Limerick's Life

My small book on the history and culture of the Abbey Fishermen, is available at the following local bookshops, O'Mahoney's O'Connell Street. Celtic Book Shop, Rutland Street. price €12.

Or A signed copy can be got directly from the author using the contact form Contact.. price €12.

Or on line at Abbey fishermen price €13.95 + postage.


Here is a link to another great little website on the Abbey Fishermen and the Corbally Regattas LINK

The Abbey fishermen consisted primarily of four families, Clancy, McNamara, Shanny and Hayes. Three of these four families lived in the Abbey area of Limerick city, the fourth the Shanny's live in an area just outside the city called Park.
As these men were Roman Catholics the predominately names were Patricks, Johns, Thomas' and Michaels, as this would cause much confusion the men also went by nicknames.
Other names that have been associated with the Abbey Fishermen were, Cherry, O'Dwyer, Lyddy, Hartigan, O'Connor and Carroll. But these families were not to stand the test of time on the fisheries.
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The brecaun was the traditional fishing boat of the Abbey Fishermen, it was about twenty-four foot long and two and a half foot wide. It was operated and used by two men, one at the fore and the other at aft. It was steered over shallow water with the use of a pole and a paddle was used on other occasions.

This image shows a brecaun moored on the Abbey River at Sir Harry's Mall, with Clare Street in the back ground and St. John's Cathedral in the distance.
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The Abbey fishermen captured fish using a snap net. The snap net for catching salmon was approximately thirty-nine feet long by twenty-seven feet wide. The mesh in the net varied between four and six inches. The net was mounted on two ropes at the top and bottom of the net. On the bottom corners of the net there was a stiff rope which the stone net sinkers would be attached.
Two men on two boats would work the net. The net would be spread between the boats, the men holding  both the top and bottom ropes. When they would feel a salmon hitting the net they would shout "E" and pull the bottom rope upwards trapping the salmon.

Net Sinker made of limestone usually about two pounds in weight, the grove to prevent the attached rope from dragging on the river bed.
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Most of the Abbey fishermen have never been recorded in the Limerick trade directories as their trade was not highly valued in the commercial market to which the trade directories would have been aimed. Although saying that for a brief period some of the Abbey Fishermen were named the following are the men recorded in the listed directories and years:

Martin Clancy, Fisherman, Athlunkard Street - Bassetts 1877, 1880 & 1884.
John Clancy, Fisherman, The Abbey - Bassetts 1879.
Michael Clancy, Fisherman, The Abbey - Bassetts 1879.
Edward Hayes, Fisherman, Athlunkard Street - Bassetts 1879.
Robert Hayes, Fisherman, Sand Mall - Bassetts 1877 & 1880.
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The newest bridge on the Abbey river is dedicated to the Abbey Fishermen, initial plans were for the bridge to be named the Jim Kemmy Bridge after the former mayor and local historian. But after uproar and protests from local residents it was decided that the Abbey Bridge would be more apt.
A report on the matter in the Irish Examiner can be read here
The Abbey Bridge can be seen on my bridge page  The Abbey Bridge
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St. Mary's Prize Band was established in 1885, it was made up primarily of Abbey Fishermen, who used music as a form of relaxation after a hard days work.
In 1922, with funds sent over by families in America a dedicated hall was established on Mary Street, this Hall still stands today. For many years it was known as Todsie's, although much to Todsie's dismay the name was never officially changed.
Gerard "Riley" Clancy was a member of the band for 73 years.

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Being a small community the Abbey fishermen were steeped in folklore and tradition. One of with was concerning McAdam the Traitor

Another folklore story tells of a fisherman who was worried for his family who were ill as he left to fish one evening. He was thinking about returning home when his hat lifted from his head. The hat began to float back in the air towards the Abbey, he followed it too his door where it stopped. He then knew there was no need for him to worry about his family as his ancestors would look after them when he was gone.

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Mark Maguire's anthropological study of the fishermen which was recorded in the Limina journal can be viewed here. In this study Mark focus mainly on the culture of the Abbey fishermen, and the displacement of them with in a wider community.
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I am currently researching The Abbey Fishermen and would welcome any information relating to them.

Contact me
 
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