Beara Millennium Reminiscence Book

Philip Murphy's book,Things I Have Seen, also known as the Beara Millennium Reminiscence Book has been converted to e-text format and generously made available. You can get your own copy here. Just click the link.

Books about Beara available online

There are several historical books, many long out of print,  about the Beara peninsula and its people.  Here are links to a few of these available online:

Bantry, Berehaven and the O'Sullivan Sept by Timothy Daniel Sullivan, published by Sealy, Bryers & Walker, 1908

Irish Names and Surnames by Patrick Woulfe, published by M.H. Gill and son, 1906

Irish Pedigrees, or The Origin and Stem of the Irish Race by John O'Hart, published by J. Duffy and Company, 1892

 Also, for those interested in something a bit more up to date, there's At the Edge of Ireland, Seasons on the Beara Peninsula by David Yeadon, published 2009. It will cost you $9.78 (USD). Here's a bit about it:

On the Beara Peninsula of southwest Ireland, the Yeadons discovered their own "little lost world," an enticing Brigadoon of soaring mountain ranges and spectacular coastal scenery, far removed from the touristic hullabaloo of Dublin, Killarney, and the Ring of Kerry. Here is the fabled "Old Ireland," alive and well with music seisuins, hooley dances, and seanachai storytellers—a haven for searchers, healers, artists, and poets hardy enough to have braved the same narrow and winding mountain roads that keep the package-tour coaches out. 

Bursting with color and life, At the Edge of Ireland is an intrepid wanderer's celebration of a magical, unspoiled, and unforgettable Éire.

You can get all of these on your web enabled computer, pad, smartphone, e-reader, etc...  Just the thing to read on those long flights when you don't want to look at the overpriced things in the airline's magazine.

Keeping track of degrees of kindred

Our friend Ann Chilton sent this handy chart, useful for remembering how many degrees of kindred someone may be "removed" from you.

If that's not enough, you can also refer to this, even more expanded, chart.  Note there's an error in row 10, column 5.  It should read "Third cousin five times removed."

Color Images of Ireland from 1913

Claddagh, Co. Galway, Ireland

The entirety of this post is taken from Turtle Bunbury's Wistorical page in Facebook. You can see the original here.

In May 1913, Marguerite Mespoulet and Madeleine Mignon, two French women in their early 30s, arrived in Co. Galway, armed with heavy cameras and, more importantly the Autochrome Lumière plates, which enabled them to produce the first colour images of Ireland.

Their assignment to photograph the people of Galway was part of a massive project entitled ‘The Archives of the Planet’ sponsored by a wealthy French banker and philanthropist called Albert Kahn.

These photographs show that old Ireland was by no means as austere as traditional black and white photographs imply. As well as the brown bogs, yellowing gorse and grey skies, the two French ladies captured the people of Claddagh and Spiddal wearing costumes so colourful they would not be out of place in the Himalayas.

In her journal, Mespoulet wrote: ‘The young men leave for North America, the young women too and when the old die the house is abandoned and falls into ruin. There is hardly a village where one doesn't find forlorn skeletons of small grey houses invaded by nettles.’

Kahn went on to lose his fortune with the Wall Street Crash of 1929, but his immense Archive amassed some 72,000 color photographs between 1909-1931, including 73 of Ireland by Mespoulet and Mignon.

You can see a slide show of these early Irish photographs here

The photographs, recognized as one of the finest collections in the world, now reside at the site of Kahn’s garden in the Musee Albert Kahn at 14, Rue du Port, Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris.

Columbia's Rare Book and Manuscript Library holds a collection of Mespoulet's papers. As far as I can tell, there's still masses to learn from Kahn's exceptional project, so if anyone out there is seeking a new line of hobby ...

Three new pictures

Our friend Steve Sullivan sends these three pictures to share with us.

