A circle of writers, Kilrush - are they in parish records?
Posted: Mon May 21, 2018 3:36 pm
Eilis Ni Dhea writes in The Other Clare, Vol. 17, 1993, on Michael Hanrahan, scribe and writer in the Irish language, and on a circle of fellow-writers, who were living in the Kilrush area in the middle of the 19th century. Her article dwells mainly on their work, but she also gives such biographical information as she has found on the men themselves.
Of Michael Hanrahan, she says that he lived in Ballyket from about 1830 to 1875, or later. Twenty of his manuscripts have survived, one held in Harvard, two in John Rylands, Manchester. One held by the Royal Irish Academy contains a poem dedicated to his fellow-poet, Tomas O Cruadhlaoidhe (Thomas Crowley) of Ballynagun, Kilmacduane. In his writings, Hanrahan also mentions Murrihy, Dromelehy, and ‘the Healies on the lands of Clochan Beagh beyond Cree Crioch’. And mentions also a Thomas Madigan and a Garret Fitzgerald, both of whom he considers to be good poets. Michael Hanrahan spent some time in Scotland – a poem he wrote there is dated 1848. At another time he was living in Moore Street, Kilrush.
Eilis Ni Dhea includes two O’Connors, Patrick and Maurice, in the circle of writers. A manuscript of Patrick O’Connor’s is held in Cork University, and a copy of his book of prayers is held in the National Library. It was written in 1835, and owned for a time by Father Jonathon Furlong, Kilrush, who was patron to O’Connor and to two others, Michael Mongan, Carrigaholt, and Michael Piggott, Kilmurry McMahon.
She also includes Michael O’Sullivan, who collected the poetry of Munster. O’Sullivan gives ‘Cill Ruis’ (Kilrush) as his address in one m.s. – nothing else seems to be known of him.
She also includes Martan O Griobhtha (Martin Griffy) and says that only five of his manuscripts have survived, one of which is in Cambridge. One is dated 1844 – this was owned for a time by Standish Hayes O’Grady. Griffy’s version of the poem ‘Laoi Mheargaidh’ impressed one John O’Daly, who said of it that it was ‘written in 1845 by an intelligent blacksmith named Griffin in Kilrush, in the County of Clare’.
Maybe some of the above are to be found in the parish registers. Among the marriages I see a Michael Hanrahan, Ballyket, who married in 1829 - his wife’s name is not given. In the baptisms there’s a Michael Hanrahan, Ballyket, father of Mary who was baptised on May 14, 1837. The mother’s name is M. Conners.
Sheila
Of Michael Hanrahan, she says that he lived in Ballyket from about 1830 to 1875, or later. Twenty of his manuscripts have survived, one held in Harvard, two in John Rylands, Manchester. One held by the Royal Irish Academy contains a poem dedicated to his fellow-poet, Tomas O Cruadhlaoidhe (Thomas Crowley) of Ballynagun, Kilmacduane. In his writings, Hanrahan also mentions Murrihy, Dromelehy, and ‘the Healies on the lands of Clochan Beagh beyond Cree Crioch’. And mentions also a Thomas Madigan and a Garret Fitzgerald, both of whom he considers to be good poets. Michael Hanrahan spent some time in Scotland – a poem he wrote there is dated 1848. At another time he was living in Moore Street, Kilrush.
Eilis Ni Dhea includes two O’Connors, Patrick and Maurice, in the circle of writers. A manuscript of Patrick O’Connor’s is held in Cork University, and a copy of his book of prayers is held in the National Library. It was written in 1835, and owned for a time by Father Jonathon Furlong, Kilrush, who was patron to O’Connor and to two others, Michael Mongan, Carrigaholt, and Michael Piggott, Kilmurry McMahon.
She also includes Michael O’Sullivan, who collected the poetry of Munster. O’Sullivan gives ‘Cill Ruis’ (Kilrush) as his address in one m.s. – nothing else seems to be known of him.
She also includes Martan O Griobhtha (Martin Griffy) and says that only five of his manuscripts have survived, one of which is in Cambridge. One is dated 1844 – this was owned for a time by Standish Hayes O’Grady. Griffy’s version of the poem ‘Laoi Mheargaidh’ impressed one John O’Daly, who said of it that it was ‘written in 1845 by an intelligent blacksmith named Griffin in Kilrush, in the County of Clare’.
Maybe some of the above are to be found in the parish registers. Among the marriages I see a Michael Hanrahan, Ballyket, who married in 1829 - his wife’s name is not given. In the baptisms there’s a Michael Hanrahan, Ballyket, father of Mary who was baptised on May 14, 1837. The mother’s name is M. Conners.
Sheila