Category: Lifestyle

Let the people be heard.

Genealogy: looking for James Cronin

Hi,
I have just discovered your site while looking for my grandfather and have been engrossed on the articles. I thought you may be able to help me in my search. I am looking for a James Cronin who married Ellen Shine in June of 1941 in Dromtarriff, they had one child a girl Mary, all i know is that they separated not long after she was born. Ellen as far as we know never heard from James the only info i have on him is that he his fathers name was Jeremiah and that his brothers name was Andrew i know of at least 2 sisters but have no names any help would be great has i have hit many a brick wall.

Thanking you,
Helena

from

When I Was Younger And Lived In Millstreet

When I was younger and lived in Millstreet far north of here even by sky
I used to climb to Clara Mountain on pleasant evenings in July
The hill overlooking the old fields just west of the Town of Millstreet
I often picked and ate whortleberries from the heather the small blue fruits tasted so sweet,
The skylark above me was carolling like a tiny musical speck as upwards he flew
I recall I could still hear him singing even though he had gone from my view,
Overlooking the Town of Millstreet and the countryside for miles around
The scenery of Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow breathtaking when viewed from the higher ground,
Kippagh and rugged Caherbarnagh and Gortavehy and it’s face of stone,
The mountain ranges of east Kerry and the legendary Paps of Shrone,
The green countryside of Duhallow of Cullen, Boherbue and Derrinagree
And back along by the Cork-Kerry border from Rathmore to high Knocknagree
The past has gone to the forever though the Happy memories we retain
And only in fancy on the slopes of Clara I do eat whortleberries again.

by Francis Duggan

Young Musicians receive Doc Gleeson Awards

Kenneth Cremin on the Sax

Recently I was at a concert in UCC were Kenneth Cremin (son of Breda and Denis from the Priest Cross) and Cáit Buckley from Derinagree both received the 2010 “Doc Gleeson” award for Musical Achievement at a special concert held at the Aula Maxima, Main Campus at UCC. Kenneth played a piece of Classical music by Steve Reich on the electric guitar while Cait Buckley played a collection of music on the harp. Two other students who also received the Doc Gleeson Award were Enda Buckley who played rock music on the guitar and Tara Breen from County Clare played a section of Irish jigs on the fiddle Tara who was on the recent series Lorg Lunny on TG4 has been chosen by music legend Donal Lunny to be part of his new band Cirrus who played their first concert last Saturday night on television .

Cáit Buckley (on the left) plays the Harp

A Gamelan concert was held in late March which Kenneth Cremin performed playing different intruments. this is a concert of new music, dance and traditional Javanese music performed by the UCC Gamelan with special guests Colin Dunne of Riverdance fame and Kate Ellis renowned cellist. This concert also honours Aloys Fleischmann Professor of Music at UCC from 1934 to 1980 the title of the concert was “Telephones and Gongs”. Current Professor of music at UCC Mr Mel Mercier said that the present class of music students were very talented group. After a non stop two hour concert a five minute standing ovation was given by a full audience to the students. So well done to Kenneth and Cáit and Millstreet

by Danny O’Nell (grandson of Rosie Todd)

[read more …] “Young Musicians receive Doc Gleeson Awards”

Francis Duggan, Poet

Francis DugganIn Penshurst lives a poet
Francis Duggan is his name
he posts work on the internet
as well as earning local fame
.
his birth place was in Ireland
now he calls Australia home
every day writes rhyming verse
in lyrical traditional form
.
his themes range from bird and tree
through to complex human nature
soul sees both beauty and misery
sympathises with living creature
.
he wrote a wonderful anthology
called ‘Songs of Sherbrooke’
exploring many aspects of life
examines closely cranny and nook
.
if there’s something that you want
to know about life down-under
follow Frank’s heart, see through
poet’s eyes world full of wonder

by Lee Emmett, Australia

—-

(1946 – Present) I have been penning stuff since 1973 have written up to nine thousand individual pieces which can be seen on various online poetry sites, I was born and raised in Claraghatlea, Millstreet Co Cork Ireland and I have been living in Victoria Australia for the past twenty three years (since 1989) – Francis Duggan.

