Seoighe Inish Bearachain
Encyclopedia
Seoighe Inish Bearachain was a name used for three Joyce cousins, John Bhabín Seoighe, Martín Coilín Seoighe and John William Seoighe who came from the island of Inis Bearachain, Lettermore, in Connemara
in County Galway
, Ireland
. Both John Martín and Martín Cóilín were born on the island of Inish Bearachain (Irish
: Inis Bearachain). The third member of the crew, John William, was born on the nearby island of Inse Gaine, but later moved to Inish Bearachain when he married there.
The Seoighe Cousins won many titles in the All-Ireland currach
rowing championships known as the "Tóstal ". In the 1950s and early 1960s the Joyce cousins won a record four All-Ireland titles. Amongst these was the exceptional achievement of winning three years in a row in 1956, 1957 and 1958. They also won a fourth All-Ireland race in 1961. To compete in the Tóstal final teams had to win qualifying races in their own Gaeltacht
regions. The Joyce cousins qualified in the Lettermore region and went on to the finals, which were held at Salthill
in County Galway.
The 1957 Tóstal final race was rerun because of the disqualification of all the teams except for the one from Clare Island
. The Joyce cousins had won this first race, but the Tóstal committee claimed that only the Clare Island team ran the correct race course. After much complaint and debate the Tóstal committee decided that the race would be rerun in Kilkee
, County Clare
, in later weeks. The Seoighe cousins won the second race at Kilkee and were presented with the trophy by the then president of Ireland, Eamon de Valera
.
During the years the Joyce cousins competed, the main Tóstal race attracted huge crowds, with over 50,000 spectators at Salthill one year. In a time before television it was a source of entertainment for people, and there was huge interest in the races, which were broadcast on the radio. Crowds thronged to Salthill with any form of transportation they could get; some walked, others came on bicycles, and a few came in cars and buses.
John William Seoighe is also known as an experienced sailor of the traditional boat known as the Galway Hooker
. John William and John Bhabín Seoighe were both involved in the turf or peat
trade to the Aran Islands
and County Clare. They used their own, Bláth na hÓige (Flower of Youth), to deliver the turf. The turf was loaded into the boats and brought to these areas to use as fuel, but in time lorries supplanted the boats.
In an interview on RTE Radio na Gaeltachta (Irish-language radio), Tom Sheáinín was asked by the presenter Máirtín Tom Sheáinín what he thought of the famous Galway hooker Saint Patrick. His reply became a commonly used saying for any thing or person that looks beautiful: "Ligfeadh an taoile tuile ort a' breathnú uirthi," which translated from Irish
means: "One would let the tide come in while looking at it". He has been linked to the phrase ever since.
He was a boat builder and built many currach
s. He is known as one of the finest wooden oar makers in Ireland. He was the subject of a documentary shown on Irish-language television station http://www.tg4.ieTG4
], titled "Mé Féin is mo Méit," which translates as "myself and my friend". This documentary showed him with his friend Coleman Kyne and told their stories of their life and times together at sea.
John Bhabín Seoighe, besides being an exceptional oarsman, was involved in the Galway hooker turf trade to the Aran islands and County Clare.
"na hoileáin" or "the islands," of which there are many, and with only some accessible by road. The main access point to the islands is at Béal an Dangain. Here there is a closed bridge, replacing a swing bridge which allowed big boats through. Inish Bearachain is not accessible by road. The origin of the name is uncertain, with some inhabitants believing that it came from a visit of the saint known as Saint Barra. Others believe it came from the Irish Barr an Chuain or "Top of the Bay".
Amhrán na Seoighe
Ó, chonaic mise fir mhaith le m'aois agus le m'oige
Ní fhaca mé triúr fear a chinnfeadh ar na Seoighe ,
Tá bua na tíre anois acu le currachaí is le báid seolta,
Mar chruthaigh siad le honóir é istigh i nGaillimh ag an Tóstal.
