Iveragh Historical Tours

22/07/2022

Valentia's latest visitor attraction launched today. Based in the Cable Station, it charts the history of the Transatlantic Cable and the way it has transformed communications. Valentia Slate office is just next door, so we got a sneak preview. It's a fantastic exhibition, very interactive and suited to all ages. Learn how to send Morse code messages, check out the great audio visual presentations and say hello to Cyrus Field and the Knight of Kerry who made it all possible. Open daily, it's highly recommended. Check out what Paschal Sheehy thought of it on tonight's RTÉ news.

22/07/2022

Wonderful News - Valentia Transatlantic Cable makes it on to Irelands UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative sites

Over 150 years ago, Valentia Island played a key role in transforming communication forever and now its Transatlantic Cable Station is to be put on the world map with the announcement this morning that the historic site has made the UNESCO tentative list.

03/02/2022

...and now over to The Cailleach for the Imbolc weather forecast.

Imbolc is when the Cailleach, the divine hag of Gaelic mythology, gathers firewood for the rest of the Winter. Legend has it that if she wishes to make the Winter last a good while longer, she will make sure the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. Therefore, if it is bad weather on Imbolc, it means the Cailleach is sleeping and Winter is almost over. . .

Imbolc is the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, which will occur on February 3rd, 2022 at 8.37pm (Irish Time)
RTÉ One

01/02/2022

The day Daniel O’Connell survived his infamous pistol duel John D’Esterre

This day 207 years ago - 1 February 1815 - Daniel O'Connell faced John D'Esterre in a duel, having denounced Dublin Corporation for its treatment of Catholics. D'Esterre was mortally wounded.

O'Connell later expressed regret, describing the duel as a “more than criminal custom.”

To read more about the formation of Daniel O’Connell’s duel with John D’Esterre, and about 365 other events – one for every date of the year – pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Perfect for those with an interest in Ireland's past!

https://www.easons.com/this-day-in-irish-history-padraic-coffey-9781788492577

(image source: Reddit)

31/01/2022

Tonight is St Brigid's eve so don't forget to leave a cloth or scarf outside to be blessed by the saint as she passes. Known as a 'Bratog Bride' in Irish folklore, this special garment can then be used as a cure for headaches or sore throats

15/01/2022

Let there be light 💡 …….

This day 75 years ago – 15 January 1947 – electricity was switched on for the first time as part of the rural scheme introduced by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB).

It was in Oldtown, Co Dublin.

At the time, more than 400,000 homes in rural Ireland had no electricity.

To read more about when electricity was introduced to rural Ireland, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Perfect for those with an interest in Ireland's past!

https://easons.com/this-day-in-irish-history-padraic-coffey-9781788492577

(image source: ESB Archives)

29/12/2021

The Irish Constitution is 84 years old today …….. next amendment to our constitution should be to stake our claim in ownership of Irish Water …….. Irish Water is not for sale

This day 84 years ago – 29 December 1937 – the Constitution of Ireland came into force, having been approved by referendum (56.5%).

It introduced terms like 'Taoiseach' and 'Tánaiste,' and established that the “name of the State is Éire, or, in the English language, Ireland.”

To read more about the 1937 Constitution, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Perfect for those with an interest in Ireland's past!

https://easons.com/this-day-in-irish-history-padraic-coffey-9781788492577

(image source: Adams Auctioneers)

25/12/2021

Happy Christmas written in the ‘Celtic Alphabet’ Ogham script - prevalent in Ireland between the 5th & 9th centuries, the writing was carved into the corner of a standing stone and you read it upwards from the bottom to the top.

Nollaig Shona 🎄

22/12/2021

Remembering the beginning of the end for the Irish ruling Clanns in the flight of the Earls

This day 330 years ago – 22 December 1691 – the Flight of the Wild Geese took place, in which 12,000 Irish Jacobite troops left Ireland for France.

One of those who left was Anthony McCartan, whose descendent, Charles de Gaulle, would become President of France.

To read more about the Flight of the Wild Geese, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History, available online and in all good bookshops. Perfect for those with an interest in Ireland’s past.

You can order it here: https://www.easons.com/this-day-in-irish-history-padraic-coffey-9781788492577

(image source: Getty Images)

21/12/2021

I wonder did the locals already know about the light filling the inner chamber of New Grange on the solstice before it was ‘discovered’ in 1967 ? ……….

This day 54 years ago – 21 December 1967 – archaeologist Michael J. O'Kelly discovered that the inner chamber at Newgrange, a prehistoric passage tomb in Co Meath, flooded with light during winter solstice.

Over 5,000 years old, Newgrange predates the pyramids by 500 years.

To read more about Newgrange, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History, available online and in all good bookshops. Perfect for those with an interest in Ireland’s past.

You can order it here: https://www.easons.com/this-day-in-irish-history-padraic-coffey-9781788492577

(image source: RTÉ)

21/12/2021

The winter and summer solstices as well as the equinoxes and cross-quarter days were significant in prehistory.

