Club History
Erins Own G.A.A Club was founded in 1963 with the amalgamation of the two parish clubs, Knockraha and Little Island. The decision to form the new club was based on a desire to strengthen gaelic games in the parish of Glounthaune by forming one strong unit where two weaker ones previously existed. The game had been played in the Parish for well over a hundred years.
Teams were affiliated in Junior A, Junior B and Minor grades in hurling and football in the early years. A juvenile section was also formed and teams were fielded in Under 14 and 16 hurling and football.
The early years at adult level were most difficult and unrewarding. It was in fact an achievement to fulfil our fixtures. The club enjoyed success firstly at Under 14 hurling and later at Under 16 hurling, where three divisional titles were won consecutively.
A major breakthrough was achieved in 1967 with the winning of the East Cork Minor hurling title. This was followed in 1970 by an under 21 hurling title. In 1973, we achieved a major ambition by winning the East Cork A grade Hurling Championship for the first time. This success transformed the attitude and commitment to Gaelic Games in the parish of Glounthaune. Youngsters from all age groups became involved in playing the games, whilst more adults came forward to assist at administrative level in the club. Additional juvenile teams were affiliated which in time resulted in more adults playing our games. The club mushroomed from a small unit of the association catering for 6 teams in 1963 to one catering for twenty two teams by 1975. This extra activity brought more success both at adult and juvenile level. Further divisional titles in junior hurling were added in 1975, 1977 and 1979. In 1980, the club entered the intermediate hurling grade.
The club grounds in Caherlag were purchased in 1978 and after much hard work and fundraising, the official opening took place on the 2nd of May, 1982.
On the playing fields, the club reached the County Intermediate Hurling final but unfortunately lost to an impressive Milford side. However our time was to come and we captured the Intermediate title in the year of our associations centenary, 1984. This success was repeated in 1987 following which we graduated to the senior hurling grade.
In July 1991, the new club meeting room was officially opened by Christy Twohig.
In 1992, the club realised its greatest ambition on the playing fields by winning the County Senior Hurling Championship for the very first time. This historic achievement was acclaimed throughout the county and indeed beyond. This victory generated considerable new interest in our club and gaelic games in the parish, which resulted in a huge influx of both adult and more importantly, juvenile members. Our Senior hurlers won the Cork Senior Hurling League in 1996, and also the Liam Breannach Cup.
On the 8th of June 1996, our new complex was officially opened by Jack Boothman, President of the GAA.
Football success was also attained at minor and Under 21 level during this period and in 1994, the club won the County Junior Football Championship for the first time. Unbelievable scenes of joy and celebration unfolded throughout the parish for the second time in two years. All divisionall juvenile titles open to the club in Hurling and Football were also won in this period together with a number of County Championships.
The success of the senior club rubbed off on the juvenile club which started to enjoy some unbelievable success, culminating in a historic 3-in-a-row of Premier Minor Hurling titles.
Our club is now a strong, vibrant unit which caters for players in the four corners of the parish, i.e. Glounthaune, Brooklodge, Little Island and Knockraha.
A camogie club, which was re-formed in 1994 is proving to be of great interest to the ladies of the parish. They hopefully will emulate the successes of the main club over the coming years. Teams have been entered in bith league and championship at Junior 'B' adult level and in juvenile level at Under 12, 14 and 16. Approximately 90 girls are involved from all over the parish.
Parish History
Glounthaune Parish embraces the ancient parishes of Caherlag, Little Island, Ballydeloher, Killaspugmullane and Kilquane. The union was first called 'The Union of Caherlag and Kilquane'. In the official list of Priests dated 1807, 1814 and 1817, the union was designated as Caherlag.
In 1835, it was called New Glanmire. This was changed somewhat to New Glanmire and Knockraha in 1837. In 1838, the area is referred to as Glountahune and Knockraha. The name Glounthaune prevailed from 1840 onwards. Each of the old parishes had their own characteristics and in a historical sense it would be impossible to treat the area as a unit. To walk the area, as we know it today, one would be forgiven for imagining that it had little in the way of history to offer. Few visible landmarks stand to this day. However, the opposite is true of the Parish. The area was part of the tribal lands of the people known as the Ruib Liathan, whose territory extended from Little Island to Carraig-na-bhFear and from the city's edge to Castlelyons. Little Island, Cellescop Lappan appears as in 1199. The parish itself appears for the first time under the name De Insual (of the island) in the 14th Century. In 1144, its full title "Sancti Lappini de Insula parta cels insl Vic Nele" i.e. The Church of Saint Lappan of the Little Island - otherwise the island of Mac Neil who was Chieftain of the Ui Tasaigh, a branch of the Ui Liathain. The Ui Tasaigh was named after Tasaigh a king of teh Ui Liathain.
