My Jimdo Geocities Lifeboat
===================================
GAA BOOK: As part of the 100 year celebrations of the North Kerry Board, the draws for the various championships and cups were held in Moyvane to acknowledge Newtownsandes as the first winners of the Senior North Kerry Championship. A book detailing the 100 Year History of the North Kerry Board and its Clubs was launched on Friday 13th September.2024
----------------------------------------
https://northkerry.wordpress.com/?s=sandra+day+o+connor
-------------------------------------
Video link
https://youtu.be/ojlV5QTwbsI
Filename
Clounmacon and District items.wmv
-------------------------
Video link
https://youtu.be/SlgxxN7_bLQ
Filename
7 Days Trial Leo Finucane.mp4
-----------------------------
Video link
https://youtu.be/zfaw6E8Wux4
Filename
Currow Village and Castleisland History August 2024.wmv
===========================
Video link
https://youtu.be/0YNVQNesQGA
Filename
Knockanure Rambling House January 2024
=================================
-------------------------
GAA Kerry Team of 21st Centaury
eam Of The 21st Century
1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
2. Stephen O’Sullivan (South Kerry)
3. Mike Maloney (Dr Crokes)
4. Killian Young (South Kerry)
5. Denis ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan (South Kerry)
6. Eoin Brosnan (Dr Crokes)
7. Shane Myers (Dr Crokes)
8. Bryan Sheehan (South Kerry)
9. Johnny Buckley)
10. Kieran O’Leary (Dr Crokes)
11. Declan O’Sullivan (South Kerry)
12. Brian Looney (Dr Crokes)
13. Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper (Dr Crokes)
14. Dara Ó Cinnéide (An Ghaeltacht)
15. Maurice Fitzgerald (South Kerry)
The top 15 players were chosen from the finalists and winning teams from the year 2000 to 2022 by five judges
==================================
MOYVANE VILLAGE FESTIVAL took place over the October Bank holiday weekend. This was a very special occasion, thirty years of entertainment and celebration, a milestone whatever way you look at it, with a full programme of events. Moyvane GAA co-hosted the weekend with Moyvane Development Association. Opening night was a very special event ‘John Moriarty, Grounded in Story’ in the Marian Hall. This evening of storytelling featured Martin Shaw, an international storyteller and author, along with Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Mary McGillicuddy, and Amanda Carmody, sharing stories about John Moriarty, late of Ahalahana. On Saturday an exhibition match between The Palatine GAA Club from Carlow and our local team proved a very enjoyable event for both the visitors and the home team. Thanks to all those who came along to support the teams. Saturday night’s Community Celebration night was postponed. Sunday was a busy day with various activities taking place. The Vintage was held in the Community Sports Hall car park, while the annual dog show and kiddies tractor run took place in the Church car park. All events were well attended and took place in lovely weather. On Sunday night The Rattlin’ Rogues took to the stage in the beautifully draped Community Sports Hall around 9.00pm and were followed by DJ Ray Stack. The night was a huge success and was enjoyed by all the huge crowd who attended. Monday morning saw an Underage Blitz take place. The North Kerry Harriers Hunt left the village around midday with over 50 horses taking part. The return of the Trail of Horror this year proved to be a huge success. The spooky fun event was enjoyed by all. Well done to all who made such great efforts with their costumes. Best Costume winners are as follows: Harley Quinn, Cadán Moloney, Reiltín Cronin, Evan Rogers, Emma Windle and Caoimhe Shanley. The weekend’s activities ended with a supervised bonfire. Later that night the Monster raffle took place.
The winners of the Monster Raffle are as follows:
1st Great Southern Voucher: Shane Prendergast.
2nd The Connacht Voucher: Stella Downey.
3rd: Adare Manor Voucher: Stephanie O’Connor.
4th: €100 Kerry Agri Voucher: Eileen Ahern Savage
5th: Ballygarry Voucher: Kevin Greaney.
6th Prize: Strive Fitness Membership: Aidan Barrett.
7th Prize: New You Voucher: Fionn O’ Connor.
8th Prize: Atlantic Oils Voucher: Mike Sheehan.
9th Prize: Atlantic Oils Voucher: Michael Collins.
More at
https://moyvane.com/moyvane-notes-17/
=============================
Ireland Dublins down on climate action
Ireland announced an ambitious new plan that aims to pave the way for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Rachel Ramirez June 18, 2019
=========================
Dublin Then and Now
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064601115674
=============================
Kerry's Downton Abbey: Pierce Mahony & the Kilmorna House Visitors Book
181 views
•Apr 18, 2021
Kerry Writers' Museum
130 subscribers
Charles Stewart Parnell, WB Yeats, Maud Gonne, as well as songwriter Percy French and Home Rule advocate John Redmond had one thing in common - they all stayed at Kilmorna House just outside Listowel in the later years of the 19th century. Their signatures appear with dozens of others in the Kilmorna visitors book which records their visits to the home of Pierce Mahony, nationalist MP and renowned philanthropist, horticulturalist and Irish chieftain. He was the half-brother of Sir Arthur Vicars, the former Ulster King of Arms and keeper of the Irish Crown Jewels, who was killed by the IRA on April 14th, 1921 at Kilmorna and the Great House burned to the ground.
In this lecture, historian Tom Dillon explores the history uncovered by the Kilmorna House visitors book and discusses how it gives an insight into life on the Kilmorna estate in the late 1800s, when it welcomed some of the most prominent political and cultural figures of the time.
This is the second lecture in the North Kerry War of Independence Centenary Commemoration series hosted by Kerry Writers' Museum and kindly supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Art, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhZ0YoEZg98
===========================
===============
Faction Fighting in Kerry and Knockanure Folklore on local events
Not surprisingly, at various times and places attempts were made to put a stop to the activities of the two gangs.
