Local notes: Legendary poet to be included in Kiltimagh trail
Pictured at Síamsa Sráide Street and Arts Festival were Emily Mullaney and Tracey McNicholas from Kiltimagh. Picture: John O'Grady
Kiltimagh’s Poetry Trail is set to welcome a very special new addition with the installation of Anthony Raftery’s celebrated Irish-language poem ‘Chondae Mhaigh Eo’, also known by its opening line ‘Anois Teacht An Earraigh’, or simply as ‘Cill Aodáin’.
The poem will be installed at the Sculpture Park at the Kilkelly Road entrance, adding the work of one of Mayo’s most famous literary figures to a project which has been steadily developing the town’s cultural identity.
Raftery, or Antoine Ó Raifteirí, was born near Kiltimagh in 1779 and is widely regarded as the last of the wandering bards. Blind from childhood, he travelled from his native Cill Aodain to South and East Galway where he lived out the rest of his life as a wandering bard. He is buried in Killeeneen Cemetery, near Gort. Many of his works were preserved through oral tradition before being collected and published in later years. His other best-known poem is ‘Anach Cuan’.
The new installation will have a particularly strong local connection, bringing the work of a poet born in the Kiltimagh area into the heart of the town and alongside the work of contemporary Irish and English-language poets.
The logistical work associated with the installation will be carried out by Dominic Fannon, while the project has been made possible through generous sponsorship from Bernard and Catherine Begley of New York, formerly of Carrandine.
Poet Terry McDonagh, whose work is also included in the project, has been one of the main driving forces behind the Kiltimagh Poetry Trail.
“The idea for a poetry trail came about after one of my own poems was included in the poetry trail at the University of Galway,” Terry told the . “I was thinking about how that might work in Kiltimagh. I thought it had many possibilities for tourism and that it might awaken an interest in writing in the area.”
That interest in writing has certainly developed.
“We have the Kiltimagh Writers Group now and that’s a very vibrant group,” Terry said. “We brought out a publication ‘Kiltimagh Writers Review’ last month.
"I’m very pleased with how the trail has turned out,” he added. “The main person driving the project is David McNicholas of the Tidy Towns group. He is very interested. We’ll keep going adding poems as time and resources permit.”
The addition of Raftery’s work gives the trail an important link with Kiltimagh’s literary past, while also reinforcing its role in promoting contemporary writing and culture.
The Poetry Trail already features the work of a number of poets with connections to Mayo and further afield. Raftery now joins Mayo poets Terry McDonagh, Ger Reidy, Martin Dyer and Geraldine Mitchell, as well as Colette Nic Aodha from Galway, Marguerite Quinlan from Sligo and Paddy Donaghue from Donegal.
The project reflects an aspect of town development which can sometimes be overlooked. While economic activity, employment, shops and other commercial indicators are obvious measures of a town’s prosperity, cultural activity can play an equally important role in giving a place its identity and attracting visitors.
For Kiltimagh, that cultural identity has a particularly strong literary foundation through its association with Raftery. His connection with the area provides a natural link between the town’s heritage and the growing Poetry Trail.
The new installation will be formally unveiled at the Sculpture Park, after which guests will move to the museum where Dr Colette NicAodha will deliver a lecture on Raftery. The lecture will be accompanied by traditional music, creating an evening that will combine poetry, history, music and local heritage.
The inclusion of Raftery is especially appropriate given his enduring association with the Kiltimagh area. Born in Killedan, he grew up in a period when Irish-language poetry was largely preserved through the spoken word. None of his poems were written down during his lifetime. They survived because he taught and recited them, before figures including Douglas Hyde and Lady Gregory collected them from those who had learned them from him.
His poetry has consequently become an important part of the cultural heritage of the west of Ireland, with ‘Cill Aodáin’ in particular ensuring that his name remains closely associated with the Kiltimagh area.
The new Poetry Trail installation offers another opportunity to bring that heritage into public view while introducing visitors and local people alike to the work of one of Ireland’s most distinctive poets.
The development of the trail also represents a continuing collaboration between local cultural and community interests. Kiltimagh Tourism and Tidy Towns have previously acknowledged the support of Creative Ireland and Mayo County Council for the project, along with the contribution of project leader Terry McDonagh and Martin Byrne of the Kiltimagh Tourism Association.
For Terry, however, the project is about more than simply placing poems around the town. The original idea was to create something which could contribute to tourism while encouraging people locally to engage with writing and literature.
The arrival of Raftery’s ‘Chondae Mhaigh Eo’ provides a fitting next chapter in that ambition. It brings one of Kiltimagh’s most famous literary sons into the trail while creating a bridge between the town’s historic connection with Irish-language poetry and the work of a new generation of local writers.
