Category: Books

Monument to the Bard

2012-06-21 Aubane Historical Society - The Bard, Seán Riobaird O Súilleabháin - book coverSean Riobaird O Suilleabhain was the acknowledged leader of the struggle for the land in this part of the country in the late 19th century. He was known far and wide as ‘The Bard.’ For his efforts he was sentenced to 24 years hard labour but he survived it and became a national hero during his lifetime and afterwards.

He was born in Glenleigh and is buried in Old Kilcorney. It is very appropriate therefore the Kilcorney Historical Society are planning to erect a monument to him and his wife Ellen Mullane at their former home in Knocknakilla near the Millstreet Country park.

A meeting to initiate the project will be held at 7.30pm in the Social Centre Kilcorney on Saturday 23rd August. All are welcome.

Karen’s “Tubrid” Celebrated at Trócaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition 2014….And a Reminder Also Regarding Mass in Tubrid Tonight at 8.

P5280036: Karen and Trish Groves, Campaigns Officer with Trócaire Ireland, at the awards ceremony in the National Library of Ireland, Dublin on Wednesday 28th May 2014. Click on the images to enlarge. (S.R.)
Poet  Karen O’Connor (on right – originally from Station Road, Millstreet) and Trish Groves, Campaigns Officer with Trócaire Ireland, at the awards ceremony in the National Library of Ireland, Dublin on Wednesday 28th May 2014. Click on the image to enlarge.  (S.R.)

We thank our good Friend, Karen for the following Press Release and we extend sincere congratulations on such a prestigious Award and especially on placing such national and international focus on beautiful Tubrid Holy Well, Millstreet.   Incidentally there is Mass in Tubrid tonight at 8 (3rd June 2014) celebrated by Fr. Kevin Mulcahy in advance of tomorrow’s Examinations Commencement. The Press Release now [read more …] “Karen’s “Tubrid” Celebrated at Trócaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition 2014….And a Reminder Also Regarding Mass in Tubrid Tonight at 8.”

A Millstreet Miscellany (10)

2014-05-23 A Millstreet Miscellany (10)The latest from the Aubane Historical Society is ‘Millstreet Miscellany (10)’ with articles on:

  • Father Mathew’s visit to Millstreet in 1846
  • an eye witness report on  ‘Black ’47’ in Millstreet,
  • Bishop Milner’s comments on passing through in 1808,
  • the coming of the railway in 1852,
  • “The Lime-Kiln Fusiliers” by Bill Cody,
  • the Easter Sunday Commemoration in Millstreet 2014  by Jack Lane,
  • Lord Inchiquin’s talk on the unveiling of the Monument to King Mahon,
  • correspondence from inside Frongoch Internment Camp  by Domhnall Ua Buachalla, the last Governor General,
  • an  Internment order for some Millstreet Volunteers to be sent to Spike Island in 1921 by General Strickland, and
  • election literature from the 1957 general election.

It is available from Wordsworth in the Square, Millstreet at 10 Euro.

See much more at the Aubane Historical Society website: aubanehistoricalsociety.org

Launch of The Irish Rascals “Our Gang”

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2013-11-08 The Irish Rascals - Our Gang - book coverThere is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”— Walt Disney

Ballyseedy Garden Centre are delighted to be involved in the upcoming launch of The Irish Rascals “Our Gang” children’s book due to be released shortly! The launch will take place on 8th December @ 3pm Ballyseedy Garden Center Tralee! The author Patricia O’Sullivan will read from the book in schools and starts this Monday in Boherbue! To coincide with this Ballyseedy are running a children’s drawing/art competition! The theme is “A Ballyseedy Christmas” and can incorporate anything associated with Ballyseedy including this wonderful new book! Drop in or post your entries to the stores and please attach your name address and age! Open to all children young and old! Great prizes!

New Book: The Irish Rascals – Our Gang

2013-11-08 The Irish Rascals - Our Gang - book cover-1000
We have all heard of the famous “Little Rascals”, well here in Ireland in the 80’s lived seven Irish Rascals. The Irish Rascals is a children’s book resurrecting childhood adventures of seven children. The children’s book is about a group of neighbours and their adventures. Created by Patricia O’Sullivan, a new Irish Author and (one of the original Irish Rascals known as Patsy). Patricia rooted “Our Gang” in real life adventures at Duarrigle castle and down the Blackwater River in a home-made water raft! [read more …] “New Book: The Irish Rascals – Our Gang”

Book: The Graves at Kilmorna – A Story of ’67

2013-09-24 Book - The Graves of Kilnamorna - Front Page-800This is the 100th anniversary of the death of the great novelist, Canon Sheehan, and the Aubane Historical Society is celebrating it by republishing his last novel, “The Graves at Kilmorna – A Story of ’67” (296pp. ISBN 978-1-903497-78-4.)