This was often, though not exclusively, undertaken by the clergy, such as at Newtownsandes following the day-long fight which left a man dead: ‘Every other Sunday after that the priest came out in the street after Mass, and ordered all the people to go home, and not to fight any more.
The two sides were advised by him, and they never again fought.’
In December 1828, ‘to reconcile contending factions’, a priest had a large crowd of people from Ballylongford, Lisselton, Tarbert and the Galey walk, as a penance, from Tarbert to Tralee.
--------------------------------------------------
The Lawlors and Black Mulvihills also had their champions. Gearóid Mulvihill was descended from the Mulvihills of Knockanira, Co. Clare, who ‘had the reputation of being great fighters and men of splendid physique’.
He ‘led the Black Mulvihills in many a bloody contest. Gearóid used to stuff his hat with hay so as to lessen the impact of the blows on his head.’ The following story about him also features ‘a formidable fighter’ for the Cooleens, Seán Sheehy, from Coolaneelig, who was known as the Dailc (‘the hulk’).
Gearóid Mulvihill had many notable victories and was held in high esteem even by his enemies. At that time the champions of different factions used to challenge each other to fight in order to see who was the better man … Big Jim Hartnett of Abbeyfeale sent a challenge to Gearóid, which he accepted. He took none of his followers with him.
It was a long hard fight which Gearóid eventually won. When the Abbeyfeale men saw their leader stretched on the ground they rushed at Gearóid and almost killed him.
===================================
Knockanure Folklore
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4613713/4611491
part of Batt and Co many of them would be homeless. The funny thing about it was not sufficient to pay the half-gale rent the tenant should also give over possession this was done by taking a wish of thatch from over the door and handing it to the estate bailiff then if he had any friend of his own for the place the unfortunate tenant was evicted. Some farmers got possession through these happenings.
kept a stiff lead on the rest of the workmen. In olden days the greater part of the tillage of this country was gone with the spades and as each man had to do an equal share it was pretty hard on those who were good workmen hense the phraise came "he was broke; meaning of course he was not able to keep in line with the Gombeen man. With the advent of machinery all this business died away much to the relief of those who were not good work men and much to the advantage of the employer as a good percentage of certain works were not well done when men were to hard pressed
Daniel MacMahon (43)
Gortaglanna
Priests celebrated Mass in it. Those Friars were called Dominican Friars. The Church is knocked down now to the foundation and the stones taken away from it. Some of the holy people died in Carrueragh and others went to Tralee and died there.
-----------------------
“The ancient name of Kilmorna was Kilmeany it was said to be once of the most beautiful spots in North Kerry.”
daughters married a Polar Gentleman and her brother left her the place and she kept it until Sir Auter was killed and it was then by the Government and divided to the people. Mr Guns was a good man and his work-men had no trouble with him.
Kill means church and long ago there was a burial ground in the ruckery named Mary before the church of Lisiniskea was built.
There was a grave-yard in Kilmorna. When Parnell visited the place there was a tree planted for him and it is still to be seen it is about one hundred and fifty years ago it was planted.
Mahony had too horses named Romia and Bumburshirt and they were the most beautiful horses to be seen in North Kerry. Shanna Cuil is the western end of Kilmeany and the Eastern part is called the river dail and the most eastern side of it was called Trien. There is a gate in
Kilmeany named Buckleys gate and it was about seven feet in height and it was said that a hunter jumped it.
The great house was first a small house and Mr Mahoney did a lot of improving in it.
There was a park in Kilmeany and in the park deers were kept. The whole park was surrounded by a high wall and the deers were driven out each day and hunt them. All the people of Kilmorna were evicted from their homes except the Moor's and the Sullivans. My Great Grandfather Timothy Scanlon came from Athea and got land in Kilmeany after the famine. The public road ran through Mahoney's land and account of the beautiful woods, the road was made at the other side and O Callahan was the contracter and it is called O Callahans road since. There is a beautiful glen called
It is said that the trees grew there by nature. There is a skating flag in the wood and the young boys and girls of the parish used to come there on Sundays.
Mr Parnell who was a member of Parliament came to Kilmeany on a visit and there was a tree planted in remembrance of the day he visited the place, it is about one hundred and fifty years ago. There was a burial ground in Kilmorna before the church of Knockanure was burned. It is said that it was a group of Protestants from Kilmorna that burned the church. Long ago it is said there was a small house at the back of the chapel and in it there lived a man and two children. The fater of the children was killed by night and the two children were left alone in the house. The is a stone still to be seen in Willie Stacks land where he was killed and his blood remains in the stone
and will never leave it. The mans name was James Costello and one of his sons remained hoarse ever since from crying after his father. After he was killed his sister came to take care of the children. They remained there for some time and then they removed down to the Co. Limerick.
The slipping stone in Kilmorna is a big rock sloping downwards to a stream. When the people used to skate on it they made it smooth. It is not half as long as before for when they used to skate on it the surface used to give and cover the lower part of it.
Shannacool means the old corner. There was a gort in Gurtaglanna long ago and it is likely the name came from a garden.
The Forts we find around our townland are the relics of ancient dwellings. These forts date back to the Danish invasion in the ninth century. In the centre of these forts were erected a large pole and around this they built a circular ring of earth from this to the top of the pole they put canves and thus formed a dwelling similar to our tents. They built an outer ring of earth which formed such a strong defence that it could only be taken when its defenders were overpowered by larger numbers. In those days the only weapons of welfare were swords and bowed arrows.
There are several forts in the district and the principal of these seems to be at Gurtaglanna, as it is surrounded by three rings of earth or defences. Probably the chief or ruler of the clan lived in this. This is known as
“The Forts we find around our townland are the relics of ancient dwellings.”
