Ballysteen Archives - LANGAN'S HISTORICAL A-Z, INDEX & DIARY BY George Langan

1967

1990

Langan George.…Athea Bogs

Faley Paddy.…his poem to George Langan in relation to Kerry Radio Rambling house that he attended on Sept 30th, 1990……

Transcribed as follows…

The Rambling House in Kerry Radio.

By Paddy Faley

If you’re down and out, from the doctor keep away

Stroll along out to Tralee, you’ll easily find the way

You’ll need no doctor’s medicine, for your worries soon will go

If you call into the rambling house, in Kerry Radio.

When you’ll hear Sean McCarthy and witty Danny Kane

Maureen Cronin’s funny verses, will drive the cobbles from your brain

Maureen Beasley will take you to Finuge, to dance like long ago

And she’ll bring back the platform, to Kerry Radio.

Gabriel Fitzmaurice will entertain you, with a lively song

And tell you all what happens, in the game of 41

From 81 year old Brian McMahon, words will forever flow

With his son Garry in the rambling house, in Kerry radio.

The talented musicians, will bring joy to one and all

Gerald Buckley and others, whose name I can’t recall

Dancing teacher Jimmy Hickey, will tip it heal and toe

To put life into the rambling house, in Kerry radio.

The rambling house is open, until 1 o’clock till ten

And any listener who likes the show, are invited to phone in

For the rambling house is clearly heard, from here to Ballinasloe

And the phone is always hopping, in Kerry radio.

So come on to the rambling house, twill fill your heart with glee

You’ll be treated to a sandwich, and a fragrant cup of Barry’s tea

Dan Collins will make sure, that the conversation will flow

To brighten up his rambling house ,in Kerry radio.

That’s why we have come here tonight, from our homes in Limerick West

To join in the jollity, that’s acclaimed to be the best

I hope our contribution, will not be so low

As to disgrace the famous rambling house, in Kerry radio.

So I’m sure that Donal Barry, Donie Lyons and Jerry Long

Will treat you with such music, that in your minds will linger on

Daisy Kearney our renowned ‘Seanchai’, will tell stories of long ago

To bring laughter to the rambling house, in Kerry radio.

Pat Brosnan and Pat Sweeney, two poets with honour to their name

Pat Brosnan a former Kerryman, from Lyreacrompane came

So to Tralee he’s no stranger, and will add to the show

With his ballads in the rambling house, in Kerry radio.

When talented Josie and John Reidy, lifts their harmonious voice

I’m sure the heart of every listener, with gladness will rejoice

Michael Kearney will keep up the chat, as for myself I don’t know

What good am I to the rambling house, in Kerry radio.

8/1/91.

Faley Paddy…letter to George Langan, Jan 8th, 1991.

8/1/91.

Letter Transcribed as follows…..

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

Co. Limerick

8/1/91.

Dear George,

Hope you had a happy Christmas and may you have a happy New Year with success in your literary ambitions and I hope your work will put the headlines in the bookstalls like John B.Keane. I’m sorry I’m so long in answering your enquiries re- Dramatic Class.

It must be in the late 40’s that Michael Long & the Barrett’s, Mick & Dan got the play ‘A Will and a Woman’. I think the book was lying around at Barrett’s for a few years before that.

At this time, we congregated at Maurice Higgins’ nightly and in the Summertime long before night fell, we enjoyed ourselves on the hill overlooking the Kerryline east of Higgins’ old homestead and there in Tom Behan’s raye we played many a hard game of football before retiring to Higgins’ kitchen to chat in a harmonious atmosphere.

We were all members of the P.T.A.A. and were at all times a happy and united bunch. We travelled on our bikes, which was the chief transport at the time, any place within a radius of 30 miles seemed not far away.

I remember in ’42 when I had my appendix removed in Croom Hosp, your mother, Peggy Dalton, Moll Connors & Nora Scanlon cycled all the way on their bikes to visit me and were not too tired to cycle that night to Mullane’s dancehall, Knockdown.

Michael Long I’d say was the man who got the Dramatic Class together. I remember he asking me (I was much older than the rest of the others) would I learn it and when I agreed to learn it off and he said, remember, you must act it as he thought I would consider it just a notion that would not materialize into fruition. And materialize it did and looking back now I’m sure if we had anyone of note to coach us, we would have won prizes with the talent we possessed.

Our first B act play, the aforementiond ‘A Will and a Woman’ had the characters, Michael & Christopher Donnelly brothers, played by Michael Long & Willie Higgins. Crookshanks, a solicitor played by me, Janette Jordan, a yank, played by Peg Langan, Mary Kate played by Noreen Higgins and Richard Delahunt, a travelling fiddler, played by Mick Barrett.

