Steach Maoilín

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts a view looking south from the brow of Slieve baile na Cailleach, captured in the month of June in 2023. Photo images clockwise from the top left, Pat Howard, John Whearty, Jimmy Kearns and Patsy (Lofty), Black.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background by Brendan Matthews depicts the majestic & wonderful Saddlestown Glen. Photo images clockwise from the top left, Oliver (Ollie) Brannigan, Willie Russell, Paddy Flood and Gabriel (Migo) Folan .

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photograph captured by Brendan Matthews in 1999 depicts Croc a Phobail, alias the `Hill of the People` situated on the brow of old Balloy Hill prior to the building of the M1 Motorway. A number of burials, skeletal remains, ancient cooking sites and settlement sites were uncovered here during the course of the initial soil stripping by archaeologists and the activities that took place here had dating evidence from the medieval period of seven-hundred-years ago, while the oldest human activity found i
on the hill dated back to over three thousand seven-hundred years ago. Their “Fight for Irish Freedom”. Photo images clockwise from the top left , Frank Dardis, Joe Dardis, Molly Adrian and James McCormack.

In Memory. Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Oliver McKenna, late of Francourt Heights in Balbriggan and formerly of Moorechurch Cross Julianstown, who sadly passed away on Wednesday last November 15th . Following his Funeral Mass, which was held at Ss Peter & Paul`s Church in Balbriggan earlier today, Saturday November 18th, Oliver was laid to Rest at Moorechurch Graveyard.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts the beautiful Nanny River looking up stream from the estuary at Corballis, which was captured in the summer of 2022. Photo images, clockwise from the top left, Mattie Reilly, Catherine Cook, Emily McCann and Alfie Cooney.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts the Kilbreckstown/Silverstream Road as seen from Stedalt Cross in November 2023. Photo images from the top left, Martin Byrne, Joe Healy, jack O`Brien and Pat Purfield.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts a view of Goughs Corner back in the later 1980`s. Photo images, from the top left, Philip Cahill, Mrs. Macken, James Mckeown, alias Paddy Smiles and Nurse Clarke.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts the old C**k Tavern Public House at Gormanston; once the hub of some wonderful entertainment over the years, the banter & the craic if only the walls could speak!. Photo images from the top left, P.J. Davitt, Vincent Matthews junior, Richard Mullen and Joseph (Bunty) Meighan.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts the oldest homestead within Stamullen Village; the house here, dating to the early 18th century would originally have contained a thatched roof; the house is also constructed in the terrace fashion, built into the topography of the sloping hill on which it sits. Photo images from the top left, Mrs McAuley, Mrs Caffrey, Mrs Finn and Mrs Carey.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts Stamullen Village in November 2023. Photo images from the top left, Kieran Cooke, Mary Gough, Patrick (Paddy) Mooney and Alan Bonner.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo depicts a group of people outside the old Village Public House and Whytes Shop back in the mid 1970`s. Photo images from the top left , Mrs Madeline Whyte, Matt McCourt, Jarleth Folan and Jamsie Gough.

Help us name the rest of the faces 💛💚

St Patricks u14s on St Patrick's Day 1975 💛💚

Back. L to R
Niall McKenna,
?,
?,
Oliver Reilly, John Macken, Michael Reilly, Kieran Wheelan, Kevin Byrne, Brendan Fagan, Martin McQuillan, Billy Ryan.

Front Row:
?,
Paul Baxter, Mickey Smith, Jim Sullivan, Tommy Reilly, Ivan Curran,
?,
Thomas Reilly, Andy Wherty.

White Jerseys: John Sullivan, Ronan Finn

Photo: Tommy Reilly

Not sure what year. Possibly 1974
St Patrick's Cycle Club 💚

Left to right. Martin Reynolds, Martin Mckenna, Joe Martin, Andy Whearty, TP Reilly, Brendan Whyte, Christy Reynolds, Tommy Reilly, Oliver Mckenna and Anthony Reilly. Ras 🚴‍♂️

