School: Burrane, Inis (roll number 13738)

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1. Life Sketch of An Cailín Bán (continued)

   

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   Her maiden name was Eily (or Ellen) Hanly but she is sometimes erroneously called Eily OConnor owing no doubt to the fact that she was reared by her maternal Uncles the OConnors. She was born at Ballychanane in the vicinity of Croom, County Limerick in the year 1801 or 1802. Her parents were poor. Her father Michael Hanly was a labourer. When she was a few years old her father died and her father re-married a woman whose maiden name was Flannery. An Cailín Bán was taken then to the home of her maternal Uncles (OConnors) who were shoemakers and lived in a little house not far away from that in which Cailín Bán lived up to then. Soon after his second marriage her father left Ballycahane and went to live with his wife who owned a small farm on the slope of Mount Knockinerna (Hill of the Truth) near Ballingarry (This Hill is mentioned in Gerald Griffin's poem " Adare"). She was an extremely beautiful girl and was much admired for her personal charm by all who knew her. She was called "The Peasant Queen" by the people of the district. She walked like a Queen.
   When she was about 17 years of age and while still residing with both her Uncles she was seen one day by a young Naval Officer who was then at home on a holiday. His name was Captain John Scanlan whose parents

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Michael Twomey

   Gender

   Male

   Occupation

   Teacher