Our first performance, I think was at Behan’s Hall and then on to Athea where most of those who saw its debut, travelled to Athea to see it again. It was regarded as a great achievement at the time for people locally & in quite rural areas had no recourse to cinemas & such and were amazed that ordinary lads like us could take to the stage with a play & variety concert equalling any of the travelling companies.

We got great craic at rehearsals at Maurice Higgins’ and more so when it came towards the end when we dressed up to fill our parts. We had blankets across the kitchen partitioning part of it off for a stage where we had our exits and our entrances.

One remarkable feature was that none of our actors ever needed a prompt for they possessed great powers of retaining what they had memorised. We enjoyed many many nights during those glorious years and twas a common thing for the members of the class to be quoteing the words aloud and going through the actions when alone walking to or from work or in their idle time.

Accompanying our play were singers, step-dancers and musicians. Jerry Long, Mick Barrett, fiddle players, Mary Long & Catherine Barrett, stepdancers, Noreen Higgins, Noddy, Willie Higgins & Tom Langan, singers.

The second 3 Act we performed was the ‘Down Express’, followed the following year by the ‘Sorrows of Joshau’. At this time the season of Lent was kept free of dances by the church and so we had seven weeks in which plays was the sole source of entertainment and we presented our play twice weekly during the seven weeks travelling to such places as Athea, Abbeyfeale, Mountcollins, Devon Rd, Tournafulla, Glin, Newtown, Knockanure, Asdee, Tarbert,, Ballylongford, Ballyhahill, Murray’s Hall, Loughill, Ballysteen, Ballingarry, Kilcolman Library & so on.

Our mode of transport was Jack Higgins’ lorry, cuddled up in the back of it in a bedding of straw. We started in good time as we generally left the setting up of the stage until the night we were performing and there was usually a rush to get things in order before the door was open.

You ask me do I remember any lines from the play. I could almost quote you the entire play tis embedded so much in my memory and from time to time some of it fits into our ordinary conversation, more especially with the then members of the class. Other members, apart from those mentioned in the first play performed in the other two plays we presented, Mary Long, Nell White R.I.P. Pah Higgins and Dan ‘Carty’ Enright held parts in the later plays, Dan also entertained with a song.

I remember the admission to the halls where we presented our play at the time was, one shilling for standing accommodation and one shilling and six pence for seating on a backless wooden seat and there weren’t many seats in any hall.

The trip to Killarney is a bit vague in my mind, Jimmy Reidy’s was one of the cars that took us. Jimmy was not a pioneer and I remember he saying after entering the car after a few drinks, ‘I could drive it up a rainbow now’, he hadn’t the car long at the time.

The roadside platform was in vogue during the ’40’s and before it. Back in the late ’20’s a platform of concrete was laid down on the roadside near the ‘Cooper’s’ shop but like some of those it was eventually burst up after some dispute. There was a song composed about it by the late Paddy Barrett of Turraree. It opened like this –

This platform was modelled out in 1928,

By the stalwart men of’Gragra, in Dan Scanlon’s big estate.

It brought there crowds from Newtownsandes, Killeanemore and Glin,

To tip the light fantastic with Dirreen’s athletic men.

I remember reading another poem from the pen of Paddy Barrett on the ‘Glorious month of May’, all I can remember is one verse –

Hail month of gentle breezes, hail month of softest rain,

When thunder clouds hang o’er us and all nature breaths the strain

Then Phoebus in its element saves all nature from decay,

In the opening month of Summer, the Glorious month of May.

Pitch and Toss was another game popular in the locality but I’m sure you have dealt with that. One little incident I remember is when darkness fell on those playing pitch and toss on the roadway on a calm night they’d place a lighted candle near the ‘Jack’. The ‘Jack’ is what they called the stationery stone that at which they pitched the pennies and whoever was nearest the ‘Jack’ had the first toss of all the pennies and as many he turned heads he could keep. And then the next nearest tossed the ones turned harps and so on according to merit. Sometimes one of the onlookers would drop a spittle on the lighted candle and extinguish it in the process of the game raising angry voices among the players.

The small farmers in Glenagragra at this time were all dairying and had to transport the milk to the nearest creamery. There were no mechanical vehicles and so the horse, pony and donkey were a common sight on the roadway. Two farmers living in close proximity would share the chore of taking their milk. One would take the milk of both one week and the following week the other farmer would do likewise. This arrangement held good for some over a lengthy period but with others it was short-lived for the morning that one party might be in a hurry to start off early for the creamery the other party could sleep out upsetting the friendship.

In general back through the years there was great co-operation between all classes and all were ready to help the others in case of necessity.