Photo : Susan Mullen ❤️

Pat Duffy uncle to Anges Dunphy holding the famous Dunphy’s Monkey 🐒

Pat lived with the Dunphy family, his sister Laura was Agnes’ mother ❤

Photo: Mairead McKay

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts Casey`s race horses grazing on the large field in Stedalt at the dusk of evening back in February of this year (2023), with the residential housing estates of Kilbreck & Glasheen in the background. Photo images from the top left. Owen Boylan, Annie Howard, Matt Kavanagh, Nicky McAuley and Pat (Sport) Gilligan.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Photo in the background, by Brendan Matthews, depicts the old site known locally as the Sacred Rath of Greenhills in the townland of Richardstown. This ancient site, which was that of a large circular Ringfort was subsequently destroyed back in the early 1970`s due to quarrying, which resulted in the large and very deep water pond that may be seen in the picture. Photo images from the top left depict Seamus Reilly, Willie Reilly, Mrs. McKenna, Mary Behan and Oliver (Ollie) Smyth.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews, captures the village of Gormanston looking northwards , with the old `Granny-Stone` in the bottom left of the photo. Photo images from the top left. Brother Columbanus, Catherine Caffrey, David Brangan, John Carolan & Winnie McNulty.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Photo in the background, captured by Brendan Matthews depicts the County bridge between Meath and Fingal on the Milestown/Tobertown Road with Saint Patrick`s Chapel in the background at Stamullen Village. Photo images, from the top left. Kitty Henry(Boylan), Gerry Lacy, James Rothwell, Maureen Heffernan, Sylvia O`Brien and Tom Roe.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Background photo by Brendan Matthews depicts the beautiful Raholland Valley and the Braddan Stream at the foot of the `Corkscrew Hill` on the road to Dardistown & Cooperhill . Photo images, from the top left, Dessie Kirk, Bridget McNamara, Albert Roche, Harry Sharpe and Paddy Meegan.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls” . Photo in the background, taken by Brendan Matthews, depicts Gormanston Railway Station at the dusk of an August evening in 2023. Photos, from top left, Dinah McCausland, Billy Martin, Aiden Collins, Ismay Preston and, on the bottom right, Elizabeth Cluskey.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Photo in the background, taken by Brendan Matthews, depicts the view to the east out over Juulianstown, Stamullen & Gormanston as captured from the eastern slopes of Slieve Baile na Cailleach, alias Mullaghteelin Hill. Top left Mrs Scully, Nick Hughes, Nuala Hamilton,Oliver Mckenna, Mrs. Lane and Ollie Welsh.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. Photo of the `Jackstones` by Brendan Matthews. An daoine maithe :Baile an Griannán Elizabeth Collins, Tom Matthews, Tommy Russell, Jimbo & Tricia Brannigan.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls”. The Old Village & `Villagers of Old & Times Past`. Photo of village taken c.1983; note the old petrol pump outside Whyte`s old house and shop.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Month of the Holy Souls” Throughout this month of November, which is known as the Month of the Holy Souls, a series of photographic images of parishioners, former parishioners and neighbouring former parishioners will be Posted up and depicted here on the Site for the entire month. This was carried out for the first time on the Steach Maoilin page during the month of November in 2022 and there were a number of people who thought that it was a good idea and so it is for that reason that the images of those who have gone before us will be continued to be Posted up each evening throughout November. Also, there may be people, individuals and families out there who may wish to have an image of a loved one who has passed on Posted up here during this particular month and, if so, please feel free to forward any photos you may wish to Steach maoilin page or scan and e mail them directly to [email protected] or by whatsApp to 0862260158. Top left Michael (Mick) McLoughlin, Mick White, Mrs Martin and Mick Martin.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Feis na Samhain”. Photo, by Brendan Matthews depicts the lozenge & chevron decorated lintel stone set above the entrance to the western recess chamber within the five-thousand-years-old Fourknocks Passage Tomb, located at the western end of Stamullen Parish. When stepping into the Tomb at Fourknocks you are stepping across a boundary beyond that of the `mortal` world and into the ancient Otherworld of our pre-historic ancestors. The Festival of Samhain or the Festival of Summer`s End, was one of the four major pre-Christian festivals held across Ireland each year. The Festival marked the ending of one Pastoral year and the beginning of the next, when the harvest of the autumn had been reaped and stored and the darker evenings of winter began. The Otherworld was not just a place where the souls of the dead went, it was a place which apparently ran parallel to our own world and where individuals could freely move in and out of at specific times of the year and at specific events and happenings. The Celts were one of the first European Cultures to evolve a Doctrine of immortality of the soul. Their belief was that death was only a changing phase and that life went on afterwards in the `Otherworld`. They also believed that there was a constant exchange between the two worlds and that death in either or both would bring life to the other. So at the Summer`s end, Samhain, the dark days would emerge into light and that all the souls of the `Otherworld` could become visible to all mankind at this time of the year. Christianity eventually adapted this ancient Pagan festival and celebrated it as a harvest festival and the feast became known as St. Martin’s Mass. The festival also became known as All Saints Day or All-Hallows and so the evening prior to this became known as Hallowe`en, or Hallows eve, while the day following became known as All Souls Day. Written & compiled by Community Historian Brendan Matthews.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “The Cricket Club”. Interesting `Letter to the Editor` of the old Drogheda Argus Newspaper dating back to the month of January in 1895 regarding the game of Cricket which was a pretty large sport with a pretty large following across these parts of East Meath and Fingal back in the later 19th century. The Gormanston Cricket Club had some very fine players in its day. There was also a Stamullen Cricket Club in existence during this period, their home ground was just off Stedalt Cross. The `letter to the Editor` , seen here, had been written by a young man named Edward Watt. This family of Watt had come from Ayrshire in Scotland and had been employed at Gormanston Castle. There is a gravestone at Stamullen containing the names of members of the Watt family.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “In Memory”. Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Tony McGuinness late of Larrix Street in Duleek and formerly of Ongenstown Bellewstown, who very sadly passed away on Sunday October 22nd last. Following his Funeral Mass which was held at St. Cianan`s Chapel , Tony was laid to Rest at the Good Shepherd Cemetery in Duleek.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Times Past”. The death of Robert Darcy Jameson of Delvin Lodge Gormanston which took place back in the month of March 1927. The Jameson family vacated the Delvin Lodge in August 1942; they had been resident at the Delvin Road in Gormanston for almost 100 years after they had purchased the premises from a man named William Shaw. It was Shaw who was responsible for the initial construction of Delvin Lodge in 1830 and prior to this the area here on the north bank of the Delvin River was used as a Bleaching Green. Inset is a photo of the Jameson Burial Tomb at St. Mary`s Church of Ireland in Julianstown.