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2011 Journal Volume 2
The new 2011 Volume 2 of the Upperchurch Drombane Historical journal is now available for purchase. It costs 14 euros and includes postage and packing to anywhere in the world

Upperchurch-Drombane 2011 Historical Journal Volume 2. 14 euros including postage and packing

This is the second year of the publication and following last year’s success the follow-up is awaited with much anticipation. Again the book is crammed with items of local interest and while most familiar with the area will have heard about the subjects in a general sort of way there are many surprises also.

The articles again cover a wide variety of topics. The raparee Ned o’the Hill is still an iconic figure in the area and is the subject of a comprehensive article by Maura Carey. Gortkelly Castle is probably the most prominent man made landmark in the locality and its history is covered by Frankie Shortt. John Ryan Casey relates the life story of Tom Semple who was born in Drombane and spent his early years there.

From the diaspora to Australia Lynne Kendall recounts the elopement of an ancestor from Seskin House and her subsequent life. The March of O’ Sullivan Bere is one of the most dramatic episodes in Irish history. The sufferings and fighting of the Tipperary section of the retreat are dealt with in Thomas Fogarty’s article. Upperchurch was a hotbed of Fenian activity in 1867 and local events of the rising are described by Eugene Shortt. Many locals will no doubt be surprised to find out about the involvement of their forefathers.

The War of Independence again brought Upperchurch to national prominence and Tom Quinlan tells of the events of May 22nd, 1921 when Crown Forces opened fire in Upperchurch Village resulting in the death of Con Gleeson of Moher. The hardships of the 1880s and resultant emigration are described in family letters of the period as presented by Joan Ryan. Events from a hundred years ago are again reported through the eyes of the Tipperary Star of the period. P.J. Maxwell caters for the GAA historian with a list of those from the parish who have played for Tipperary in various grades.

Andy Byrne and Billy Clancy bring a more light hearted approach to their contributions. Andy gives an account of his schooldays in Upperchurch and does not shirk from naming the guilty! Billy has assembled a collection of true tales, tall tales, rhymes and memories from olden days. There are also plenty of photographs, and poems from Seán Baker, Paddy Shaw, Paddy Walsh and Mahon of Ballagh. A list of interments in local graveyards is also included.

2010 Journal Volume 1
The 2010 Journal can now be purchased online, the cost is 12 euros including postage and packing to any where in the world.

Upperchurch-Drombane 2010 Historical Journal Volume 1. 12 euros including postage and packing

The first ever Upperchurch-Drombane Historical Journal will be launched this Saturday night, Dec. 18^th in Upperchurch Hall at 8.30 p.m. by local man, Mr Jim O’Dwyer. It is hoped that the publication of the Journal will become an annual event and that it will provide a means of preserving local oral history and folklore which is in danger of being lost as time goes by.

While the enthusiastic committee which has produced the book would only admit to amateur status, they have compiled an impressive 128 page collection of fourteen articles which includes a fair amount of previously unpublished material. Even the older residents of the area are likely to find surprises and the younger ones are sure to have their eyes opened to the depth of historical lore around them.

The contents of the Journal include articles on the following topics:

• Upperchurch Creamery which closed this year
• Clodia Rangers hurling team of the late 1920s
• The coalmine at Gleann which was in operation in the 1850s
• Memories of Upperchurch Hall
• Memories of Drombane Hall
• Letters written in the 1850s describing local conditions
• The career of one of our foreign missionaries
• The town in the Wild West founded by an Upperchurch man
• The work of local poet, Paddy Shaw
• The hangings in Drombane during the Tithe War
• The construction of the Anglesey Line
• The life story of Lord Anglesey
• The October 1920 shootings by British forces in Upperchurch
• A list of interments in Upperchurch cemetery in the early 1960s

Mr. Jim O’Dwyer, who will launch the booklet, is a well known local personality who has contributed immensely to the sporting, business and political life of the locality as well as having a long history of involvement in community endeavours.

The organisers wish to thank all who contributed items for publication and supported the effort by advertising and by becoming patrons. Everybody is welcome to attend the launch and hopefully to contribute to future editions

Contents Page

Réamhrá                                       William Corbett

A Word from Our Committee

Upperchurch Creamery Maura Carey

Clodia Rangers Hurling Club        Tom Quinlan

The Coalmine at Gleann         Frankie Shortt

Memories of Upperchurch Hall     Andy Byrne

Memories of Drombane Hall         Tess Ryan/Sheila Baker

Emigrant Letters from the 1850s   Billy Clancy

Watering God’s Garden                 Fr. Jerry Lanigan

Gleeson, Arizona                            Stephen Gleeson

The Poetry of Paddy Shaw              Paddy Dwyer

Hangings in Drombane 1817           Eugene Shortt

The Anglesey Road                          William Corbett

Lord Anglesey                                  Thomas Fogarty

Shootings in Upperchurch, 1920      Billy Clancy

Burials in Upperchurch Cemetery 1961-67