Animals in War, Kilmorna House A Priest of a holy Ballybunion Family

 Portmarnock by Éamon ÓMurchú

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Kilmorna House, A Tragic Story

I published the following essay in 2013. It was written for the Presentation Secondary School yearbook 1988

Kilmorna House

About 5 miles east of Listowel there once stood the great Kilmorna House. It was owned by the O’Mahoneys Kerry. George O’Mahoney was step brother to Arthur Vicars. Sir Arthur Vicars was in charge of the crown jewels when they were stolen. In 1912.  When George O'Mahoney died. Kilmorna House and grounds passed on to Vicars’ sister. At once she offered Vicars the place, free of charge, for as long as he wished. Little did he know  the tragedy which would follow his stay at Kilmorna  House. Sir Arthur Vickers loved the house. It was everything that could be wanted by a man who adored high society.

It stood on 600 acres of the beautiful countryside in the deep west of Ireland.  Three lodge houses with painted roofs stood by stonewall entrances. These lodges are still standing and are occupied by local people today. Kilmorna House was built of brick, surfaced  with smooth Kerry Stone and, for most of the year, ivy climbed up its high walls. On the west side of the house a walk of  lime trees paraded down to the bank of the river Feale, rich in salmon and trout meandering and flowing through the estate. From the granite terraces to the house, the smooth lawns sloped gently down  through shrubberies and flower beds. The estate stretched from Shanacool Cross to Gortaglanna Cross, to the bridge which divides Duagh parish from Knockanure. From Shanacool to Kilmorna Station there were plantations of beech, oak and yew trees.

At the age of 53, Sir Arthur, to the surprise of many, married Miss Gertrude Wright of Kilurry house near Castleisland.
 There were over 100 local people employed directly or indirectly by Sir Arthur, who paid them wages above the average for this backward area of Ireland. The old people of Kilmorna today still remember the huge party that was organised for the local children by Sir Arthur at Christmas. He loved to ride about the neighbouring farms on horseback. He owned the only car in the district and, once or twice a week, he would drive to Listowel, handing out produce from the Kilmorna gardens and orchards to needy families, Protestant and Catholic alike. His wife  kept tiny Yorkshire terriers and in the event of the death of one of these creatures, a funeral was arranged and the workmen were expected to dress in black and look solemn.  

After the theft of the crown jewels, Sir Arthur, with bitter experience of the unreliability of safes, had built a strong room to house his wife's jewels, Kilmorna’s silver ornaments, valuable books and family paintings when he was away from the house. It was natural that wild stories spread through  the countryside amongst uneducated peasant farmers. Could it be, asked some, that Sir Arthur really stole the crown jewels and had hidden them in Kilmorna’s strong room? It was thought that there may have been guns stored there also. The IRA considered him to be a spy and informer. Despite many warnings he refused to leave his beloved Kilmorna.

On Monday, 14 April 1921, Sir Arthur was still in bed at 10 o'clock when his wife rushed into the room to tell him that there were men with pistols in the house. He ordered  the servants to save as many valuable things as possible. His manager, Michael Murphy, told him the men said that they had only come to burn the house and that no one would be harmed.

By this time the army was on its way from Listowel, alerted by a message from Kilmorna Railway Station. The soldiers wasted precious minutes in a chase that was fruitless. In those minutes, Sir Arthur stood under the guns of the three men from the North Kerry Flying Column, his back pressed against a beech tree. It was there at 10.30 that he was shot three times in the chest and neck and twice in the head. The house had been burnt down as the men had run through it with blankets soaked in petrol.

The army wondered what might remain in the smoking ruins of Kilmorna so they blew open the strong room to find nothing.  It had been empty all the time..

The O’Mahoney’s Of  Kerry called in lawyers to formulate a claim for compensation against the British government, valuing Kilmorna House at around £15,000.  From Listowel, people came to gaze at the great black ruin. Their children played with the dismembered pieces of suits of armour they found lying on the terrace. Some wandered amongst the tiny headstones of Lady Vicars’ canine cemetery but mostly they stood looking silently at the devastation before them.

