Currane Community Website

This interview took place in 2001:
We were extremely lucky to persuade Cleo to answer our questionnaire
as she is most definitely one of the busiest people we know.

Name:	Cleo Watson
Profession, past/present employment details:	Trained General Nurse, trained in England, Yoga teacher, Connemara pony breeder, you name it, I have done it or tried to! At present, I’m trying to get a business off the ground, Creative Writing and Photography, so far, two successful groups, Foot and mouth, clobbered me badly, hopefully I will recover.
What do you like about Currane?	I love everything about Currane, the view of the ocean from my window, the clean sweet smell of a Spring morning, the sound of the ocean when I am going to sleep, the blazing sunsets, the seals basking on the rocks, the peace and the peace-loving people.
Favourite walk/walks	My favourite walk/walks are from the house here across the cliffs to Peels house, great views and of course, all the thought provoking Lazy Beds, is it possible for anybody to see these and not conjure up a million stories? The other one is from here to the sandy banks, great beach for having fun with the dog, or just to be alone with my thoughts. A place to be still and be calm
Favourite place:	My favourite place is a big dark secret, it is where I go to let infant poems stretch and grow.
Favourite time of year:	The best time of year for me has to be the longer days of Summer, which means more time outside (If it isn’t raining!) for walking gardening or just messing about.
Favourite story/folklore:	It is very difficult to choose a favourite story, any from Russian Fairy Tales, I suppose. This book was given to me by my father when I was a little girl and couldn’t pronounce or understand most of the words. The quotation I am giving you comes from ‘Wassilissa The Beautiful’ ‘Lie down, shut thine eyes and go to sleep. The morning is always wiser than the evening’.
Place you’ve most enjoyed traveling to (and why):	I don’t have a favourite place to travel to, I just love to travel. However, traveling to Rwanda at the tail end of its horrendous war, was probably the most memorable. Rwanda is a place I would visit again,…Pure curiosity to see if the framework we put in place actually was viable. I often wonder how the Irish seed potatoes fared, no, we didn’t make lazy beds! I wonder about the water, Is it cleaner, do the men remember to keep cattle away from the wells, did the pregnant women deliver healthy babies. Did Sara ( an ‘unaccompanied’ child one of thousands) ever find her parents. This child will always own a piece of my heart, from the very first day she followed me everywhere, so very difficult to leave her behind when I came home.
Place you’ve least enjoyed traveling to:	There is nowhere that I wouldn’t visit again (well, perhaps Torrid Molinos!) good or bad, ugly or beautiful, there is always something to learn.
Place you would love to visit:	A place I would love to visit? There are so many!! My wildest dream (there are many of these too!! ) is to go to a culture that hasn’t been contaminated by the Western world, learn everything there is to learn, not teach anything!
Favourite book:	I love books, again, difficult to find a favourite, so here are three. ‘Women who run with the wolves’ by Clarrissa Estes. Very briefly and not doing this book justice, it is about the intuitive wisdom of women, a celebration of femininity and woman power. ‘Tibetan Book Of Living and Dying’ Sogyal Rinpoche. A book ‘to inspire the whole way we look at death and care for the dying and the whole way we look at life and care for the living.’ ‘Anam Cara’ John O’ Donoghue . Like the other two books, you want to read and read again. About secrets of the ancient Irish world, Irish prayers and blessings, a beautiful approach to spirituality.
Favourite music:	My favourite music, everything from Bruch’s violin concerto to Pink Floyd or Dire Straits. Andrea Boccelli to Rod Stewart.
Favourite song :	(One of many) Mystic Lipstick written by Jimmy McCarthy sung by Maura O’Connell.
Favourite film:	Schindler’s List, The Black Stallion, Lassie come home.
Favourite drink:	Antigua Smile, and it does make you smile! I can’t remember what is in it, which shows how good it is, I still remember it after a lot of years, which shows how good it is, I swam much better after it, which shows how good it is!! Does anybody have the recipe? Then we will have a lot of smiling, swimming people around Currane with bad memories including me!!
Best feeling in the world:	When I am ‘on roll’ with my writing.
Worst feeling in the world:	When I have a ‘dry’ period with my writing.
Which person would you most like to meet living or dead:	Grainne ni Mhaille, Pirate, sea queen, a very liberated lady!!
Any important plans/resolutions for the future:	To live in the moment.
Cleo is also well known as a poet and has kindly given us a copy one of her poems describing her feelings on her journey to Rwanda.	Kigali 1994  Steady drone of the aircraft Boring movie, Winding down at last From six weeks of adrenaline buzz. Half asleep with scattered thoughts Of what lies ahead, There is a feeling of release Of letting go Let it happen. Harry is restless, he prowls the aisles Then tucks a blanket around me, I am grateful for the contact. The night explodes into daybreak Ears bung up As we start our descent into the unknown. Below are little terraced hills and trees Misty and lush Not like the war zones on T.V. Noses pressed to windows, Excited voices, “Can you see” “There’s Kenyatta” “I need a pee”. So here we go, back-packed, labelled Documented, vaccinated, briefed But unprepared For 1994 Kigali. Note. Harry is a Bosnian refugee he drove one of the trucks.

