The need for the renovation of the Glen Schoolhouse community building have been discussed for a while among the people of the area and moves have been undertaken to take the project forward. The building is a protected structure and planning permission has been granted to develop it in such a way as to facilitate the growing list of activities organised by the Lyreacrompane Heritage Group and the community groups under its umbrella and to also showcase the Heritage and Culture of the Stacks and Gleanaruddery mountains. In the aftermath of Covid, the development of the building as an intimate and interesting space will facilitate certain forms of community activity that will help overcome social isolation and exclusion.
The renovated building will fill a void that exists in the district for an intimate/friendly space for both locals and visitors to meet, develop skills, share knowledge and learn of the fascinating history of the many aspects of life as it was and is being lived in this expansive district of blanket bogland and upland environment. It will combine the role of a valuable tool for local people with the role of a place that will allow the community, a mainly older community, to interact with those who appreciate our unique upland environment while experiencing the culture and heritage that developed in that landscape.
The Lyreacrompane Heritage group met again in April ‘22 to discuss the project and make further plans. The dozen committee members who attended were given an up-to-date report which showed that fundraising was progressing well. A variety of new ideas were suggested at the meeting and all these will be in the mix when final decisions are being made.
Substantial fundraising has been carried out and anyone, at home or abroad, who would like to support the project, or find out more about it, should contact the Chairperson (087 285 3570) of The Lyreacrompane Heritage Group, Lyreacrompane, Listowel, Co. Kerry or E-mail lyreacrompaneheritage@gmail.com
When the building has been upgraded it will cater for all the above. In terms of the heritage and culture of the area it will be finally possible to properly display the various aspects of the heritage and culture of the area.
These include...
The story of the Landlord’s agent, Lucy Ann Thompson, and the Lyreacrompane evictions during the Land War of the 1880s. The plan to set up an artillery range based on the clearance of Lyreacrompane farms by Thompson.
The Landlords of Lyreacrompane from the Fitzmaurices, Barons and Earls of Kerry (1400s to 1780s to the Lockes of Norbury (1780s - 1857) and the Hurlys (1857 - 1911)
The story of the Glen Schoolhouse – Education, Worship & Politics.
The story of the 1747 Turnpike/Butter Road on which the schoolhouse stands.
Pairlement Chloinne Tomas, a 17th century work of Gaelic prose set in the Stacks Mountains.
The story of Blanket Bog, the unique environment of the area and the powerhouse of Kerry – From the first machine produced turf in Ireland to Wind Farms.
The story of Dan Paddy Andy O’Sullivan - the last of the great Irish Matchmakers – and the annual festival of that name.
The history of the Lyreacrompane RIC Barracks
The story of the Principle Keeper of New York’s Sing Sing Prison – A man from Lyreacrompane.
The story, unearthed by parish native and Trinity College lecturer, Dr. Mary McAuliffe, of Amelia Wilmot (nee Canty), of Lyreacrompane and her indispensable role in the War of Independence in North Kerry and the story of the Lyreacrompane man whose death influenced Padraig Pearce to surrender in 1916.
The Lyreacrompane Heritage Group has Charitable Status and is actively seeking funding for this project.