God Bless you Riobard! From yet another lurker who appreciates your stories and reminiscences mor than you know. John O'Shea In a message dated 2/14/2013 6:25:55 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time, bearariobard@gmail.com writes: *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the interest in things I have researched about happenings around the Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely request of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column. ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Dear Riobard,Please do not stop telling your wonderful stories. I relay them to friends and family members who do not belong to the list. I cherish your stories and although I do not have ties to Beara, I have traveled its roads and marveled at its beauty. Thank you so much for all that you have done for so many people seeking their roots! God bless you -Mary Ellen > Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:22:42 +0000 > From: bearariobard@gmail.com > To: Beara@rootsweb.com > Subject: [BEARA] ??? > > *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past > ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no > reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the > interest in things I have researched about happenings around the > Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when > I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time > researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't > be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in > with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things > were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened > off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in > would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of > his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many > parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now > leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely request > of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column. > ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Riobard, I am another lurker as I have been researching my husband's line which includes Rahilly (O'Reilly) and Fitzsimmons. You have helped me in the past and continue to be my source for research. I forward all your stories to my husband's family and they love reading them. Please keep up the wonderful story telling for those of us who yearn for more of Beara of yesteryear. Oh to be there to shake your hand and thank you in person... -----Original Message----- From: beara-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:beara-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Riobard O' Dwyer Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 8:23 AM To: Beara@rootsweb.com Subject: [BEARA] ??? *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the interest in things I have researched about happenings around the Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely request of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column. ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I also can attest to the power of your stories. Although I don't often have something to say that is on point and interesting, I do enjoy the stories, and sometimes pass them on or read them to a friend or family member. They are almost always certain to elicit a smile, or sometimes a tear. God bless you, Riobard, Kevin Kelly, great grandson of Patrick who was baptized 1836 in Beara. -----Original Message----- From: Riobard O' Dwyer Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 7:22 AM To: Beara@rootsweb.com Subject: [BEARA] ??? *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the interest in things I have researched about happenings around the Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely request of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column. ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2238 / Virus Database: 2639/5601 - Release Date: 02/13/13

Hi: I think Riobard's comments and wisdom, as well as others on this site provide important information for those of us from Butte with Roots in Beara. Please keep it up, all. Thanks, Dan Harrington Butte On Thu, Feb 14, 2013 at 8:38 AM, Steve Sullivan <srs@jma.com> wrote: > Riobard,,,please do not stop sharing these stories. Like Bill, I read > them, > then, forward them, and place them in a Beara file for others to read after > we are long gone. These are rare bits of well written history that will be > lost forever if you do not keep up your good work. And,,,,you have a large > loyal group of readers. > All the best to Saint Joan. > Steve Sullivan, Seer/Cromhane > > -----Original Message----- > From: beara-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:beara-bounces@rootsweb.com] On > Behalf Of Riobard O' Dwyer > Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 5:23 AM > To: Beara@rootsweb.com > Subject: [BEARA] ??? > > *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past > ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no > reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the > interest in things I have researched about happenings around the > Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when > I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time > researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't > be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in > with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things > were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened > off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in > would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of > his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many > parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now > leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely > request > of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column. > ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in > the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

