Posts and podcasts – Page 33 – The Burren and Beyond

Kinvara – 1848

Posted on February 5, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Papers relating to proceedings for relief of distress, and state of unions and workhouses in Ireland, 1848

cresswell archive — Photo: Cresswell Archives

Sessional Papers 1847-1848 HMSO
Dippam.ac.uk
(abridged)
P.928
Along the shores of the bay of Kinvarra and bay of Galway, which form a portion of the boundary of the electoral divisions of Kinvarra and Killeenavarra, reside a considerable number of persons, some with and some without land, who have heretofore supported themselves by fishing, and by the sale of sea weed for the purpose of manure. The failure of the potato crop in 1845 and 1846 by its discouragement to the planting of potatoes, completely paralysed the operations of the latter, who are now in a most abject state.
The only portion of the population remaining to be noticed is that which comprises the miscellaneous class of pedlars, hucksters, small dealers in fruit or vegetables, and mendicants, all of whom are affected by the general poverty of the district and are mostly in a destitute state.
As regards the prospects of the Union for the ensuing harvest, we have learned that a considerable quantity of wheat has been put down by the larger farmers, but it is certain there will not be anything approaching to the breadth of corn of the past year. On the other hand, it would appear from the reports of the relieving officers, and from personal observation, that the general success of the potato crop in 1847 has encouraged the larger holders of land to make arrangements for planting in a greater quantity in the spring. Many, however, of the smaller farmers will, we fear, be unable to set any, in consequence of the scarcity and high price of seed, added to their inability to purchase manure, and it is therefore to be apprehended that a much greater quantity of land will remain uncultivated this year than last. In former years most of the labouring population had potatoes in con-acre, but their impoverished conditions now renders them incapable of making any preparations for having a crop in the present season. Even if they were able to procure seed and manure, they have no means of support while engaged in their cultivation.
The amount of agricultural employment at present is very trifling, and we regret to say that after making the most minute inquiries we have no reason to hope that the demand for labour will be much increased for a considerable period.
p 930
In common with many other parts of Ireland, in the spring and summer of the past year, the Gort Union was affected with fever and dysentery; and as there was no permanent fever hospital in the Union, no effective mode of relieving poor persons suffering from these diseases was in existence. …The Relief Committee for the electoral divisions of Kinvarra and Killeenavarra were authorized and directed to provide hospital accommodation and other means of relief for the sick poor. In pursuance of such instructions the former Committee fitted up a building near Kinvarra for the purpose of an hospital to contain 50 patients; the latter, however, through a mistaken idea of economy, declined to fit up a separate institution, but with the consent of the late Board of Guardians, adopted the workhouse hospital as the fever hospital of their district, in direct violation of the express provisions of the statues, and sent all their patients thither. By this course of proceeding the (Gort) workhouse became the reservoir of contagion for the entire Union, except Kinvarra and Killeenavarra, and their hospital speedily filled.

p.923
At Kinvarra, a most impoverished district, in which fever prevails to an alarming extent, we propose to erect sheds to accomodate 100 patients, retaining the building now used as a temporary hospital for the purpose of convalescent ward after providing therein a room for the medical officer, a kitchen, washhouse and store-room.
By these arrangements, if sanctioned by the Commissioners, we hope we may be able to provide for the more destitute portion of the sick poor in this Union. If, however, the increase of contagious disease should require further accommodation, we shall be prepared to suggest the erection of temporary hospitals in other parts of the Union or the extension of those now proposed, as may seem most expedient.

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Kinvara – 1934

Posted on February 4, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 5th May, 1934 p.11

Winkles

At a meeting of the tenants of the Sharpe estate, Kinvara, a letter was read from the solicitor to the estate, offering on behalf of the trustees, a reduction of 15 per cent on the current rents in addition to 15 per cent temporary abatement allowed 25 years ago and now made permanent. This was an advance of 5 per cent on the trustee’s previous offer.
In the matter of the arrears the letter stated these must be left in abeyance as the acting trustee had not the power to cancel them. A motion was brought forward that the trustees’ offer be accepted as the tenants were not in a position to hold out for more favourable terms. After much discussion the motion was agreed.

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Kinvara – 1936

Posted on February 3, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

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

When a six years old boy fell into the sea at Kinvara, Mr P. Green, a fisherman, raised the alarm. Mr John Holland, who lives on the quayside, 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.

