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.
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.
Olympic Connections
Doctor Pat as he was affectionately known in his native Duhallow, was born on the 28th of January 1907 at Derrygallon, 3 miles south west of Kanturk town. Pat was the third and youngest son of Paddy O’Callaghan and Jane Healy.
Doctor Pat’s mother was Jane Healy, eldest daughter of John Healy and Julia Vaughan of Cloonteens, Castlemagner. Her brother Tim was a National Sprint champion and played on the 1893 Cork/Dromtariffe football team. Jane was of average height and build with a quiet competent manner. A qualified Nurse, she was also Midwife for the district. She ran the family with a firm hand and was a resolute damper on the wild and vigorous nature of her boys. Her priority was their education and she tolerated their sporting activity only in so far as it did not interfere with study. A quiet maternal pride was evident only in her glittering Trophy Room where their cups, medals and other prizes were on show for very special visitors. Continue reading “Olympic Connections”