Riobard,,,please do not stop sharing these stories. Like Bill, I read them, then, forward them, and place them in a Beara file for others to read after we are long gone. These are rare bits of well written history that will be lost forever if you do not keep up your good work. And,,,,you have a large loyal group of readers. All the best to Saint Joan. Steve Sullivan, Seer/Cromhane -----Original Message----- From: beara-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:beara-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Riobard O' Dwyer Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2013 5:23 AM To: Beara@rootsweb.com Subject: [BEARA] ??? *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the interest in things I have researched about happenings around the Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely request of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column. ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Riobard,    I am one of those "lurkers' on line and even though I don't always respond, I enjoy all your posts and everyone else's as well. I'm sure there are many more out there just like myself. So don't think folks are reading and appreciating your contributions and and work as well as Bill's. I give you both a 'lurker's" thank you and want to let you know that both of your efforts are really appreciated!    All the best!    Pat O'Leary (Bere Island roots) --- On Thu, 2/14/13, Riobard O' Dwyer <bearariobard@gmail.com> wrote: From: Riobard O' Dwyer <bearariobard@gmail.com> Subject: [BEARA] ??? To: Beara@rootsweb.com Date: Thursday, February 14, 2013, 8:22 AM *I wonder if you got all the contributions I sent in for some time past ----- the latest about 3 one evening/night very recently. As I have got no reaction except from about three people in all those times, maybe the interest in things I have researched about happenings around the Ardgroom/Eyeries, and some parts of Beara areas in the* distant past, when I was very young, have no relevance any more. I have spent much time researching those (mainly about people) so that that information wouldn't be lost forever. But, things change as years go by and so I will fall in with that. I only wrote all those, as I wanted to make sure that things were getting going much more in the Beara-L, because things had slackened off, and that many of those in Beara-L who surely had something to put in would come to the aid of our outstanding Bill who has given an awful lot of his time to keep the Column going and of interest to our people in many parts of the world. I have done all I can over the years, so I will now leave it to others to carry on. So, in saying adios, I will sincerely request of you all once more: please don't forget Bill and his Beara column.                            ----- Riobard (of the past !!!) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

*THE LAST POST ON WHICH DONAL O'SULLIVAN BERE RELIED The inbabitants were terrified by the sudden arrival of soldiers loyal to the Queen of England at the time. The soldiers dismantled the Fort, and set fire to the Church and houses; shot down, hacked with swords, and ran through with spears the now disarmed garrison. They gathered into one heap old men, women (one of them was carrying a baby at her breast), and wreathing terrified children, and ran their swords up to the hilt. Finally they bound all the survivors, and threw them into the sea over jagged rocks, and showering them with stones. In this way there perished about 300 people, including the garrison soldiers of O'Sullivan Bere. I'll now retire into a good rest. ---- Riobard. *

*MORE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN ARDGROOM DISTRICT, BEARA. There is a stone circle in Faunleave. It has 10 standing stones circa 7 feet X 4 feet high; and also a pillar stone 8 feet high and 5 feet wide. Another similar stone was seemingly taken by a local man, and used as a lintel. *The Dromard Fort, near Ardgroom, and overlooking the Harbour, is a remarkable one, about 90 feet in diameter. It has 2 entrances ---- one to the west end which was open, and the other which has been closed. The passage leading in is about 20 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet broad. At the end of this passage there is a chamber of irregular shape, about 9 feet long, 3 feet high, and 4 feet wide. There are 2 narrow passages leading from this ---- one to the right, and the other to the left. The passages were so small that one had to creep through. The second chamber to the left is about 6 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet high. To the right of this there are 3 entrances leading to different chambers. The one to the left is leading to an apartment 18 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 4 feet high. There is a narrow passage from this opening into a chamber 12 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet high. Here earth has fallen down. It is thought that the chambers were to hold people, and in the fort there was accomodation for a large number of people. The narrow entrances made a successful attack impossible. But it could not stand a long siege as there was no well. ---- *Riobard*

