Kilmainham Tales Teo

04/07/2024

Two years today, forever in our hearts 💙

Fell free to share your memories of Dad, Mícheál, with us in the comments as we’d love to read them…

28/06/2024

So hard to believe that it’s almost been two years since Dad (Mícheál) passed away. His anniversary mass will take place this Sunday 30th at 12pm in St. Mary’s Church, Lucan and will be live streamed on the Church website too.

20/09/2023

Congratulations to Michael and John on this fabulous book. With the book being dedicated to Dad I was honoured to attend the launch in Dubray Books this evening introduced by Éamon Ó Cuív. Put it on the Christmas wish list for sure!

17/09/2023

A lovely commemoration at Glasnevin this morning for Anne Devlin. Huge thanks to Gerry our MC, Liz, Las our guest speaker, Milla who spoke on behalf of the Ó Doibhilín family, James and the National Collins22 Society, Frank Callery who’s song was played in his absence, Angela for reading her poem, and Tom in The Liberty Belle for a wonderful tribute both to Anne and Mícheál, and of course for the delicious refreshments afterwards as we dried off!

12/09/2023

We will meet at Glasnevin Cemetery next Sunday 17th September at 12pm. All welcome to join us as we remember Anne Devlin and of course Dad, Mícheál, who loved to tell her story.

04/07/2023

Remembering Mícheál today and every day, a year since he passed away.

In his life he touched so many,
in his death many lives were changed 📖

25/06/2023

Hard to believe it has almost been a year since Dad (Micheál) passed away.
His anniversary Mass will take place on Saturday 1st July at 6.30pm in St. Mary’s Church, Lucan.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

12/11/2022

Looking to make contact with someone from the 1916-1921club if possible about their website which may be shut down next week as Dad's details are no longer connected. If anyone can help we'd appreciate it as I'm sure the association would not like to see the website go. Thanks, Jenny

18/09/2022

A lovely, sunny afternoon in Glasnevin today as we held a very special and moving tribute for both Anne Devlin and Mícheál with Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy. Thank you to Liz Gillis, Gerry Shannon and Jim Langton who ensured this event took place exactly as Mícheál wished - with respect and honour for his hero.
Cuimhní Anne Devlin

18/09/2022

Today we remember Anne Devlin and the respect and dedication Mícheál had for her at 10.30am Mass in St. Catherine’s Church, Meath Street and all welcome to join Mícheál’s family and friends at her graveside in Glasnevin at 1pm.

11/09/2022

All welcome to join us as we remember Anne Devlin and the respect and dedication Mícheál had for her, his hero, next Sunday 18th September.

Further details below in the comments.
Cuimhní Anne Devlin

14/08/2022

Mícheál’s months mind mass takes place this evening, August 14th, at 7pm in St. Mary’s Church, Lucan. It will also be live streamed on the Parish website for anyone who would like to join us.

08/08/2022

“He made you feel like he was your very best friend... he had a wonderful laugh and wasn’t afraid to use it.”

A really lovely appreciation of Dad in the Irish Times today. Thank you to Ray Bateson who met with us and put this together. We are very grateful.

https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2022/08/08/micheal-o-doibhilin-an-appreciation

Researcher, author and publisher was devoted to Irish history

04/08/2022

It’s truly so hard to believe that it’s been a month today since Dad’s death. Thank you to everyone, especially all his friends, for your incredible support over the past few weeks - comments, emails, letters, texts, phone calls and visits. We are very grateful to you all. He was so loved by so many people.

Mícheál’s month’s mind Mass will take place on Sunday 14th August at 7pm, in St. Mary's Church, Lucan.

05/07/2022

It is with our saddest hearts that we share the news of Dad’s death. A wonderful husband, Dad and Grandad, our hearts are broken. Kilmainham Tales was Dad’s passion and we thank all his friends who supported and put their trust in him to share the importance and significance of Anne Devlin and Irish history. We hope you all will continue this in his memory.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

https://rip.ie/death-notice/mícheál-Ó-doibhilÍn-lucan-dublin/500927/

09/06/2022

Regrettably, as I'm currently hospitalised, I've had to cancel the Anne Devlin talk scheduled for next Monday.
My apologies to the Joe Williams Archive, and all who planned to attend.
Hopefully it can be done at a future date.

