WHAT ABOUT THIS: ‘Sheep’s head as an economical and nourishing dish does not get anything like the consideration it deserves.  Properly boiled, it will make a delicious and plentiful dinner for a fairly large family, while the water in which it is cooked will give stock for almost a week’s supply of soup. Many people consider the brains a great delicacy.

TO COOK THE HEAD.    Steep the head in plenty of cold, salted water for a couple of hours and wash out all the blood.  Remove the brains and tongue.  Tie the head in muslin, put it into a large saucepan and well cover with cold water.  Bring slowly to the boil, and simmer gently for three hours, skimming occasionally.  If you wish to have soup to serve before the head, add a few herbs and a dessert-spoonful of pearl barley, when you put the head in the pot, and half an hour or so before the head is cooked, add come diced vegetables – carrots, a little turnip, and sliced onions.  Take out the head and remove the muslin (the idea of the muslin is to prevent the small sharp bones from mixing with the stock or soup) and serve with a good parsley sauce.  If you have boiled the head without the addition of vegetables, etc., pour the liquid into a delph basin and when cold remove any fat and use the stock as a foundation for various soups during the week.

THE BRAINS.  Tie the brains in muslin and par-boil in slightly salted water, then roll in egg and breadcrumbs or just coat with a batter and roll in breadcrumbs.  Fry to a golden brown and serve with toast’. (1942).

ST PATRICK’S DAY COLLECTION, KILCAR – THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

Rev Father P. Logue, Kilcar, in acknowledging subscriptions as below, returns his most profound gratitude to all those who liberally contributed towards the collection on St Patrick’s Day to wipe out a debt of £300 incurred by him in purchase of a Bell, building Belfry, etc:

 

Five Pounds Each:

His Grace, Most Rev Dr. McGettigan, Primate of all Ireland.

The Most Rev. Dr. Logue, Bishop of the Diocese

Mr James Johnson, New York (Four pounds)

Mr Joseph McLoone, Esq., J.P., Donegal (2 guineas)

Two Pounds Each:

Very Rev. Monsignor Stephens, P.P., Killybegs

Joseph Gallagher, Esq., T.C., Letterkenny

Mr James O’Byrne, Colorado

One Pound Each:

William J. O’Doherty, E.C., Maryport

Mr J. Murphy, Bell Founder, Dublin

Very Rev. James McFadden, P.P., V.F., Falcarragh;

Very Rev. Daniel McGee, P.P., Glenties;

Very Rev. Charles O’Donnell, P.P., V.F., Ardara;

Rev. Francis B. Gallagher, P. P., Rosguill;

Very Rev. Patrick O’Donnell, Professor, Maynooth;

Rev. Bernard Kelly, P.P., Dunfanaghy; Rev. Patrick

Daly, P.P., Ballintra;

Mr Peter Kelly, The Mall, Ballyshannon;

Mr Ross Hastings, Londonderry;

