Ballymacward - Cill Mhaol Chosna - Where it all started.

 

Book Launch

Ruane's, Glentane (H53 T4A6)

Friday 24th July at 8:30p.m.

(Doors open earlier from 7:30p.m.)

Cost €25 on the night of the launch (400 pages)

Ruane's Shop & Pub where the launch takes place (photo taken in 1910).

Podcast

We did an interview with Galway Bay's John Morley on 2nd July, available on:

https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/podcasts/galway-talks/ai-set-to-transform-two-thirds-of-jobs-should-ireland-consider-nuclear-power-and-culture-corner-224908

It is 17 minutes long from 81-98 minutes on the podcast's timeline. 

We are thankful to our 17 additional contributors.

We'd like to thank them and many others around Ballymacward and surrounding areas who gave us stories, additional infomation, photographs and much supportive help.

Many thanks to the Ruane Family for facilitating our launch.

 

We are very thankful to several local sports women and men who generously allowed us to photograph some of their medals.

The gravestone inscriptions from Ballymacward Old Graveyard, Killahawn and Killuane are included.

We thank those who kindly facilitated our visits to various parts of the parish.

An example of the many cotteges that graced the Irish Countryside one time, this one was Cheevers' in Banogues. A similar cottege is shown in the book.

Jack Cheevers opened a shop at Lehenagh Cross in 1947 and there was a Maypole held there until the Castleblakeney Carnival came along. The late Johnny Kenny gave us some recollections of the Maypole.

A little bit more about the book

The book, Ballymacward, Cill Mhaol Chosna, Where it all Started by Herbie Parker & Seamus Bellew will be launched on 24^th July. Cill Mhaol Chosna was the old name for Ballymacward which means the Church of St Maol Chosna. There was once a medieval church on what is now the old graveyard. Later the Protestant Church was built, but after its deconsecration, it was knocked from 1959-61.

Comprising 400 pages, the book covers many aspects of parish life over the past 150 years, the history of both churches in Ballymacward, the inscriptions of the three graveyards, Ballymacward (old graveyard), Killahawn and Killuane are included. Education mainly through the three schools of Esker (1843), Liscune (1857) and Garafine (1884) is detailed.

Many aspects of the sporting life of the parish over the past hundred years are recalled, these include Football, Hurling, Camogie, Handball, Soccer, Pony Racing and Rugby. A century of medals includes photos of many medals associated with Ballymacward teams and personalities who played with county teams and also referees medals.

The twenty-five chapters include recollection from the travelling families, the role played by Macra, Drama and the ‘new Hall built in 1960. There were many shops scattered around the parish, now all closed except one. Aspects of life in the villages (townlands) are included. For example, in Annagh, the burial chamber ‘discovered’ in 1977 dates back to the same era as Newgrange (c. 2000BC). The Big Houses and Estates are detailed including Hampstead, Mount Bernard, Mount Hazel, Mount Evans, Eskerville, Esker Lodge, Greenhills and Woodlawn.    

Military service details locals who fought in the Boar War, World War One, the War of Independence. Later parishioners served during the Emergency, and then in the F.C.A. A local eviction took place in 1951 not expected in a new Republic.

Seventeen additional contributions greatly enhance the content of the book. The book launch takes place at Ruane's in Glentane (H53 T4A6) on Friday 24th July at 8:30 p.m. Price €30 (Launch Price €25).