Michael O’Donohoe’s interest in psephology and political history is borne out in the quantity of collection material relating to elections and electors in the nineteenth century and in modern times. Indeed, in 1982, Tom McEllistrim, Minister for State at the Department of Finance, wrote to Michael, ‘You mentioned that you were interested in the…… Continue Reading
James Fitzmaurice, Bishop of Ardfert
A mid-nineteenth century discussion about the Reformation, the marriage of priests and the interregnum of Roman Catholic bishops of Kerry, revealed – indirectly – the genealogy of the Geraldines of Clanmaurice:1 John Florence Purdon Macarthy, who initiated the discussion, quoted from the fifth century doctrine of Saint Patrick:2 Any cleric, from…… Continue Reading
Reverend Devereux Spratt of Castleisland
Reverend Devereux Spratt ministered in Castleisland in the seventeenth century.1 He was born on 1 May 1620 in Stratton-upon-the-Vosse in Somerset. His father was Rev Thomas Spratt and his mother, Elizabeth, was daughter of Rev Robert Cooke, rector of the ‘Island of Kerry’ (Castleisland).2 Devereux’s father died in 1634 following which Devereux accompanied his…… Continue Reading
Nineteenth Century Education in Castleisland
The subject of education naturally drew the attention of former principal, Michael O’Donohoe, who studied the role of the Kildare Place Society in the teaching of the young: On 2 December 1811 The Kildare Place Society was founded in Dublin to promote the education of the poor of Ireland. From 1815 onwards they received…… Continue Reading
Kerry Elections
The Castleisland Collection holds material pertaining to two nineteenth century elections in the county – the Kerry Election of 1835 and the Kerry ‘Home Rule’ By-Election of 1872.1 Michael O’Donohoe observed how in those years, ‘everybody had to go to Tralee to vote’. In 1835, Daniel O’Connell urged that: Deputations be…… Continue Reading
Animal Sports in Castleisland
Castleisland has a great tradition in animal sports. As far back as 1747, Castle-islanders got behind a five day horse-racing event for prizes of up to a ‘purse of 30 shillings’. Day two of the event was to be run by ‘real hunters’ who had been at the death of two brace of foxes…… Continue Reading
Houses of Castleisland
Michael O’Donohoe studied the historic houses of the Castleisland area. One source of reference was Historical Genealogical Architectural notes of some Houses of Kerry (1994), the work of the late Valerie Bary. Michael created, in essence, a Houses of Castleisland. Michael’s study caused him to take up correspondence with New Zealand born Valerie Bary…… Continue Reading
Castleisland House League
Gentlemen, what will I do when the bailiff will come and take my little pig? … Thade, we’ll dress her in green ribbons and carry her home to you upon our shoulders1 The suggestion of a House League was made during a meeting of the Land League in Dublin in 1880, presided by Michael…… Continue Reading
Ivy Leaf Theatre, Castleisland
The Castleisland collection includes a selection of newspapers, local and national, retained by Michael O’Donohoe for their relevance to the subjects of his research. A local publication, Castleisland News, relates to the town’s Ivy Leaf Theatre and Arts Centre.1 The theatre, which finds home in a refurbished Church of Ireland, has been host…… Continue Reading
Dromultan or Fagan Estate, Castleisland
There is an anti-Irish feeling so predominant among the English members [of parliament] as to render them totally unfit to legislate for Ireland – Daniel O’Connell to William Trant Fagan, 26 October 1833 Michael O’Donohoe’s innocuous note on Dromultan Estate opens up volumes in Irish history. The name associates with Thomas Browne,…… Continue Reading