Museum Publications
Since its inception in 1994 our Association has published a number of books about our local heritage.
Schools Essays Lackagh Parish 1938, Famine in Lackagh, Civilian Casualties 1920, Lackagh Parish 1942, By the Banks of the Clare, Carnoneen Chapel, Fields of Slaughter and Turloughmore Dispensary can be purchased online below.
The Townlands of Lackagh Parish, Natural Lackagh, and Lackagh-A Colourful Past are now out of print whilst The Fair of Turloughmore is available for sale as an ebook only from www.smashwords.com.
All items are shipped within 3 working days of receipt of payment via Paypal.
Schools Essays Lackagh Parish 1938, Famine in Lackagh, Civilian Casualties 1920, Lackagh Parish 1942, By the Banks of the Clare, Carnoneen Chapel, Fields of Slaughter and Turloughmore Dispensary can be purchased online below.
The Townlands of Lackagh Parish, Natural Lackagh, and Lackagh-A Colourful Past are now out of print whilst The Fair of Turloughmore is available for sale as an ebook only from www.smashwords.com.
All items are shipped within 3 working days of receipt of payment via Paypal.
-Lackagh-A Colourful Past. Now Sold out
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Lackagh-A Colourful Past compiled by Michael J. Hurley featuring photographs from Lackagh – Turloughmore and the surrounding townlands was launched by local Turloughmore and Galway hurling legend Frank Burke in Carnoneen Parish Centre on Saturday 24th August as our contribution to National Heritage Week 2024
Over 90 people contributed their photos to the project and the result is a book of 330 pages with more than 800 photographs included. Our oldest photo dates from 1875. The subject matter includes local people, sports, tradesmen, farming, music, church, houses, events and places. The photos have all been colourised using Artificial Intelligence (with a few exceptions due to technical limitations), bringing new vitality and freshness to what may have been perceived as ‘tired’ pictures. Therefore, the book is in full colour and enhanced with a hardback glossy cover. The book is no longer available for purchase online having sold out within three weeks of publication. |
Schools Essays Lackagh Parish 1938
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Schools’ Essays, Lackagh Parish 1938, was launched as the Lackagh contribution to National Heritage Week on Saturday, 13th August, 2022 in the Lackagh Parish Centre by Noel Grealish TD.
In 1937, the Department of Folklore in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation initiated a programme to preserve the folklore, tales, superstitions, and customs of the 26-counties. Each Principal teacher of the country’s 5,000 schools was requested to ask his sixth and seventh class pupils to discuss suitable topics with their parents, grandparents, and elderly neighbours and prepare essays based on the information given. This has resulted in about 750,000 pages of local history and folklore being now preserved in the National Folklore Department of University College Dublin.
In the parish of Lackagh, the four National Schools were invited to join the project and all readily agreed to participate. The local writings give us a fascinating insight of the countryside in 1937 – 1938. The topics about which the pupils were instructed to research and write ranged from local history and monuments, folktales and legends, riddles and proverbs to songs, customs and beliefs. They were also encouraged to write about topics such as games and pastimes as well as traditional work practices and crafts. We can read of superstitions, holy wells, cures, weatherlore, and of course in the days before electric light banished them from the darkest corners of our homes, ghosts, fairies, and banshees.
Michael Hurley has taken a comprehensive selection of the essays by local children and translated some and transcribed others into an attractive 124-page volume. The book commemorates our pupils of 1938 and we hope that readers will enjoy this look back at the beliefs, stories, and customs of our people at that time.
It will appeal to many people in the area who will see essays penned by their parents, grandparents, or neighbours bringing to life again a way of life that is now buried deep under the burden of a much more complex lifestyle than in 1938.
In 1937, the Department of Folklore in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation initiated a programme to preserve the folklore, tales, superstitions, and customs of the 26-counties. Each Principal teacher of the country’s 5,000 schools was requested to ask his sixth and seventh class pupils to discuss suitable topics with their parents, grandparents, and elderly neighbours and prepare essays based on the information given. This has resulted in about 750,000 pages of local history and folklore being now preserved in the National Folklore Department of University College Dublin.
In the parish of Lackagh, the four National Schools were invited to join the project and all readily agreed to participate. The local writings give us a fascinating insight of the countryside in 1937 – 1938. The topics about which the pupils were instructed to research and write ranged from local history and monuments, folktales and legends, riddles and proverbs to songs, customs and beliefs. They were also encouraged to write about topics such as games and pastimes as well as traditional work practices and crafts. We can read of superstitions, holy wells, cures, weatherlore, and of course in the days before electric light banished them from the darkest corners of our homes, ghosts, fairies, and banshees.
