Category: History

Captain Con Murphy

My great grandmother was Marie Dennehy who used to live at the house that used to stand at the entrance of Mill Lane in Millstreet. It was said that Marie was a 1st cousin to Captain Con Murphy. Marie’s mother was Maryanne Murphy from Knocknagullane, Ballydaly. I was going through a family album that Marie Dennehy owned and I believe that I have a photograph of Captain Con Murphy.

Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921
First Volunteer of the Irish Republican Army to be executed under Martial Law for possession of firearms.

More information on Captain Con Murphy via this Link 

The 1982 Munster Regional Trout Angling Championships

The above is a video for the 1982 Munster Regional Trout Angling Championships.  It was my late father Jerry Sheehan of Liscahane who organised the staging of the event which was normally held on the river Suir.

There are many anglers in this video from Millstreet some of whom are long deceased  and were indeed some of the best anglers in the country back then.

The competition was won on the day by local man Pat O’Sullivan of Bolomore,  Rathcoole.

It certainly brings many memories back to me and I am quite sure that it would do likewise for family and friends of the people seen on the video.

Thank you to Jack Sheehan for submitting this to Millstreet.ie

Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow Book to be published after 100 years !

   Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow

   History Book to be published

              after 100 years !

Cló Staire Chiarraí is delighted to announce that the History of the Parishes of Rathmore, Gneeveguilla and Knocknagree written by Fr William Ferris in the mid 1920s is finally to be published after 100 years.

 

After three years work on the original manuscript by editor Brendan McCarthy, the book will finally see the light of day in Spring 2024.

 

Second in the series of Fr Ferris’s Parish Histories, the History of the Parishes of Rathmore, Gneeveguilla and Knocknagree is a unique record of the rich history, culture and heritage of the Sliabh Luachra/Duhallow area and comprises :-

 

  • a genealogical archive of the families of the three parishes (some 1,118 individuals named in the book)
  • a social and cultural archive (e.g. Penal Days , the Famine, hedge schools and masters, National Schools with lists of teachers, holy wells, old cemeteries, Irish language, church history, clergy, local poets, musicians, writers, etc)
  • an archaeological survey of the three parishes
  • a place name and field name inventory
  • a topographical survey of the parishes
  • the story of the Whiteboy insurrection of 1821/22 in Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow
  • a detailed account of the Land War of the 1880s (listing landlords and middlemen, evictions, local ‘Moonlighters’, Land League members, prisoners, policing, coercion, etc)
  • an account of the War of Independence in Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow
  • a survey of hunting and fishing in the parishes in the 1920s
  • a detailed parish chronicle.

Much of this material was collected by Fr Ferris from parishioners in the course of station masses in the parishes and as such is no dry academic chronicle. It is history as lived and recounted by the ordinary people of Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow and their authentic voices come through clearly.

 

In addition, in the Introduction to the book, the Editor provides a biographical portrait of Fr Ferris who was a fascinating individual in his own right.

 

So if you come from these parishes or if any of your forebears came from this area, then it is likely that your family features in this book. You may discover where they lived, where they went to school, who their teachers were, who their landlord/middleman was, how they were affected by the Famine, whether they were evicted, whether they were involved in the Land War, etc.

 

With a limited print-run, this fully-indexed book is destined to be a collector’s item.

 

For further details and to pre-order the book, please go to

www.rathmorehistory.com

 

or e-mail the Editor on rathmorehist

Dromtariffe GAA & Historical Book Launch

Dromtariffe GAA & Historical Book Launch.

