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Erris History Visitor Centres

A visit to the Céide Fields rekindles interest in Mayo’s rich heritage

I revisited the Céide Fields Visitor Centre near Ballycastle last week for the first time since it opened in 1994 and was delighted to rekindle my interest in North Mayo’s fascinating history of human settlement – one of the earliest settlements by humans on the island of Ireland. The pyramid-shaped Céide Fields Visitors’ Centre now […]

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Books History

Mayo poet and Abbey Theatre director remembered in new book

Arlen House, in partnership with Poetry Ireland and the author’s relatives, is celebrating the poetry of F.R. Higgins with the publication of his ‘Father and Son: Selected Poems’, to be launched in his birthplace, Foxford, on Tuesday, 10th September. There will also be book launches in Dublin and Meath and a copy is also being […]

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Erris History Home

Erris remembers those who sailed from Blacksod to America

One of the highlights of Tóstal Iorras 2013 was the commemoration of James Hack Tuke’s assisted emigration scheme – when thousands of people emigrated from Erris. Special guests included at the July 24th event was Atlantic Rhythm, the Achill Island Pipe Band, craft makers from the area, and Dr. Gerard Moran of the National University […]

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History Home

Claremorris commemorative stone marks workhouse burial ground

In remembrance of the people from Claremorris that were buried during the pre and post Famine years at the site of the new Link Road from Mount Street to the Railway Station, a special commemoration was held on Sunday 2 June.

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History Holy Wells Home

Children’s burial ground remembered at Tobarmacduagh Holy Well

The refurbishment of Tobermacduagh Holy Well in Drum, near Claremorris, was an opportunity for the local community to remember the unbaptised babies buried there pre-1900 with a plaque alongside the Marian Shrine at the well.

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History Home

A cheap suitcase that tells the story of Ireland in the 1950s

A cheap suitcase that was typical of those carried by Irish emigrants going to Britain in large numbers during the 1950s features in a new exhibition at the Museum of Country Life at Turlough, Castlebar. It’s part of the National Museum of Ireland’s “100 OBJECTS” collection that takes us through the history of people in Ireland […]