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Temperance Pic-Nic to the Aran Islands, July 1874

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:55 am
by Sduddy
In the 1870s group excursions became popular and and were often accompanied by a band, but this excursion was not for the faint-hearted. And where did all the 120 people find beds in Inishmore?:

Clare Freeman, Sat 4 Jul 1874:
Temperance Pic-Nic to the Arran Islands. Last Sunday a a pic-nic excursion on a spirited scale sailed in three sail-boats from Lahinch to the Arran Islands in Galway Bay. It was given by the Miltown and Lahinch Temperance Societies, and had been mainly organised on the [some words illegible - smudged print] in which the enterprise was afterwards so successfully carried out by the following principal members and patrons of these Societies, viz: - The Rev E Shaughnessy, P P, and the Rev C Stewart, C C, Miltown Malbay; Rev J Newell, P P, Ennistymon, Rev Mr Maher, M Kenny, Esq. Freagh Castle, W Turner, Esq, Dr Hill, Miltown Malbay; - O’Flaherty, Esq; J Halpin, Esq; A S Cahill, M Finucane, M Molohan, Thomas and P Molony, J O’Brien, M Rochefort, P Collins, M Macmahon, &c. The Bands of both Societies accompanied the excursion, which, numbering in all 120, sailed out at Lahinch Bay after mass at one o’clock on Sunday. After a most pleasing voyage which afforded an imposing seaward view of the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, they reached the western island at 5 p.m. They received a most cordial welcome from the inhabitants, headed by the Roman Catholic Clergyman, the Rev J Concannon. After exploring the island, the party re-embarked at 2 p m, on Monday on their return voyage. At 5 p m, the boats reached the Cliffs of Moher, the steep summit of which frowned down upon them from a height over 600 feet, re-echoing with [?] effect the music of the bands. The scene here was impressively grand. At 6 p m, they passed Hags Head, and safely reached home about 7 p m, highly gratified with their delightful excursion.
Sheila