Community website for Millstreet, Co. Cork, Ireland
Photographs from the Past are one of the most popular features on our website. Joe Hickey of Glenflesk, Killarney and formerly of Shanaknuck, Millstreet has very kindly made a school photograph of the 1950s available to us. This we shall feature on the site in a few days time when we have identified as many names as possible. We would hope to also feature it on “Clara News” and on a possible future publication “Picture Millstreet Again”.
Millstreet Carnival Queen with her six ‘ladies in Waiting’, circa 1949.
Seated in front: Carnival Queen Mary Frances Mulcahy
Back row (left to right): Dole O’Byrne (West End), Miss Collins (Rathcoole), Mary Hickey (Main Street), Kitty O’Leary (West End), Hannah Mary Moynihan, Estie Cashman-Manley (Tullig House)
Also in the picture are some local gentelmen: Timmy Hickey (Centre Back), and Garda Coffey (on the right)
more photos below, with thanks to Dole for the photos [read more …] “Millstreet Carnival Queen 1949”
Genealogists and family historians all over will be delighted to hear that the 1901 census of Ireland (31 March 1901) has been online for some two weeks now. There are only two complete censuses relating to Ireland: those conducted in 1901 and 1911. The 1911 census went online just under a year ago, and contains slightly more information about each individual, but the 1901 census includes the following:
Name and surnameThe census is hosted on the nationalarchives.ie website, and you can navigate the Census in two ways:
Note: The town of Millstreet is split down the middle (at the bridge) by Coomlogane and Drishane DED’s.
Dispensary Districts & District Electoral Divisions in Co. Boroughs & Urban Districts (1912) [Full Map] [All DED Maps]
Listed below are all the local Electoral Divisions (14) and all of the townlands (220):
Kilcarney (Kilcorney)
Rosnalea (Dromtarriffe Parish)
Coolclough (Dromtarriffe Parish)
Dear Sir/MadamMy great great grandmother Johanna/Hannah Mahoney was one of the “Earl Grey Famine Orphans” from Millstreet sent to Australia in 1850. Her parents were Daniel Mahoney, a shoe maker, and Catherine nee Sheehan both deceased. I found a Widow Mahony and 3 dependants were evicted from Rathcoole in 1847 which could be Catherine.I am trying to find out where Daniel and Catherine would have been buried as probable famine victims. Would it have been Cillin on the Clara Road or Clondrohid?I would like to pay my respects and if possible plant a tree in their memory.Although I was born and raised in New Zealand I have lived in Clonakilty the past 16 years and have only recently discovered my ancestors.
yours faithfullyKaye <email>
Two more old postcards from Millstreet have appeared for sale on eBay again, this time amongst a bunch of seven postcards. Both again are probably from the Laurence Collection from the start of the 20th century. One is of the Presbytery on the Clara Road, and the other is of Drishane Castle.
Just beyond the grotto on the Clara Road and on the lower slopes of Clara Mountain, there is a small old graveyard known as Cillín (or ‘the Cill’ (pronounced “Keel”) Cemetery in English), but known by many as The Famine Graveyard. It is a sad place where many are buried without headstone. Neither is there a list of names of who is buried there.
It dates from the middle of the 19th century and was located there because its close proximity to the rear of the Millstreet Union Workhouse (which is now St. Joseph’s Community Hospital). Many victims of the Famine (especially from the Mallow area) are buried there, including unbaptised babies born in the workhouse.
The graveyard is closed a long time now, but a few who have given of their time and energy have been laid to rest there. Hannah Mary O’Connor of West End was buried there because of her commitment to the restoration of the Cemetery and the placement of a large Crucifix in the middle of the sacred area (1965) [Read the comment by Jerry Kelleher below on her family connections to the Keel and the Workhouses]. In 1993, similar permission was given to the family of the late Christopher Fitzgerald who also did much to maintain the Cemetery. Christy’s wife Dorothy was also laid to rest there in 2011. No other person has since been permitted to be buried there.
with thanks to Ola for some photos and Seán for information on Cillín
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Graveyard name: Union Workhouse Burial Ground
Graveyard Code: CO-INCH-
RMP/Site number: CO-039-236-
RMP Classification: Burial Ground
Townland: Inchileigh
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How to get there: From St.Patrick’s Church, go back the Clara Road about 1km, and it is just past the Marion Shrine, on your right. the view from the road is below [map]
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An unposted c1920 postcard of Clara mountain and the valley below entitled “Mount Clara and Valley, Millstreet, Co.Cork”, which is currently on sale on eBay. (Click on the photo for a bigger clearer photo).