All that remains today in Kilmorna is Parnell’s tree – an oak tree was planted by Parnell 67 years ago. He said that he hoped that we would have Home Rule in Ireland before the magpies built their nests in the tree.

(By Irene O’Keeffe and Laura Doran)

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They also Serve who only Stand and Wait

 This Animals in War memorial is in Hyde Park, London

It's hard to get your head around these numbers. 16 million animals "served" in The Great War. Nearly half a million animals were killed in British service.

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Some Animals Snapped by a Blog Follower

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A Ballybunion Born Priest

Freeman’s Journal 17 April 1924

A zealous and devoted pioneer, priest in the archdiocese of Melbourne, the Rev. Father D. B. Nelan, P.P., died on Tuesday night of last week at St. Monica's Presbytery, Essendon. For some time he had been seriously indisposed, and his death therefore was not unexpected. By his parishioners he was held in the greatest affection, and his demise is keenly regretted throughout his extensive parish. 

Deceased was one of a family of six to enter the religious life — four priests and two nuns. His brother priests, who predeceased the pastor of Essendon, were the Very Rev. Dean Nelan (Colac), Rev. Father John Nelan, and Rev. Father Daniel Nelan. Sister Mary Brendan (Convent of Mercy, Gee long) and Mother Austin (Presentation Convent, Elsternwick) are his sisters. The Sisters of Charity were in constant attendance on the deceased, and Sister Brendan was at her brother's bedside before he died. The Rev. Father R. Collins, P.P., of South Melbourne, a lifelong friend, was with Father Nelan for the greater part of Tuesday. 

Father Nelan, who was close on 72 years of age, had given forty-five years of his life to the sacred ministry. Born in Ballybunion, North Kerry, Ireland, deceased studied in a classical school at Listowel, and completed his ecclesiastical studies in All Hallows College, where he was ordained in 1879. He was a classmate of his Grace the Most Rev. Dr. P. Delany, Archbishop of Hobart, and the Very Rev. Father T. Lynch, P.P., of St. Kilda. Arriving in Victoria soon after his ordination, Father Nelan's first appointment was to North Melbourne, then known as Hotham. Father Nelan's curacy ended at Kyneton, and he was afterwards appointed by Archbishop Goold as parish priest of Keilor.

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Alan Quinlan shared this on Twitter

This was passed on by a friend ...The victorious Tipp football team on their way home in 1920 after defeating Kerry in killarney...they stopped in mallow and bought a pig at the fair... see whats written on his belly!

One has to be careful about what one reads on Twitter. Anyone know is this true or is fake news?

Convent Street Memories, Killarney Roll of Honour, Fear na Coillte and Bloody Sunday 1920

Reaction to this photo has been tremendous. Marie Neligan and Donal Griffin have fond memories of this little row of houses and the people who lived in them. When I posted their emails, many people were transported back to happier days in Listowel in the early decades of the 20th century.

"Mary, one more memory of Donald Griffin. I remember when he played Hansel in a pantomime Hansel and Gretel. Louise O’Connell played the witch but I don’t remember who played Gretel. Wonder if he remembers." Marie Neligan Shaw

Someone nearer home also holds fond memories of Donal and Griffin's shop;

"John O Connell Coolaclarig, originally Curraghatoosane, remembers the Griffin family well. They went to school together and played football together up in O Connells field “ the Cross” versus “ Bothareen Dubh”  He thinks it may be Tony who was around his age. He also bought reels of  thread for his mother from Mrs Griffin. Then he patiently waited for the same thread to be all used up, so he could make wheels for a tractor he made from match boxes !!!! ."