All roads will lead to Dromtariffe Community Hall on Sunday December 4th, when Dromtariffe GAA will launch it’s latest club history.  Written by Dan Joe O’Keeffe and titled “In Praises of Dromtariffe”, the book describes the club’s long and illustrious story from its foundation in 1895 to 2020.  It is not simply just the adult-club’s story, but also that of the under-age, ladies and Scór, as well as other sections of interest.  The book will be launched by John Tarrant, well known sports reporter and local correspondent.  Here is an opportunity for Dromtariffe people, young and old, from near and far to meet, great and reminisce.  There will be music and song, along with light refreshments for all.  It is hoped that the book will also be of interest to those outside the Parish, as it relates many epic and well fought clashes between Dromtariffe and its various Duhallow opponents.  The book will retail at €25 and will be available to purchase at a number of local outlets.  This is a limited edition and may be pre-ordered by contacting any of the following:

Michael Byrnes (Snr)   029 58056

Frank Barry                    087 9838087

Joe O’Riordan               087 2801867

Mary Browne                087 7951810

Sean Feely                      086 3168212

Dan Joe O’Keeffe         086 1234348

Thomas Mahony (19), Fatally Wounded at Annagloor

A hundred years ago yesterday (22 October 1922), a party of Free State troops under Brigadier-Commandant Ahern arrested two suspected Irregulars at Rathduane in the Millstreet district after Mass on Sunday. As these troops were returning to Millstreet, they were ambushed at Annagloor (within a mile of the town) by Irregulars, who opened fire from both sides of the road. Private Thomas Mahony received a serious wound in the stomach and died at Blarney while being rushed in a military ambulance to the Mercy Hospital in Cork city. See CE, 24 Oct. 1922; Death Certificate, [for] 22 Oct. 1922 (not registered until 22 April 1954), with a copy appearing in MSPC/2D377 (Military Archives).

The Cork Examiner provided the following account of O’Mahony’s career at the time of his funeral and subsequent burial in Midleton: ‘The dead soldier, who during the reign of terror [before the Truce of July 1921] was prominent with the East Cork Flying Column, won for himself, by his many daring exploits, the greatest regard by all who sought for the freedom of Ireland, and whilst the East Cork men were temporarily billeted in Clonmult—the scene of the famous engagement, where, unfortunately, only too many lives were lost—Thomas O’Mahony served in the column in a manner which the survivors of the fatal battle are always ready to praise, and speak of the dead soldier only in terms appropriate to a gallant and brave man. Following the Truce and the Treaty, Thomas O’Mahony was one of the first volunteers who took up quarters in Dublin under the regime of the National Army. [read more …] “Thomas Mahony (19), Fatally Wounded at Annagloor”

Honour and commemorate the heroic deeds of the Women of Cumann na mBan, and Men of the I.R.A

The Clonbanin Ambush, Centenary, Commemoration Committee.
Would like to extend to you, and whoever you would like to bring along with you on the evening of October 14th 2022, at 7.00pm sharp. To an event, where we endeavour to honour and commemorate the heroic deeds of the Women of Cumann na mBan, and Men of the I.R.A. Those treasured women and men that fought in the War of Independence that gave us the freedom that we enjoy today.

The venue is The Dromtarriffe Parish Hall. P51 KC 52, on the N72 roughly halfway between Mallow and Killarney on the Mallow side of the Sandpit House Bar. The event will be the first screening of our two-part Documentary titled. Clonbanin’s Journey through the War of Independence 1920 to 1921. The documentary is a very well researched, documented, and produced, by a highly professional Studio team, with the assistance of the committee, and numerous family members of the men and women that fought in that fight for freedom. This is a once-off chance to keep alive the history of Irelands fight for freedom, and to commemorate the Centenary of The Clonbanin Ambush. This is an opportunity for each and every one of us, young and old. If you love your Country, your County, and Parish. This is the time to show our Patriotism, Republicanism and Pride in our History. To Honour the Women and Men of the War of Independence and Clonbanin Ambush of March 5th 1921. It would be greatly appreciated if you were in the position to honour us with your presence on the evening of 14th October 2022.

If you have any queries, I can be contacted by phone 029 / 78017 or 086 / 8403914 email <email>

Best Wishes and Kind Regards
Charlie Drake. On behalf of the Committee

Knocknalammon Memories Part 2

A selection of old photographs from Knocknalammon.  A feature was published a few weeks ago, which can be accessed here.

