Sliabh Luachra Journal takes to the roads

THE highland country straddling counties Kerry, Cork and Limerick was once an ‘asylum’ for outlaws and a risen peasantry, according to the latest issue of the biennial Sliabh Luachra Journal.

Many of the principal roads that run through the area today were not built until the 1820’s and ‘30’s by the British authorities who wanted to gain more control of the territory.

“The wild hilly country on the borders of the three counties was outlaw territory,” writes Martin Murphy in an article on Whiteboys and Ribbonmen, relating the activities of secret societies against landlordism.

This vast region of around 1,000 square miles did not have proper roads, a British Government report noted in 1822. Engineer Richard Griffiths was commissioned to design and improve roads and he also built stone-arched bridges still in use today. Griffiths described Sliabh Luachra as an asylum for Whiteboys and robbers whose “wickedness had frequently escaped punishment”.

The 17th issue of the local history journal, published by Cumann Luachra, was launched by Fr Pat Moore, in Gneeveguilla, last Friday night.

“It’s very hard to really define Sliabh Luachra which has probably been best described as a state of a mind,” said Fr Moore who formerly served as a curate in the Rathmore and Kilcummin parishes.

“But one thing is certain – the people of the area have their own identity, wit and cultural richness. I learnt a lot from them when I was among them and loved my time in there.”

The story of the 1916 Easter Rising, in which volunteer Patrick O’Connor, from Rathmore, was killed, features prominently in the 120-page journal which also has a wide range of other articles and lots of old photographs.

As might be expected from Sliabh Luachra, a deal of space is given to traditional Irish music.Popular accordionist John Brosnan, who lives in Milleen, Kilcummin, tells of his life and times. He also recalls memories of the legendary fiddle master Padraig O’Keeffe and how he visited the Lyrecrompane area where John grew up.

There’s also an article on ceili bands by journal editor Donal Hickey who, for instance, traces the history of the Brosna Ceili Band from its origins in the late 1950’s to the present day.

A trip to Killarney Fair as a boy with his father in the 1940’s is recalled by John Kelly. He had a day off from school to drive in cattle they sold at the fair.

While the main business was the buying and selling of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs, fairs also brought in some colourful characters, vendors of clothes and footwear, tanglers, blockers and others who got involved in the haggling between farmers and buyers.

In those days, towns didn’t have fancy restaurants, but they had ‘’ating houses’’ where hungry farmers and their sons could get good feeds of bacon and cabbage and plenty of plain, wholesome food.

Bohereencaol, in Killarney, had three such establishments, all of which did brisk business on fair and market days.

The Kellys’ favourite was Mrs Twomey’s, a woman known for her generous portions.

The journal is on sale for €12.

Photos Don MacMonagle Donal and Kathleen Hickey pictured with Mary Hickey, Paudie Hickey and Kathleen Mooney at the launch of the annual Sliabh Luachra 1916 Souvenir Edition at the Gneeveguilla GAA grounds at the weekend and is available in shops in Sliabh Luachra,...

At the launch of the Sliabh Luachra 1916 Souvenir Edition at the Gneeveguilla GAA grounds at the weekend were from left, Donal Hickey, Editor, John Kelly, Val Moynihan and Michael Murphy, Chairman.