Thanks Cleo for talking to us and good luck with your business venture.

This interview took place in 2001:

Sinéad is truly a record breaker!
Never before have we had so many nominations for one person in such a short period of time.
Everyone felt that she deserved recognition for her academic and professional achievements.
We persuaded her to answer our questionnaire;

Name:	Sinéad O’ Malley in Currane but Sinéad Ní Mháille everywhere else! I spent a year in the Meath Gaeltacht when I was 16 and my name has been in Irish ever since.
Age:	24 going on 25 (some would say going on 45).
Family details/links with the area:	Born and raised in Currane.
Where do you live?	I’ve lived in Dublin for three years. At the moment I live in Fairview on the Northside with my brother and sister. Fairview is brilliant. It’s really close to the city centre but its close to Clontarf and Howth too.
Profession, past/present employment details:	I work as National Youth Officer for Fianna Fáil, which I love but which keeps me very busy. Before Fianna Fáil I did a Masters and before that I worked as Tourism Manager for Turasoireacht Acla.
What do you like about Currane?	I like the physical Currane – the fact that it’s right on the coastline; rugged, rocky places like Clochán and the feeling that you get when you pass by the pitch on the way in and you can see Achillbeg, Clare Island and Clochmor in front of you. I like the personal side to Currane too, the sense of community and familiarity between people. Currane has developed a great community spirit and it has resulted in things like the Centre, the pitch, the computer centre etc. I love coming home to my family in Currane.
How would you improve the area?	There isn’t a lot I would change. I’d like to see tourism better developed in Currane – small, cottage-industry type tourism; family B&B’s, small-scale walking tours, development of Currane’s natural amenities in a responsible and environmentally-sound way. For a small place there is a huge amount of history and story attached to it and it could easily be used to attract business and create jobs. People love places like Currane where they can get a sense of history and culture and feel like they are welcome in a small, familiar community.
Favourite place/view:	My favourite place, such as it is, is the sea. I love to be out in the boat or sitting at Clochán when the sea is a bit choppy and the sun is shining. I love Achillbeg and one of my favourite things is to go to the lighthouse with my father.
Favourite time of year:	Summer – no question! I hate cold, grey short days and I can’t wait for Summer.
Favourite story/folklore:	Anything about Irish mythology and anything about Granuaile.
Favourite saying:	Na bac le mac an mhacaigh is ni bacaigh mac an mhacaigh leat. (My Irish spellings not great!) It means ‘Mind your own business and others will mind theirs’.
Place you’ve most enjoyed traveling to (and why):	It doesn’t really qualify as travel since I lived there for three years, but my favourite place away from home is Portstewart in Derry. I lived there for my three years in college and it is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. I have some great memories of college and Portstewart, particularly The Anchor Bar, plays a big part in them.
Favourite book:	I am big into reading whenever I get the chance. I’d read anything really but my favourites are mythology and fantasy fiction, things like Lord of the Rings, Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice (a very interesting take on creation and the story of God and the Devil), Windlord, Firelord and Earthlord by Michael Scott and the Harry Potter books. I also liked classics like Lorna Doone, Jude the Obscure, Pride and Prejudice and John O’ Donoghue’s book Anam Cara.
Favourite music:	All kinds of everything – James, Radiohead, Coldplay, Paddy Casey, dance music, Mary Black, Christy Moore, the Carpenters, etc, etc
Favourite song (Irish):	I don’t think I have a favourite song. I like traditional ballads, rebel songs. If I had to pick one I’d say Mo Ghile Mear.
Favourite film:	All the Star Wars films, The End of the Affair, Mary Poppins, The Matrix.
Favourite drink:	Vodka, white wine.
Favourite food:	Anything there’s lots of – Mexican, Indian, Achill Head curry chips etc.
Favourite type of night out in the area:	Anywhere with my family and cousins – we always have a great laugh.
What sports do you enjoy:	I don’t play any (I’m far too lazy) but I like watching football and hurling.
Which teams do you support:	Currane ladies, Mayo – the local teams. I have no interest in soccer.
Which person would you most like to meet living or dead:	Granuaile.
Any important plans/resolutions for the future:	I want to take over the world – no seriously I just want to get on with my job and find a bit more time for my friends and family

