Our Outing, a one day trip to Belmullet, is on Saturday 8th July leaving Milltown 8.30am. Our first stop will be the Foxford Woollen Mills for something to eat. We will go through Crossmolina, Bangor Erris and on to Belmullet. Full details later. To book ring Ann 51439 or Padraic 51984 on or before the 1st July. The cost of the outing is €30, includes bus and a 4-course lunch in the Talbot Hotel. Looking forward to seeing you.
https://milltowngalway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/fw1.jpg600750Nickhttp://milltowngalway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/milltown-logo.pngNick2017-06-09 17:50:002017-06-09 17:50:00Day Care Outing
A Heritage Centre is located in the Community Centre on the N17 north of the village, and contains a very interesting and impressive collection of artefacts and heritage memorabilia gathered from the surrounding area and illustrates the ways of life of the people of Milltown over many generations. The collection is quite broad in its focus and contains something of interest to everyone. The Birmingham Telescope probably takes pride of place in the collection and is undoubtedly an item of international significance as John Birmingham the Astronomer to whom it belonged was renowned throughout the world as a brilliant light in astronomy. An equally important collection of small farm tools and hand implements associated with animal husbandry are on display. Also of great interest is a collection of commercial billheads, receipts and advertising posters. This type of material is highly prized by social historians. The Community Centre is managed and operated by a dedicated group of volunteers with a great sense of pride in their place and can be viewed on request.
Quarrymount House, situated south of Milltown on the N17, was built in the 1830s by John Bodkin. The family had acquired approximately 2000 acres of land in that area at the start of the 18th century. At that time, they lived in a partly thatched Mansion in nearby Ardnagall. Mr John Bodkin who was an M.P. for Tuam, was supposedly derided by a political rival during a debate in the House of Commons and was told to go home and stop the cows from eating the thatch off his roof. This obviously goaded him as he is reputed to have replied to his antagonist that he would build a mansion, which he subsequently did. This fine house in its original state had a classical stone-cut doorway, which was later removed.
The house was leased to Edward O’Kelly in 1881 for 31 years. By the early 20th century, it was in the hands of the Congested Districts’ Board and passed onto the Land Commission who sold the house and lands to the Gordon family in 1903 who remained there until 1965.
The house then lay unoccupied and in disrepair for a number of years until Henry Gordon sold the house and the property. After that, the property changed hands a number of times, and the Costello family who are the current residents acquired the property in 2000. It has since then been tastefully restored by them.
PLEASE NOTE; The house is in private ownership, but can be seen from the main N17.
The Railway Station, now no longer in operation, was first opened in April 1894 and was finally closed in 1963.
It is situated to the north-west of the village. It was opened to serve the village and surrounding area.
A short editorial carried in the Tuam Herald on the 10th of November 1877 records the names of a number of shareholders who contributed towards the funding of the Tuam to Claremorris extension, which included the Milltown section.
Those noted as contributing were:
John Bodkin, Kilclooney (50 shares)
John Birmingham, Millbrook (20 shares)
D.J. Kirwan, Dalgin (20 shares)
Martin McDonnell, Dunmore (40 shares)
D. Flannery, Milltown (20 shares)
James McDonagh, (Clerk of Petty Sessions) (5 shares)
Rev. T. McWalters (3 shares).
Though Milltown Railway Station lies abandoned today it still retains many of its original features. The station house (occupied by the Greene Family until 2012), platform, signal cabin, goods shed and railway sidings are all still intact. The
Railway line looking North
line was originally built by the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway which operated between Limerick and Claremorris and was later taken over by the Great Western Railway.
Old railways are an often overlooked but are increasingly important wildlife habitat. The line in Milltown has not been used for many years and is no longer sprayed or cut to clear it of encroaching plant life such as meadow grasses, tall herbs and shrubs. This has led to an explosion of bird species along its length that use it for both feeding and breeding.