02/06/2022

Our next talk is in Clondalkin Library, and will especially remember Brother Luke Cullen, one of Anne Devlin's biographers.

25/05/2022

The End of the Beginning
Today is the 101st anniversary of the Burning of the Custom House which took place on 25 May, 1921.
For the past 13 years – culminating with the Centenary Celebrations last year – we have marked the date with a conference. We began our journey with a talk at the War of Independence Conference in Collins Barracks in 2008 and later that year, on the anniversary, joined Gary Deering and a couple of others as they too marked the occasion.
At first our conferences were limited to just the relatives of those who had taken part in the attack, but we gradually expanded and opened them to the public as we wished to bring knowledge and understanding of this last major and seminal event of the War of Independence to a much wider audience. With the co-operation of Sean Hogan and the staff of the Custom House we were able to host conferences with an international flavour, and even attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the Chief of the Fire Brigade.
With in excess of eighty different talks over the years, we explored all aspects of the Burning, and showed that it was, indeed, the success it had initially been claimed to be by the participants.
We explored new aspects of the attack, such as the pivotal role of the Fire Brigade with Las Fallon, and the military aspects with Paul O’Brien, both of whom were with us on many occasions.
With such a wealth of information it was inevitable that we would also publish some of it and to date have published:
“May 25: the burning of the Custom House” by Liz Gillis, the authoritative story of the attack;
“The Firemen’s Tale” by Las Fallon, which so changed the whole view of the burning;
“Weapons of the Custom House Attack” by Kieran E. McMullen – an expert on weaponry which examined the weaponry used by both sides and the tactics employed;
“The Boy in the Picture” by Michael McKee – an intensely moving and human account of the life of Dan Head, drawing on never-before seen papers and family recollections;
“I Could Not Stay Behind” – an updated version of the collection of poems by Stephen O’Reilly first published by Brian O’Higgins in 1922. This enlarged edition was edited and illustrated by Mícheál Ó Doibhilín with a biography of Stephen O’Reilly and his older brother Patrick by Des White. It also included some newly uncovered poems not in the original;
“Burning Notes” by James McCormick, who in 1973 had interviewed some of the surviving participants in the attack and wrote this summary of their recollections.
For the Centenary, due to Covid 19 restrictions, with the active support and participation of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien, we went ‘on air’ with our conference, and delivered an extended series of talks on Zoom which brought the Burning to many new viewers around the world.
We marked the occasion with a limited edition set of tokens remembering those who had lost their lives on both sides of the conflict, and the event itself, and placed flowers on the graves of all who died in the attack.
Thus, on the Centenary, we brought our conferences to an end for the present. It has been a wonderful road to travel, one on which we not alone made many friends but also learned so much more about this pivotal event. When we started, we could never have believed we would do so much or find out so much.
We have not reached the end of our road, however, but will continue to research and publish as necessary. We may even, if there is enough new information, host more conferences and publish more articles and books in the future.
For now, we will leave the commemorations in the capable hands of the relatives of those who were there 101 years ago – who have such a wonderful website at www.customhousecommemoration.com – and wish Gary, Des, Frank and all the rest, continued success as they continue to remember such an important event.
We hope over the years we have brought about an increased awareness in the general public of what happened on 25 May 1921, its purpose and success. If so, we have succeeded.
Finally, we thank all who have supported us in every way on this journey to date.
Liz and Mícheál

16/05/2022

“Weapons of the Irish Civil War” – the fourth and final volume in the ‘Weapons of …’ series on Ireland’s revolutionary independence struggle from 1916 to 1923 is now available on our website.
This latest volume explores the basic weapons used by both combatting sides in the Irish Civil War, 1922-23.
The Free State Forces used all the weapons already at their disposal and, in addition, had gained extra weapons from the departing British that had been unavailable to them in the past, as well as offers of additional materiel from the British – in particular at the beginning of the Civil War.
The anti-Treaty ‘Irregulars’ were better armed too, at least in the initial phases of the war. They, too, had received large quantities of weapons, ammunition and even armoured cars directly from the departing British. As in the preceding War of Independence, they continued to gain weapons through theft or raids, purchase from dealers and soldiers, and by smuggling from abroad.
In this book, as his previous ones, Kieran McMullen details the major weapons used by both sides during this conflict, making this a must-have addition to the series.
We are not having a launch for this book but, instead, using the money saved to give special ‘Launch’ offers on this and the full series. See http://www.kilmainhamtales.ie/kts-14---weapons-of-the-irish-civil-war.php – for details, but hurry, time is limited.
If you encounter difficulties ordering, please e-mail us at [email protected] or PM us.