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The Claddagh Boatman – 1900

Posted on February 1, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Supplement to the Cork Examiner 2nd April, 1900

The Claddagh Boatman

I am a Claddagh boatman bold,
And humble is my calling;
From morn to night, from dark to light,
In Galway Bay I’m trawling;
I care not for the great man’s frown,
I ask not for his pity;
My wants are few, my heart is true;
I sing a boatman’s ditty.

I have a fair and gentle wife,
Her name is Eily Holway;
With many a wile, and joke, and smile,
I won the pride of Galway.
For twenty years, ‘mid hope and fears,
With her I’ve faithful tarried;
Her heart to-night is young and light
As when we first were married.

I have a son, a gallant boy,
Unstained by spot or speckle;
He pulls and hawls,and mends the trawls,
And mind the other tackle.
His mother says the boy, like me,
Loves truth, and hates all blarney;
The neighbours swear in Galway Bay
There’s not the like of Barney.

Thank God, I have another child,
Like Eily, lithe and slender.
She clasps my knee and kisses me
With love so true and tender.
Though ‘oft will rage the howling blast
That threatens men with slaughter,
I ne’er complain of wind or rain
While I’ve my little daughter.

When Sunday brings the hour of rest,
That sweet reward of labours,
We cross the fields to early Mass,
And walk home with the neighbours.
Oh! would the rest of Erin’s sons
Were but like us united;
To swear I’m loath, but, by my oath.
Her name should not be slighted.

Jeremiah J. Dowling, M.D.

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The Claddagh – 1848

Posted on January 30, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Irish Examiner 17th July, 1848 p3

That singular body of men, the Claddagh fishermen, have signified their approval of the Royal Irish Fishery Company, and are ready to work for them, thus increasing the number of men who will be employed by the company from the Killeries to the Kenmare River to upwards of 8,100. The oldest fisherman of Dingle: Flaherty, who has been latterly employed as pilot on board of her majesty’s Steam Frigates on the West Coast, and in that capacity surveyed the new fishing bank on board of the Rhadamanthus, has taken shares in the company.

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If I were a billionaire – 1905

Posted on January 29, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Supplement to the Cork Examiner 19th November, 1905

What should I do if the world were mine?
Mine with its treasures of silver and gold;
Lands untrodden and wealth untold;
What should I do if the world were mine?

Before the fire in my old arm-chair
I sit in silence and build alone
Castles fairer than castles of stone,
Castles built in enchanted air.

Friends so many and poor have I,
Friends so many and wants so few;
George, there would be a wife for you,
Whom all the world of wealth can’t buy.

A house I would build for you and Kate,
A house as never before was seen;
And I would dance at the wedding, I ween,
If I came into my worldy estate.

And you should be married to Mary, Jack!
Aye lad, with the cares of a weary man!
And from the hour when my power began,
Trust me, I’d never let you look back.

Husband hard working, and plucky wife,
Frank and Alice, ’tis little, indeed,
That love in a cottage as yours may need-
As you merrily sip the sweets of life.

But there should be store for a rainy day;
And never a battle dull care should win,
Or settle a guest your home within,
For peace at your hearth should dwell always.

And you, friend Tom, of them all the best,
Roughest of speech and softest of heart,
Whose kindliness poorly pays its part
In garb of wordly wisdom dressed.

For you nor plate, nor power, nor poll
Avails to turn one thought aside;
For you the world is not too wide
For you there is no such thing as self.

Together we two should go forth and seek
What haply our new-born power might do,
To succour the many and the few,
To curb the strong and defend the weak.

Dreams we together have dreamt ere now;
Dreams of a great and glorious name,
Plans to be sealed with the kiss of fame,
The parsley wreath for guerdon now.

So draw close up to the fire your chair,
And again let us dream of truth alone,
Castles that might be castles of stone,
If one of us were a Billionaire!

S.K, in Irish Monthly.

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Dublin – Galway – Oranmore – 1927

Posted on January 28, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 21st May, 1927 p.14

Three Bristol fighter aeroplanes left Dublin at 5.20 p.m. yesterday and flew to Galway, landing at Oranmore aerodrome exactly one hour and ten minutes after their start, having, in addition, encircled Galway Bay and the City. They were in charge of Col. Fitzmaurice and carried a staff photographer. A detachment of men from Renmore guarded the ‘planes last night.

