Tá Cumann Staire Ruaidhrí Ui Fhlaitheartaigh (CSUF) ag ceiliúradh tríocha bliain an bhliain seo.
As Moycullen Heritage celebrates thirty years the current Chairperson and one of the original
members Mary O’ Shea has shared some memories.
Foundations of the Cuman Staire & Objectives
In the mid 90’s it was felt that like many other villages located within a few miles of an
expanding city, Moycullen was experiencing the advantages and disadvantages of its location.
The population was dramatically increasing and there was a real danger Moycullen would lose
its identity. On a personal level although Mary had been visiting her grandmother yearly in
Moycullen since childhood when she moved to the village permanently in1987 she felt she knew
very little about Moycullen.
The founding committee for Cumann Staire Ruairí Uí Fhlatharta’ founded in April, 1995.
Chairperson, Treasa McMahon, Assistant Chair, T.Audley; Secretary, Mary O’Shea; Treasurers,
Ann Newell, A. Burke; PRO, Frank Clancy; Researcher, Rita Walsh.
The fact that little or no work had been done on history of Moycullen since O’Flaherty wrote his
Iar Connacht was the instigation. Short term objectives included a Commemoration 150 year
anniversary of Great Irish Famine and a commemorative stone to mark the birthplace of
renowned author and historian. Long term objectives included Publications on a yearly basis.
Locate and signpost historical sites and monuments; compilation of social history by way of
records and of folklore and including emigration; museum to collate and display items of
historical interest; to involve school children in collecting information from the elderly; mapping
sites of historical interest.
Memories of the Early Days
In the early days the group was quite small and someone once described the early Minutes as
always being the same. Mary thinks this maybe because it took longer for things to happen. As
Secretary Mary took the Minutes and then passed them on to the Community Office staff who
would type them up. The use of tippex was a feature of the day! Some of the memorable
moments included the Launch Of An Gorta Mor i Maigh Cuilinn and designing the
commemorative seat of learning in honour of Cumann Staire Ruairí Uí Fhlatharta and its
eventual unveiling. In the early days the group usually took a break during the summer returning
in October. The format of meetings has changed down through the years. They are more
business-like with more rules and regulations to adhere to.CSUF usually has several projects on
the go and funding has to be applied for online and with strict deadlines.
From the Pen to the Mobile Phone
Promotion was pretty much word of mouth or through an event. Moycullen Matters, set up at
the same time and published more frequently, was a source of advertising about what was
happening. The radio also featured to publicise as did papers like The Connacht Tribune and The
Advertiser. Technology has made it easier for day to day running of the group. Everyone has a
device which allows for a whole array of activity from a phone call to an email, to a photograph,
all shared in the blink of an eye. Our website is a window to the world.
Changes over 30 years
Moycullen has moved from being a rural village with farming as the principal occupation, to
becoming a suburb of Galway. More people from all over the world are living and working in
Moycullen, more multicultural, more diverse. In the early days they had more female members
while now it is a more mixed group with a broader skill base and technology is a major part of
the mix. The move from being a local group to a group within many groups, under the umbrellas
of Galway Community Heritage and the Irish Community Archive network has given a more
structured support. Despite the many changes Mary feels the mission to preserve and conserve
Moycullen’s rich and diverse heritage still remains in place. The biggest change or evolution has
been the public’s awareness in recent years of the inclusion of biodiversity as part of our
heritage.
Publications/Exhibitions/Project
There have been many different projects/publications and exhibitions throughout the years from
creating heritage trails , talks, lectures, field trips, pageants, celebrations, commemorations and
remembrance services.
Two projects which Mary felt were very successful were ‘Celebrating 100 years of An Garda
Siochana’ in Moycullen in 2023 and the Corrib Shores these our people 2024. Two publications
which standout for Mary that she is particularly proud of are the international award-winning
publication Ruaidhrí’s Story and Moycullen Its People. She feels that those publications drew
the community together. Both involved engaging with the community; the former with the
primary schools where the pupils illustrated the mythological story of how Moycullen got its
name; the latter engaged with all the townland inhabitants, young and old both at home and
abroad.She also mentioned overseeing The Year of O’Flaherty celebrations as being a personal
highlight. CSUF has won various awards which she feels is acknowledgement that the work of
Moycullen Heritage is being appreciated and acknowledged.
Preserving Local History & Notable Discoveries
One recent project which Moycullen Heritage has undertaken is the DNA project which made its
start with Fr Blake Census 1793-1813. The census is quite unique and because of it vast
connections have been made and continue to be made. This has led to the DNA Moycullen
Family Tree project with over 18000 people included which Mary feels is incredible work from
just a team of committed people. The heritage group has hosted members of the diaspora from
abroad who have visited hoping to connect with their Moycullen relatives. Other Projects to
preserve local history include the Sin Scéal Eile project and the audit of the tSean Reilig Project.
Ambitions for the future and advice to younger people.
Mary hopes to see a cultural centre which will include a library and a theatre in the village. Her
advice for younger people interested in preserving history is that we learn from the past and if we
don’t know anything about it then that knowledge will be lost forever!
In the short term CSUF/Moycullen Heritage has a number of ongoing projects and planning is
also in progress for a number of events throughout the year including a celebration of their 30
years. We’ve been digging through the archives so we will be sharing photos and stories from the
past three decades. To keep up to date with our events and learn more about our projects you can
connect with us on social media or visit our website.
Share your memories/photos
Have you memories/photos of Cumann Staire Ruairí Uí Fhlaithearta/Moycullen Heritage events
throughout the years? If so please get in touch as we’d love to hear from you. An bhfuil aon
chuimhní cinn agat faoi Cumann Staire Ruairí Uí Fhlaithearta? Bá breá linn cloisteáil uait!
Tá sé mar aidhm againn oidhreacht agus stair shaibhir na háite a chaomhnú. Cuirimid fáilte
roimh dhuine ar bith a bhfuil suim acu bheith mar bhall nó atá ag iarraidh cabhair a thabhairt
dúinn.
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