Thanks once again to Sinéad for taking the time to talk to us.
We’re sure everybody will join us in wishing her continued success in the future.

 

This interview took place in 2001:

Name:	Patrick Francis Gallagher
Age:	45
Tell us a little about your family:	Father: Pat Mother: Winnie Brother: James Sister: Mary
Tell us a little about your employment history and professional life:	I am a vendor and van driver. Before that I ran The George for seven and a half years until 1988, and before that I drove all around the country making deliveries. I also did a bit of fishing.
What do you like about Currane?	The people and the scenery – which I think we sometimes take for granted. I particularly love the drive from Mulranny to Bollinglanna.
Is there anything you’d like to change about Currane?	I wouldn’t change a thing…well, except maybe the roads!
What is your favourite time of year?	I like the long warm days of the summer. I don’t like cold weather, but I’ve never been tempted to move somewhere warmer.
Have you traveled abroad?	Only to Northern Ireland! I slightly regret not having gone anywhere else – I’d like to visit Australia, Spain and the USA.
Do you have a favourite type of music?	I like most music, though I can’t play any instruments.
Favourite TV program:	Gillette Soccer Saturday
Favourite film:	Braveheart and Titanic
Favourite drink:	Coke
Favourite food:	Steak and chips
Favourite night out:	A good Table Quiz night – I’m too old for discos!
Are you involved in sport?	I’ve been the Manager of Achill Rovers Mens Junior team for seven years. I played for the team for many years and then, after a few years out, I was asked to become the Manager. I had to think about it for several seconds before saying yes!
What has been the highlight of your time as Manager?	Winning the Mayo League title in 1998. We missed it by 1 point in 1997 after leading for most of the season. We lost our second to last match, against Westport, and knew that we would miss out on the title. It was a huge disappointment for the whole team and it was very difficult to motivate ourselves for the following year. So to come back and win the title was a massive achievement.
What has been the worst moment in your time as Manager?	When we found out that we were not going to be allowed to defend our title in 1999. Mayo decided to set up a ‘super league’ and each team would have to have facilities like showers in the changing rooms, which we didn’t have. So we were demoted. It was heartbreaking.
What are your ambitions for the coming season?	We’ve made it back into the ‘super league’ – we’ll be playing at The Valley – and we’re looking for a top five position. We played Ballyglass, who were third last year, before Christmas and were drawing 4-4 after 90 minutes, so we are quite confident.
Favourite football team:	I’ve been a Middlesborough supporter for 30 years.
Which person/s would you most like to meet? (living or dead)?	Muhammed Ali and Alex Ferguson.
Is there anything about the structure of Mayo football that irritates you?	The Mayo League is reasonably well run, but midweek matches are a problem. Teams based in towns don’t have a problem as most of the players will be working in the town, but rural teams suffer because the players may be working several hours drive away. Often they can’t get back from work in time, or else they have to hurry too much which can be dangerous on our roads.
Hobbies:	I love playing pool. I represented Mayo and came within 3 points of playing for Ireland. I play with teams in Belmullet (McGuires) and Castlebar (Coach Bar).
Pet hate:	Bad driving, especially people who don’t dip their headlights.

