By Barbara O'Flaherty
Castletown Motte or Byrne’s Folly?
By Barbara O’ Flaherty
The De Verdons are credited with having built Castletown Motte and Bailey in the last 30 years of the 12th century. The Motte comprises a large circular mound which rises to some 20m and in classic fashion it is enclosed by a ditch with an external bank. Adjoining the Motte at the Northwest is a small bailey there was also a large bailey here which unfortunately has now been destroyed, existed in the east. On the east side of the mound there is a causeway across the ditch, the date of which is unknown. There is also evidence of a southerrain to the south of the Motte. The ruin of the late 18th century castellated house known as 'Byrne's Folly' stands on top of the mound. It was built by Patrick Byrne, a well-known pirate in 1780 AD. The motte is built on the site of a pre Christian . This site is important in Irish mythology as it is said to be the birthplace of the legendary warrior Cúchulainn. On the summit is the ruin of a house built in 1780.
Dun Dealgan Motte and Bailey is a Norman Motte and Bailey. A motte is a ditched mound, usually artificial, which is the strongpoint of the motte and bailey castle overshadowing the bailey or enclosed courtyard below it. It is predominantly rounded in plan, but square or rectangular Mottes are found all over the medieval world but are especially well known in Scotland where there are many fine examples of this type of construction. The height of Mottes varies greatly however the vast the majority of them are under 5m although a few of the sites built in the years immediately following the Norman Conquest are well known for having some of the largest castle mounds in the country. Although the purpose of these compounds were defensive they did however allow small villages to develop into towns while permitting trade and commerce to flourish. They are incredibly important in the history of Ireland and we are lucky to have one so close to us.
Mayday: More Than Just Another Day
By Barbara O’ Flaherty
May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public holidays. In many countries May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labour movement. As a day of celebration the holiday has ancient origins. For our Celtic ancestors Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral Summer season when the herds of livestock were driven out to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. It also meant that fish would return to the rivers and game would be available in the forests. Mostly importantly of all the Sun reappeared as the Sun God Lugh awoke from his Winter sleep to warm the Earth once more.
In the Northern hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations, regardless of the locally prevalent political or religious establishments. It is also associated with many pre-Christian indigenous celebrations some of which were eventually banned or Christianized during the process of the Christianization of Europe. As a result, a more secular version of the holiday continued to be observed in the schools and churches and schools of the Continent well into the 20th century. The May Day Bank Holiday was traditionally the only one to affect the state school calendar although new arrangements in some areas to even out the length of school terms and introduce extra Bank Holidays mean that the Good Friday and Easter Monday Bank Holidays which vary from year to year, may also fall during term time. In Ireland Mayday was a time for meeting friends, for celebrating the end of Winter and for looking forward. Also at this time Sage leaves or branches would have been burned in homes to purify them and in some areas of the country the custom still continues today.
In Mary's Name
By Barbara O' Flaherty. [courtesy Dundalk Leader]
Standing at the top St. Mary's Rd. St. Mary's College or as it is better known to thousands of Dundalkers The Marist is an imposing building indeed. Generations of Dundalk boys and from the early 90's Dundalk girls have been educated there and because of this it has a very special place in the hearts of most people in town. It gives its name to the road on which it stands and to some of the surrounding area. This is a short account of its history. St Mary's College was founded in 1861 and has had a long history in the town of Dundalk. It was the first foundation of the Marist Fathers in Ireland. It was originally a Boarding and Day school for boys, with a Primary School. The Boarding Section of the School was closed in 1983 and this was followed in 1987 by the closure of the Primary School. In 1990 the first lay Principal was appointed and the College opened its doors to girls.
Father John Crouzet purchased 'Church Hill House' from local corn miller Billy Coleman for the princely sum of £2000. Work began immediately to restore the old mansion to a satisfactory state fit for educational purposes. However as Father Crouzet recalled in his memoirs building work nearly stopped as soon as it commenced. He was forced to confide to Dean Kieran P.P. (later to become Archbishop of Armagh) that funds were running short: "It was breakfast time. The Dean said nothing but after it he remarked: 'Let us go for a walk'. From the house we crossed the street to the National Bank. He entered and said to the manager, ' Am I worth £100 ?' 'Certainly, and more,' was the reply. 'Very well,' said Dean Kieran, 'pay £100 to this gentleman whenever he needs it.' The school was ready three months later! .
A Day for Fools and Foolishness
By Barbara O’ Flaherty [Courtesy of Dundalk Leader]
Sometimes called All Fools' Day this is one of the most light hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar. Ancient cultures, including those as varied as the Romans and the Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox March 20 or March 21.
In medieval times much of Europe. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar the Gregorian Calendar to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date or did not learn about it and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1.
Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually the practice spread throughout Europe.
Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of the Emperor Constantine when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day.
Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day and the custom became an annual event. April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western world. Practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand," looking for things that don't exist; playing pranks and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things. Here in Ireland the day is still marked by old jokes and new foolishness all in the spirit of having fun. So enjoy your day of fools.
The Day of the Dagda
By Barbara O’ Flaherty
Long before Christainity ever came to these shores the March 17 was a special day. In ancient tradition the Celts dedicated certain days and times the Father of all their Gods and Godesses the glorious Dagda. The entire month of August and certain days throughout the year were dedicated to him and four days in June, October and in the middle of March what the Romans called “The Ides of March” was such a time. People would gather together to celebrate the presence amongst them of The Dagda himself. According to ancient celtic legend The Dagda was the Creator of the Earth. He was said to have boiled it up in a great Porridge pot and then tipped the contents out into the void where it solified and set forming a hard rock which he called World. He then took his great walking stick and using the weighted handle carved out of the Rock Rivers, mountains, seas etc. The Dagda was also the father of all the ancient Gods and Goddesses granting to each of his children a gift of their own such as healing (to Airmid) or Light and Music to Lugh. They in turn became the parents of many demi Gods such as Cuchulainn. Eventually the coming of Christianity the worship of The Dagda was all but forgotten. However the many Irish people still had a great devotion to the old ways and these days of national celebration refused to disappear. Eventually they were incorporated into the prevailing christian belief of the day and became saint’s day or other festivals. The Dagda may have slipped into history but his influence is constantly with us and most especially so when it comes to celebrating our National festivals.