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CARNAUN NATIONAL SCHOOL  

Things are happening! 
                    A small townland in Connacht is unlikely to be perceived as the 'cradle' of Ulster Unionism. Castle Ellen, Athenry, County Galway, however, carries this distinction. Ancestral home of Isabella Lambert, mother of Sir Edward Carson, is the link that binds, the thread from which 'knitted mesh to mesh', this immortal fact survives. Sir Edward loved the place, spent much time there as a boy came there on holidays when a student in Trinity, played hurling with the local team. Known and loved, he mixed well with the locals - 'Ned Carson was a decent chap - a man of the people'.  The rest is  history!  
What more appropriate and significant time to embrace our historical past than in the present Peace environment and move into the future with a renewal of friendship and kinship. The children of Carnaun National School situated between Castle Ellen and the older Castle Lambert pave the way.   
Their school project 'The Lamberts of County Galway,  a study of the Townlands associated with them and their link to Sir Edward Carson and the North of Ireland' moves apace.  
 Sourcing data with intelligence and youthful enthusiasm, their objective - to publish a book - The Lamberts of Athenry!  It is fitting that from these young people we, The Lambert Project Society, carry this project into wider dimensions. (Treasa Evers 1998) 
                 Extending the idea:  

We widened out our Project and looked for help in the Community and we had a number of people who helped us in different ways.  

Treasa Evers, Galway.  
Micheál O'Cionnaith, Castle Ellen House.  
Aideen Rynne, Athenry.  
Anita Coffey, Carnaun School.  
Finbarr O'Regan, Carnaun School 
Andy Lambert, England, Castle Lambert family.  
Alan Lambert, South Africa, Castle Ellen family.  
Peter Wood, New Zealand. 

1. Helped Finbarr O'Regan and School children with the School’s part of the book.   
2. Organized a Symposium, onThe Lambert Families, Sir Edward Carson,  and the connection with the North of Ireland - to be held:  18-20 June '99. 
3. Andy Lambert has wonderful webpages on the Lambert families at http://www.familylambert.net/History/index.htm 
4. Alan Lambert  directly descended from the Lamberts of Castle Ellen has just sent us an updated version of his family Database 
5. Peter Wood of 55.Sheridan St. Hamilton 2001, New Zealand Email: pjwood@ihug.co.nz , is researching his Lambert, Persse and Peyton ancestors. He would like to hear from people interested or connected with these families. He has been a great help to us in our research and has a wonderful article 'A Lambert who settled in New Zealand'  written for our new book. 
Our Book 'The Lamberts of Athenry' - This book is sold out - not available any more!

Now that the project has been concluded we would like to thank all who helped in any way to make it the great success it turned out to be. We were extremely lucky to have made their aquaintance and they will be our friends for ever!  
Finbarr O'Regan, Carnaun School, Athenry. 28.11.99 

Carnaun National School: Lecture and Launch of Commemoration Book 
Castle Ellen House: Former home of the Lamberts of Castle Ellen   
Heritage Centre: Former C. of Ireland Church 
Athenry Castle

1. Their articles in the book and the launch of the book. 
2. Exhibition in their Research and Projects in the School during the Symposium.  
 
• Lambert Project in School
• Visit our Area
• List of B & B accomodation

BAILE ÁTHA 'N RÍ