I wonder have you received or read the last B.R.J. or what do you think of its contents. If I knew what formula you intend your book on ‘Gragra to be maybe I could help you some little bit. I am quite willing to do if I can.

All the best,

Fondest Regards,

Paddy.

Letter continued……..

Letter continued………..Transcribed as follows…

Hello again George,

I started this accompanying letter on the 8th, it’s now the 14th, I held it over expecting to get more details on our visit to Killarney but none of those I sought information from could remember. I know we had three cars taking us there, one was Jimmy Reidy as I’ve stated but I can’t remember who the two others were, but it is likely they were two members of the group otherwise they would be in the photograph.

I remember that day we went through the Gap of Dunloe and at a place called St. Patrick’s Cottage we had tea and went mountain climbing and a mist gathered and we on top and we followed a stream to guide us down as we couldn’t see our direction in the mist covered mountain.

We took strong boots with us but your uncle Tom Langan forgot to bring his home with him but the kind lady who owned the residence where we changed our gear at St Patrick’s Cottage posted them on to him when he wrote to tell her about his forgetfulness.

I’m enclosing a few pages from the B.R.J. of an early edition about the ‘Gragra Dramatic Class which disbanded after 3 years owing to its members emigrating in the early ’50’s.

You may use it or any other of the items of mine in previous Journals if they are of interest to you.

You might return the printed pages sometime again that you are writing as I want to put them back in their place for I like to keep all the journals intact. You are welcome to my services if I can help.

Have you read the current issue of the B.R.J.. You had some very interesting material and I hope you are none the worse for your journey through the tunnel after your encounter with the dead.

There has been another edition this year of the West Limerick Journal issued by Tom Aherne, son of the late Paddy who lives in Glensharrold. I’m sure you would find it interesting reading.

Actually, the articles on ‘Gragra Dramatic Class, Knockdown and the Kerryline which I am enclosing are on its pages.

I’ll finish,

Wishing you all,

A Happy New Year, Paddy.

Glenagragra Dramatic Class 1949/1950, On an outing to Killarney and Kate Kearney’s cottage.

Front left – Ciss Higgins Faley, Catherine Barrett, Noreen Higgins Barrett, Nora Higgins Noonan, Peg Langan Faley, Mossie Higgins, Dan Barrett, Mick Barrett and Jim Flavin.

Back Left – Tom Langan, Jack Higgins, Mike Griffin, Willie Higgins, Jimmy Reidy, Paddy Faley, Mike Long, Jerry Long, Mary Long Collins and Mick Faley.

At Kate Kearney’s Cottage, Gap of Dunloe 1949/’50. From Left – Mike Griffin, Peg Langan, Mick Faley, Dan Barrett, Mike Long, Noreen Higgins.

Faley Paddy….letter to George Langan March 1st, 1991…..

Above letter transcribed as follows……

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

Co. Limerick.

1/3/’91.

Dear George,

I have read your interesting literature and thanks for your nice poem on Bill’s death R.I.P. I’m enclosing some material if it’s any good to you, you are welcome to use it in any way you like to fit in to your work. Tis a pity we weren’t living closer to each other as I’d be able to know better how to fulfil your requirements.

The age gap is so much between us that we live in two different generations, whereas you are inclined to write of the present where I am inclined to dwell in the past.

Have you seen the last issue of the Ballyguiltenane Journal. I think I mentioned before to you that if there was any items of mine in any previous journals where I was writing about the Kerryline you are welcome to use them also.

Attached here is a little poem about Bill’s Open Door which appeared in the local paper the weekend of his funeral.

I received the last material I sent you in double quick time.

I’ll leave it so at the present, if I’m any use to you for further material let me know and you’re welcome to my services.

Best of luck and success in your literary world.

Paddy.

P.S. I would like if you returned the printed material enclosed.

———————

The highlighted parts of the above letter are to clear up any copyright infringements that may come to light in my use of Paddy’s material in the Ballyguiltenane Rural Journals. There were some issues in the past in relation to the re-production of material, other than Paddy’s, in the said Journals.

The Ballyguiltenane Rural Journals (B.R.J.’s) first appeared in 1977. The three founding members were, Thomas J O’Donoghue, Patrick Brosnan and Paddy Faley. The last issue following the death of Thomas J O’Donoghue was published in 2015. They were annual publications that featured articles, poems, stories, and photographs related to the history and culture of Limerick and North Kerry. All the Journals are stocked in Glin Library. I have arranged that after my day of reckoning that my entire volume of Journals should be donated to the National Library, Kildare St, Dublin 2.

