Kate Murphy (104)

Mrs. Kate Murphy , Mochara , Shrule , Co.Mayo aged 104 years (seated on right) with her son,John Murphy aged 75 years and his wife ,Mrs. Margaret Murphy , aged 73 years all of whom are receiving the old age pension. Mrs Murphy who was born in the parish of Cong saw the terrible after effects of the Famine of 1847.She still can read without the aid of glasses.She was married almost 80 years ago .Her eldest son , aged 78 , is in the U.S.A. and is looking forward to a trip by air to Ireland to see his mother.

Original  :: The Irish Press – April 26, 1947

Submitted by  :: John Doherty , London

Email John Doherty

Mr. B. BERMINGHAM, Dalgin, met Francis CREANE, Prospect, at 5 a.m. about four miles from Shrule.

William BODKIN, Kilclooney, accompanied Mr. BERMINGHAM. BERMINGHAM fired, CREANE reserved this shot.

The parties shook hands and left the field arm in arm.

• Original  :: Tuam Herald – 8 June 1838 ? unconfirmed M.R.
• Submitted by  a Herald reporter Tuam, Co. Galway , Ireland

Shrule Castle, on the Black river at the Mayo border, was part of a manor granted by Richard deBurgo to his son John in 1308.

This strong construction was erected about 1238, and had an uneventful history down to 1570, when it was captured by Sir Edward Fitton and a strong British force, who on this trip took all the castles of Kilmaine.
Shrule Castle County Galway

The De Burgos and McDonnells came to the rescue of Burke of Shrule, broke and pursued the English army, but the eventual outcome of the battle was doubtful.

The Saxons kept the field, and with cajolery and treachery held it as far as the Kilmaine chiefs were concerned. Fitton himself was wounded. Wm. Burke occupied the castle, in 1574; John, his son, in 1610; Richard Burke, the Earl of Clanricarde, got the castle and lands to the extent of four quarters about this time, and leased them to Pierce Lynch of Galway.