Cumann Seandálaíochta agus Staire na Gaillimhe
Galway Archaeological and Historical Society
Website: www.gahs.info
HARBOUR HOTEL, DOCK ROAD, GALWAY
Monday, 10 October 2011 @ 8PM
“West Connacht in the eyes of the Bogs engineers 1809-1813”
By Dr. Arnold Horner
All are welcome to attend.
In 1809 the British government appointed commissioners to establish information about the bogs of Ireland and to explore the potential of draining and improving them for cultivation. During the next four years the commissioners divided much of Ireland into districts for each of which an engineer produced a report. Although the bogs were the main focus, many of these reports contain much other interesting information about local conditions. Most of the reports are also accompanied by a series of maps, some of which are of great significance because they show areas thirty years before the first Ordnance Survey maps.
This presentation reviews how the western parts of Counties Mayo and Galway were portrayed in the maps and reports of the engineers working for Bogs Commissioners of 1809-13. Four engineers, Richard Griffith, William Bald, J.A. Jones and Alexander Nimmo respectively reported on districts in north-west Mayo, south and east Mayo, the area east of Lough Corrib and in Connemara. Their commentaries, together with the maps provided for each of the districts except Connemara, offer many incidental insights to local life in west Connacht in the early nineteenth century.
The presentation is given by Dr Arnold Horner who teaches geography at University College Dublin. Dr Horner is the author of several articles and book chapters on the bogs commissioners. He has written extensively on many aspects of the geography of Ireland. He has a particular interest in maps and in the history of cartography (map-making) in Ireland. He has written three books on the mapping of Irish counties, the most recent being Mapping Sligo in the early nineteenth century, an introduction to William Larkin’s 1819 map of the county. This book has just been published by Wordwell.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Kinsale Historical Society
The Kinsale Historical Society are hosting a meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday 11th October).
Michael Smith who has written extensively on the Irish in the Antarctic will speak on the lives of the McCarthys of Kinsale, Timothy who was with Shackleton and Mortimer who sailed with Scott, He will also tell of other Irish explorers from the Cork area.The lecture will take place at the Methodist Church at 8.30 p.m.
Michael Smith who has written extensively on the Irish in the Antarctic will speak on the lives of the McCarthys of Kinsale, Timothy who was with Shackleton and Mortimer who sailed with Scott, He will also tell of other Irish explorers from the Cork area.The lecture will take place at the Methodist Church at 8.30 p.m.
FLHS MEMBERS VISIT BANBRIDGE ON SECOND TRIP
After the very successful joint North/South visit to Banbridge in July it was decided due to popular demand to organise a second trip for those members who missed out on the earlier visit. The visiting group included five members from Naas, namely Pat Mc Glynn, Jenny Casey, Margaret Dawson , Fidelma O’Brien and Larry Breen, two from Celbridge Anne Mc Neill and Maeve O’Regan and Frank Taaffe from Athy. The day’s itinerary was basically similar to the first trip but with a few added extras. After tea/coffee and scones at the F.E Mc Williams Gallery the group had a chance to view the impressive gallery and outside gardens before setting off on a tour of the Banbridge and district. This time however the group were afforded the chance of a visit to the very impressively restored Stramore House courtesy of the present owners, the Watson Family. It was a unique opportunity to see inside the house which had been beautifully restored to much of its former glory. It was a memorable visit much enhanced by the fact that the house was also a home lived in by the owners and that made it somewhat special. This time the visitors were able to access the inside of Moyallon Quaker Meeting hall and see at first hand how the community practiced their worship. The coach tour included a visit to Gilford to see St. John’s Catholic Church and then on to Drumballyroney and the Bronte Interpretative Centre. The final port of call was the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Church and parish hall where the visitors were given a very warm welcome and great hospitality by the local parishioners who provided a wonderful array of sandwiches, cakes tea and coffee. An added bonus was a chance to see the inside of this beautiful church with its impressive ornate alter and beautiful stain glass windows. Adrian, Chairman of the Banbridge Historical Society joined the group and welcomed the visitors to his home town on behalf of all its members. The happy wanderers left Banbridge after another memorable visit with special thanks to the organisers, Doreen Mc Bride and Jason Diamond for all their hard work, warm welcome and excellent guidance during the day.