THE ANCIENT CHURCH IN KILCATHERINE:- Kilcatherine (Chellchatthigern; Kyllcharrine) Church:- There is a stone carved head in the ancient Church. The Church dates from the 7th Century. A leaning stone on the left is one of the eldery stone crosses in Ireland. >From the Monastic map of Ireland the site would appear to have been a Nunnery rather than a Monastery. In a Decretal Letter of Pope Innocent 3rd (1198-1216) the Parish was given as Cellchattigern; Caitighearn. The Parish is now known as Eyeries Parish, in which lies Ardgroom. The ancient Church is now closed. The later Parish Church, known to all the old people as Eyeries Church, was in recent years "re-Christened" as St. Kentigern's Church at the time of our Parish Priest Fr. Mangan (now dead), by a Killarney "Historian" Priest putting Saints' names on the Churches. Now I have queried why the name has been changed to St. Kentigern's Church, but to date I have received no answer ---- because I maintain that putting the name of the Church as St. Kentigern's Church is utter rubbish. St. Kentigern happened to have been the Apostle of the Kingdom of Strathclyde in Scotland, and was the founder of what is now known as the City of Glasgow. He was born circa the year 518 on died on January 13th 603. How he got to Eyeries is the question ---- unless he came over for a Rugby game between Scotland and Ireland !! It is St. Catherine who should be the Patron Saint of this Parish ---- not St, "Kentigern". Now, back to reality. The Ballycrovane Ogham Stone, between Ardgroom and Eyeries, is 17 feet 6inches above ground, and the width near the ground is 3 feet 6 inches. It is said to be the highest in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. The ogham characters, which are deeply cut, are still legible (with two exceptions). The inscription reads:- maqi deccada safitora ni as. Torani seems to be the person commemorated. The prefix safi may mean a sage or a wise man ---- The wise or learned Torani, son of Deccada. The pillar-stone obviously took several men to remove it and place it in its present position. Then there is the famous Cailleach Beara ---- the old Hag of Beara ---- a rock nearby, and over the sea, which is famous in Legends. There is a Holy Well on the hillside above Goulane. A Mass-Rock is to be seen in Cnocan an Aifrinn ( = the Hillock of the Mass), to the west of Cahirkeem. The Priests often lived in caves near Mass Rocks in the times of the Penal Laws. There are the remains of a small 29 feet 6 inches X 18 feet 6 inches Church with the surrounding Cilleenach (a burial ground for un-Baptised children = children who died before being Baptised) in Pairc a' Teampaill (= the field of the Church) in Cahirkeem. Another ancient now ruined Church, surrounded by a Cilleenach, is just above what was Con (Cromhane) O'Sullivan's's house in Coulagh. Stones from that Church were used in the buiding of the now-closed Kilmacowen Primary School. I remember the first day I came to teach in Kilmacowen Primary School asking the children of my class to try and search for the rod which was used as punishment by the previous Master (now dead). I'm telling you, they weren't long in finding it. After handing the rod to me, I gave it back to the child and told him to throw it down into the nearby river. I assure you that I didn't have to tell him the second time !! The rod was sent sailing down the river quicker than you could say "Kilmacowen". In Boffickil, between Eyeries and Ardgroom, there is a ruin which has underground chambers. The entrance to these is in the centre of the mound, which could be penetrated to one or two apartments, as the earth has fallen in. A portion of the stone ramparts were still to be seen. I will later continue. Just to conclude ----- for the women of Beara only !! A woman was asked what age she was. The answer she gave was: "Well, I suppose you could say that I am in the youth of my maturity". * ---- Riobard *.

