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Tribute to Carrigaline Historian Sean O' Mahony
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Sean O' Mahony -Introduction
The
History of Carrigaline Section of the Carrigaline Town Website largely
comprises of extracts from our local Historian Sean O'Mahony's
scholorly book "A Gateway to the Past - The History and folklore of
Carrigaline". This book is copyrighted and extracts are given for
educational and research purposes only.We are indebted to Mrs. Mary O'
Mahony for this kind permission.
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Here follows a Tribute to Sean O' Mahony
& An Important Notice at the beginning of his book .
Sean O' Mahony -A Tribute
The death on July 2nd 2002,of Sean O'Mahony, Shannon Park, occasioned widespread regret over a large area, from his native parish of Carrigaline to many parts of the county and beyond. He was deeply involved in numerous organisations and groups during his lifetime. His absolute integrity in his dealings with people, whether in his work in the Post Office, later Telecom Eireann, where he served for over 40 years, or in his voluntary activities, was legendary. Few people could match his dedication and work rate in the many tasks he set himself.
Sean was educated at Carrigaline Boy's N.S. - where his interest in history was fostered by his teacher John Wrin -, North Monastery C.B.S. and Crawford Technical School, Cork. He joined the Post Office Engineering Division in 1949 and spent time in Dublin, Cork City, Cobh, Fermoy, Bandon and the Telecom Eireann Technical Training School, Dundanion, Blackrock, retiring in 1990 as Planning Manager, West Cork.
For many years he was an active member of Carrigaline Pipe Band, holding the position of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Trustee at various times. He was a key figure in the development of the Band and arranged much of the band's early travel to competitions throughout Ireland and overseas. He was a widely respected secretary of the Muster Branch of the Irish Pipe Band Association and served on its National Executive.
The promotion of facilities in the Carrigaline area was a major interest of Sean's and to this end he helped found the Carrigaline Community Association and was its first Chairman. He always believed that local communities should be allowed develop the resources that were available in their area in a way that suited them, and was a strong advocate of local decision making. He was very involved in the early years of Twinning with the French town of Guidel.
The development of the Carrigaline branch of the Crosshaven/Carrigaline
Credit Union was another project to which he devoted much effort,
spending many years promoting its benefits and serving on its
Management team in varying capacities.
A committed member of the Pioneer Association throughout his life, he
gave unstinting service at local level as an officer of the Carrigaline
Branch of the Association, being a driving force in many initiatives to
provide activities for younger members in the parish and Question Time
in the South East Pioneer area. In the 1970’s he represented
Carrigaline on the Cork Regional P.T.A.A. Council where he helped to
organise the hugely successful “Tops of the Schools” Talent
competition. His ability to analyse problems and devise solutions was
widely appreciated, he was most selfless in carrying out any work which
would improve the lot of others.
Sean’s first publication was the History of Carrigaline G.A.A Club,
written for the opening of their Pavilion in 1980. He wrote the History
of Dundanion House, Blackrock, Cork for Telecom Eireann’s Technical
Training Division, to mark the occasion of the re-opening of the school
after renovations.
He had a deep interest in Local History, especially the development of
Carrigaline in the last 200 years or so. Much of his extensive local
knowledge was gained through his years with the Harrier Club, when he
became intimately acquainted with various facets of the countryside
around Carrigaline.
His life-long dream of recording the area’s story was realised in 1993
when he published “A Gate to the Past”, The History and Folklore of
Carrigaline. This mammoth undertaking, which he diligently researched,
edited and published has proven to be one of the great success stories
in its field, and is widely regarded as a standard for Parish History
publications throughout the country. It is a measure of the outstanding
quality of the work that it is referred to as the definitive source not
alone for Carrigaline but for many areas of Cork, no doubt making it
even more sought after in years to come.
Part of his book, the story of John and Cornelius Collins, which he
researched at home, in the Military Archives in London and in Japan,
was translated into Japanese and was much appreciated when published by
the Japanese Naval Authorities. In 1994, a monument to the Collins
Brothers, situated near Carrigaline Bridge, was unveiled by His
Excellency, The Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Mr. Kiyoshi Furukawa.
Sean's last book "The Sporting Shamrocks and Ringaskiddy", completed just before his death, was published by Shamrocks G.A.A. Club and launched on November 26th 2002.
His deep faith and Christian life-style were his hallmark. He is
survived by his wife Mary, family Seamus, Anne, Maura, Kevin and the
late Helen and Michael, who predeceased him.
Ar dheis De go raih a h-Anam dilis.
Compiled by Pat Lenihan, Sallymount and published by kind permission.
Extract from Sean O' Mahony's Book:
"A Gateway to the Past - The History and folklore of Carrigaline" Copyright 1993
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THE HISTORY AND FOLKLORE OF CARRIGALINE
VOLUME 1 CHAPTERS 1 TO 24
First published, November 1993
THE COPYRIGHT FOR THIS BOOK RESTS WITH THE AUTHOR
ALL RIGHTS.RESERVED
No part of this book may be reproduced, photocopied, recorded or stored
by any means, mechanical, electrical, disc, computer or otherwise,
without the written pennission of the author.
ACCESS TO PRIVATE PROPERTY
PLACE-NAMES, RESIDENTS AND ANTIQUITIES REFERRED TO IN THE VARIOUS CHARPERS OF THIS BOOK
In the following text and on the associated map or maps, houses,
placenames or other antiquities, are generally identified by numbers
for reasons of clarity. The map or maps are not precisely to scale and
the houses, fields, boreens, roads, paths, antiquities etc. represented
thereon give a reasonably accurate picture from a historical point of
view only. The surnames quoted in respect of houses, lands or
otherwise, relate to residents only and are not an indicator to title
or ownership. Many of the places and antiquities mentioned throughout
this book are located on private property and the possession of the
townland or street map or maps, or any sketch, appended to this book or
any roadway, path, boreen, laneway or antiquity represented thereon
does not suggest that a right-of-way exists to or at that location.
Before entry is made on lands or property to inspect antiquities, sites
or otherwise, the pennission of the land or property owner should be
obtained.
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This section is under revision during this month. The excerpt from Sean O'Mahony's book 'The History and Folklore of Carrigaline' is not available at present due to copyright restrictions. Please come back at a future date to check for updated material
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