
We went to Lady Honor O’Brien’s; she was the youngest daughter of the Earl of Thomond – there we staid three nights; the first of which I was surprised by being laid in a chamber, when about one o’clock I heard a voice that awakened me, and I drew the curtain. In the casement of the window I saw by the light of the moon a woman leaning into the window, in white, with red hair, and pale and ghostly complexion. She spoke aloud, and in a tone I had never heard, thrice, “a horse” and then she vanished. To me her body looked more like a thick cloud than substance.

I was so much frightened that my hair stood on end and my night-clothes fell off. I pulled and pinched my husband, who never woke during the disorder I was in; but at last was much surprised to see me in this fright; and more so when I related the story and showed him the window opened.

Neither of us slept any more that night, but he entertained me with telling me how much more these apparitions were usual in this country than in England. We concluded the cause to be the great superstition of the Irish and the want of that knowing faith which should defend them from the power of the devil, which he exercises among them very much.

About five o’clock the lady of the house came to see us, saying she had not been in bed all night because a cousin O’Brien of hers, whose ancestors had owned that house, had desired her to stay with him in his chamber and that he died at two o’clock. She said “I wish you to have had no disturbance, for ’tis the custom of the place when any of the family are dying, the shape of a woman appears in the window every night till they be dead. This woman, many ages ago, got with child by the owner of this place. He murdered her in his garden and flung her into the river under the window, but truly, I thought not of it when I lodged you here, it being the best room in the house.”

We made little reply to her speech, but disposed ourselves to be gone suddenly.
Lady Fanshawe’s Memoir

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Visitors – 1945

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 29th September, 1945 p.3  (abridged)

The Glebe, Kinvara Photo: EO'D
The Glebe, Kinvara
Photo: EO’D

Six of the French children brought to this country by the Irish Red Cross Society are now pupils of the Mercy Convent, Kinvara, Co. Galway. They travelled from Dublin to Galway by train, and completed the journey by road, on Friday last. The girls, whose ages range from ten to fifteen years, were accompanied from Dublin by Miss Aughney, an expert linguist.  At Athlone they were hospitably entertained by Mrs McCorley, wife of Col. McCorley, O.C. of the Western Command, and other members of the local branch of the Red Cross. The girls were given a meal at the G.B.C. restaurant, and then four of them were taken by Mrs Blake on a short trip through the city in a pony trap. They enjoyed the run very much and expressed themselves delighted with Galway. The two eldest preferred to make a brief excursion on foot, accompanied by Miss Aughney. When they all got together again they set off for Kinvara.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Mr Green and Mr Holland – Kinvara – 1936

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Irish Press 27th August, 1936 p.9 (abridged)

Photo: EO'D
Photo: EO’D

When a six years old boy fell into the sea at Kinvara Quay, Mr P. Green, a fisherman, raised the alarm. Mr John Holland, who lives on the quayside, taking off his coat, dashed from his house and dived into the water, which was 10 feet deep at the time. With the aid of a lifebuoy, thrown by Mr Green, Mr Holland brought the boy ashore. This is the second life save there by Mr Holland.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Fox Film at the Claddagh – 1929

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Irish Examiner 25th September, 1929 p.8

Count John McCormack United States Library of Congress Wikimedia Commons
Count John McCormack
United States Library of Congress
Wikimedia Commons

Members of the Fox Film Company visited St. Nicholas’s School, Claddagh, Galway today and filmed scenes for a “talkie” of Irish life in which Count John McCormack plays the principal role. Count McCormack himself visited Galway last week and selected this school as the most suitable for the purpose of the film, in which he will be depicted as a poor Irish boy who leaves his native land when quite young, and achieves fame in America. The scenes filmed today are supposed to show Count McCormack’s School days. The children assembled in front of the school and sang an Irish Song, while there were also Irish step dances, and final picture was of a rush by the children leaving school, amongst them supposed to be the youthful McCormack.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Kinvara Fair – 1925

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 21st March, 1925 p.18

Photo: Pikaluk Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Pikaluk
Wikimedia Commons

THE CATTLE FAIR
Kinvara cattle fair was held on Wednesday last, March 4, and must certainly be allowed to be voted the most successful since the fair was first held some twenty years ago. The street was packed about eleven o’clock, and the cattle were something splendid to look at, every one of them being in the pink of condition and of the best description. Buyers were present from all parts of the country and to Mr.Culligan, of Briarfield, belongs the honour of securing the biggest lot of well finished animals. He purchased over eighty, and was accompanied by Mr John Clune. Several other buyers were present from Limerick, Maynooth, Dublin and other places throughout Ireland, and prices unheard of for years were paid for two and three-year old cattle. In fact people were astonished with the prices they obtained. Dealers from Gort, Kilbeacanty, and Scariff made large purchases for other fairs. Many hundreds exchanged hands in a few hours at fancy prices. Even local dealers offered strong competition. The success of the fair now seems to be well assured for all future time.