I think this was taken in the 60’s. That’s Mary (Babe) O’Sullivan on left. Man on right is Pat Hickey visiting from NY. Pat may be one of the younger men in the earlier period photos. Don’t know who the couple in the middle are. The next photo is of Babe in the 70’s. My 2 older sisters spent a couple of summers visiting her in the 70’s.The bottom two are of Babe in the earlier period (1920’s).

The reverse says Babe with friend Kit

The Dineens were neighbours and good friends  of Mary (Babe) and own the farm now. She was lucky to have them. They sent Christmas cards with photos of the old place to my grandmother which she really enjoyed. Deidre Buckley was kind enough to take me around when I visited.
Babe from the 1970’s
An interesting story I forgot to include with the earlier email with Jer O’Sullivan’s photo. My grandmother often told a story of Jer sheltering Hugh O’Brien from the British. Hugh was on the run. She said Hugh had a bad feeling and headed out into the night and the soldiers raided the house soon after. Quite the adventure for grandma. She married Hugh’s brother Pat (grandpa) in NY.

Knocknalammon Memories

I’ll try and give some background on the photos. They were in a box in my grandmother’s home. I looked at them with her when I was young but unfortunately didn’t label them. My grandmother passed away in 2002. She was Hannah O‘Sullivan from Knocknaloman. She married Patrick O‘Brien from Ballydaly in New York. Some of the photos include her brother Dan and sisters Liz, Mary, and Hanorah. I think her brother Jerry and sister Kathleen may be in some of the photos. Mary (called Babe) was the last surviving sibling in Knocknaloman. She passed away in 1981.  Most of the photos were developed at “Cronin Cash Chemist” in Rathmore.
There are 2 photos of Ellen O‘Sullivan. She is standing holding a book in one and petting a dog in another. Ellen was murdered in 1931. I’m pretty sure she was a cousin.
There are several photos of two teenage girls Mary and Nora Linehan. I remember my grandmother speaking fondly of them but I don’t know anything about them.
There is at least one labeled Kit Moynihan. I know she was a friend of my grandmother.
There are several with a man with white hair and mustache, At least one is labeled Dan Hickey. I think Dan may have been a cousin. Grandma talked highly of him.

[read more …] “Knocknalammon Memories”

The Tricolour is flying at half mast to commemorate the centenary death of General Michael Collins.

The Tricolour is flying at half mast to commemorate the centenary death of General Michael Collins. Michael Collins was shot dead in an ambush at Béal-na-mBlath by the anti treaty forces. Micheal Collins was born October 16th 1890 in Woodfield, Sams Cross, County Cork.  He was an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who was a leading figure in the early-20th century struggle for Irish independence. He was Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free  State from January 1922 and commander-in-chief of the National Army from July until his death in an ambush in August 1922, during the Civil War. He is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery, Co Dublin.  

Passing Through Millstreet in 1804

Extracts from the Journal of a traveller who passed through Millstreet twice in August 1804:

Friday, 24th August 1804. … From Mallow to Millstreet I took a post-chaise; but like all other travellers in a post-chaise, might as well have been at home, as I can give no account of the prospects, or of the manners of the people. The little vile inn of Millstreet was full of the company resorting to Killarney; so that I fared very uncomfortably: but early next morning set off in a chaise, and arrived at Killarney to breakfast

Sunday, 26th August 1804: Next morning, Sunday, we set out on foot for Millstreet, before six o’clock; intending to reach that place in time for church at twelve. But the day being sultry, and the distance greater than we believed, sixteen Irish or twenty-one English miles, frequent restings became necessary; and it was full eight hours before we arrived at the end of our walk: alas! too late for church, of which the service seemed to have been hurried over with its usual rapidity. On the road we met multitudes of Catholics going to matins, neatly dressed, having their beads and crucifixes suspended at their sides. Can these decent people be the sanguinary rebels who delight in massacre, and seek to turn things upside down? With respect to the establishment, or any other denomination of religion, there seems to prevail a melancholy lukewarmness. There is no church on the road or near it, all the way from Killarney to Millstreet. Neither is any difference apparent, except amongst the Catholics, betwixt Saturday and Sunday; some being employed in burning lime, some cutting turf, some thatching their houses, others sewing or knitting at their doors, and all whistling or singing. [read more …] “Passing Through Millstreet in 1804”

Day of Regions Aubane Community Walk on Sunday August 21st

The Day of Regions Aubane Community Walk is happening on Sunday 21st August, leaving Aubane Community Centre at 2.00 pm and heading to the Butter Road Monument.

