Month: September 2016

Venerable Edel Quinn

Castlemagner born Edel Quinn, declared venerable by Pope John Paul II in 1994. There are many accounts of this wonderful woman. This is how we remember her in Castlemagner.

Edel Quinn was born in Grenane in the parish of Castlemagner Kanturk Co Cork in a house known locally as the Magpie House.  She was born on 14 September 1907. Her father, Charles Quinn, a native of Tuam Co Galway, was manager of the National Bank in Kanturk.

Edel’s mother’s maiden name was Louise Burke Brown of Kilmihal, Co Clare.  Her mother wanted her to be called Adele after one of her own sisters and the priest mistakenly took her name to be Edel at her baptism in Castlemagner. Continue reading “Venerable Edel Quinn”

Magner’s Tower

Another poem from the Denis O’Donoghue series. Recited by Angela Lyons and filmed in the environs of Magner’s Castle in Castlemagner.

To take the air one evening fair by Cathragh’s banks I strayed.
In spring cold stream the crystal gleam and golden sunlight played.
The plaintive call of waterfowl proclaimed my presence there
And Magner’s Tower in it’s ivy bower looked out with a timeless air. Continue reading “Magner’s Tower”

Teaching for 200 Years !

The recorded history of teaching and education in Castlemagner is over 200 years old…………..Watch and listen to Mrs Welsh, a former principal of Ballyhass National School, give a vivid account of how children have been taught in the parish of Castlemagner during that time.  This video is taken from a NCCR recording in 1986………..

 

 

200 Years of Schooling

Education in Castlemagner dates back to 1812, it is recorded that a school in Cecilstown was opened on June 24, 1812. The walls were of made of stone and mortar, it had a thatch roof and was erected by Sir William Beecher who also paid the rent. The school had two desks and no seats, each desk accommodated twenty pupils. Continue reading “200 Years of Schooling”

The Battle of Knocknanuss

Knocknanuss is a townland in the northwestern end of the parish of Castlemagner in the barony of Duhallow, Co. Cork. It was the site of the bloodiest battle of the whole course of the English civil war and was between the Munster-based supporters of Charles I (the “Royalists”) and  supporters of  Parliament (the “Parliamentarians”). The battle was fought on Saturday, November 24, 1647, between 2pm and 5pm. Continue reading “The Battle of Knocknanuss”

The Black & Amber

This poem was written to commemorate the victorious Castlemagner gaelic football team of 1952.  You can read the full text below the video….

 

Three Cheers for the Black & Amber and for our gallant team
Whose brilliant football victory outstrips our wildest dream.
On the 30th of November the challenge they did meet
The widely-fancied Bandon team they well and truly beat.
Up at the Cork Athletic Grounds that chilly winter’s day
Our stalwart men assembled and made ready for the fray.
With manly step they took the field and threw the gauntlet down
Castlemagner versus Bandon for the Cork Junior Football crown.

Continue reading “The Black & Amber”

The Amber & Black

Written by Denis O’Donoghue and recited by Conor Murphy, in commemmoration of the 1954 victory of the Castlemagner hurlers in the Cork county junior hurling championship…………..

In the month of November Nineteen Fifty-Four
Our ribbons and banners resplendent we bore
To the Athletic Grounds on a late Autumn day;
Castlemagner and Ballinahassig were listed to play.
A crowd had converged on that well-tended ground
Supporters of hurling the county around
To view a stern contest with outcome most vital –
The prized Cork County Junior Hurling title.

Continue reading “The Amber & Black”