Posted in Posts and podcasts

Connaught Roads 1823

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connaught Journal

Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

11th August 11, 1823

REPORTS(abridged)
[Extract from Mr. NIMMO’s Report on the Western District.]

‘The plains of Connaught are in general numerously provided with roads. These seem to have been multiplied in a degree which the country is hardly able to support. A great many of them having got into bad repair. The Counties have confined their expenditure to the leading post roads, and are endeavouring to form those of broken stone.

Materials of the best description are, in general, in abundance – but the original construction of the roads having been exceedingly unskillful, both in direction, level, and the repairs carried on by a class of persons who make a trade of it.

There is no attempt at operating a permanent improvement; the less labour bestowed on the road, the cheaper the work can be done by the perch, and the easier for the persons actually employed, who are not, properly speaking, paid for what they do, but have the amount of the presentment allowed by their landlord, as a set-off against the rent of their holdings. a

“In the county of Galway I found nearly all the money presented at spring assizes had been issued in the way I have above stated. I endeavoured to improve the system, as far as the public was concerned, by giving a few simple directions for making the road of a proper shape, picking out stones, cleaning the drains, breaking the new materials properly, and combining them with the old. I established a system of inspection to see that this was done; and on the other hand, took care that each labourer should be paid his wages in person, leaving him then to settle with the landlord as he might think fit.

“For these reasons, the presentment roads have been mostly executed by the perch, under the original overseers. In a few instances it appeared advisable that an additional sum should be laid out for work not contemplated in the presentment, in order to have the road completed in a proper way. Of this kind, the road from Tuam to Galway may be instanced; being, after the mail coach lines, the most leading road in the province, and which would have been left very imperfect, if the presented portion only had been repaired”.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Pay the Porter – 1823

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connaught Journal 5th June 1823

Photo: Jonathunder Creative Commons .
Photo: Jonathunder
Creative Commons .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL (abridged)
SIR
I beg through the medium of your valuable print to direct the public
attention to the wretched state of those poor creatures that are sent to the Fever Hospital. You are aware that in consequence of the rapid decrease of Typhus in this Town, or, rather (thank God) its total absence at present, the porters employed to convey patients to the Hospital have been dismissed.

Of course, those unfortunate persons that may be yet attacked will not be taken out without paying those porters themselves. They are charged 1s 8d and we know that many of them would expire from want and sickness before they could make up even this trifling sum.

I speak of what has come under my own view. Yesterday a poor woman was taken ill of the Fever; she was ordered to pay the porters. She would not be moved from the bed of sickness but for the humanity of a few individuals who paid for conveying her thither.

The cases at present are few. The Town has seldom been so free from Fever; but even a few, when they have not the means of immediate or timely conveyance, might spread the disorder again amongst us.

During the prevalence of the typhus last year, the porters were paid, I believe, half-a-guinea a week out of the Funds of the Hospital. Now, as Providence has put an end to their weekly employment, they should still be paid, if possible, a reasonable sum out of the same Funds for each person they may carry in. There is a Chair belonging to the Establishment; and I should think 10d for each person conveyed thither by them would be a very ample allowance.

Your very obedient servant.
CIVIS

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Kinvara Twilight – 2014

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Kinvara Twilight

Dunguaire Photo: Norma Scheibe
Dunguaire
Photo: Norma Scheibe

At twilight in Kinvara town
The Síog rise to play,
They perch upon the castle wall
And whistle out the bay.

It stirs the air like a blackbird’s sigh
Over the pier and on
Skirts the boats to Smuggler’s Cove
Beside the Canon’s Lawn

Where drowsy swans raise dreamy heads
To the lilt of that impish call
And stir for shore on gilded wings
Past the pier head wall.

The soft sweet hum of fairy breath
Calls cormorant, teal and coot,
And Lapwing, curlew, barnacle goose
Land on Dunguaire’s roof.

And then…

The Síogs gather their golden reins
And rising from their roost
They leap aboard their feathered friends
Into the sky they shoot.

And off across Dungory East 
Round by Loughcurra South
Over the top of Cloonasee
Far from the harbour mouth.

To Carrownamadra next they fly 
Down by the fields of Roo
Past Mountscribe, Townagh, Doorus Park
They part the dusk in two.

On they rush thro’ Rineen and Cloosh
Cregboy and Aughinish Bay
And turn again at Ceathrú an Droim
Behind the old causeway.

Where just beyond there lies a tower,
At Ceathrú an Bruim Fhéar,
A mighty place to catch a view
On a night fair-filled with stars.

’Tis here at last they drop to rest
The Síog and their band,
Twixt stars and moon and shining tides
Of Guaire’s ancient land.

So, if you hear wild sounds tonight
Take no account at all,
’Tis only the Burren birds at play
With the Síog of Guaire’s hall.

