Connemara GAA
Old black-and-white photograph of a rugby team, in two rows, in striped jerseys Two old photographs side by side: a team of men in waistcoats and caps, and three young men in suits Collage of old team photographs, including Clifden 1977, Inishbofin v St Vincent's of Dublin, and the St Cáillín's (Ballyconneely) hurling team

Political Families

 

Introduction

Over the years many people have interviewed Connemara politicians but purely in a political context; there was no emphasis on trying to establish the true identity of the person/s behind the politics. When many people interact with politicians they see them as tools of access to solving a problem, not reflecting that they also have private family lives.

This audio presentation gives each family representative an opportunity to deliver a rare insight into the intricacy of the family behind the public perception. The families currently selected represent a spectrum of the overall political representation in Connemara since the foundation of the state. It also enables the family presenter to focus in an apolitical way. For example when politicians or their ghost writers deliver a book, in many cases it deliberately places an emphasis on controversy to help promote the book sales. However the main emphasis on this presentation is to capture in audio mode, political families for posterity. This will benefit researchers in many facets, especially in giving a cultural/historical dimension in addition to the political.

It is well documented that the Connemara Diaspora also played a part in political life in other countries worldwide. In many instances it is difficult to trace, especially from the past because of their reluctance to acknowledge their family ties to Ireland. The famous Australian politician, King O’Malley in all probability is an example. However the changing culture is evident; Marty Walsh is an example, the current mayor of Boston, is proud of his Carna/Rosmuck/Connemara connections. Martin O’Malley, former Governor of Maryland, is another example.

Here is the list of the Connemara families included in the presentation and the tracks they are available on.

The presentation will commence with the audio introduction by Colleen Curran (track Politics – 1000 Colleen Curran).

The Audio player is on the right hand side of the first page starting with track 0-scroll down to track 1000

Track 1001, deals with a segment of the Joyce family delivered by PK Joyce.

Track 1002, gives an insight into the Welby family presented by Thomas Welby.

Track 1003, relates to Eamon O Cuiv, grandson of Eamon de Valera, delivered by Eamon O Cuiv.

Track 1004, is a presentation by Padraic McCormack of his political memories.

Track 1005, is delivered by Sean O’Neachtain.

Track 1006, relates to the Mongan/McDonagh/Mylotte families and is presented by Eamon Mylotte.

Track 1007, Josie Conneely gives his county council experience of success and failure.

Track 1008, gives an insight into the Bartley family with a focus on former government minister Gerald and his nephew Gerald, this is delivered by Richard Bartley.

Track 1009, Seosamh O’Cuaig focuses on people power politics.

Track 1010, PK Joyce gives an in-depth history of the first Sinn Fein TD for Connemara - Padraic O’Maille.

Track 1011, former councillor/senator Nicholas O’Connor casts a glance at the O’Connor politics.

Track 1012, Thomas O Currain gives his memories/opinions of his political life.

Track 1013, Thomas Whelan gives an insight to the politics of his uncle Thomas Whelan who was executed during the War of Independence. This also includes the song - The Shawl of Galway Grey by Tony Small.

Track 1014, former county councillor Michael O’Neill gives an insight into ‘people politics’ in relation to the evolvement of community development in Ballinakill Parish.

Track 1015, the first female chair of Galway County Council Connie Ni Fhatharta gives an insight into the female perspective.

Track 1016, is a father and daughter presentation by Paddy and Eileen Mannion who give an insight into the political Mannion family, Clifden.

All the presentations incorporate memories/opinions of the presenters and are personal to each one. Accordingly none of the presentations or any part thereof may be reused/edited without the permission of the individual presenter. Like most events in everyday life, it is not unusual to find people who hold different views/opinions/memories of the same event.

