Castleconnell
Castleconnell’s Butterflies
“We lose our souls if we lose the experience of the forest, the butterflies, the song of the birds, if we can’t see the stars at night.” – Thomas Berry Nature is so important to our wellbeing and in Castleconnell we are really blessed to be surrounded by it. But we need to treasure it…
Read MoreCastleconnell Petty Sessions
In a house in Castleconnell, sat the court of Petty Sessions For over one hundred years, it judged your ancestors transgressions Now this house of many wonders Which documents a thousand blunders Opens its door and invites you to hear its confessions It has witnessed village life with all its drama and disputes Whilst the…
Read MoreThe Visit of the President to Castleconnell
The Day Mary Robinson Came. It was a day in the summer of 1992 the people had been preparing for many weeks for the coming of the President. She was a popular President, supported by the Labour Party and well-known for radical views. She was the first female President of Ireland and noted as a…
Read MoreA Freak Happening
A Freak Happening Does anyone remember the time in Castleconnell in the mid- fifties when the Mall field, that is the field between Lee’s field (now Scanlan Park) and the river, produced such a bumper crop of mushrooms that one would think, at a casual glance, that there had been a heavy snowfall overnight ?…
Read MoreThe Old School on Chapel Hill
The Old School on Chapel Hill It was my first day teaching at the Irish Harp Centre in Castleconnell. There were strains of harps, pianos, even clarinets all over the lovely old house. Tea was on tap in the big kitchen with its huge wooden table where teachers and parents would sit and chat. I…
Read MoreSaturday Morning Walk
Saturday morning walk We leave our house and pass the school To the shortcut we make our way Ready now to hear the trees And what the birds might say Up to the Dublin Road we stride Turn right and on we go Making our way to Daly’s Cross A route we all well know…
Read MoreCome on Eileen
My roots with Castleconnell go as deep as the ocean blue. For generations, my family has been tied to the village of Castleconnell. Our family has had quite the adventure over the years on the land of Castleconnell however the story I wish to tell you is the story of my beautiful grandmother which starts…
Read MoreMy Castleconnell
My Castleconnell By Liam McNamara. Covid19, Level 5, Level 3, Restrictions, Cases going up, Cases going down, Donald Trump and Brexit fill the airwaves on the commute to and from work and on the workshop radio’s as they blare 9hrs a day to dry drown out the sounds of cutting, grinding, burning, welding and fabrication.…
Read MoreWe Live in Hope
We Live In Hope I clip the lead onto the prancing, dancing dog, who, realising that her hopes of a walk are about to be fulfilled, can no longer contain her excitement. The November sky is a clear duck egg blue. Early morning sunshine struggles to breathe warmth into the crisp winter air. Erring…
Read MoreWoodlands House
Woodlands House, now the Castle Oaks House Hotel, occupies one of the most scenic locations on the banks of the River Shannon. Built on an estate of 25 acres, with accompanying out buildings and a gate lodge, it had all the characteristics of the style of architecture predominant during the late Georgian period. The first…
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