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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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HeartBeat’s expert talk on the science of sleep

HeartBeat Kil larney will focus on the vital role of sleep in cardiac and mental health at its next community meeting on February 24. The event, held at the Parish […]

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HeartBeat Kil

larney will focus on the vital role of sleep in cardiac and mental health at its next community meeting on February 24.
The event, held at the Parish Centre on Park Road, features guest speaker Dr Anna O’Sullivan, a Senior Clinical Psychologist with the HSE.
Following her previous popular sessions with the group, Dr O’Sullivan will return to provide a deep dive into the neuroscience of sleep.
The talk will explore why rest is a cornerstone of physical and mental well-being and how sleep requirements shift throughout various life stages, from childhood and the teenage years to parenthood, perimenopause, and older adulthood.
Attendees can expect practical advice on managing common sleep difficulties and strategies for improving sleep quality. Dr O’Sullivan will also outline simple self-care actions that can maintain or enhance long-term sleeping habits, as well as the long-term impacts of insufficient rest.
The meeting begins at 8:00 pm at the Parish Centre and is open to all members of the community. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, and the evening will conclude with light refreshments and an opportunity for attendees to chat.

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Parking plan for Muckross Rowing Club boat launch

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Muckross Rowing Club will host a landmark event on Sunday to officially launch and bless three new additions to its racing fleet.

The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the club’s boathouse at 2pm and represents a significant moment in the club’s long-standing history.


The club has issued an open invitation to all past and present members, as well as supporters, friends, and family, to join in the celebrations.

Following the formal blessing and naming of the boats, light refreshments will be served at the boathouse for all attendees.


For those planning to attend the event, parking will be situated at the Muckross House car park.


The club has requested that anyone requiring parking access closer to the boathouse make contact with a committee member in advance so that appropriate assistance and arrangements can be made.


The core of the celebration is the naming of the boats in honour of three of the club’s most distinguished athletes: Paul Griffin, Sean Casey, and Cathal Moynihan.


These three oarsmen achieved the ultimate success in the sport by representing Ireland at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.


Having started their journeys as Muckross juniors before rising through the international ranks, their legacy continues to be a major source of pride for the club as they are immortalised in the newest fleet.

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