 

 

This interview took place in 2001:

An extremely popular choice for person of the moment,
John answers our questions;

Name:	John Mhikie Gallagher
Age:	58
Tell us a little about your family:	Father: Mikie Mother: Mary Healy Four brothers: Michael, Eamon, Tommy, Patrick. Four sisters: Bridie, Ita, Annie, Kathy. * I was reared next-door to my father and mother by Aunt Maria who was married to Michael Madden – Gréasaí Antaine. * I am married to Mary Travers from Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal * We have three children – Mairéad, Sal, and Caitlíona
Tell us a little about your employment history and professional life:	* I was a Secondary School teacher and taught Irish, Geography, Art, Mechanical Drawing and French. * The schools I taught in were Dooniver, Coláiste Éine, Scoil Chuimsitheach Chíaráin í gCeathrú Rua, Scoil Dhamhnait, and Sacred Heart School Westport. * Worked in England at various jobs in the sixties: Meat factory, building sites, M1, M2, Dpt fourteen of Wimpeys, sold ice-cream in London as well. * Fished off rocks in Currane from Stoiricín to Dough Beg. Fished in Currach with different family members and neighbours. Had half-decked boat for 16 years – fished off Currane, Achill, and Clare Island.
What do you like about Currane?	Everything – ‘muid féin atá ann’
What is your favourite view in the area?	From the top of Cnoc na hAilte Móire near Lough Árd.
What is your favourite time of year?	Springtime, but I enjoy Summer growth and Autumn colours and Winter games of cards – solo and 25.
Favourite story/folklore:	Adventures of Ernest Shackelton and The Famous Lynchechaun.
Favourite saying (seanfhocal):	‘Níl ins an saol ach ceo Agus ní mhaireann an só ach seal is ní buan sioc soilseach na maidne Ach ar feadh tamall bíonn sé geal’ i.e. ‘Life is but a mist and good times don’t last long, and the sparkling morning frost is fleeting, but for a while it’s brightness is so strong’
Is there a place that you enjoyed travelling to?	Russia 1979: Moscow and Leningrad, the Museums, Hermitage, churches, Moscow circus etc. were all magnificent. Contrary to understanding at the time, the people I found very warm and welcoming.
Favourite book (Fiction):	The Day of the Jackal
Favourite book (Non-Fiction):	Anam Cara
Do you have a favourite type of music?	Traditional Irish Music and most music
Favourite song:	Shanagolden sung by Thomas Joyce.
Favourite Gaelic song:	Amhrán Mhaoinse sung by John Beag Ó’Flatharta
Favourite film:	One flew over the cuckoo’s nest
Favourite drink:	Smithwicks and at times a little ‘Gaelic coffee’ made from mountain dew.
Favourite food:	Bacon with cabbage, freshly caught mackerel and herring. I’m also partial to Chinese food.
Favourite night out:	In Currane in company of Conor Patten, Thomas Joyce, Pat O’Malley, Thomas O’Malley, Michael Joe Gallagher, John and Tommy Madden and Father Willie and if John Hoban came by.
Favourite sports:	Gaelic Football, Hurling and Soccer.
Favourite teams:	* Mayo God help us!, Galway Hurling team, Chelsea, Sligo Rovers
Which person/s would you most like to meet? (living or dead)?	Caiptín Máille Pattico, Caitlíona Mhór and David Attenborough
Any plans for the year ahead and the future?	Take a day at a time. Admire the odd fishing vessel, go to sea from day to day, enjoy and partake in music sessions. Have an odd refreshing drink and chat with lively company, play a few card games. – pause and pray and remember from time to time my wonderful friends and neighbours in Currane and elsewhere whose company and warmth I’ve enjoyed through all the years. Faoí Chumhdach Dé iad ar fad.

Many thanks to John for taking the time to talk to us.
We’re sure everybody will join us in wishing John a great year ahead.

This interview took place in 2000:

One of the elders of our community, Ann Masterson (or Ann Mór as she is known), will be 91 on
St. Stephens Day.
The only survivor of 11 children, Ann remains active socially, has an impressive memory, and when it comes to
local news and events she is still very much on the ball.
We caught up with Ann after a day out in Mulranny and persuaded her to answer our questionnaire;

