Regions on Connemara GAA

Ballyconneely

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Profile/Development History

Ballyconneely/Baileconaola (Civil parish of Ballindoon)

Ballyconneely is located on the western seaboard of Ireland. It is situated in the Slyne Head peninsula, on the extreme west of Connemara. The area is bordered to the west and the north by the Atlantic Ocean- giving the area many beaches and dunes. Its border on the east incorporates the Roundstone Bog complex. Its population based on the 2006 census, was 768 people and 744 houses (Central Statistical Office). Population of the parish in circa 1837 was 4,943 (Lewis 1837).

Carna/Cashel

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See Carna/Cashel online

Carraroe

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Carraroe GAA Club was founded in 1967 - see history of Carraroe GAA Club online

Cleggan/Claddaghduff

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Cleggan/Claddaghduff

Gaelic football was active in Cleggan from the beginning of the 1900s but was mainly based on local matches between the town-lands. Cleggan were active as a club for many years with recorded statistics dating back to the 1930s. Their main success was winning the West Final of 1947 but they were defeated by Athenry in the county semi-final on a score of 3-4 to 0-3. The captain was Páidín Walsh from Cleggan. Some players from Tully Cross played with Cleggan but that was before the parish rule was introduced. This game was marred by a brawl between the two teams and spectators on the sideline and also a mêlée between two players from the Cleggan team. Cleggan won the Mongan Cup on a number of occasions. The Tank Field was the main venue for Gaelic football matches and training in the latter years.

Players from Cleggan that represented Galway or other counties: Senior: Jack and Michael Gordan (ch. for Meath), Jack Cosgrove (ch. Minor, Under 21, Junior and Senior, first All-Star full-back), Frank King, Aidan Cosgrove (ch. Minor), Sean O’Toole (Matt) (Minor), Macdara Bermingham (Under 21), Sean O’Toole (ch. Under 21), Eamon King, Michael H. Acton and Aidan Cosgrove were on Hogan Cup winning teams with St. Jarlath’s. Patrick O’Malley was on Sigerson Cup winning team with U.C.G.

Clifden

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Catholic Church Church of Ireland

A Brief History of Clifden Town

Clifden is a relatively new town, founded in 1812 by the local landlord, John D'Arcy, and is one of the last towns to be built in Ireland (Gibbons & Gahan, 2004). When D’Arcy inherited his estates in 1804 they were thinly populated by fishermen and mountain farmers (Villiers-Tuthill, 1990). It was a ‘wild district’ of abject poverty, where travellers were ‘often compelled to put up with miserable lodgings and cheerless fare’ (Hall & Hall, 1853b: vi). D’Arcy’s vision for Clifden ‘was to create a thriving commercial centre in the resource-rich, but poverty stricken region’ (Gibbons & Gahan, 2004: 16). He encouraged merchants into the district by offering leases on plots for development (Bradbury, 1871) and canvassed Dublin Castle (The seat of British rule in Ireland at the time) and the Irish government for support in developing the town and seaport (Villiers-Tuthill, 1990). Settlers came with their trades and their merchandise, workshops and stores. These shops consistently changed hands over the years resulting in even today, few of their owners having previously come from the area (Villiers-Tuthill, 1982). In 1822, plans were drawn up for a quay at the town and various government bodies contributed financially to its construction. D’Arcy ‘hoped that the town would raise living standards throughout the area by exploiting the rich fishing, wool and marble resources in the locality’ (Gibbons & Gahan, 2004: 16).

The town’s ‘superb site; overlooking the Atlantic, with easy access to a sheltered harbour, power from the Owenglin River, relatively fertile surroundings and a position at the junction of Connemara’s lowlands and highlands augured well for its long-term prospects’ (Gibbons & Gahan, 2004: 16). During this time a number of roads were constructed through central Connemara and along the coast, linking Clifden with Galway and Westport (Villiers-Tuthill, 1990), the town seemed set for development. All that was required was ‘an enterprising spirit … calling forth and awakening the industry of the people to render it [Connemara] … the most productive – the richest part of the empire’ as ‘it contains an untouched fund of wealth’, (Davy, cited in Hall & Hall, 1853b: 163).