Riobard, Are you telling us that we should leave the books on the shelf this Valentine's Day? Regards to you & Joan! Joan & Rick Kelly ----- Original Message ----- From: "Riobard O' Dwyer" <bearariobard@gmail.com> To: <beara@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 8:24 AM Subject: Re: [BEARA] More on Ardgroom > There were [what would be called now as] big families in the olden days > here ---- families 11,12,13, 14 for example. One son settled down in the > small farm. He had a family of 10. He in turn gave his farm to his son who > had a family of 16. Of yet another family:- 3 of the sons went to Butte, > Montana, and 2 of the daughters went to Oakland, California. In another > family, one of the sons remained at home, 4 of the boys went mining to > Butte, and 3 girls went to New York. The Canon in Castletownbere was one > time speaking about the blessings of a large family. "Take Mrs. O'Brien > for > instance", said the Canon. "I'm telling you, my dear Brethren, that she > didn't spend her time painting her toe-nails !!". > Patie Healy of Faunkil was the only one of a 6-man seine-fishing crew who > survived when their boat hit a submerged rock when coming home on the > night > of Nov. 12th 1918. The others were Sean (a Choill) O'Sullivan of Caolrua > who was steering; John and Patie Murphy of Ballycrovane; Jer McCarthy of > Faunkil; and my uncle Robert O'Dwyer of Caolrua. But Patie Healy lived for > only two months afterwards. When the Priest was comforting Bridgie Healy > later after her son Patie had died, and was saying to Bridgie that she > should remember the sorrow of Our Blessed Lady when Our Lord died on the > Cross, Bridgie quickly replied: "Yerra, bad luck to Her, Father, sure she > [the Blessed Virgin] had only the one !!" An oar found after the drowning > is still up on the loft of Hannah Healy's {Patie's niece] house. > A woman in Lios na gCat, Ardgroom, lived to be 106 years of age. She was > born about 13 years before the Famine. A man in Lios na gCat, Canfie, was > known as "The Bachun", as he spent time working in the Copper Mines in > Bunmahon (Bun mBachun), Co. Waterford. He was later a Ropemaker who made > his ropes from the remains of old fir trees. He was the last ropemaker in > the Ardgroom District. His parents spoke only all Gaelic, and his brother > was a Professor of Irish in Trinity College/University in Dublin. > To finish this script:- The worst complaint I got about my first book > (that > of the Eyeries Parish) was from a woman near Ardgroom. "Riobard", said > she. > "My husband has spent so much time in bed reading your book that he has no > time to make love to me anymore !!!". > ----- Riobard. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On 10 February 2013 21:42, Riobard O' Dwyer <bearariobard@gmail.com> > wrote: > >> And then there was Mike the Weaver (Sheehan) who, with his wife Jude, >> lived in a small thatched house in which they had a loom for weaving. The >> site of their little thatched house was later what is now the present >> Post >> Office. I remember as a little lad a Christian Brother from elsewhere >> cycling down the Village and addressing Michael and Jude in Gaelic. To >> his >> surprise, he was nearly dumb-struck by the fluency in Gaelic of the old >> couple, so he speedily made his exit from the Village !! >> As well as that there was a man known as Johnny the Sapper. The Sappers >> marked the road mileages on fence-rocks in the olden days. >> ----- Riobard. >> >> >> On 10 February 2013 20:27, Susan Twomey <mtpv@arcatanet.com> wrote: >> >>> Thanks so much for this! >>> >>> /Susan >>> >>> >>> On Feb 10, 2013, at 12:24 PM, Riobard O' Dwyer wrote: >>> >>> > *More on Ardgroom:- >>> > Jackessy Crowley & Margaret O'Shea. >>> > Jackessy is a form of Jack. They qwned the 1st of 3 Post Offices in >>> > Ardgroom Village over the years. It was next door to, and above, what >>> was >>> > later Mrs. Healy's Shop. Jackessy was an authority on the Irish (or >>> Gaelic) >>> > Language and on Irish Folklore. Jackessy & Margaret had 7 children. >>> > One >>> of >>> > them was a Coastguard; another was a noted boxer who went first to >>> Boston, >>> > and later to New York;Mary was Mrs. Williamson in Boston [I remember a >>> man >>> > called Jackie Williamson in Ardgroom Village when I was a young lad >>> there. >>> > As far as I can remember Mrs. Williamson, Mary, was 92 and still alive >>> > circa 1970]. Seemingly, her brother Peter was the 1st Postman in the >>> > Village, and he later went mining to Utah. >>> > {Talking about Postmen. I remember, again when I was about 11 years of >>> age, >>> > seeing the Postman, known as Jim the Post (Harrington) from Eyeries >>> > Village, coming around the bridge at the top of Ardgroom Village on a >>> > bicycle, carrying his bag of mails on the bicycle. That was the method >>> of >>> > carrying the mail here in those days. And it was on a day that was >>> raining >>> > that Jim sang the loudest on his mail-bicycle. How things have changed >>> over >>> > the years !! But it would be a pity to let forgotten what life was >>> > like >>> > here in days long past. >>> > "How do you spell Rossmacowen ?" asked an old man in days gone by. >>> > "Why >>> do >>> > you need >>> > asking me", said his neighbour ---- "Just write it down !!" >>> > ----- Riobard. >>> > * >>> > >>> > ------------------------------- >>> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >>> Susan Twomey >>> 319 Howard Heights Rd >>> Eureka, CA 95503 >>> tel 707-444-2522 >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >> >> >> >> -- >> *Riobard (O'Dwyer)* >> >> >> > > > -- > *Riobard (O'Dwyer)* > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message >