Added to the stories from Ireland, the U.S. and Britain is Liz Chute writing from Canada

Hello Mary 

It was lovely to read some of the history of the three houses at Convent Cross submitted by Marie . The Aloyousis ( Al) Doyle that Marie refers to was actually married to my aunt ,  Celia Chute of 17 Charles Street . They had three sons , Jim now deceased , Alan and Brendan . They lived in Banbury England for a number of years eventually returning to Newcastle , County Dublin . After Al passed away Celia returned to Listowel and lived in Cliveragh . She is buried with Al in the old cemetery on Church Street .  

On the same day as I received Liz's email I got one from Nicholas Leonard which included this paragraph;

I am intrigued by the Listowel Connected people who are sending their stories to you. Great to hear of people who left and who made new lives in far-off lands. They never forget their origins and the people they knew and loved in  their youth.

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 Atlantic House, Main Street, Ballybunion

Rose Treacy shared this photo on Facebook. It was taken  sometime between 1930 one 1970

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Lest We Forget

There are about 100,000 war memorials dotted all over the U.K. Most were erected after World War 1.  700,000 British lives were lost in this terrible conflict. Irish soldiers are included in that number. Many of these men were buried in foreign fields. Many more were blown to smithereens and repatriating them would have been an impossible task. To focus people's grief Britain built war memorials and engraved the thousands of names of the dead on them.

This roll of honour is in St. Mary's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Killarney.

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Sculpting a Statue with Chainsaws

Fear na Coillte is his trade name. He is Will Fogarty and he makes beautiful things from wood using chainsaws as sculpting tools. He did this job for a Limerick family recently.

The old tree was a bit of an eyesore in the garden. The lady of the house knew exactly what she wanted sculpted out of it. She wanted a statue of Our Lady.

This is the  part of the truck that Will sawed off to carve into the image.

This is the finished sculpture. Wow!

All of these photos were sourced from Will's Facebook Page

Fear na Coillte Chainsaw Sculptures

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Just Saying

(Ger Greaney shared this on Facebook)

In Jean Edward Smith's biography of George W. Bush, he wrote about what President Bush thought of President-elect Obama during the transition period.

On page 650, it states:
“As part of the presidential transition, Barack Obama asked Bush if it would be possible for him to meet all the ex-presidents. Bush was happy to oblige, and organized a White House luncheon in the Oval Office on January 7. Bush and Obama were joined by Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George H. W. Bush. The luncheon lasted over two hours, each former president ordered his lunch à la carte from the White House mess, and the tone was convivial and friendly. “All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office,” said Obama before the meeting. “For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary, and I just want to thank the President for hosting us.”
Bush was equally effusive. “We want you to succeed,” he replied. “Whether we're Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country. And to the extent we can we look forward to sharing out experiences with you. All of us who have served in this office understand that the office transcends the individual.”

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Bloody Sunday 1920 Remembered

Newspapers over the weekend were full of the story of Bloody Sunday 1920 and the commemoration this year.

One story, another tragedy of that awful time, I only saw reported in one forum.

Mark Holan writes about it in his marvellous blog

Mark Holan's Irish American Blog

"Irish journalist Austin F. Cowley was shot dead by a military sentry on the evening of Nov. 21, 1920, at Navan, Co. Meath, hours after the “Bloody Sunday” killings in Dublin. The victim was deaf and did not hear three orders to halt from the sentry put “on the alert and on edge” by the earlier events."

We owe it to Austin to remember him too. Thank you Mark for bringing us this story of an extra innocent casualty of Bloody Sunday.

Galway 1979, Boys School Class 1942, New Kingdom and Little Acts of Kindness

Portmarnock by Éamon ÓMurchú

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Soldiers of the National Army who died during the civil war

12/03/1923

On Monday the 12th of March 1923 an officer of Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces was killed in a tragic accident, while returning from an out-post at Finuge to Listowel County Kerry, Lieutenant A Glynn and Captain Cleary experimented with a bomb by throwing it into the river Feale. The bomb exploded with great force and Lieutenant Glynn was killed instantly. Captain Cleary was seriously wounded and died later that day, Cleary was a native of whitegate and a prominent member of the East Clare Brigade during the War of Independence. Lieutenant Glynn was the son of Mr J H Glynn Commercial Hotel Gort County Galway.

