Community website for Millstreet, Co. Cork, Ireland
The wonder of it only does seem to grow
Sean Radley’s amazing images of Millstreet in snow
Though hardly the place for to go to for to improve your suntan
It is thanks for the great pics to the talented man
Though the images on screen beautiful to behold
The very thought of it leaves me feeling cold
The harsh winds of Winter with the breath of chill
Blowing through the old Town in view of Clara Hill [read more …] “Seán Radley’s Amazing Images”
He was the great hero of Mushera the All Ireland two mile hurdle champion of nineteen hundred and ten
I knew him when i was a youngster he was showing the wear of time then
He did not have to boast of his achievements his great record did say it all
When Duhallow old timers talked of famous athletes Paddy Keeffe’s name was one they did recall
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In two mile hurdles in his prime in Ireland he was the number one athlete
But he never went to the Olympics Ireland then as a team did not compete [read more …] “The Great Hero Of Mushera”
A lot of men in my young years in Millstreet did like their sports and did enjoy their grog
And they shlauned peat to warm their family homes in Winter in early Summer in Gneeves mountain bog
Around their fire grates on nights in the depths of Winter current affairs were discussed and other things they did recall
Such as politics and sporting greats and of great teams and games of hurling and gaelic football
They told stories of the War of Independence in Sliabh Luachra and Duhallow such as the ambush at Tureengarriffe Glen
Of a battle celebrated and often written about of the bravery of Sean Moylan and his men [read more …] “A Lot of Men”
We are told that the now is all that matters though on memory lane i often take a stroll
The moment has me in the Town of Millstreet back in the heady days of rock and roll
It was a time of change the nineteen fifties Bill Haley had them rocking round the clock
The new dance craze was spreading in the World and young people to it everywhere did flock
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At a dance in the famous Star Ballroom rock and roll was introduced to Millstreet Town
By two young locals Jim Cashman and Fiona Hickey they did enjoy their moment of renown
It was i believe an impromptu performance of a new dance craze started on a distant shore
During a quick step tune the young dance goers of Millstreet witnessed something they had never seen before.
Nora was a good mother to the Tanyard O Donoghues and to Florry she was a devoted wife
And sad to learn she is no longer with us that she has lost her marvellous gift of life
No more to be seen in the Town of Millstreet near to where she resided for so many years
Where she was one well known and loved by many her passing would have given rise to tears. [read more …] “Nora O Donoghue”
Noel was one of the Curracahill Healys born and raised near the old Town of Millstreet
He was a nice and quiet and gentle fellow and always quite a pleasure for to meet
In Millstreet earth his remains at rest forever for all of us there is a final Fall
But in the thoughts of those who knew him he will live on as a person who is worthy of recall
Noel Healy never yearned for Earthly glory he lived his life in his unassuming way [read more …] “Noel Healy”
It had been a few years since I last heard from Jimmy Sullivan a friend of mine who lives in Millstreet Town
But very lately early in the morning he gave me a ring for to give me the run down
Of the recent happenings in my old home Parish where I took leave of many years ago
Going by what he had said the changes have been happening and if I returned to there now the place I’d hardly know.
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He told me that refugees now live in Millstreet they came from war torn Countries far away
As guests of Noel C Duggan at his Drishane Lodge lets hope that some of them will chose to stay
And build their new lives in my old home Parish a multicultural Duhallow something new
The introduction of new blood brings with it a new freshness
and Millstreet with new blood could surely do. [read more …] “On Receiving A Phone Call From Jimmy Sullivan”
There was a wonderfully enthusiastic gathering of people present for Thursday’s official launching of “Silent Voices” (a collection of poems written by asylum seekers living in Drishane) and “Speaking Faces” (Paintings by Kordula Packard – based in Sherkin Island). It took place at the premises of O’Driscoll Travel in the Square, Millstreet. Among the speakers were [read more …] “Senator Dan Boyle Opens Millstreet Art & Poetry Event”
In sports perhaps Derrygallon’s Pat O Callaghan was Duhallow and Ireland’s best
The champion of champions when he was put to the test
The dual Olympic Gold Medallist and World Record Holder his legend lives on
Though for many Seasons the life from him has gone.
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But so many great sports people in and near Millstreet Town
Who on their own right can lay claim to renown
In Gaelic Football alone so many one could name
Who in their chosen sport did scale the heights of fame. [read more …] “Millstreet’s Sports People”
Unmarried in her early twenties without children a teacher in a primary school
Tall, beautiful and charming, down to earth and kindhearted the Rose of Warrnambool
With eyes as blue as ripened sloes and shoulder length hair of chestnut brown
Her mum an Aussie from nearby Dennington her dad from distant Millstreet Town.
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Though ’tis a place she vows to visit in a not too distant day
She has never been to her dad’s Hometown in Duhallow faraway [read more …] “The Rose Of Warrnambool”
The Story of Drishane booklet – to Commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Garden Fete – a 20 page booklet from 1980. [printed by Kanturk printers]
It is currently for sale on eBay.ie and the auction ends on [2nd Oct, 2010 at 9:31pm]
This Saturday Ann-Marie McCarthy launches a book entitled “Of Constant Heart – Conversations with wise Women in Ireland“.