Faley Paddy…April 19th, 1991. On this day I wrote the following poem to Paddy Faley –

This is a poem that expresses the traditional practice of turf cutting in Ireland. Turf, or peat, is a type of soil that forms over thousands of years from decomposed plants in wetlands. It can be used as a fuel for heating and cooking, and has a distinctive smell and appearance. The bog in question was in Glasha, namely, the round bank, that was harvested by the Faley family for generations. The Faley family had been cutting turf from the Round Bank for generations, ever since they settled in Glasha. Underneath the bank, there was an ancient road that dated back to the Middle Ages. Paddy Faley showed me that medieval road of flagstone when I visited him one year during the turf season. The discovery invited us to imagine the distant echoes of those who once journeyed along its path, connecting communities and shaping the landscape of that part of County Limerick. The bank and surrounding mountainside is now under plantation. I have used some Irish words and phrases to describe the process and the landscape of the bog. The poem conveys a sense of pride and attachment to the bog and its history. It also acknowledges the hard work and skill involved in harvesting peat, and the beauty and comfort of a turf fire that blazed in the Irish Homes of Long Ago, {depicted in a poem that Paddy wrote many years ago}… The poem hereunder is written in a simple and rhythmic style.

Paddy! ’tis time you started cutting on the round bank today,

and begin a bit of stripping of this years cut-away.

There are lots of hairy ‘turtogs’ protruding from the ground,

and some ‘ciarains’ from last year’s cutting, are scattered all around.

And as you level out the bog-hole, a historic path you’ll find,

that medieval road of flagstone, our ancestors left behind.

And I know you won’t stop working, ’till the day is out of sight,

when the sods upon the heather, welcome in the cool spring night.

And when you’ve finished working, all around the bank you’ll see,

the brown and black peat fuelling, that precious commodity.

Faley Paddy…..As already stated, Paddy Faley and I communicated in verse on many the occasion over the years. Back in the month of April 1991 I wrote the following ditty entitled;

Next Time Paddy.

Paddy on the next occasion when I call to your sweet home,

Let us travel to the mountain where the ceannabhan is growing.

Let us stroll along the bog road o’er the banks of brush and peat

To that land of deep enchantment where old poet’s oft’ times meet.

Let us spend the hours composing on endearing days of old

When our hearts were young and tender carefree smiles always did hold.

Let us stare up to the heaven’s when the moon is shining bright

Count the stars as they start falling sing the hymn of ‘Silent Night’.

Paddy on the next occasion when I call to your sweet home

O’er the hills of Glenagragra we will gladly roam.

On April 15th 1991 I received the following reply from Paddy.

Eagerly Awaiting.

God bless that great occasion that I’m looking forward to

For I’d love to travel back the road of memory with you.

That mountain path endearing a welcome always hold

With a hand of joy extended to the travellers of old.

Who trod in carefree fashion o’er its carpet of brown heath

When the minds of men were Godly producing the necessary peat.

When our nature song and story ascended like a prayer

And the poets mind was aspiring with the wholesome culture there.

Which left a mark upon the memory that cannot be effaced

No matter how long he’s absent or where his footsteps strayed.

God’s fresh air from the mountain our cheeks will set aglow

As we hear the whistling curlew and the laughing ‘gabhaireenroe’.

The hymns of Glenagragra from its saintly hills

Shall cheer up the wanderer as his cup of memory fills

And he’ll sup again the flavour with gay spirit overflowing

In the haunts of his childhood where the ‘ceannabhan’ were growing.

So God speed the day dear Georgie when again you’ll hit the road

There will be a ‘cead mile failte’ awaiting you at my abode.

Then together we will travel the mountain route along

And our steps will be directed by the sign-posts of a song.

Our poetic minds together might a magic song compose

To tell to our descendents where we left the imprint of our toes

P.S.

To your fond wife and daughter I send my fond regards

I can see your name shine out amongst the greatest bards

Then the world will acclaim you descending from learned stock

And we’ll be proud of our genius born and bred in Glashapullagh. (ock)

God Bless,

Paddy.

Faley Paddy...letter to George Langan on Dec 12th, 1991.

Letter transcribed as follows….

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

Co. Limerick.

16/12/’91.

Dear George,

I am enclosing our book of poems ”Verses from Abhabhan” which is being launched tonight in Ballyhahill Hall. I think it turned out alright after an awful lot of going to and from the printers to bring it to our satisfaction. I’m told that your name is mentioned among the contributing poets.

The idea was to keep it confined entirely to the poets and the subject from Ballyhahill parish.

I read with pleasure your interesting items and poems in Athea Journal which is at present in circulation and which I’m sure your mam will be sending to you.

I thought your poem At The Dawning of the Day very good, the most disappointing thing about it for you is that your name was omitted.

I thank you for your poetic tributes to *Bill & Mary R.I.P. included in the Journal.