Anyone have an idea from where it was taken, and what house is in the right foreground?
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Some of the doctors that have been in Westbourne
Though not a doctor, Jim Lucey Station Road became known as Jim the Doctor, as he was the driver for the doctor of that time.!
Other Doctors Locally
TODO : finish the list of doctors
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This is the original photo from the Lawrence Collection (about 1909), the full size version can be see at the National Library of Ireland website here
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So where was it taken from? In short, the back of the old boys school on Clara Road, across from the Presbytery, which are now dwelling houses.
Plotting a line from the forestry on the north side of Clara to the side of Westbourne House (as in the photo), leaves you at the back of the old boys school. (see the plot lines below)
It was also taken from an elevated position (at first we though it was from an upstairs window, but the school only got an upstairs after it was sold as a school, and a second floor built during its conversion into dwelling houses.
Looking below at the OSI map from about 1900, this is where it would have been taken from. The low walls in the foreground of the original photo match the walls in the map below.
Below is the old Boys National School on the Clara Road. The the photo of Clara was most likely taken from behind this building. This photo is also part of the Lawrence collection.
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Easter Sunday 2010 in Millstreet was a very busy day indeed. With Easter Mass, a Collenction for the Irish Lifeboat Association, the Annual Easter Parade led by Millstreet Pipe Band, the Proclamation read by Nóirín Ní Ealaithe, the Tricolour raised by Con Foley, the wreath laid by Tadhg Crowley, the oration given by Tom Meaney and Jerry Lehane as Master of Ceremonies. (Lots of photos below by Sean Radley)
Also on Easter Sunday was the Vintage Family Fun Day at Green Glens, and there are loads of photos from this which will appear over the next few days.
[read more …] “Easter Sunday 2010”
The Stone circle in Millstreet Country Park. This photo appears on the inchigeelagh.net website
Remember this? Millennium Pageant at the Green Glens Arena in Milstreet in 2000
A historic train ticket from the Great Southern & Western Railway – Cork to Millstreet dated 17-mar-1949 which was sold recently on eBay for £5.55
Below are extracts from the “Handbook for Travellers in Ireland (with Maps) 1866” which refer to the Millstreet area.
Note: the spelling is not great because a computer was used to scan it and copy to text, but the information of the time is interesting.
Coal:
… the only practicable coal being in Clare, where there are thin beds of culm, from which, however, one colliery-owner clears his 4000?. a year. This exception is in the barony pf Duhallow, in the neighbourhood of Kanturk and Millstreet. Here are six veins of anthracite coal, three of which, known as the Bulk-vein, Rock- vein, and Sweet-vein, are of tolerable thickness and have been pretty extensively
worked. ” The coals of the Munster field lie in a series of troughs, the hills usually striking from E. to W., and the strata dipping on either side, N. and S., at considerable angles, often perpendicular.” — Kane,
The coal rocks in Clare are of an estimated thickness of 3350 ft., and consist of limestone band …
It is currently on sale on Ebay by a Canadian seller
Names, dates and places of death taken from the Irish Memorial Records, listing all those from Millstreet that died in WWI over in Europe.
Note: the Irish Memorial Record is incomplete, often incorrect and can contain duplicates. Nonetheless it is interesting information. From a discussion on wartime newspapers which lists all the dead from Cork
update (2014-01-12): this article has been superceeded by another (Millstreet’s WWI Solciers) which has 47+ WW1 war dead connected to Millstreet, more information on each of those, and also a list of 110+ who survived the war.
Just a thimble from Millstreet Country Park which appeared on eBay UK recently for the princely sum of 75p.
Megalthic Tomb Dolmen near Millstreet (Seamus has pointed out in a comment below that this was built in the 90s)
Today is first day of February, and as always is the feast day of St Bridget one of the few Irish saints.