HORSE AND CALF FAIR

Connemara Pony Photo: Olaf Kleinwegen Wikimedia Commons
Connemara Pony
Photo: Olaf Kleinwegen
Wikimedia Commons

Kinvara horse and calf fair was held on Wednesday last in February and was better than people expected. A big supply of colts and working horses, which were selling so cheaply for the past twelve months changed hands at prices very much enhanced in value for the approaching spring. The demand for the show horse is coming back to take his usual place in the farm again, notwithstanding the attempt that was made to oust him on the farm and road. A big number of calves from six months to twelve months brought from Limerick and Cork, found a ready market, and good prices seemed to rule all round.

THE POTATO MARKETS
Kinvara markets are just now going strong, and are well supplied with potatoes of the best kind. A great variety of new seed, notably Kerr’s Pink, whose name as disease resisters is famous, are now raised in the district, and command big prices, followed up by Arran Victors a good second, and Aran Chiefs, and a variety of others too numerous to mention. The Department of Agriculture is purchasing largely in the district, and sending the seeds all over the country. Early potatoes are realizing up to 3s per stone, and there seems to be an abundant supply of all kinds.

THE PIG FAIR

Photo: Sander van der Wel Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Sander van der Wel
Wikimedia Common

Kinvara pig fairs have taken a most decided upward tendency. The last one showed a most decided improvement in prices, the only fault being that people did not ask enough. Pigs paid over 70s per cwt and a hundred were disposed of at that price. A great number of buyers were present from Limerick, Cork and Waterford, and Galway is now sending its quota to swell the number and promises to continue it. The monthly fairs are a great boon now for years, and people are more than satisfied with results and competition. The fairs and markets’ committee should now hold monthly fairs and markets all the year round. Large bonham markets are now held as a result and prices have gone up as high as £2 10s each, and in some cases more.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Now showing – Galway – 1913

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 19th July, 1913 p.2

Fox movietone 2 by Twentieth Century Fox Wikimedia Commons

Fox movietone 2 by Twentieth Century Fox
Wikimedia Commons

During Oireachtas week the popular manager of the Galway Cinema Theatre will provide an unusually attractive programme for his numerous patrons, and in addition to the films given below, two sensational pictures, procured at enormous expense, will be shown during the week.
Lovers of exciting incidents and dramatic situations will be catered for largely.
Amongst the dramatic pictures are;
“The Making of Bronco Billy,”
“The Truant’s Doom,”
“Revolutionary Romance,”etc.
The humourous pictures include;
“How they Outwitted Father,”
“The Invisible Hand,” etc.

“Bee-keeping,” a highly interesting and instructive film will also be shown, and should attract a large number of those engaged in the bee-keeping industry. A special feature will be the Gaumont Graphic, which shows news of the week in pictures. A musical treat of a very high standard will be given by the orchestral band each evening. There will be a complete change of programme on Sunday, Monday and Thursday.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Kinvara races – 1923

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 7th July, 1923 p.11

Photo: BO'D
Photo: BO’D

Sweltering sun, choking dust, and a dome of bunting surmounting a riot of animated colour were the order at Gortshanvogh. The meeting differed from the usual “flapper.” Of course, all the “trickies” and “habituals” were there, but the neighbours, who feel they have a proprietary interest in “the races” and who assume the responsibility with a genial “You are welcome to Kinvara” air predominated. There was some indefinable something – something inherent, though unobtruding – which marked Kinvara meeting, apart from the usual type, and the day a pleasant outing (sic.). The course was hard, and many riders parted company with their mounts to meet its unwelcome embrace.
Details;
The VOLUNTEER PLATE £12; Hurdle – 2 miles
Mr P. Torpey’s Master McGuire
Mr J. O’Neill’s Distant Shore
Mr T. Quinn’s Waverley
Also ran – Silver Ring.

