Conway Mill Trust

Wood Quay

Dec 13th, 2014 by admin

Wood Quay in Dublin got its name because it was made from scrapped and broken pieces from Viking longboats.

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St Columcille, the third most famous saint in Ireland, was born Dec 7, 521 in Gartan, Co. Donegal. In Gartan there is a stone called ‘the flagstone of loneliness’ which heals the hearts of homesickness of those leaving Ireland. It is said Columcille slept there before his self-imposed exile to Scotland.

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Tara Brooch

Dec 11th, 2014 by admin

Tara Brooch was found on a beach close to the Hill of Tara.

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White Martyrdom

Dec 10th, 2014 by admin

White martyrdom was when monks cut themselves off from society and lived a solitary life to seek God. Many settled in dozens of islands off the coast of Ireland.

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Green Mouth Death

Dec 9th, 2014 by admin

‘Green mouth death’ refers to the period of the ‘Great Hunger’ when people were forced to eat grass to survive.

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Origin of Light Skin Tones

Dec 8th, 2014 by admin

Penn State University researchers have found that light skin tones stem from a gene mutation from a single person 10,000 years ago.

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“The Irish Donation”

Dec 7th, 2014 by admin

In 1631, the colonists of New England were starving and a ship ‘The Lion’ was sent to Ireland for provisions. After many months, the ship arrived back at Nantucket and a day of thanks was declared. And in 1676 the Indian War with King Philip left the people starving and Ireland again came to their aid. This was known as ‘The Irish Donation’. The ship ‘Katherine’ from Dublin delivered life-saving supplies. There is no mention of any other country, including the mother country of the Pilgrims, of offering any relief. The ‘Kathrine’ probably arrived in Boston in November 1676 . One hundred seventy years later, the people of Massachusetts organized a fund for those starving in Ireland during the “Great Hunger’.

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Coracle

Dec 6th, 2014 by admin

The coracle was the first boat used by the Irish. It dates back to Neolithic times or earlier. It is a simple framework of light branches, lashed together and covered with animal skins. It was shaped like a big bowl and used on the rivers. Its ocean going cousin, the currach, was longer and thinner. The coracle was more difficult to manage and capsized easily.

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