We hope to see as many possible on the day. Refreshments afterwards at Aubane Community Centre.

This event is sponsored by IRD Duhallow CLG

21st Birthday of Clara News – May 1998

Front row – Eiblis McCarthy, Noreen Dennehy, Ann Cowman

Second row – Patrick Dennehy, Judy Reardon, Eily Buckley, Marian Buckley, Eileen Dinneem. Mary Guiney, Moira O’Keeffe

Back row – John O’Sullivan, Ml McCarthy, Colman Culhane, Denis Reardon, Dan Buckley, Cormac Dinneen, Patrick O’Keeffe, Jerry Buckley, Kathryn Tarrant, Donal Cowman, Donal Guiney

Rail Works at Millstreet Station in 1988

Yesterday, the Irish Railway Record Society posted a video of railway works at Millstreet and Charleville on their Facebook Page. The first minute and a half is from Millstreet Station. To reminisce on how it was 33 years ago., just click on THIS LINK to watch the video (I think that you may need to be logged into facebook to view it).  [read more …] “Rail Works at Millstreet Station in 1988”

100th Anniversary of the Killing of Frank Creedon

On the morning of Saturday July 2nd 1921, a blistering hot day, Constable Frank Creedon (originally from Adrivale) and nine other policemen were sent on patrol from Tallow Police Barracks, which they did every day. This was at the height of the War of Independence and tensions were high. Unfortunately for the patrol, the I.R.A. had been observing their movements, and it was noticed that their usual procedure was to take different roads on alternate days on departure from the town. With rifles and machine guns, the I.R.A. took up positions in the Old Military Barracks, and on an adjoining hill on the expectation that they would move out by a certain road. However, the patrol went by an adjoining road which did not exactly meet the positions the I.R.A. had taken up, but in haste they started firing from a distance. When the shooting ceased after about ten minutes, the ambush parties withdrew. Constable Francis Creedon lay dead, two more policemen wounded, while the remaining policemen had rushed into some adjoining houses and escaped the fire. Only nine days before the truce that ended the War of Independence. He was buried in darkness at Drishane Cemetery, and left behind a young wife and two+ small children.  Read more about what happened in our full article on him.

Mikie Dinneen, Murdered 100 years ago today at Tooreenbawn

In the aftermath of the Rathcoole ambush a week earlier, where two Auxiliaries were killed, and many wounded, the British forces conducted the biggest sweep of any area in the south of Ireland, looking for IRA suspects. Early on the morning of the 24th of June 1921 I.R.A. Volunteer Michael Dineen from the Kilcorney Company County Cork was taken from his brother’s house in Ivale, and shot in the back multiple times just 300m away.

The British Commandant instructed that no inquest was to take place as such action would have risked lives unnecessarily of local forces.

His funeral was probably the largest ever seen locally, and he was buried in Millstreet Church Graveyard (along the path, just down from the sacristy door).

Pictured above is the memorial at the site of his murder in Tooreenbawn.

For more information on Mikie Dineen, and what happened, we recommend these: [read more …] “Mikie Dinneen, Murdered 100 years ago today at Tooreenbawn”

George H.S. Duckham (1900-1921)

On June 22nd 1921, George H.S. Duckham, was returning to Millstreet from leave in London where he had been married just a week earlier. A young R.I.C. constable in Millstreet, he had rested in Macroom Barrack overnight, and was making his way in plain clothes on a horse and side-car to Millstreet. It was at the height of the war of Independence, and unfortunately for him, the IRA knew he was coming and they ambushed him between Macroom and Carriganima at Carriganeigh Cross. They took him prisoner and apparently found on him amongst other things, a list of the names of the members of the Millstreet Battalion Column that were to be shot on sight. On top of that, as a constable he apparently had a bad record in the eyes of the local republicans. He was tried by the IRA and shot. His body was left across the river from Carriganima Church, but apparently taken away and buried in a bog elsewhere by locals who were afraid that the police would cause trouble in the area. His body was never found and remains a mystery. He left behind a young wife and a young son, also named George Henry Samuel Duckham. Wherever his body lies, may he rest in peace.