10/12/2021

Not Looking for Money making Ring of Kerry Road to be paved in gold ……. Just properly truncked, even and paved in tar!

05/12/2021

Laharn South’s entry in the Christmas Cunamh Iveragh tractor run - great fun and great aul craic

19/09/2021

The interesting origins of boycotting to be found in Irish History and our struggle for security to hold on to our own homes & our own land …….

This day 141 years ago – 19 September 1880 – Charles Stewart Parnell spoke in Co Clare, saying that those who took possession of lands previously occupied by tenant farmers should be isolated.

This was soon piloted on Charles Boycott in Co Mayo, leading to the term “boycotting.”

To read more about the introduction of boycotting, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Out now.

(image source: Getty Images)

14/09/2021

September 13th 60 years ago the incredible story of the siege of Jadotvilke began to unfold

This day 60 years ago – 13 September 1961 – Irish peacekeeping soldiers at Jadotville, numbering 155, came under attack from around 3,000 mercenaries loyal to Katangese President Moise Tshome.

The Irish company withstood attack for five days, taking down 300 of the enemy.

To read more about the Siege of Jadotville and other events, pick up a copy of This Day in Irish History. Out now.

(image source: Amazon)

01/09/2021

Stunning views of the Skelligs yesterday ……it was a privilege to be visit this sacred place

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23/08/2021

The Wild Atlantic Wookie made an appearance around Portmagee this evening while on a guided Star Wars tour with Iveragh Historical Tours

23/08/2021

The Old Barracks, an attractive building designed by architect Enoch Trevor Owen has since been thankfully restored ……..

99 years ago this week.

The 24th of August the RIC Barracks Cahersiveen was burned.

Pop in to discover the history of this building and the local area.

Open daily.

Cahersiveen

09/08/2021

07/08/2021

Happy birthday Dan 🎂

31/07/2021

When the work to save our beautiful native language and heritage began…..

This day 128 years ago – 31 July 1893 – the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge) was founded.

Douglas Hyde, its first president, later said:

“The Gaelic League is founded not upon hatred of England, but upon love of Ireland. Hatred is a negative passion, useless for building up.”

(image: RTÉ)

14/07/2021

Vive la Révolution …….. of course there had to be an Irish lad stuck in the middle of it.

This day 231 years ago – 14 July 1789 – the Storming of the Bastille took place.

The prison had only seven inmates, one of whom was Dubliner James F. X. Whyte.

Whyte was once a captain in the Irish Brigade, but had gone mad. One witness said he had “a beard almost a yard long.”

(image source: Twitter)

13/07/2021

Do you remember where you were, what you were doing the day Live Aid was on?

This day 36 years ago – 13 July 1985 – Irish musician Bob Geldof, along with Scotland's Midge Ure, organised the benefit concert Live Aid to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief.

Ireland contributed more per capita in donations than any other country, raising over £7 million.

(image source: Posh Wanderings)

03/07/2021

This day 31 years ago – 2 July 1990 – Nelson Mandela addressed Dáil Éireann:

“The very fact there is today an independent Irish state, however long it took to realise the noble goals of the Irish people by bringing it into being, confirms that we too shall become a free people.”

(image source: YouTube)

03/07/2021

The Rock Star is back …….

OPW is delighted to welcome back visitors once again to for the 2021 Season. For those of you travelling, we hope you have a pleasant boat journey and an enjoyable and memorable visit to this very special location.

03/07/2021

This day 158 years ago – 3 July 1863 – the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry, a regiment in the Union army comprised mainly of Irish immigrants, repelled Pickett's Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.

It was commanded by Col. Dennis O'Kane, who had immigrated to the U.S. in the 1840s.

(image source: Pinterest)

25/06/2021

A great comprehensive list of things to do in south Kerry - check out www.skelligcoast.net for lots of ideas on how to spend the best staycation in south Kerry

23/06/2021

June 23rd, is St. John’s Eve, or as it is known in many parts of Ireland, Bonfire Night. It was traditionally marked by the construction of large fires throughout the countryside. These were lit at sundown and were the focal point of communal festivities. People gathered to dance and sing, while young men proved their bravery by leaping through the flames.

The night was also rich in folklore, much of it concerned with fertility. Prayers and rhymes were recited to ensure a plentiful harvest. Indeed, the fire itself was thought to have magical powers. Burning weeds in its flames would prevent arable fields from becoming overgrown, while scattering its ashes would guarantee the land’s fertility. Similarly parading through the fields with lighted branches from the bonfire would protect the crops from disease and pestilence. It was also deemed particularly lucky to bring the ashes home to light the kitchen hearth.

Although most of these customs are no longer practised, lighting St. John’s bonfires still takes places in many parts of Ireland (especially the west). It is hardly a coincidence that these fires are lit so close to the Summer Solstice and it suggests that the custom may have ancient roots.