Duagh Up & Doing

Duagh up and doing… Listowel asleep.

(Duagh Notes, Kerryman. January 10, 1914).

“A Stranger” writing in your Listowel Notes asks what is Duagh, among other places, doing in regard to the Volunteer Movement and calls on the officers of the Listowel Force to organise a Volunteer Force in Duagh. Now, for this gentleman’s information, there was a Volunteer Force started in Duagh on November 23, 1913 which, according to reports in the press, was a full month before it was even thought of in Listowel… Duagh was up and going in the Volunteer movement when Listowel was asleep.

The Duagh Volunteers, which number upwards of two hundred, hold route marches every Sunday night, headed by the new Hibernian Band and they have arranged for a route march to the capital of North Kerry on Sunday next when “A Stranger” will have an opportunity of seeing for himself the strength and respectability of their force. Without fear of contradiction I can state that it would not be easy to find another body of young men as loyal and devoted to the National Cause.

There is a branch of the Hibernians in Duagh which is a credit, not alone to Kerry, but to Ireland. This fact was amply proved at the Fr Casey Anniversary in Abbeyfeale on December 29 when the Duagh Hibernians, to the number of 200, turned up there in processional order, headed by their new band… creating a most favourable impression.

Bravo,Duagh

(Listowel Notes, Kerryman Jan 24, 1914. Reply by “A Stranger” On last Sunday, as promised, the Duagh Volunteers marched to Listowel. They were headed by about fifty horsemen and the sight was both imposing and impressive – one we shall not forget for some time. Then came the fife and drum band followed by about 150 men on foot. They marched in regular order into the town where the band played some choice national airs.

The boys of Duagh have set a noble example to the other parts of North Kerry and I hope it will be followed by them. If other parishes organise in similar lines it would be a great driving force.

Volunteering has many advantages and it would be wise and useful for all young men to join. It helps to discipline the lives of people and that in itself is a worthy consideration.

I again apologise to the Duagh Volunteers and I congratulate them on their display on last Sunday. It was worthy of the cause and of the men. More power to your arms!) 75

A verse for the Duagh Volunteers.

(to the air of O’Donnell Abu) written by “A Stranger” The son is now shining in dear old Kilcara The sound of sweet music is heard on the gale Onwards Duagh Volunteers are advancing On for the march to Listowel by the Feale. On with our army then Fight for Home Rule again Sons of those men who have never known fears On ‘gainst the Carson Crew, Noble is the work you do Onwards to victory, Duagh Volunteers.

The most Rev Dr. Cunningham, Bishop of Arkansas, USA, has been recently on a visit to relatives in Abbeyfeale. Our correspondent, who is a near relative of Dr. Cunningham, writes to say that the said relatives, the Bishop’s sister and the mother of our correspondent, Mrs. Harrington, live at Irramore in Co. Kerry where his Lordship and another American visitor, Rev. Fr. Fitzgerald, were entertained with true Irish hospitality. (New Zealand Tablet Nov 9 1905). An old and highly respected resident of this district passed away recently in the person of Mr.John Mulvihill, at the age of 94. John, a native of Listowel, Ireland, arrived in New Zealand nearly half a century ago and settled almost immediately in Otahuhu, where he has since resided. He was always noted for his generosity in Catholic Church matters. (New Zealand Tablet June 3 1909).

Visited by Moonlighters

Kerry Evening Post March 28, 1885

A few nights ago a disguised party broke into the dwelling house of a farmer named John Joy, residing in Knockalougha, about eight miles from Listowel and carried away a gun which they found hanging over the fireplace in the kitchen. Joy and his wife were just after retiring to rest leaving two servants in the kitchen with some young children, preparing to go to bed. The party had their coats turned inside out and wore coloured handkerchiefs tied across the lower part of their faces.

They next visited the house of Patrick Walsh of Dirk and demanded money for ammunition. Having got one pound they decamped probably for the purpose of having a “jolly spree”, but not until after they had fired some shots outside the door. The next house “visited“ was that of a man named Fitzgerald of Meenahorna where they made a similar demand but with less success for Fitzgerald refused to give them any money. The houses of Catherine and Francis Keeffe of Meenscovane were next visited. Fortunately for their occupants they had not much money within and the “Moonlighters” were content with receiving 3s 6d in the house of the former and 7s 1d in the latter. A party of constabulary from Listowel visited the scenes of the outrages but no arrests have been made.

Boycotting at Gortaclahane

December 17, 1880

A Listowel Correspondent writes: - A farmer named James Gallivan, residing in Gortaclahane on the property of Mr George Hewson, J.P., is the first to have been subjected in this neighbourhood to the system of “Boycotting” now becoming so prevalent through out the country. It appears that Gallivan took position of a farm from which his neighbour, a man named Shanahan, had been, it is said, unjustly and capriciously evicted about twelve months ago. If the circumstances of the case, as recently described in the local press be true, the eviction was certainly one of unusual hardship.

The supporters of the Land League, now so numerous everywhere, look on the action of Gallivan in taking his neighbours farm as most inexcusable and they are taking steps to bring him to a sense of his duty. Already his servant boys have left his employment and on the last market day in Listowel the butter and milk which he brought for sale could not be sold, as every intending buyer was cautioned by the public bellman not to have anything to do with Gallivan’s goods and this caution was readily acted on in all cases.

Ellen (Sweeney) Jacobsen, originally from Gortacloghane and who married a Norwegian, pictured with her family in 1904 76