*Rosemary Power with a copy of The Other Clare.
SHANNON Archaeological and Historical Society will launch the 49th volume of its annual journal, The Other Clare, this Sunday (May 25th), at Carrygerry Country House, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Edited by Rosemary Power, this year’s edition is a bumper 108-page volume packed with articles on Clare’s rich heritage. The journal features contributions from society members, local historians, archaeologists, researchers from the University of Limerick, and staff of the National Folklore Collection, covering periods from early Christianity through to the War of Independence.
Among the fascinating figures featured are Saint Cannera, noblewoman Sláine Ní Bhriain, and the renowned wise woman Biddy Early. Also included is an article on Edward Burton Gleeson, known as the ‘King of Clare’, charting his journey from hardship to prosperity in mid-19th century South Australia.
The life and work of Dr Edward Heyns, a GP in Lisdoonvarna during the 1880s, are brought to light through a trove of documents discovered in a wall press behind layers of wallpaper.
On the archaeological front, Peter E. Childs and Jake Justice examine Clare’s historic seaweed industry and lime kilns, while Martin Breen and Ristéard Ua Cróinín explore the forgotten castle on Tulla Hill.
This bilingual edition includes an Irish-language contribution from Críostóir Mac Carthaigh on Doolin folklore collector and native speaker Seán Mac Mathúna. A translation of a late medieval poem dedicated to a MacMahon lord of West Clare by Conchubhar Mac Cruitín also features.
Revolutionary history is given close attention, with coverage including contemporary accounts of the 1888 eviction of the McGrath family on the Vandeleur Estate in Moyasta, an article by Edward Bourke on Secret Service agents in Clare during the War of Independence, and a poignant story of execution at Spike Island by William Murphy.
In addition, the Society is marking the completion of its new online index of The Other Clare, summarising and indexing every article published over the past 49 years. The index, along with a link to purchase the journal, is available on the Roundabout Shannon website and the Society’s Facebook page. The journal will also be stocked in shops across Clare and in Limerick City.