© Emer O’Donnell

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Michael Lynch – Omaha, Chile, Scotland, Ballyvaughan – 1904

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

The Omaha Daily Bee; 31st May, 1904 p12. (abridged)

Parinacota volcano, Chile Photo: mtchm Creative Commons
Parinacota volcano, Chile Photo: mtchm
Creative Commons

After spending more than a year visiting every country on the globe with the exception of China, Michael Lynch, a young blacksmith and a brother to Omaha City Gas Inspector John C. Lynch, met his mother in the little town of Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland.

Michael is but 20 years old and had established himself in the blacksmith business in Omaha after learning the trade. The wandering fever, however, seized him a year ago last March and he set out to see the world. His family heard from him only occasionally, once from Chile and next from Scotland.

His own mother, Mrs Lynch was returning to Ireland to visit her mother, a hale and hearty 91 years old. It was just after Mrs Lynch had started homeward from Omaha when John heard from Michael in Scotland. He replied to him immediately and advised him of his mother’s trip to County Clare. The lad succeeded in beating her to Ballyvaughan. The reunion was filled with happy surprise.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Timetables – 1823

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connaught Journal 14th August, 1823

Signpost at Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Photo: c. Chris Tomlinson Licensed for reuse under Creative Commons
Signpost at Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.
Photo: c. Chris Tomlinson
Licensed for reuse under Creative Commons

THE GALWAY AND LIMERICK DAY CARR,

Will start from the Commercial Building’s lane, at 7 o’clock, A.M. on Friday next and every succeeding Monday, Wednesday and Friday having Two Seats each day, from this for Ennis; Two for Gort, and Two for Galway; and also the same day, Two from Ennis to Galway or Gort, and Two from Gort to Galway; and in case of Vacancies, places may be had to Six Mile Bridge, Kilkishen, Tulla, Spancel-Hill, Crusheen and Clarin-Bridge, &c.

The Carr will arrive at the Grey Horse Hotel, Galway, at 7 o’clock each evening; and return at 7 o’Clock next morning, having Two Seats each day for Gort, Two for Ennis, and Two for Limerick; or in case of Vacancies to, or from any of the intermediate Stages, where the Fares and Charge on Parcels may be known.

The Proprietor is preparing Covered Caravans, which will be soon ready to convey Passengers daily to and from the several places mentioned; and he rests his hope of encouragement for the present limited Establishment on the Public Utility of the Undertaking; as the Fare from this to Galway will be little more than half the present expence of travelling from Ennis there, and as the strictest attention will be paid to the safety and comfort of the Passengers.

N.B.- A Carr will leave Stamer’s Hotel, Ennis, at half-past 10 o’Clock every Friday, Monday and Wednesday, with Passengers, for Galway or Gort, and return before 12 from Spancel-Hill with those from Limerick; and also, at one o’clock on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with Passengers, for Limerick, and return at three o’Clock with those from Galway or Gort.

The Proprietors of the Galway and Ennis Papers will please to publish the above for one post, to be paid for where the Carr stops.
Limerick, August 12, 1823.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Ireland – 1571

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL

Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, County Galway Photo: Boomur Wikimedia Commons
Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara, County Galway
Photo: Boomur
Wikimedia Commons

January 12, 1824 (abridged)

The following is the character of the Irish as described by Campion, in 1571:-
“The people are thus inclined: religious, franke, amourous, irefull, sufferable, of pains infinite, very glorious, many sorcerers, excellent horsemen, delighted with warres, great almsgivers, passing in hospitality. The lewder sorte, both Clarkes and Laymen, are sensual, and loose to leachery above measure. The same being vertuously bred up, or reformed, are such mirrours of holiness and austeritie, that other nations retaine but a showe or shadow of devotion in comparison of them.

As for abstinence and fasting, this is to them a familiar kind of chastisement; in which virtue and divers other, how farre the best excell, so farre in gluttonie and other hateful crimes the vitious they are worse than too badde.

They follow the dead corpes to the grave with howlings and barbarous outcryes, pittyful to appearance, whereof grew (as I suppose) the proverbe ‘to weepe Irish’. The uplandish are lightly abused to believe and avouche idle miracles and revelations vaine and childish, greedy of prayse they be and fearful of dishonour. And to this code they esteeme their poets who write Irish learnedly, and penne their sonnetts heroicall, for the which they are bountifully rewarded. But if they send out libelies in disprayse, thereof the gentleman, especially the meere Irish, stand in great awe.

They love tenderly their foster children, and bequeathe to them a child’s portion, whereby they nourish sure friendships, so beneficiall every way, that commonly five hundred kyne and better are given in reward to winne a nobleman’s child in foster. They are sharpe witted, lovers of learning, capable of any studie whereunto they bend themselves, constant in travaile, adventurous, instructable, kind-hearted, secret in displeasure.”