Clonbur

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See Saint Patrick's GAA Club - Clonbur online

Inishbofin

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Photo from MLSSA, Newsletter, November 2010

A Socio-Economic Report of Inishbofin Island

Introduction

Inishbofin is an island with a long history of social economic development dating back for centuries. It is alleged that it got its name from the Loch Bo Finne (Lake of the White Cow) in West Quarter village and there are many legends in relation to the origins of its name. ‘Whatever the truth of the legend, it is clear that the islands have drawn fishermen, farmers, monks, soldiers and adventurers for over 6,000 years’ (Inishbofin Development Company, IDC, 2011). The first documented record of habitation on the island is in the 8th century in the work of the ‘Venerable Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People’. Many famous people had association in ancient times - in the 16th century the Spaniards harassed the west coast of Ireland and one of their leaders, Alonzo Bosco, settled on Inishbofin and used it as his base from which to terrorise the inhabitants on the mainland. Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen, also used the island, establishing a fort and stationing her fleet there. However during the reign of Elizabeth 1st, the British army subdued the island and built a castle, the ruins of which overlook the entrance to the harbour. Cromwell’s army also spent time there and local folklore believes that several of the soldiers of Cromwell and Alonso Bosco settled on the island and the main land, during this period (McNeeley, A., 1995). Traditionally all aspects of life both socially and economically were based on farming and fishing. The island was once a civil parish in Mayo and all its services were provided from Mayo to the east pier side but today it is part of Galway and all its services are provided through Cleggan. Inishbofin today is a progressive island having socially and economically developed with its economy primarily based on tourism. There is currently an active community development company with many of the community leaders emanating from the various community groups from the past. ‘The Development Company was incorporated in February 1993, as a company limited by guarantee with no share capital to provide the island with a legally recognised voluntary group’ (Henry Kenny).

Population

Killanin

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There was GAA activity in Killanin dating back for 100 years but this involvement was achieved by the players competing for other clubs - primarily Oughterard and later Moycullen. It was as recent as 1958 before Killanin developed their own club. Although the catchment area is relatively small the club has achieved a great deal of success on the club scene and also has made a major contribution to the Galway County football teams. The highlight was in 2001 when the club had three players on the Galway team that won the All Ireland senior football title; one of them Garry Fahy was captain. This was the first time a Connemara man had successfully captained a winning team at this level.

Kingstown

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Kingstown

Football was played in Kingstown from an early date but generally players played with Clifden town. Kingstown formed a team in 1937 and competed in the Mongan Cup for a number of years. One of their famous players was Paddy Davin who played senior and junior for Galway in the 1950s. He was on the Galway All-Ireland winning junior team of 1958 and played against Galway for Herefordshire in the Junior Final of 1965 which Galway won. While acknowledging that Paddy Davin was one of the most famous footballers to come from Kingstown, he did not achieve what Lisa Cohill did – win an All-Ireland senior medal. Lisa achieved this distinction when she played on the Galway Ladies’ team that won in 2004. Sean Ward (islands) played minor for Galway as did Pat Halloran.

To listen to Paddy Davin, click on track 32.

Leitir Móir

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Naomh Anna GAA Club is situated in South Connemara. Although the club is not yet 50 years established, many players from the area assisted other clubs prior to its creation. It has now developed its own playing facilities and a state-of-the-art centre. The club has provided many players to Galway over the years including Nicholas O’Conchubhair (O’Connor).

Nicholas started playing football on the road, ‘We had nowhere else to play at that time’ he said. He also has close family ties with the McCartans and O’Neills of Down fame. He tried his hand at a number of sports including cricket.

Mícheál Breathnach

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Memories from a Mícheál Breathnach GAA club man

Mártan Ó Ciardha casts an eye back on his footballing days in South and West Conamara in the 1960s and 70s.

Mártan Ó Ciardha, a native of Cois Fharraige, played for Mícheál Breathnach and worked as a sports journalist for Raidió na Gaeltachta for over 30 years.

Martan’s uncle Hugo Carey played for Clifden and Carna and he was a member of the Galway Team that won the Sam Maguire Cup for the first time in 1934 (Galway’s 2^nd win). That was also the first time that Galway wore the maroon and white colours. (see photo archives)

Moycullen

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Moycullen GAA Club was established in 1912, originally the main emphasis was on hurling but over the years football expanded and the club reached senior status in both hurling and football.

