THE TOWN HE KNOW’S SO WELL
Kilrush
MEMORIES OF AN IRISH MARKET TOWN 1879 TO 1979 Reviewed by GERRY GROGAN
KILRUSH AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY This historical account of Kilrush County Clare over a hundred years in a beautiful hard back book that sits permanently on my coffee table, within reach. I love looking at familiar pictures of towns people I once knew, and indeed family members. I received it at Christmas from home as a personal gift. It starts in 1879 with the beginning of the Land War although it references earlier events leading up to and beyond to 1979,I was all of 24!! Like so many parts of Ireland of the time that were governed by English landlords, KIlrush was ruled by the Vandeluer family. The family seat of west Clare where they built their home Kilrush House, was commonly called the burnt house in my youth. Colonel Crofton Moore Vanderluer left his mark on our town by giving land on which the Catholic church was built, also the convent and the workhouse along with the fever hospital. However all this largess is greatly eclipsed by the Vandeluers’ terrible treatment of their tenants during the Great Famine, and the brutal evictions during the highly charged period of the Land War. Looking across across the square, where the town hall or formerly the Market House,is the Maid of Erin Monument. This shows defiantly the support for Irish Political independence in the Kilrush area. My grandad did tell me in our many walks ,on his regular visits from London about the Black and Tans and the damage that was done to her and the railings that were left unrepaired as a reminder in defiance with confronting and resonant symbolism. 64 | THE IRISH SCENE
My earliest memories subjectively of what was of great excitement to a young boy of 11years was the burning of Riedys Garage. We were told if the petrol tanks underground exploded we were done for....so we told that the best thing we could do was to say a prayer and promise to go to confession.! The next big spectacular was the burning of Patterson’s Buildings. This was an enormous five story building that was burnt to the ground in 1967. The glow of this could be seen for miles around the countryside. It is still a vivid memory. We all as young boys loved the excitement of the ball and chain as it was demolished. Kilrush was a very vibrant business town with shipping, timber mills, ceramics, creamery and the seaweed factory. There was also a lot of entertainment in music,both traditional and popular. We also had an opera house from the fifties to the late sixties, I have a vivid memory of the transformation of Mars Cinema into a fully operational mini opera house with elaborate sets and a full orchestra. Many overseas Guest Artists were welcomed to the town with a sort of awe. The late Veronica Dunne’s Carmen complete with castenets would sweep across the wide street with a total theatrical flourish. The Fleadh Cheoil an Chlair was a great event all through the sixties and seventies with up to 25 thousand people estimated to have attended. The craic was mighty. There is an enormous amount of research in this book and is a real pleasure to read as a Clare Man and for all of us in the Irish Diaspora in Western Australia. I’m sure there are a lot of people in Perth who originally came from Kilrush or surrounding areas who would love this wonderful book. In conclusion as I hold this book in my hand ,40 years later in Perth, It still creates a vivid kaleidoscope of images of memories and educates in historical events but what stands out for me so aptly put by the introduction by Laura Hogan are the images of the same people enjoying themselves as in every town: dancing, drumming, going to mass, walking, posing,learning, smoking , leaning at the corner,going to fairs of various kinds, playing football,golfing ,fishing,simply surviving. They have been about living and surviving for hundreds of years, through the highs and the lows. Through the prosperous times and the not so prosperous. We as a people and a nation and a unique culture will prosper into the future. This is what this amazing book has given me. This is our town. It is Kilrush. My Kilrush.
☘