Posted in Posts and podcasts

Dublin via Loughrea – 1886

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

St. Paul daily Globe, 18 December 1886 p4

Kerry Bog Pony Photo: Jim Linwood Wikimedia Commons
Kerry Bog Pony
Photo: Jim Linwood
Wikimedia Commons

Dublin Dec 17
Mr Dillon and Mr O’Brien arrived here today. Both are much disturbed and hurt physically. In addition to the troubles which the gentlemen had yesterday at Loughrea when they were arrested for acting as tenants’ trustees, they met with an accident on the road home. The horse drawing the car on which they were riding from Loughrea to Athenry bolted on the way and both were thrown violently to the ground. The gentlemen were badly shaken up and considerably bruised by their fall.

During the progress of the meeting at Loughrea yesterday, at which Messers Dillon, O’Brien, Harris and Sheehy were arrested, Mr Sheehy received a summons to appear and show cause to keep the peace because of a speech he made recently at Kylebeg and which, it was claimed, was calculated to arouse disorder.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

A Plucky Woman – 1885

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Freeman’s Journal 18th April, 1885

A PLUCKY WOMAN.

On Saturday, February 28, Mrs. Healy, Loughrea, wife of the evicted tenant, who is undergoing two months’ imprisonment for for forcible possession, was arrested and charged before Major Rogers, J.P., with assaulting two emergency men who were in occupation of the farm from which Healy and his family were evicted on the 2nd January. There was a further charge of being found digging on tho land also preferred against her. Major Rogers thought it was a case for the petty sessions, and ordered the woman’s discharge, summonses to be taken out against her for the next court day.

Later on in the day a cabin which she erected for the shelter of herself and children on the boreen leading to the house was knocked down by the emergency men. Mrs. Healy has applied for a summons against them.

Posted in Posts and podcasts

The rent office, Loughrea – 1937

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

The Daily News 9th November, 1937 p6

Loughrea lake Photo: Anthony Wikimedia Commons
Loughrea lake
Photo: Anthony
Wikimedia Commons

An infernal machine today partly wrecked the rent-office in Loughrea, County Galway, where the Earl of Harewood’s agent is due tomorrow to collect quarterly rents from the Harewood tenants.

Arrests are expected.

Negotiations are progressing between the Earl of Harewood and tenants for the sale of the town of Loughrea. Court proceedings for the recovery of outstanding rents have been postponed pending an agreement

Posted in Posts and podcasts

A strange discovery near Loughrea – 1876

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Northern Argus, 20th October, 1876 p4

Sphagnum Moss Photo: Wikimol Wikimedia Commons
Sphagnum Moss
Photo: Wikimol
Wikimedia Commons
(abridged)

A correspondent of the Freeman has sent the following account of a remarkable discovery in a bog near Loughrea:

Last week the body of a full-grown female was dug up by a young man while cutting turf in Carnagarry bog, about two miles from this town. The body is supposed to be buried over 200 years, as the turf was quite close all round it and cut like soap, having no appearance of being recently disturbed. Some years ago there was a bank cut off this place about six feet deep. This recent cutting of a second bank uncovered the body two feet below the surface. The body must have been buried about eight feet deep. .

An inquest was held, and the jury found a verdict of murder by some person or persons unknown. The body had the appearance of a well-tanned leather bag of a dark brown colour. With the exception of the top of the nose being shrunk, and the under jaw a little to one side, the features were perfect. The top of the nose could be easily lifted back to its place, it being just like the finger of a glove. The throat was evidently cut, as the cut was quite visible. The feet and hands appear, to be quite small; the calf of the leg large as it formed a great empty bag, the two sides of which were clapped or drawn together. The police say that her height was about 5ft 7in. Her teeth were regular and sound. Her hair seemed as fresh and glossy as if only buried yesterday; in the knot of hair at the back of her head was found a beautiful carved wooden comb, with a cord and tassle attached.

The oldest inhabitant here never remembers having seen anything like it. Some say the cord and tassle are silk, while others say it is flax. As silk is an animal matter it would rot away, but the flax would stand. The comb is in the possession of Mr. Reeves, sub-inspector of police.

There was also found round her neck another cord with a purse attached, which seems to have thrown light upon the matter.

Lord Ashton says, I hear, that there is an old story in his family that shortly after the battle of Aughrim two servant maids were sent by one of his ancestors from Woodlawn to Loughrea with a purse of money to pay an account. They never returned. One was a red-haired woman, the other black.

About three years ago, while cutting turf in the same bog and bank, but not so deep, only about six feet before mentioned, the skull of a red-haired woman was dug up. Rumour also has it that the body has been dug up again and sent to either Dublin or Galway.