Although the main emphasis was on hurling, Moycullen played in the 1914 Junior football county final, this final was played in July 1916. Although the match appears to have been lost on the field (based on the archives see below?) Moycullen may have been declared champions. So for anyone in Moycullen checking the Club history the captain of the team was T. Barrett. (Even though M. Concannon was elected captain at the AGM in Jan 1914 and M. McDonagh was captain when they defeated Athenry in the 2nd round in 1914)

Na Piarsaigh

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Na Piarsaigh GAA Club has a long history in GAA activity in Connemara. Although the Club has played a prominent part in the promotion of the GAA and the Irish Language it has not achieved a great deal of success on the playing field. However it has produced an array of talented footballers that have competed regularly in GAA competitions over the years. It also has produced many volunteers in helping the club fulfill its goals. This especially came to light when the Club developed their new state of the art facilities for both the players and supporters. There were many involved in this initiative, but a special mention to Roisin Sullivan who was one of the driving forces behind its success. Roisin had planned to make a contribution to this audio history, but was unable to do so, because of her untimely death; may she rest in peace.

Oughterard

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Oughterard GAA Club is one of the oldest GAA clubs in Galway. It was first registered for official competition in 1908 but prior to that date there were several town land teams involved in primarily localised competition. It won its first county title (junior) in 1919 and its only senior title in 1938.

All Ireland Intermediate champions in 2019/20 championship year

It has supplied the county with an array of talent over time supplying players that won All Ireland titles at minor, under 21 and senior level including winning the interprovincial title as well. However it could be argued that their folk heroes were players that did not win All Ireland titles, namely the legendary footballer Tom Sullivan and the multi-talented – ‘the famous Pat Gibbons’.

Recess

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Recess

Football was played in Recess at town-land level dating back to the early part of the 1900s. It is not until 1938, however, that records are available when Recess entered the Mongan Cup in their own right. The area used for training was in front of where the quarry is today. Paddy Joyce (Peter) remembers the ‘sevens’ at Recess as far back as the 1940s and he recalls the Keoghs (Oughterard) and Joyce’s (Clifden) playing in ‘sevens’ of that era. He also recalls Henry Kenny (Mayo/Connacht) cycling to teach school with his football boots strung on the bicycle. Players from the Recess area have played with several clubs over the years but have aligned themselves with Na Piarsaigh for the past twenty years.

Players that played with Galway or other counties: Mattie, Mickie and Jackie Kerrigan (Senior, Meath), Henry Kenny (Senior, Mayo and Connacht – taught in Recess), Frank Joyce (Wicklow), Paul Joyce (Minor), Dessie Joyce (Under 21), Charley O Malley (Galway Masters), John Ramus Joyce (London).

Renvyle

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Renvyle GAA

Football was/is played in Ballinakill Parish for over 100 years. Although the club has not achieved major success on the field of play it is one of the true GAA districts in Galway. In 1913 when the vast amount of current GAA clubs were unheard of – there were two clubs from the parish registered in the West Board competitions. The name of the current club is Renvyle.

See Paul Gannon Renvyle GAA online

Roundstone/Cashel

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The above painting by Evyonne King, local artist Roundstone.

Some history from Roundstone:

Roundstone has an unusual history dating back for centuries past. The original Roundstone village is suggested by some to have been situated just past Inishnee Bridge, down at the sea on the road to Cashel. The remnants of this village are still there. Others suggest that it was down by the old pier but based on memories from Martin Pat Conneely which were passed on to his family there appears to have been at least two as he believed that the original Roundstone village was under the Hill. This would appear that there was a local village under the Hill and the fishing village. Roundstone was/is a haven for fishermen especially in the past when fishing boats were not of the same standard of today. This was/is because of its deep sheltered inlet and pier. In fact this is one of the reasons the original Roundstone 'sea' village was established by Scottish fishermen, who settled down with their families and inter married locally. Herring fishing was massive in this sea region at that time (middle of the 1700s approx).

Roundstone was also important for goods delivery because of its deep pier access for boats, which brought essential cargo for the west Connemara region. This was later transferred by primarily horse and cart throughout the region including at times Clifden, because its shallow inlet/pier limited cargo boat delivery.

Spiddal/An Spidéal

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John McIntyre a native of Spiddal reveals some of his GAA memories from the 1950s/60s/70s.

John was involved in football activity in various clubs and counties including his own native Spiddal in Galway. Over the years his work took him to Cork/Kerry and overseas in Great Britain where he always got involved with the local GAA action.

He also gives an insight into the early days of Spiddal as a new GAA Club which was formed in the 1960s. The winning of their first West Board title in 1968 and a first county title in 1974 is also addressed.