And, as Terry makes clear, the trail is not yet finished.
The installation will be officially unveiled on September 26th.
The death has occurred of John Mooney of Doctors Road, Ballyhaunis, and formerly of Kiltimagh. John, formerly a sales representative with , died peacefully, aged 82, on August 17th. He passed away following a short illness in the wonderful care of Mayo Hospice, surrounded by his family.
John was predeceased by his beloved wife Rita, brother Aiden and grandson, baby Aiden O'Brien. He will be sadly missed by his heartbroken children Liesel, Shane and Hilary, their spouses Jason, Alma and Brian, brothers Brian and Des, brother-in-law Oliver, sisters-in-law Petua, Norrie, Myra, Bernadette, Colette and Teresa, and his adored grandchildren Rachel, Louise, Harry, Seán, Aileen, Pádraic, Elizabeth, Juliette and John Paul, nieces, nephews, neighbours and his wide circle of friends.
John’s remains reposed at his home on Wednesday last. Removal took place on Thursday for Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Ballyhaunis, followed by burial afterwards in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Marie Reilly (née McLoughlin) of Ferndale, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and formerly of Kiltimagh. Marie died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband William (Bill), infant child Lorna, and brothers Padraig and Micheal.
Marie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children Mary, Anne, Bernie, Ciarán, Liam and Aoife, sister Bernie, sons-in-law John-Joe, Eugene and John, daughter’s partner Des, daughters-in-law Joan and Karen, grandchildren Sinéad, Billy, Sarah, Robert, Conor, Shane, Cliodhna, Eoghan, Ciara, William, John, Rebecca, Amy and Seán, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Marie’s remains reposed at Keegan’s Funeral Home, Portlaoise, on Friday evening, with removal afterwards for Requiem Mass on Saturday in SS Peter and Paul’s Church. Burial followed afterwards in SS Peter and Paul’s Cemetery, Portlaoise.
May she rest in peace.
Ella, Sahbh, Roisín and Senan Mooney shared the winning ticket in the latest Kiltimagh GAA 50/50 draw, collecting €655.
The club congratulated the Mooney family on their win and thanked all those who continue to support the weekly draw. The fundraiser provides important backing for the club’s teams and activities throughout the year.
Brendan O’Shea was the lucky winner of the latest Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw, collecting €343.
The club congratulated Brendan on his win and thanked everyone who continues to support the weekly fundraiser. The draw provides valuable funding for KKU teams and club activities throughout the season.
There was another competitive evening at the weekly 25 Card Drive, with plenty of close games and some familiar names among the prize winners.
First place went to Michael Costello and Michael Carney, who finished at the top after a strong night's cards. Joint second place was shared by James Walsh and Paddy Carney and Tom Durkin and Brian McNulty.
The Last 10 prize was decided after a play-off, with Geraldine Turbitt and Anne Rowley coming out on top. Mary and Jimmy Doyle claimed the spot prize, while the raffle winners were Patsy Flatley, Chris Flatley, Sharon Heiran and Danny Doherty.
The death has occurred of Thomas Gormally of Bray, Co. Wicklow, and formerly of Treenlaur, Kiltimagh. Thomas died peacefully on August 13th surrounded by his family, in the exceptional care of St Colman’s Residential Care Centre, Rathdrum.
Thomas was predeceased by his loving parents Nora and Thomas, brothers Michael and PJ, grandson Alex, nephew Henry and best friend Paddy. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Theresa, brother James, sons Tommy, Shay and Peter, daughters Tricia and Maureen and all their partners, grandchildren Storm, Naoise, Kara, Zoe and Lucy, great-granddaughter Rosie, nephews, nieces, extended family and his many friends.
Thomas’s remains reposed at his home on Sunday, August 16th. Funeral Mass was held on Monday in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, followed by burial afterwards in Springfield Cemetery, Killarney Road, Bray.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Bernadette Keane (née Gannon) of Kiltimagh Road, Balla. Bernadette (Bernie) was a popular member of the teaching staff of St Louis Community School for a number of years. She died peacefully in the exceptional care of Mayo Hospice and Mayo University Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Bernie was predeceased by her beloved husband Eamonn, parents Patrick and Sarah, and siblings Mary, Stephen, Kathleen, Michael, Paddy and Eileen. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her daughter Eilis, son Dara, son-in-law Graham (Forkan), daughter-in-law Sandra (Burke), adored grandchildren Aidan, Sarah and Naoise, brother Willie Gannon (Renvyle), sisters Ann Jack (Renvyle) and Geraldine Mannion (Galway), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, extended Gannon and Keane families, friends and neighbours.
Bernie’s remains reposed in Balla Funeral Home on Thursday, August 13th. Funeral Mass was held on Friday in St. Cronan’s Church, Balla, followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
