In The Ford of the heroes
there he lies,
brave Tom Crean
noble son of Annascaul,
where the gulf streams
cool, calm breeze,
lulls him into gentle
sleep,
but hark and listen
and you will hear,
the icy cold winds of Antarctica
sing a eulogy through
the trees of Ballinacourty
to their courageous warrior,
home to rest at last.
By Brigid O Connor
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Ode to Tom Crean, Antarctic Explorer from Annascaul.
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Well known Campman passed away at 1916 Commemoration
The news of the death of Seamus O Donnell, Knockglossmore, Camp on Saturday 23rd. September was met with deep shock and sadnessin Camp and West Kerry. And Seamus was to pass to his eternal reward on the occasion of Comóradh Tomás Ághas, 1916 patriot and hero whom Seamus held in very high esteem.
He began his working career in the forestry division and that love of nature and the environment was to remain with him all of his life. Later Seamus was a teacher at Killorglin Community College, where he is fondly remembered by past students and fellow teachers and who were there on Tuesday at his funeral Mass forming a guard of honour outside St. Marys Church Camp as a mark of respect to their former colleague. They were among the hundreds who attended the funeral on both days and who walked with Seamus on his final journey to Ballinknockane Cemetary Camp where following the requiem Mass Muiris O Scanlán and Pádraig Ó Moráin led the choir singing “ the lovely Irish song, Mo Ghille Mear, translation, My Gallant Friend and Seamus was indeed a friend to many and a man of language, culture and education. Seamus was a committed community man too, Chairman of Camp Community Council in the early years and active in Muintir na Tíre at local and National level promoting self help and community development in rural Ireland.
Fr. Jim Sheehy assisted by Fr. Gearóid Godley, Fr. Francis Nolan, Fr. Joe Begley and Canon Tom Looney officiated at the celebration of the Requiem Mass on Tuesday and following a sermon delivered from the heart, Fr. Jim summed it all up so beautifully in a final tribute to his good friend, “Seamus was a man of many parts” and all of us who knew Seamus O Donnell will certainly agree on that sentiment ! Séamus, Ní Bheid do leithéid arís ann. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Seamus is survived by his wife Sheila, son, Jamie, daughters, Kate and Molly, sister, Kathleen, brothers, Joe, Alex and Paudie, grandchildren, Adam and Aoibheann, nieces, nephews and extended family and many friends to whom sympathy is extended. His daughter Julie predeceased him. R.I.P. -
GRAND PRIZE DRAW
Camp Community Council are currently holding a fundraising Grand Draw. To encourage you to purchase your ticket early, a monthly draw will be held ongoing until the final Grand Draw which takes place on 21st December in Camp Old School. Even if you win in the monthly draw you will still be included in the final Grand Draw. The lucky winner of the September draw was Derek Moynihan. So if you are not in, you can’t win !
Tickets are available from members of Camp Community Council. Tickets are also on sale on line on facebook – Camp Community Council facebook page. Tickets are E10.00 each or 3 for E20.00. Top Prize – E1000.00 and runner up prizes as follows – One week stay for up to twelve people in house by Camp beach. Gold Fourball in Castlegregory Golf Club plus 4 course dinner in Ashes Restaurant, Camp. Golf Fourball plus 4 course lunch in The Brassiere, Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee. Guided walk to top of Mount Brandon for up to 20 people.
SUCCESS
Ocean View Nursing Home Camp is a leader once again ! Castlegregory lady, Maura Moriarty has everybody involved in baking and sharing recipes for meals over the past months in Ocean View in a bid to save for posterity some lovely wholesome and tasty recipes, indeed they are as much part of our heritage as history itself and very often lost to us over the years. And Maura, Catering Manager Ocean View is now among the top three participants in a National Nursing Homes of Ireland Award in the Catering and Nutrition Category. We all wish her the very best of success, Congratulations Maura and all at Ocean View, Camp. Go n-éirí an t-adh libh !
OBITUARY
The death of Mary Enright (nee Foley) Derrymore East, Tralee occurred recently. Mary from Blennerville originally but whose marriage to Michael R.I.P brought her west to the community of Derrymore/Curraheen where she fitted in so well and where she had many friends all the way to Camp and beyond. She was a wonderful character, loved children and animals and above all Mary was a real family person. In recent times, she took easily to social media and Facebook friends loved her regular daily interactions. Mary will be sadly missed by everybody. Sympathy is extended to her daughter Annette, her son in law Michael and grandchildren Aoife and Michael extended family, relatives and many friends and neighbours. Rest In Peace.
CAMPFEST
Campfest had their annual gathering at The Railway Tavern last weekend. Despite the bad weather the event was even bigger than last year with VW and cars and Campervans of all shapes and sizes converging on the Junction on Friday afternoon. They were a bit disappointed that due to the high winds and wet weather they could not venture across Conor Pass as they did in previous years. Nonetheless they enjoyed the stay and the craic was mighty over the few days. And the 2 charities namely Pieta House and Pomegranite.ie were the beneficiaries of the auction on Saturday night and share in a prize fund of E2813.
