A folder entitled ‘Sources’ forms part of the Michael O’Donohoe Collection. It contains an assortment of useful references, including guides to local history research (IE MOD-72-72.1), an index to the register of electors in Castleisland (IE MOD-72-72.7), a record of schools in Castleisland (IE MOD-72-72.2) and a 1996 Development Plan of the town (IE MOD-72-72.8).…… Continue Reading
Kerry Historian: T M Donovan
Michael’s collection contains many references to A Popular History of East Kerry (1931) by T M Donovan and includes Michael’s own handwritten index thereto (IE MOD-74-74.2), notes on the content of the book, genealogical notes on Donovan and a copy of an article by Donovan (IE MOD-74-74.5) published in the Westminster Review in 1902. It is clear Michael…… Continue Reading
Streets and roads in the town of Castleisland
Street names are wonderful caretakers of history, as shown in Michael O’Donohoe’s essay on Creamery Lane, published in a separate post.1 Barrack Street was of particular interest to Michael as number 11 was his family home. The area takes its name from the military history of Castleisland. Michael published an essay on the…… Continue Reading
Kerry Auctions 1879-1897
Auctions of land, property and livestock in the Castleisland district over an eighteen year period, 1879-1897, were noted down by Michael O’Donohoe during the many hours he spent researching local newspapers in the County Library Tralee. His neat, concise notes (IE MOD-2-2.1) cover less than one page yet open up volumes in Irish history. …… Continue Reading
Ballyseedy 2 am March 7 1923
A cluster of historic bridges in the locality of Knocknagoshel hold a supply of tales of times past. Headley’s Bridge, which stands almost adjacent to Talbot’s Bridge, recalls the days of Lord Headley, who in 1824, ‘assisted by Mr Griffith, the Government Engineer,’ laid the first stone of the bridge ‘on the new line of…… Continue Reading
Dr Charles Smith (1715-1762), historian
Michael O’Donohoe had no intention of reinventing the wheel. Papers in the archive reveal how meticulous he was in his research method. Michael combed through standard reference sources, comparing one with another to present an informed result. In many instances Michael created a useful index to allow quick and easy access to internal data. You…… Continue Reading
Boys’ National School Castleisland
Michael O’Donohoe’s transcription of the roll book of Castleisland Boys’ National School contains his own enrolment there in 1945: This followed the appointment of his father Matt, a garda based in Farranfore, to the station in Castleisland. From this time on, the town was home to the O’Donohoe family. The roll book, which consists…… Continue Reading
Kerry Historian: Jeremiah King
As a researcher of Kerry history, Michael O’Donohoe took a natural interest in those of like mind who preceded him, including Kerryman Jeremiah King (1868-1927) or Diarmat Mac Conroi of Catair Conroi as he preferred to style himself. Michael’s collection includes notes on Jeremiah King’s book, County Kerry Past & Present which he studied…… Continue Reading
Castleisland in Deed
Notes on a number of legal agreements appear in the collection. Michael’s interest appears to have been in the history of the land and property held in Castleisland by Daniel J Kelliher, one time shopkeeper and publican of Main Street. The business no longer remains but a lease on the premises dated 21 March 1910…… Continue Reading
Fr Kieran O’Shea: parish priest and historian
Listowel native Fr Kieran O’Shea, parish priest of Knocknagoshel from 1990 until his death in 2006, has left lasting reminders of his ministry in Kerry. His name appends to a number of publications including Knocknagoshel Parish (1991) and Castleisland Church and People (1981), the latter resulting from his curacy of Castleisland parish from 1977-1990. …… Continue Reading