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Seoighe Inish Bearachain was a name used for three Joyce cousins, John Bhabín Seoighe, Martín Coilín Seoighe and John William Seoighe, who came from the island of Inis Bearachain, Lettermore, in
Connemara Connemara (; )( ga, Conamara ) is a region on the Atlantic coast of western County Galway, in the west of Ireland. The area has a strong association with traditional Irish culture and contains much of the Connacht Irish-speaking Gaeltacht, ...
in County Galway, Ireland. Both John Martín and Martín Cóilín were born on the island of Inish Bearachain (Irish: ''Inis Bearachain''). The third member of the crew, John William, was born on the nearby island of Inse Gaine, but later moved to Inish Bearachain when he married there. The Seoighe (Joyce) cousins won a number of titles in the All-Ireland
currach A currach ( ) is a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal skins or hides were once stretched, though now canvas is more usual. It is sometimes anglicised as "curragh". The construction and design of the currach are unique ...
rowing championships known as the "Tóstal". In the 1950s and early 1960s, the Joyce cousins won a record four All-Ireland titles. This included three consecutive wins in 1956, 1957 and 1958. They also won a fourth All-Ireland race in 1961. To compete in the Tóstal final, teams had to win qualifying races in their own
Gaeltacht ( , , ) are the districts of Ireland, individually or collectively, where the Irish government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant vernacular, or language of the home. The ''Gaeltacht'' districts were first officially reco ...
regions. The Joyce cousins qualified in the Lettermore region and went on to the finals, which were held at
Salthill Salthill () is a seaside area in the City of Galway in the west of Ireland. Lying within the townland of Lenaboy (''an Léana Buí''), it attracts many tourists all year round. There is a 2 km long promenade, locally known as ''the Pro ...
in County Galway. The 1957 Tóstal final race was rerun because of the disqualification of all the teams except for the one from
Clare Island Clare Island ( or ''Oileán Chliara''), also historically Inishcleer, is a mountainous island guarding the entrance to Clew Bay in County Mayo, Ireland. Historically part of the kingdom of Umhaill, it is famous as the home of the 15th century pi ...
. The Joyce cousins had won this first race, but the Tóstal committee claimed that only the Clare Island team ran the correct race course. After much complaint and debate, the Tóstal committee decided that the race would be rerun in
Kilkee Kilkee () is a small coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is in the parish of Kilkee, formerly Kilfearagh. Kilkee is midway between Kilrush and Doonbeg on the N67 road. The town is popular as a seaside resort. The horseshoe bay is pr ...
,
County Clare County Clare ( ga, Contae an Chláir) is a county in Ireland, in the Southern Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,81 ...
, in later weeks. The Seoighe cousins won the second race at Kilkee and were presented with the trophy by the then president of Ireland,
Éamon de Valera Éamon de Valera (, ; first registered as George de Valero; changed some time before 1901 to Edward de Valera; 14 October 1882 – 29 August 1975) was a prominent Irish statesman and political leader. He served several terms as head of govern ...
. During the years the Joyce cousins competed, the main Tóstal race attracted huge crowds, with over 50,000 spectators at Salthill one year. In a time before television, it was a source of entertainment for people, and there was huge interest in the races, which were broadcast on the radio.


John William Seoighe

John William Seoighe was born on the island of Inse Gaineamh in 1919. John William Seoighe is also known as an experienced sailor of the traditional boat known as the
Galway hooker The Galway hooker (''Irish'': ''húicéir'') is a traditional fishing boat used in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. The hooker was developed for the strong seas there. It is identified by its sharp, clean entry, bluff bow, marked tumbleh ...
. John William and John Bhabín Seoighe were both involved in the turf or
peat Peat (), also known as turf (), is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. The peatland ecosystem covers and is the most efficient ...
trade to the
Aran Islands The Aran Islands ( ; gle, Oileáin Árann, ) or The Arans (''na hÁrainneacha'' ) are a group of three islands at the mouth of Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland, with a total area around . They constitute the historic barony of Aran i ...
and County Clare. They used their own boat, Bláth na hÓige (Flower of Youth), to deliver the turf. The turf was loaded into the boats and brought to these areas to use as fuel, but in time lorries supplanted the boats. In an interview on
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta (; "Radio of the Gaeltacht"), abbreviated RnaG, is an Irish language radio station owned and operated by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ). The station is available on FM in Ireland and via satellite and on the Inter ...
(Irish-language radio), Tom Sheáinín was asked by the presenter Máirtín Tom Sheáinín what he thought of the Galway hooker Saint Patrick. His reply became a commonly used saying for any thing or person that looks beautiful: "Ligfeadh an taoile tuile ort a' breathnú uirthi," which translated from Irish means: "One would let the tide come in while looking at it". He has been linked to the phrase ever since.