There were [what would be called now as] big families in the olden days here ---- families 11,12,13, 14 for example. One son settled down in the small farm. He had a family of 10. He in turn gave his farm to his son who had a family of 16. Of yet another family:- 3 of the sons went to Butte, Montana, and 2 of the daughters went to Oakland, California. In another family, one of the sons remained at home, 4 of the boys went mining to Butte, and 3 girls went to New York. The Canon in Castletownbere was one time speaking about the blessings of a large family. "Take Mrs. O'Brien for instance", said the Canon. "I'm telling you, my dear Brethren, that she didn't spend her time painting her toe-nails !!". Patie Healy of Faunkil was the only one of a 6-man seine-fishing crew who survived when their boat hit a submerged rock when coming home on the night of Nov. 12th 1918. The others were Sean (a Choill) O'Sullivan of Caolrua who was steering; John and Patie Murphy of Ballycrovane; Jer McCarthy of Faunkil; and my uncle Robert O'Dwyer of Caolrua. But Patie Healy lived for only two months afterwards. When the Priest was comforting Bridgie Healy later after her son Patie had died, and was saying to Bridgie that she should remember the sorrow of Our Blessed Lady when Our Lord died on the Cross, Bridgie quickly replied: "Yerra, bad luck to Her, Father, sure she [the Blessed Virgin] had only the one !!" An oar found after the drowning is still up on the loft of Hannah Healy's {Patie's niece] house. A woman in Lios na gCat, Ardgroom, lived to be 106 years of age. She was born about 13 years before the Famine. A man in Lios na gCat, Canfie, was known as "The Bachun", as he spent time working in the Copper Mines in Bunmahon (Bun mBachun), Co. Waterford. He was later a Ropemaker who made his ropes from the remains of old fir trees. He was the last ropemaker in the Ardgroom District. His parents spoke only all Gaelic, and his brother was a Professor of Irish in Trinity College/University in Dublin. To finish this script:- The worst complaint I got about my first book (that of the Eyeries Parish) was from a woman near Ardgroom. "Riobard", said she. "My husband has spent so much time in bed reading your book that he has no time to make love to me anymore !!!". ----- Riobard. On 10 February 2013 21:42, Riobard O' Dwyer <bearariobard@gmail.com> wrote: > And then there was Mike the Weaver (Sheehan) who, with his wife Jude, > lived in a small thatched house in which they had a loom for weaving. The > site of their little thatched house was later what is now the present Post > Office. I remember as a little lad a Christian Brother from elsewhere > cycling down the Village and addressing Michael and Jude in Gaelic. To his > surprise, he was nearly dumb-struck by the fluency in Gaelic of the old > couple, so he speedily made his exit from the Village !! > As well as that there was a man known as Johnny the Sapper. The Sappers > marked the road mileages on fence-rocks in the olden days. > ----- Riobard. > > > On 10 February 2013 20:27, Susan Twomey <mtpv@arcatanet.com> wrote: > >> Thanks so much for this! >> >> /Susan >> >> >> On Feb 10, 2013, at 12:24 PM, Riobard O' Dwyer wrote: >> >> > *More on Ardgroom:- >> > Jackessy Crowley & Margaret O'Shea. >> > Jackessy is a form of Jack. They qwned the 1st of 3 Post Offices in >> > Ardgroom Village over the years. It was next door to, and above, what >> was >> > later Mrs. Healy's Shop. Jackessy was an authority on the Irish (or >> Gaelic) >> > Language and on Irish Folklore. Jackessy & Margaret had 7 children. One >> of >> > them was a Coastguard; another was a noted boxer who went first to >> Boston, >> > and later to New York;Mary was Mrs. Williamson in Boston [I remember a >> man >> > called Jackie Williamson in Ardgroom Village when I was a young lad >> there. >> > As far as I can remember Mrs. Williamson, Mary, was 92 and still alive >> > circa 1970]. Seemingly, her brother Peter was the 1st Postman in the >> > Village, and he later went mining to Utah. >> > {Talking about Postmen. I remember, again when I was about 11 years of >> age, >> > seeing the Postman, known as Jim the Post (Harrington) from Eyeries >> > Village, coming around the bridge at the top of Ardgroom Village on a >> > bicycle, carrying his bag of mails on the bicycle. That was the method >> of >> > carrying the mail here in those days. And it was on a day that was >> raining >> > that Jim sang the loudest on his mail-bicycle. How things have changed >> over >> > the years !! But it would be a pity to let forgotten what life was like >> > here in days long past. >> > "How do you spell Rossmacowen ?" asked an old man in days gone by. "Why >> do >> > you need >> > asking me", said his neighbour ---- "Just write it down !!" >> > ----- Riobard. >> > * >> > >> > ------------------------------- >> > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> >> Susan Twomey >> 319 Howard Heights Rd >> Eureka, CA 95503 >> tel 707-444-2522 >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > -- > *Riobard (O'Dwyer)* > > > -- *Riobard (O'Dwyer)*

