quinheritagroup@gmail.com

This article is on Denis O’Duffy of Maghera, Clooney Parish, a very keen Nationalist and Champion of Ireland’s rights.  He left his native County in 1798, and took part in all the leading struggles in Wexford and Wicklow. He fought at Vinegar Hill and played a major part in the Battle of New Ross. He escaped to the Wicklow Mountains after the Battle of Vinegar Hill and headed for Co. Clare.  On his way he was accosted by a group of Yeomen. He challenged their Captain to a duel and soon had him begging for mercy.  O’Duffy was released and returned to Maghera.  Soon afterwards O’Duffy left Ireland and joined the Irish Legion under Marshal McMahon who was fighting with Napoleon in France.   It is said he is buried in a Military graveyard outside Paris.

A Memorial Monument in his honour was unveiled on Monday December 26th, 1898 at Clooney Graveyard, prior to a public meeting at Clooney Cross where thousands attended according to the article in the Clare Journal.

We include a collection of articles and leaflets honouring Denis O’ Duffy including part of the article which appeared in The Clare Journal of December 1898. It details the unveiling of the Monument and the public meeting at Clooney Cross afterwards, as well as copies of the Information Pamplets from the 1998 and 2001 commemorations with photographs taken on both days.  Finally, we include an article on the monument which was published by Hilary Gilmore in The Other Clare Vol. 22 on Monuments in Clooney Graveyard.

Ann McNamara
June 2022

THE CLARE JOURNAL, Thursday Evening December 1898

THE O’DUFFY MEMORIAL

UNVEILING A MONUMENT TO A ’98 MAN IN CLOONEY

 

On Monday, the little village of Clooney, midway between Ennis and Tulla, was the scene of a remarkable demonstration, when a monument erected by the public subscriptions of Clare Nationalists in commemoration of a Clare man, Denis O’Duffy, who left his native county in 1798, and took part in all the leading struggles in Wexford and Wicklow, was unveiled amid a scene of much enthusiasm.  The memorial has taken the shape of a very handsome shaft of limestone, surmounted by a Celtic cross.  On one side of the pedestal is the following inscription: – “To the memory of Denis O’ Duffy, of Maghera, Clooney parish, who was ever a trusted and faithful champion of Ireland’s rights, and fought at Vinegar HILL, The Year of the Rebellion, 1798, this monument has been erected by the Brian Boru (Clooney) Club and every staunch Nationalist of Clare and elsewhere, Dec., 1898,” and on the front are the words, “Dulce et Decorum Pro Patria. God Save Ireland.”  The Monument has been finely executed by Mr. David Clohessy, Ennis, and is a handsome specimen of native skill.  To the Clooney Brian Boru ’98 Club is due the credit of having initiated the movement, which culminated in Mon day’s demonstration, and to Father Kennedy, the zealous and patriotic C.C. of Quin and Clooney, and Chairman of the Memorial Committee, a special word of praise is due for his wonderful exertion in organising the memorial. 

The ceremony of unveiling took place prior to the public meeting.  In the unavoidable absence of the Ven Archdeacon Murphy, P.P. V.G. Quin, the duty of undraping the monument was entrusted to Father Kennedy, amid loud cheers.  In the course of his remarks he thanked the men of Quin and Clooney for the honour they conferred on him in asking him to unveil the beautiful and artistic monument to the memory of a ’98 patriot and gallant Clare man.  Denis O’Duffy was a faithful and trusted champion of Ireland’s rights.  He was unable to successfully accomplish his aims in his native county, and he went to the seat of war in Wexford and joined his countrymen for faith and fatherland against a cruel and hostile Government.  He returned unconquered in spirit but a wounded soldier from the combat.  Down with the black flag which veils the monument to his memory.  Up with the green flag which adorns it, and ere long that green flag would be waving triumphantly not only over the monument, but over their own Parliament House in College Green (loud cheers).  He asked them to show that they feared not to speak of ’98 by giving a hearty cheer for the brave heroes of ’98, (cheers).

