|
|
|
 |
||||||||
Welcome to Irish Traditions, Heritage and Folklore at SligoHeritage!
|
 |
|---|
For the devotee of Irish history, heritage, mythology or folklore, County Sligo in the west coast province of Connacht, has everything. For those who take time to read the landscape, every stone and hill has its own unique, often bloody, story to tell. Here one can literally trace the dramatic tendrils of our nation, from mythological origins through a turbulent history to a modern nation. In its lofty mountains, its winding rivers, its jagged coastline, God has created here a land blessed by time and unspoiled by time or man.
The mighty prow of 'bare Benbulbens head,' made famous by the poet W.B. Yeats, defines the County Sligo landscape. This is the 'Yeats' country', a countryside rich in history, folklore and mythology. In Drumcliffe churchyard the poet himself lies at peace in the Sligo soil that inspired much of his work.
 |
|---|
My name is Joe Mc Gowan, host of this, County Sligo's only heritage site. Having lived the life of an emigrant for many years I now, once again, live and work in County Sligo, Ireland. My interest in heritage, folklore and history has led to the writing and publishing of several books on the subject. These pages have been created to give the visitor an understanding, not just of Sligo's history, and heritage, but also a taste of current events.
 |
Knocknarea, final resting place of Maeve, Iron Age Queen of Connacht |
Unfolded here are the beliefs of ordinary people, their superstitions, customs and way of life. Our journey revealing the character of Ireland, and County Sligo in particular, is a microcosm, not just of Sligo, but of a romantic Ireland on the verge of extinction. In a series of articles the lives of historical figures and events will be told. The warp and weft of everyday people, their existence mostly uncelebrated and unsung, will be discovered here too.
This Week in Irish HistoryCourtesy of TheWildGeese IN IRELAND: Thomas Charles Wright, an officer in Simón Bolívar's South American army and founder and first commander-in-chief of the Ecuadorian navy, is born in Drogheda, Co. Louth. IN FRANCE: Edme Patrice de MacMahon, who's ancestors had immigrated to France from Torrodile, County Limerick, in 1691, after the family's support of King James, retires as president of France. IN GREAT BRITAIN: Katharine (Kitty) O'Shea, nee Wood, whose affair with Charles Stuart Parnell would cause his political ruin, is born at Bradwell, Essex, England Click HERE |
Some articles inside:
"Countess Markievicz: The People's Countess"
"Inishmurray: Land of Gale, Stone and Fire"
"Classiebawn and the Assassination of Lord Mountbatten at Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo"
"Lissadell House, Coffin Ships, the Pomano and Sir Robert Gore-Booth" A saga of famine and coffin ships in Sligo... and on the same page: "The Story of the Voyage of Patrick and Margaret Burns..." New 26/12/'06: What the British PM said.
For previous 'History', 'Heritage' and 'Newsround' articles click HERE
Find previous'Index' proverbs and quotations HERE
Newsround:
St. Brigid's Day, or the Celtic festival of Imbolc...; What does the European Parliament mean to Sligo?;
Mountbatten assassination: thirty year secret revelations; Sligo experiences worst freeze-up in 30 years to -11.5 Celsus; Winter solstice at Newgrange; 1968 Retrospective - Bernadette's answer
Apparitions at Knock! Really?
Continuing in History this week:' To Hell or Barbados: The Ethnic Cleansing of Ireland'
Click HERE
NEW this week: James Foody Sligo deportee: Click HERE and scroll to bottom of page
Continuing in HERITAGE:
Christmas long ago is recaptured in a short story: 'Package From America'; Also: The Raid on Foran's Pub
Click here to read>>
Moved to ARCHIVE : "Sligeach – Sligo’s Original (and Correct) Name" by Dr. Nollaig Ó Muraíle
For podcast of Joe McGowan's TV3 interview on Halloween traditions go HERE
Now SligoHeritage readers can leave a comment, or become a friend, on Facebook! Go HERE |
In Heritage archives:: Go HERE for text and pictures of the MUMMERS PLAY. Also: Fake Mummers. What are they?
For an explanation of the STRAWBOY tradition, scroll to bottom of page.
Youtube:
Go HERE for a Youtube clip of the STRAWBOYS.
For an explanation of WRENBOYS go HERE
Go HERE and scroll to bottom of page for review of Timothy Knatchbull's new book 'From a Clear Blue Sky'
"In all countries, more or less, paupers may be discovered; but an entire nation of paupers is what was never seen until it was shown in Ireland": For Gustave de Beaumont's view of Ireland in the mid 1800's go here and scroll down. See also what Prime Minister Tony Blair said about the Great Irish Famine. |
|---|
Go HERE for Civil War footage of Arthur Griffith's visit to Sligo Easter 1922 (with thanks to Alan Finan) |
