Shops in Newcastle

There were 4 shops in Newcastle. They were owned by Tom Feeney, James Burke, Mary Burke and Sally Corbett. Mr Feeney had a forge as well as a shop. He used to shoe horses for free for any farmer who brought him scrap iron. Mr Burke lived just beyond the bog and the bridge at Licklea. Mrs Burke had a small shop and a ‘shebeen’ where she kept drink and ‘potheen’. If she saw anyone making potheen she threatened to tell the police unless they gave her some too. Mrs Corbett used to sell loaf bread.

Collector: Julia Cloonan, Clogh, Co. Galway

Informant: Honoria Cloonan, Clogh, Co. Galway (grandparent)

Place: Newcastle, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, ‘The Schools’ Collection’, www.duchas.ie/