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
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
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
Barony and Civil Parish Maps of the Castleisland district
Michael O’Donohoe approached the ordnance survey map of the Castleisland district in a creative way to help discern, at a glance, who owned what and where in the nineteenth century. It is a very useful guide for anyone interested in history and genealogy or for those new to research who want to understand the…… Continue Reading
‘The Master’ lights up a Kerry gem
Among the extensive papers in the Michael O’Donohoe Collection is an interesting note on the ‘Reid Prize’. In 1899 it was awarded to David Reidy of Knockeenahone Male National School, one of many Kerry boys who benefited from the Reid Bequest. More than one century on, the school is no more but the award…… Continue Reading
Bank of Ireland, Castleisland
On Sunday December 1 1878 a meeting was held for the purpose of discussing the erection of a new church in Castleisland. The meeting was attended by the then Bishop of Kerry, Most Rev Dr McCarthy. Redmond Roche, JP, played a prominent part in the discussion. Introduction of Railway, Telegraph and Bank During…… Continue Reading
The RIC resignations at Castleisland
O’Donohoe’s research includes material on the RIC resignations in Castleisland in 1887. In April of that year, thirteen RIC constables, stationed in and near Castleisland resigned from the force. The immediate cause was Conservative government’s introduction of the Criminal Law and Procedure Bill which allowed the police to deal summarily with conspiracies to withhold rent, …… Continue Reading
Cordal GAA Wild Rovers
As a keen sportsman, it was a matter of course that Michael O’Donohoe should take an interest in the history of sport, most notably in his own vicinity. The following essay bears this out. Cordal GAA Wild Rovers On a frosty afternoon on Sunday January 19, 1879, the first football match that I …… Continue Reading