I thank you for your good wishes and card for Christmas. The B.R.J. is expected on sale this weekend with the amazing number of 67 contributors.

Wishing you all well and glad to hear you’re in good form.

God bless,

Fond Regards, Paddy.

*Bill & Mary R.I.P. Paddy’s brother and sister.

1992.Faley Paddy on Gay Byrne’s morning Radio Show on R.T.E. Thurs Nov 19th, 1992.

1993.

Faley Paddy’s, Old Pike and Slean… W/O Sept 29th, 1993

George Langan’s reply to Paddy’s Slean and Pike..W/O Sept 29th, 1993.

Paddy Faley, Mary Humphrey & Tom Roche, African Wood Exhibition at Newcastle West Library, 1993.

1994.

Faley Paddy….letter to George Langan on Feb 2nd,1994. Paddy mentions an accident that I was involved in. A van ran into the back of me in the Phoenis Park at the later end of 1993.

Letter transcribed as follows …..

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill

Co. Limerick

2/2/94.

Dear Georgie,

thanks for your letter received today and I hope you are fast recovering from the effects of your accident. Yes your mother was telling me about it but I didn’t know you were not able to attend work since but of course I am out of contact with her for a good while but she did not forget to visit me in Croom and we recalled the time 54 years before when with 3 other neighbouring girls she cycled there to see me after my operation for appendicitis. God bless her she’s keeping in great form and please God I will be able to visit her soon again.

I wish to thank you too Georgie for your get well card and lovely poem received while in Hosp. All the nurses read it out and gave it great praise which ’twas worthy of.

This is the first time with me taking a pen in hand since Christmas for I had not the least inclination to write even that I had plenty time at my disposal but at the same time I didn’t miss the hours passing, I seem to relax and let the World go by and no day passed that I hadn’t some visitors to cheer me. I also received some interesting books which occupied my time.

I hope your song about Ireland will lead Ireland and yourself onto the Late Late show with Gay Byrne, what a wonderful pleasant experience that will be.

There is a woman from Ballyhahill Rosemary Bradley competing in Housewife of the Year competition. She has won the Co and the next step is an interview with Gay Byrne in Cork where a busload from Ballyhahill is booked to go. I wish her luck. Peg had a rough time while I was in Hosp as her mother-in-law was in a dying way at the same time so between us she was kept worried.

Mrs. Prendeville was laid to rest last last Sunday R.I.P. and your mother didn’t fail to make her appearance and offer her sympathy, the bond that was forged & welded 3 generations ago between the Lynch’s & Faley’s still holds good and may it always remain so.

The B.R.J was reviewed in the Leader last week by An Mangaire Sugach and you name and contributions was mentioned among the writers worthy of note. He called to Croom to see me but I had left for home the day before but I received a long letter from him a few days later.

He published a very nice book lately in conjunction with Aughinish. He had been writing a regular article for some time back and now it’s all put together in hardback book form with two pages devoted to every parish in Co. Limerick and some interesting photographs. The title of the book is Limerick’s Places and People.

I hope you’ll be able to read these scribbling lines as I’m writing seated on a chair with little support for my copybook paper.

Now I’ll conclude wishing you all the best that can come your way in health and happiness throughout 1994.

With fond regards,

Paddy.

1994.

Dear Paddy Faley By George Langan. Weekly Observer July 13th, 1994.

To Humorous Friend George Langan, By Paddy Faley, W/O Wed, Aug 17th, 1994.

1995.

Athea Cairde Duchais By Paddy Faley… W/O July 19th, 1995.

Ballyhahill, Man of Letters...

Continued……

Brouder Con, England & Castlequarter, Ballyhahill.….By Paddy Faley

Glenbawn… Bard of Sweet Glenbawn By George Langan. W/O July 1995.

Lyons Patrick Rev Fr.

Owvaun Reviewed By George Langan.….Weekly Observer June 21st, 1995,

Scanlan Jimmy, Ballyhahill…Lament for By Paddy Faley. Aug 1995.

1996.

Faley Paddy… reply to my 1996 questionnaire that i had sent him………

Transcribed as follows –

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

29/1/96.

Hello George,

I am returning your questionnaire and I’m afraid I didn’t make much headway in finding for you the information sought. I visited 89 year old Mick Fennell who lives near Ballyguiltenane school but his address is Glenagragra as there’s a leg of Glenagragra going west to meet the Kerry boundary between Drumrisk & Ballyguiltenane. Concerning Bridget Lyons, Mick tells me she was the wife of his granduncle Lyons who lived there when the first of the Fennell clan came there from Tarbert. He had a long story about her husband deserting her and going off to England from where he never returned.

I thought Mick might know something the Shaughnessy girl who married in Clare but he don’t, neither does anyone else.