Mr Edward Kelly, Londonderry

Mr Manus McFadden, Glenswilly

Messrs Irvine & Co., Belfast

Thomas F. Brady, Inspector of Fisheries

Mr Hugh O’Donnell, N.T., Letterkenny

Messrs O’Connor & Cullin, Sligo

Messrs J. Arnott & Co., Belfast

Mr Daniel Elliott, Omagh

Mr James Sweeney, Dungloe

Mr P. Gallagher, Solicitor, Strabane

Mr Francis McGlade, Belfast

Rev Edward Gibbons, C.C., Fintown

Mr James Diamond, Milford

Miss Bessie Gavigan, Brooklyn

Rev John Boyle, P.P., Tamney, Fanad

Mr Patrick Sheil, Belfast

Mr John McCristall, Omagh

Rev Hugh A. Gallagher, Ballyshannon

Mr Connell Meehan, Kilcar

Mr Charles Bradley, Donegal

Mr James Murray, Dundalk

Rev. Father Rice, Adm., Armagh

Rev. Father McNeese, Armagh

Rev. Father Oliver, Armagh

Rev. Father McGeeney, Armagh

Rev. Charles McGlynn, P.P., Dungloe

Very Rev. J. McMenamin, P.P., Stranorlar

Miss Mary Coleman, Killybegs

Mr Alexander Coane, Ballyshannon

Henry Thynne, Esq., R.M., Donegal

Mr Charles Rogers, Killybes

Very Rev. Michael Coyne, Armagh

Rev. Michael Martin, P.P., St Johnston

Rev. Hugh McFadden, P.P., Donegal

Rev. James Gallagher (The Store) Letterkenny

Mr James Gallagher, N.T., Kilcar

Mrs Sinnott, Killybegs

Mrs Coane, Killybegs

Mr William Drummond, Killybegs

Mr T. C. MacGinley, N.T., Killybegs

Mr John C. Ward, N.T., Killybegs

Mr Patrick Conwell, Killybegs

Mr James Coane, Killybegs

Mr Neal McLoone, Killybegs

Mr John McGarrigle, Killybegs

Very Rev. Daniel Spence, P.P., Ballyshannon

Rev. Edward Cassidy, Glencolumbkille

Rev. Francis W. Gallagher, P.P., Carrick

Rev. James McFadden, P.P., Gweedore

C. McNamara, Inspector of National Schools

Mr James McShane, Dunkineely

Mr Neal McGinley, Kilcar

C. O’Doherty, Esq., C.E., Teelin Pier

Mrs Margaret Devine, New York

Rev Hugh O’Gara McShane, Wilmington, Pa.

Messrs A. A. Watt & Co., Londonderry

Mr James Clarke, England (17 shillings)

Ten Shillings Each:

Mr John McGinley, Falcarragh

Mr John Gettins, Dunkineely

Mr Roger McGinley, N.T., Croagh

Miss Meehan (Hotel), Donegal

Mr John Stephens, senior, Ballyshannon

Mr Ringland, Ulster Bank, Belfast

Rev. Edw Maguire, Seminary, Letterkenny

Mrs Byrnham, Carrick

Clarke, Esq., Sub-Inspector, R.I.C.

Mr John Gilgar, Fintra

Rev. John Doherty, C.C., Rathmullan

Rev. Patrick Kelly, C.C., Ballyshannon

Mr Charles Mulloy, Glenties

T. Paul, Esq., Ulster Bank, Glenties

Rev. William Sheridan, Letterkenny

Mr Hugh O’Donnell, Derry

Mr Patrick Breslin, Derry

Mr Hugh McMenamin, Lifford

Rev. Hugh Devine, P.P., Kilmacrenan

Thomas C. Hope, Ulster Bank, Killybegs

Rev. A. McNelis, C.C., Gweedore

Mr James Dunleavy, Donegal

Rev. Patrick McCafferty, C.C., Kilmacrenan

Rev James Scanlon, Seminary, Letterkenny

Rev. Joseph Boyle, C.C., Lettermacaward

Mr Robert Sweeney, Ballyshannon

Rev. Edward McDevitt, Stranorlar

Rev. John Sweeney, C.C., Ardara

Mr Hugh Cunningham, Killybegs

Charles M. Boyle, C.E., Ballyshannon

Rev. George Doherty, C.C., Inver

Mr Edward McFadden, Letterkenny

Rev. Patrick McCay, St Johnston

Rev. Father Hegarty, Gartan

Mr Daniel McVeigh, Letterkenny

Mr Bernard Cannon, Killybegs

Mr Michael Doherty, Letterkenny

Mr Francis McHugh, Kilcar

Mr Patrick Doherty, Buggah

Mr Hugh O’Gara, P.L.G., Kilcar

Mr Dane, Sub-Constable, R.I.C.

