The Great Famine in the Parish of Castlehaven & Myross - a fresh look

The devastating effects of the Great Irish Famine locally, particularly in Myross and Reen were the subject of many contemporary brief reports. However, the exceptional levels of death, destitution and misery experienced in the parish do merit review in the light of new information and insights. This conference will afford an opportunity to do that and possibly provide a stepping stone to more targeted local research.

Speakers:

John Crowley:

Dr John Crowley is a lecturer in the Department of Geography, University College Cork. He jointly edited the award-winning Atlas of the Great Irish Famine (2012) as well as the Atlas of the Irish Revolution which was named Irish Book of the Year in 2017. He has also been involved in a number of historical documentaries including The Hunger which was narrated by Liam Neeson and based on the Atlas of the Great Irish Famine. He is a member of the Senate of the National University of Ireland.

Philip O’Regan

Philip O’Regan is a native of Skibbereen. A former deputy editor and digital editor of the Southern Star newspaper, he has had a long-time interest in local history. Philip was a founding member of the Skibbereen and District Historical Society. His main area of interest is nineteenth century Ireland and particularly the Great Irish Famine. In 2020 Philip was conferred with an MA in Local History at the School of History, UCC. Among his publications are Dear Old Skibbereen co-authored with Pat Cleary (1995), Skibbereen The Famine Story co-authored with Terri Kearney (2015 and republished in 2018 and 2023). In 2023 he published a history of Drinagh Co-op and in 2025 he published a history of Barryroe Co-op.

Bernie Deasy:

Bernie Deasy is a native of Union Hall and works as an Archivist and Data Protection Officer. Having an avid interest in history particularly the history of Myross, Bernie is a regular contributor to the Castlehaven & Myross History Society Journal.

Oonagh Walsh

Oonagh Walsh is a Professor of History in the Glasgow School for Business and Society at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland. A Galway native, she was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and Nottingham Universities, and has held academic appointments at the University of Southampton (New College), Aberdeen University and University College Cork. Publications include Ireland's Independence: 1880-1923 (2000); Anglican Women in Dublin: philanthropy, politics and education in the early twentieth century (2005), and Symphysiotomy in Ireland, 1944-1984 (2014). Her research interests lie in medical history, especially mental health history, obstetrics, and epigenetic change linked to the Great Famine in Ireland. Another planned research project focuses on health and illness amongst Irish sailors in the Royal Navy.Ireland's Independence: 1880-1923 (2000); Anglican Women in Dublin: philanthropy, politics and education in the early twentieth century (2005), and Symphysiotomy in Ireland, 1944-1984 (2014). Her research interests lie in medical history, especially mental health history, obstetrics, and epigenetic change linked to the Great Famine in Ireland. Another planned research project focuses on health and illness amongst Irish sailors in the Royal Navy.

Maeve Bancroft

Maeve O’Sullivan grew up in Castletownshend in a household steeped in a deep love of local history. After many years nursing, she attended University College Cork to pursue an interest in writing. There, she gained an MA and a PhD in Creative Writing. Maeve is also interested in art and is currently working towards a level 5 certificate in Art, Craft and Design at the College of Commerce in Skibbereen.

Agenda

10.00a.m. Registration and Welcome (refreshments available) 

10.30a.m. Famine and Commemorations                                   John Crowley

11.15a.m. Local Relief and Issues                                                Philip O’Regan

12.00p.m. Bio Break

12.15p.m. Famine in Myross                                                         Bernie Deasy

01.00 p.m. Lunch 

02.00 p.m. Epigenetics and the Great Irish Famine                   Oonagh Walsh

02.45 p.m. We went to Canada                                                     Maeve Bancroft

03.30 p.m. Refreshments

03.45 p.m. Memorialising

04.30 p.m. Conference close

Note: Refreshments plus lunch (two course buffet vegetarian) are included in the ticket price.

Accommodation:

Should you be visiting the area for the weekend, accommodation is available in Myross Wood House through CECAS and can be booked via AirBnb.

The Parish:

Lots to do in this stunning area but do make time to visit The Heritage Centre in Skibbereen with it’s renowned Famine Museum.

If you would like to really enrich your appreciation of the area, by land you can add in a walk or cycle with Gormú and by sea you can consider a Whale Watching trip from Reen Pier or a kayaking trip with Atlantic Sea Kayaking in Castlehaven Harbour. Not to mention the many opportunities to enjoy the wonderful local food and music. If you are staying longer there is so much to enjoy in the surrounding area and if you want to go further you might like to take a ferry out to Cape Clear Island or over to Sherkin Island from Baltimore. Everywhere is full of history ancient and modern, ready to be explored and the flora and birdlife are particularly rich also.

Enjoy our glorious parish and may you return many times like so many others!