By by Olive Morrin
Posted 14/12/2015
Olive Morrin of Maynooth University Library gives a day in the life glimpse into the Local Studies Department of Kildare Library & Arts service, following her recent library work swop.
Introduction
On Friday 13th November 2015, as part of the Library Ireland Week Job
Swop initiative, I spent a very pleasant and interesting day with
Kildare Library and Arts Services - Local Studies Section in Newbridge.
I was met by Mario Corrigan, the local studies librarian and later by
James Durney Writer in Residence for 2015/16. James’ book Foremost and
ready: Kildare and the 1916 Rising was launched in Naas Town Hall on the
20th November 2015. Mario invited me to view the Teresa Brayton
Archive which was lent to Maynooth University in 2014 to mount an
exhibition on local poet and nationalist Teresa Brayton.
Later in the morning pupils from the local school attended a talk by Mario on their
topics for Leaving Cert history. Mario and James advised them on the
use of primary sources and also how to narrow the focus of their
projects.
Donnelly’s Hollow
After lunch we drove to Donnelly’s Hollow in the Curragh to
commemorate the 200th year anniversary of the famous boxing match
between George Cooper and Dan Donnelly which took place on the 13th
November 1815. A good crowd assembled around the stone memorial and
Mario laid a wreath. Representatives of local history groups assembled
which also included some schoolgirls who read a short piece about Dan
Donnelly and the fight. Twenty thousand people packed themselves into
this natural amphitheatre in 1815 which had a ring roped in the hollow
for the fighters. As bare knuckle fighting was illegal the fight was
held at 8.00am and the crowd was somewhat shielded from the view of the
authorities. These fights were brutal affairs with little adherence to
any rules. Fights could last up to fifty rounds and usually only ended
when one of the opponents was so injured or exhausted they could no
longer continue. Gambling was a significant feature of these events.
Dan Donnelly won the fight and walked back up to the rim of the
hollow to a waiting carriage. He had promised his family he would
return immediately after the fight. His fanatical followers carved out
his footsteps and they have been maintained ever since. Mario said a
few words and then invited Patrick Myler to speak. Patrick wrote a
biography on Dan Donnelly in 1976 titled Dan Donnelly 1788-1820:
pugilist, publican, playboy; this was updated in 2010. Patrick took
lots of questions and despite the inclement weather a lively discussion
ensued. Brian Byrne whose family owned the ‘Hideout’ in Kilcullen which
for many years displayed Dan Donnelly’s arm over the fireplace also
added significant pieces of information. Mario then invited the group
back to the Library for some refreshments and a presentation on Dan
Donnelly’s life. A film producer also attended the event with the
possibility of a film on Dan Donnelly at some future date. Dan Donnelly
had a reputation as a gambler, womanizer and a drunkard. He was the
proprietor of a succession of Dublin pubs all of which were
unprofitable. He died aged 32 in 1820. Grave robbers stole his body
for an eminent surgeon who was later prevailed upon to part with it. He
did so with the condition he could keep his right arm. The Byrne
family secured possession of the arm and it finally made its way back to
the ’ Hideout’ in Kilcullen in the 1950’s.
It was a privilege to be part of this event and although I grew up
having an awareness of Dan Donnelly I learned so much more about him and
why it was important for ordinary and poor people to have a hero to
celebrate. Local Studies in Newbridge work with local groups to mark
events and people who have made a contribution to the fabric of Kildare
life. At the moment they are busy with the Decade of Commemorations in
Kildare which is celebrating the efforts of Kildare people in the fight
for Irish freedom.
The job swop was a very interesting and informative experience.
Source:
Olive Morrin, Library Assistant, Maynooth University Library
Published online at:
http://www.kildare.ie/ehistory/index.php/library-job-swop-with-kildare-library-and-arts-service/
http://www.libfocus.com/2015/11/library-job-swop-with-kildare-library.html
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