WEDDING
Congratulations to Anne Rice, daughter of Martin and Teresa, Cappaclough, Camp and Gearóid O Sullivan, son of Liam and Mary, Barrow West, Ardfert who were married on Friday, 29th. September at Gougane Barrow. Fr. Barrett officiated at the ceremony. Flowergirl was Aisling Flynn. The couple held their wedding reception in The Gougan Barra Hotel, Ballingeary, Co. Cork. A wonderful occasion for all the family and friends in a lovely Gougane Barra. Anne and Gearóid – Go n-éirí an t-adh libh ! Best of luck and happiness in your future life together. -
Camp Sheep Fair
Camp Annual Sheep fair is held on September 18th. in the village of Camp. The fair dates back centuries to the time of Lord Ventry when a ram auction was held in the village. Lord Ventry brought the first black faced scotch breed of sheep to West Kerry. He carried 1,000 ewes on his lands in Beheenagh, Camp at this time. The fair has survived down through the years and is as always a great social occasion too for the local sheepfarmers and the families of Camp. In recent years the fair has developed and now we have horses and donkeys, fowl and other animals along with the sheep for sale at the fair.
Camp Fair is one of a very few fairs left that sheep are penned at the roadside and buyers come along and make bargains as in days gone by. No weights or measures are available like the marts, so its very much take the sheep as you see her ! and trust the farmer to sell you a good animal that will be healthy and breed well into the future.
The Sheep Show is one of the big events at Camp Fair. Farmers show their quality sheep and they are judged and perpetual trophies in memory of Campmen now herding in greener pastures, are given out for the best animals. The traditional mutton pie is the staple diet on the day. The children gather from school and have water fights and everybody enjoy a nice evening in the local pubs where there is great music and song late into the night. -
Gleann na nGealt on Cogair TG4
On Sunday October 28th. a programme on Gleann na nGealt will be broadcast on the Irish Language, Television Channel, TG4. The history is about the cure for madness which is in the waters of the Mad Well Tobar na nGealt in Gleann na nGealt. The programme can be picked up on RTE PLAYBACK for 30 days afterwards. Bain Taithneamh as an gcláir !!
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ACCOMMODATION IN CAMP
Accommodation
Camp Junction House B/B Proprietor – John Doyle
Tel. No. – +353 87 243 0704
Website – www.campjunctionhouse.comThe Railway Tavern B/B Proprietor – Mike and Anne O Neill
Tel. No. – + 353 66 7130188Teac Te B/B Proprietor – Kathleen Herlihy
Tel. No. – + 353 66 7130340Website – www.anteachtae@gmail.comFinglas House B/B Proprietor – Kathleen Daly
Tel. No. – + 353 66 71 30125
Website – www.finglashouse.comSeaview House B/B Proprietor – Johanne Kelliher
Tel. No. – +353 66 7130186 Website – www.seasidehse.comShore Acre Caravan Park Proprietor – John O SheaTel. No. – +353 66 71 30106 Seaside Caravan Park Proprietor – Ross WellesTel. No. – +353 66 71 30161 Gleann Na nGealt Sheep Farm AirB&B Accomodation Tel. No. – +353 66 71 30185 -
PUBS AND RESTAURANTS IN CAMP
PUBS AND RESTAURANTS IN CAMP
Camp’s Traditional Irish Pubs are the ideal places to meet up with the locals, enjoy a drink and savour traditional Irish music at its best and impromptu sessions.
Ashes Bar and Restaurant +353 66 71 30133
Dalys Bar +353 66 71 30125
The Railway Tavern +353 66 71 30188
The Junction Bar and Restaurant +353 66 7130120The Seven Hogs Bar and Restaurant +353 667139719
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SERVICES AVAILABLE IN CAMP
SERVICES IN CAMP
O’Dwyer’s Supermarket
Retail Centre, Cafe and RestaurantCAMP COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTRE
Preschool, Creche and Afterschool Service.
Telephone – 353 66 7130338
CAMP COMMUNITY SPORTS FIELD AND CENTRE
Facilities for indoor and outdoor activities
Bookings – Marie Farrell – 066/7130144
COMMUNITY OFFICE
Secretarial Services, Fax and Photocopying Access to Internet Email – campcommunitycouncil@gmail.com -
Online Resources
The following websites are helpful resources to learn more about our County, our Country, and Europe. I’ve found them very useful in learning about current issues, navigating government agencies, and educating oneself about how government works. I hope you find them useful too.
Local Resources
National Resources
European Resources
European Commission in Ireland European Parliament European Union’s Information Portal EU Structural Funds in Ireland The Employment Initiative The European Industrial Relations Observatory -
Gleann na nGealt
Gleann-na-nGealt is called the Valley of the Mad, because of a belief that a cure for insanity exists in a well which is situated in the valley.
Legend has it that the name is associated with Gall, who was king of Ulster and was cured of madness when he drank from the well and eat the watercress growing in its waters. Ancient history also tells of “Bolcan” King of France who was also restored to full health when he drank from the well fleeing from the battle of Ventry harbour.
In the 12th. century tale of “An Bhuile Shuibhne”, Gleann-na-nGealt is said to be the place where Mad Sweeney found peace when he was banished to wander Ireland for a year and a day. Mad Sweeney was one of the early kings of Munster and recent historians link him with King Arthurs Merlin the Magician.
A book called “On The Trail of Merlin” published some years ago tells of Merlins wanderings throughout the British Isles and includes details of his stay in Gleann-na-nGealt. Tom Batt O Connor oldest resident of the valley says that people came to the Glen by instinct. Many tales abound of people coming raving mad and going away cured.
Tom Batt O Connor at the Mad Stone Gleann na nGealt
A stone near the well is called the Mad Stone, with a deep hollow in the centre of it. Legend has it that a local woman milked her cow onto the stone to provide for those who came during the night. A river crossing nearby is called Ath na Gealtan, The fools crossing.
Camp is steeped in local history and there are numerous archaeological sites in the area. Local people will tell you where they are. Watch this site for more information on local history over the next few weeks.