Mrs. Quinn in Glin was Catherine Drohan formerly. I was surprised you had to ask me that, seeing you know her son Mike so well or am I confusing the issue? as my mind mixes up things.

Continued………

I was told she had two children, a son & a daughter so I hope tis the right person.

There is no hurry in returning the copies of B.R.J. anytime you find it convenient.

It was reviewed by an Mangaire Sugach in last weeks Leader. He said he was interested in your article on ‘saving the turf’.

I believe you were all snowed in recently. We escaped the snow here but the cold is very severe.

I have seen & enjoyed your local video. The pictures came out crystal clear.

I’ll leave it at that,

Wishing you & yours,

all the best. Paddy.

Faley Paddy, letter to George Langan, Feb 1996…..

Letter transcribed as follows……

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

Co. Limerick.

Feb 1996.

Dear George,

I’m enclosing the 1st, four copies of the B.R.J. for your inspection and to copy whatever articles you wish to index. However, I’d wish you’d return them to me as I have no other copies of them and I’m afraid the copies of all the journals will be difficult for you to find. I don’t think that Thomas O’Donoghue has sent any copies to the National Library for if he did I’d have heard him say. I have given a copy to the Library Newcastle West for some years back but not from the beginning so I don’t know how far back I started.

I have the other copies too from 81 to 85 they are of a larger size so when I hear from you got on with the ones I enclose I’ll loan you the others.

I am not so clear when you mention local history. Is it only Athea and Glin you wish to include as Paddy Aherne R.I.P. of Glensharrold published copies of West Limerick Journal. I wonder have you copies of his books.

Regarding your queries,

P. Hayes is from Crecora, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick. Henry Moran is son of Danny, Toureendonnell and is now living in Carrickerry with his wife & family. I don’t know the relationship of the Griffin but I’ll try and find out. I’ll also find out from T.J.O’D. who Jimmy Woulfe is.

Hoping you are all well and wishing you all a Happy New Year. I’ll be expecting to hear from you soon again.

Paddy.

Letter transcribed as follows…..

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

Tues 1996.

Dear Georgie,

it’s nice to hear from you and I’ll try to answer your inquiries as much as I can.

Noreen Barrett is still finding no improvement in her almost lifeless hand in spite of checks and xrays, they still haven’t arrived at the cause of her complaint. She’s looking fine and feeling well apart from that.

I haven’t anything written for B.R.J. and wonder if I’ll find any subject to write about. I think my fount of inspiration has dried up. Sorry for delay in answering your letter. In fact I was up at Phil’s in Garristown for the last week.

Peg and two of her children were in Lourdes and I went up in the bus with them and stayed at Phil’s who drove them to the airport and collected them on their return and I came down again with them in the bus yesterday.

I’m afraid George I must this in a hurry as I have an appointment for a check up with the doctor.

Hoping to hear from you soon again.

Regards to all, Paddy.

(P.S. Sadly Noreen Barrett died from her ailment on July 21^st, 1997.)

Floating Newry...Weekly Observer March 6th, 1996.

1997.

Faley Paddy.…Poem to the Athea Parish News Jan 25th, 1997

Faley Paddy poem to Athea Parish News Feb 8th, 1997.

Reply from Pat Brosnan to the above poem…

Paddy’s reply to Pat…

Letter to the Editor of Athea Parish News re-above, name

Faley Paddy Banks of the Gale…Athea Parish News June 1997

Faley Paddy…..Letter from Paddy in 1997 in relation to another questionnaire that I had sent him…..

Letter transcribed as follows …..

Glenbawn,

Ballyhahill,

1997.

Hello Georgie,

I’m returning your questions and I’m afraid I didn’t get all the information you sought. I filled in what I could gather and left what i didn’t know blank.

It is surprising all the people that don’t know the names of their grandparents, paternal or maternal. A lot of the information I got from John Cummane’s wife, Mary Meade 82, Killeaney whose mother was one of the Latherdawn’s Connors from Ballyguiltenane. Her uncle Jim was married to your grandaunt Maggie Lynch.

I should have returned it to you before now but I delayed it thinking I might be able to answer more of the questions. I think that it is a fruitless job sending me anymore enquiries of the past for my memory is fading rapidly and my mind not clear at times.

I wonder how you go to all the trouble resurrecting the buried history of families but I suppose if there weren’t writers like you we’d have nothing to read so keep up the good work. The B.R.J., according to T.J is due anyday. Also, the Athea one is gone to the local printers, Carda Duchas.I was at the Seinor Citizen’s party in Athea today which was attended by around 80 ould people like myself. It was enjoyable with music, song & dance and eatables.