—-

Contact Francis: <email>

The Cails

From Kippagh Mountain Lake downhill it does travel
It splashes around rocks and scurries down the gravel
In fields of Ballydaly swelled by rills and drains it grows to a small river
As onwards it does flow with a babble in it’s quiver.
.
Through Feirm and Annagloor in Millstreet in Duhallow
It’s natural destiny it is destined for to follow
Through Shannaknock, Liscreagh and Claraghatlea to a bigger river growing
Where it joins the Finnow to the Blackwater flowing.
.
The Cails is not renowned in song and in story
To be born in Kippagh is it’s great claim to glory
But long before the first human, beast or bird came to Ballydaly
The Cails from the hills to the Finnow has babbled on gaily.
.
Unlike the great waterways it does not have a rating
But I feel that the Cails is one worth celebrating
With the Finnow it flows to the Blackwater to it’s sea destination
A very old river in a very old Nation.

by Francis Duggan

Michael Cremin, Grand Marshall of Bergen County St.Patricks Day Parade

The day was an Irish green, albeit with a little gray, and although it came two weeks later than originally planned — and just more than 10 days after its raison d’etre (due to a horrendous nor’easter storm) — the 29th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, led by Millstreet native Michael Cremin as Grand Marshall still showed marchers and spectators what it’s like to be Irish, even for just a day.

So, even though Sunday was a bit gray, the green did manage to shine through after all.

Our original article before the parade can be read here
You can read the full article on northjersey.com. Thanks to Joanie for the photos below

[read more …] “Michael Cremin, Grand Marshall of Bergen County St.Patricks Day Parade”

Baby Jacob family express their gratitude on TV3

Baby Jacob was on TV3 news yesterday evening again. This time saying thanks for all the support they have received in the last few weeks.  There were some video clips taken in the square and in O’Leary’s butchers with cameo’s by Ursula Manley and Jerry Pat O’Leary.

You can view the video clip on the TV3 website

There’s also an article on this weeks Cork Independent on how baby Jacob is doing after his recent operation and an update on the forthcoming single release for the Baby Jacob Trust Fund. Here’s an excerpt:

The Project started recording the song ‘Something Inside So Strong’ this week to raise funds for the Baby Jacob Fund. It is hoped the single will be available to purchase and for download by the end of April. Cork woman Ann Murphy has now joined the campaign to raise funds for Jakub through her new business.

[read more …] “Baby Jacob family express their gratitude on TV3”

Easter Sunday 2010

Easter Sunday 2010 in Millstreet was a very busy day indeed. With Easter Mass, a Collenction for the Irish Lifeboat Association, the Annual Easter Parade led by Millstreet Pipe Band, the Proclamation read by Nóirín Ní Ealaithe, the Tricolour raised by Con Foley, the wreath laid by Tadhg Crowley, the oration given by Tom Meaney and Jerry Lehane as Master of Ceremonies. (Lots of photos below by Sean Radley)

Also on Easter Sunday was the Vintage Family Fun Day at Green Glens, and there are loads of photos from this which will appear over the next few days.
[read more …] “Easter Sunday 2010”

Regional Report No. 1.006 (30th March 2010)


Presenter:   Seán Radley (deputising for Eily Buckley)

Good morning, Patricia and greetings, dear Listeners, from Millstreet in Co. Cork.   In this our 1,006th Regional Report we hear about Easter preparations, upcoming “Round the Fireside” features, LTV2 updates ….. and  there’s more – much more!

Our good Friend, Jerry Lehane of the Millstreet National Monument Committee, reminds us that the traditional Easter parade led by Millstreet Pipe Band will proceed from West End after 11.30 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church onwards to The Bridge and Main Street arriving at our National Monument  in the Square.   This highly significant Celtic Cross memorial of course was unveiled by Austin Stack in 1927 and has undergone a number of  maintenance works over the years.   The most recent restoration work has borne very impressive results.    Remembering the late Conchubhar Ó hÉalaithe  – his daughter, Nóirín, will read the 1916 Proclamation, prayers will be recited, the wreath laid and an address delivered by a significant speaker.