(continued from previous page)
Lissnabro, close to this fort there are four others one of which gives its name to its townland Lisaniskea another is called Lisanfarran this is the fort close to the Knockanure burial ground. To the west of this is Carrueragh there is another one called Lisaphone, south of Lisnaph is one called Lisaknock. There are forts in Kilmorna one of these is called Liskeendonnell. The Danes seemed to have lived in colonies as their forts are close together.
After the battle of Clontarf the danish fighting men returned to their homes hence those who remained with the Irish and the forts were allowed to decay.
============================
North Kerry Walls
By sean oconnell September 03, 2011 at 03:21:03
There doesn't seem to be any mention of the Walls of North Kerry in any of the normal literature but I came across these references online.
WALL. KEP, 10 March 1860, 4 Nov. 1808. Murder of James Wall/sentencing of John Neil to hang, Jan. 1809 Special Commission. 'Mr. Wall was a respectable gentleman, residing near Newtownsandes ...'. Freeman's Jn., 4 August 1809: 'Michael Mulvahill found guilty of the murder of James Wall and John Scanlan, to be execute on the same day' (July 29, Tale); executed with Michael Murphy (see Tisdall op.cit.) 'opposite the gaol'. More than four years later, the Knight of Kerry noted that Timothy Mulvihill, the principal suspect, was still at large (National Archives of Ireland, SOC 1532/22.Ballinruddery, Listowel, 30 Sept. 1813, Maurice Fitzgerald to Robert Peel); apprehension of Timothy Mulvihill reported in The Limerick General Advertiser of 31 May 1814 'at Knockanure by the spirited and judicious exertions of John Sandes, Esq ... aided by a party of the Waterford Militia'
Hanging at the cross where the streets meet in Newtownsands.
Told by Con Shine (carpenter).
Written by J.B. Connell (NT Moyvane)
My father remembers the white boys. There was a landlord in Kilbaha called Wall. There was another in Moyvane named Sands. Sands knew the names of all the white boys in the district. So did Wall. The white boys trusted Sands. But they were afraid that Wall would tell all the names. So they decided to do away with wall. Wall was afraid of them. He made up his mind to take a house in Glin and went the Kerry line to Glin . But he came back by Newtownsands way. The white boys watched him they attacked his house that night and the firing went on till morning. In the morning they set fire to the house and Wall was burned to death. 200 soldiers came from Limerick the following day. They were to kill everybody they met. But Sands met them over on the Tarbert road near Johnny Nashs and told them not touch anybody that he would have all the white boys arrested that he knew them all. The soldiers did no harm then. They went to Kilbaha and the first they met were my father and my uncle Johnny threshing in the haggard. Sands said they are two honest boys, theyre a widow sons they never did harm to anybody. And so they did noting to them. My father was about 18 at the time. Sands gave the names of all the white boys and they were arrested and tried in Tralee. Three of them were sentenced to be hanged one of them was ordered to be brought to Newtown to be hanged his name was Neill (Nayle). He was the ringleader he was hanged in Newtown by the soldiers. They drove 2 poles in the ground below at the cross and put another pole across they then put him standing in a horses car put a rope around his neck then pulled away the car and left him hanging there. He was hanging there all day. The soldiers use to come often and give him a swing for sport and leave him swing away for himself. All the doors were shut that day. You would not see a head out the door.
In the evening they took him down and carried him to Tralee in a car. But they lost him above at Shea`s height Clountubrid. They turned back and found him again and carried him to Tralee.
The other two were hanged in Tralee on of them was Mulvihill. I do not know who the other man was. Wall lived in Kilbaha where the road turns up to Kennelly`s house.
Note Michael Mulvihill tried Tralee 3rd march 1809 .He set fire to Walls House . Executed 29th July 1809 .
Danny McMahon claimed that Wall was not at home the attackers set fire to his house took the child from the maid and tossed it into the burning house .
Is there anyone else out there interested in these Walls.
https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/wall/4092/
Newtownsandes Search
https://www.ancestry.com/search/?keyword=newtownsandes
Some recent pictures
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20734873@N08/
Spent several hours transcribing items from Moyvane about Post Office and other local events.
https://northkerry.wordpress.com/
GAA; Moyvane Coiste Na nOg awards night was held last Friday night in the Marian Hall. We had the Minor All-Ireland cup together with our County minor players from Listowel (Brian Sweeney and Niall Collins) to present the awards.
Great turn out across all age groups from U6 to U16. We had a successful 2016 year winning county leagues in U12, U14 and U16, the U12s winning Div2a and Div3b was a huge achievement. The U10s were finalists in the Jim Corridan competition in Listowel. The U11s won our own Hughie Fitzmaurice tournament beating BallyMac in the Final and also won Div1 of the North Kerry League.
Thanks to Regina Galvin who did a presentation on Nutrition for players and parents.
The Fitzmaurice Family presented a cheque to the the Listowel community hospital from the Hughie Fitzmaurice Tournament.
We would like to thank our sponsors in particular Holly's Gala Moyvane. Thanks to everybody who helped out on the night. Finally we would like to thank the parents and players without which we would not have a vibrant Coiste na nOg as we have.
Looking forward to a fun and successful year for all our players in 2017 !
Moyvane, Newtownsandes area
Tribute to Liza Mulvihill
Posted on 06/05/2015 by glinlib
The oldest woman in the parish Liza Mulvihill will be buried tomorrow Thursday 7th May. She was born in the 19th August 1915. The following is an interview I did with her in 2010.
Laughing with Liza
“You must be the oldest person in the Parish of Glin” I said to Liza on visiting her recently. “No,” she answered. “Donie Lyons’s mother is one year older. She is 96 and I am only 95 since 19th August this year.” At ‘only 95’ Liza continues to live on her own in her comfortable warm house in Glin with her budgie “Biddy” and she also has the comfort of many visitors, including Carers, who visit a few times a day . She is quite content sitting beside her range, with her books, including a prayer book and Rosary beads, and the phone beside her. She has a glint of mischief in her eye and loves a good laugh or yarn.