Amongst the wise women in the book is our own Eily Buckley (who does the Regional Report every week). Here is a a short extract from her conversation with Ann-Marie in the book:
I’ll tell you… one beautiful day, I can still feel the warm sun on my face, Dan and myself were coming away down the road, linking arms after putting the cows away. We met a school bus going up the byroad. The inspector stopped and asked us something about route or roads or something. As it sailed away down the road from us, Dan said, “That is something you could do. You could drive a bus.” I said, “I could never do that.” “You could,” he said. “You have plenty of experience driving the tractor around the land and driving the car and all the rest of it.” So, I applied for the job and got it. I trained for three or four weeks then took my test and passed it. I was driving a bus the following Monday morning. That opened another big life for me. But that was Dan the whole time … <read the full extract>
At the book-launch this coming Saturday Eily will host a conversational workshop from 2:00-3:45pm with topics that will be finalised with the participants on the day. Later at 4pm she will be in a Wisdom Council that will discuss passing wisdom to future generations. [read more …] “Our Wise Woman”
Tadgh Moynihan’s life ended in Australia in a tragic way
And back home in Millstreet his last remains lay
Perhaps in his fifties luck not on his side
In an accident it has been reported he died.
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As a young man for Ballydaly his home club gaelic football he played
And all around Duhallow many friendships he forged and made
His family and friends for him left to shoulder grief’s cross
His friendship to those who knew and loved him an irreplaceable loss.
[read more …] “Tadgh Moynihan”
A story from my childhood I often heard old timers tell
One that I remember as memory serves me well
Of Johnny Jack of Claramore two miles from Millstreet Town
To be a champion road bowler his great claim to renown.
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On his way home from Macroom on horseback on a sunny sunday
The wildflowers were blooming in the prime of the May
Johnny Jack in his sixties then well past his life’s prime
Had been retired from road bowling for quite a long time.
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Two miles out of Macroom on the road to Millstreet
Two young bowl players with their backers he happened to meet
And though the old bloke on horseback they had not seen before
From their fathers they would have heard of the champ from Claramore.
[read more …] “Johnny Jack From Clara Or The Devil From Hell”
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Like his brother Andy, Timmy Duggan was a barber in Millstreet Town a good and decent man
He lived for eighty nine years in time a lengthy span
From Lisnaboy near Cullen at West End Millstreet he spent most of his life
Where he lived with Bina Creedon his soulmate and his wife
In his barber shop to his customers he had great stories to tell
A character in his own quiet way he could spin a yarn well [read more …] “Timmy Duggan”
There is far more to Millstreet and to Millstreet Town
Than show jumping or elite sportspeople who brought to the place renown
In Duhallow near Sliabh Luachra it is known far and wide
For it’s hospitable people in a scenic countryside.
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When people ask me what part of Ireland I come from to them I always say
From Claraghatlea near Millstreet Town far north and far away
In view of Clara Mountain overlooking Claramore
Though I’ve not seen the old homeplace for three years with a score.
[read more …] “There Is Far More To Millstreet”
A banker in Millstreet Town many years ago
Where into young adults his children did grow
And though he is remembered in Millstreet today
Distant from Duhallow his last remains lay.
The words of a wise one for us to recall
There is a last day and last night for us all
Seamus Maxwell one devoted to his family and wife
But sad to learn he has lost his gift of life. [read more …] “Seamus Maxwell”
Ann Lane (formerly of Ballinatona, Millstreet) has spent four years and traveled over 14,000 miles on an odyssey to catalog the country’s main pieces of public art. She said it was her initial encounter with Capall Mór, the ferro-cement over a steel structure, near Tralee, that depicts a Celtic war horse with broken chains around its forelegs, signifying freedom, which inspired her to undertake the task of cataloging the works …
This is from an article in the Irish Examiner today(5th Aug) describing her passion for public art, and her journey to this stage.
She featured on RTE Radio 1 yesterday morning (4th Aug) on the Kathryn Thomas Summer On One show, which can be heard in the podcast at the top of this page. (from 9:13 to 11:10 – starts just before the middle of the audio).
Ann’s passion was featured in an article on the Global Post from September ’09, and it shows some of the wonderful photography she has taken.
Ann Lane’s photographic journal of public art will be published this autumn by Wordwell Books.
with thanks to Kevin for the info on this article
[read more …] “Ann Lane’s photographic journal of public art”
Between Millstreet Town Bridge and Feirm where my life’s journey began
Where I went to school from and I grew into a man
The changes keep on happening there or so I have been told
But everything it changes and we grow frail and old.
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In the early thirties when my dad returned from the U S he hailed from Lisnaboy
He bought the farm at Claraghatlea off of Cashmans it was his pride and joy
Before marrying Mary Agnes Dinneen she was from Rathmore
I am going back in time now fifteen years with the three score. [read more …] “From The Finnow Bridge To The Feirm Bridge”
If you ever go across the sea to Ireland and ask the people of West Cork where Millstreet is, they will tell you it’s in North Cork. The people in North Cork will tell you it’s in West Cork. Some humorists will tell you it’s in East Kerry. The truth of course, Millstreet is a small country town in North-West Cork close to the Kerry border. It’s origin dates back to antiquity. If you ever go there visit the graveyard!
