One of the earliest descriptions of Castleisland was given by Gerald, fourth Earl of Desmond who almost sang it as ‘the sweetest island of Kerry’. A more contemporary description came from the pen of Castleisland’s Con Houlihan, ‘Not so much a town as a street between two fields’. Michael O’Donohoe was interested in…… Continue Reading
Castleisland on Record
Michael O’Donohoe made great use of statistical material in his research. He consulted Griffith’s invaluable records, the Census of Ireland (1659, 1901 and 1911), data from the register of electors and records of rates. Today, with much of this material accessible online, it is important to acknowledge that sourcing information was far more time consuming…… Continue Reading
Castleisland Workhouse 1849-1852
Michael O’Donohoe’s research material relating to Castleisland Auxiliary Workhouse reveals he tried to source records of those who were confined to the institution during its brief existence in the post-famine period, 1849-1853. An idea of the appalling conditions in the country at this time can be discerned from Dr George Alfred Walker’s Lecture…… Continue Reading
The Titanic
Michael O’Donohoe’s interest in the history of Castleisland was all-encompassing. The collection contains material relating to the sinking of the Titanic on 15 April 1912 with particular focus on survivors from the Castleisland district. The disaster was reported in the contemporary press as follows: The mammoth White Star Liner, Titanic, acknowledged as the…… Continue Reading
Castleisland streets, lanes and houses
Castleisland was central to Michael O’Donohoe’s historical research. He studied the buildings in the town and vicinity and compiled notes about businesses and proprietors from Griffith’s Valuation and other sources. Michael’s study included Barrack Street/Lane, Limerick New Road, Spout Lane, Main Street, Church Lane, Tralee Road, Chapel Lane/Street/Quarter, New Line and Pound Lane. …… Continue Reading
Castleisland in Sport
Michael O’Donohoe was a keen sportsman. In the 1950s, during his college years, he played football for Erin’s Hope (the St Patrick’s Training College team). Later he participated in local and county sports, playing for Castleisland Desmonds and the Kerry football team.1 Michael was just as keen a spectator, as evidenced by a quantity…… Continue Reading
Romantic Hidden Kerry
Michael O’Donohoe studied T F O’Sullivan’s Romantic Hidden Kerry (1931), a rare find on the second-hand bookshelves today, and wrote his own useful index to its content. In this document are entries such as Ginkle besieging Limerick in 1691, and Capt John Zouche at Dun an Oir in 1580. The collection also contains a small number…… Continue Reading
Earls of Desmond
The Erl of Desmond and his kin hath of lands under him 120 miles. Four hundred horse, eight battles of Galoglas, 1 battalion crossbow men and gunners, three thousand kerns. His country is long, and so environed, and hateth the kings laws, so they give none aid.1 It is clear from the extensive notes held…… Continue Reading
Browne, Poff & Barrett
Michael O’Donohoe’s papers include notes on the murder of Thomas Browne, shot dead on 3 October 1882, and the subsequent conviction and execution of his neighbour, James Barrett and Barrett’s cousin, father of four Sylvester Poff, for the murder. Both men were widely believed to have been innocent. Poff and Barrett were hanged…… Continue Reading
An Spailpín Fánach
Two versions of the song, An Spailpín Fánach (The Roving Spalpeen) are held in the collection, one from Munster and the other from Connemara. The song dates to circa 1797: The Irish Spáilpin fánach , the ‘Roving Spalpeen’, designates one of the flock of migratory labourers once so common when tillage was more used in…… Continue Reading