It is a novel of the Fenian Rising of 1867 and of the subsequent decline of principled political national life in Ireland under the influence of the Home Rule Party. The central figure of the novel, a Fenian veteran, is killed by a Parliamentary mob for raising Fenian principles at an election meeting.

Canon Sheehan (1852-1913) completed the novel shortly before his death. It was published the following year, 1914, when the Home Rule Bill was being formally enacted by Parliament but was set aside in fact and the Home Rule leaders were recruiting Irish cannon fodder for the British war on Germany and [read more …] “Book: The Graves at Kilmorna – A Story of ’67”

Willowbrook – a flawed Eden. A memoir of growing up in Millstreet

2013-07-16 Willowbrook - a Flawed Eden - Book Cover“Willowbrook – a flawed Eden. A memoir of growing up in Millstreet, Co. Cork” by Jim O’Brien is the latest publication from the Aubane Historical Society.

The author was evacuated with his brothers from London during WWII and they were sent to live with their aunts at Willowbrook House in Cloghboolabeg.

He paints a very vivid picture of his experiences at the house, of the people who owned and lived there and of those who worked there. He also gives entertaining pen-pictures of the local ‘characters’ he got to know. He describes them ‘warts and all’ and they are thereby made unforgettable.

Like all good stories it operates at many levels – the story of children separated from their parents and the effects this had on both; the issue of property relations within families and its consequences for individual members, particularly women; the relations between men and women, sexual and otherwise; the relations between adults and children; the class distinctions that were prevalent at the time and the consequences of this.

All the farm activities are well described with the attendant social activities that brought people together and showed the [read more …] “Willowbrook – a flawed Eden. A memoir of growing up in Millstreet”

American Author visiting Millstreet this week

A very welcome visitor to Millstreet this week is Rebekah Ruth with JoshuaAmerican author and blogger of Irish descent, Rebekah Ruth. She is visiting the “real” Irish town that inspired the setting for her first novel Where the Pink Houses Are. Released in 2011, the novel took place in the fictional “Millway” where the author’s ability to conjure up the scenes were based on good old-fashioned imagination, and a bit of Google.

In her first trip to Ireland, Ruth intends to use her visit to Millstreet to follow where the first story left off and launch, in earnest, her second novel.  She is thrilled to be staying in one of Millstreet’s gracious B&B’s; a home base for her visit this July.   “I will actually be able to infuse the real town into my book. I will have a feel for the “personality” of the place. It will still be fiction. But it will feel so much more real to me…and hopefully to my readers!” says Ruth.  A full description of her decision to make this first trip to Ireland is in her blog post from last May. [read more …] “American Author visiting Millstreet this week”

Karen O’Connor Wins Single Poem Competition at Listowel Writers Week

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Karen O'Connor, Poet supreme, has just won the highly prestigious Single Poem Competition at Listowel Writers Week 2013. We thank Karen for the Press Release and the two pictures and we extend our heartfelt sincere congratulations on such a wonderfully significant recognition of Karen's superb talent as a highly regarded Poet. (S.R.)
Karen O’Connor, Poet supreme, (originally from Station Road, Millstreet) has just won the highly prestigious Single Poem Competition at Listowel Writers Week 2013. We thank Karen for the Press Release and the two pictures and we extend our heartfelt sincere congratulations on such a wonderfully significant recognition of Karen’s superb talent as a highly regarded Poet.     (S.R.)

Our pictures show Karen with John Bowman who opened the 42nd Listowel Writers Week at the Listowel Arms. And Karen with Noel King, Editor of Doghouse Books, a Tralee publisher.

The following is the Press Release outlining Karen’s achievements and journey to this magnificent [read more …] “Karen O’Connor Wins Single Poem Competition at Listowel Writers Week”

A Millstreet Miscellany (8)

A new publication from Aubane Historical Society will in the shops this week. Entitled ‘A Millstreet Miscellany (8)’, it’s the latest in the Millstreet Miscellany series that give a unique insight into Millstreet of the past. Below are an overview of the main articles in this edition:

Between the ditches, running on forgotten roads in Ireland
This is a first-hand account of running the Butter Road by Bertie Hart who did the deed in two stages in September and October this year. Bertie hopes that his achievement will encourage other runners to take up the challenger of running this unique route.

Millstreet childhood memories
This article is based on the first chapter of “My Dream from Ireland to America” which is an autobiography of Dr. Sheila O’Sullivan Becker. Sheila comes from Claraghatlea and this is a memoir of her childhood days before she went to England and later America where, among many other things, she became a clinical psychologist and lives there today as a very active octogenarian.