The Millstreet Graveyard
All stones marked to speak
in time will not.
I have seen the work of process,
the normal course will run.
The work will be done on the stone
as it is done on the flesh. [read more …] “The Millstreet Graveyard”
A daughter of Denis and Elly Murphy of green and high Claramore
Many years have passed since Nora sailed for Australia’s southern shore
For Victoria’s biggest City Melbourne where she became John Bredhaeur’s wife
Where she gave birth to and raised their children and lived out her long life.
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It must have been at least a decade since by phone to them I spoke
A warm and lovely lady married to a friendly bloke [read more …] “Nora Bredhaeur”
Here we share a selection of pictures from the very successful Book Launch of Gerard O’Meara’s “Magic Moments” which took place at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on 14th July 2010. The book was officially launched by Paddy Carleton in the presence of a capacity and very appreciative audience.
In the family home in Murphy’s Terrace he lived his last night and day
And his last remains rest in St Mary’s from there about a mile away
He was a good man Charles Barry of life he had a lengthy span
He will be missed by his family and many friends this well liked and honourable man.
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One of the senior citizens of old Millstreet the famous Town by Clara Hill
The Seasons and years do pass quickly and for anyone time doesn’t stand still
One might say he had a good innings but he had the will to live on
When most of those he went to school with were to the forever long gone.
[read more …] “Charles Barry”
I knew him in my school going days a few years younger than I
With foxy hair and fairly tall he was a hardy boy
In Cockhill he grew into a man two miles from Millstreet Town
Yet the undulating roads he walked on before he’ll never again walk up and down.
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From that green countryside by the Boggeragh hills his journey through life began
John Ryan went to live in England when he was a young man
The wanderlust was in him and as many others had done before
He left for to seek his fortune on the big sister shore. [read more …] “To John Ryan”
Connie McSweeney was a good hard working fellow devoted to his family and his wife
He was well liked and he formed many friendships and he made the most of his great gift of life
He did not live on for to become an old man perhaps just a few years with the three score
He will be missed by all in Ballydaly in Millstreet Parish and his old homeplace in Cloghoulamore
He will be missed by his family and everyone who knew him a friendly bloke not hard to get to know
One can only hope he had a peaceful ending that death for him was not painful and slow
At least his suffering is now behind him his friends and family for him left to grieve
His mortal remains are in Nature’s bosom the earth that feeds us our remains receive
His bones at rest by Cashman’s Hill forever where many of the dead of Millstreet lay
The Reaper does not spare the life of any for all of us a final night and day
But what matter most Connie he was a good man I only say of him what is his due
The World was better for him living in it to the higher self he was one who was true
Young enough to die perhaps in his early sixties his bones in St Mary’s Cemetery forever lay
In life he was a good and decent person what more of him can anybody say.
The girls I knew from the Bush bar where might they be today?
Perhaps some might be living now in cities far away
Whilst some found love with local men and in Duhallow stay
And in the backyards of their homes their children romp and play.
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The Murphys Mary and Eileen and their friend Catherine Moore
Where these three women live today can’t say that I feel sure
And blond haired Rita Murphy from the road by Mushera hill
Did she find love near to her home and live near Aubane still?
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The O Brien sisters from near Rathmore they lived in Millview Lane
They found true love in the Bush bar and the memories remain
Of Breda Tarrant with the sweet singing voice she has a heart of gold
I keep on going back to the past back to the days of old
[read more …] “The Bush Bar Girls”
A sketch of Clara View Holiday home by Andrés, one of the places to stay in the Millstreet area, and is listed in our accommodation page.
Denis Corcoran
Denis Corcoran as a young man left Kilmeedy and he went to live in the U.S of A
And there he earnt his living as a Fireman he was a big and brave man on his day
But as the years went on he thought of Millstreet and of the fields by Clara far away
He visualized the bohreens and the hedgerows and the hawthorns in their white flowers of the May.
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When Denis Corcoran came home to live in Millstreet he met and fell in love with Miss Maud Brown
And they lived at Claraghatlea north by the old stream about a mile and a half west of the Town
They lived there for a few decades and were happy till they sold and bought a house on the Clara road
But since Denis and his wife went to the reaper a lot of water down Finnow has flowed.
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He was a very tall man and broad shouldered and he stood over six foot without shoes
And one might say quite a commanding figure and people listened when he aired his views
In his prime he led a life of adventure and of his stories one could never tire
He once showed us the medal that he won for bravery when he rescued a young baby in a fire.
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He lived his twilight years in his old homeplace the man who earned his fortune far away
The job he worked in was one fraught with danger and he was one who earned his every pay
We marvelled at his stories of adventure and he was one who could not tell a lie
And he became a hero far from Millstreet when he risked his life to save a baby boy.