25/03/1923

On the 25th of March 1923 Private Hayes of Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces was accidently shot dead when challenged by a sentry at Newtownsandes County Kerry. Hayes was a native of Killarney County Kerry.

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Listowel Tennis Courts in November 2020

On the new path beside the pitch and putt course.

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First Class 1942

Máire MacMahon sent us this lovely old photo of the first class boys in Listowel's boys' national school. According to the note on the back of the photo it was taken on December 16 1942.

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New Kingdom Bar, Church St.

The Church Street/ Ashe Street debate is remembered here.

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Kerry Teenagers in Galway

 Kerry teenagers in Galway to see the pope in 1979. Carmel Moloney found the photo.

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It's the Little Things

My lovely neighbour arrived with this for my tea. It was as delicious as it looks

Hot on the heels of one act of kindness comes another. I love where I live.

Fungie, Kerry Pilgrims in Lourdes in 1973, Patrick MacMahon and a Listowel man's link to Joe Biden

 Fungie in his Heyday

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Listowel Community Centre in Winter lockdown 2020

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Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 1973

This was a huge photo so I photographed it in sections. It was also laminated so a bit hard to avoid glare

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Working Late at the Áras

Áras an Uachtaráin photo by Christine Ahern

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Spotting an Ancestor in an old photo

Máire  MacMahon wrote to us about this picture which was one that Rob Cross included in his restoration project.

Dear Mary,

 

Thank you for posting the photos of Listowel. I'm familiar with the black and white photos but to see them in colour is beautiful. 

In the photo 'larger group at RIC' or what we would know as Liam Dillon's Corner - if you look at the gentleman in the boater hat in the middle of the photo - I've always been told that gentleman was my great grandfather Patrick McMahon, father of my grandad Bryan. 

If you look all the people at that side of the street are barefoot except Patrick as he had just come down Colbert street as the photo was taken. 

Patrick McMahon was originally from Charles Street, & when he married my great grandmother Johanna Coughlan and lived at Market Street  where part of the Spar Shop is now located.  He was a  land agent. 

This is one of my favourite pictures of the town because of the link to our family.

Hope you are keeping well? 

Máire 

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Joe Biden, A Listowel Connection

Eamon OMurchú in 1974 is here seated on the steps of Capitol Hill with Senator Joe Biden. I asked him to tell us the story behind the picture. 

Here it is;

During the summers of 1974, 1975 and 1976, it was my pleasure and privilege to act as  Group Leader on Summer Teacher Programmes to University of Delaware, U.S.A. Teachers from first-level, second-level and third-level from Irish Schools, Colleges and Universities participated in these programmes on Comparative Education.  A central element of these programmes was that we stayed at weekends with host-families.  It was my privilege to stay with a family in Wilmington each year - and I am ever since in very close contact with that family.  Another element of the programme was a five-day stay in Washington D.C., during which we visited the White House, the Capitol, the Irish Embassy, the Kennedy Centre, Arlington Cemetery and other locations of importance and of interest. 

The photograph I sent you was taken in 1974 on the steps of the Capitol.

It was also my privilege to greet Ted Kennedy on the steps of the Capitol in 1975 - and I also have a photograph of that occasion!

Through these teacher programmes many Irish teachers during the 1960s and 1970s had the opportunity to visit the United States during the summer, study at American Universities, stay with American families, learn about the American educational system and way of life, while at the same time bringing to America the rich cultural heritage of music, song and literature here in Ireland. We used every opportunity to do this.  The man who spearheaded these programmes was Mr. Stephen Daly of ITP Travel, Terenure, who, sadly, is no longer with us.

I have of course written recently to my friends in Wilmington conveying my delight that Joe Biden from Wilmington is now President-Elect.