Rev. Michael Kelly, P.P., Killymard

Mr Patrick McIntyre, N.T., Carrick

Mr Patrick Boyle N.T., Teelin

Mr Francis Cassidy, Carrick

Mr Thomas McShane, Carrick

Mr James Craig, N.T., Malinbeg

Mr Patrick Murray, N.T., Roxboro’

Mr Patrick McLaughlin, Castlemurray

Mrs Ann McGinty, Donegal

Rev. J. R. Collins, P.P., Ramelton

Mr John Cannon, Carrick

Mr Francis Carr, N.T., Coguish

Five Shillings Each:

Mr John Fisher, N.T., Ardara

Mr Bird, Ballintra

Miss B. Doherty, Boston

Mr Christopher Byrne, Kilcar

Mr Edward Doherty, Buggah

Mr John McMullan, Leitir

Mr Joseph McIntyre, Kilcar

Mrs Patrick McIntyre, Kilcar

Mrs Bridget Doherty, Kilcar

Mrs Bridget McGinley, Kilcar

Mr Peasly, R.I.C., Kilcar

Mr Haul, R.I.C., Kilcar

Mr Dunnovan, Kilcar

Mr Michael McFadden, Kilcar

Mr McNelis, America

Mr John McShane, Meenticherahan

Mr Neal Carr, Bavin

Mr Hugh Kelly, Killybegs (7 shillings)

Mr Patrick Gallagher, N.T., Shalvey

Mr James Carr, N.T., Mucross

Mr Andrew Coyle, Ballyshannon

Mrs C. Byrne, Killybegs

Eight Shillings Each:

A Son of Kilcar (America)

A Girl of Kilcar

(April 1882)

 

 

MY SWEET KILLYBEGS.

 

My dear Killybegs, I’m thinking about you,

As I lay down my head on my pillow to rest,

And e’er my eyes open to the dawn of the morning

In dreams I’ll be there in that town I love best.

 

I can see through my slumbers the home I was born in,

And the cradle that rock’d me standing still by the wall,

But I miss the kind friends off the seats lying vacant,

Who comes nightly to ceilidhe in droll Donegal.

 

Father is gone and mother has followed,

Who looked on my childhood with joy and with care,

Ah, no! I can’t stay, I must go, I’m but dreaming,

How sad on awaking for I’ll not be there.

 

Ah! There’s the old school in off the road-side,

The name o’er the door I barely can trace,

And the kindly old Master who taught me my lessons,

Is dead long, I know, may his soul rest in peace.

 

I can see from the window of that darling old homestead

That beautiful harbour reflecting the town,

With naught to disturb its placid blue waters

But the lapping of swans from Lough-head swimming down.

 

Croughlin and Carin sit watching each other

As they used to some score and a half years ago,

And flowers bloom as fair all along Carntullagh,

And larks sing as loud over lovelyBenroe.

 

And out there by Roshin, waves they are hushing,

And racing each other to first kiss the shore.

With Drimanoo booming up out in the distance

Resisting the spray from off wild Bulligmore.

 

Roscorkin and Fintra, Largy and Shalvey,

Towney and Muckross, how my heart grieved,

When I took my last look on your sweet smiling meadows

From lovely immortal, far-famed Slieveleague.

 

And yet I’ll return to see their fair faces

That dwell in those places, but, alas! some are dead,

Their fond memories I’ll cherish with pent-up devotion

From fair Killybegs to the cliffs of Glenhead.

 

Yes, I’ll go back when my dream it is over,

If God gives me strength there I’ll recline

In the bosom of you, my sweet native village,

I’ll burn out life’s taper in that dear home of mine.

 

When the cold hand of death wraps his mantle around me

Then lay me to rest in the graveyardclose by

Where my friends they shall come to pray for and mourn me,

And there, with the swift winds,Breathe sigh for sigh.

 

And in silence I hear their sweet supplication

To the King of kings who rules over all,

beseeching his blessing on my sweet native village,

And all round the borders of droll Donegal.

JAMES CONWELL (Shoemaker)

St Catherine’s Road, Killybegs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a very sad poem. Casimir MacGinley, son of Thomas Colin and Margaret T. Sinnott, was born in Croagh in 1873. He attended the local school where his father taught, and afterwards attended College in Letterkenny, where he was considered a very good scholar.  From the age of 17 however, his eyesight began to deteriorate, and by the age of 24 he was losing the sight of both eyes.  In this condition he lived with his parents in the newly-built Sea Bank Cottage (later named Bruach na Mara) in Killybegs.  The late Bella McGee New Row, Killybegs, remembered him being assisted up the centre aisle of St Mary’s church, Killybegs.  He was a brother of Bishop John B. MacGinley.  Casimir died on 4^th July 1940 at the age of 67.

