Shelmalier ??

Subject: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,Sigurd
Date: 14 Dec 01 - 02:47 AM

I know its both a place and a person (in Boulavogue and Kelly the Boy from Killanne respectavely).

Is there anyone with a better knowledge of Irish history who could give me a 2 paragraph blurb???

Much appreciated, Sigurd

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Dec 01 - 03:36 AM

Interesting question, Sigured. There's a bit on the 1798 Homepage. Another little smidgeon I found was that Shelmalier referred to the "Wexford fishermen who became gunmen in the Irish rising of 1798." You'll also find a bit of mention here (click). I take it that Shelmalier is a Barony in County Wexford in the southeast corner of Ireland, but it isn't on any of my maps. This site says

The journey to Wexford by road or river has many pleasant views, and some bends of the river are particularly lovely. The last stages lie through the Barony of Shelmalier, which has always had a population of net-fisherman and fowlers. The ?bold Shelmalier?, with his long-barrelled duck-gun, was a formidable marksman in the Wexford insurgent army. He is commemorated in many ballads.

Well, that's what I was able to glean. I'm sure we'll have some Ireland experts who will be able to give us much more.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: Fiolar
Date: 14 Dec 01 - 09:54 AM

"Shelmalier" or to give it its modern spelling "Shelmaliere" means the "(place of the) descendants of Maol Lughra." The Barony is divided into Shelmaliere East and Shelmaliere West and contains some 292 townlands. The small towns of Castlebridge, Clongeen, Taghmon and Foulkesmill are within its borders. More information can be found using "Shelmaliere" on Google.

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: MARINER
Date: 14 Dec 01 - 07:56 PM

The Shelmaliere men mentioned in the '98 songs are ,as far as I know , from the Castlebridge area. The "long barreled gun of the sea" mentioned in Kelly the Boy from Killane were the fowling pieces they used in Wexford Harbour(and to great effect in many of the battles of 1798).I'm not sure if they required any great accuracy to use them. I may be mistaken but I think these guns were of the traditional "punt gun" type, still used until recently in Wexford Harbour, which when fired killed anything unfortunate enough to be within a very wide radius The local Castlebridge Hurling Team are called The Shelmalieres in memory of their forefathers (my g/g/grandfather among them) who fought so gallantly throughout that rebellion .

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: Amos
Date: 14 Dec 01 - 08:07 PM

I am delighted to learn whence the term came after many years of singing in ignorance!! THank you all! The things ya learn on the Mudcat!!

A

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,Bo
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 05:11 AM

Thanks and thanks again.

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: Paddy Plastique
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 05:13 AM

Glad to see others have cleared up the meaning - I used to think it was a misspelt/corrupted superlative : 'she-male', 'she-malier', 'she-maliest' :-> CF 'The Zoological Gardens' or Shane MacGowan's 'The Old Main Drag'

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,Bud
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 07:32 AM

Now I can't get "Kelly, the Boy from Kilane" off my mind. I'll probably be singing it all day.

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,Jim Roche
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 01:01 PM

While traveling in Ireland we stayed at the Shelmalier House in Athelone. The owner was well versed in the history of Wexford and named the establishment in memory of the uprising. I, unfortunately, didn't have enough time to absorb all the information he was offering, but tears welled up in his eyes as he was talking of it. He mentioned the song, but I didn't get the name of it. He seemed to be a great source of information.

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,Big Ballad Singer
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 03:05 PM

Up The Republic!

A Nation Once Again!

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 Jul 10 - 03:13 PM

On the fingerlakes of New York State "O" and "OO" gauge fowling guns or Market Guns were used to shoot flocks of ducks at a time as they rested on the water. A man laying low in a boat that was well disguised with brush would loat to with in a few yards of a raft of ducks and were fired. A few ounces of shoot would knock over a hundred or so birds all at once. The birds were then sold at the meat markets in Geneva, Ithaca, Watkins Glen and round about.

I have seen these guns fired during exhibitions, hunting with them has long been illegal. I can imagine them being toted off to a land battle and the carnage that would ensue.

Don

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,Boys of Wexford
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 11:07 AM

If anyone is visiting wexford there is an information centre based in the Wexford Wild life reserve on the North Slob (The reclaimed land of the North Wexford Harbour in 1840'S) which is free and has a punt gun which best resembles a small cannon . The long barrel gun of the Shelmalier men of 98 were more than likely long barreled muskets as a shelmalier sniper shot the British commanding officer who had gone to observe the Rebel encampment before the battle of the Three Rocks on Forth Mountain,
Entry to the Wexford wild life reserve is free and it is also an Irish Hare reserve and well worth a visit. Follow the Gorey Road over Wexford bridge and there is a turn to the left before Grannel motors ,
If you visit during the winter you will get to see huge flocks of Greenland Geese on the reserve or sobs as they gather at dusk.

The Shelmalier area was a hot bed of the rebellion in 1798

Subject: RE: Shelmalier ??
From: GUEST,E O Leary
Date: 25 Jan 16 - 06:38 PM

There is a magazine published twice yearly for 19 years in Castlebridge named The Bridge. Its several copies contain many historical and folklore articles and it is well worth the read. If anyone is interested I think old copies should be available in The Presbytery Castlebridge Wexford.