We grew up knowing about the St. Bridget’s Cross and the confusion in trying to make it correctly, or to make the biggest and best one. According to tradition a new cross is made each Saint Brigid’s Day (February 1), and the old one is burned to keep fire from the house … but of course customs vary by locality as some people keep them for years.
Another local tradition is that you hang a cloth outside for the night before St Bridget’s day, and rub it to any sores that you get during the year, and it will help to make the pain go away more quickly.
Give it a go at making the cross: If you missed the demonstration last Friday in the Library, just read these instructions on how to make a St Bridgets Cross. You will of course need about a dozen rushes to make one. There’s loads of rushes in the fields this year, and the farmers will only be too be glad to see you taking them (in fact take all of them if you want!). Best of luck.
The Aubane Historical Society have released a new publication. The third in a series of collections of historical items which contain some very interesting historical items on Millstreet’s past. It is dedicated to Sean Radley in recognition of his services to Millstreet, and is currently available in local shops.
The official launch of the publication will take place in mid-February in the Aubane Community Centre (details to follow).
Amongst a number of publications that have been made available to the public, the two earlier publications in the series can be read on the Aubane Historical Society website. These are:
A Millstreet Miscellany and, A Millstreet Miscellany (2)
The following article appeared in Fortnight Magazine (No. 318, June 1993, p. 33). Click on the article to see a bigger more readable version.
Just in case anyone had forgotten, this is when the Eurovision visited Millstreet. Here is an article about how Liverpool took on Ireland in Millstreet … and came off second best!
It is an interesting read with a bit of humour too, and it also has lots of the videos of the songs from the night. So, go visit the article if you think it might be interesting to remember back.
The above appeared in the New Zealand Tablet, Rōrahi XXXI, Putanga 34, 20 Hereturikōkā 1903, Page 20, and was located in the National Library of New Zealand.
……..After breakfast we started in a hired motor, the driver of which, we were given in confidence to understand, was an Ulster man who had deserted from the British Army, been discharged from the Republican, and was about to offer his services to the Free State — a mihtary record which inspired us with complete confidence in the resourcefulness of his character. Avoiding the main roads, which for several weeks have been completely blocked, we arrived by a circuitous route over a mountain at Millstreet, where our inquiries for the road to Killarney were met with derisive shrieks.
*If you can lepp and you can swim you may perhaps get there; not otherwise,’ we were told. ‘Every bridge is down and every road is blocked since the fighting on Sunday.*
Conscious of proficiency in both ‘lepping’ and swimming, we pushed undaunted on our way, running almost immediately into a flying column of Free State troops, who stopped us and demanded the driver’s permit. They were covered with mud, weary and war worn, having been fighting for two days. ……
The above is part of an article of of one womans trip from Dublin to Killorglin, that appeared in the “Nation and the Athenoeum” in November 1922 and also in “The Living Age” on Saturday December 16th 1922. The full article is given below:
by
Con Kelleher
Cloghoula
I was very surprised when I first found this document in the internet and thought it might be of interest to some viewers of our website. Many of the names (people and places) are spelled as they were pronounced at the time, being greatly influenced by the Irish language. Also some confusion with the letters P and D!
Click on link to view list: Drishane 1831 Tithes Defaulters : (Full list also below)
Tithes were taxes of 10% of income, mostly from tenant farmers but also from tradesmen, which were to be paid to support the Protestant Church ministers. This was the case because the Protestant Anglican Church was the established state church and continued to be so till it was disestablished in 1869. As the vast majority of the population were Catholics they hated having to pay this and regarded it as an unjust tax and they also gave something towards the support of their own local Catholic priest. Even Protestants disliked paying as it was an excessive burden on all at this stage.