The enormous crowd then returned to Clooney Cross where the public meeting was held.  On the Platform were Rev. Father Jas Kennedy, C. C. Rev R.H. Little, P.P., Sixmilebridge;Rev. J. Nolan, C. C. Clare Castle; Rev J. Breen, C. C., Bodyke; Rev. M.J. Corcoran, C. C., Newmark-on-Fergus;Rev Joe O’Meara, C. C., Crusheen;Messrs M.S Honan, T.C, Ennis; M. Scanlan, T. C.; John Lynch, V.C., Ennis Union; P. Ryan D.V.C., do.; P.J. Linnane, T.C.; John P Keane, Pat O’Grady P.L.G.; James Lynch, P.L.G.; S Clancy and J Ahern, James Halpin, Eugene Daffy, James Doherty, Martin Molony, D. Duggan, P Howard, M Enright, Pat Moloney, Ennis; Richd. O’Gorman, M Power, P.L.O.

 The article then lists who was there from various parishes, including Quin and Clooney:

Clooney – E. Duffey, P.L.G., P McMahon, F O’ Donoghue, M. Falvey, R. Daffy, P Howard, M. Daffy, M. Naughton, J. Naughton, J. Armstrong.

Quin- M. Corbett, P.L.G., D. Corbett, J Clune, M.Clune, Mat Murphy, P.Corbett, Tom Crowe, A. O’Dea, P. Meany, M. Hennessy, Michael Power, P.L.G., Thomas Power, J.Woulfe, M. Hinchy, Thomas MacNamara, M. MacNamara.

Mr. O’ Gorman proposed, and Mr. James Corbett seconded, that Father Kennedy do take the chair.

The rev. gentleman, on coming forward, was greeted with prolonged cheering.  He thanked them for asking him to preside at that vast and important meeting. During the past twelve months, in every corner of Ireland, a move had been made to do honour to the brave heroes of ’98, who rose in dark and evil days to right their country’s cause (cheers). It would be too bad if the brave men of the Banner County did not do their part in this good and patriotic work, and so Clare men had assembled there that day in their thousands to honour a brave patriot, Denis O’ Duffy (cheers), and on behalf of the Memorial Committee and his parishioners he would bid them a céadmílefáilte. 

The above extract from The Clare Journal is only a part of the article which appeared.  If anyone is interested in the full article they can contact Ann McNamara who has a copy of it and will gladly share.

Information pamphlet from the 1798 Commemmoration held in 1998 – Courtesy of Ann McNamara

Information pamphlet from the 1798 Commemmoration held in 2001 – Courtesy of Ann McNamara

 

Mrs Whelan nee White and her daughter Jean Neylon with a Wexford Pikeman and Michael O’Rourke of the Tulla Pipe Band at the site of the homestead where Denis O’Duffy was born – 2001

Hilary Gilmore Drawing of the O’Duffy Memorial – The Other Clare Vol – 22 1998

Hilary Gilmore writes about the Monument in The Other Clare Vol – 22 1998.

In the proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 1900, T.J. Westropp records that part of the church dates from the 15th century, and the founder was traditionally Rikin or Brecan c.500. ‘Cluaine’,‘Clony’ 1302.

To the west of the pointed south door is the
limestone memorial erected to commemorate Maghera man Denis O’Duffy “who left his native county in 1798 and took part in all the leading struggles in Wexford and Wicklow” (Clare Journal December 28th 1898).

It was erected by the public subscriptions of the Clare Nationalists, and ‘ unveiled on Monday December 25th 1898 by Fr. Kennedy c.c. of Quin and Clooney, Chairman of the Memorial Committee.

Details of inscription on O’Duffy Memorial.

 

 

 

Seán na Gealaí

Halloween is the direct descendent of Samhain. It was the night when the gap between this world and the spirit world narrowed.  Known as Oiche Shamhna or ‘spirit night’, the souls of the dead were expected to return to the family home. The Church introduced the Feast of All Saints (Nov1) and the Feast of All Souls (Nov 2nd) to counter Samhain. Evil spirits were also thought to be abroad and people avoided travelling alone on this night.

   “Deireann na daoine go mbíonn sidheogaí amuigh oidhche Shamhna”, Schools’ Collection (NFCS 249).

Origins of Samhain

Contender 1- Tulsk, County Roscommon

Oweynagat Cave, Uaimh na gCat, meaning the ‘Cave of the Cats’ in Rath Croaghan. The Book of Leinster names it as dorus iffrin na Hérend – Ireland’s Gateway to Hell. Demons and all kinds of creatures emerge from here on Oiche Shamhna.

