Kilbrittain Historical Society made a trip west to Skibbereen Heritage Centre today the 20th July 2024. The group were welcomed and looked after by William Casey of Skibbereen Historical Society.

Terri Kearney manager of the centre gave the group an outstanding presentation on the Famine Story.  Her passion and knowledge on the subject had the group gripped from start to finish and we would highly recommend everyone to make visit to the centre. After the Heritage Centre the group made the short journey to Abbeystrowry burial ground, the site of one of the most poignant and significant Famine memorials in Ireland. Here we were met by William Casey and Philip O’Regan who gave a moving account of the mass graves or ‘pits’ where up to 10,000 Famine victims were buried.

The group also heard the tale of Tom Guerin, a native of Skibbereen who was buried alive as a young 3 year old child. The gravediggers, on pressing the corpses into the mass graves, heard a moan and realised the little boy was not dead. Tom was restored to health despite being crippled and lived till 1910. He was known as a character around Skibbereen who used to travel around the area in summertime begging as the ‘man who had risen from the dead’.

His famous poem was:

I rose from the dead in the year ’48 

When a grave at the Abbey had near been my fate; 

Since then for subsistence, I have done all my best 

Though one foot points eastwards and the other points west.

For those who could not make the trip, Skibbereen Heritage Centre have kindly provide links to two very moving videos covering Abbeystrowry burial ground and the Skibbereen and Schull Workhouses.

Sincere thanks again to William Casey, Terri Kearney and Philip O’Regan for their very generous time and for a very memorable trip to Skibbereen. 

The post Skibbereen Trip July 2024 The Famine Story appeared first on Kilbrittain Historical Society.

Thanks to all members who came on our first outdoor trip to The Galley Head on Friday evening the 24th May 2024. SIncere thanks to Gerald Butler for giving the Society a history of the Galley Head Lightohouse and a unique opportunity to climb to the top of the lighthouse. Amazing views of the ocean and West Cork were enjoyed from the balcony at the top in perfect conditions on a clear and calm May evening. Many thanks to Society member, Gearóid Holland, for some wonderful photos of the evening.

The post May 2024 Visit to The Galley Head Lighthouse appeared first on Kilbrittain Historical Society.

The journal can be purchased in local shops for €15 or online from :https://biblio.ie/bookstore/coolim-books-skibbereen/kilbrittain-journals/43575080 ( Note postage charges apply.)

The post Kilbrittain Historical Society Journal Vol 7 appeared first on Kilbrittain Historical Society.

Pictured below: The Book of Mac Carthaigh Riabhach, also known its ‘The Book of Lismore’. celebrated in this Celtic revival stained glass window of St Carthage in Lismore Cathedral. The window is by Watsons of YoughaL

This is the sixth edition of the Journal of the Kilbrittain Historical Society. In the past year and a half, the world has lived through a truly historic period. As a consequence of pandemic lockdowns, and the prohibition of large gatherings, many important events to commemorate the centenary of the War of Independence were unable to take place. This edition of our journal aims to address this lacuna somewhat with the inclusion of a special section on theWar of Independence in Kilbrittain. The people of Kilbrittain and surrounding districts were pivotal in the success of the old IRA in their conflict with British State Forces. It is important that their stories are told, and that their own voices are heard 100 years later.

While there were some local people involved in the struggle whose contributions are not fully detailed in this edition, the articles that have been written give the reader a real sense of the culture of
determination, sacrifice and courage that was embodied by the people of Kilbrittain during this seminal period of Irish history.
During 2020 there was further cause to celebrate in Kilbrittain as the Book of Mac Carthaigh Riabhach, commonly called The Book of Lismore’, was returned to Cork after many years.

Produced in Kilbrittain, it is recognised as one of the most important surviving manuscripts of Medieval Ireland. In this volume, we have the first of a two-part study on the origins, content and dissemination of the book from the world’s foremost expert on the ‘Book of Lismore’.

Other important topics covered in this year’s edition include articles about the ESB and rural electrification, a heart-warming story of humanity across enemy lines during World War 1, and a very interesting article, which has contemporary resonance, about a police killing of a local man at a fair in Kilbrittain in 1868. As usual, we have some excellent photography and pieces of local interest which will appeal to many readers.

Our series of historical journals continues to showcase the rich
heritage of Kilbrittain. Its deep history is mined by our superb
contributors, who kindly give of their time and expertise to produce
articles that will help future generations to understand their past.
We hope that our readers will encounter the courage, dignity and
humanity of our ancestors through the stories told in these pages.

Buy now

The post KBS Journal Volume 6 for sale appeared first on Kilbrittain Historical Society.

He was 27 years old when he was killed and had been recovering from serious wounds received at the Upton Ambush. A tireless volunteer organiser and fearless freedom fighter, Hurley was a member of Cobh, Castletownbere & Kilbrittain Companies, and was Vice-Commandant of Bandon Battalion prior to taking over command of the West Cork Brigade. He was responsible for the formation of the famous West Cork Flying Column or ‘Barry’s Flying Column’. A noted scholar, he was also a hurler with Kilbrittain G.A.A. Club in the 1910’s. He was buried in the family grave at Clogagh Cemetery with full military honours. Ar dheis Dé go raibh an anam.

A memorial sculpture to Brigadier Hurley has been planned for the Independence Garden in the village. Current restrictions have impeded progress for now but will resume at the nearest convenience. The Commemoration Garden Committee would appreciate any support for this project.

The post Kilbrittain’s Brigadier Charles Hurley appeared first on Kilbrittain Historical Society.

The post Membership 2021 appeared first on Kilbrittain Historical Society.