Liza was born Elizabeth Mulvihill in Glenalappa, Newtownsandes as it was then. “It is called Moyvane now of course” she says. There was no road into the house only footpaths across the mountain. You could enter from the Drumreask road or from the Moyvane side. Her parents were Patrick Mulvihill RIP, a thatcher, and Mary Ann Kiely RIP who came from Athea. The fifth child, she was delivered at home in the heart of the mountain, helped by Joanna Mulvihill, a local handywoman. She had five brothers, Mick, Willie, Martin, Paddy and Jer and four sisters Mary, Lena, Bridie and Hannie. Her father was a thatcher and was never out of work as all houses were thatched then. “There is only myself and Jer left now. He was a great dancer when he was younger; he lives in a Nursing home in New York now. We keep in touch by phone. It gets lonesome when all your own are gone,” she admits.
“What is your earliest memory, Liza” I asked, conscious that Liza was born before radio, TV, electricity, the 1916 Rising and she lived through two world wars. “I am not sure” she said, as she thought back. “I was very young when I remember being in a field and saw a big crowd of men coming down the mountain. One of the men had a gun and pointed at me as I ran towards home where my mother was waiting at the door. But someone stopped him and said ‘Don’t shoot the child’ I ran in home terrified. It was later on in life that I realised they were probably the Black and Tans.”
Liza walked to school to Ballyguiltenane which was the nearest school to her. Boys and girls were in separate rooms and were not allowed to mix in the yard either. She went barefoot except in winter when everybody wore strong nail shoes, with a tip, and black stockings. Her first teacher, whom she liked, was a Miss Fahy who later married Dick McCoy from Ballyhahill. She then moved on to a Miss Connolly who was much harder.
“Ballyguiltenane school was much different then” she explains. “There were no toilets only horrible dry toilets out the back. And there was no such thing as toilet paper but a sop of hay or something. We would be told to wash in the river in the morning before we went to school. For lunch we would take a few slices of bread and some days we might have butter when my mother would make it.”
She got her 1st Holy Communion in Glin and wore a dress which was borrowed and she was very careful not to soil it on the ass’s car in which they travelled to the Church. She remembers Mrs Griffin in Glin bringing all the children in for tea after the Mass. Liza, like all children then, was used to the “panny” which was an enamel mug. But on this occasion the tea was served in a cup and saucer. Liza did not know what the saucer was for and proceeded to pour the tea from the cup to the saucer until Mrs Griffin scolded her for doing so. “Sure we had no luxuries then”, said Liza. “But, we were never hungry as we had homegrown vegetables, eggs, bacon and chickens. I remember my mother selling eggs to make enough money to buy a Communion outfit for one of my brothers. She bought him a white shirt, a gansey and a navy pants to his knee as that was the fashion then.”
During play time they would play with a skipping rope or play ‘rounders’, while the boys might play with marbles or a spinning top which they might have made from the handle of an old shovel or spade. “We also played Ring-a-rosy or London Bridge which were sing-a-long games. Another game we played was “pit-a-bounce”. We had to hop a ball on the ground and then up against the wall while saying “up down bounce”. If we missed the bounce it was somebody else’s turn. We made it harder then by doing it on one leg or with one hand. We had fun.”
Christmas was a great time. Hard and all as times were each family would have a sweet cake and cook a goose with potato stuffing. “I can still remember the aroma when my mother would take the top off the oven and baste the goose with a bit of the fat bacon.” The butcher is Moyvane would pay anyone who would pluck and clean the geese before Christmas and so Liza and the family would make a bit of money that way. On Christmas Eve each child would have their own coloured candle which they would light along with the main big candle. There was also a candle lit for Bridie who had died as a very young baby. The Holy Water would be sprinkled and all the family would kneel down on the mud floor and say the Rosary while gazing on the paper Crib on the table. “I used to be so happy on that night,” Liza said. Next day Santa would have brought “something small like an orange and a few sweets but we used to be delighted with that. I remember once seeing a lovely doll in a shop window in Newtown. The price of it was six pence but it was there long after Christmas as nobody could afford to buy it, even at that price.”
On leaving school at 14 years of age she went to work for a farmer by the name of McEniry. She milked cows, fed calves, went to Crock creamery with an ass and car as this was the nearest creamery to them. She would be up at 4.45 am and would work all day. The wages then were £10 per annum which she used to hand up to her parents. The money was never my own, she says. She worked for various farmers around the area over the years.
When she was about 16 and working at Hanrahans in Kilbaha she had a very traumatic experience. She had worked all day as usual and that night while in bed got a very bad pain in her stomach and was very sick but did not tell any of the household. She was so sick that she was vomiting blood but when morning came she still got up and tried to do her work. But she had to lie down in the yard with the pain. The family managed to get a car to alert her family and take her to the hospital in Tralee where she discovered she had a tumour in the stomach. She was anointed and there seemed to be no hope of recovery. There was some mention of going to a hospital in Dublin but it was too late for that as the tumour had burst and Dr Shanahan had to operate in Tralee. She remembers the nuns around her bed praying for her and little by little, after about a month, she got better enough to be able to go home again. She spent a year at home before she was able to go working again. The problem never recurred since and Liza remembers the great care that was taken of her, both in the hospital and at home.
Liza was a bit of a tomboy and liked to play tricks on people sometimes. While working at McEnirys she remembers tying the strings of Mrs McEniry’s apron to the cow’s tail while Mrs McEniry was milking the cow. Another time Liza stole out the bedroom window to go to a dance at Buddeen Feury’s in Drumreask. “It was hardly worth it” she laughs now “ because trying to get back in without a light and without disturbing my father took the fun out of it.” She loved walking along the roads at night in the dark “having fun with friends and no light of course”. One night her parents sent herself and a sister to visit a neighbour. They had to cross the mountain and on the way they called in to another neighbour who gave them a “storm lamp” to help them see their way. They sat down to take a rest and started flashing the lamp in all directions. They were then aware of some men in the distance who had seen the light and who got afraid as they could not reason where it was coming from. This led Liza and her sister to frighten them further and they started darting the light around in all directions. In the finish they did not finish out their journey at all but came on home returning the lamp on the way. Next day they had a great laugh when they heard the men talk about the strange light in the mountain the night before. They never revealed where the light came from. That is how many a ghost story was born, I am sure.
