While Bourns, the engineer, explained to his Foreman, By his physics, the centring of the O’Connell Bridge, Said this King, and that Queen-post would ever support man, The O’Connell without ever introducing a wedge.[1] There was considerable excitement in Castleisland in late 1831 as the new O’Connell Bridge neared completion: The bridge is a…… Continue Reading
In the Footsteps of Froude: A Fortnight (and more) in Kerry
Eminent English historian James Anthony Froude (1818-1894) had a particular interest in the progress of Ireland in the nineteenth century, and spent considerable time in County Kerry. In 1870 and 1871, he published a two-part essay entitled A Fortnight in Kerry in which he described his sojourns at Derreen House near Lauragh, a property of…… Continue Reading
Search Warrant: Uncovering some RIC Personnel stationed in Castleisland
The Royal Irish Constabulary was formed as a result of the Irish Constabulary (Ireland) Act 1836. The earlier Constabulary Act of 1822 established the County Constabulary, Ireland’s first countrywide police force, which subsequently merged to form the RIC, the Royal appendage being added in 1867. From 1920 to 1922, Royal Irish Constabulary ‘Temporary Constables’ made…… Continue Reading
Field Study: The Discomforting Truism of John B Keane’s Drama
Appeals fall on deaf ears. The people neither see, hear nor say anything – Review of ‘The Field’ in The Stage, 4 November 1965 It is generally accepted that The Field, a 1960s play by the late Listowel writer, John B Keane, is a thinly disguised account of the Reamore murder which took place in…… Continue Reading
Kozae, Cork: A Short Note on a Short-Lived ‘Celtic Tiger’ Fashion House
‘Reasonable prices but high fashion edge’ Regrettably for Cork fashion duo Graham Clarke and Jess Cummins Lucas, with Managing Director Patrick Kenny, it would prove to be a bad time to launch their fashion label Kozae on 25 October 2007 at South Mall/Pembroke Street, Cork, the former premises of Niall Roberts Fabrics.[1] The ‘Celtic…… Continue Reading
Krawlies, Scrub Spray and Gum Socks: A Note on the Entrepreneurial Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne
Castleisland District Heritage has added an unusual item to its archive: a pair of Krawlies, protective knee socks for babies on the move. On the tag of the one-size cotton and nylon product is ‘Young Entrepreneur Winner.’[1] The Young Entrepreneur Programme (YEP), aimed at 15-23 year olds in Kerry’s second and third level institutions,…… Continue Reading
‘Some Golden Space’: A Tragic Tale from a German Coffee House
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