In St. Patrick's time, Tasaigh's daughter was wife of High King Laoghaire. She received the faith from St. Patrick himself. Their graveyard and church where they worshipped is beyond todays's St Lappan's Place. On an article on the Island of Cork Harbour, Liam O Buachalla writes of grants made by Norman settlers of East Cork and Cork Harbour district and confirmed by Matthew, Bishop of Cloyne (1172-1192). Among those named, we find the names "Inismacnel" and "Inseratha" present day Little Island. Inismacnel is identical with Inchera, which is an island west of Little Island. This island is now reclaimed and part of the remaining Island. In the Calendar of ormond Deeds there is a grant given at Carrigtwohill in 1360 by which James Earl of Desmond, was gramted eight canurates, 60 acres of wood and 30 acres of marsh in Inshenell and Insherter. The latter name is clearly Inshera and obviously stands for the Irish "Inis Iarthair". The Irish name for Little Island is "Inse Ratha". In Bishop Downes' article on his visitation of the diocese, he refers to the Church of St Lappans. In October 1700, he wrote "The Church in Little Island built with stone and lime is in good repair. There is a pulpit and desks but no seats. A tomb in the Church belonging to the Courthop family. The Church is a bout 40ft long and 20ft broad. The Church is enclosed by a good stone wall".
The Bishop refers to the "Papish" priest of this parish and Caherlag as William Dooly who resided in Carrigtwohill. The name St. Lappan originated in all probability from the son of a locall Chieftain Ruisne Mac Lappan who was a scholar of St. Finbarr's Monastic School. He is known to have laboured in the East Cork area.
The present Church was built in 1865 and consecrated by Bishop John Gregg. The old St. Lappan's was taken over by the Protestant Church iin 1615 A.D. The Feast of St. lappan falls on March 26th. Further accounts of Little Island are found in Lewis' Topographical (1837). "It is separated by a branch of that river (Lee from the parish of Caherlag, with which it communicated by a handsome causeway of hewn stone and a metal spring bridge constructed in 1833 at the expense of Silver C. Oliver Esq." The same account informs us of the limestone quarrying that went on in the area. "Limestone abounds and is worked to a considerable extent for agricultural and building purposes, and as ballast for vessels sailing without cargoes from the port of Cork. For which latter purpose a contract has been entered into by Mr. J. Cantillon Jnr., with the ballast board".
We note that the limestone was shipped out at 4 wharves within 150 yards of the quarries and was transported by means of a railroad. In 1837, yearly production was 12,000 tons of manufactured stone, plus 44,000 tons of rough stones, the former sold for 13/s per ton and the latter of 1s/4d per ton. employment was 100 men per day but when fully worked, was capable of 600 men a day. The area described as a place of many residentail domains. Names mentioned include Wallingstown House, residence of Phineas Bury, whose demense contained teh ancient Church and Castle of Wallingstown. Other names include J. Ashlin Esq., of Carragrenane Rockfarm, J. Cantillon, W.H. Jackson Esq. of Castleview. " There are several other seats chiefly modern mansions on this small but beautiful Island". The Parliamentary Gatzeer (c. 1844-1845) also makes reference to the Island and describes it as follows: "The surface blends, in both character and composition with the large part of the exquisitely beautiful landscape of the lower valley of the Lee". Some of the facts e,erge, the existence of the old village of Clashavadig; population of the Island in 1831, 1103 and in 1841, 1,069, the number of houses being 166. It is noted that at Baile Bheire and ancient Chrch and graveyard existed. A little removed from the church was reputed to be a holy well at whichs "rounds" were fromerly made. It is now known as "Betty's Well" on Mr. martin's lands. This Well is located opposite the entrance to FMC Limited at Wallingstown.
In modern terms, it is difficult to visualise the main Cork-Youghal road passing through Cagerlag, but this was precisely the case. Caherlag would seem to have derived its name from Cathar - stone fort of a local chieftain. An ancient burial ground existed in nearby Kilcoolishal. Many early references are found to this area over the centuries. Our present playing picth is on course located at Caherlag in the townland of Kilcoolishal.
View Map of Glounthaune Parish.