18/04/2022

Next Saturday I'm hosting in the Round Room at the Mansion House! At 11.45am we have Bob Johnston and David King who will read from their books and talk about getting them published. Join us & celebrate all things reading! A Free event with no booking required!

Dublin City Council Dublin City Libraries The Gutter Bookshop, Dublin Children's Books Ireland Cllr Alison Gilliland

17/04/2022

15/04/2022

Proclamation Irish Whiskey

15/04/2022

Just a few quick notes about the Warpipes, including some of the old terms for the pipes and their sounds etc.
One of the ancient terms for a piper was Seamsuir, another Dord. Dord literally mean the humming of the drone, in fact the word Drone for a Bee is a loan word from Irish to the English language. Dord Fian was the calling of the Fianna in Ireland. Originally it was meant to describe a battle horn (or three battle horns together), and evolved to include the warpipes.
It was also called the Borabu ( have yet to translate the exact meaning of this).
The drones of the pipes were originally shaped like horns, indeed the markings on the drones, are often an imitation of the lines on a bulls horns. The term Dord dates back at least to 1,000 BC. This may explain why the Irish used two drones (horns) warpipes.
The Irish for Horn was Carn (Celtic Carnyx).
The term for playing music was called Athól (the second drinking).
The top of the chanter was called Beilfhleasg (lip-wand), and the sound Binn (musical). One of the other ancient terms for the Warpipes was Bionn (belly or womb).
The bag with called Bolg, and also Corrbolg (the bag for the reeds).
A poetic term for the warpipes was O Choigeadal a coirrsheagh (by the music of their pointed spears).
A lament on the pipes was called Eagnach.
The Organ originates from the pipes, and from about 700AD to 1500 AD, the pipes were often known as Organs or Orghan.
Another poetic term for the warpipes was Organ na Fian (Fianna warpipes / The bellowing of the night stags).
A tune was often called a Port or Cor, and also Piob or Ciob.
A druid who could decipher music was called a Seaghdha (the ability to understand Bird Language).
Warpipes were very much associated with funerals, hurling games, and the fairies.
Tonn (wave) was the term for the air of the warpipes.
Saffron was often made from Buachalan's (yellow rag w**d) which was a Fairy flower.
Another poetic term for playing the warpipes was Treabhaim an Fhairrge (I cleave the waves).
Fair was a term for giving a signal over a distance on the warpipes, while Faireantacht was playing the pipes.
The marks on the drones were called Fairbre (said to indicate the age of the pipes). Faire was also the term used for watching or guarding over the dead.
Reeds were called Gainne (darts), while blowing into the chanter was called Galan (giving it a puff of wind).
A pipe band was called Fianlach Oirfide (band of minstrel warriors).
A piper who could play 150 tunes was called a Caogdach.
One who thought the pipes was called Forcam (instructor).
Another ancient term for the warpipes and for a piper was Feadanach (which can mean soldier), while another was Eardanal.
A kilt was called Ebhladh. Saffron was also spelt Croc, which was connected to one of the ancient Irish Gods Crom Crochruaidh.
A piper (and a trumpeter) were also known as Buabhalachan.
A female piper was called Banchuisleanach, a male piper Chuisleanach (often now used just for uilleann pipers).
A mace bearer was Bachal. Another name for a female piper was Bainfeadhanach.
The bell ends put on the top of drones were called Siothan Sleibhe (after the foxglove).
The warpipes were also called Piob ar a sintear ceol.
A piper was Piobare or do Sineas
The chanter was Cantaid.
The bagpipes were Mail Phiob, a bagpiper Mailphiobaire.
Other old names were Fiadan, Bsta, Stac and Eardanal (Ardanal) and Eaghalan.
Saffron was also known as Buidhe (found in many personal names (linking them to the saffron kilts of solders / pipers).
Leine Croich was another name for the kilt.
Croich was also an ancient name for Ireland.
One of the most ancient names for pipers was Tinne and also Cetharcoire.
In the 5th century the pipes were called Cuisle (pulsing) - the artery of the wrist.
The pipes were recorded in 35BC, where nine pipers came from the Fairy hills of Bregia (the best pipers in the world).
Their names were Bind, Robind, Riarbind, Sihe, Dibe, Deichrind, Umal, Cumal and Ciallglind - most likely the nine notes of the chanter. The names are all musical terms. In this story the pipes were called Tinne (Fire / Wind), while the 9 pipers (band) were called Cetharcoire (warpipers) (Cethar = soldier).
Two drone pipes were often called a pair of Organs (as far back as the 7th century).
Just a few notes, some might find interesting.

