Conway Mill Trust

William Penn’s Father’s Birthplace

Posted in Did You Know? on Jun 2nd, 2015

Wm. Penn’s father was born in Macroom, Co Cork in 1620. He was granted the castle of Oliver Cromwell in 1654.

Feast of St. Brendan The Navigator

Posted in Did You Know? on May 24th, 2015

May 16 is the feast of St Brendan the Navigator. He was born in 486 A.D. He founded many monasteries and according to legend, he undertook a voyage to find “the promised land” and was the first to discover North America.

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What is a Crannog

Posted in Did You Know? on May 23rd, 2015

A crannog is a pre-historic settlement, house or village built on an artificial island in a lake.

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Grace O’Malley’s Home

Posted in Did You Know? on May 22nd, 2015

Clare Island in Clew Bay was the home of Ireland’s most famous female pirate Grace O’Malley. In the 16th Century she raided along the western coast of Ireland.

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The North-West 200 Motorcycle Race

Posted in Did You Know? on May 10th, 2015

The world’s fastest motorcycle race takes place in Portrush-Portstewart, Co Derry, from May 10-16. It is called “The North-West 200” and is held every year. It attracts about 100,000 fans from around the world.

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‘Lazy Beds’ and Potatoes

Posted in Did You Know? on May 1st, 2015

‘Lazy beds’ were narrow ridges about 4 feet in width used to plant potatoes. There was a furrow between each ridge and seed was planted by sticking a spade into the ground and dropping the seed behind the spade which was then withdrawn leaving the potato 2-3 inches beneath the soil. This produced more potatoes […]

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Only Native Red Deer in Ireland

Posted in Did You Know? on Apr 22nd, 2015

The only native, non-introduced red deer in Ireland is in Co Kerry. It lives near the mountain top in summer and comes down to lower grasslands in winter.

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Did You Know?

Posted in Did You Know? on Mar 31st, 2015

A common practice of the Celts was to use human sacrifice. However, with the coming of Christianity the practice was discontinued partly due to lessons inscribed on the High Crosses. One such cross by Moone Abbey (Co Kildare) tells the story of Abraham on which an angel is seen behind Abraham telling him not to […]

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Did You Know?

Posted in Did You Know? on Mar 20th, 2015

According to geologist Jonathan Wilkins, Connemara is slowly slipping into the sea due to the rising sea level that has encroached into the land around Galway Bay.

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Latest Fashion House To Clothe The Pope

Posted in Did You Know? on Mar 19th, 2015

According to the Donegal Democrat, in 2012 the latest fashion “house” to clothe the Pope was not Pravda, Chanel or Versace but Daniel O’Donnel’s mother, Julia, who decided to knit the Pope socks when she read of the harsh winter that was expected. She used the best Donegal wool and made the Pope several pairs. […]

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