Bríde Bhán returns to the site of her roadside cottage in Ventry

A ‘bean cabharach’ from Ventry will be remembered forever at the crossroads where she lived in Ventry, thanks to the efforts of locals and a County Council road widening project.

Midwife Bríde Bhán Uí Ciobháin lived in a small house at the junction west of Ventry where the road to Ballyferriter leaves the R559. Her small stone house stood by the side of the road for over 150 years, but was hidden from view and fading from memory before recent roadworks revealed it.

When the Council looked to widen the road for safety purposes they approached local landowners, including Paul Fenton who owned Bríde’s old cottage. Paul and his neighbour Pat Griffin agreed to make land available for the road widening but, seeing as the work would include the demolition of part of the house, Paul felt it was important that the history of the humble stone cottage and its esteemed resident should be preserved.

Paul had purchased the house from a relative of Bríde who had unsuccessfully sought planning permission on the site. Although he was far too young to remember Bríde Bhán, he learned about her from the late Noel Ó Ciobhain who pressed him to construct a sign naming the road intersection after the ‘bean cabharach’ who had lived there.

The sign was subsequently made and during his recent discussions with the Council Paul told them of the former resident and presented them with the sign.

As work continued on the road widening last week the sign was erected and Paul is delighted with the result. “Kerry

County Council have done great work and in particular Denis O’Connor and his team have been a real pleasure to deal with” he said.

Local folklore describes Bríde

Bháin as a valued member of the community, providing services from delivering children to reading the newspapers for those who were themselves unable to read.

The newly named Crosaire Bhríde Bhán (Biddy’s Cross) in Ceann Trá and (right) Bríde Bán outside her home at the crossroads that now bears her name. Brenda Ní Shuilleabháin (who provided the photo) points out that it is notable that Bríde was wearing shoes and stockings which was “by no means universal” when the picture was taken, probably in the early 1900s. Bríde is wearing a traditional black shawl and headscarf