Conradh na Gaeilge members publish new guidebook about Carrick-on-Suir

Caption for photo above: Conradh Na Gaeilge members at the official launch of Camchuairt na Carraige agus Eolas ar an gCúltír with Kevin Power (back right) who sang at the event. Back: Anraí Mac Seoigh, Fr Éamann Ó’ hAiseadha and Caoimhín de Paor. Seated: Treasa Mhic Sheoigh, Tomás Ó Nialláin and Céline Ní Chóchlaigh. Picture Anne Marie Magorrian

The Craobh O’hIcí branch of Conradh na Gaeilge has published a guide book about Carrick-on-Suir that is packed with interesting information about the town’s heritage and places to visit.

“Camchuairt na Carraige agus Eolas ar an gCúltír” which in English means “A Tour of Carrick-on-Suir and Information on its Hinterland” was officially launched at Carrick’s Seán Healy Library on July 10.

This book is co-written by the members of the Carrick-on-Suir branch of Conradh Na Gaeilge including Tomás O’Nialláin, Céline Ní Chóchlaigh, Anraí Mac Seoigh and Treasa Mhic Sheoigh. Copies of the guide book are now on sale in shops in Carrick-on-Suir.

Fr Ned Hassett, who served as a curate in Carrick-on-Suir in the 1990s, officially launched the book.

The Portlaw man, who is Parish Priest of Abbeyside Parish in Dungarvan, gave a wonderful talk at the launch event recalling his early memories of regular visits to Carrick-on-Suir “where we came to buy shoes and sell calves, to go to Mass on a church holiday or as the men in Cleary’s hardware would say to my father, ‘you’re in for the farmers’ holiday.’

Fr Hassett cycled to explore the area in detail with this gem of a guide book.

It is filled with information on places and buildings, wells, high crosses, cemeteries, statues, roads and lanes, families linked to sport and crafts, rivers, walks, bridges and churches, the castle and parks, rectories, monasteries, convents, schools and ancient walls with information and dates linked to each historical reference.

He described his travels in detail recalling the people and places of times past and the powerful historical legacy they have left behind for all generations to remember and learn from.

“I can’t adequately express my admiration for and appreciation of the precious pearls that you have compiled in such a useful, accessible guidebook to Carrick and surrounds, enabling visitors and locals alike to soak in the ways and means, people and place, past and present.

“It is an easy, but erudite, introduction to the area. Camchuairt is like hand luggage; it’s really hard to travel light, to know what to pack in and what to leave out. Bhuaileabhair an sprioc.”

The book is written in both Irish and English covering the rich history of Carrick-on-Suir and surrounds and its people and aims to chronicle the local lore for future generations.

It includes an interesting commercial directory of Carrick-on-Suir businesses in 1846.

“The vast list of trades/businesses in Carrick, from Isaac Slater’s Commercial Directory of Ireland 1846, is staggering,” said Fr Hassett.

“The combined population of Carrickbeg and Carrickmore fell from 11,049 in 1841 to 5,752 in 2022.

“It’s interesting to think that we ourselves have lived through some lasting changes such as the building of the flood walls, the parish buying the Presentation Convent in 1996, the departure of the Christian Brothers from the area and the Gaelscoil being built on the grounds of St Joseph’s Convent.”

Tom Nealon, one of the co-authors of the book, paid tribute to Fr Hassett and the team from Conradh Na Gaeilge who each worked hard to compile and accurately source the history.

He also paid a beautiful tribute to the late Michael Coady, also a member of Conradh ma Gaeilge, who he said was an expert on the town and referred to Mr Coady’s poem, ‘The Friars’ Rock’ which is printed in the book.