The TRADERS’ PLATE £10 Hurdle – 2 miles
Mr T. Quinn’s Waverley
Mr P. Donnelly’s Paravid
Also ran – Home Dock (fell)

KINVARA PLATE £20 Steeplechase – 2 1/2 miles
Mr P. Murphy’s Clare Girl
Mr J. O’Neill’s Distant Shore
Also Ran – Paravid

STEWARDS’ PLATE £8 Flat 1 1/2 miles
Mr J. O’Neill’s Distant Shore
Also ran – Solid Gold (fell) and Paravid

GORTSHANVOGH PLATE £8 Flat 1 1/2 miles
Mr T. McKenna’s Home Dock
Mr J. O’Neill’s Distant Shore
Mr T. Quinn’s Waverley
Also ran – Solid Gold (fell) and Golden Cherry

Posted in Posts and podcasts

A Fairy Story – 1910

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Strabane Chronicle 12th March, 1910 p2

Tawnagh Sunset Photo: Norma Scheibe
Tawnagh Sunset
Photo: Norma Scheibe

A failing fringe of glimmering light was lying gently still,
Along the rise of Errigal, and Aileach’s princely hill
E’en yet the globe of golden fire low on the ocean’s breast,
Had all the waves round Arranmore in ruby vesture drest;
Into the West one lonely cloud went moving slowly by,
Then blushed to find itself alone in all the vaulted sky;
Within the dells the flowers slept, the shadows stretched afar,
And in the dark blue sleeping lake was seen the evening star.
No more the brighter tines of day the falling brook caress,
The thousand dyes that sunset flings upon the waves flew less,
When from the glens among the hills where all day long it slept,
Like ghost of some forgotten age, an errie vapour crept,
It moved adown the whin-clad braes, it lay upon the heath,
It curled around the copeswood lane, and haunted fort beneath.

The fishers down by the olden beach had watched, and then in fright,
They crossed themselves, and whispered low,
“‘Tis the fairies out tonight.”
They gathered round and told strange tales in voices hushed with awe,
Of when that mist came down before what men and women saw
Within the haunted fort and out upon the hawthorn brae,
Or on the bogland lone, if they perchance had gone astray,
Strange eerie rows of little folk unknown to mortal sight,
Around a flame by nought supplied, that beamed a bluish light.

Dunguaire, Kinvara Irish Independent, 1950
Dunguaire, Kinvara
Irish Independent, 1950

But strange to tell among those folk of other worlds than ours
Were some who faded from our earth in youth like summer flowers,
Faded and passed from life away, and sank among the dead;
But when the fishers told their tales Red Michael shook his head.

Red Michael never yet believed in witch or fairy sprite,
Or any shady thing that walks in the watches of the nights;
and he only said when he heard these tales,
“Such things one never sees,
I never yet could have believed in stories such as these.”
Red Michael was a fisherman as bold as fishers be,
He had one child, a rosy boy, as fair as eye could see,
And when the mist came down the hill and crept along the brae,
The child ran from his mother’s side out thro’ the waning day,
And coming from his labour done thro’ the mist acreeping round,
Red Michael found his little boy asleep upon the ground,
And cold and weary were his limbs, his eyes looked strangely grey
He caught a cold and from that hour the baby pined away.

Red Michael’s heart is sad and lone, bereft of hope and love,
His boy has hearkened to the call and left to go above.
“My boy’s in Heaven,” Red Michael cries,
“But, ah, my heart is lone!”
But the country people shake their heads,
“‘Tis the fairies have their own,”
But when he heard them speak he said,
“Such things man never sees,
I never yet could have believed in stories such as these.”

P.MacGill

Posted in Posts and podcasts

At the Quay – Kinvara – 1912

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 17th February, 1912, p.4

The Quay, Kinvara Photo: EO'D
The Quay, Kinvara
Photo: EO’D

A large schooner arrived in Kinvara during the week with a cargo of 200 tons of artificial manure for Mr Martin Coen, merchant, Gort. A large quantity of timber is piled on the quays belonging to Mr Mitchell, Saw Mills, Gort. It has been carried in from Finvara, Co Clare and Derrykeel, Gort. About four cargoes are now awaiting shipment to Liverpool and one ship is loading.
Mr Bartly Bermingham, The Quay, Kinvara, has opened a coal yard where best house coal can be had at moderate prices, which is a great boon to the poor people in the district.