[read more …] “History of the Tithe War and what gave rise to this Tithe Defaulters list”
(Spots of beauty and historical interest)
| Fort The Grotto The Millers Bridge Mount Leader Lodge Geararoe Slanan Well Kilmeedy Bridge Kilmeedy Castle Bealac Sean Riobard WALKS |
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Less than one kilometer from Millstreet town just off the road on the left stands one of the finest examples of a medieval Fort. A similar one was excavated a short distance from here in the sixties and was found to contain several passage-ways and cavities or small rooms, also an oghan stone bearing one of the oldest forms of writing in Europe. The stone is housed in the local museum as well as pictures of the interior of the Fort. Legend has it that this fort was at the top this the field on which it now stands and that it moved to it’s present location over-night, and also the in years gone when a ploughman was ploughing this field, the plough hit a stone and it was heard dropping away down underground, frightening both horses and ploughman. A fine view of Mount Leader house (now in ruins) can be seen from this point. [read more …] “Macroom Road”
Nowadays, the building above of course is the Bank of Ireland in the square.
Since the Presentation Order arrived in Millstreet in 1840 the Sisters have so very generously provided all-important education at both Primary and Post-Primary level for generations of Millstreet people and beyond. (The very fact that I can type this section of our Millstreet website is entirely thanks to the late Sr. Assisi Fitzgerald, a Presentation Sister from Tralee who spent her religious life in Millstreet Convent and who was a true expert in teaching the art of typing!) Their influence has been enormous on our local community as they shared the Christian vision of their renowned foundress, Nano Nagle.
Our pictures relate to a special commemorative day in the 1980s at Ballygriffin near Mallow, the home of Nano Nagle.
We also view Sr. Celestine near the portrait of Nano.
In 1993 the “Cork Examiner” took the picture of the Millstreet Presentation Community as they watched Niamh Kavanagh win the Eurovision Song Contest.
We extend our heartfelt best wishes to the Presentation Community on the Order’s Feast Day which in on Sunday, 21st November, 2004.
We thank Sr. Mercedes for the following text which provides an excellent insight into the spirit of the Presentation Order:
A Little Girl Grew Here
A little girl grew here
For her, brownstone house was home,
Its fireside love and peace.
The blossoming hedgerows sang freedom,
The rivers told stories of places far away,
While beyond, dreaming mountains called.
(R. Consedine 1983)
Nano Nagle, foundress of the Presentation Congregation
on 24th December, 1775
Nano belongs to Ballygriffin, Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland. We know that she was born there in 1718, the eldest child in a family of seven of Garrett and Ann Nagle. We remember them now. A plaque marks the place where their home stood, looking out on the very beautiful landscape. It is easy to believe that Nano would have been such a child of wonder as she played there and touched, tasted and smelled the various creations of the natural world around her. It takes little effort to discover that, in the gentle care of her parents, she knew the happiness of childhood and by them she was taught to take her first steps in the love of God (T.J. Walsh). She was of an exuberant, enthusiastic disposition, which proved too much for her mother sometimes! Her father had other thoughts and declared emphatically “Poor Nano will be a saint yet” (Coppinger 1974). It was in Ballygriffin also that Nano was nurtured through the uncertainties, sorrows, risks and dangers of 18th Century Ireland. Must not a seed of grief have taken root in her heart, grief that even one of God’s children should be oppressed, deprived or hungry?
Who are you, little girl Nano?
What will you make of your inheritance?
Where will your heart find its pathway?
The seed sown in Ballygriffin and bearing abundant fruit later in her life, attracted Nano totally to the person of Jesus and revealed how sensitively and deeply affected she became by the awful situation of poverty of people around her. Dr. Coppinger (1784) wrote of her: “In her schools, ever laborious, patient, vigilant and judicious, she studied the dispositions of her pupils, the degree of capacity they possessed; she adapted her instructions accordingly; she watched their countenances which long experience had taught her to read, and proceed or turned back, or explained or repeated, as she found them impressed by what she said”. What great gentleness and compassion from a heart with its roots in her Ballygriffin childhood experience! Her way of relating to the children expresses the spirit of a woman aware of God’s love being poured into the hearts of all people by the Holy Spirit.
Presentation Sisters went “to the ends of the Earth” and responded to basic human problems. Nano died on 26th April, 1784. She had led such a life that it can only be done justice to by saying that it was the Gospels perfectly translated to practice.