Is a Seoighe Inis Bearachain nár laga Dia go deo sibh,
Nach mór an chliú do Ghaillimh is do phobal Leitir Móir sibh,
Mar rinne currach chanbháis ba luaichte ná an ghaoth Mhárta,
'Déanamh míle ins gach nóiméad in aghaidh farraigí 'gus gála.
Ní airím dream ar bith ag caint ach Ciarraí is a naomhóg,
Ach fanaidís sa mbaile is ná tagadís arís ann,
Mar ní fhaca mise triúr fear is ní bréag é seo ná magadh,
Bhí in ann dul chun farraige le Seoighe Chonamara.
Ó ní déarfaidh mé tada eile 'nois ach críochnóidh mé an t-ámhrán ,
Nach mór an t-údar onóir é dhá bhfuil ins an deoise,
Ba chóir dhóibh tinte cnámha 'dhéanamh thart timpeall leis na cóstaí,
In ómós do na gaiscígh 'thug an bhratach leo ón tóstal.
Connemara
Connemara is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway.-Overview:...
in County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Both John Martín and Martín Cóilín were born on the island of Inish Bearachain (Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
: Inis Bearachain). The third member of the crew, John William, was born on the nearby island of Inse Gaine, but later moved to Inish Bearachain when he married there.
The Seoighe Cousins won many titles in the All-Ireland currach
Currach
A Currach is a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal skins or hides were once stretched, though now canvas is more usual. It is sometimes anglicised as "Curragh". The construction and design of the currach is unique to the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland, with variations in...
rowing championships known as the "Tóstal ". In the 1950s and early 1960s the Joyce cousins won a record four All-Ireland titles. Amongst these was the exceptional achievement of winning three years in a row in 1956, 1957 and 1958. They also won a fourth All-Ireland race in 1961. To compete in the Tóstal final teams had to win qualifying races in their own Gaeltacht
Gaeltacht
is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...
regions. The Joyce cousins qualified in the Lettermore region and went on to the finals, which were held at Salthill
Salthill
Salthill is a seaside area of Galway city, Ireland. It lies within the townland of Lenaboy and attracts many tourists all year round...
in County Galway.
The 1957 Tóstal final race was rerun because of the disqualification of all the teams except for the one from Clare Island
Clare Island
Clare Island is a mountainous island guarding the entrance to Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland. It is famous as the home of the pirate queen, Gráinne O'Malley...
. The Joyce cousins had won this first race, but the Tóstal committee claimed that only the Clare Island team ran the correct race course. After much complaint and debate the Tóstal committee decided that the race would be rerun in Kilkee
Kilkee
Kilkee is a small coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is located midway between Kilrush and Doonbeg on the N67 road. The town, one of the most famous resorts in Ireland, is particularly popular as a seaside resort with people from Limerick City...
, County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
, in later weeks. The Seoighe cousins won the second race at Kilkee and were presented with the trophy by the then president of Ireland, Eamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
.
During the years the Joyce cousins competed, the main Tóstal race attracted huge crowds, with over 50,000 spectators at Salthill one year. In a time before television it was a source of entertainment for people, and there was huge interest in the races, which were broadcast on the radio. Crowds thronged to Salthill with any form of transportation they could get; some walked, others came on bicycles, and a few came in cars and buses.
John William Seoighe
John William Seoighe was born on the island of Inse Gaineamh in 1919.John William Seoighe is also known as an experienced sailor of the traditional boat known as the Galway Hooker
Galway Hooker
The Galway hooker is a traditional fishing boat used in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. The hooker was developed for the strong seas there. It is identified by the distinctive sail formation. It consisted of a single mast with a main sail and two foresails...
. John William and John Bhabín Seoighe were both involved in the turf or peat
Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
trade to the Aran Islands
Aran Islands
The Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland...
and County Clare. They used their own, Bláth na hÓige (Flower of Youth), to deliver the turf. The turf was loaded into the boats and brought to these areas to use as fuel, but in time lorries supplanted the boats.
In an interview on RTE Radio na Gaeltachta (Irish-language radio), Tom Sheáinín was asked by the presenter Máirtín Tom Sheáinín what he thought of the famous Galway hooker Saint Patrick. His reply became a commonly used saying for any thing or person that looks beautiful: "Ligfeadh an taoile tuile ort a' breathnú uirthi," which translated from Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
means: "One would let the tide come in while looking at it". He has been linked to the phrase ever since.