Mártín Cóilín Seoighe

Mártín Cóilín Seoighe was born on the island of Inis Bearachain. Along with being an oarsman he used to sail in the Galway hooker. He was a boat builder and built many
currach A currach ( ) is a type of Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal skins or hides were once stretched, though now canvas is more usual. It is sometimes anglicised as "curragh". The construction and design of the currach are unique ...
s. He is known as one of the finest wooden oar makers in Ireland. He was the subject of a documentary shown on Irish-language television station
TG4 TG4 ( ga, TG Ceathair, ) is an Irish free-to-air public service television network. The channel launched on 31 October 1996 and is available online and through its on demand service TG4 Player in Ireland and beyond. TG4 was formerly known ...
, titled "Mé Féin is mo Méit," which translates as "myself and my friend". This documentary showed him with his friend Coleman Coyne and told their stories of their life and times together at sea.


John Bhabín Seoighe

John Bhabín Seoighe (1917 – April 2011) was born on the island of Inis Bearachain. When he married he moved to the mainland of Lettermore.


Song

The "Song of the Joyces", or ''Amhrán na Seoighe'', was written by the poet Val Donnachú from Cárna, Connemara, in praise of the Joyce cousins when they were winning races. A second song was inspired by a rumour there were three black men coming from the United States to compete in the Tóstal.

Amhrán na Seoighe Ó, chonaic mise fir mhaith le m'aois agus le m'oige
Ní fhaca mé triúr fear a chinnfeadh ar na Seoighe,
Tá bua na tíre anois acu le currachaí is le báid seolta,
Mar chruthaigh siad le honóir é istigh i nGaillimh ag an Tóstal. Is a Seoighe Inis Bearachain nár laga Dia go deo sibh,
Nach mór an chliú do Ghaillimh is do phobal Leitir Móir sibh,
Mar rinne currach chanbháis ba luaichte ná an ghaoth Mhárta,
'Déanamh míle ins gach nóiméad in aghaidh farraigí 'gus gála. Ní airím dream ar bith ag caint ach Ciarraí is a naomhóg,
Ach fanaidís sa mbaile is ná tagadís arís ann,
Mar ní fhaca mise triúr fear is ní bréag é seo ná magadh,
Bhí in ann dul chun farraige le Seoighe Chonamara. Ó ní déarfaidh mé tada eile 'nois ach críochnóidh mé an t-ámhrán,
Nach mór an t-údar onóir é dhá bhfuil ins an deoise,
Ba chóir dhóibh tinte cnámha 'dhéanamh thart timpeall leis na cóstaí,
In ómós do na gaiscígh 'thug an bhratach leo ón tóstal.


Gallery

File:Irish 25.jpg , Seoighe cousins after 1956 race, Salthill, Galway File:Pictures 010.jpg , Seoighe cousins, All-Ireland Trophy 1957 File:Irish_Pictures_009.jpg, Crowds at the Tóstal in the 1950s File:Irish_27.jpg , Amhrán na Seoighe


References

* Standún, Raymonde and Long, Bill (2001). ''Singing Shores, Whispering Wind:Voices of Connemara''. . * Scott, Richard J (1983). ''The Galway Hooker.'' Ward River Press. * Chapelle, Howard I. (1951). ''American Small Sailing Craft.'' W W Norton & Co.


External links

* John William Seoighe on making póití

* Song in praise of the Seoighe Cousin

* Map of Inish Bearachai

* Cúrsaí: Documentary about Seoighe Inis Bearachai

* Interview with Historian and Author Turtle Bunbur

* Obituary of John William Seoighe 2015

* Radio na Gaeltachta show featuring John William Seoigh

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seoighe, Mairtin Choilin Choilmin People from County Galway