I wasn’t back in Glasha with a bit, I enjoy a chat with your mother of our young days gone by.

I think I’ll finish, sorry for not being of more help, If I was able to travel around I have no doubt but I’d obtain all the requested information.

Christmas is in the air so I wish you Vera & Emer a very Happy Christmas.

God Bless,

Paddy.

P.S. Mickey Normile died on 1/9/95 not on 1/9/96 as erroneously stated by me in B.R.J. 96/97. That confirms what I have previously stated about forgetfulness.

Bye Georgie.

Faley Paddy.…lettter from Paddy on Sept 18th, 1997. We had been on a holiday to Glasha the previous month…

Letter transcribed as follows……

Glenbawn, Ballyhahill,

18/9/97.

Dear Georgie,

I hope you got back in good form after your holiday. Well why I’m writing to you is to relate some information which I believe to be correct in relation to Paddy McBoy. Mrs. John Commane at the Lodge who is 83 informs me that the name was McCoy. That Ellie McCoy married O’Connor, Killeaney her near neighbour as she was Mary Meade before she married Commane. This O’Connor man she said came from near Abbeyfeale a grandfather of Paddy Michael O’Connor whom you may remember, he exchanged his farm for a farm in East Limerick and Mattie Dillane now lives in his house in Killeaney.

Mrs. Commane said this O’Connor who married Ellie McCoy had some good job which he gave up and devoted himself entirely to farming. She was able to trace Bess Mulvihill family whom she married Dan Cullhane and all the Culhane’s that descended from that marriage.

Further evidence I got from Peg Sheahan who told me that the hill near Paddy Michael O’s on the roadway was called Ellie McCoy’s hill, don’t it all seem to fit in.

About Philomena Ruddle who married Madigan in Kilbaha, Askeaton (not Kilbaha Moyvane) To me it is stated quite clearly that Fr. Madigan was her brother-in-law. At the time the article was written in 1983 he was ministering in Banoke, is now P.P. in Kilcolman. You might be confused with the two Kilbaha’s.

Fond Regards to all,

from Paddy Faley.

Faley Paddy.…another reply to one of my questionnaires from around the same time regarding Mick Regan….

Letter transcribed as follows…..

Mick Regan.

Mick Regan and his family were tenants in Kiely’s house for a time.

Jack King and his family were residence there after the Regan’s leaving it. Before that Jack lived in a little house near Willie Paddy Bill Dalton’s in Knockdown.

Mick Moroney his wife and family came there to live but they resided in a converted cowhouse across the road from the entrance to Kiely’s dwellinghouse. They eventually moved to a occupy a council cottage near Loughill.

John Connell, now deceased & famioly took up residence in the house *Mick Moroney left. He bought a portion of *Kiely’s place on the south side of the Co road and had a land Commission house built on it. His wife and daughter are living there, the daughter being married to a Geaney man. He is there too of course andm his family are very talented dancers inheriting the Duchas from the Connell’s. You might remember Teresa, she was married to Pat Joe Mullane. The Connell’s came from Newtownsandes and were noted for music & dance.

In relation to the above. *Kiely’s house belonged to John Kiely, Rooskagh, my wife Vera’s father. John inherited the farm from his father Michael Kiely but never resided there. Paddy Sheehan from around Tournafulla/Templeglantine bought the place from John Kiely.

Jack King and his family later moved to Carrickerry. No idea where Mick Regan came from or what became of him. *Mick Moroney came from Knocknaboula, Loughill with his wife and family.

John Connell didn’t buy the portion of Kiely’s place, John Kiely gave it to him as a present. They were great friends.

////////////////////////////////////////////////

Faley Paddy…reply to my questionnaire regarding Katie Flavin, Turraree and Mrs Ellie Moore, Knockfinnisk.

Letter transcribed as follows….

About Catherine Flavin.

Catherine or Katie as she was known by lived at McEvoy’s for a time but thr most of her life she spent working with farmer’s. She spent some time working at Culhane’s, Turraree, Mikeen’s near the crossroads below the creamery.

The later end of her life she spent at Brassil’s near Moyvane and towards the end of her life she came to Bill Flavin’s where she died. You should remember her there, or do you?. Ciss Higgins confirmed this information.

The Moore’s.

From what I can gather the Moore’s lived in Knockfinnisk where *Sonny Commane married into. Sonny is dead but his wife is still living aged 80 or thereabouts. I’m told by Jack Grady that she was an only daughter. Her father’s name was Jack so twas probably Jack’s sister was married to Michael Kiely in Toureendonnell.

Maybe I’ll find more information on this later. I didn’t find anyone with any definite account of *Denny Cregan. *Jack Grady tells me there was a Cregan man living in *Hartnett’s house in Glenbaun one time. He might be the same man.