Let us continue to pray for her Canonization one day.
by JAMES BUCKLEY
Tower House
Townland: Kilmeedy East, Co. Cork
Parish: Drishane
Barony: West Muskerry
History:
Kilmeedy tower house is situated within the parish of Drishane and situated “on the confines of the baronies of Magonihy, West Muskerry, and Duhallow”. (Lee, P.G. 1914. Notes on Some Castles of Mid Cork: Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Guy and Co. Ltd: Cork. vol. 20. p. 63). The builders of the castle were the MacCarthys who were in control of the area at that time and were the owners/builders of such castles as Drishane, Carrigaphooca and Downyne (Healy 1988, 58).
There are conflicting reports regarding the exact date of construction of Kilmeedy tower house. The earliest date of construction is 1436 (Lee 1914, 64) while the latest quoted is 1445 (Lewis 1750, 498). It is fair to say that it was constructed in the early to mid fifteenth century at any rate. The castle is supposed to have been built by Dermot MacCarthy in 1436 or by his son Teige in 1445 (Healy 1988, 58). These were the MacCarthys of Drishane and were father and son and Dermot was the brother of Cormac Làidir of Blarney (Healy 1988, 58).
This tower house was built by the MacCarthys as they wanted to defend the pass of Keim between Musherabeg and Claragh Mountains (Healy 1988, 58). The main road (which it is just located off) was originally called the ‘Mail Coach Road’ and was the main road linking Macroom to Killarney (Lewis 1750, 498).
The castle was inhabited by the MacCarthys of Drishane in 1638. (Healy 1988, 58). During the Cromwellian disturbances, the MacCarthys were dispossessed of Kilmeedy tower house but thanks to the intervention of Lord Muskerry, they regained it (Healy 1988, 58). The MacCarthys lost their lands again after the Williamite times but yet again it reappears in the will of Donagh MacOwen MacCarthy (the centarian) of 1728 (Healy 1988, 58).
The castle was attacked in 1713 by the dispossessed Tadhg O’ Keeffe of Ballymaquirke (Healy 1988, 58). The Sliocht Meirgeach O Mahonys, “chief stewards of MacCarthy Mór” are also said to have had possession of Kilmeedy in the seventeenth century (O’Murchadha, D. 1985. Family Names of County Cork. Glendale Press: Dùn Laoghaire. p.232). One final note to add to this brief history is that in 1651, one of the inhabitants of the castle, Charles MacCarthy was shot dead by a “span’d pistol” at the grate of the castle by a Colonel Ingoldsby (Lee 1914, 64). One last piece of local legend associated with the tower house is that “the golden gates of Kilmeedy are reputed to have been thrown in Comeenatrush (lake) in the neighbouring townland”. (Kiely, E. 2003. Seanchas Duthalla, vol. XIII. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork, p. 45).
Bibliography:
Healy, J. N. 1988. The Castles of County Cork. The Mercier Press Limited: Dublin.
Kiely, E. 2003. Seanchas Duthalla, vol. XIII. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork
Lee, P. G. 1914. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, vol. 20 (Second Series). Guy and Co. Ltd: Cork.
Lewis, S. 1750. A topographical dictionary of Ireland: Volume 1. Kennikat Press: Port Washington.
O’ Murchadha, D. 1985. Family Names of County Cork. Glendale Press: Dùn Laoighaire.
Power, D. 1997. Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, vol. 3: Mid Cork. Stationary Office: Dublin.
Church and Graveyard
Townland: Dromtarriff, Co. Cork.
Parish: Dromtarriff.
Barony: Duhallow.
History:
The history of Dromtarriff church and graveyard is fairly sparse. The placename “Droumtarriffe” is derived from the two Irish words ‘drom’ and ‘tarbh’ meaning the ridge of the bull. (O’Muineachain, T. 1976-1977. Seanchas Duthalla. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork, p. 61). Dromtarriff church was “here listed in the Papal Taxation of 1291 (Hickson 1891, 46)”, as quoted from the inventory (Lane, S. Power, D. 2000. Volume 4, Part II, Entry 14419). Dromtarriff church and graveyard are located in the parish of Dromtarriff which is in the Diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe (Lewis 1837, vol. 1, 509).
