CARNAUN NATIONAL SCHOOL Castle Ellen House The
history surrounding the people who lived and visited the 'big house' has
been well documented by such local historians as the late Aggie Qualter
and more recently a fine historical account written by Ann Healy in the
Tuam Herald some years back. But what about the Castle Ellen of today
? The owner of Castle Ellen house prior to the present owner was
a Mrs. MacNally who sold the house and surrounding property to the Land
Commission in 1969. During the 1960s and into the 1970s much of the
house and outhouses have been stripped of any valuable items such as fireplaces
and furniture. The lead was taken from the roof causing untold damage
in the process. Cut stone and timber was taken away for the construction
of various schools and churches. In less than ten years, during this
period, Castle Ellen was almost unrecognisable and destined for an end
similar to that of Belleville, Moyode and Dunsandle. Luckily though
fortune changed just in the nick of time and Castle Ellen was saved from
certain destruction. The person responsible for this change is the
present owner - Michael Keaney.
Castle Ellen was bought by Michael in the early 1970s for £4,500, a considerable sum at that time considering you could buy a car for £700- £800. This included a house, a fine yard and about 13 acres of land, most of which is covered by forest. Michael immediately set about restoring the big house and the extensive number of outhouses attached to it. The house was built about 1810. Perhaps lean times prevailed then as the house does not contain a lot of cut stone - a feature of houses built during this time. Instead undressed limestone with a rubble filling forms the main material in the construction of the house. The outhouses which form the yard were built much later than the house - around the 1870s. They are impressively built of the finest cut stone and as such have survived, miraculously, intact - apart from some quoin stones taken from the entrance arch to the yard. It appears that during the construction of the yard the fine entrance porch - of cut limestone - was added to the main house giving it added status and bringing it in line with other stately houses. In fact the contrast between this decorative ionic porch and the simple plainness of the house gives it a uniqueness all of its own. The first item on Michael's work list was the roof of the house, badly damaged over time by vandalism, weather and neglect by indifferent owners. Expense required that this job was tackled over time and an indication of its cost can be got from the fact that he has only just completed this work. The huge interior of the house is being restored on a room by room basis and it is here that much work remains to be done. Luckily enough Michael, a civil engineer with Galway Corporation, can call on his own expertise in this regard. Castle Ellen is a haven for all sorts of artists - be it poets, sculptors, playwrights or painters. Many come out from Galway simply to take time out and reflect on their careers in beautiful idyllic surroundings. Many more come directly to Castle Ellen to get their 'start' in the artistic world and indeed Michael informs me that a number of artists have got the start they needed at Castle Ellen. They have a very enthusiastic host in Michael and rent is simply a matter of ones means to pay. Alternatively rent may be supplemented by odd 'jobs around the yard and house particularly if one is handy at carving or stonework etc. Castle Ellen is opened to the public by Michael, so it is in effect a public amenity and a very important one close to home. I myself will admit that I was not aware of this until quite recently. I found it strange when I had to drive to Coole Park to enjoy similar walks and quietness to that obtained at Castle Ellen. Indeed Castle Ellen is even more special than many contemporary estates of its period. Firstly, it is open to the public and secondly its reason for being - the house - is still standing as spectacular as ever today. Michael is well aware of the historical value attached to Castle Ellen and this explains largely why he is so keen in maintaining and restoring many of its features. Recently he renovated one of the outhouses and uses it as a small museum, but much work remains to be done here. A particular item which Michael has in his possession deserves special mention here. Sometime ago Michael wrote to the Northern Secretary - Sir Paddy Mayhew inviting him down to Castle Ellen. Michael stressed to Paddy the links of Castle Ellen with northern unionism and in particular that of Sir Edward Carson. He outlined the role Castle Ellen could play in the important peace process taking place at present. Michael expected nothing more to come from this until about a week later a letter arrived from Hillsborough, Co. Down. The Northern Secretary's reply was swift and he outlined in it his reasons why he could not come although he acknowledged that the importance of the place was quite significant regarding the present impasse in the peace process, Nothing greatly unusual in this you might say except it was a reply from the Northern Secretary but the reply was written not in the Queen's own language but 'as gaeilge'. Michael
informs me that visitors are welcome to Castle Ellen
to walk around, relax and browse about. The best visiting
times are Monday to Friday between 11 am and 4 pm. Unfortunately,
or fortunately as the case may be, Michael himself works Monday to Friday
and so the weekend is devoted to essential maintenance and on going construction
work, work which he is unable to carry out during the week. So he
would appreciate if people would hold out on week-ends for the present.
