Achill Drowning (14.06.1894) Memorial. 17.08.2019.
Bronach Joyce, Ger Reidy and Aidan Clarke host a memorial to the memory of the 32 Achill residents whom were drowned in Clew Bay on 14.06.1894 as part of National Heritage Week 2019.
016 Achill Island History and Things to Do with Patricia Byrne
Segment 1- Mindie
This episode is focused on the largest of Ireland’s islands – Achill Island. It lies of the coast of County Mayo, and can be accessed by a bridge. It’s an island of stories, of sorrow, of powerful women, and it has some of the most beautiful scenery is all of Ireland with sheer cliffs, amazing mountains, bogland, sandy beaches and historic villages. Achill Island - as my friend Ruth O’Hagan says, “… is one big, fat, giant amethyst sitting in Atlantic Ocean. And it’s true that amethysts were mined here, and one can still see the veins of purple in the gray rock cliff faces.
Achill is old landscape. Inhabitants of the island are said to go back 5000 years. The Belfast born painter, Paul Henry visited Achill Island with the intent of staying a few weeks, but found that he couldn’t leave. He said of Achill Island, “Achill … called to me as no other place had ever done.” He ended us staying for years.
Patricia Byrne is a writer who currently lives in Limerick, but is from County Mayo and has Achill Island ancestors. The stories of Achill Island and her ancestors captured her imagination so strongly that she has spent years researching and writing narrative non-fiction about the island’s history and people. She is a graduate of the NUI Galway writer program. Her most recently historical non fiction books are: The Preach and the Prelate: The Achill Mission Colony and the Battle for Souls in Famine Ireland
And
The Veiled Woman of Achill: Island Outrage and a Playboy Drama
In our conversation today, Patricia and I talk about the stories in her books, but also about Achill Island itself and many opportunities for travelers to the island.
Segment 2 - GUEST INTERVIEW
What is it about Slievemore Deserted Village that is most compelling? It is the mountainside remains of a village that was deserted during and after Ireland’s Great Famine in the mid-nineteenth century. It includes the remains of over 80 cottages and also potato ridges – lazy beds.
What is the background - history of the site? When the potato famine struck in 1845 the movement of people form the village started through a combination of famine death, emigration, evictions and movement of the people towards the sea. This movement continued after the Great Famine and the settlement developed into a ‘booley’ village – with people using the village for summer grazing of their animals on the mountain slopes and moving down to the villages of Dooagh and other areas by the sea in the winter.
Are there any legends or mythology tied to the site? The people tell stories of suffering associated with the village; of losing their lands on Slievemore and being forced to build new soil from sand, seaweed and peat closer to the seashore. The ‘lazy bed’ potato ridges are clearly visible to this day and evoke memories of the trauma of suffering arising from the failure of the potato crop.
Do you think those stories have a deeper meaning? The place and the stories carry the people’s memories of their history and their suffering. The historical trauma is buried in the soil.
What surprises travelers about the site? …. something one wouldn’t expect? People are surprised when they come close to the site and observe the detail of the houses and their construction methods as well as the still evident shape of the potato ridges dug into the mountain slopes. The Nobel Laurate writer Heinrich Boll had a cottage nearby in the 1950s and spoke of his astonishment on coming upon this village, ‘a skeleton of human habitation’.
What are your thoughts on thin places or liminal places where the physical and spiritual worlds seem to cross? The landscape carries powerful memories of our ancestors’ lives and their traumas. We can walk upon the ground where they lived, toiled and suffered. The place is a poignant image of leaving – through death and emigration – and absence.
What advice would you give to a traveler who is seeking out thin places or sites with spiritual energy? Learn what you can of the place’s history and stories. Then go to the place, walk there quietly and reflect on what the place and landscape conveys to you.
LINKS
BOOKS BY PATRICIA BYRNE
The Preach and the Prelate: The Achill Mission Colony and the Battle for Souls in Famine Ireland
The Veiled Woman of Achill: Island Outrage and a Playboy Drama
Patricia Byrne’s Website patriciabyrneauthor.com
Twitter @pbyrnewrites
Achill Heritage Center
Slievemore Deserted Village
sEGMENT 3 – mindie on achill...
Dookinella Self Catering Achill Mayo Ireland
for a video guide of Dookinella Self Catering Achill Mayo Ireland. Book direct with the owner for best value.
Achill Pipe Band in Ionad Deirbhile
“Ionad Deirbhile, Information & Heritage Centre, Eachléim, Blacksod, are marking the “Assisted Emigration from Blacksod Bay” of the 1880s with a Family Fun Day & Re-enactment walk from Belmullet to Blacksod following the route the emigrants from Achill, Newport, Belmullet & Erris regions would have taken to the ships. Special guests include; Atlantic Rhythm, Achill Pipe Band, Dr. Gerard Moran NUIM & a Craft Circle from throughout Mayo. A free bus will be provided on the day. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend. Atlantic Rhythm will be dressed in period clothing and everybody is welcome to join them in doing so. The Assisted Emigration was a scheme by which people in the most deprived areas of Ireland were helped to emigrate to the U.S. and Canada in search of a better life. Known as “The Tuke Fund” it was named after James Hack Tuke, a Quaker who for over 60 years sought to address starvation and deprivation in the West of Ireland.”
