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
Divane’s Calendar – An Inspired Collaboration
In the Michael O’Donohoe research papers, many references are made to Divane’s Calendar, a series of historical calendars produced by S Divane & Sons Ltd, Castleisland from 1994 to 2012.1 The first of the limited edition illustrated calendars was created to mark the company’s 40th anniversary in business.2 Its reception led to further productions,…… Continue Reading
Peig: In Search of her Castleisland Roots
A Brosnan Gathering is the title of a book produced in 2013.1 It contains an interesting article about Blasket Island writer, Peig Sayers, whose mother was Margaret (Peig) Brosnan.2 It is generally accepted that Margaret Brosnan was from Castleisland. Tom Brosnan, author of The Brosnan Gathering, remarked that, despite Peig’s international literary fame, little…… Continue Reading
Murder Without Motive: the case of Sylvester Poff of Mountnicholas and James Barrett of Dromultan
Mountnicholas is a small Kerry townland near Gortatlea.1 In the 1850s, William Murphy Poff was in residence there with his wife Mary, daughter of James Barrett.2 Many of their children, including Johanna, James, Francis (Frank), Ann and Kate, emigrated to New Zealand between 1870 and 1880 under a scheme of free passage offered by the…… Continue Reading
From Waterspouts to Moving Bogs: the weather in Kerry
Adverse or favourable, discussion about the elements is part of our daily lives. Our literature abounds with tales about weather-related events and their effect on people and the environment. In times gone by, before the improvement of roads and bridges, people in everyday situations were often caught out by freak weather conditions. In Castleisland,…… Continue Reading