Friday, July 8, 2011
LOCAL HISTORY FEDERATIONS MEET IN BANBRIDGE CO DOWN
A large group of over one hundred local historians from theFederation of Ulster Local Studies and the Federation of Local History Societies enjoyed a memorable outing to Banbridge and district including the Bronte country. This event was part of the urban-experience project involving exchange visits between the two federations north and south. Federation members from the south travelled to meet up with their colleagues in Ulster at the impressive F.E. McWilliam Gallery on the outskirts of the town. F.E. McWilliam who was a native of the town became a renowned surrealist sculptor. Adrian Howlett, Chairman of the Banbridge Historical Society and committee member Doreen McBride welcomed the visitors on their arrival and presented them with a complementary booked designed by Jason Diamond of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery which outlined the history of Banbridge and the surrounding area. After mixing together in two buses the merry band set out on the first leg of their visit with a morning tour. Jason Diamond acted as guide on one bus, and Doreen McBride on the other. Travelling through Banbridge the visitors were shown local landmarks such as the Downshire Hotel, the Market House, the Downshire Bridge, the Cut and the statue of Captain F.R.M. Crozier, the polar explorer credited with the discovery of the North-West passage. The first stop was the Moyallon Quaker Meeting House near Gilford. It proved to be a most tranquil, peaceful and quiet place, chosen originally for it's fertile surroundings and proximity to the Upper Bann. It was interesting to hear the history of Quaker families like the Christies, the Wakefields and the Richardsons and how they related to the community in which they lived. The next stop was St. John's R.C. Church in Gilford. A small but beautiful building ornately decorated inside. It had, however, a very very special features that would delight any visitor. It boasts two fine Harry Clarke windows on both side walls adjajcent to the altar. They provided a sparkling vista in the summer sunlight. During the morning journey many interesting landmarks were pointed out. There were many reminders of the industrial past associated with the are - the linen trade. By 1772 it had become the principal linen producing area in Ireland with a total of twenty-six bleaching greens along the Bann. Many fine houses were seen, all associated with the local Linen Barons of the time including Milltown House, Banford House, Mount Pleasant and Gilford Castle built for Benjamen Dickson of Gilford Mills. There are many fine mills in the area but none as impressive as Gilford Mills, still resplendint in her glory with her beautiful red brick and towering chimney. One of the largest flax spinning factories in Ireland this threadworks was once the largest undertaking on the Upper Bann.
After the morning's exertions an excellent dinner was provide at the Belmont Hotel accompanied by some excellent service. The afternoon saw the group on the road again to visit the Bronte Interprative Centre at Drumballyroney. It was quite a sight to see the church, graveyard and little school sitting so picturesquely amid the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. Packed into the little church was a compelling presentation of the Bronte family and its Irish connections. Following this people were allowed time to wander the quaint little graveyard and the old school-house. The journey back to Banbridge was along pleasant country roads with wonderful views of the green rolling Drumlin country. This, with the Mourne Mountains in the distance, was something special for everyone.
The final call was to banbridge Town Hall where the visitors were treated to a civic reception by Cllr. Ian Burns of Banbridge Town Council at the Council Chambers. A Wonderful array of refreshments were provided and a warm welcome was extended to the group by Cllr. Burns. This was very much appreciated by the group and special thanks were extended to Cllr. Burns. Adrian Howlett of Banbridge Historical Society, Larry Breen, FLHS and Fr. Sean O'Doherty, President of the FLHS all extended a special word of thanks to the main organisers, Doreen McBride and Jason Diamond for all their hard work.
The day ended with the reading of an appropriate little poem penned on the day by Mae Leonard from Naas, County Kildare, the poem is called "Historical Friends.
Take my hand
And bide a while
And look into my Eyes
And smile
History may have
Torn us apart
But in Banbridge
Is where it brings
Us back
So together, friend
I shake your hand
And say,
May we forever
Remain this way
Friends through History.
After the morning's exertions an excellent dinner was provide at the Belmont Hotel accompanied by some excellent service. The afternoon saw the group on the road again to visit the Bronte Interprative Centre at Drumballyroney. It was quite a sight to see the church, graveyard and little school sitting so picturesquely amid the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. Packed into the little church was a compelling presentation of the Bronte family and its Irish connections. Following this people were allowed time to wander the quaint little graveyard and the old school-house. The journey back to Banbridge was along pleasant country roads with wonderful views of the green rolling Drumlin country. This, with the Mourne Mountains in the distance, was something special for everyone.