 Echtra Nerai (the Adventures of Nera) is first mentioned in the 10th century Cath Maige Mucrama story,  happening at Samhain.

Oweynagat Cave is also said to be the home of the Morrigan. She is portrayed as a goddess of battle and war, with the power to transform into crows or ravens. Her dreaded cry was frequently heard over battlefields.

Echtra Nerai, the Adventures of Nera

An Irish text taken from the Ulster Cycle, dating to the tenth century entitled ‘Nera and the Dead Man’, tells of the warrior Nera who accepts a dare during a dark and stormy Samhain night to tie a withy around the ankle of a hanging dead man. As he does so, the corpse suddenly comes to life and asks Nera to carry him on his back. Nera complies. After some adventures Nera gets the dead man back to his tree. All of this takes place at Samhain at Rath Croaghan/Cruachan, hence its association with Halloween.

Contender 2 – Tlachtga, Meath

The original Tlachtga was a druidess of considerable power and importance, the daughter of Mug Ruith who lived on Valentia Island in Kerry. He is said to have lived through the reign of nineteen kings, with his lifespan stretching back to the time of Christ on earth. Tlachtga and her father could travel the world on the Rath, a fabulous spinning wheel of fire that easily transported them. Mug Ruith sought out knowledge and learning like few before him and it was in this manner that he and Tlachtga travelled to study under Simon Magus (Simon the Sorcerer), who is mentioned in the Bible.

Simon Magus and Mug Ruith sent Tlachtga out into the world to gather as much knowledge as she could find. Upon her return they realized that her knowledge far surpassed their own!
They were outraged and such was their jealousy that they set the three sons of Simon Magus upon Tlachtga, who defiled her. She returned to Ireland where she gave birth to three sons, Dorb (Doirb), Cuma (Cumma) and Muach.

It was on the hill of Ward in county Meath that Tlachtga brought her three sons into the world, and it was there that she died, unable to sustain her life in the face of the utter grief and despair she felt at the indignity she had endured.

In recent years a renewal of the annual gathering on the hill of Ward now attracts hundreds of people at Halloween. A walk from Athboy up towards the Hill itself culminates with a celebration, with elaborate ceremonies and an acknowledgement of the cultural gift to Ireland and the world that Tlachtga represents.

In the ancient kingdom of Mide, Tlachtga was considered an important assembly place alongside Tara, Teiltun and Uisneach. These four ‘corners’ are recorded as having been the location of fortresses constructed by high king Tuathal Techmar at the foundation of Mide in the early decades of the first millennium AD.

‘Much of the (archaeological) evidence points towards a long history of ritual activity. Large quantities of animal bones – a sign of large scale feasting have been found throughout all phases of the site. The lack of evidence of any residential or day to day activity strengthens the idea that it most likely it was set aside purely for ritual or celebratory activity.

There have been finds in all three phases of the site, including scattered Bronze Age human remains and the skeleton of an infant between seven and ten months old… The child burial, next to a ritual deposit of cow bones, dates to AD 450 – around the time of the arrival of Christianity.

“The child was clearly buried with care and having not found any evidence of burials on the site, we’d have to guess that This child belonged to someone significant”.

Harvest knots and Guises

 

 

Homemade masks made by village boys calling to local houses on Oiche Shamhna

Outdoors

Unlike May when the fairies are active, November Eve brings malevolent spirits. It is the night for community bonfires, especially in housing estates in the cities and towns. Collecting the last handful of fruit and nuts.

Indoors

Families would attempt to have a celebratory supper on Oiche Shamhna. Family supper might be colcannon or pandy. They would first secure the house by sprinkling Holy Water and possibly placing a religious object in the thatch near the front door.

Typical Samhain Food included pancakes, stampy (a potato and apple cake, crusted with barley, enhanced with sea spinach and rock samphire & cooked with oil) apple cakes, nuts, blackberry pies.

An bairín breac/the barmbrack or the ‘speckled loaf’, containing oodles of dried autumn fruits is still a favourite treat, with lashings of butter.

Tokens inside the traditional loaf included the ring as a symbol of love and marriage,  a thimble (spinsterhood); a button (bachelorhood); a stick (to be beaten by the spouse); a rag (poverty); a coin (wealth) and a crucifix (the taking of religious orders).

Future Reading