1. Riobard O'Dwyer playing his accordion in his Eyeries home

2. A plaque at the Urhan School honoring Riobard (forty one years teaching)

3. A picture of Eyeries looking southwest over Coulagh Bay toward Urhan and Allihies.

Donal O'Siodhachain, a familiar name to regular readers, recently married his long-time fiance, Patricia.
Donal, Patricia, and Father John J. O'Riordain

The bride's cousin Joan shared the following account of the event:

The wedding was at a beautiful church in the village, just five minutes’ walk from the hotel. The Mass was lovely, and very successfully incorporated a mixture of traditional Irish and Scottish features: traditional airs on Uileann pipes, fiddle, accordion, guitar and whistle, played with flair and accomplishment by Gerry, Denis and Paddy; readings and prayers in both English and Irish, movingly delivered by Ita, Bertha, Helen, Clarissa, Nkosi, Alexiane and Denis; and two lovely poems – ‘Days’ by Limerick’s Tim Cunningham, beautifully read by June, and ‘September Heresy’ by Hamish McLaren, which was presented with aplomb by Donal’s friend, the charismatic storyteller Tim Evans.
These two poems could not have been better chosen for their aptness on the occasion: their lyrics, and the sentiments contained therein, touched the hearts, the minds and the emotions of everyone in the congregation. They were complemented by the beautiful hymns: ‘The Deer’s Cry’ and ‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ – both of which encapsulated the strength of your commitment to each other, and the faith and positivity of your courageous acceptance of whatever God’s plan may be for you in the future.
Father JJ celebrated the Mass and the Rite of Marriage with a depth of sincerity that is rarely seen in these 21st century days, and bridesmaid Jacquie’s wondrous voice stunned the congregation. She and Mairtin, both in their solos and together, inspired a wall-breaking volume of communal singing and celebration.
The walk back along the road to the hotel was memorable! Sixty or more people processed behind the bride and groom – led by the Scottish piper – and were greeted all along the route by cars and pedestrians hooting and cheering in shared celebration!
On arrival back in the hotel at 5.30ish, we were greeted with a warming log fire and a wonderfully ambient ‘Drinks Reception’. This was an opportunity to mix and mingle with relatives whom we had not seen since April 2008 or even earlier – including June and Ethna; Angie, Bertrand, Clarissa and Alexiane; and Bernie, Sean, Pam and Karen.
The reception meal was probably the nicest wedding meal we have ever had! I don’t think we have ever been offered such a choice of dishes. Ian and I chose the chicken+black pudding starter, which was delicious and beautifully presented. We were sitting with Pat and her daughter Siobhan. They chose Greek salad, and said it was lovely. For the main meal, between the four of us, we chose the beef, the salmon, or the aubergine dish. All were wonderful! The dessert ‘trio’ was amazing! I’ve only ever seen desserts like that on Masterchef on TV! It was so beautifully presented, and tasted as good as it looked!
The speeches were moving, interesting and entertaining. Ethna’s speech had everyone laughing uproariously – as did your own story of the lost rings, their hasty replacement, and the concluding bit about you being ‘married’ to the owners of the rings! The deep love and attachment between you and Donal shone through in every speech made – as did your joint commitment to striving to make the world a better place for all. Our thoughts are with you as you continue in your admirable projects to see that justice is done for all the people you have cared about, and all the causes you have championed over the years.
The party afterwards was indeed ‘a mighty event’! We loved the music and the singing, the story telling and the poetry – and we were so impressed by your fiddle playing, Tricia! When the musicians finally packed up we danced to Kevin Barry’s songs until about four in the morning – and then we spent another hour in the Residents’ bar!
I really don’t know how you managed to organise such a wonderful wedding in just a few short weeks! I know your families and friends in Ireland helped a lot, but even so! It was clear that Ita, Jacqui, Richard and Peggy, Bridget, Donal’s sister Peggy, and many others had done a wonderful job of organising the mass booklets, the beautiful flowers, the cake, last-minute alterations to your beautiful dress, etc; Angie and Bertrand did a great job getting the wine; and the management and staff at the Devon Inn Hotel were amazing!
Finally, we were amazed by Donal’s strength and energy on the day – and on the Sunday morning! The poem he wrote for you is beautiful, Tricia, and so true. You did look radiant! You both did! The day was indeed ‘golden’ and full of joy.
The only trouble with writing such a detailed account as this is that I’m bound to have forgotten to mention something or someone. No doubt I’ll be following it up with several postscripts!
On our return journey we spent an hour in Killarney and an hour in Cork. We’d never been to either before. We loved Killarney! What a pretty little town! Cork was pleasant, but didn’t grab us with any great yearning to return - whereas Killarney certainly did! Cork seemed a city much like any other – although the river added an attractive dimension, and reminded us a bit of Dublin.

