Launch of fifth Silivermines Historical Society book

Silvermines Historical Society hit a rich vein indeed when members first set out five years ago to mine their past and record for posterity the history, folklore, people and colourful events that helped to shape their identity.

Five years on, the same lode is still yielding a fascinating harvest of stories as evidenced in this year’s edition of the SHS journal ‘Mining the Past’, which will be launched at ‘The Eagle’s Nest’ in Dolla, on Friday November 4th at 8.30pm.

 

Well known historian, writer and former teacher Danny Grace - a popular journal contributor in the past - will do the honours, and preparations are in train for a great social night for the parish and surrounding districts.

 

Publishing five books in as many years is a truly astonishing feat for a small historical society, which only came together with limited resources and buckets of enthusiasm in 2012. And now, with an expanded team of writers delving into the past, this year’s publication is even more comprehensive than ever, bringing to life again happenings and characters that had long been consigned to history.

 

There are some intriguing insights, including Cait Logue’s scholarly article on Sabbatarianism in pre-Famine Ireland – an apt reminder of restraint in these days of rampant Sunday shopping in the run up to Christmas.

 

“No person or persons whatsoever shall publicly cry, show forth, or expose to sale any wares, merchandises, fruit, herbs, goods or chattels whatsoever upon the Lord’s Day . . . .” read a directive from the director general of the RIC in 1838. If it happened now, there would be panic buying every Saturday.

 

But keeping the Sabbath wasn’t just confined to trading. The law also precluded entertainment and sport. Sunday hurling was particularly frowned upon and there were several summonses before Nenagh Petty Sessions for hurling on a Sunday. One man was summoned for keeping a ‘jig house’ open on a Sunday, and he was threatened with the confiscation of his fiddle.

 

The colourful history of the Silvermines Fife and Drum Band is recorded by Michael O’Brien, whose late father William (Bunt) was once a member of the band. The band had its origins in 19th century Land League agitation in the district and continued to make noises in the parish well into the 20th century every time an injustice to the people was observed. Eventually, however, the band clashed with the Parish Priest, Fr Martin Hogan, who confiscated the drums. The band sued and, according to Mr O’Brien, the priest was forced to restore the drums to the owners. He had the last word, however, when he condemned them publicly from the altar the following Sunday, pointing out some of their personal failings.

 

In an amazing co-incidence, the story of the same Fr Martin Hogan is told from a different perspective in this year’s book by his great grandniece, Ann Elizabeth Riggs-Miller. Over 80 people, including councillors, JPs, solicitors and business people signed an illustrated address of gratitude and appreciation to Fr Hogan when he was transferred from the town, and she quotes from an obituary in the Clare Champion which described him as always taking “an earnest and active part in advancing the interests of his flock, and it was due to his exertions that large tracts of land in the neighbourhoods of both the ‘Mines and Ballinaclough were divided among the deserving people”.

 

The absorbing history of the Riggs-Miller family itself is told by Siobhan Harrington, who has done a tremendous amount of research into this notable and talented Tullaheady family, which included one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, John Desmond Bernal.

 

But these few references are plucked at random just to whet the appetite. There is much more, including Noreen Cleary Paton’s delightfully lyrical recollection of childhood holidays in Dolla with her granny, Nora Kennedy, in the 1950s and Betty Gleeson’s enthralling account of the society’s work in the graveyards of Kilmore, Dolla and Ballinclough during the summer, recording all the names on tombstones and vaults.

 

The book is printed by the Nenagh Guardian and is priced at €10. Needless to say it will make a great Christmas gift for anyone who has associations with the parish. It will be available on launch night and afterwards in local shops and bookstores. Enquiries: www.silvermineshistoricalsociety@gmail.com