On another occasion, when she was working in O’Sullivans in Lacca she got the loan of the horse and trap to visit home for a day. On her way back to O’Sullivans her brothers persuaded her to go to a dance that night in Behane’s Hall, Knockdown. So they all set off in the trap. She tied up her pony outside but when she came out after the dance the Guards were waiting for her as she had no light. She did not want the O’Sullivans to know that she had gone to the dance so she gave her home address. Next day, when the summons was delivered to her home, her mother said it must be a mistake as Liza had gone back early the evening before and would not be out at that hour of the night. Her brothers never told on her so she got away with it.
Then there was the time when she was working in Finucanes; she and her friend Kit Walsh wanted to go to the regatta in Tarbert and got a young lad by the name of Dick Mahony to take them in the ass and car. They were just after tarring the road and Liza and Kit felt like royalty being driven to Tarbert on the smooth road. That evening then they wanted to go to the dance but had barely the price for just the two of themselves. Not knowing what to do with their young driver who was little more than a child they tied the ass and car outside the village and went to the Hall and asked if their driver could get in for free or otherwise they would not go in at all. “You can imagine the face of the man at the door” when he saw the ‘driver’. He assumed it was a motorcar we had,” said Liza, laughing. They enjoyed their night and when it was over they walked back to the ass and car and she remembers clearly the drive home under a clear moonlit sky with not a care in the world. “Oh, we had great fun.”
The saddest time in her life was when her older sister Mary died. It was the first death in the family that she remembers as she was not yet born when Bridie died. Mary died aged 24 of TB. It was heart-breaking, she said. They waked her for a night at home. That time, hard and all as times were, there would be drink and tobacco for the men, snuff for the ladies and tea and brack for all. The coffin would be brought to the Church in a horse-drawn hearse with one of the family sitting up front with the driver and the mourners would follow, mostly walking or maybe pony and trap.
Tragedy hit the family again years later when Liza’s sister Hannie Shanahan died leaving two young children Sheila and Patrick without a mother so Liza and her mother moved back to Shanahans and reared them both and she loves them as much as if they were her own. She spent many years there and then moved over to Scairt to help her sister Lena care for her daughter Mary Ann who had developed Multiple Schlerosis disease. Between all the working and caring, the opportunity to get married and have her own family never arose but she has no regrets at all as she was very happy doing what she was doing. Liza confessed that if she had been living in a different time and had the chance of education she might have been a nurse as she always loved the caring that she did for family members.
But her family members appreciated all that Liza had done for them all over the years and to thank her and show appreciation, her brother Mick took her to New York to see the St. Patrick’s Day parade. This was about thirty years ago. While she was there Mick’s two grandsons Desmond (who is now a priest) and Brendan (who has since died) were looking for summer work which they found in Gavin’s Irish Country Inn about three hours drive north of New York in the Catskills mountains. After a long battle they cajoled Liza to go with them, as the owners, Jim and Nellie Gavin, needed help getting rooms ready and working in the kitchen. Though reluctant to go working there, Liza ended up going up to this place in East Durham cleaning and cooking for the whole summer. Along with her two grand-nephews, she almost became part of the family and continued to do this for three or four summers and had a great time. Jim, Nellie and Liza would be up early – around 5am – preparing breakfast. Then they would go to daily Mass a few miles away and say the Rosary in the car as they went. She was treated very well and would always be told to take a rest after breakfast so that she would be refreshed and ready to prepare the lunch. Though she worked by day she danced by night as there was always music there, it being an Irish pub. On Sundays, if there was a priest visiting, Mass would be celebrated in the dining room after which she would go off touring to the Niagara Fall’s or some such place with any of the visitors that might ask her to join them. It was mostly Irish people she met there. She loved her American experience and to see lots of places.
Some years ago Liza moved to Glin to retire and is very happy now surrounded by good friends and neighbours who always keep an eye on her. In the past year she has started to go to St Ita’s Hospital for respite. “We get great care there” she said. “It is very different being an old person now to what it was when I was young. Back then we had small houses and big families and now it is big houses and small families. We were always used to seeing an old person in the corner in every house and they might be asked to hold the baby while the mother was trying to get some work done. It was considered a disgrace then if an older person was sent away to a home. There were no Respite Centres then of course, only “The Home” in Newcastle which was very different to now. It is a Hospital for the Elderly now and has a great reputation.”
When asked if she would like to live her life again she said “I would love to go back to the old days when I was a teenager and having fun. We never had much money or anything but seemed to have much more fun than there is now. Our house was always full of music and dance. I used to do the “puss music” for the dancers. I never played an instrument but have a great ear for music and would know if there was a wrong note played. I used to sing a bit alright. Remember this was in the days of no television or internet or anything like that. I knew a fellow from Athea, Patteen Fitz who could play the “tongs”. Whatever way he had of holding the two legs of the tongs he could play it – like the spoons. People had time then to be developing these talents.”
When comparing times now to then, she said there is no comparison. When Liza was young they would not be left out alone at night til they were twenty years unless to a card game or a raffle and then they would have to be accompanied by an older sister or brother. They would not have the money to go anywhere anyhow and found it very hard to get a few pence together to go to a dance at Behane’s or Mary Walshe’s in Newtown. There was no drink at the dances either.