He is one of four+ R.I.C. (two auxiliaries, two Black and Tans) that lost their lived in Millstreet during the War of Independence. Below are two reports on  his demise, and also as some details about his background: [read more …] “George H.S. Duckham (1900-1921)”

Rathcoole Ambush – 100 Years Ago Today

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Rathcoole Ambush, one of the largest and most successful ambushes by the IRA during the War of Independence, which increased pressure on the British Empire to leave Ireland to the Irish..
The IRA laid landmines in the road, and detonated them as a convoy of Auxillaries passed over them, disabling two vehicles and trapping three more. Two auxiliaries, both only 20 years old, William A.H. Boyd, and Frederick Shorter were killed in the ambush, and many more injured.

Further Details of the ambush can be found in the article The Rathcoole Ambush – June 16th 1921

 

[read more …] “Rathcoole Ambush – 100 Years Ago Today”

Clonbanin Ambush Centenary Monument

The Clonbanin Ambush Centenary Monument (at Derrinagree Church) was completed today with the erection of two information boards. The board on the left tells the story of the Ambush and the board on the right contains the relevant maps outlining the routes the Volunteers travelled and the Ambush site. The committee would like to thank the following for the design and fabrication of the boards:

  • Seamus Buckley, SB2 Steelworks, Meenskehy,
  • Declan Crowley, Milltech Digital Printing, Cork.

Seeking an editor

I drafted a manuscript titled “100 Letters from Ireland” based on letters my grandmother Bella Murphy Barker wrote from 1922-1923 while she, my mother and aunt were visiting my great grandmother Jude Sugrue Murphy in Knocknaloman. I am seeking an editor to review the manuscript before I publish and I will gladly pay for the service.

The Tricolour is flying at the Clonbanin monument

The Tricolour is flying at the Clonbanin monument to commemorate the Centenary Anniversary of the Drishanebeg Train Ambush on the 11th February 1921.The Volunteers of the Millstreet Battalion IRA achieved a major  success over British forces by stopping and boarding the train, travelling from Mallow to Killarney,  and seizing rifles and ammunition from the troops on the train. The Volunteers had taken up positions at the Ambush site, on eight consecutive nights not knowing when they would be called into action.

Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921

In the last few days we have been asked for a little more information on Captain Con Murphy, whose 100th anniversary is today, and after whom Murphy’s Terrace in Millstreet was named. For this purpose, below is a detailed article on his active years, written by his great-grandniece as a special study for her Leaving Certificate a few years ago:

 

Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921
First Volunteer of the Irish Republican Army to be executed under Martial Law for possession of firearms.

In 1921 my great-granduncle, Captain Cornelius Murphy was the first to be executed by the British Firing Squad since the executions of the 1916 Easter Rising Leaders. He was also the first volunteer of the Irish Republican Army to be executed under Martial Law for possession of firearms.

His military career began in December 1915, when Con was appointed Officer Commanding of the Rathduane Company in Ballydaly which comprised of forty men. At the time this was under Tomas MacCurtain’s Cork Brigade of Irish Volunteers, in January 1919, this Company became part of Liam Lynch’s No. 2 Brigade. After the Easter Rising, 1916, the controversy surrounding the executions of the Rising Leaders had grown in intensity, and the Royal Irish Constabulary, (backed by the British Army) raided Ireland for signs of potential threat to English security. Con and his brother Denis were arrested in the aftermath of the Rising as part of a nationwide crackdown on prominent Republicans (more than one hundred men were captured in total). The Murphys arrived at Knutsford, Chesire on June 7th 1916. All the detainees were released in August of that year as the jail was shut down.  [read more …] “Captain Cornelius Murphy: 1915-1921”