Posts and podcasts – Page 45 – The Burren and Beyond

Galway Bay – 1934

Posted on September 7, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 10th February, 1934 p.6
According to legend, Galway Bay was formerly a large lake and known as Lough Lurgan, and at one time the islands formed portion of the mainland, but the lake burst its boundaries, leaving the Aran Islands as the remains of the land that used to separate it from the sea. This statement was made by Rev. Co Senatlebury, S.J. Dublin, during the course of an interesting lecture on “The Saints and Shrines of the Aran Islands.”

Each of the islands is rich in archaeological remains. Practically every kind of ancient structure, from the dolmen to the 17th Century castle, may be studied in Aran. The huge stone fortresses, which are so conspicuous landmarks as one approaches the islands from Galway Bay, testified to the importance of the islands in pagan times. From ecclesiastical remains and from the Annals, the role that Aran played in the history of the early Irish Church may be judged. There are four forts on the largest island, two on the second largest and one on the smallest. The most famous is Dun Aengus, which stands on a promontory at the edge of the sea. It was said it got its name from the dark colour of the stones of which it was built.

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A great match – 1896/16thCentury/12th Century

Posted on September 5, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Irish Examiner 18th July, 1896 p.10

Crest of G.A.A. Galway inter county Hurling and Gaelic Football teams. Wikimedia Commons — Crest of G.A.A. Galway inter county Hurling and Gaelic Football teams.
Wikimedia Commons

(abridged)
In the reign of Cormac Mac Art, son of Conn of the Hundred Battles and High King of Ireland, a great gathering of the beauty and valour of the nation assembled at Tara to witness a hurling contest between the Tuatha de Danann and Finn MacCool and his warriors.

When the ball was brought into the middle of the field and struck into the air, so great was the energy and skill of the players that it was not allowed to touch the ground for more than an hour.

Gaillimh Abú!

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Traught Strand Regatta and Aquatic Sports – 1935

Posted on September 3, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 27th July, 1935 p.27

On Sunday next, July 28th what promises to be an ideal day’s sport will be held at Traught Strand. This strand, situated about three miles west of Kinvara, is rapidly growing in popularity as a bathing resort and is one of the best and safest in the West of Ireland. A local committee has now taken up the task of improving this strand, and making it more attractive and satisfactory for the thousands of tourists and visitors who frequent it during the summer months.
Already a line of seats on concrete stands have been set all along the shore just above the high-water mark, as a result of the proceeds of a regatta held last year. The committee hopes to be able to erect a diving board, concrete walks, etc., as a result of this year’s sports and regatta which takes place next Sunday.
Spectators will be treated to an unusual scene, when the little bay will be decked with clinkers, pookawns, galleys and canoes all at anchor and ready for their own races. A large pleasure boat will take visitors on trips around Galway Bay during the evening, and everything points to an enjoyable afternoon.

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The Carnival Field – Kinvara – 1967

Posted on September 2, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 13th January 1967 p9

The Carnival field. Photo: EO'D — The Carnival field.
Photo: EO’D

The carnival field in Kinvara situated in a most prominent position in the town is getting a new facade. As part of the scheme to make the road wider and straighter from Kinvara to St Colman’s Church, the old wall and the bend opposite “The Walks” are being demolished and the carnival field will be somewhat narrower. The improvement is being looked on as a further asset to Kinvara when the National Tidy Towns competition and the competition organised by Shannon Development company begin later this year. This field is the property of Mr John Holland, the well known farmer in Kinvara.

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The Long Black Hand – Richard Cronnolly, Ballinderreen – 1864

Posted on September 1, 2015September 1, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune – 25th February, 1972

Richard Cronnolly was born in Ballinderreen Co Galway in 1828. He joined the Dublin Metropolitan Police and spent his spare time in the Record Office where he studied old documents. Without any assistance, financial or otherwise, he found a publisher willing to give the result of his researches to the world. He was working against time, and died in the moment of success at the age of thirty five.

He left behind him a work that is remarkable. The Long Black Hand, a recitative poem, which tells of the slaying of malicious spirit who made life miserable for the people of Ballinderreen a few hundred years ago.
The Long Black hand may be read on Fadó Fadó at theburrenandbeyond.com

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Kinvara – 1922

Posted on August 31, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 12 August, 1922 p.5

The following official report was issued yesterday (Thursday) afternoon;
Commandant S. O’Reilly, O.C., National troops, Portumna, surrounded Kinvara, Co. Galway this morning and arrested there Edward E. a qualified engineer, who had been sent from field general headquarters, Irregular forces, Fermoy, as an engineering officer for the west. Included in his instructions was a letter to Mr. Michael K. O.C. 4th Western Division, Irregulars, asking the latter to make him a suitable weekly allowance. Important papers, maps, plans, etc, together with a revolver and ammunition were found upon him. His capture is regarded as important.

Mr. C. F. Kinvara was an irregular who had been active in the district, was also arrested. Two motor cars, from which the numbers have been razed, were found.

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America – Finavarra – Nenagh – 1914

Posted on August 30, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Irish Examiner 17th July, 1914 p.5 (abridged)
By the Volunteers of North Tipperary it is persistently rumoured that on Sunday week a cargo of arms, supposed to be from the Tipperary Men’s Association in America, was landed at Finavarra Point, West Galway. In the days following, the arms, it is alleged, were brought by night by easy stages, by the various Volunteer corps in West Galway, through Gort, Woodford and Williamstown, reaching the latter village on Saturday night last. Here the arms were received by a number of volunteers from the Tipperary side of Lough Derg, and in the course of the night were transferred by boat to Terryglass. Next day (Sunday) while the Volunteers of North Tipperary were mobilised at Nenagh, and while the police of the district were on special duty in that town, the arms, it is alleged, were hidden in a bog. The strictest secrecy was observed while the arms were in transit and it was only when they were well under cover that the information leaked out.
In view of the above rumour it is interesting to note that the commander of the Nenagh corps last even when dismissing his men publicly informed them opposite the Literary Institute that they would be in possession of rifles next week.

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Carron, County Clare – 1914

Posted on August 29, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

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Ballyvaughan Regatta – 1874

Posted on August 28, 2015 by The Burren and Beyond

Tuam Herald 26th September, 1874 p.2

Ballyvaughan Harbour Photo: Bob Jones Wikimedia Commons — Ballyvaughan Harbour
Photo: Bob Jones
Wikimedia Commons

The Ballyvaughan Regatta came off on Wednesday, at the village of Ballyvaughan, situate in the county Clare, and about eight miles from Galway across the bay. It was conducted under the patronage of the members of Parliament for Clare and the local gentry. The weather was most propitious, the day being exceedingly fine, and, by the way, was complained of by the ladies as being oppressive.
The number of spectators was very large, and not alone were the lovers of aquatics in Clare afforded an opportunity of enjoying themselves, but so also were the people of Galway, as the splendid little vessel, the Citie of the Tribes, gave an excursion trip from Galway at eleven O’clock, by permission of the directors, thus affording as enjoyable a day’s amusement as could be wished for, and one of the best your correspondent has enjoyed for some time. The sports consisted of seven races and were exceedingly contested and most creditably conducted.