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New book highlights Killarney’s faction fighting history

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BOOK LAUNCH: Seán Moraghan is launching his new book 'Days of the Blackthorn: Faction Fighters of Kerry' tomorrow (Thursday) in Killarney Library. Photo: Michelle Crean    

 

By Michelle Crean

 

 

Killarney and its environs feature heavily in new book ‘Days of the Blackthorn: Faction Fighters of Kerry’.

Author and folklore researcher Seán Moraghan, who previously worked as a tour guide at Muckross House, will launch his latest work in Killarney Library tomorrow evening (Thursday), at 6.30pm.

 

The 320 page paperback, published by Mercier Press, will be on sale for €13 on the night, and is available afterwards for €16.99 from Eason. There’s also an online ebook version and two free chapters available on Google Books.

“This is a chapter by chapter account of faction fighting in Kerry with stories from the Killarney area,” Sean told the Killarney Advertiser.

 

During the nineteenth century, gangs of men fought each other at country-fairs, wielding hardened sticks of oak, ash, or blackthorn.

“The book explains what faction fighting is. Every strong farmer has a strong gang behind him. Tens or even hundreds might take part. Fights were commenced after the exchange of insults; after prompting by a man who might drag his coat along the ground, demanding, “Who will tread on the tails of my coat?”; or by the practice of “wheeling” – twirling a fighting stick overhead and shouting for the other party to come on.”

He explained that in Killarney, faction fighting may have gone on since the 1600s. “During the late 1700s, the greatest fighter was Daniel O’Donoghue, known as the O’Donoghue of the Glens, who regularly brought his faction into Killarney from Glenflesk, where he had an estate. On every fair and market day they marched through it, shouting, hallooing, and offering five pounds for the head of any man that would dare oppose them."

‘Days of the Blackthorn’ used newspaper accounts from the nineteenth century and oral history collected during the 1930s to reveal who the factions were, where they fought in each district of Kerry, and who some of their famous fighters were, he added.

 

 

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Busy week for politics students at The Sem 

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It was a busyweek for Mr Declan O’Donoghue’s Politics and Society classes at St Brendan’s College, with visits from national leaders followed by a trip to Leinster House.

On Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the school, where he met students and staff and toured the facilities. He held a question-and-answer session with senior Politics students, discussing national and international issues and the value of young people engaging in public life. The Taoiseach described St Brendan’s as a school with a long and proud 165-year tradition and praised its commitment to opportunity and learning.

The class also welcomed Ministers Norma Foley and Michael Healy-Rae, Senator Mark Daly and Kerry TDs Michael Cahill and Danny Healy-Rae.

On Tuesday, the fifth and sixth year classes travelled to Dáil Éireann, where they visited the Seanad and committee rooms and observed proceedings on what was a busy day, with the Cabinet reshuffle taking place. The trip was facilitated by Deputy Danny Healy-Rae.

The visit was supported by Ms Kelleher, Mrs Gorman and Mrs Sweetman.

Busy week for politics students at The Sem 

An Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD with Hugh Rudden Deputy Principal, Lorna Larkin Chairperson Board of Management, Bridget Lucey Deputy Principal and Sean Coffey Principal during An Taoiseach’s visit to St Brendan’s College Killarney on Monday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin

It was a busyweek for Mr Declan O’Donoghue’s Politics and Society classes at St Brendan’s College, with visits from national leaders followed by a trip to Leinster House.

On Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the school, where he met students and staff and toured the facilities. He held a question-and-answer session with senior Politics students, discussing national and international issues and the value of young people engaging in public life. The Taoiseach described St Brendan’s as a school with a long and proud 165-year tradition and praised its commitment to opportunity and learning.

The class also welcomed Ministers Norma Foley and Michael Healy-Rae, Senator Mark Daly and Kerry TDs Michael Cahill and Danny Healy-Rae.

On Tuesday, the fifth and sixth year classes travelled to Dáil Éireann, where they visited the Seanad and committee rooms and observed proceedings on what was a busy day, with the Cabinet reshuffle taking place. The trip was facilitated by Deputy Danny Healy-Rae.

The visit was supported by Ms Kelleher, Mrs Gorman and Mrs Sweetman.

St Brendan’s College Choir performing for An Taoiseach Micheal Martin TD during his visit to St Brendan’s College Killarney onMonday. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin

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West End House raises €1,500 for Palestine

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Charlie Hughes, Head Tutor at West End House School of Arts, performed a one-man show that he co-wrote with Patrick Sutton.

The event was in aid of Palestine and a massive €1,500 was raised in aid of the charities on the ground.

The play, titled ISCARIOT, offers an alternative exploration of the enigma of Judas.

It centres on a version of the character who is still alive 2,000 years later, punishing himself daily in search of the forgiveness he desperately craves.

“Salvation, however, lies in forgiving himself… what would you have done in his place?” the description reads.

Classes for the next term at West End House School of Arts begin in January, and courses can be booked through their website.

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