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A Connemara Coastguard: Benjamin Tyrrell & Family 1840-1859

A Connemara Coastguard: Benjamin Tyrrell & Family 1840-1859

BENJAMIN TYRRELL AND FAMILY, 1840-1859, by Jan Kelly, Australia Introduction Benjamin Tyrrell the elder (my great great grandfather) was born in Arklow, Co Wicklow in 1805. He joined the Royal Navy in 1826. Between 1826 and 1834, Benjamin served on various ships which plied from Plymouth or Portsmouth to various […]

August 12, 2011 × 1 comment

Journals & Articles

Local Longevity in 1836

Local Longevity in 1836

  Senior citizens of Gortrummagh and Fakeeragh in 1836   On a recent trawl through early nineteenth century newspapers in the National Library, I found this fascinating item on the inhabitants of the townland of Gortrummagh and Fakeeragh in 1836. This rather interesting letter to the editor of the Galway […]

July 21, 2011 × 1 comment

Journals & Articles

A Picture of the Famine in Connemara

A Picture of the Famine in Connemara

The following is an excerpt from the Illustrated London News, which was the world’s first fully illustrated newspaper, founded in 1842. In the issue of January 5th 1850, the following piece ‘Condition of Ireland, Illustrations of the New Poor Law’ was printed, detailing the journey of the writer through the […]

June 22, 2011 × 0 comments

Journals & Articles

The State of the Irish Fisheries in 1836

The State of the Irish Fisheries in 1836

First Report of the Commissioners Of Inquiry  The State of the Irish Fisheries in 1836   The quay of Clifden is near the eastern extremity of Ardbear Bay, contiguous to the village, and on the estate of Mr. John D’Arcy. Clifden is not a place of rendezvous from whence boats […]

May 24, 2011 × 0 comments

Journals & Articles

The Gardens of 19th century Connemara

The Gardens of 19th century Connemara

The end of the 18th century and the early 19th century was the boom time for Irish gardens. Before this the situation within the country was not conducive to the construction of gardens. Obviously there would have been some gardens and most houses would have had vegetable gardens, but the […]

December 13, 2010 × 0 comments

Journals & Articles

The Galway to Clifden Railway

The Galway to Clifden Railway

The Galway to Clifden railway was in operation for forty years from 1895 to 1935, it was a single line of standard gauge, 5 feet 3 inches, with a total length of 48 miles 550 feet. The line ran through central Connemara and had seven stations, Moycullen, Ross, Oughterard, Maam […]

December 13, 2010 × 30 comments

Journals & Articles

San Patricios: The Chiefains & Ry Cooder

San Patricios: The Chiefains & Ry Cooder

What makes a saga, formal history? How does lore become fact? When bits and pieces — recollections, traditions, memories — find themselves laid down on the page, or passed down in oral yarns or song. Those are the chronicles that ensure longevity, a place in collective consciousness, a position within […]

December 4, 2010 × 2 comments

Journals & Articles

The Irish Heroes of Mexico

The Irish Heroes of Mexico

Batallón de San Patricio: the Irish Heroes of Mexico Paper appears courtesy of Martín Paredes – http://www.martinparedes.com/  Introduction On September 12, 1997, Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo held a ceremony in Mexico City in honor of the 150th anniversary of the San Patricio Battalion. Representing Ireland, Ambassador Sean O’Huighinn was also […]

December 4, 2010 × 5 comments