* Before you come to the Boundary Bridge, to the east of Ardgroom Village(and where the boundaries of Cork and Kerry meet, there is a little bridge called "Sheila's Bridge). Beside Glenbeg Lake, there is a hillside to the left as one goes in towards what is now Mick (Strock) Mc Carthy's house. Away up on the side of that hill, in the time of the Penal Laws towards the end of 1700 hundred(when Catholic Priests weren't allowed to say Mass, Catholic schools and teaching, etc., were prohibited). a Priest was saying Mass, with the local people in attendance, and two men keeping watchout for the Redcoats [English soldiers in the hunt to kill or imprison, or torture, people who didn't agree with the English laws of the time], all of a sudden the lookout men saw Redcoats approaching. The Priest told the people to run for it and escape, but that he would stay and finish saying the Mass. When the Redcoats caught the Priest they killed him, brought him further up, and buried his body in a rough bog. I forget whether or not I told you all the story of the "Holly Bar" in Ardgroom Village near what was the old Mill. One Christmas, about 120 years ago, some holly branches were put on the front window for decorations. Later, when the branches were being taken down, a holly berry fell down between the window boards, and took root in a bit of earth beneath. As the years went by, the berry grew into a little bush which covered most of the front window, as a result of which the Bar was later known as the "Holly Bar". Across the road, beside Ardgroom River and the Bridge, the owner of the Holly Bar had to build a new house for his Teacher wife, because at the time, a Teacher was (by a stupid Rule) not allowed to sleep in a Pub !! As a young lad (much later !!) I remember the remains of the Mill, with the bucket-like timber containers attached to the wheels. The "Holly Bar" is now closed, and the Mill is gone forever ---- Father Time --- and Father Time is getting closer and closer to me also. But, I hope someone else by then will be able to carry on my stories of the past ---- I hope. ----- Riobard. *

Hello Kathleen, all, Kathleen Tracy asked why the Beara area is part of the County Kerry diocese and not in the County Cork diocese. The diocese was established in the early 12th century as the Diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe. It changed its name to the Diocese of Kerry in 1952. Of course, it's been causing confusion ever since, due to the fact its boundaries are different from those of County Kerry. It's divided into several deaneries, one of which is the deanery of Beara, covering the parishes of Adrigole, Allihies, Castletownbere, and Eyeries. Bill Gawne

Hi All, My question was probably answered at another time and I guess I missed the answer, but what I would like to know is how (or why) the Beara area (specifically my family research in Glengarriff) is part of the County Kerry diocese and not in the County Cork diocese? Thanks for any help. Kathleen ~ CT., USA Researching: Michael LYNCH and Mary SHEA and families from Cappyaughna

Hello Jane, all, Jane Harrington <janefharrington@gmail.com> writes: > I have a question about those missionaries who would come to preach about > the devil. Where did they come from? What faith? The Irish Catholic missionary priests who often came to my grandmother's home in Detroit were Pallottine fathers. You can read about them at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallottines I'm not sure if the priests you're remembering were of the same order. Ireland has given the world a lot of priests. -- Bill