A guide is available Monday to Friday for the above hours. There
is no charge as such but a voluntary donation would be very much appreciated.
A box for this purpose is located just inside the main door of the house.
Michael receives a tiny, insignificant tax relief on raw materials used
for the house, for opening his house to the public. All restoration
work is funded entirely out of Michael's own pocket and he has to pay a
guide and provide accommodation for budding artists. Finally, while
in the house, have a look at the fine mirrors and particularly the beautiful
double stairway leading down to the main hall. A puzzling feature
within is the number of small school desks neatly packed in rows along
the hallway. This may stem from its use as a temporary school while
Carnaun was being repaired. Perhaps some of the readers of this article
have pleasant memories of childhood days at Castle Ellen.
By Dominic Monaghan This article was originally published in the Athenry Journal and appears here with the kind permission of the editor Mr. Finbarr O'Regan. This is well documented locally. Aggie Qualter in ‘Athenry 1989’ to us that “Edward Carson was born to Elizabeth Lambert of Castle-Ellen, Athenry in 1854. His father was a well-known Architect. Carson was a very important man in British politics and few others achieved his status. His sole aim was to protect the Union with Britain. The Home Rule Bill put on the Statute Book in 1914 saw the defeat of the Union for Carson. Edward Carson and Oscar Wilde were great pals as youngsters and spent many happy holidays together at Castle Ellen. The close friendship continued while students at Trinity until Wilde at twenty distinguished himself by winning a scholarship to Oxford. They parted ways and did not meet again for over twenty years, when they confronted each other at the famous Oscar Wilde Trial. Carson was then an eminent Barrister defending the Marquis of Queensbury. How strange the trick of fate! Carson’s legal strategy and cross-examination succeeded in cracking Wilde’s evidence. The rest is history, which makes a sad and tragic story. The word “Athenry” had a golden ring for Carson. He spent much of his youth and student holidays at Castle Ellen and had a great relationship with the surrounding tenantry. Many a time he swung the hurley with the local lads. When Carson was at the centre of power, many people from the district were known to have approached or written to him asking that he use his influence in various ways in their favour. At all times he went out of his way to help. A reference from Carson was the sure passport to success. During his frequent and prolonged visits to Athenry in the early 1880s Carson was known as a friendly popular young man. He attended the fairs and markets for the “crack” and chatted and joked with the people in the pubs. My father (Murty Cannon) who knew him in the course of his duties said, Ned Carson was a decent chap – a man of the people.’ Ann Healy in “Athenry, a Brief History and Guide” writes: ‘His mother was Elizabeth Lambert, of Castle Ellen, Sister of Walter Lambert who was the landlord there. He played hurling with the Cussaun team and tried in vain to introduce the game of hurling to the playing fields of Trinity College. In The Athenry Journal Vol.1 No.2 [1995] Dominic Monaghan writes that Michael Keaney the present owner of Castle Ellen recently wrote to the Northern Secretary – Sir Patrick Mayhew – inviting him to Castle Ellen. Michael stressed the links with northern unionism and in particular that of Sir Edward Carson. He outlined the role Castle Ellen could play in the important peace process taking place at the moment. Michael expected nothing more to come from this until about a week later a letter arrived from Hillsborough, Co. Down. The Northern Secretary’s reply was swift and he outlined in it the reasons why he could not come although he acknowledged that the importance of the place was quite significant regarding the present impasse in the peace process. Nothing greatly unusual in this you might say except it was a reply from the Northern Secretary but the reply was written not in the Queen’s own language but ‘as Gaeilge’’. Athenry was always a meeting place – a crossroads. The river ford, which gives Athenry its name – Baile Átha ‘n Rí, is where the east west route along the Esker Riada crosses the most westerly direct route north south. It played a similar role in more recent times when Athenry became the main east west, north south junction in the railway network. In the Lambert’s time travellers from Dublin had a long delay in Athenry before the train left for Gort. Edward Carson, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, A.E. Russell, Edward Martyn, The Persses from Dunsandle, Belleville and Roxborough, Lady Gregory (originally a Persse from Roxborough) were familiar with and spent time in Athenry. This inspired Patrick Fallon [1905 –1974] to write Another connection with Ulster was the Lopdell family who lived in Raheen House in Athenry. In her youth Aggie Qualter believed ‘they grew oranges in Raheen’. Her father had told her that ‘a Lopdell