Michael Hurley has taken a comprehensive selection of the essays by local children and translated some and transcribed others into an attractive 124-page volume. The book commemorates our pupils of 1938 and we hope that readers will enjoy this look back at the beliefs, stories, and customs of our people at that time.
It will appeal to many people in the area who will see essays penned by their parents, grandparents, or neighbours bringing to life again a way of life that is now buried deep under the burden of a much more complex lifestyle than in 1938.
When hunger stalked the land-Famine in Lackagh
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2021 marked the 175th year of the Great Irish Famine. There is scarcely an Irish person alive today who is not aware of this tragic 19th century event; the potato blight and the rotten potatoes, the hunger, starvation, disease and death along with the coffin ships and emigration. Numerous academics and other learned people have written voluminous books and articles that give us different perspectives about the famine and its impacts on our people.
However, until now, few if any books have been written about the famine as it affected the parish of Lackagh. What is notable throughout this booklet are the many aspects of our current day parish that are a direct consequence of that tragic period. Some we are well aware of, others less so perhaps. As our contribution to National Heritage Week 2021, Lackagh Museum & Community Development Association launched When Hunger Stalked The Land’, an 80-page book by Michael Hurley on the subject of The Great Famine in Lackagh Parish. |
The Townlands of Lackagh Parish-Print edition now sold out.
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This book written by Michael Hurley is the story of the forty seven townlands that comprise the Civil Parish of Lackagh. The book is a full-colour publication of 320 pages and contains around 350 illustrations and photographs from the collection of Lackagh Museum, local residents, and more modern pictures by the author. The book gives important facts concerning landlords, residents, and their families in years gone by. Much use has been made of local newspapers, and news items relating to each townland have been selected to reflect life in the area in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
A particularly valuable inclusion is the detail from the estate book of Joseph Meldon of Coolarne which provided us with detailed maps of five townlands and their residents at the late part of the 1800s. |
Civilian casualties of the War of Independence in Lackagh Parish 1920 €3 + Shipping
2020 marked the centenary of a very turbulent period in the history of Ireland. The War of Independence, or Anglo Irish War, which ran from 1919 to 1921, wreaked havoc on many parishes in Ireland. It was a tense time particularly in Co. Galway where twenty-six people were killed by crown forces in the eight months between October 1920 and May 1921.
Three lives were tragically lost in the Parish of Lackagh during October and November 1920 which left the locality shocked and numbed by the senseless violence of these events. John O’Hanlon, the 34 year-old son of William and Mary O’Hanlon of Lackaghmore and Secretary of the Turloughmore Sinn Féin Club was shot dead by crown forces at his home in October 1920. On 23rd October, 1920, publican Thomas Egan of Cashla was shot dead in front of his wife and children.
On the 21st November, 1920, ‘Bloody Sunday’, a young clerical student named Willie Cullinane from Cahernashilleeny attended a football match in Croke Park. On his way back to All Hallows College with his friends, a lorry-load of ‘Black and Tans’ lined the men up against a wall and opened fire on them. Willie died two days later from his injuries.
To commemorate the violent deaths of these local men, Lackagh Museum and Community Development Association published a booklet dedicated to the trio. Civilian casualties of the War of Independence in Lackagh Parish 1920 is compiled by our Association Secretary, Michael J. Hurley, his sixth printed publication featuring our local heritage as a member of our committee.
Three lives were tragically lost in the Parish of Lackagh during October and November 1920 which left the locality shocked and numbed by the senseless violence of these events. John O’Hanlon, the 34 year-old son of William and Mary O’Hanlon of Lackaghmore and Secretary of the Turloughmore Sinn Féin Club was shot dead by crown forces at his home in October 1920. On 23rd October, 1920, publican Thomas Egan of Cashla was shot dead in front of his wife and children.
On the 21st November, 1920, ‘Bloody Sunday’, a young clerical student named Willie Cullinane from Cahernashilleeny attended a football match in Croke Park. On his way back to All Hallows College with his friends, a lorry-load of ‘Black and Tans’ lined the men up against a wall and opened fire on them. Willie died two days later from his injuries.
To commemorate the violent deaths of these local men, Lackagh Museum and Community Development Association published a booklet dedicated to the trio. Civilian casualties of the War of Independence in Lackagh Parish 1920 is compiled by our Association Secretary, Michael J. Hurley, his sixth printed publication featuring our local heritage as a member of our committee.
Lackagh Parish 1942 €3 + Shipping
Lackagh Parish 1942, is a booklet written by Carane native Fr. Tim Joyce who passed away in 1953. It remained unpublished until 2020 when Lackagh Museum Committee launched it to conincide with Heritage Week.