In summer, nesting Willow, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers are found along with Whitethroat, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll and Long-tailed Tit. In the more mature scrubby areas, especially next to conifer plantations, Chiff-Chaff and Blackcap have both started to breed in recent years. In winter, the railway is a good place to see large numbers of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting, which flock together as they search amongst the abundant vegetation for seeds. These flocks in turn provide prey for Sparrowhawks, which are present throughout the year in reasonably good numbers.
https://milltowngalway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/railway.png200300Nick Skehanhttp://milltowngalway.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/milltown-logo.pngNick Skehan2017-06-07 20:37:462017-06-07 20:38:23The old railway station
A large section of the 15th /16th century Kilclooney Castle still stands and is listed as a Recorded Monument. This building, which is correctly described as a Tower House, was once the home of the renowned Ó hUigín bardic family and was occupied by Donell Ó hUigín in 1574. Tadgh Dall Ó hUigín of Sligo (1545-1593) refers to a school of poetry here in the 16th century – in which it is stated that seventeen poets of Ulster’s brightest progeny sought learning in Kilclooney of Connacht. They each studied filíocht for 12 years, the school year lasting from November to March. It is said that each student had his own stone hut where he would meditate on a prescribed theme, and next day would recite his composition before fellow students and his tutor. There is no evidence of the stone huts there today, but with careful archaeological survey using modern electronic ground probing techniques it might be possible to determine where these structures may have been.
Brian, Hugh and Tully Ó hUigín held three parts of Kilclooney in 1641 but their lands were granted to William Burke at the Restoration in the 1660’s. While an amount of this important castle still stands, it is in quite a ruinous state. An underground stream which originates near Corcoran’s Mill in Dunmore and is known as Kilclooney Well.
The following is a verse in Irish from the poem Cáislean Cheall Chluaine agus Scoil na bhFile composed by Tadgh Dall Ó hUigín recalling the presence here at Kilclooney of seventeen poets from Ulster:
“Seacht bhfir dhéag d’éigaibh Uladh
Do chuaidh d’larraich ealadhan
Dal an chuaine fhinn Ultaigh
Go Cill Chluaine I gConnachtaibh”
A field system consisting of a series of low earthen banks of c.300m length running north-south by c.250m length east–west is to be seen in the land surrounding the castle. The foundation of a grassed-over rectangular building is also present.
Day Care Outing
Our Outing, a one day trip to Belmullet, is on Saturday 8th July leaving Milltown 8.30am. Our first stop will be the Foxford Woollen Mills for something to eat. We will go through Crossmolina, Bangor Erris and on to Belmullet. Full details later. To book ring Ann 51439 or Padraic 51984 on or before the 1st July. The cost of the outing is €30, includes bus and a 4-course lunch in the Talbot Hotel. Looking forward to seeing you.
National Crime Prevention Campaign:
“Summertime Home Security” Information available at back of church. Please take a copy.
Milltown Heritage Centre
A Heritage Centre is located in the Community Centre on the N17 north of the village, and contains a very interesting and impressive collection of artefacts and heritage memorabilia gathered from the surrounding area and illustrates the ways of life of the people of Milltown over many generations. The collection is quite broad in its focus and contains something of interest to everyone. The Birmingham Telescope probably takes pride of place in the collection and is undoubtedly an item of international significance as John Birmingham the Astronomer to whom it belonged was renowned throughout the world as a brilliant light in astronomy. An equally important collection of small farm tools and hand implements associated with animal husbandry are on display. Also of great interest is a collection of commercial billheads, receipts and advertising posters. This type of material is highly prized by social historians. The Community Centre is managed and operated by a dedicated group of volunteers with a great sense of pride in their place and can be viewed on request.
Quarrymount House
Quarrymount House, situated south of Milltown on the N17, was built in the 1830s by John Bodkin. The family had acquired approximately 2000 acres of land in that area at the start of the 18th century. At that time, they lived in a partly thatched Mansion in nearby Ardnagall. Mr John Bodkin who was an M.P. for Tuam, was supposedly derided by a political rival during a debate in the House of Commons and was told to go home and stop the cows from eating the thatch off his roof. This obviously goaded him as he is reputed to have replied to his antagonist that he would build a mansion, which he subsequently did. This fine house in its original state had a classical stone-cut doorway, which was later removed.
