In April 1924, legislation was passed by the Dáil to establish the new court system for the Irish Free State.[1] At this historic juncture, amid a sea of change, Kerrymen in New York subscribed £58 towards a fund for the training of the Kerry football team.[2] A great effort followed to popularise Gaelic football in…… Continue Reading
Castleisland Steps on the Global Irish Famine Way
Michelle Kranjc, a descendant of John Heffernan and Mary Mullins of Caheragh, Castleisland, contacted Castleisland District Heritage recently about her ancestors who left Castleisland with Edward Hogan and his family of Caheragh after the Famine. They were resident in Hamilton, Ontario by 1857.[1] Michelle is hoping to find out exactly when they departed and if…… Continue Reading
Mike Healy and the ‘Moss Tommy’ Schools Project
Who decorates that butterfly The silkworm and the moth? What artist claims the wings that fly To the sweet forget-me-not? – M J Reidy[1] Mike Healy of Glenlarehan, Cordal, Castleisland was about twelve years old when he first became properly acquainted with his neighbour and lifelong friend, Maurice J Reidy (‘Moss Tommy’), the Cordal poet.[2] …… Continue Reading
Ireland on My Mind: Recollections of Castleisland Descendant, Michael Murray
Big boys do cry, I’m pleased to say, Sometimes occasionally, Sometimes all day. – Michael Murray An illustrated memoir, 87 Years of Michael’s Miscellaneous Memories, was the gift of Michael Murray, a native of Brookland, USA, to Castleisland District Heritage during a visit to the town last month (April 2024). Michael was in Kerry to…… Continue Reading
Remember Poff and Barrett: A Journey towards Justice
Go máire ainmneacha James Barrett agus Sylvester Poff go deo May the names of James Barrett and Sylvester Poff live forever Castleisland District Heritage will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year. Among the many projects undertaken during this period, two are of particular note, the Posthumous Pardon of John Twiss of Cordal, Castleisland in 2021,…… Continue Reading
Barmbrack and Rutabaga: Recollections of Maida McQuinn-Sugrue
’Twas sad the day I sailed away from my little Irish home To this land of mountain majesty where I wandered far alone … And when I leave this world behind I ask you Lord to, please, Put a little bit of Ireland in Your heavenly plan for me. Maida McQuinn-Sugrue was born into a…… Continue Reading
An Open Letter to the Families of Poff and Barrett
‘Better one hundred guilty men go free than one innocent man hanged’ History’s tide has turned and has burst onto the shore with tidings of great news and joy of the recommendation of Posthumous Pardons for Sylvester Poff and James Barrett. It is a clear record of a great injustice put right for the…… Continue Reading
Spotlight on Reineen: An Outline of Con Houlihan’s Ancestry
A number of folkloric compositions collected by Con Houlihan during his national schooldays in Castleisland survive in a school exercise book held among his papers, recently acquired by Castleisland District Heritage. They were contributed to what is now known as The Schools’ Collection, and illustrate the value of the 1930s project in the teaching of…… Continue Reading
A War of Words: Houlihan and Johnnie, the man who answered Connie
In the early 1980s, Johnnie Roche, Chairman of Castleisland District Heritage, appeared in the Tops of the Town entertainment competition in Castleisland. As far as Johnnie can recall, he was reciting a monologue, perhaps one of his favourites from the Harry Brogan show, such as The Man at the Back of the Hall.[1] To…… Continue Reading
Worship, War and Eviction at Cahereenard, Castleisland
Cill Fionáin, otherwise Kilfinnaun, the ancient church of St Finian was located at Cahereenard in the townland of Kealgorm, Castleisland.[1] Little of it remains but an account of its origins is contained in The Schools’ Collection, which suggests its founder, St Finian, was a disciple of St Brendan the Navigator: St Brendan lived on…… Continue Reading