School: Sgoil na mBuachaillí (1), Ráthdroma

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   “Glenmalure is probably the most historic place in the county. It is nine miles from Rathdrum and six from Glendalough by the old military road...”

   

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   Michael Dwyer was born at Ballinacor one mile from Grianán under the shadows of Log na Coille. He was much harassed by the Yeomanry stationed at Rathdrum. Many stories of their ruthlessness are still extant. They were stationed in the Flannel Hall ( presently the Courthouse ) and the garden at the back of hall gives proof that its soil was often stained by the blood of Ireland. The crops from this garden are about the best in the neighbourhood.

   
   Not far from Rathdrum is Avondale - the home of the Parnells. Charles Stewart Parnell's father was of English descent and he had no Irish, Ireland ideas or culture. When Charles Stewart was a young lad he often talked to an old gateman named Gaffney. Gaffney told him about the cruelties perpetrated by the Yeomanry on the natives. Gaffney saw the Yeos dragging a man from Avondale to Rathdrum and when he told this story and similar ones to Parnell it stirred his imagination and he became afterwards a champion of Ireland's rights.

   There is a marked social difference between the urban dwellers in Rathdrum and

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Languages

   Irish

   English

   Informant

   Mac de Búrca

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Feirmeoir

   Address

   Greenan, Co. Wicklow