DARKNESS AND LIGHT.

Shadows have gathered o’er me

While the day has but begun;

Dark is the way before me,

Eclipsed is the morning sun.

Colour and light and shining

Have gone with the glad, sweet day,

Sorrow and sad repining

Have come on my gloomy day.

 

Dark is my cloud, but shining

Beneath it I yet can see

The light of silver lining-

Sweet shining with hope on me.

And through the darkness gleaming

Comes a heavenly radiant light,

With smiles upon me beaming,

And guiding me through the night.

 

It is the lamp, brightly burning,

That lighteth me through the night,

Of hope of sight returning

In Heaven’s eternal light.

Shadows have gathered o’er me,

But the light of hope has shone;

Dark though the way before me,

Hope’s beacon light leads me on.

 (T. MacG., Killybegs, September 6, 1897).

From 1895 the Congested Districts Board began to issue ‘deep sea’ boats to fishermen on the west coast of Ireland. These sailing boats, Nobbies and Zulus, would be a big step up from the traditional yawls of about 26ft in length.  The CDB went on to provide a whole new fleet of sea-going vessels, with Donegal benefiting the most from this massive project.  It was the intention of the CDB to transform the existing part time fishermen-farmers, and especially farmers’ sons, into full time fishermen.   To this end they hired a number of experienced Scottish fishermen and put them on the new Irish boats to instruct the local men in all aspects of gear and fishing.  The CDB also made sure there was a market for all fish caught, without which the whole scheme would have failed.  Finally they brought in foreign curers and coopers to show the locals the best methods.

Below is a list of the CDB boats which were allocated to the Rosses, by year of allocation. A few in the list were bought directly by Rosses men, but most were placed with crews by the CDB.  Those marked * are motor boats (having an engine from new), and + indicates Steam drifters.  The majority are Zulus, with a few Nobbies, and some of these were engined later.

St Bernard 1898

St Michael 1898

Lord Finross 1899

St Connell 1903

St Mark 1903

Errigal 1903

Star of the Sea 1905

Glen Head 1905

St Aiden 1905

St Eunan II 1905

St Ita 1906

Teelin Head 1906

St Colman 1907

St Paul 1908

St Finan II 1908

Fair Head 1908

Countess Grosvenor 1909

St Patrick II 1909

Enterprise 1909

Downings Bay 1909

Aztec 1910*

St Marcellinus 1911

St Gerard Majella 1911

Fishers Friend 1912

Vine 1912*

Foxglove 1912

St Finbar 1913*

Daylight Star 1913*

Summer Star 1913*

Inishirrer 1912-13+

Gweedore 1912-13+

Gola 1914*

Morning Star*

Calistoga 1915+

Emerald 1915

Catch-Me-If-You-Can 1916

Cnoc an Duin

Flora Campbell 1914.

(Source: The Zulu Fishermen by Pat Conaghan, 2003)

THE YELLOW BANK.

