Still may Time hold some golden space Where I’ll unpack that scented store Of song and flower and sky and face, And count, and touch, and turn them o’er – Rupert Brooke For many, coffee shops play an important part in the social calendar. Castleisland boasts a host of them, and many an important or…… Continue Reading
Denny Jones, Champion Cyclist of Castleisland
Castleisland District Heritage holds a handwritten letter written by the late D A Jones together with a family photograph donated during National Heritage Week 2015.[1] Denis A Jones, better known as Denny Jones, is still recalled locally as being a champion cyclist in the early part of the twentieth century. Denny was born…… Continue Reading
Mountain King of Killorglin: Exploring the Misty Origins of King Puck
Nestling in the heart of the Kerry mountains, the progressive little town of Killorglin is to be found. Its picturesque situation is very well known to the tourist; but outside Kerry and portions of Cork and Limerick the fact that it holds a curious and unique annual gathering called ‘Puck’ Fair is known to very…… Continue Reading
Moira Griffin of Castleisland: ‘Goldwyn Girl of Ireland’
Moira Griffin of Cahereenard, Castleisland was the youngest of a family of three boys and three girls of farmer Thomas Griffin, and his wife Mary (née O’Sullivan), a native of Brosna.[1] Moira was educated at the Presentation Convent, Castleisland and Holy Faith Convent, Glasnevin, Dublin. In the 1950s, Moira entered a competition called Goldwyn…… Continue Reading
A Dream and a Legacy: KDC Southern Scorchers & Flares Gymnastics
Among the more unusual additions to the Castleisland District Heritage archive is material generated by KDC Southern Scorchers, a Kerry cheerleading club, and Flares Gymnastics Club, both founded by Hayley Murphy. A sketch of the clubs is given below.[1] In 2008, Killarney Dance and Cheer (KDC) club – the first cheerleading squad in Kerry…… Continue Reading
Poems, Pardons and Plays: Castleisland District Heritage Looks Back at 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, Castleisland District Heritage looks back at what the year has given and, sadly, taken away. The year got off to a good start when the project was granted funds by the Heritage Council for a new (and soon to be launched) website, and assistance with the transcription of the…… Continue Reading
Frocks, Socks and Twilfits: Profile of Denis Guiney of Brosna
‘Buy in bulk with ready cash; sell at low profits but sell quickly’ Denis Guiney, a ‘Merchant Prince’ in the twentieth century business world, was born at Knockawinna, Brosna, Co Kerry on 9 September 1893, the eldest of seven children of farmer Cornelius Guiney and Julia Crowley. He was educated at Knockaclarig National School and…… Continue Reading
A Life in Pieces: William Twiss of Castleisland
John Twiss of Castleisland, wrongfully convicted of the murder of James Donovan in 1894 and hanged in Cork Gaol the following year, was Posthumously Pardoned on 16 December 2021 by President Michael D Higgins following a campaign by Castleisland District Heritage. In the wake of the Pardon, Castleisland District Heritage entered into a correspondence…… Continue Reading
Castleisland: Some Names and Associations from a Town Plan of 1822
Two hundred years ago, in 1824, The Castleisland Act was passed.[1] A map which dates to 1822 inscribed, ‘Plan of the Town and Undivided Lands of Castle Island County Kerry Part of the Seignory of Castleisland Island and Manor of Mount Eagle Loyal 1822’ was evidently produced for this act.[2] A brief survey of…… Continue Reading
News Flash: The Kerryman Celebrates more than Four Generations in Business
Congratulations are extended to The Kerryman newspaper which this year (2024) celebrates 120 years since its first issue was printed in Tralee on 20 August 1904. It remains a valuable resource for local news and a goldmine for local history. Its founders were Thomas Nolan, his cousin Daniel Nolan and Maurice Griffin.[1] Also…… Continue Reading