LAUNCH OF COISEANNA JOURNAL

Launch of Coiseanna. The Journal of Clane Local History Group

On Wednesday night, 15 April 2015, Mayor of Clane, Des Marron, launched Volume 4 of Coiseanna. The Journal of Clane Local History Group, in the GAA Centre, Prosperous Road, Clane. Brendan Cullen welcomed all guests on behalf of the Group. Pat Given acted as MC, while chairman, John Noonan, gave a short address and editor, Jim Heffernan, gave a presentation on the content of the Journal.

The fourth volume of the popular journal includes articles covering a wide range of topics. Three articles deals with the Clane area’s long association with horse breeding and racing. Blackhall Stud located unobtrusively on the Sallins Road has produced a series of successful thoroughbreds; reminiscences of Punchestown over the years and the exploits of Joseph Delamare Whyte, a famous nineteenth-century horseman. The Clongowes Wood College connection is featured in articles about James Joyce’s time there, the tragic story of Old Clongownian Michael J. Casey, who was murdered by the Gestapo in the aftermath of the famous ‘Great Escape’ during World War II and some poetry by Andy McGann, a former watchman at Clongowes, who wrote a distinctive type of English doggerel.

Architectural features are addressed with articles on the restoration of the ‘Abbey’, the old bridge and ford over the Liffey and historic residences in the Clane area. Articles on social history range from the rather frightening Molly Maguires to the Jubilee nurses, who provided a district nursing service in the decades before the State became involved, but are now almost forgotten.

Coiseanna is available from the Clane Local History Group, priced €5.00. A few copies of previous journals are also available. Contact: jimheffernan@eircom.net