Danny Houlihan‘s Irish Experience

Ballybunion & The Lartique Railway 1888-1924

In this episode Danny Houlihan takes a historical journey back on the old Lartique Mono Railway System which ran from Listowel to Ballybunion from 1888-1924.

Our history is unique and highlights an area which was developing as a seaside resort from 1888 to 1924 through the times of the Mono Rail System its staff, landlords,parish priests and the development of a new Irish State all played a part in the railway systems fortune.

The Lartique had many happy days and happy customers but due to the civil war age of the train coupled with modern transport heralded the end of this unique system.

This research is from Danny's book entitled Ballybunion & Its Railway History 1888 to 1924 (Out of Print) during his research for the book many documents for reference pictures Lawerence Collection were looked at consulted and maps from the 1919 period,railway magazines and The Strand Magazine 1898, numerous newspaper clippings of the time and local lore and stories just to cite a few were consulted and in the public domain.

It should be noted there are many books in the public domain which cover technical data for the Hunslet engines etc and are well worth a read.

This episode is not a definitive history but is yet again a taste of our unique history which for many years was not told or related and is just a guide to the massive history that is The Lartigue.

In another episode more information will be added to the history

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Carrigafoyle Castle Ballylongford Danny Houlihan

In this episode I will travel along the North Kerry Coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way to Ballylongford to its Castle Carrigafoyle, to explore a part of its rich history.

Strategically located on the inland estuary Carrigafoyle Castle commanded the respect of all who arrived in the estuary within its banks.

From Ri Na Fhile on Doon Promontory Ballybunion ruled an  O Connor chief, from this area the clan ruled the Kingdom of Ciar for centuries and later Lords of Iraghticonnor.

The Clan later moved along the coastline of North Kerry building many strongholds, their last was Carrigafoyle in Ballylongford where the biggest castle was constructed.

Down to the swing of a broadsword decided many of the O Connor’s battles and indeed on that faithful day on Palm Sunday 1580 when the castle was under siege by the Queens Fleet using the largest siege guns ever to be deployed in Ireland.

Carrigafoyle Castle stood defiant, its garrison and chieftain O Connor Kerry, who’s swordsmanship on that day went down into history on that faithful day.

This episode explores a part of the history of the clan, the castle and the siege, this is again but a taste of our North Kerry History, I will be returning to the castle again in a future episode.

Carrrigafoyle Castle today is visited by thousands of people who travel from all over the World to see the famous ruin.

If you are in Ireland take some time out and visit Carrigafoyle Castle in Ballylongford North Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Danny Houlihan

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Cashen Wooden Bridge Danny Houlihan

The Cashen Wooden bridge in North Kerry just on the outskirts of Ballyduff is no longer with us but over the years the large oak beams have been found. This priceless part of our river crossing history has been uncovered from time to time from the bed of the Cashen River. In ancient times the river was known as Casan Chiarraighe Luachaire the Pathway to the Ancient Kingdom of Ciar.

In this episode Danny relates the history what was found and when according to historians the structure was put into position, a feat of engineering in those by gone days.

Ballylongford Lisslaghtin Abbey Danny Houlihan

In this episode Danny Houlihan takes a journey out along the North Kerry Coastline to Ballylongford and its famous Abbey/Friary known around the World as Lisslaghtin.

The story unfolds its rich history and the many raids that Abbey and its friars suffered at the hands of advancing forces. Lisslaghtin is a must for all to visit when arriving in Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Penal Times Danny Houlihan

In this episode Danny takes a short look back at the Penal Times, and the effect it had on the Irish people in the area called Gleann Na dtalamh. The old Mass Houses that were knocked and the old customs that the people had area now gone and forgotten. The tradition of celebrating mass in glens and valleys and mass rocks during those harsh Penal Times is related.  This again is a brief look at one of many periods in the area North of Ballybunion. This research is ongoing preserving the precious past we have left. Danny will be back to dig deep into the Penal Laws in a future episode this is just a snapshot of the time.

Carthy The Piper 1799-1904 Danny Houlihan

Thomas McCarthy the famous piper of Ballybunion was born in 1799 in Doon Ballybunion North Kerry Ireland. Toms music was legendary and the times he lived through and the people he met. The music of his pipes made him an International artist when he featured on postcards. He played for the Great houses in the area and for the local people and tourists on the famous Castle Green Ballybunion from 1799-1904. When he died his pipes played for him a ghostly lament. This is just a brief look at the piper I will be back in another episode.

This episode is dedicated to the McCarthy family in the USA,England,Ireland.

Standing Stones Danny Houlihan

Standing stones erected by our Irish ancestors dot the landscape of Ireland. Built way back in antiquity to mark a place of burial of a chieftain or special member of a clan.

In this episode Danny Houlihan takes a look at the standing stone and its importance to ancient Ireland. In researching standing stones other items have been found, such as Cist graves, and items of settlement such as the old mill stones or Quern Stones, Danny rolls back the history on the quern with a brief look at how it was made and operated. In modern times these priceless relics have been lost due to land reclamation and drainage.

If you would like to support my research which is ongoing and podcast episodes, why not Buy Me a Coffee this will be used to update my research and equipment, I will give everyone who contribute a shout out in my series. Just click on the link below to support in any way big or small thank you.buymeacoffee.com/yxqdanny

 

Scattery Island Danny Houlihan

In this episode I will cross the Shannon Estuary to the Holy Island of Scattery or in its Irish name Inis Cathaigh, from the golden beaches of Ballybunion, Beale and Littor the sight of a round tower breaks the Irish skyline with the backdrop of County Clare, this is the holy Island of the Shannon Estuary called Scattery Island.

During the periods 1846 and 1847 onwards our ancestors who left our green shores to America,Canada, Australia and England took one last look across the Shannon at this special place before they left, indeed many may not have ever visited the holy island but in their dreams kept their Irish connection with the area.

I will take a short look at its early history and relate the story of St Senan and the serpent and the visit of a West Cork Saint called Conaire.

This is again is a snap shot, I will be back again in the future with a special unique program on Scattery.

Ballybunion Fulachta Fiadh Cooking Places Danny Houlihan

In this short episode Danny Houlihan relates the history of our out door cooking places of Bronze Age Ireland called Fulachta Fiadh, Fulachta refers to a cooking place and Fiadh a deer. All that remains of these priceless relics today are the heaps of burnt stone that lie buried on the landscape of Ireland.

This is the first in the weekend episodes which deals with items of settlement that have been found here in North Kerry Ireland.

Ballybunion Leac Castle Danny Houlihan

One forgotten castle on the North Kerry coastline is Leac or known locally as Lick Castle north of Ballybunion. Built on a rocky promontory fort of the Clan Connor during the 1300s. Sited in a scenic place called Faha on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Danny Journeys back to Lick through the landscape that shapes Ireland, its culture and its people. In this episode Danny returns to Leac Castle which he visited many years ago with the late Matty Leahy of Bromore and relates the history of the castle and the visit experience.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of the late Matty Leahy Bromore.