[read more …] “Regional Report No. 1.006 (30th March 2010)”

Eily in Nebraska

YORK — “God and His mother be with you all my friends.”

So Eily Buckley conveys her greetings, in Irish Gaelic, to her listeners during her weekly radio report from Millstreet Town, County Cork, Ireland.

Eily has been in Nebraska since St. Patrick’s Day. She will be in York County a short while longer, before heading to Lincoln next week to celebrate her cousin’s Diamond Jubilee in the priesthood. Father Paddy O’Byrne, now  retired from the Diocese of Lincoln, is the link between Eily and her rural Bradshaw hosts, Elizabeth and Terry King, and Toni and Kent Allen.

When the Kings and Allens wanted to travel to Ireland last year, Fr. O’Byrne pointed them to Eily’s bed and breakfast in Millstreet, a town of about 1,400 people in northwest County Cork. About another 3,000 live in the surrounding countryside.

The Nebraskans soon counted Eily among their friends, and welcomed her when she flew to Nebraska with Fr. O’Byrne.

from the York News Times
[read more …] “Eily in Nebraska”

Cullen to be twinned with Tokyo?

… Tuesday was one hell of a day for Minister Batt O’Keeffe. First, he got promoted in the Cabinet reshuffle. Then he was buttonholed by the irate wife of a snubbed back-bencher. And finally, he attended a dinner organised by the class of 1963 from St Brendan’s College, Killarney.

Some people might remember 1963 as the year JFK was assassinated. But in Batt’s eyes, 1963 will forever be remembered as the year St Brendan’s lost the All-Ireland schools’ final by a point to St Mel’s of Longford.

Despite being the only Corkman on the team, Batt was the captain, displaying early leadership skills.

“I’m in the diocese of Kerry, but from the village of Cullen, which is near Millstreet on the Cork border,” he explains.

“I tried to twin Cullen with Tokyo when I was in Japan last week.”

Tuesday’s knees-up was arranged long ago and it was pure coincidence that it fell on the night of Batt’s promotion. His classmates and team-mates …

this is an extract from an article in todays Irish Times

On Local Businesses

A comment on millstreet.ie this morning questioned the value of putting what was in effect advertising for small local business on the front page of the site like all other new articles on the site. Now maybe Seamus had a point, and I agree that they should not overrun the site, but I feel that it’s more important to keep our local businesses going by giving the support we can.

By pure coincidence there was an interview on the Mooney Show (RTE Radio 1) with David McWilliams, on how towns all across Ireland are dying, and on how locals are fighting back and saying “enough of this, how do we attract the locals to shop in town”.

They describe a very interesting thing of how a town dies.  A business closes …. maybe a second one … then ‘to let’ signs … then ‘for sale’ signs … buildings don’t get let out and are not maintained … and prospective buyers say I don’t like the look of that, and choose to move somewhere else … and then because nobody does nothing, the town becomes a ghost time.

It’s a very interesting interview, and reminiscent of the efforts of the Millstreet Development Group before the Christmas period. Honestly we don’t want our towns to end up like the ghost towns in Middle America with the big shopping mall outside their towns.

Listen to the interview which is on the RTE website (starts at 27:50)

River View Holiday House

River View – Millstreet, Co Cork

River View: Cottage in picturesque setting. Ideal touring base adjacent to Cork, Mallow and Killarney. Short drive to Millstreet town and Country Park. A getaway from it all with beautiful views and the comfort of modern conveniences.