The 1921 Millstreet Train Ambush
This article is reprinted from the “Journal of the Irish Railway Record Society” June 2011 by Oliver Doyle. Oliver is a former Operations Schemes Development Manager for Irish Rail and this is a detailed account of the ambush

Dr. Mary Leader’s Book Launch in Boherbue on Saturday at 8.15 p.m.

The official launch by Eileen Linehan of IRD Duhallow of Dr. Mary Joyce Leader’s new Children’s Book “The Waiting Room Christmas Tree” (“Crann Nollag an Seomra Feithimh”) will take place in the Library of Boherbue Comprehensive School at 8.15 p.m. on this Saturday, 1st December 2012.   MC for the very special occasion is Frank O’Sullivan.   A night of music, dance, old Irish carols, mince pies and mulled wine!  (S.R.)

Book Reading by Celine Kiernan

Author Celine Kiernan who writes fantasy novels for young adults will be doing a reading in Millstreet Library this Wednesday at 1.15pm. She is best known for The Moorehawke Trilogy. Set in an alternate renaissance Europe, the trilogy combines fantasy elements with an exploration of political, humanitarian and philosophical themes. [read more …] “Book Reading by Celine Kiernan”

In the Corkman: 23rd August 2012

Sheila Carver’s new social and entertainments website

The Corkman Newspaper is out every Thursday in all the local newsagents, and contains much more than just the online version.

New Book: The Bard – Seán Riobaird O Súilleabháin

The Aubane Historical Society will be launching their latest book entitled “The Bard – Seán Riobaird O Súilleabháin” in the library on Saturday 18th August at 8pm. The Bard was a myhtical figure in Millstreet’s history and this is the first account of his life. It’s a great story, and is written by his great grandson Barry Keane. Tea and biscuits will be served in the GAA club afterwards.

From the back cover: John Robert O Sullivan made Millstreet famous during the Land War. His fight with the landlords and land agents led to intense repression in Millstreet between 1881 and 1891. At one stage the small town of Millstreet had more than 80 armed police to enforce the law. This book tells the story of his life, the main events of [read more …] “New Book: The Bard – Seán Riobaird O Súilleabháin”

In the Corkman – 19th July 2012

Duhallow U-21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship: Millstreet 0-12 Kanturk 0-11 – Millstreet hold nerve in tight finish

Looking forward to the inaugural Millstreet Country Park Summer Gathering

U21 County Championship: Millstreet 1-6 Bantry Blues 4-14, Match Report

Large turnout for the Humphrey Kelleher Cup

Barry chronicles The Bard’s Land War adventures

New book on a local Land War legend

Grow It Yourself garden visit

Dromtarriffe / Kilcorney News

The Corkman Newspaper is out every Thursday in all the local newsagents, and contains much more than just the online version.

Book: Fly Traps & Other Inventions

Fly Flaps & Other Inventions, (ISBN 978-1477488195) is a self published book by Bill O’Riordan that includes descriptions and explanations for some 200 ideas, concepts and patentable inventions he has had over the years, and he believes that some of them could be viable opportunities for anyone who reads the book. None of the ideas have any patent protection, and he’s publishing them now because he believes someone will be inspired by them and use them.

He is giving them away in the hope that someone, somewhere might be able to take them further than he can, and bring one or two of them to market. Ultimately it’s hoped that some of the ideas in the book could boost employment rates in Ireland or indeed anywhere in the world.

The book Fly Flaps & Other Inventions is loosely based on notes he’s made over the years as the ideas occurred to him.  The reason he’s publishing them now is simply to bring them out from his “shed” and set them free; “to see what happens.” He says.

Bill O’Riordan, originally from Millstreet in Co. Cork, Ireland says; “I’ve probably spent way too much time in my “man-shed” trying to develop these products or ideas, without ever completing a patentable prototype, or a design plan, as I tend to jump to the next idea too quickly, and its [read more …] “Book: Fly Traps & Other Inventions”

A Millstreet Miscellany (7)

The latest publication from Aubane Historical Society is ‘A Millstreet Miscellany (7)’ which is another collection of original items on Millstreet. It contains:

  • reports on why Queen Victoria did not stop to say hello on her visit to Killarney,
  • on a big tenant-rights meeting in Millstreet in 1858,
  • an incident at March Fair 1778,
  • an extract from the Geological Survey of Ireland,
  • cartoons of the Millstreet writer George Egerton,
  • the career of Fr. Patrick Fitzpatrick PP,
  • a review of a book on the War over the ‘Trety,’
  • reports of more visitors to the town, and
  • a correspondence with Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture.

It is available from Wordsworth at €10.