The final call was to banbridge Town Hall where the visitors were treated to a civic reception by Cllr. Ian Burns of Banbridge Town Council at the Council Chambers. A Wonderful array of refreshments were provided and a warm welcome was extended to the group by Cllr. Burns. This was very much appreciated by the group and special thanks were extended to Cllr. Burns. Adrian Howlett of Banbridge Historical Society, Larry Breen, FLHS and Fr. Sean O'Doherty, President of the FLHS all extended a special word of thanks to the main organisers, Doreen McBride and Jason Diamond for all their hard work.
The day ended with the reading of an appropriate little poem penned on the day by Mae Leonard from Naas, County Kildare, the poem is called "Historical Friends.
Take my hand
And bide a while
And look into my Eyes
And smile
History may have
Torn us apart
But in Banbridge
Is where it brings
Us back
So together, friend
I shake your hand
And say,
May we forever
Remain this way
Friends through History.
Friday, May 27, 2011
FEDERATION OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES A.G.M. 2011
KILMALLOCK, CO. LIMERICK
The ancient town of Kilmallock, Co. Limerick was chosen as the location for the 2011 A.G.M. of the Federation. In this the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Federation it was decided to make it a weekend event, starting on Friday evening and ending on Sunday afternoon.
The Federation Chairman Larry Breen made contact with the Deebert House Hotel and Margaret of the hotel, with the help of some Kilmallock folk, organised a series of events to complement the A.G.M. which was scheduled for Saturday morning. On Friday evening Liam Irwin, Senior Lecturer Mary Immaculate College Limerick gave a most interesting talk on the history of Kilmallock. Illustrated with a PowerPoint presentation the talk whetted our curiosity for the following day’s historical walk of Kilmallock.
On Saturday morning the official business of the A.G.M. was gone through with the usual efficiency, ending with Society Spake which gave representatives of local history societies an opportunity to bring us up to date on the activities throughout the past year. It was delightful to hear of the happenings in local societies from Cork to Mayo to Drogheda to Dublin to Athy and localities in between. The interest in local history is very much on the increase and the divergent activities to be found in local history societies speak well of the scholarly interest now being taken in the subject.
The Federation Chairman Larry Breen made contact with the Deebert House Hotel and Margaret of the hotel, with the help of some Kilmallock folk, organised a series of events to complement the A.G.M. which was scheduled for Saturday morning. On Friday evening Liam Irwin, Senior Lecturer Mary Immaculate College Limerick gave a most interesting talk on the history of Kilmallock. Illustrated with a PowerPoint presentation the talk whetted our curiosity for the following day’s historical walk of Kilmallock.
On Saturday morning the official business of the A.G.M. was gone through with the usual efficiency, ending with Society Spake which gave representatives of local history societies an opportunity to bring us up to date on the activities throughout the past year. It was delightful to hear of the happenings in local societies from Cork to Mayo to Drogheda to Dublin to Athy and localities in between. The interest in local history is very much on the increase and the divergent activities to be found in local history societies speak well of the scholarly interest now being taken in the subject.
In the afternoon there was a walking tour of Kilmallock visiting the very impressive Friars Gate Theatre, the small local museum and the enormous Dominican Friary which is the pride of Kilmallock. Next door to it is the Collegiate College which was also visited, as well as the Kings Castle, while the remaining town gates were viewed from a distance.
Following the town walk we returned to Deebert House Hotel where the members of the Kilmallock re-enactment group, attired in medieval warrior costumes, put on a display of medieval weapons, shields and mailed armour worn in battle. The talk and demonstration was very impressive and showed a knowledge of medieval uniform and weaponry which was breathtaking.
Saturday evening was rounded off with an Irish night in the Deebert House Hotel. Local musicians, singers and storytellers gave us a fascinating and continuous programme of music and song to which local history society delegates Kay Lonergan, Moira Laffan and Vera Hughes contributed. It was a wonderful night of entertainment.
On Sunday morning the delegates travelled by car to Lough Gur, there to be met by retired Garda George Finch who is a member of the Lough Gur Development Co-op and one of five tour guides involved with Lough Gur. For over three hours George brought us through the Lough Gur Archaeological site with a commentary on the hidden history of the area which was fascinating in its delivery and detail. It was perhaps one of the best guided tours we were ever privileged to have on a historical site. Well done to George Finch and his team, three of whom made surprise appearances at different stages of the Lough Gur tour.
The weekend came to a close at approximately 1.45 p.m. on Sunday when the delegates left for home, departing from the Lough Gur complex. It was a wonderful enjoyable weekend made possible by the kindness, thoughtfulness and good neighbourliness of all the Kilmallock folk who were involved in entertaining us over the weekend.
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