Mártín Cóilín Seoighe
Mártín Cóilín Seoighe was born on the island of Inis Bearachain. Along with being a spectacular oarsman he used to sail in the Galway hooker.He was a boat builder and built many currach
Currach
A Currach is a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal skins or hides were once stretched, though now canvas is more usual. It is sometimes anglicised as "Curragh". The construction and design of the currach is unique to the west coasts of Ireland and Scotland, with variations in...
s. He is known as one of the finest wooden oar makers in Ireland. He was the subject of a documentary shown on Irish-language television station http://www.tg4.ieTG4
TG4
TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....
], titled "Mé Féin is mo Méit," which translates as "myself and my friend". This documentary showed him with his friend Coleman Kyne and told their stories of their life and times together at sea.
John Bhabín Seoighe
John Bhabín Seoighe (1917 - April 2011) was born on the island of Inis Bearachain. When he married he moved to the mainland of Lettermore.John Bhabín Seoighe, besides being an exceptional oarsman, was involved in the Galway hooker turf trade to the Aran islands and County Clare.
Inish Bearachain
Inish Bearachain is an island off of the coast of Lettermore, Conemara, Ireland. It is part of an area known in Irish as"na hoileáin" or "the islands," of which there are many, and with only some accessible by road. The main access point to the islands is at Béal an Dangain. Here there is a closed bridge, replacing a swing bridge which allowed big boats through. Inish Bearachain is not accessible by road. The origin of the name is uncertain, with some inhabitants believing that it came from a visit of the saint known as Saint Barra. Others believe it came from the Irish Barr an Chuain or "Top of the Bay".
Amhrán na Seoighe /Song of the Joyces
Amhrán na Seoighe or the "Song of the Joyces" was written by the poet Val Donnachú from Cárna, Connemara, in praise of the Joyce cousins when they were winning races. A second song was inspired by a rumour there were three black men coming from the United States to compete in the Tóstal.Amhrán na Seoighe
Ó, chonaic mise fir mhaith le m'aois agus le m'oige
Ní fhaca mé triúr fear a chinnfeadh ar na Seoighe ,
Tá bua na tíre anois acu le currachaí is le báid seolta,
Mar chruthaigh siad le honóir é istigh i nGaillimh ag an Tóstal.
Is a Seoighe Inis Bearachain nár laga Dia go deo sibh,
Nach mór an chliú do Ghaillimh is do phobal Leitir Móir sibh,
Mar rinne currach chanbháis ba luaichte ná an ghaoth Mhárta,
'Déanamh míle ins gach nóiméad in aghaidh farraigí 'gus gála.
Ní airím dream ar bith ag caint ach Ciarraí is a naomhóg,
Ach fanaidís sa mbaile is ná tagadís arís ann,
Mar ní fhaca mise triúr fear is ní bréag é seo ná magadh,
Bhí in ann dul chun farraige le Seoighe Chonamara.
Ó ní déarfaidh mé tada eile 'nois ach críochnóidh mé an t-ámhrán ,
Nach mór an t-údar onóir é dhá bhfuil ins an deoise,
Ba chóir dhóibh tinte cnámha 'dhéanamh thart timpeall leis na cóstaí,
In ómós do na gaiscígh 'thug an bhratach leo ón tóstal.
External links
- John William Seoighe on making póitín http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_dHFWUOVzw
- Song in praise of the Seoighe Cousins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCteAAcvkUw
- Iomramh/Currach Rowing :ga:Iomramdh
- Google map of Inish Bearachain http://www.collinsmaps.com/maps/Ireland/Galway/Inishbarra/P1114757.00.aspx
- Interview with John William Seoighe and Máirtín Tom Sheáinín, February 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iocw5PwvNkc
- Cúrsaí: Documentary about Seoighe Inis Bearachain http://www.youtube.com/user/inishbarra?feature=mhum