“What advice would you give to the young people now” I asked her. “Well, if they would listen to me, I would tell them to enjoy themselves while they are free. Stay away from the fags and the drugs, go easy on the drink and have respect for yourselves and for others.” But she admits that youngsters these times are living in a much more dangerous world than she lived in. There was no need to lock doors when she was young and she always felt safe. It is not like that now, she says.
Liza’s faith is very important to her and she admits she always loved to pray and still does. Her sister Mary taught her lovely prayers when she was young such as:
Oh Angel of God, my Guardian dear, To whom God’s love commits me here
Ever this night be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen
Another one was:
There are four corners on my bed, There are four angels at them spread,
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Guard this bed that I lie on.
Each night before she goes to bed she blesses the house with Holy Water and would not feel safe til she has that done. She likes the light of the street shining in on her and trusts that God will keep her safe.
It was a pleasure talking to Liza and listening to her many stories and I hope she continues to have the comfort that she does now. “Have you any last ambitions in this life” I ask her before I go. “What I’d love is to get my Respite in St. Ita’s Hospital on the same week as Paddy Faley gets his and preferably the same room!” she says with that twinkle in her eyes again. “We’d have great fun reliving old times!” – Peg Prendeville 2010.
PS. I am happy to say she got her wish as she and Paddy did share respite weeks in St Ita’s before Paddy died in October 2011.
Kerry Sentinel 1878-1916, Friday, January 27, 1888; Page: 3
L1ST0WEL BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
(From our Correspondent.)
Listowel, Thursday. The usual weekly meeting' of the board was held to-day. Mr. RICHARD BOYLE, J.P., chairman, presided. The other guardians present were—Messrs, J. Stack, M.P.; J. Hamilton, J.P. G. M'Elligott_, J.P.; J. Nolan, P. Sheehy, J. D. Rice, J.P.; M. O'Connell, T. O'Connell, V.C.; P. Lyons, T. Keane, T. Horgan, J. Dillon, J. Donnelly, R. Stack, C. W. Keane, J. Barry, W. Henigan , J Walsh, E. O'Connor, J. Kissane, J. Harman, D. O'Sullivan, J. Pierse, J. Harty, W. Fuller, ,T Murphy, J. Donovan, E. Harty, D. M'Carthy, G. Hewson, J.P.; and J. G. Hewson, J.P.
ELECTION OF PORTER.
In accordance with advertisement the election of a porter in room of Mr. O'Connell, deceased, come on to-day. There were five candidates seeking the office, namely—Messrs. T. Brosnan, Church Street, Listowel; D. Goulding, do. M. O'Connor, Causeway, T. J. Cronin, Knockanure , and T. Kirby, Ennismore. According to the advertisement the successful candidate should not be over forty five years or under thirty years of age, and the salary should be fixed at £12 per annum, half meat rations, and the full quantity of bread, tea, &c. The Clerk (Mr. M'Carthy) having read the applications.
Mr. Hamilton said he saw no baptismal certificates from any of the candidates. Mr. Sheehy—It would be right to have them, Mr. Chairman. Mr; Woulfe—It was not demanded by the advertisement. Mr. M. O'Connell—It was not necessary I think.
Chairman—I never saw the certificates demanded in any advertisement; they generally put down the age, and any one may call question afterwards with regard to the age. Are all the candidates present ? The Clerk said there was one absent—Mr. E. Stack. Mr. Stack was then disqualified, as the advertisement required the personal attendance of the candidates. Mr. Hewson—Is there any retired policeman or retired military man seeking- the place ? Mr. Hamilton—They would be all over age (laughter). The age is 45 years. Mr- Hewson—What have the candidates present being doing up to this ? Chairman—Some of them have been farming and others of them publicans, and I don't know two of them. Mr. Hewson said if there were none of them fit for the appointment he would be for adjourning it to advertise again. The Chairman asked if any guardian had any observation to make that was his time. Mr. Hewson said the appointment of porter was one of great consequence to the union. The examination which they had there a short time ago showed the necessity of having a man equal to keeping the porter's accounts and discharge his duties, and that was a very difficult position to do it fairly and honestly, and according to the rules, and according to the orders. He certainly did not think that any of those gentlemen (the candidates), who had applied for the appointments, suitable. He would advise the guardians to adjourn the election and advertise for more suitable persons. There could not have been a better person than the late Mr. O'Connell, and it was to find a man like him he asked to advertise again. Mr. O'Connell—Perhaps there may be some one amongst the candidates as good as him. Mr. Hewson— Well, I suppose, there is no use in my asking you to adjourn the appointment. The candidates were then requested to retire which they did. The polling then took place, and after the third poll Mr. T. Brosnan was declared elected by a majority of three votes, he having received 17 and Mr. O'Connor 14.
MORE
In reply to a communication from the Board Dr. Cussen wrote stating in reference to the complaint of Andy Nolan, of Lyreacrumpane, that he was up in Church Street on a call when he came for him and refused to leave the ticket when asked to do so by Mr. Houlihan, and be (Mr. Houlihan) informed him that on the first occasion of his (Nolan's) calling he threatened to go to Dr. Dillon and said he would pay £2 to him. He called three times within about an hour and still persisted in keeping the ticket, and from what he (Dr. Cussen) heard he was no more than ten minutes gone when he (Dr. Cussen) returned. Of course when he was informed about it on his arrival he asked for the ticket, but was told the above facts. Trusting they would consider that explanation satisfactory, he remained theirs, &c.