who came here from the North was the first to put his name to the Black Petition 1845 – in fact it was his brain child – it was the Protestant’s answer to ‘Boycott’ hence the name ‘Black Protestants’. “Major Lopdell lived in the Town House before Raheen House was built. He was killed at the railway station – falling between the train and the platform. Their son was Premier for a short time. The Unionists overthrew him because he was a moderate. The ‘Tower’ in Coshla, Athenry was built to a height of about 12ft. on a vantage point on their land by the Kidd family from Dungannon in Co. Tyrone. They flew the Union Jack on it on the 12th. of July every year. Major Hall’s daughter from Knockbrack, Athenry, married Sir Norman Stronge of Tynan Abbey, Co. Armagh. He and his son were victims of assassination later in the North. On the other side of the coin Ann Healy tells us in her book ‘the most famous person associated with Athenry is undoubtedly Liam Mellowes. His courageous contribution to the shaping of modern Irish history is strongly commemorated in Athenry today. A bronze bust of Mellowes is prominently displayed in front of Athenry Boys National School and the Agricultural College has been named after him. Mellowes, born in Lancashire in 1892, of Irish parents was appointed a provincial instructor at the Volunteer Convention in 1914. His task was to rebuild the organisation as a mass movement. Asked to take responsibility for south Galway. Mellowes came to Athenry on October 31st. 1914 and used it as his base. Larry Lardner, who kept a small bar, was the officer in charge in Athenry. The I.R.B. and the Volunteers under Mellowes carried out an intensive training course in the Town Hall where a rifle range was set up in the back yard. Liam stayed at Sean Brodericks for some time but later changed to Frank Hynes’ house in order to have easy and secret access in and out of town through Leonard’s Lawn. The local leaders of the Volunteers were John Cleary, Stephen Jordan, Frank Hynes, Jim Barrett, Sean Broderick, and Commanding Officer Larry Lardner. Athenry was the centre of insurgent communication during Easter week 1916. There was much confusion as garbled messages were coming through. Larry Lardner, with 500 men, took the Agricultural College. Mellowes and companies from Kinvara, Kilcolgan, Killeeneen and Craughwell later joined him in Moyode Castle (home of Burton Persse who was in England at the time) and took command of it. They were joined by companies from Tuam, Dunmore and Castlegar. Members of the Cumann na mBan joined the volunteers to help them. A few days later Fr. Tom Fahy cycled to Moyode with the new that Dublin was in flames and the leaders had been captured. A man from Moyode identified twelve of the volunteers and they were imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs Prison there they remained until 1917. They were known locally as the twelve apostles and were identified as Thomas Barrett and Charlie Whyte Caheroyan, the O’Grady brothers Church Street, Martin Hansberry Rahard, Peter Murray Derrydonnell, Michael Higgins Castlelambert, Patch and Thomas Kennedy Sliabh Rua, Hack Hanniffy Tallyhoe, Murty Fahy Sliabh Rua and Michael Donoghue. The fate of Liam Mellows has been well documented and his eventful life makes him a larger than life sort of character. He spent his last days fighting with O’Conor in the Four Courts. He was arrested and shot as a reprisal on the 8th December 1922. The bust of Liam Mellowes, recently stolen but now thankfully returned to its pedestal at the Boy’s National School, a place I might add which was often visited by Gerry Adams the Leader of Sinn Féin. In the spring of 1972 after ‘Bloody Sunday’ the people of the Parish of Athenry made a collection in aid of the residents of the Bogside in Derry. Mickey Hession and Jim Ruane accompanied by Paul Waldron and I, (Finbarr O'Regan) met John Hume M.P. in the City Hotel and presented him with the gift. I teach in Carnaun National School, the ‘nicest school in Ireland’ - newly re-furbished, clean, bright, airy and warm. Walter Lambert of Castle Ellen – uncle of Edward Carson, donated the land for this school to the Parish in 1891. We moved the school to Castle Ellen House for a while in the early 60s during renovations. Since then however the numbers on Rolls has gone from 150 then to 36 this year. Our school children also have links with the North, a school in the Waterside in Derry - St. Columba’s Primary- for the past year and we hope to visit them this summer and learn from each other. The highlight of our visit to Derry with be meeting with John Hume while on our side his good friend Noel Treacy, Minister for Enterprise and Employment, will ‘hold the fort’ when they come to see us. Years ago, as a young boy, when I once was ‘fed up’ mucking out Raheen Stables with an ‘antique’- a big, thick, ignorant, ungainly, timber wheelbarrow with a heavy and equally thick iron-shod timber wheel, I could have been in Pakie Fallon’s eyes the jerseyed fellow who burnt Lopdell’s wheelbarrow on the St. John’s Eve bonfire. Finbarr O’Regan.
SCOIL NÁISIÚNTA CARNÁIN  BAILE
ÁTHA 'N RÍ |