Well Georgie, I received your questionnaire but I’m afraid I can’t be of much value to you. Being handicapped as I am with the means of travelling I am unable to make much contact or communication with those of the knowledge of the local past and then my 78 years old mind is not always in a mood for seeking or retaining such knowledge.

Wishing you all the best and every success in your efforts in preserving our traditions & culture. It amazes me how you go to all that trouble. I’ve seen your verses to *Tommy Moran in *T.W.O.

God Bless, Paddy.

In relation to the above letter….*T.W.O. means the Weekly Observer newspaper. *Tommy Moran from Toureendonnell, owner of the Red Cow Hotel, Naas Rd, Dublin. *Hartnett’s, Glenbaun, Bill Hartnett lived there in my time, on the left hand side of the Glenbaun/Carrickerry road. *Jack Grady was married to Peg Sheahan, Knockdown. Peg Sheahan mentioned earlier. *Denny Cregan was married to Michael Kiely’s widow. *Sonny Commane was married to Eily Moore. I later recorded an interview with Eily.

Letter transcribed as follows….

The Moore woman, Vera’s grandmother, I was told by Tom Aherne, Knockfinnisk of whom I made enquiries, was an aunt of Sonny Commane’s wife making Mrs Commane a cousin of Vera’s father and came from Knockfinnisk where Sonny Commane married into. There was another girl of the Moore’s married to Barrett at the Old Mill and a brother Jack married in Knockfinnisk, Mrs Commane’s father, who was an only daughter.

Hello George,

I am returning questionnaire with as much knowledge as I can find, I hope it is correct as I am vey prone to error lately and cannot be relied upon. I hope and expect since you have given a facsimile to Mikey Kinnane that he’ll supply you with the necessary historical information in the area around Glin.

I called on your mother a few days ago. She is in good form despite her pains & aches like myself.

Fond Regards,

Paddy.

P.S. Thanks for your poetical comments which has been given great praise by all who have read it and those who didn’t know you were such a gifted man at words knows now.

Thanks again,

Paddy. Excuse the mark of tar.

Faley Paddy….reply to my questionnaire of 1997 on a Denny Cregan from Toureendonnell, Athea.

Letter transcribed as follows…..

Regarding Denny Cregan of Toureendonnell, this information got from Mickey Liston, Knocknagorna.

In Mickey’s father’s time Denny was one of the farmers who kept a bull and the farmers from the surrounding area took their cows to be serviced and in return gave Denny a hand at the turf and hay etc.

At the time, Paddy Reidy, a young lad was working at Liston’s and himself and John Liston, that’s Mickey’s father often went to Cregan’s to lend a hand. Mickey said that this Denny was a greedy kind of a man. One incident of this was, there was a ‘meithal’ working there one day, this was after his wife’s death, and at dinner there was an apple pie on the table and while the worker’s got enough to eat they were expecting a sample of the apple pie but Denny ate what he could of it and put the rest aside without offering a bit to any one of the others.

But the chief point of my story is that Paddy Reidy went with Denny in a horse and trap, I think to Banogue, to where Denny came from and Denny it seems was very fond of the drink for he went to the pub during his visit and his mother told Paddy Reidy (who was expecting to be returning the same day as he went) to go to bed for she knew that Denny wouldn’t return knowing his habits. Well it was the evening of the next day when he returned in a drunken condition.

This seems to explain where Denny came from and it is very unlikely that he had a previous marriage before coming to wed in Toureendonnell. However I’ll try and seek further information on the matter. Apparently he came as a herdsman to Toureen and married the widow whose farm he herded.

Faley Paddy...In his garden Aug 1995, filmed by George Langan.

https://youtu.be/Aj5Rp5PqTCw?t=38

Faley Paddy…Minding The House….Credit – Irish Rambling House

https://youtu.be/WrjIhhDnFCI

1998.

Weekly Observer, Jan 1998.

Faley Paddy…Poem to Paddy by George Langan following Paddy’s fall at his home in Glenbawn in 1998…. The Fall, The Rise and The Farewell. Weekly Observer March18th, 1998.

1999

Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal review By George Langan…

Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal 1999 By Paddy Faley.

2000.

Letter to George Langan Feb 2000.

Limerick Leader http://www.irishnewspaperarchives.com

2001

Faley Danny & Ciss celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary on April 1st, 2001 as they did all their 50 years of marriage, sitting contentedly by the fireside of their humble home in Turraree. Golden Jubilee – Poem By Paddy Faley in A.P.N. April 5th, 2001. On April 5^th, 2006… death of Daniel (Danny) Faley, Turraree, Glin, husband of Ciss Higgins Faley.