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Two hundred years ago

Posted on January 27, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Irish Examiner 6th August, 1904 p.9

Hellelil and Hildebrand, the Meeting on the Turret Stairs Frederick William Burton (1816-1900) National Gallery of Ireland

I stand in the gallery quaint and old,
And there on the tapestried wall,
I read the names of the knights and dames
Who have passed beyond recall:
And a faint dream-perfume comes to me
That carries me, ere I know,
Back to the world that used to be,
Two hundred years ago.

Out of her ruffle of costly lace,
And out of his armour old,
Look down a maid with a smiling face
And a cavalier brave and bold.
And I know that she was his lady fair.
And he her courtly beau;
They were lovers true in the days that were,
Two hundred years ago.

I recall the legend that links her name
To his in a wreath of gold –
How he died to save his love’s fair fame
In the chivalrous days of old,
And her eyes still gleam with love’s deep trust,
And his with courage glow,
Though her spirit and his were laid to dust
Two hundred years ago.

As they gaze at me from their place on high,
“Believe” they seem to say,
“Though centuries pass and customs die,
Love passeth not away!”
And as long as men are true and bold,
And women that high trust know,
Shall Love be the gift that it was of old
Two hundred years ago.

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Seamount College, Kinvara – 1954

Posted on January 26, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 21st August, 1954 p20 (abridged)

Corpus Christi procession passing Seamount gate (on right) c. 1950 Photo: Cresswell archives

About one hundred years ago Dr. Hynes of Kinvara purchased from Lord Inchiquin a shooting lodge overlooking Galway Bay between Kinvara and Dungora Castle. Here Dr. Hynes built a residence for himself and his family and, dying, bequeathed it to his daughter, Elizabeth, who had married his successor as M.O. of Kinvara, Dr. Nally.
During Easter Week 1916 this residence was occupied by Kinvara Company of the I.R.A. and during the War of Independence it was the secret meeting place of the wanted men. Again, during the Civil War, on account of its fine accommodation and commanding position, it was occupied in turn by both of the warring forces. At that time too, Mrs Nally, now a widow, set in motion the chain of circumstances which has brought it to its present proud position by presenting it to the Sisters of the Convents of Mercy of Gort and Kinvara. The Sisters had long wished to establish a secondary school for girls. Now they had the building with which to make a start but their resources were meagre.
By 1926 a room in one of the stables had been converted into a classroom and some members of the Gort Community took up residence in Seamount House. The work was inaugurated with fifteen boarders and thirteen day-pupils. By 1928 the rest of the stable had been converted into two more classrooms and a large corridor was added to the building. As the fame of the College grew so did the numbers of boarders and day pupils, and so too, did the need for extra accommodation.
In 1938 a fine three storey building was erected which contained dormitories, class-rooms, dressing rooms, and a magnificent recreation hall with a permanent stage. Despite these extensions the sisters were unable to cope with the ever-growing volume of demands for admission and again they had to face the question of expansion of the College buildings. The old buildings were adequate for the 140 pupils in residence there in 1952 but many, many applications had to be refused. So in 1952 Mr. Ralph Ryan, M.E. Galway, prepared plans for the great extension and the work was put in the hands of Messrs. kBurke and Clancy, Galway.
And so, in thirty years, the nuns of Seamount have written a success story of which any large corporation might be proud.

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Galway to Halifax – 1853

Posted on January 25, 2016 by The Burren and Beyond

Nenagh Guardian 6th July, 1853 p4

1854 stamps of the Electric Telegraph Company. Wikimedia Commons

Arrangements are far advanced towards completion for laying down a submarine telegraph between the United Kingdom and America. It is intended to connect the two countries, or rather, the Old and New Worlds by means of Galway and Halifax, those being the two nearest points of communication. The distance is about 1,600 miles. The perfect practicability of the thing has been guaranteed under the hand of nearly all the eminent engineers of the day, and various parties have sent in estimates for the execution of the work. These estimates vary from £800,000 down to £300,000 and it is a remarkable fact that some of the lowest estimates have been sent in by some of the most respectable firms in the country. When this extraordinary project has been carried out, we shall be able in half an hour to send messages from London to New York, and receive messages from the United States in about half an hour. And not, we ought to add, from New York alone, but from the interior of America, the electric telegraph being laid down for upwards of 2,000 miles up the country.

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