  • Saturday changeover /pets welcome
  • short breaks accepted
  • private garden / patio
  • bed linen / towels provided free of charge
  • washing machine
  • patio
  • dishwasher
  • TV / Video/ DVD
  • children welcome
  • open fire
  • private parking for up to 3 cars
  • Electricity / heating charge
  • fridge – freezer

More details below:

[read more …] “River View Holiday House”

Regional Report No. 1,005 23rd March 2010

Presenter:   Seán Radley (deputising for Eily Buckley)

Good morning, Patricia and greetings, dear Listeners, from Millstreet in Co. Cork, Ireland mentioned for the benefit of our many online Listeners worldwide on the c103 website.   Following such a severe Winter, it is so wonderfully uplifting to now be experiencing the onset of Spring and a greener Ireland with daffodils beginning to appear.   In this our 1,005th Regional Report we hear about Daffodil Day, an Easter Vintage event, upcoming “Round the Fireside” features, an LTV2  exclusive, website updates ….. and there’s more – much more!

But we begin on a sad note as we remember the late Mary O’Connor of “Duneden”, Boherbue who along with the late Tadhg O’Driscoll established the very popular Millstreet Gramophone Circle some years ago.  Mary who went to her Eternal Reward on Sunday, was such a true Lady of the highest calibre who shared many musical gems with numerous Gramophone Circles from her fascinating collection of treasured recordings.    For almost thirty years Mary had dedicatedly devoted her great musical talents and sincere energy to the Boherbue Church Choir.   Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

[read more …] “Regional Report No. 1,005 23rd March 2010”

Annmarie in Philadelphia

Annmarie O’Riordan was singing her way around Boston, New York and Massachusettes a week ago in the run up to St.Patricks Day. Below are nine videos taken in Philadelphia and posted on youTube:

Above: Annmarie sings at the March 4, 2010, pre-St. Patrick’s Day Parade party at CBS3 in Philadelphia.

Above: “The unbelievable voice of the 20 year old Annmarie O’Riordan sings the song Grace, about the 1916 Easter Rising, accompanied by Pat Kildea on keyboard, Paraic Keane on fiddle and Fintan Malone. At the Irish Center, Philadelphia March 5, 2010.”
[read more …] “Annmarie in Philadelphia”

Tastes of Christmas for Cystic Fibrosis

Ms. Aine Collins accepts a cheque for €500 on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Association, from the Transition Year Students. This money was raised through the “Tastes of Christmas” cookery demonstration. All the money raised from this event has now been distributed and the three beneficiaries were Cystic Fibrosis,The Irish Heart Foundation and Baby Jacob Fund.
The Transition Year Class wish to sincerely thank everyone that contributed.

Something Inside so Strong

Baby Jacob had his second operation yesterday and is in recovery now. Unfortunately he is in a lot of pain, is not taking fluids and is very tired, so he has been moved to another hospital. Hopefully he will come around soon.

Rose O’Neill of The Project who is coordinating the current push was interviewed on the C103 news this morning (listen to the audio clip above). They plan on recording the song Something Inside So Strong (by Labi Siffre) as the charity single.

The Baby Jacob facebook page is up to 1,120 fans and growing all the time. It has all the up to date news and info.

Ballydaly’s Gaelic Football Glory Days

I’ve heard that Ballydaly does not have a football team
Which puts a cloud on Tommy Tucker’s dream
That they might win Duhallow for third time
And give some bard another chance to rhyme.
.
They won their first Duhallow title more than forty years ago
Some time back in the fifties that I know
Though of my dates I’m not too very clear
I think ’twas fifty seven was the year.
.
When Ballydaly had their first big win
And their footballers were celebtated men
And John Twomey wrote of Ballydaly Boys
And west of Millstreet bonfires lit the skies.
[read more …] “Ballydaly’s Gaelic Football Glory Days”

Charity Single plan for “Baby Jacob”

In the media whirlwind that has been the Baby Jacob Appeal in the last week, his parents were interviewed during the week on Cork FM Radio by Rose O’Neill. Click here to listen to the interview.

From that interview, a Facebook page has been setup with the aim of generating awareness (there are 470+ fans already in a day and a half), and they say that they are in an advanced stage of making a Charity Single for the fund! which will be available online and also in selected stores as CD’s.

More info below:
[read more …] “Charity Single plan for “Baby Jacob””