The booklet contains 40 pages and is black and white throughout including the cover. The original manuscript in "Roneo" type duplication was in safekeeping by Museum Committee member, Frank Kearney.
Thanks to Frank and to Michael Hurley who diligently retyped and reformatted the copy, the Museum Committee is delighted to publish the book with the agreement of the Joyce family.
We also thank Galway Co Co for their assistance under the Community Support Scheme towards the printing costs of the book.
The booklet contains 40 pages and is black and white throughout including the cover. The original manuscript in "Roneo" type duplication was in safekeeping by Museum Committee member, Frank Kearney.
Thanks to Frank and to Michael Hurley who diligently retyped and reformatted the copy, the Museum Committee is delighted to publish the book with the agreement of the Joyce family.
We also thank Galway Co Co for their assistance under the Community Support Scheme towards the printing costs of the book.
Natural Lackagh -Print edition now sold out.
‘Natural Lackagh’ is a full-colour production of 160 pages with numerous colour photographs and illustrations, mainly by the author but with some which were provided by local residents. The book is an introduction to the wonderful world of wildlife and biodiversity that is to be found in the parish of Lackagh.
It details many species of birds, wildflowers, insects, butterflies, grasses, fungi, and trees with 400 full colour pictures and their common, colloquial, and botanical names. A feature of the book is the inclusion of the Irish version of the plant or creature name printed in green for ease of identification.
It is not claimed to be a complete inventory of local flora and fauna, rather a broad introduction to the more commonly found species.
Lackagh Museum Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from Galway Co Co and The Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.
The book is now sold out.
It details many species of birds, wildflowers, insects, butterflies, grasses, fungi, and trees with 400 full colour pictures and their common, colloquial, and botanical names. A feature of the book is the inclusion of the Irish version of the plant or creature name printed in green for ease of identification.
It is not claimed to be a complete inventory of local flora and fauna, rather a broad introduction to the more commonly found species.
Lackagh Museum Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from Galway Co Co and The Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.
The book is now sold out.
Carnoneen Chapel €10 +Shipping
The full-colour book written by Michael J. Hurley charts the history over 600 years of the churches in Lackagh Parish along with the old graveyard (St Colmcille’s Church ruin), local Lisheens, mass paths, and some churches in the neighbourhood.
Some 200 photographs, maps and illustrations enhance the publication which includes many pictures of local people at gatherings and events. It deals at length on the careers here of all recorded pastors starting with the Rev. Florence Kearney in 1419.
Lackagh Museum Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from Galway Co Co and The Galway Archaeological and Historical Society and all who gave assistance and information to Michael.
Retailing at €10, the book is available at Flynn’s of Lackagh, Lackagh Post Office, Fahys of Turloughmore, and at Lackagh Cottage Museum. All funds generated from book sales go towards the upkeep of our facilities.
Some 200 photographs, maps and illustrations enhance the publication which includes many pictures of local people at gatherings and events. It deals at length on the careers here of all recorded pastors starting with the Rev. Florence Kearney in 1419.
Lackagh Museum Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from Galway Co Co and The Galway Archaeological and Historical Society and all who gave assistance and information to Michael.
Retailing at €10, the book is available at Flynn’s of Lackagh, Lackagh Post Office, Fahys of Turloughmore, and at Lackagh Cottage Museum. All funds generated from book sales go towards the upkeep of our facilities.
Turloughmore Dispensary €8 + Shipping
The book was written by Michael J. Hurley and documents the development of the primary medical service in this area of Co. Galway.
It tells the story of the health issues of the people and of the lives of the doctors and a Community Welfare Officer who served the people of Lackagh Parish since 1853.
Lackagh Museum Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from a generous local sponsor, and from all who gave assistance and information to Michael.
Retailing at €8, the book is available at Flynn’s of Lackagh, Lackagh Post Office, Fahys of Turloughmore, and at Lackagh Cottage Museum.
It tells the story of the health issues of the people and of the lives of the doctors and a Community Welfare Officer who served the people of Lackagh Parish since 1853.
Lackagh Museum Committee gratefully acknowledges the assistance received from a generous local sponsor, and from all who gave assistance and information to Michael.
Retailing at €8, the book is available at Flynn’s of Lackagh, Lackagh Post Office, Fahys of Turloughmore, and at Lackagh Cottage Museum.
The Fair of Turloughmore- Print edition now sold out.
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The Fair of Turloughmore was written by Michael J. Hurley to mark the 400th anniversary of the granting of a patent in August, 1616 by King James I for a fair in nearby Derrymacloughna.
