Posted by Royal on January 22, 2004 at 18:33:27:

In Reply to: Our own 'Dick Turpin' posted by Royal on January 20, 2004 at 17:48:09:

The title of the book is 'Ireland ; its scenery & character' vol.3 1843 and was written by an english couple Mr. & Mrs. S.C. Hall whom travelled for three years all over Ireland, decribing what they saw. Remember the Famine occoured only a few years later.Castlebar in its description comes out pretty well but the Barony of Erris & Tyrawley ( Belmullet,Bangor etc.) are described as savage districts,with very primitive inhabitants.Achill comes out well - there is an account of the island having up to 50 illicit poteen stills!
Unfortunately there's no more information about the island close to Pontoon or about Gallagher,the robber but the author's discuss the practice of duelling,which they describe as virtually non-existent.
However, only thirty years previous(1800's),the counties of Mayo & Galway were notorious for duelling.In the 'established families', it was considered very poor & unfavourably if a member of that family had not taken part in at least one duel & indeed,it mentions how a Club existed in Galway,in which no person was admissible who had not shot his man!
Finally,the book mentions very vaguely about a "sod" located about a mile or two outside Castlebar where the duelling took place.Unfortunately it doesn't pin point where exactly.
All the best.

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• Maybe it was Glass Island MM 23:29:50 22/1/04 (0)

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