Dromtarriff church was burnt in 1652 by the troops of Lord Broggill (Lewis 1837, vol. 1, 509). There is a poem which states that the pikemen first hid in Knockbrack wood, and then ran for sanctuary in Dromtarriff Church – there were some fugitives and local people also in the church. (Shine, D. M. 2003. Seanchas Duthalla, vol. XIII. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork, p. 32). There is a commemorative plaque today within the grounds of the church (see fig. 1) which reads:
“Dromtariffe Church
Here on 27th of July, 1651
(The day after the Battle of Knockbrack)
Dromtarriffe Church was burnt
By one of Cromwellian Lord Broggill’s Officers
Known as Butcher Maxwell
Approximately 400 persons perished in the fire”.
Therefore it can be established that the church was burnt with tragic loss of life during the Cromwellian era. N.B. there is a difference of a year between the date given by Lewis (1837) and by the commemorative plaque (which was erected on the 6th of May 2006). One last point of interest is that there was a church burnt in Kilcorney (a few miles away) also following the battle of Knockbrack by the same people. (Tarrant, C. 1986. Seanchas Duthalla. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork, p. 56). The church is no longer extant but the crossroads is still to this day called the old chapel cross.
Bibliography:
Lane, S. Power, D. et Al. 2000. Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, vol. 4: North Cork Part 2. The Stationary Office: Dublin (Entry 14419)
Lewis, S. 1837. A topographical dictionary of Ireland, vol. 1. Lewis and Co.: London
O’Muineachain, T. 1976-1977. Seanchas Duthalla. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork
Shine, D. M. 2003. Seanchas Duthalla, vol. XIII. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork
Tarrant, C. 1986. Seanchas Duthalla. Duhallow Historical Society: Cork
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Ringfort
Townland: Coolnagillagh Lower, Co. Cork.
Parish:Drishane
History:
Written information on this fort is virtually non existent. Pat Kelliher mentions a fort in the glen, three or fourfeet higher than the surrounding surface and concludes that this is the fort’s surface. (Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of it’s people, by it’s people, for it’s people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet, p. 47). Broker claims (pg. 42) that the forts were abandoned around 1350 A.D. at the time of the Black Death. The only other information obtained was (from the landowner) that there are three ringforts (including this one) which are supposedly constructed in a line and are linked underground by passageways.
‘Coolnagillagh’ is the anglicised version of ‘Cùl na Coileach’. This translates as Cockhill. (http://www.englishirishdictionary.com/dictionary). The townland Coolnagillagh (Lower) is known locally by its English translation, Cockhill. There was a query lodged in the Cork Memoranda (II) over the townland name, i.e. the surveyor was unsure whether to call the townland Cockhill Upper or Coolnagillagh Upper. Coolnagillagh Upper was chosen as the official name.
Bibliography:
Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of it’s people, by it’s people, for it’s people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet.
http://www.englishirishdictionary.com/dictionary
Location in Maps: Google Maps / 1890 OSI / 1840 OSI
It is on private farm land and accessible with the permission of the owner.
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Stone Circle
Townland: Knocknakilla, Co. Cork.
Parish: Drishane
Barony: West Muskerry
All the information for this section was sourced from the book: (Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of its people, by its people, for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet, p. 27).
The placename Knocknakilla was a source of dispute according to Broker’s book. It is outlined in the below quote:
“The Professor, however states that the name of the townland is Cnoc na Coille, not Cnoc na Cille. Not correct. On the other hand, Borlase who knew it was Cnoc na Cille, said the gallàn group was the Cill. Wrong again. The Cill was in Denis Buckley’s farm where a disused graveyard marks the site of an early Christian foundation”. Today, Denis Buckley’s farm is part of Millstreet Country Park – it is unknown today that there was such a cemetery – a good deal of his farm is in forestry.
The large outlying stone is called ‘Gallan Croum’ and there is supposed to be the print of fingers on it. (Broker, T. 1937, p. 27). Borlase called the large outlying standing stone ‘Dallan-crom-na-thittim’ (Broker, T. 1937, p. 27). “Margaret Kelleher (born 1795) of Ballyvourney, who married into the townland, said it was father and mother (thrown down) and five children” (Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of its people, by its people, for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet, p. 27).