Raceweek 1965

Cathleen Mulvihill' found this old photo and it's causing a stir on Facebook. Everyone recognises the late Brendan Daly but the other two are proving harder to identify. Dr. Johnny Walshe and his brother Jim have been ruled out.

Frank Murray R.I.P., Artwork in the ball alley and Dancing on the Beach in 1955

Putting up the Christmas Lights

 on Church Street, Listowel, Tuesday November 17 2020

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A Different Kind of Christmas

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Frank Murray R.I.P.

The following obituary to Listowel's Frank Murray was printed in The Irish Times. I'm sharing it here to show how proud Listowel should be of this native son.

Frank Murray – made huge contribution to community and comprehensive education

An Appreciation

Denise Burns

Frank Murray: a charismatic and friendly leader with an ability to relate positively with people, to address issues strategically, and to find solutions that were fair to everyone.re to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to Email AppShare 

Frank Murray was born in Listowel, Co Kerry, in March 1944. He excelled at GAA football and continued playing during his years in UCD. His love of Gaelic games resulted in Frank becoming a steward at Croke Park for more than 30 years.

Following his graduation with a UCD commerce degree, Frank obtained a teaching qualification, and in 1967 began his career in Belfast.

Appointment as a deputy principal in Tallaght Community School in 1973 began his long association with the emerging and rapidly growing secondary education sector in Ireland. In 1977, he became the founding principal of St Mark’s Community School in Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin.

Frank was the general secretary of the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools (ACCS) from 1990 to 1996. His professional support for boards of management and school principals of community and comprehensive schools was outstanding. In many communities nationwide, Frank facilitated the amalgamation of existing secondary and vocational secondary schools into new community schools. A colleague described as “monuments to Frank” the many community schools in different parts of the country that Frank helped to establish. His energy, insight, problem-solving and negotiation skills and his ability to interact positively with people contributed enormously to the sense of community and professionalism in the community and comprehensive education sector.

In 1994, Frank completed a master’s in science (educational management) at Trinity College Dublin, with a dissertation on the amalgamation of schools that in turn became the blueprint for future school amalgamations.

When the then-minister for education Niamh Bhreathnach established the Commission on School Accommodation in 1996, Frank was appointed the executive chair. The commission included school management bodies, teacher trade unions, and parent representative bodies. Its first task was the controversial rationalisation of the Vocational Education Committees nationwide. The commission reported on criteria and procedures for the recognition of new schools, procedures for the recognition of Irish-medium schools, the future amalgamation of schools and the planning for provision of schools in urban and rural areas. Frank’s expertise with statistics, his consultative style, and his friendly disposition, combined with his outstanding skill as a chairman, lead to reports that had the consensus endorsement of all the partners in education.

His inclusive style, his willingness to listen to concerns from all partners, and his ability to create a pleasant environment for respectful dialogue facilitated the consensus outcomes.

Several schools benefitted from Frank’s chairmanship of their boards of management and he was a director of the Loreto Education Trust. He served on numerous interview boards for positions of senior educational management. His advice to the Department of Education was invaluable.

When Frank retired from the commission in 2009, he continued in a voluntary professional capacity on school boards of management and interview boards until his illness demanded his full retirement.

Frank will be remembered as a charismatic and friendly leader with an ability to relate positively with people, to address issues strategically, and to find solutions that were fair to everyone.

Frank died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on August 22nd. His funeral took place in St Colmcille’s Church in Knocklyon on Wednesday 26th. His children paid warm tribute and a former colleague, Tommy Flynn, outlined Frank’s great contribution to Irish education.

Frank is mourned by his wife Barbara, who cared for Frank with great care and dedication, his three children Michael, Catherine, and Conor, son-in-law Alan, daughters-in-law Mary and Kathrin, and six grandchildren.

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Revamping the Ball Alley

Listowel Handball Alley in November 2020. Work has recently commenced on decorating the walls with artwork. Local artists are volunteering their time. I took some photos of the work in progress.

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Ballybunion 1955

Photo shared on Facebook by Jeremiah O'Carroll