A letter was also sent in from Dr. Moriarty, Ballylongford Dispensary District acknowledging the receipt of the clerk's letter of the 21st instant, enclosing a copy of a complaint made against him by a boy named Moran of Lahasrough in his district relative to the treatment by him of his (Moran's) mother when suffering from a broken thigh bone. In reply, and in answer to the complaint he had to state for the information of the board that he received a visiting ticket from young Moran on the 16th instant requiring him to visit his mother. Monday was his dispensary day, and he informed the boy that it was impossible for him to go to see the case until he had attended to his dispensary, the ticket being marked " urgent." He got very violent, and said if he did not go out he would go and get another doctor and make me suffer. He, however, attended to his dispensary, and when he had done he drove to Lahasrough. He found on his arrival Mrs. Moran suffering from some injury in the region of the hip and joint, the result of a recent accident. He examined her very carefully, and spent a considerable time doing so, and he came to the conclusion that the bone was not out of joint. He could not satisfy himself at the time that the top of it was broken, and remarked that possibly she may be suffering from a severe bruise. He recommended that she be kept quiet on her back in bed, and went away intending to visit her next day, and further inform himself as to her state. He might remark that it was very difficult sometimes for a surgeon to decide whether a patient was suffering from a bruise or a fracture at the thigh bone, especially immediately after the accident, the symptoms and signs being nearly the same in both cases as is a recognised fact in surgery. He intended, of course, as he was in duty bound to do, to see the case every day until he would be justified in discontinuing his visits, but he did not get the chance, for next morning Dr. Jackson was sent for, and be and Dr. O'Halloran visited the case. As he was going to see the case next day he found that Drs Jackson and O'Halloran had been there, and that they put up the limb in a splint. Had he been with them he may or he may not agree with their treatment, for as they were aware " doctors differed." He saw the case subsequently with Dr. Jackson, and the woman was doing well. He respectfully submitted that he had in no way neglected the case , and that he did not intend to neglect it. He attended the case promptly, and never refused to attend. Had he been allowed he would have treated her to the best of his ability, in accordance with the rules of surgery. By acting the very best part he could, and doing the very best to discharge his duty to poor patients, he could not, of course, prevent persons from trying to injure him, by making reports, Etc.
The _letter was marked " read."
The following is a copy of a letter which was forwarded by the Local Government Board to Dr. Moriarty, Ballylongford Dispensary District :—
Sir,-The Local Government Board for Ireland desired me to inform you that they have received a resolution passed by the Board of Guardians of Listowel Union, at their meeting 22nd ult., calling the Board's attention to a letter which appeared in the " Kerry Reporter newspaper of the 26th November last, and which is alleged to be written by you, imputing improper motives and conduct to the chairman of that board in the discharge of his duty, and the board desire to state that they consider that the language made use of by you in the letter referred to is both intemperate and unseemly, and such as a medical officer should not use towards a public body, whose officer he is.
Yours, &c., D. J. MACSHEEHAN .
Forum Genealogy posted this lovely picture of Liza Mulvihill of Glin. This lady was featured in the last edition of Turtle Bunbury's Vanishing Ireland.
I knew Liza many years ago when she used to cycle to Listowel to collect for the National MS Society. Liza had a lovely niece who had MS. Liza looked after Mary Anne with the very best of care. Anxious to do something to help find a cure for this awful disease that was devastating her family, she joined the MS Society and became its local liaison person. When the flag day came round, Liza would cycle from her home in Ballyguiltenane to Listowel with her collecting tin and flags. In the 1970s these"flags" were little paper rectangles which one attached with a straight pin. She usually took up her position in The Square, collected all day, only stopping for lunch and then cycled back home to count the money and send it back to Dublin with the collecting tin.
The MS Society now is a professional organisation with professional staff as well as volunteers on the ground. Back in the early seventies it was run from Dublin on a totally voluntary basis by a group of ladies . I don't think they ever realised the sacrifice and hardship heroes like Liza endured in order to fill the coffers and fund vital research which has yet to produce the cure we all hoped was around the corner back then.
Liza was daughter of Paddy mulvihill and Mary Ann Kiely of Moyvane, Co Kerry.
History Comhaltas
Comhaltas came to Kerry in 1959. In 1959/60 and 1960/61 records of registration of a Moyvane Branch can be seen. Little else in that regard is known to current members. There are suggestions that Jerry Nolan was Chairman and Ann Marie McEnery was secretary.
Moyvane/Knockanure Branch was not always a combined entity. Dan Keane, our longest standing member and still our President, recalls being invited by Mary O'Carroll to his native Knockanure to help found a branch. Their first meeting was held in the old school in Knockanure (which in the last few years was renovated into a community centre). The first Chairman there was Jakie McMahon, Vice Chairman Dan Keane, Secretary Tom Flavin, Treasurer Mary O'Carroll.
In 1978/79 Poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice took the chair there (Moyvane native). He was succeeded after a few years by Dan Keane. Interestingly Dan recalls around the 78/79 mark - a member of over 60, with 30 children in a music class. Get this though - junior membeship was ten pence, senior was fifty pence! Better again, he has the costings of the first social at what was then 2Monty's" and is now Kirby's Lantern's. They were as follows: supper was £1.20 per head, the hall was £35, the band were £68. Tickets were £2 senior, junior £1.50.
As a result of correspondence with the archivist at Blackrock College I have been able to add several details to the family tree. I thought you might be interested to see it and to hear that I have established a connection with John Windle (or Windele) the historian from Cork (1801 - 1865). Please feel free to make mention of me and include my e-mail address on your blog. I hope all is well with you.
Kind regards,James. James Windle www.lulu.com/uat
Jeremiah Buckley married Mary Enright about 1852. They lived in the Shamrock Cottage on the Mail Road. They had 8 children between 1853 and 1871 including my grandfather John Buckley 1853-1910, all baptized in Newtownsandes. The daughters married Stephens, Brandon and Foran. I should welcome any contacts.
John Buckley
My husband is Tom Enright whose family came from Moyvane. We were there once visiting his relatives, Kitty Collins Kearney, Peg Collins and John Collins. The last I heard was that Kitty was in a nursing home. My husband's grandfather was John Enright married to Margaret Collins--aunt to Kitty and Peggy --all from Moyvane. There was a Bryan Enright there who owned a grocery store but we didn't get a chance to meet him.