The house was leased to Edward O’Kelly in 1881 for 31 years. By the early 20th century, it was in the hands of the Congested Districts’ Board and passed onto the Land Commission who sold the house and lands to the Gordon family in 1903 who remained there until 1965.
The house then lay unoccupied and in disrepair for a number of years until Henry Gordon sold the house and the property. After that, the property changed hands a number of times, and the Costello family who are the current residents acquired the property in 2000. It has since then been tastefully restored by them.
PLEASE NOTE; The house is in private ownership, but can be seen from the main N17.
The old railway station
The Railway Station, now no longer in operation, was first opened in April 1894 and was finally closed in 1963.
It is situated to the north-west of the village. It was opened to serve the village and surrounding area.
A short editorial carried in the Tuam Herald on the 10th of November 1877 records the names of a number of shareholders who contributed towards the funding of the Tuam to Claremorris extension, which included the Milltown section.
Those noted as contributing were:
Though Milltown Railway Station lies abandoned today it still retains many of its original features. The station house (occupied by the Greene Family until 2012), platform, signal cabin, goods shed and railway sidings are all still intact. The
line was originally built by the Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway which operated between Limerick and Claremorris and was later taken over by the Great Western Railway.
Old railways are an often overlooked but are increasingly important wildlife habitat. The line in Milltown has not been used for many years and is no longer sprayed or cut to clear it of encroaching plant life such as meadow grasses, tall herbs and shrubs. This has led to an explosion of bird species along its length that use it for both feeding and breeding.
In summer, nesting Willow, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers are found along with Whitethroat, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll and Long-tailed Tit. In the more mature scrubby areas, especially next to conifer plantations, Chiff-Chaff and Blackcap have both started to breed in recent years. In winter, the railway is a good place to see large numbers of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting, which flock together as they search amongst the abundant vegetation for seeds. These flocks in turn provide prey for Sparrowhawks, which are present throughout the year in reasonably good numbers.
Kilclooney Castle
A large section of the 15th /16th century Kilclooney Castle still stands and is listed as a Recorded Monument. This building, which is correctly described as a Tower House, was once the home of the renowned Ó hUigín bardic family and was occupied by Donell Ó hUigín in 1574. Tadgh Dall Ó hUigín of Sligo (1545-1593) refers to a school of poetry here in the 16th century – in which it is stated that seventeen poets of Ulster’s brightest progeny sought learning in Kilclooney of Connacht. They each studied filíocht for 12 years, the school year lasting from November to March. It is said that each student had his own stone hut where he would meditate on a prescribed theme, and next day would recite his composition before fellow students and his tutor. There is no evidence of the stone huts there today, but with careful archaeological survey using modern electronic ground probing techniques it might be possible to determine where these structures may have been.
Brian, Hugh and Tully Ó hUigín held three parts of Kilclooney in 1641 but their lands were granted to William Burke at the Restoration in the 1660’s. While an amount of this important castle still stands, it is in quite a ruinous state. An underground stream which originates near Corcoran’s Mill in Dunmore and is known as Kilclooney Well.
The following is a verse in Irish from the poem Cáislean Cheall Chluaine agus Scoil na bhFile composed by Tadgh Dall Ó hUigín recalling the presence here at Kilclooney of seventeen poets from Ulster:
“Seacht bhfir dhéag d’éigaibh Uladh
Do chuaidh d’larraich ealadhan
Dal an chuaine fhinn Ultaigh
Go Cill Chluaine I gConnachtaibh”
A field system consisting of a series of low earthen banks of c.300m length running north-south by c.250m length east–west is to be seen in the land surrounding the castle. The foundation of a grassed-over rectangular building is also present.