Here's the poem that Donal wrote, which is mentioned above:

My woman of gold
(for my wife, Patricia )
by Donal O'Siodhachain


Oh! love of my love, how graceful you looked
When I saw you there in your new wedding gown,
Oh! soul mate and dearest, you were beauty to view
From silvered shoe toe to your golden hair crown.
Mother, grandmother, long years now behind
Yet in that moment when you first came to view
Outshining all there, none could compare
No sharing the limelight, there was only you.



Oh! love of my love, when I first saw you there
In the light wheaten gold of your wedding dress,
In my mind not a matron of Old Greece or Rome
But a woman like Grainne, a true Gaelic princess.
We have had our sorrows and we've had our tears
For life must have grief, we but pass on our way,
But now all forgotten, in quick hearts full of joy,
My fine woman of gold, may gold be our day.




I hope you'll all join me in wishing Donal and Trish the very best of joy and happiness in their lives together.

New edition of Beara to Brefine now available

Dear friends of Beara,

I just received the following announcement of availability. Please address any inquiries, as directed, to dospoet@gmail.com

========== Begin Announcement =============

CLO DUANAIRE / IRISH & CELTIC PUBLICATIONS.-
Advance book reprint notice.

The second edition of 'The Great Retreat' as published in 1987,
re-edited and re-published in 2002, as 'Beara to Brefine' has been out
of print for some years. We are pleased to announce that a new and
revised edition is now ready to go to press.

Beara to Brefine details the Elizabethan wars of the late 1500's, The
Battle Of Kinsale, The Munster Resistance, the last stand of Donal
Cam, Chief of the Beara O'Sullivan and his indomitable Fighting
Retreat in the depth of a harsh winter as he led his refugee peoples
Northwards to hoped for safety in the Lands of Brefine.

The last of the Elizabethan Wars had momentous consequences for Gaelic
Ireland in that the wars were responsible for the fall of the Old
Gaelic Aristocracy, the Flight Of The Earls, the exile of other
Chieftains and Clans such as O'Keeffe, McAulliffe and Donal O'Sullivan
Beara. From there on Plantation, dispossession, cultural and other
genocide prevailed.

The Penal Laws and other oppressions became a constant for the Irish
Race until the rise of O'Connell and Catholic Emancipation in 1829
when the Roman Catholic, Nationalist majority began the slow,
systematic return to ownership of their own Lands and Rule of their
Own Country. The Book is a must read for all interested in this
significant, historical period in general and for Sullivans or person
with O'Sullivan blood or relations in particular.

This third edition is again revised and expanded by Donal
O'Siodhachain who took part in the 1987 march route recreation with
Donnacha O'Douling and other local Historians. He also took part in
the 400 year centennial march commemoration. He has also lectured and
given talks on O'Sullivan Beara and the Munster Wars. The inclusion of
large scale maps of the route will be especially welcome to readers.
The book is A5 size 15CM X 21CM (6" X 8.5" ) trimmed, full color card
cover, ( with a specially comissioned potrait of Donal Cam set against
Beara seashore) 90gms High Grade paper, 100 + pages fill, perfect
bound and trimmed.

This edition will be available by direct internet postal sales only
from Clo Duanaire / Irish and Celtic Publications. As the Distribution
Companies and chain stores are now taking 60% of the cover price and
with production costs running to another 30%, conventional sales
through book shops at a reasonable or affordable cost to the reader
are no longer possible for small publishers. This decision is
regrettable for the smaller bookshops with whom we have had a good
working and mutually beneficial relationship over past decades, but it
is also inevitable if we are to continue in book publication as we
intend do do.

All prices include post and packaging.

Zone 1 postal area, Ireland €15,
Zone 2 postal area, UK, £15,
Zone 3 postal area, remaining European area € 20 and
Zone 4, $ 25 US dollars or equivalent.

Note ; rather than incur additional credit card costs etc, prices are
intended for two or three local currency notes enclosed with orders.
All orders dispatched immediately or if not, at latest within a
fourteen day period.

Anyone interested in purchasing the book, please contact the editor,
at dospoet@gmail.com to place provisional order for copy or copies,or
for any additional details that may be required