An Insight Into Connemara Political Families

by

Colleen Curran & John O’Malley

Introduction

The history of political families in Ireland gives an insight into the evolving cultures that were part and parcel of the management of Ireland. It is well documented that the Irish Kings were at continuous war to attain/retain and defend their estates at regional/provincial and national level. This was followed by the invasion of Ireland by external bodies (that commenced with an invitation) and the acquisition of the Irish Kingdoms. However over time the management of Ireland once again returned to the native Irish with the formation of a new Irish Government which was officially acknowledged worldwide in 1921.

It could be argued that Connemara followed a similar pattern; initially Irish families controlled/managed it. For example the Kealy/Keeley families were the dominant landlords during the 12th/13th centuries, until they were dispossessed by ‘The ferocious O’Flaherty’s’ in the latter part of the 13th century. The remnants of the O’Flaherty castles/forts are still visible in Connemara to this day; also some former residences have been restored and occupied. There are many stories that remain to this day in relation to ‘The ferocious O’Flaherty’s’. For example a reference to their conflict with the wealthy Normans of Galway City was established in text format and inscribed on the city walls - “from the fury of the O’Flaherty’s, good Lord deliver us”. They were also in conflict with their fellow Irish families in Connemara. The folklore of how a section of the clan slaughtered the Conneely families and burned their commune near Doon Hill in Ballyconneely has descended through the centuries. This includes the hiding place of the pregnant Una Conneely who was the only one of her clan to escape on that fateful night - her hiding place retains its name to this day ‘Scáilp Una’ (Scáilp gaelic word for a gap in the rocks). ‘The ferocious O’Flaherty’s’ had also an alliance with Grainne Mhaol (Grace O’Malley) the Pirate Queen.

Connemara was represented in the Irish House of Commons (Dublin) from the 13th century until the Act of Union (1801) under the constituency of Galway. From the Act of Union until 1885, MPs sat at the House of Commons (London), also representing the constituency of Galway. However this was delivered by primarily ‘Land Lord Gentry’ which included people like Richard Martin and Mitchell Henry and previously by John Eyre whose estate in Connemara is still not dormant. The Geoghegan Land Lords of Ballyconneely had also representation in the House of Commons but not representing an Irish constituency.

It could be argued that it was 1885 that Connemara got its first really true representation, when Connemara was established as a constituency in its own right and electing one member to the House of Commons. The first member elected was Patrick James Foley (native of Leeds) in 1885 and represented the area until 1895. The second member elected was William O’Malley (Ballyconneely) in 1895 and represented the area until 1918. The third and final member was Padraic O’Maílle (Maam) who was elected in 1918 when he defeated William O’Malley; this status remained until the establishment of the new Irish State (agreed in 1921).

Although the British Government bequeathed to the Connemarians their own constituency, alas the new Irish State did not follow suit and Connemara was once more incorporated into Galway County. This remains the norm to this day; however the current Minister for the environment (2014) has bestowed a municipal status on Connemara within Galway County Council elected members.

The new Irish State has delivered many Connemara political families that have made a contribution to the management of the State and the primary focus of this presentation is to give an insight into some of the families from and/or associated with Connemara. The families presented have a direct political association at various levels, for example Galway County Council, Dail Eireann/Seanad and also the EU Parliament. Some of whom are still active in political life.

These audio presentations will concentrate on segments of families that are still living/associated with Connemara. Each family will be given a separate heading and track number in text format. The presentation will commence with the audio introduction by Colleen Curran (track Politics – 1000 Colleen Curran). The Audio player is on the right hand side of the first page starting with track 0 - scroll down to track 1000.

The presentation is a heritage research project compiled and edited in its entirety by Colleen Curran, archivist/researcher/producer at Connemara Community Radio, and John O’Malley, an accredited researcher. The project is supported by the Leader Programme which is delivered by Forum Letterfrack.

Footnote: There are many attempts in the public domain at giving a credible definition to the name Connemara but it could be argued that the really true meaning has evolved from its visual impact on a map. For example, from the Spiddal region to Leenane incorporates a multitude of sea/bays/inlets which is a direct translation?