We have three sons, Brian, Dan and John. Dan found your web site.
Judy Enright
I am interested in finding relatives of Patrick and Ellen (Mullane) Dalton, son Partick Joseph.
Other siblings include: Mary Dalton Casey, Margaret Dalton (deceased at age 21 died 9/4/1876 Jim Dalton born 28/5/1871, JacK Dalton born 29/08/1873, Joseph, went to America , not sure when , Con or Cornelius Dalton born 11/8/1883 and Bill or William Dalton born 25/08 1888.
Also intereted in finding relatives of Patrick Moran, Mary Hanrahan. Daghter Margaret Moran.
Other siblings include sister Hannah, Brothers James P Moran of Chicago an Tim Moran.
Ballylongford Church
Name MORGAN KENELLY Date of Birth 1 March 1823 (BASED ON OTHER DATE INFORMATION) Address BALLYLINE Father TIMOTHY KENELLY Mother CATHERINE SHANAHAN
Ballylongford
Name PATRICK MULVIHILL Date of Birth 1 April 1823 (BASED ON OTHER DATE INFORMATION) Address MORTARA Father BERNARD MULVIHILL Mother HONORA DENIHAN
Ballylongford Church
Name HONORA ENRIGHT
Date of Birth 1 July 1823 (BASED ON OTHER DATE INFORMATION)
Address RUSHEEN
Father JOHN ENRIGHT
Mother HONORA WILMOTT
Further details in the record
Father Occupation NR
Sponsor 1 JOHN WALLACE
Sponsor 2 PEGGY SCANLON
Priest REV.D.MCCARTHY
May 8th 1870 Listowel
HusbandWifeName JAMES M O'CONNOR HONORA TROY Address LISTOWEL LISTOWEL
Name JOHN JOSEPH DILLON
Date of Birth 23 May 1896
Address LISTOWEL
Father WILLIAM DILLON
Mother ANN LEANE
Further details in the record
Child Denomination RC
Father Occupation NR
Sponsor 1 DENIS LEANE
Sponsor 2 ANN TROY
31July 1832 Ballylongford
Kennelly of Limerick
Husband Wife
Name MAURICE KENELLY MARY LEYNE
Address LIMERICK BALLYLONGFORD
Occupation NR NR
Father NR NR NR NR
Mother NR NR NR NR
Further details in the record
Priest REV.D.MCCARTHY
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 JAMES GOULD
Witness 2 MICHAEL LANGAN
23Nov 1871 Tarbert
Husband Wife
Name EUGENE MULCARE HONORA KENNELY
Address GLIN LIMERICK DOONCAHA
Occupation NR NR
Father JEREMIAH MULCARE JOHN KENNELY
Mother NR NR NR NR
Further details in the record
Priest REV. D. FOLEY
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 JOHN KENNELLY
Witness 2 PATRICK CONNOR
Dec2nd 1899 Ballybunion Church
Husband Wife
Name MAURICE O'CONNELL MARY MCNAMARA
Address ATHEA GUHARD
Occupation NR NR
Father JOHN O'CONNELL THOMAS MCNAMARA
Mother NR NR NR NR
Further details in the record
Priest REV.J.MOLYNEAUX
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 THOMAS MCNAMARA
Witness 2 ANN MCNAMARA
10th July 1875 Ballybunion
Husband Wife
Name JAMES FORHAN HONORA HANRAHAN
Address ATHEA BALLYDONOGHUE
Occupation NR NR
Father CORNELIUS FORHAN WILLIAM HANRAHAN
Mother MARY WOULFE NR NR
Further details in the record
Priest REV.J.LAWLER
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 TIMOTHY FORD
Witness 2 JOANNE MCCARTHY
14th Feb. 1905 Listowel
Husband Wife
Name JOHN BARRETT MARGARET O'CONNOR
Address ATHEA COILBEE
Occupation NR NR
Father THOMAS BARRETT MICHAEL O'CONNOR
Mother JULIA SHANAHAN MARY ANN SHANAHAN
Further details in the record
Priest NR
Husband Age NR
Husband Denomination RC
Husband Marital Status NR
Wife Age NR
Wife Marital Status NR
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Wife's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 DAVID LAWLOR
Witness 2 JOSEPH KELLY
2 Feb 1867 Moyvane
Husband Wife
Name JOHN SHEAHAN MARY BUCKLEY
Address ATHEA BANARAHA
Occupation NR NR
Father MICHAEL SHEAHAN PATRICK BUCKLEY
Mother NR NR NR NR
Further details in the record
Priest NR
Husband Age NR
Husband Denomination RC
Husband Marital Status NR
Wife Age NR
Wife Marital Status NR
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Wife's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 TIMOTHY LEAHY
Witness 2 JOHN STACK
26 Feb 1876 Moyvane
Husband Wife
Name PATRICK O'CONNELL MARGARET O'CONNOR
Address ATHEA GURTDROMAGOUNA
Occupation NR NR
Father DANIEL O'CONNELL CORNELIUS O'CONNOR
Mother NR NR NR NR
Further details in the record
Priest NR
Husband Age NR
Husband Denomination RC
Husband Marital Status NR
Wife Age NR
Wife Marital Status NR
Husband's Father's Occupation NR
Wife's Father's Occupation NR
Witness 1 JOHN O'CONNELL
Witness 2 ROBERT HUNT
Ballybunion Church
ame JOHN O'CONNELL
Date of Birth 14 January 1901
Address KNOCKNAGOUNA ATHEA
Father MAURICE CONNELL
Mother MARY MCNAMARA
Further details in the record
Father Occupation NR
Sponsor 1 THOMAS MCNAMARA
Sponsor 2 MARGARET MCNAMARA
Priest REV.J.MOLYNEAUX P.P.