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

Roundstone/Cashel

 

UntitledThe 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.

Demographic occupiers: Ann Conneely has recently carried out an audio research into the occupiers of dwellings/businesses in Roundstone from the past. This was achieved by organising an informal discussion with three Roundstone natives in a ‘traditional kitchen format’ with three senior men from the town: Paddy Mc Donagh (Yank), Michael John Ferron and Martin Conneely who apply their memories to the topic.

Click on audio track Roundstone Village Memories

 

Roundstone/Cashel

The Roundstone/Cashel area was active Gaelic football wise going back to the early 1900s. This activity mainly involved local competitions between Roundstone, Cashel, Recess and Carna. The Roundstone club was first officially formed in 1938 and was reformed in 1947. One of the first events to be promoted by the club was a seven-a-side tournament played at Gurteen. This event is famous in the folklore of the G.A.A. because each member of the winning team was paid £1 thereby breaking the core rule of the amateur organisation. Was the seven-a-side tournament at Gurteen the first ‘pay for play’ in the G.A.A.? The area used for matches and training was Gurteen Beach. Since 1969, Roundstone players in general attach themselves to Naomh Feichin, and Cashel are aligned with Carna.

Players from Roundstone/Cashel that played for Galway: Minor: Michael John Ferron (ch.), Michael Cloherty (ch.), and Seamus Cloherty. Under 21: Kevin De Courcey, Michael Cloherty (ch. and Senior), Seamus Cloherty. It is also of interest that Sylvester Keaney, a former native Cashel player, is the father of current Dublin senior county hurling and football star Conall. Sean De Courcey won an All-Ireland Colleges title with St. Jarlath’s.

(ch. = championship)

To listen to Michael John Ferron’s folklore and memories, click on track 27.

To listen to Pairic Cloherty’s memories, click on 28.

Roundstone Church