Name:	Ann Masterson (known as Ann Mór)
Favourite TV programs:	Wheel of fortune, the Six O’Clock News and Coronation Street
Favourite Coronation Street characters:	Vera and Jack, Curly
What is your favourite drink?	I take a small Baileys occasionally, but not often. I like juice, and tea of course, but I’m not keen on coffee at all.
What is your favourite food?	I like lamb chops, and of course the spuds. I don’t like bananas, pork, black pudding, sausages or rashers. I like tomatoes, but it’s so hard to get good ones. There used to be a nursery in Bunacurry that had lovely tomatoes.
What is your favourite book?	I used to read a lot of books, but I don’t any more. I like to read the Mayo News
Where were you born?	In Scotland – I’m a Scottie really! – but I came to Ireland when I was a baby. I went back to Scotland when I’d grown up and stayed for many years, mainly in Edinburgh. I worked in hotels, a hospital, and on the railway. I used to clean the carriages when the trains came in, and we made the beds on the sleeper trains – it was great craic! Oh but the football fans, when they came in, what a mess they made!
What social event have you enjoyed recently?	My 90th birthday last year. I went to the compass to play whist, as usual. There were an awful lot of cars there, but I had no idea what was going on – someone said there must be a big prize. As soon as I went in the door they all started singing happy birthday! I was so shocked, and Michael Ruddy was laughing his head off! What a lovely evening – people had come from all over, even some relatives from Preston.
Do you socialise a lot?	I go to Mulranny on a Tuesday and we have lunch, then we are taken to Daly’s for some shopping. I play whist every Wednesday night at the Compass. We used to go to Glór na dTonn on a Wednesday for day care and we had lunch, but the FAS scheme has ended so there’s no-one to do it any more.
Is there anywhere you would like to visit again?	Not really, though I wouldn’t mind going back to Edinburgh.
Are there any changes you would like to see in Currane?	More employment
Favourite football team?	Man Utd and Celtic, especially when I was in Scotland – they had a great team then.

 

 

This interview took place in 2000:

Ann has just won the C section of the Hibernian Tennis Club Championships at Castlebar Tennis Club.
She is about to try to break her own record of winning 3 Presidents Prizes in a row by adding a fourth. You’ll be able to see her playing for Currane ladies on Sunday 5th in the GAA semifinal and, to top all of that she will be appearing in the pantomime Aladdin at the Travellers Friend, Castlebar in the new year. (Tickets available from the Travellers Friend or Downtown records, Castlebar)
It goes without saying that she must also be every organised in order to fit all of this in. Is there anything she can’t do?
She took some time out from her extremely hectic schedule to answer our questionnaire:

Name:	Ann Sweeney
What do you do?	Legal Secretary
Favourite drink:	Budweiser
Favourite food:	Chicken
Favourite book:	Wings by Danielle Steel
Favourite film:	The Bodyguard
Favourite band:	Travis, David Gray and Bryan Adams
Best gig:	Bryan Adams at The Point, 1999
What would you do if you won the lottery?	Take a very long cruise around the world
What do you most like about Currane?	The people – they’re so friendly and the scenery which is hard to beat
Suggest something that would improve the area:	More employment
Favourite football team?	Man Utd (I had to say that!)
How many sports are you involved in?	Tennis (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) Soccer (Castlebar and Galway) Football (Currane and Achill) Badminton
Which person would you most like to meet?	Steffi Graff because of her great success and long career
What’s your favourite night out?	The TF (Travellers Friend in Castlebar) on a Sunday
What is the worst feeling in the world?	Losing a match when you expected to win
What is the best feeling in the world?	Taking off in a plane- I’d love to be a pilot!
What is the best holiday you’ve had?	3 weeks in Chicago this summer
Do you have any ambitions?	To travel the world. I’m off to Scotland shortly and I’m very much looking forward to visiting Australia
Where do you see yourself in ten years time?	I would like to still be involved in sport, enjoying life and still living in the West of Ireland.
Which Coronation Street character would you most like to be?	Linda- she’s gas!

 

Name:	Micéal Ruddy
What do you do?	Release Technician, Allergan, Westport.
Favourite drink	Guinness
Favourite food	Indian Curry
What book are you reading at the moment?	The Manchester United Monthly Edition
Favourite Music	Indie
What would you do if you won the lottery?	Spend it!
What do you most like about Currane?	The sense of community
Suggest something that would improve the area	Better roads
Favourite football team?	Manchester United
Favourite sports?	Olympic diving
What would your ideal Saturday night out be?	A typical Saturday night would be a few drinks in Currane at the Compass and the George. On to the Sound and then, if we’re still standing, on to the Achill Head.
What is the worst feeling in the world?	Waking up after a Saturday night in the Achill Head.
What is the best feeling in the world?	United winning the European Cup in Barcelona 1999.

 

 

Micéal Ruddy	Ann Sweeney	Ann Masterson (Mór) RIP	John (Mhikie) Gallagher
Sinead O’Malley	Cleo Watson	Charlie Gallagher	Noreen Gallagher and Maeve Cafferkey
Bridgie Moran RIP	Margaret Gallagher (D)	Patrick Francis Gallagher	Alistair Steger-Lewis