Going to the Well for Water: The Seamus Ennis Field Diary 1942-1946

Contents

Contents Acknowledgements ix Editorial xv Abbreviations xvii Introduction 1 The Journeys 1 Conamara, 2 July to 14 September 1942 25 2 Ballinagh, Co. Cavan, October 1942 53 3 A Visit to Conamara, 7 November to 14 December 1942 57 4 A Visit to Carna, 8 to 28 May 1943 69 5 Conamara, 23 June to 8 August 1943 79 6 Donegal, 9 August to 20 September 1943 89 7 Carna, 5 November to 15 December 1943 107 8 Donegal – A New Year, 15 January to 5 April 1944 121 9 Another Visit to Carna, 15 May to 1 August 1944 151 10 County Mayo, 10 August to 4 September 1944 175 11 Donegal, 5 September to 19 October 1944 185 12 Another Visit to Carna, 9 November to 18 December 1944 207 13 In the Parish of Carna Again, 24 April to 2 August 1945 231 14 A Visit to Árainn, 20 August to 6 September 1945 279 15 County Clare, 7 to 30 September 1945 295 16 A Visit to Limerick, 14 to 21 November 1945 317 17 County Clare, 22 to 24 November 1945 325 18 Donegal – Toraigh, 16 May to 7 June 1946 329 19 Conamara, 14 June to 19 July 1946 343 Notes 359 Bibliography 395 Index of people featured in the diary 401 Index of music and song 571 Subject index 576 Index of places 585 Acknowledgements I wish to thank all those who assisted in the preparation of this book. I am grateful to the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, who awarded me a Government of Ireland Research Scholarship. The scholarship afforded me the opportunity to make significant advances in my research. Particular thanks are due to Údarás na Gaeltachta and especially to Pádraig Ó hAoláin for financial assistance which enabled me to create indexes. Those who assisted in this work are too numerous to mention and people whose names are unknown to me gave generously of their time. These were people I encountered en route or who gave information to people I contacted in search of material. I wish to thank my friends and colleagues in Irish Folklore in University College Dublin and also Kelly Fitzgerald, Rónán Galvin, Jackie Mac Donncha, Peadar Ó Ceannabháin, Helen Litton, Fiachra Mac Gabhann, Seán McKiernan, Máire Ní Fhlatharta, Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill, Beairtle Ó Conaire, Anne O’Connor, Michèle O’Dea, Seán Ó Guairim, Pádraig Ó Héalaí, Marian Ridge, Bairbre Uí Chonaill. Special thanks to Cork University Press including Sophie Watson, Catherine Coughlan, Michael Collins and Maria O’Donovan. Some have passed away since the beginning of my research, and their support is not forgotten. Micheál Ó Curraoin, who prepared the diary text for publication, Ciarán Ó Con Cheanainn, Máire Delaney, An tAthair Proinsias Ó Maolaithe and Pádraig Mac Gairbheith are especially remembered. Thanks to: Anna Bale, Noreen Barron, Seóirse Bodley, Majella Breen, Niall Brooks, Peter Browne, Jane Burns, Nicholas Carolan, Máire de Grás, Eithne Ennis, Barbara Ennis Price (RIP), Colm Faherty, Anna Germaine, John Glendon, Michael Gorman, Brian Grogan SJ, J. Hayes, Tadhg Keady, Ian Lee, Brian Lynch, Criostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Dónall Mac Giolla Easpaig, ix Tomás Mac Mathúna SJ, Damian Maddock, Paul Martin, Éamonn Mathews, John McDonough, Pat McGee, Elaine McKay, Eugene McKendry, Caitríona Miles, Ursula Molloy, Gerardine Moloney, Malachy Moran, Máirín Nic Dhonncha, Aine Ní Cheallaigh, Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidín, Caoimhe Ní Ghormáin, Máire Ní Neachtain, Willie Nolan, Máirtín Ó Cadhain, Séamas Ó Catháin, Bosco Ó Conchúir, Brian Ó Curnáin, An Mon. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Micheál Ó Flaithearta, Dáithí Ó hÓgáin, Liam Ó Maoladha, Jean-Michel Picard, Letitia Pollard, Dermot Roantree, Ciarán Tuite. Cavan Eddie Brady, Eileen Brady, Fr Peter Casey, Mrs Cully, Martin Donohoe, Úna McDermott, Gerry and Kathleen McGahern, Teresa McGahern, Michael Sheridan, Tom Sheridan, Peter Smith. Galway Árainn Mary Arnsby, Diane Clarke, Lorraine Clifford, Pádraig de Bhailis (RIP), Olwyn and Michael Gill, Máire Ní Bhriain, Sorcha Ní Chonghaile, Marian Ní Mhaoláin and family, Treasa Ní Mhiolláin, Brian Ó Catháin, Tomás Ó Concheanainn, Máirtín Ó Concheanainn, Aindrias Ó Ruairc, Diarmuid Teevan, Micheál Ó Conaill, Mary Ryan, Mairéad Uí Fhlaithearta. Cloch na Rón Christopher and Martina Conneely, Martin Conneely, Detta Conroy, Eileen Coyne, Pádraig Mac Donncha, Seán Ó hUaithnín, Joe...