Bronagh Joyce: Westport Heritage Centre
Bronagh Joyce talks about Westport Heritage Centre. 23.08.2015
Dun Na Si - Heritage and Amenity Park
The park comprises a 20.25 acre site. The wetlands/turlough covers 7.8 acres and the amenity park is 12.5 acres. The proposed development will consist of an education centre, a children's playground and a wetland reserve and 12.5 acres of planted parkland. Future plans include proposals for a wetland/turlough Interactive Centre which will have themed exhibition galleries, a theatre and a resource centre. The park adjoins Dun na Si, Heritage Centre, on a site of 8.7 acres. This centre incorporates a museum, genealogy centre, a number of vernacular style buildings and trails all within a parkland setting.
Last 2 surviving siblings who grew up in a deserted village make emotional return | SWNS TV
The last two surviving siblings of a family who grew up in a village deserted for 100 YEARS have made an emotional return to the ruins of their former home. Anthony Callaghan, 78, was the final child to be born in Slievemore off the west coast of Ireland - where he grew up with brothers and sisters including Annie, 85. The tiny community was abandoned in the 1850s during the potato famine - but one hardy family remained.
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Belmullet - the edge of the world
A bit of a bad day off Belmullet, Erris. On the north west coast of Ireland. Eagle Island is a working lighthouse.
Blacksod Bay Emigration - Re-enactment walk
“Ionad Deirbhile, Information & Heritage Centre, Eachléim, Blacksod, are marking the “Assisted Emigration from Blacksod Bay” of the 1880s with a Family Fun Day & Re-enactment walk from Belmullet to Blacksod following the route the emigrants from Achill, Newport, Belmullet & Erris regions would have taken to the ships. Special guests include; Atlantic Rhythm, Achill Pipe Band, Dr. Gerard Moran NUIM & a Craft Circle from throughout Mayo. A free bus will be provided on the day. This is a free event and everyone is welcome to attend. Atlantic Rhythm will be dressed in period clothing and everybody is welcome to join them in doing so. The Assisted Emigration was a scheme by which people in the most deprived areas of Ireland were helped to emigrate to the U.S. and Canada in search of a better life. Known as “The Tuke Fund” it was named after James Hack Tuke, a Quaker who for over 60 years sought to address starvation and deprivation in the West of Ireland.”
Full view of Co Mayo
View of Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, Clare Island, Achill Island, Mulranny, Westport, Castlebar as well as mountains in North Mayo.
Paddy Lineen: Mulranney Hotel 1959
Dr. Paddy Lineen talks about the Mulranney Hotel where he worked as a student in 1959. 07.09.2014
Ancient Ireland's, Standing stones, Buildings & Relics
A Collection of photos I've taken of Ancient Ireland's, Standing stones, Buildings & Relics from around the country
Music: Primordial the cruel Sea
Tom Hennigan - Lesson of the cards
Tom Hennigan is a Seanchaidhe, a bearer of old lore, custodian of the indigenous non-literary tradition of Ireland, and a master of his craft. Here, he demonstrates a lesson his mother taught him using only a deck of cards, that contains a wealth of information and entertainment.
You can visit Tom at Hennigan's Heritage Center, situated in unspoilt countryside overlooking Creagaballa Lake, in Killasser, Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland.
Mayo Orangeism- A Forgotten Order : Presentation 14th March 2016
A presentation that took place in the Museum of Orange Heritage at Sloan's House Loughgall County Armagh 14 3 2016. A lecture examining the activity of the Orange Order in the County; Unionism in County Mayo; Edward Nangle and the Achill Island Mission; and the Boycott affair at Lough Mask South Mayo
Rossanrubble, County Mayo, June 2018
Willy Maley is shown round the old Irish homestead where his grandfather was raised.
#Ode2Joy Chllange Carlingford Heritage Centre
The Druids 'City Of Chicago'
The Druids Irish Band with our music video of Luka Bloom's timeless classic CITY OF CHICAGO, Audio recorded and mastered by Willie Haydon, Video Recorded by Patrick ó Brien Media Co.Kildare. The Druids, Paddy Mangan, Mick ó Brien, Gary Lawlor and Zak Moran, Guest musician Brian Corry (whistles) , Actors Sean O' Brien, Alan O'Neill, Harry Price. Credits Luka Bloom IMRO /MCPS Ireland. Written by Luka Bloom, Arrangement by The Druids.
Belmullet - A Great Place to Live - House For Sale
Lovely light-filled house for sale in Belmullet, 3 bed, 1 bathroom. On c. 0.8 of an acre. Great location, so central to the town, yet away from the hubbub. Just I minute walk to town centre, stones throw from church, great off-street parking. Beautiful views over to Achill. Priced to sell.
The O'Brien story - a deserted famine village Kinsale
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The Wild Atlantic Way : Deirbhile's Twist - MAYO - IRELAND
Stone circle made from local granite stones in form of a twist erected with 22 stepping stones leading up to it.
Last part of the sculpture trail through North Mayo to commemorate Mayo 5000. Artist Michael Boffin sculptor. One of Heritage Centre collection.
Video filmed by Alan Clarke & Ciaran Collins
Edited & Produced by Alan Clarke
Things to see and do :
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