Wandering bard, Eoghan Roe Ward, left a touching snapshot of Peig Sayers in her twilight years when he visited her in her home in Vicarstown, Dunquin, in 1944. Peig was, he said, one of the hidden souls of Ireland seldom shown to the stranger and recalled how her voice settled in the depths of his…… Continue Reading
John Twiss and his Legal Representatives
It was at the Cork assizes my enemies all swore That I shot James Donovan and laid him in his gore. The Jury found me guilty, the judge to me did say: On the ninth of February, ninety-five, will be your dying day. From the song, ‘The Trial of John Twiss’1 The voice of…… Continue Reading
John B Keane and the Importance of Home
The Kerryman In Tanganyika, yes, my boy, that’s very far away, But wait you lad that’s nothing, for I haven’t had my say, In Singapore, Sumatra, or where would you like to go You’ll find them tough and rugged and they’ll never say you no. These Kerrymen are hearty men and handy men, and…… Continue Reading
Kilmurry Castle, Castleisland: In Search of its History
For more than 800 years, Kilmurry Castle has stood with its face to the elements. The magnificent ruin finds its roots in regal history, purportedly built in about 1200 by Meiler Fitzhenry, Justiciar of Ireland, after he was granted the northern part of the county of Kerry by King John.[1] Meiler (or Miles /…… Continue Reading
A Note on The Hickson Estate, Castleisland, Co Kerry
The Hickson Estate, an area referred to as tClucan (anglicised Tullighan) by T M Donovan in his Popular History of East Kerry, was the property of George A E Hickson of Woodville House, Ballyegan, Co Kerry. It was sold in 1906: Sale of a Trinity College Estate. The sale of the Hickson estate, situate…… Continue Reading
Some Historic Houses of the Castleisland District
The following list of historic houses and castles was compiled by the late Michael O’Donohoe. The handwritten originals can be viewed on this webpage: http://www.odonohoearchive.com/houses-of-castleisland/.1 Ahane Farm, Ballymacelligott Associated Names: McEllistrim Condition: Inhabited Notes: McEllistrims in Ahane at least 200 years. Ahane Farm burned 1916 and later restored. Old Tommy Mac on run for…… Continue Reading
The Quinlans of Kilcow and Farran, Castleisland
The following account of the Quinlans of Kilcow and Farran is given by Michael O’Donohoe Memorial Project Chairman, John Roche, author of Born for Hardship: Three Quinlan brothers were among the first group arrested within days of the Coercion Bill becoming law in the House of Commons in 1881. The eldest, William, was taken…… Continue Reading
The Siege of Castleisland
In Castleisland today, there is little to remind of the magnificent thirteenth century Castle of the Island. A siege of this castle during the times of Maurice, First Earl of Desmond, took place in the 16th year of his earldom. Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, son of Thomas – ‘The Ape’ – Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, was created…… Continue Reading
On the trail of Thomas Hastings, artist, in Co Kerry
Artist Thomas Hastings (1778-1854) left a trail of early nineteenth century art in his wake as Collector of Customs for the British government 1819 -1853. Before this, Hastings had trained as a surveyor in the army and served in India under his birth name, Thomas Barnett, rising to a captaincy by purchase before he…… Continue Reading
The Earls of Desmond – A Headcount
Depending on authority consulted, the numbering of the Earls of Desmond (first creation) and the dates of demise can differ. The use of patronym adds to the confusion. The earls may number 15, 16 or 17. The illustration below shows the ranking according to the research of Michael O’Donohoe.1 The Earl of…… Continue Reading