https://www.connemaragaa.com/culture-research/ Recent content in Culture & Research on Connemara GAA Hugo en https://www.connemaragaa.com/culture-research/original-songs/ Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.connemaragaa.com/culture-research/original-songs/ <h2><strong>Composed by Jon Melia (John O’Malley)</strong></h2> Track no Music 01 ‘Reeling in the years’ (courting in the hay shed) by Jon Melia. <p>Track no Music 02 ‘Treat me like Every Other’ by Jon Melia singer Martina Gavin.</p> <p>Track no Music 03 ‘The Ghost of the Playboy’ - this is based on the true story of the Playboy of the Western World which is based on a true event in Ballyconneely in the late 800s, (with William O&rsquo;Malley being responsible for the death of his father) by Jon Melia singer Feichin Mitchell.</p> https://www.connemaragaa.com/culture-research/rugby-history/ Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.connemaragaa.com/culture-research/rugby-history/ <h1>Connemara Rugby History and Memories</h1> <h4>Connemara Community Radio believes that it is important to capture the History of the area incorporating segments that were not particularly covered in the past, or more importantly in a format that is not widely used – audio from some of the key actors in the various disciplines. This has been achieved in collaboration with segments of the volunteers. For example, to date we have been associated with the GAA and Political families - see the website Connemara GAA &amp; Political - History, Folklore and Audio by Colleen Curran and John O’Malley</h4> <h4>This current research programme deals with a relatively new culture in the Connemara area = Rugby. Although Rugby officially commenced in the early 1970s, we have unearthed audio rugby memories from the 1940s.</h4> <h2><strong>Connemara Rugby and Connemara Rugby Club Audio Memories/History</strong></h2> Rugby has been played by Connemara players for a very long time. However, most of the players from the past played Rugby in the Rugby colleges. The first player from Connemara based on current research that played for Ireland was Jimmy Joyce from Oughterard in the 1940s, however this was not classified as an official full international cap as this was in the 2^nd World War era. The next player was Mick Molloy, listen to Mick’s audio. The current Connacht full back Tiernan O’Halloran was the latest to be capped for Ireland. <p>Connemara Rugby Club was established in 1973. This was the first official Club to be established in Connemara. However, it should be recorded that there was an attempt to establish a team in Connemara in the 1940s. This team played a number of games but was in effect ad hoc and failed to establish itself. It was mainly comprised of college players and could only field during the Xmas holiday period. Another reason was the GAA ban on foreign Games at that time, as the vast majority of its potential playing pool would be GAA players. However, it should also be remembered that there was no official GAA club in the Clifden area in the mid 1940s. This ad hoc team also incorporated players from Oughterard, primarily the Joyce family, one of whom - Jimmy - was the first Connemara man to play for Ireland at senior level in the 1940s (based on current research available). One of the most prominent Connemara men to be capped for Ireland was Mick Molloy (Dr) from Cornamona, who played between 1966 and 1976. However, Mick never played rugby in Connemara. The next Connemara player to play senior for Ireland was Tiernan O’Halloran; although not born in Connemara, he can truly be recognised as a Connemara man - his grandfather hailed from Inishbofin Island and his father was based in Clifden when Tiernan commenced playing Rugby (currently a professional with Connacht Rugby 2017). In addition, the creation of women’s rugby has brought Connemara its first success in this field when Mairead Coyne from Leenane was capped in 2016 and became the first woman from Connemara to be capped for Ireland.</p>