The Fair which was held twice yearly on Turloughmore Common had a colourful history and was an important event in the economic and social lives of local farm families until its demise in the 1970s.
It attracted buyers of livestock from all parts of the country and rarely went without a mention in the Irish and British newspapers, sometimes for all the wrong reasons!
Michael Hurley’s 96 page book is filled with history, lore, legend, and anecdote from distant fairs, and is generously illustrated with photographs and drawings of contemporary fair events in both black and white and colour.
It can be recommended as a gift for family members and friends who may now live away from the Turloughmore hinterland.
The Fair which was held twice yearly on Turloughmore Common had a colourful history and was an important event in the economic and social lives of local farm families until its demise in the 1970s.
It attracted buyers of livestock from all parts of the country and rarely went without a mention in the Irish and British newspapers, sometimes for all the wrong reasons!
Michael Hurley’s 96 page book is filled with history, lore, legend, and anecdote from distant fairs, and is generously illustrated with photographs and drawings of contemporary fair events in both black and white and colour.
It can be recommended as a gift for family members and friends who may now live away from the Turloughmore hinterland.
By the Banks of the Clare €10 +Shipping
By the Banks of the Clare-
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By the Banks of the Clare though the Parish of Lackagh, written by Michael J. Hurley was launched on Saturday, 26th August, 2017 byormer Lackagh NS Principal, Mr. Joe Collins
The book provides a wonderful insight into this gentle waterway that meanders its way gracefully through our Parish townlands on its journey from Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo to Lough Corrib.
Michael J. tells of the drainage schemes of the 1800's and 1900's, the manmade heritage including its bridges and adjacent castles and of the rich biodiversity it supports.
And there are anecdotes of times past including of course, tales of fishing and some illegal nocturnal activities!
The book provides a wonderful insight into this gentle waterway that meanders its way gracefully through our Parish townlands on its journey from Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo to Lough Corrib.
Michael J. tells of the drainage schemes of the 1800's and 1900's, the manmade heritage including its bridges and adjacent castles and of the rich biodiversity it supports.
And there are anecdotes of times past including of course, tales of fishing and some illegal nocturnal activities!
Fields of Slaughter-The Battle of Knockdoe 1504
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Fields of Slaughter-The Battle of Knockdoe 1504.
Knockdoe Hill lies eleven miles NE of Eyre Square, Galway in the Parish of Lackagh. It was the site of a bloody battle in 1504 that for reasons unexplained was largely overlooked by historians over the years.
To commemorate the five-hundredeth anniversary of the battle of Knockdoe in 1504, Galway Historian and Author, William Henry was commissioned by Lackagh Museum Committee in 2004 to research and write the first defininitive book about the battle.
William concludes that the Battle of Knockdoe was a battle of great significance in Irish history that offers a rare insight into the nature of Irish warfare at the close of the medieval period.
This book not alone covers the history of the battle but also the local folklore about it. The book also contains an account of the battle as contained in the Book of Howth
Knockdoe Hill lies eleven miles NE of Eyre Square, Galway in the Parish of Lackagh. It was the site of a bloody battle in 1504 that for reasons unexplained was largely overlooked by historians over the years.
To commemorate the five-hundredeth anniversary of the battle of Knockdoe in 1504, Galway Historian and Author, William Henry was commissioned by Lackagh Museum Committee in 2004 to research and write the first defininitive book about the battle.
William concludes that the Battle of Knockdoe was a battle of great significance in Irish history that offers a rare insight into the nature of Irish warfare at the close of the medieval period.
This book not alone covers the history of the battle but also the local folklore about it. The book also contains an account of the battle as contained in the Book of Howth
1916 Commemoration CD
€10 +Shipping
Easter 1916 was a crucial event in the history of Ireland and Lackagh Museum has marked the centenary of the Rising with a CD featuring local singers and musicians to commemorate the event.
Tracks include The Dawning of the Day by Sarah and Bernard McHale, The Foggy Dew by Eimear Higgins and Laurie Moran,James Connolly by Bertie O'Rourke, Grace by Grace Fahy and The Fair of Turloughmore by Sarah Hession.
There are also a number of instrumental tunes from Lackagh Comhaltas Group, Irene Guckian and Rosina Joyce. The Proclamation is read by William Aherne.
Tracks include The Dawning of the Day by Sarah and Bernard McHale, The Foggy Dew by Eimear Higgins and Laurie Moran,James Connolly by Bertie O'Rourke, Grace by Grace Fahy and The Fair of Turloughmore by Sarah Hession.
There are also a number of instrumental tunes from Lackagh Comhaltas Group, Irene Guckian and Rosina Joyce. The Proclamation is read by William Aherne.