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “In Memory”. Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Patrick (Paddy )McCann , late of Edgeworthstown Co. Longford and formerly of the Delvin Road in Gormanston. Paddy passed away peacefully on Tuesday last October 24th in Longford. Paddy was the son of the late John & Alice McCann of the Delvin Road. Following his Funeral Mass which was held at St. Mary`s Chapel in Edgeworthstown, Paddy was laid to Rest at Aughafin Cemetery in Longford earlier this afternoon, Friday October 27th 2023.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Bonfire of old”. Article, taken from the pages of the old Drogheda Argus Newspaper reporting on a `malicious` fire that took place on the small lane leading to Stamullen Graveyard back in the month of October in 1908; 115-years-ago this very month.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Times Past”. Halloween entertainment in our neighbouring parish of Ardcath back in 1970; the `dance` which took place 53-years-ago this coming week.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Times Past”. Advertisement that appeared in the pages of the old Freemans Journal from the month of August back in 1879. This Mill at Legdoory, off the Delvin Road in Gormanston was first constructed towards the close of the 18th century and it was in operation long before the adjacent Delvin Lodge residence was constructed. The mention here in this particular advertisement regarding a “substantial house and stabling” was in relation to a large building and outhouses that also once stood adjacent to this Mill which was known locally as “Legdoory House”. Legdoory House was set well back from the Delvin Road, close to the Delvin River and access to the house and Mill was reached via its own avenue, which was located about mid-way down the Delvin Road. The Mill here at Legdoory was operated for many years by a family by the name of Boylan; originally from Dublin City, the last of whom had vacated the premises at Gormanston in 1878, hence the advertisement for the Mill to be Let again in the summer of 1879. The remains of the old Mill here at Legdoory along with some of the older outhouses etc. were still standing in the 1960`s but were, unfortunately, demolished due to quarrying by the close of that decade.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Sunday Sport from times past”. Photo, courtesy of Johnny McNulty of Kennetstown. Depicts St. Patrick`s Gaelic Football Juvenile Team from the 1960`s. Standing at the back, from left to right is Vincent Thornton, former Teacher at Stamullen & Whitecross, Father Paddy Fagan Chapel Curate of Stamullen & Julianstown and Kevin Boylan, who was also a former Teacher at both Stamullen & Whitecross. Some very familiar faces pictured here in this particular line out. Thanks and appreciation to John McNulty of Kennetstown for passing me on a copy of this wonderful captured photo image of yesteryear.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Gaybo Memorial”. Photo by Brendan Matthews depicts the Commemoration Memorial Plaque to the late Gabriel Howard, which was unveiled earlier this afternoon at Stedalt, Saturday October 21st 2023. The Photo of the Plaque here is surrounded by some images of both Gaybo and his beloved wife Kay, highlighted here by Brendan Matthews. There was a magnificent turn out of people for this very special event and there was much reminiscences regarding the life & times of the Staedalt man by all those present, many of whom had in fact travelled over long distances to be at Stamullen for the unveiling of the Commemoration Plaque. A fitting tribute, the Plaque ; now mounted on the exterior wall of the surrounding 18th century Carriage & Mill Yard of Laburnum Ville will continue to keep Gaybo`s memory well and truly alive long after all of those who were presen today are gone and where it will remain for posterity. If ever anyone was deserving of such an honour, it had to be “Howard”.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Cycling Times Past”. Article reporting on Yet another great year of competitive cycling for the local club, St. Pat`s back in 1967, inset picture depicts a young Gaybo & his great life-long friend Tommy (Tomsh) Reilly of the Stamullen Road. Unveiling of the Commemoration Plaque to Gaybo Tomorrow Saturday October 21st 2023 beginning at 2.30pm at `Crowe`s Wall` in Stedalt; all welcome to attend on the day.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “The Early Days of Cycling” Photo, courtesy of Kay Howard, depicts a local cycle race getting underway during the early 1960`s. Notice a very young Jack Courtney walking in front of the race. Remember, Saturday coming, October 21st 2023 Commemoration Plaque being unveiled to the late Gaybo Howard at the old Carriage & Mill Yard wall at the junction of the Stamullen Village Road and that of the Milestown/Tobertown Road, beginning at 2.30pm.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. Gabriel Howard Memorial Plaque. At last, the long awaited Commemoration Memorial Plaque to the late Cycling Maestro, Gabriel (Gaybo) Howard will be unveiled at Stedalt in Stamullen Village this coming Saturday afternoon October 21st beginning at 2.30pm. Please Share this and spread the word of the timing, 2.30pm as some notices had earlier recorded the timing for 1pm. The initial concept, discussions and commitment to this special occasion had begun many months ago and much work has already gone into this behind the scenes so as to take this initial concept into that of a reality. Fondly known by all, far and wide both at home in his native parish and surrounding districts and also nationally and internationally, the St. Patrick`s and Stamullen Road Cycling legend and manager, Gaybo very sadly past away in the month of February back in 2018 following an accident. More than five years have now passed since the departure of Gaybo; his tragic & untimely loss leaving his beloved family absolutely devastated. His sudden departure also had a profound effect on many folk within his own community and way beyond. Apart from he being well known as a result of his life-long involvement with Irish and International Cycling, Gaybo Howard was also very much and very deeply involved in Community and Charitable affairs both from within and without his community; always ready, at `the drop of a hat` to help others. So, this unveiling of a Commemoration Plaque to the Stedalt Man is a very fitting tribute in this, the fifth anniversary year of his sad demise. It is also very much a fitting tribute to Gaybo`s wife, Kay and to his immediate family. The Memorial Plaque will be mounted on the enclosing stone-wall of Crowe`s Yard, formerly the Stedalt Mill & Carriage Yard at the junction of the Stedalt & Stamullen Village Road and that of the Milestown/Tobertown Road and the event gets underway at 2.30pm this Saturday October 21st and all are very much welcome to attend on the day.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews.”Times Past”. Photo, not of a great quality, depicts another one of our local cyclists of yesteryear, Gerard Cromwell pictured here with two of his winning trophies from the Cycling Season of 2004; the McArdle Trophy and also the Donal Victory Perpetual Cup. Gerard is pictured here with Gillian and Sinead Cromwell and also his mother, Olive Cromwell née Howard at the Stamullen Road Club annual Dinner Dance of 2004 which was held at the local Glenside Hotel

