........The Galtees Anthology is particularly timely on the occasion
of the 400th anniversary of the Battle of Kinsale. This defeat
effectively saw the end of the old Gaelic Order in much of Ireland
by which culture and tradition survived in South Limerick for
nearly one hundred years into the 18th century.
Thus, much of Limerick, which lies in the shadow of the Galtee
Mountains, still today shows in its culture and in regard for
its past, the influence of the older Gaelic traditions and values.
......The buzz words of the 21st century are "Globalisation"
and "Connectivity." ......there is much benefit to mankind
and to the people of County Limerick from the technologies....but
globalisation fails to give one a sense of place - a point of
reference - a place which one is proud of.
Thus the connectivity of modern technologies does not alone adequately
satisfy the human soul. Councillor John Gallahue, in editing
and contributing to this Anthology, has ensured that the present
generation of County Limerick will have an opportunity to connect
with their historic past, for without a knowledge of a past, there
can be no future.
This Anthology excites one with the achievements of great Irish
men with connections to the Galtee Region, from Geoffrey Keating
at the start of the 16th century, in his cave in the Aherlow Valley,
commencing his monumental history "Foras Feasa ar Eireann",
to the steadfastness of the Cleary family of "Boro Road"
in the struggle against landlordism, all complemented by the sufferings
of the O'Mahony and the Mandeville families in the 19th century
for the cause of Irish freedom.
.........The poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, recognised the value
of history and his verse challenges us today, just as this Anthology
does:
"If men could learn from history, what lessons it might
teach us! But passion and party blind our eyes and the light which
experience gives is a lantern on the stern, which shines only
on the waves behind us!"
Beirim fáilte Uí Cheallaigh roimh an cnuasach scéalta
seo.
Roibárd O Ceallaigh
Bainisteoir Contae Luimní
Just email me for details of how to get a copy.
