Posts Tagged ‘Sweeney’
The Warrior Galloglass Surnames of Ireland
Many Irish surnames derive from a group of warriors who arrived in Ireland as mercenaries from the 13th century onwards. They were called the “galloglass”. A few weeks back, I received the following mail from Brenda Mills – one of our regular readers: I would love to know more about the McCoy’s and where they came…
Read MoreTralee to Kilkee on the Wild Atlantic Way
Coming into the town of Tralee – the administrative capital of County Kerry – my mind always goes back to the Rose of Tralee festival. Specifically to the early 1980s and heading down to Tralee for the craic, sleeping only when necessary and wherever possible. Funny how those memories can colour your impressions of a…
Read MoreThe Ring of Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way
The thing that hit us most as we wandered into the colourful village of Sneem was the smell of turf fires! A real smell of Kerry for us. The village offered a welcome rest after the snaking road out of Killorglin and getting stuck behind a tractor or two. The other thing about Sneem are…
Read MoreBeara Peninsula and Kenmare on the Wild Atlantic Way
Our first stop was in the town of Castletownbere. It’s one of Ireland’s main fishing ports and is a busy little town and the commercial hub of the Beara Peninsula. We had to stop for a quick drink at the famous McCarthy’s Bar – made famous by appearing on the cover of a book by…
Read MoreClonakilty to Baltimore on the Wild Atlantic Way
Many Irish surnames derive from a group of warriors who arrived in Ireland as mercenaries from the 13th century onwards. They were called the “galloglass”. A few weeks back, I received the following mail from Brenda Mills – one of our regular readers: I would love to know more about the McCoy’s and where they came…
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