The village of Stamullen will honour one of its most famous sons at 2.30pm Sunday 22nd Oct with a public unveiling of a memorial plaque in the memory of Irish cycling legend and Steach Maoilin man Gaybo Howard 💚
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Stamullen set to honour its own cycling legend ‘Gaybo’ Howard The village of Stamullen is to honour one of its most famous sons at 2.30pm this coming Saturday with the public unveiling of a memorial plaque in memory of Irish cycling legend Gabriel ‘Gaybo’ Howard.

Community Historian Brendan Matthews. “Times Past”. Photo depicts the early 18th century long thatched cottage which once stood on the east side of the Gormanston Village road and c.200 metres south of the old C**k Tavern and Richardstown Cross. The great Nationalist Leader and founder of the Ladies Land League, Anna Parnell attended a number of meetings at this particular homestead back in 1881. It was here that the local branch of the Ladies National Land League was inaugurated. During this period, 1879-1882 when the Land War was at its height across the country there were many evictions of the poorer tenant farmers and cottiers and a number of such evictions took place right across the parish of Stamullen including one eviction from this beautiful thatched homestead at Gormanston. When, In the month of May in 1881, the Tiernan family were tossed out of this humble abode by Land Agents who were ordered to carry out the eviction along with the bailiffs by Captain Thomas Preston who was a brother of the then Lord Viscount Gormanston Anthony Preston of the nearby Gormanston Castle. Anna Parnell, pictured here inset, was the younger sister of Charles Stuart Parnell and she gave a magnificent `rip-roaring` speech at Gormanston Cross just prior to this eviction taking place and when two local tenant farmers, Patrick Arnold and Frank Fulham were placed in Armagh jail and being charged with that of being `Political suspects`. The Tiernan family eventually did regain possession and moved back into the cottage at Gormanston and subsequently during the early 20th century the old home of Tiernan`s became the residence of the Brangan family. The magnificent long thatch cottage here at Gormanston, was unfortunately destroyed back in the 1980`s.