And then there was Mike the Weaver (Sheehan) who, with his wife Jude, lived in a small thatched house in which they had a loom for weaving. The site of their little thatched house was later what is now the present Post Office. I remember as a little lad a Christian Brother from elsewhere cycling down the Village and addressing Michael and Jude in Gaelic. To his surprise, he was nearly dumb-struck by the fluency in Gaelic of the old couple, so he speedily made his exit from the Village !! As well as that there was a man known as Johnny the Sapper. The Sappers marked the road mileages on fence-rocks in the olden days. ----- Riobard. On 10 February 2013 20:27, Susan Twomey <mtpv@arcatanet.com> wrote: > Thanks so much for this! > > /Susan > > > On Feb 10, 2013, at 12:24 PM, Riobard O' Dwyer wrote: > > > *More on Ardgroom:- > > Jackessy Crowley & Margaret O'Shea. > > Jackessy is a form of Jack. They qwned the 1st of 3 Post Offices in > > Ardgroom Village over the years. It was next door to, and above, what was > > later Mrs. Healy's Shop. Jackessy was an authority on the Irish (or > Gaelic) > > Language and on Irish Folklore. Jackessy & Margaret had 7 children. One > of > > them was a Coastguard; another was a noted boxer who went first to > Boston, > > and later to New York;Mary was Mrs. Williamson in Boston [I remember a > man > > called Jackie Williamson in Ardgroom Village when I was a young lad > there. > > As far as I can remember Mrs. Williamson, Mary, was 92 and still alive > > circa 1970]. Seemingly, her brother Peter was the 1st Postman in the > > Village, and he later went mining to Utah. > > {Talking about Postmen. I remember, again when I was about 11 years of > age, > > seeing the Postman, known as Jim the Post (Harrington) from Eyeries > > Village, coming around the bridge at the top of Ardgroom Village on a > > bicycle, carrying his bag of mails on the bicycle. That was the method of > > carrying the mail here in those days. And it was on a day that was > raining > > that Jim sang the loudest on his mail-bicycle. How things have changed > over > > the years !! But it would be a pity to let forgotten what life was like > > here in days long past. > > "How do you spell Rossmacowen ?" asked an old man in days gone by. "Why > do > > you need > > asking me", said his neighbour ---- "Just write it down !!" > > ----- Riobard. > > * > > > > ------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > > Susan Twomey > 319 Howard Heights Rd > Eureka, CA 95503 > tel 707-444-2522 > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > -- *Riobard (O'Dwyer)*

Thanks to you all for all the good wishes for Joan's recovery, She is in a plaster-cast at present, and won't be seeing the doctor for about 3 weeks. He is hoping that the bones will knit. Otherwise she would need an operation ---- which she wouldn't be looking forward to. The poor dickens, she won't be doing the triple jump for a while. ---- Riobard. On 10 February 2013 20:50, Linda M Jennings <chrismj13@juno.com> wrote: > Riobard, please tell Joan we are hoping for a quick recovery! Having > broken a foot myself and watching my wonderful husband have a tough time > hanging in there, I'm also praying for patience for you. : ) > > Linda Jennings > ____________________________________________________________ > Woman is 53 But Looks 25 > Mom reveals 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors... > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/51180992154dc9927f82st02duc > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BEARA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes > in the subject and the body of the message > -- *Riobard (O'Dwyer)*

*More on Ardgroom:- Jackessy Crowley & Margaret O'Shea. Jackessy is a form of Jack. They qwned the 1st of 3 Post Offices in Ardgroom Village over the years. It was next door to, and above, what was later Mrs. Healy's Shop. Jackessy was an authority on the Irish (or Gaelic) Language and on Irish Folklore. Jackessy & Margaret had 7 children. One of them was a Coastguard; another was a noted boxer who went first to Boston, and later to New York;Mary was Mrs. Williamson in Boston [I remember a man called Jackie Williamson in Ardgroom Village when I was a young lad there. As far as I can remember Mrs. Williamson, Mary, was 92 and still alive circa 1970]. Seemingly, her brother Peter was the 1st Postman in the Village, and he later went mining to Utah. {Talking about Postmen. I remember, again when I was about 11 years of age, seeing the Postman, known as Jim the Post (Harrington) from Eyeries Village, coming around the bridge at the top of Ardgroom Village on a bicycle, carrying his bag of mails on the bicycle. That was the method of carrying the mail here in those days. And it was on a day that was raining that Jim sang the loudest on his mail-bicycle. How things have changed over the years !! But it would be a pity to let forgotten what life was like here in days long past. "How do you spell Rossmacowen ?" asked an old man in days gone by. "Why do you need asking me", said his neighbour ---- "Just write it down !!" ----- Riobard. *

I send my condolences to you both! I will also urge Joan to be careful with crutches - my husband is facing shoulder replacement from just such an event (and osteoporosis). I also love the stories. Thank you. Sue