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The
village lies on the main Galway to Dublin road.
The
village of Craughwell is a rather peaceful
place. It is noted for its neatness and
its village green has a statue of Lady Augusta
Gregory, (1852-1932) a founding member of the
Irish National Theatre and another of Anthony Raftery (c1784-1835), last of the great Gaelic
bards (Reftery was blinded by small pox while
very young) both statues were crafted by
sculptor, Donal O' Murhcadha. Other noted
people associated with Craughwell include
John and Angelica Huston
of Cinima fame who lived for a period in the
old mansion of St. Clerans nearby, birth place
of Robert O' Hara Burke, the first explorer to
cross Australia from south to north. The
kennels of the local hunt, the famous Galway
Blazers, are nearby.
The
local countryside has a number of field
monuments: ruins of castles, gallery graves,
pillar stones, ring barrows and tumuli.
There is a field monuments glossary to be found
here, describing many of the types to be
found in the region.
The poetry of Raftery
Poet,
harpist and composer of songs
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Raftery as Gaeilge |
English Translation |
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Mise Raftery an file, lán dóchais 's
Grádh
Le suilibh gan Soluis, le ciunas gan
crádh
Dul siar ar mo aistear le solus mo
Chroidhe
Fann agus tuirseadh go deireadh mo
shlighe
Feach anois mé 's mo aghaidh ar
bhalla
Ag seinm ceoil le pocaibh falamh. |
I am Raftery the poet, full of hope
and love
Having eyes without sight, lonely I
rove.
Going on my journeying by my heart's
light
Weary and tired of unending night.
Take a look at me now with my back
to a wall
Singing and playing for nothing at
all. |
The films of John Huston
The Village Church and
Raftery Monument
Craughwell Church |
The Inside of the Church |
Raftery the Poet |
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