There is a standing stone which measures six foot in height and five/six feet in girth in Con Lehane’s land in Abha Bàn, two miles off – this is said to have been thrown from Gallàn Croum in Knocknakilla by a giant (Broker, T. 1937, p.31).
Bibliography:
Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of its people, by its people, for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet.
Standing Stone
Townland: Lackdotia, Cork.
Parish: Drishane
Barony: West Muskerry
History and traditions:
Lackdotia in itself is an unusual placename. The most satisfactory sources regarding the origins of the placename were to be found online. The best that can be fournished as regards a translation from “Leaca Doite” is “the flagstone” (http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenamesVocL.php) “of fire” (http://www.englishirishdictionary.com/dictionary) or “the side of a hill” (http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenamesVocL.php) “of fire” http://www.englishirishdictionary.com/dictionary).
According to Broker, “Gallàn, 4 feet high and 5 feet in girth. A couple of feet outside it were 6 or 7 smaller stones arranged in a circle. Smaller stones were removed by James Kelliher in 1915 when ploughing. Smaller stones were like flags, 2 feet under and 2 feet over the ground. Circle was 6 or 7 feet in diameter”. (Broker, T. 1937. Sraid an Muilinn: A history of its people, for its people by its people for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet. p. 28). The fact that there was a circle of flagstones around the standing stone links in with the first suggestion for the origin of the placename (the fire aspect may link to the idea of the gallàn as a sundial) but that is open to interpretation.
Bibliography:
Broker, T. 1937. Sraid an Muilinn: A history of its people, for its people by its people for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet
http://www.booksulster.com/library/plnm/placenamesVocL.php
http://www.englishirishdictionary.com/dictionary
Holy Well
Townland: Mushera, Co. Cork.
Parish: Drishane
Barony: West Muskerry
History/Traditions:
“Two wells in commonage of Mushera mountain – one at the top (for cattle) and one at the foot (for Christians). Not many go to the top well but five or six hundred come to the foothill well…Both wells are called ‘Tobar na bhFaithní’, warts being cured by washing in them”. (Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of its people, by its people, for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet. p. 35).
St. Johns Well was founded by Michael Buckley of Aubane in 1954 (O’Brien, 1987, p. 8). It is said locally that when Michael Buckley died (1956), a light travelled down from the site of the well along the path he took (when travelling to it) and came to rest on the bridge in front of the house. The light then disappeared – a lot of people in Aubane are said to have seen it.
St. John’s Well has been a place of worship since pre Christian times according to O’Brien. According to a legend, this St. John had one brother and three sisters; Lasair, Inghean Bhuide and Latiaran (of Cullen), and St. Berihert (who founded a monastery at the defeated stronghold of druids at Tullylease) (O’Brien, M. 1987. St. John’s Well. St. John’s Holy Well Committee: Aubane, p. 7/8). According to O’Brien, their feast days more or less match those of the pagan celtic deities, St. John’s being Midsummers day, the 24th of June. This would suggest that the well may have had significance in pagan times.
There was a pattern day held up to the year c. 1940 – it consisted of tents set up about a mile and a half away from the well on the Macroom side in the townland of Moulnahourna. There is said to have been entertainment (e.g. three card tricks), sweet and cake stalls, porter stalls and even fights, sometimes involving factions. (O’Brien, M. 1987. St. John’s Well. St. John’s Holy Well Committee: Aubane, p. 8).
To sum up the recent history of the well, (as already mentioned) it was founded in 1954 by Michael Buckley. In 1958, there was a statue of the Infant of Prague placed at the well and it was blessed by Canon Costello of Millstreet. Mass was first celebrated at the well in 1974 and has been celebrated annually ever since. The Stations of the Cross were erected and blessed in the eighties. (O’Brien, M. 1987. St. John’s Well. St. John’s Holy Well Committee: Aubane, p. 8/9). The site is continuously been kept to this day by the St. John’s Well Committee.
Bibliography:
Broker, T. 1937. Sràid an Muilinn: A history of its people, by its people, for its people. Timothy Broker, Millstreet, Co. Cork: Millstreet
O’Brien, M. 1987. St. John’s Well. St. John’s Holy Well Committee: Aubane
Megalithic Tomb (Wedge Tomb)
Townland: Carrigonirtane, Co. Cork.