10/04/2022

Online lecture with Tallaght Library

10/04/2022

On Thursday, 7 April 2022,
Brian O'Neill,
Secretary of the 1916 Relatives Association,
presented
Mícheál Ó Doibhilín
with a certificate
"In Recognition of the Outstanding Contribution to keeping Irish History alive and in particular the support you have provided to An Cumann Gaolta 1916.

With thanks from the Members of An Cumann Gaolta 1916".

This is a rare and much appreciated honour, which acknowledges the work of Kilmainham Tales Teo. and the posters etc. we have designed for the Association.
We thank Brian and An Cumann Gaolta for this honour and regret w could not attend the Association's AGM to receive it at that time.

09/04/2022

09/04/2022

Nothing awkward about it... am I right? 😍

08/04/2022

A must for those with an interest in the history of Dublin

Great reviews of our latest book "St James's Church and Graveyard" by Sean J Murphy on the Fountain Resource Group's site:
"St James Church and Graveyard Book Launch! – A must for those with an interest in the history of Dublin.
Historian Sean J Murphy has launched his new book on the history of St James Church (presently Lyons Distillery) and graveyard from its foundations in the 12th Century straight to its currently life as a distillery. Mr Murphy has contributed some wonderful local history articles to this website to which we will always be grateful. I can tell you, having so far read a substantial portion of his book, that his knowledge on the area and specifically the church is incredibly thorough. I fancy myself someone interested in local history and I learned quite a lot from this book so far (I’m far from finished!)".

The book can be purchased here: https://kilmainhamtales.ie/kts-12---st-jamess-church.php for only €12.50 + p&p. 180 pages of great history, and fully illustrated.

04/04/2022

Stay vigilant out there folks... 👀

22/03/2022

We have an ambitious publishing programme for this year.

Apart from the just published "History of St James's Church and Graveyard" we also have the following books being worked on at present:
"Buried Heroes of Esker" - by James Langton & Mícheál Ó Doibhilín - comprehensive biographies of 60+ revolutionary heroes buried in Esker Graveyard;
"Weapons of the Irish Civil War" - the third (or is it the fourth?) part of Kieran McMullen's super series on the weapons of the revolutionary period. Kieran is returning to Ireland for two weeks in May and we aim to have this ready for then;
"Sleep Soldier Sleep" - a reprint of Diarmuid O'Connor's seminal book. Long out of print and long in demand, we have received exclusive right to republish;
"Journal of a Dublin Guardsman" - notes, papers and recollections 1922- 1923 of Col. Pádraig O'Connor 1901-1953 by Diarmuid O'Connor;
"Untold Tales" - the working title of Eddie Bohan's collection of his writings on some of the lesser known stories of Irish History from the pages of Ireland's Own, published to mark his 60th birthday in June.
"Defiant Fallen" - the second part of James Langton's great work of on the dead of the Irish Civil War is currently being researched and we hope to begin work on the editing and artwork soon.

As well as these, we have other titles being discussed, which we hope to tell about later. In the meantime, "stay tuned" to hear more about the above, and publication dates, and all the latest from us, either on our pages or our Website - www.kilmainhamtales.ie