A Millstreet Miscellany (6)

The latest publication from Aubane is ‘A Millstreet Miscellany (6)’ and contains a variety of items, including a detailed account of the notorious Millstreet Bank Robbery of 1919, an item on King Mahon’s Rock near Mushera, Genealogical maps, a report of a talk on the ‘Treaty’ and the ‘Civil war’, more accounts from visitors to the area, George Egerton on her time in Dooneen and how she was inspired to begin her writing career there and an item on the location of the cottage where she lived. An ideal Xmas gift from Millstreet for €10 Euro and available from Wordsworth’s in the Square.

[read more …] “A Millstreet Miscellany (6)”

A Millstreet Love Story

The latest from the Aubane Historical Society is unusual in that it is a love story set in Millstreet and written in 1905 by one of the best known writers of the day, George Egerton. It is called “The Marriage of Mary Ascension.”

Egerton was in fact a woman, Mary Dunne, who had lived in a cottage named ‘Ardrath’ near Millstreet for some time (1892-1894), and the story is based on her experiences here. It is an unsparing account of the town and some people in it.

It is interesting in a number of ways. Among other things she suggests that the town had a previous Gaelic name that meant “the little town in the lap of the hills.”

It is currently available from Wordsworth in the Square and other outlets for €5.
[read more …] “A Millstreet Love Story”

Gerard O’Keeffe’s Book Launch in Killarney on Wednesday

Pictured at the launch of Gerard's book "Oscar Wilde - Primarily Prison Conditions and Later Life" in Killarney on Wednesday, 28th September 2011 - From left: Paul O'Donoghue, Solicitor; Gerard O'Keeffe, Author and Michael O'Shea of Killarney Book Shop. A reception followed later at Foley's Restaurant in Killarney.

Karen O’Connor’s “Between the Lines” Being Launched in Tralee Tomorrow

Irish Poets :: Karen O'Connor

Gifted Poet, Karen O’Connor, formerly of Station Road, Millstreet we hope to meet tomorrow at 6.00 p.m. in Siamsa Tíre Theatre & Arts Centre, Town Park, Tralee when her book “Between the Lines” will be officially launched by the Mayor of Tralee, Gillian Wharton Slattery.   This is just one of the many very uplifting comments on Karen’s first publication “Fingerprints” (2005):

“I think I’ll never forget reading “FINGERPRINTS (On Canvas)” for the first time. It was such a delight to discover a voice powered by a spirit of passionate celebration while at the same time confronting dark, difficult emotions, situations and ideas. This is a brilliant, humane, memorable book.”

Dr. Brendan Kennelly

Lots more information on Karen’s impressive achievements on her website http://www.karenoconnor.co.uk/ .   We hope to upload a special feature on the launch in days to come.  (S.R.)

Ann Lane on Tubridy

Yesterday morning, Ryan Tubridy was joined in studio by Ann Lane (formerly of Ballinatona), author of ‘By The Way: A Selection of Public Art in Ireland’. Ann travelled 16,000 miles around the country on her trusty Honda 75 motorbike to catalogue 760 sculpture pieces along the highways and byeways of Ireland.

She also talks about her time (28 yrs) as personal secretary for Mary Robinson, on how she developed her interest, travelled the country, and many stories about the sculptures. See below to listen to the interview: [read more …] “Ann Lane on Tubridy”

Launch of Fr. James McSweeney’s New Book

Fr. James McSweeney pictured at the official Book Launch of his magnificent new book “A Year to Remember”  in Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig with Family & Friends on Tuesday, 23rd Nov. 2010.    More images of the hugely successful event in a few days time. (Seán)

Also, Fr. James’ photo made the front page of yesterday’s Evening Echo newspaper. photo below: [read more …] “Launch of Fr. James McSweeney’s New Book”

Liz Lyons – Books

A love for books like the Famous Five, BFG and Fantastic Mr Fox set Cork author Liz Lyons on a road that has seen her write two hugely successful novels. From Kilcorney in North Cork but exiled to Ardcath on the Meath/Dublin border, Liz always had an interest in reading and books, she didn’t discriminate and would read “anything I could get my hands on”. Naturally it was at English that she excelled at the Community School in Millstreet.

This led her to study English and History at Trinity College in Dublin (TCD), but it would be a while before she tried her hand at writing.

“I initially thought that I might end up teaching,” she recalled. “But I soon found out that I didn’t have the temperament for teaching, I just don’t have the patience.” When Liz graduated from TCD it was into book selling she went and found herself staying at it for ten years. “It was ideal for me. I was near books all the time, I was like a kid in a sweet shop and everyday I was getting more treats. [read more …] “Liz Lyons – Books”