History/Traditions:
Townland Name:
Carrigonirtane: from the Irish Carrig an Fheartàin which means ‘Rock of the little vault or trench’. (O’ Connell, 1988. p. 143).
As well as giving the name to the townland, the monument has given its name to the field which it is located in, i.e. “Phile a’ Chalir”. (O’ Connell, 1988. p. 140). This (according to O’ Connell) has something to do with the fact that the megalithic (wedge) tomb is shaped like a table.
Bibliography:
O’Connell, D. 1988. Tales of the Foherish Valley. Kerry’s Eye Printing Works: Tralee.
This window was in the old church. It consists of two sections which coalesce to form one scene – the Ordination of a priest. The window is in remembrance of Rev. Jerome Harding who died on 16 Nov. 1876, aged only 28 years. He was curate in Cahirciveen but his people were from Millstreet. His remains were brought to Millstreet for burial and it was a massive funeral. The inscription at the foot of the window reads: “in memoriam reverendi jeremiae harding: obiit die novembris decimasexta mdccclxxvi” (“In memory of Rev. Jerome Harding; he died 16th Nov. 1876”). [read more …] “Stained Glass Window – Ordination of a Priest”
Oliver Plunket (East Aisle – first window on left up from door): St. Patricks Church, Millstreet
Oliver Plunket (1625-1681) was appointed archbishop of Armagh in 1669. The special cross he is holding in his left hand is a patriarchal or archiepiscopal cross. He was one of only two Catholic bishops in Ireland at that time and as a result he had a huge work-load – within the first few months of his appointment, he confirmed 10,000 people. He had good relations with the Protestant clergy and gentry. However, the panic caused by the false allegations of Titus Oates in 1678 resulted in his arrest. He was charged in Dundalk with plotting to bring 20,000 French soldiers into Ireland. He was imprisoned in Newgate in England until 1681. There was no basis whatever for the allegations brought against him but he wasn’t given time or opportunity to defend himself. He wrote a most interesting letter from prison a few days before his execution: “Sentence of death was passed against me on the fifteenth. It has not caused me the least terror or deprived me of even a quarter of an hour’s sleep. I am as innocent of all treason as the child born yesterday. As for my character, profession and function, I did own it publicly, and that being also a motive of my death, I die most willingly. And being the first among the Irish, I shall, with God’s grace, give good example to the others not to fear death. I expect daily to be brought to the place of execution where my bowels are to be cut out and burned before my face, and then my head to be cut off.” This is the barbaric death he suffered in Tyburn on 1st July 1684 – it is indicated in the lower part of the window. When this window was made, Oliver Plunket was “Blessed” but he was canonized in 1976 and his feast is on 1st July.
(The inscription at the foot of the window reads: “Erected to the memory of Denis and Margaret Crowley of Millstreet by their son Cornelius. 1944”)
by Msgr. M. Manning, P.P., V.G.
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The stained glass window was made by Clement Watson & Co of Youghal, one of three Watson windows in St.Patrick’s Church [ref]
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The stained glass window was erected by Cornelius D. Crowley (1879-1972), of Finnstown House, Lucan, Co Dublin, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and originally from Coole House, Millstreet. He was anxious to be remembered in his native Millstreet, and so in 1944 erected this window (and another at the same time) to his parents, Denis and Maria Crowley, in Saint Patrick’s Church, Millstreet, in 1944.
“At that time, Finnstown House was the home of my Great Uncle Con and Great-Aunt Hannah. Cornelius D. Crowley (1879-1972), of Finnstown House, Lucan, Co Dublin, and Roscrea, Co Tipperary, was originally from Millstreet, Co Cork. He was one of my great-uncles, a brother of my grandmother, Maria (Crowley) Murphy (1882-1953) of Millstreet, Co Cork.
For many years Con Crowley was a director of the Roscrea Meat Company with his brother Jeremiah D. Crowley of Wallstown Castle, Castltownroche, Co Cork – the other directors included Robert Briscoe TD and G Fasenfeld. After World War II, Con Crowley” – by Patrick Comerford
