Restriction lift date: 2035-09-30
Macroom: pastimes (non-sport) and community, after 1900; a history of seven pastimes in a small country Cork town
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Date
2025
Authors
Kelleher, Cornelius Christopher
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Publisher
University College Cork
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Abstract
This local history study is about my home place Macroom, a small County Cork town, roughly halfway between Cork and Killarney. Because of its central Munster location it has always been strategically important. Macroom Castle dates from the eleventh century and its ownership has marked political control of the area. East of Macroom, on its Cork-city side, the land is generally good and fertile; to the west it is rockier and poorer. Proximity to Cork and land-quality were reasons for English influence being stronger east rather than west where the Gaelic tradition survived better, signified by surviving Gaeltachtaí within fifteen miles. Macroom stands on this synapse and experienced the contest of British and Irish political and cultural control of Ireland; its location and experience underlies the history of most activities, pastimes included, that transpired in Macroom. It incorporated land-, property-ownership and wealth, and language, religion, culture and education. It is in this atmosphere that Macroom pastimes, symbols of its culture, existed, developed or died. Economic and especially technological advances ensured that Macroom did not stay isolated and outside influences were mediated through cinema, radio and television (the internet’s effect was small before 1990s); all played important roles in the evolution of Macroom pastimes. These effects are not unique to Macroom - this study records Macroom’s story/history in this regard.
The pastimes chosen are card-playing, dance, pubs, cinema, radio and television, ICA-attendance and pantomime. They were selected because of their importance, support, impact, availability of reliable sources and balance. In the interest of gender-equality the history of he ICA was chosen; unexpectedly its history is both revealing and important in Macroom’s history. Because of space, other areas such as children’s and church-centred pastimes were not included. Chapters examine the provenance of each pastime, its ‘journey’ to Macroom, its progress thereafter; relevant factors are examined and assessed, and an interpretation offered of its contribution, impact and importance.
Conclusions derived confirmed are that people need entertainments; that pastimes are important because paradoxically they are not important; that authorities, state and clerical, perhaps inadvertently acknowledged and reinforced their status by numerous laws, rules and regulations; that pastimes often gave ‘colour’ and deeper meaning to life. They also informed, educated and changed attitudes and society. Macroom experienced all these effects and transitions. The background factors are common to many towns but Macroom’s response is unique. This work records an important part of Macroom’s history.
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Keywords
Pastimes (non-sport)
Citation
Kelleher, C. C. 2025. Macroom: pastimes (non-sport) and community, after 1900; a history of seven pastimes in a small country Cork town. MPhil Thesis, University College Cork.