Glencolumbkille, May 29^th, 1867.  There is a shallow or sand bank lying about thirty or thirty-five miles in a north-west direction from Ross Eoaghan Head, the most westerly point in the County Donegal.  It is called the Banc Buidh, yellow bank, and is said to be thirty miles long and four miles broad.  Tradition represents the place as teeming with fish, both ling and cod, but owing to the unsuitableness of the small fishing craft employed about here, the fishermen, hardy and adventurous as they are, dare not venture so far from land.  The only visits paid to the bank within the last eighty years by an inhabitant of these places were two.  Neal McShane, of Malinbeg, lately deceased, was taken as pilot on board a Dutch galliot bound for Sligo.  The wind proving treacherous, the vessel was driven out of her course, and tossed about for six days.  On the morning of the seventh day the wind abated, and was followed by such a calm as left the vessel without motion.  McShane, knowing from certain landmarks that they were on the Banc Buidh, got a cod line and baited it with a piece of fish.  The bait had not time to touch the bottom till the experiment proved successful, and McShane had the satisfaction of hauling in a fine cod.  This he repeated with like success for eighteen consecutive shots when, a breeze springing up, he had to yield, reluctantly however, to the entreaties of the captain, and bid good bye to the Banc Buidh, as it happened, forever.  John Haughey of Teelin visited the bank about twenty years ago as skipper of a smack belonging to as Scotch fishing company.  The smack, manned by seven men, left Malinbeg early on a July morning, and reached the bank about eight o’clock, a.m., same day.  They immediately shot their seven baskets of long-lines.  Each man had from 120 to 180 hooks attached to it.  They were not long on the bank till the day began to grow stormy, so that they were compelled to commence hauling the lines.  Short as was the time on the bank, each hook had its fish, and three of the baskets were sufficient to fill the boat which was capable of holding five tons weight, and the fishers were obliged to leave the remaining baskets.  The depth of water on the bank varies from fifteen to fifty fathoms.  There are fishermen enough in Malinbeg and Malinmore, Teelin, etc., but then their boats of 26 feet keel are quite too small for deep sea fishing.  It would pay the North-west of Donegal Fishery Company if they could send a few of their larger vessels round here.  There is an excellent boat port at Malinbeg for small boats, but capable of great improvement.  There is also a good port in Teelin, and then the safe and commodious harbour of Killybegs is only ten of eleven miles from Malinbeg.  Sunfish come in great numbers to these coasts in the months of June, July and August, and their visits might be easily turned to profitable account if the proper means of following the fishery were at hand.-

Supt. Tom Martin, Killybegs, added laurels to his reputation as a tutor of Irish singing and dancing, when on Sunday, 28^th August, 1938 at Templeboy Feis, (Sligo), the Killybegs troupe, all of which he had under his supervision, won first prizes.  They were Miss Sarah Gallagher, Miss Lena Cunningham, Miss Maire Molloy, Miss Nellie Hegarty, Master Donald Martin, and Master Frankie Rogers (fairy reel).  Mr Charles McCahill, Fintra (traditional Irish airs on fiddle); Master Donald Martin (Irish singing).  The adjudicator was high in his praise of the display given by the Killybegs troupe, and commended Mr McCahill for his beautiful rendition of Irish traditional music

Four Drowned at Inver.

On Monday, 5^th December 1836, four very decent men went out in an open boat to fish in Inver Bay.  They were not long out when a storm arose and upset the boat.  They clung to the keel, and soon righted her, but a heavy sea breaking over them, they were swamped, and instantly perished.  Three of them were soon afterwards washed on shore, but the fourth was not found immediately.  They were all married, and left wives and families to lament their untimely deaths.  They bore excellent characters, and were deeply lamented by their neighbours.

Report from Killybegs Petty Sessions Court, 14 August 1899.

Complainant: Catherine Campbell, Killybegs.

Defendant: M. F. (A female).

CHARGE: The Defendant, at Killybegs on the 24^th day of July 1899 did unlawfully steal take and carry away one belt, value for eight pence, and three shillings and sixpence [cash], the goods and monies of one Catherine Campbell from her shop in Killybegs, and had said belt in her possession at Killybegs on 24^th July 1899, knowing the same to be stolen or unlawfully come by.

Defendant was ordered to be sent to St Catherine’s Industrial School at Strabane, to be detained there until the 14^th day of August 1904, her age being ascertained to be 11 years and her religion being that of Roman Catholic, she being charged with an offence punishable by imprisonment, she should be dealt with under Section 13 of 31 Vict. Chap 25.

Sentenced for Begging.

DONEGAL PETTY SESSIONS.

The above Court was held on Wednesday, 22^nd October 1902, before Captain Crosbie, R.M., (Fintra House), Captain J. S. Hamilton, James Timoney and G. E. B. Bevan, magistrates.

Mr James Dunlevy, solicitor, Donegal, applied on behalf of the Right Rev Monsignor McFadden, P.P., V.G., Donegal, and Dean of Raphoe, to have three little girls who were begging from house to house sent to St Catherine’s Industrial School, Strabane, and a little boy, who was also begging, sent to Killybegs Industrial School.

The magistrates, having consulted, made the order sought.