THE TOWN

Ciaran Crilly

Photographs of Book launch in St Malachy's Clubrooms November 2005

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Where can I purchase "The Town"?

Priced at £20 “The Town” can be purchased directly from St Malachy's GAC from their HQ at Circular Road Castlewellan, from Rodgers Newsagents Main Street Castlewellan; and from Smith's Music and Books Newcastle.

The book can also be posted anywhere in the world and enquiries are welcome by emailing Ciarán Crilly
or telephone (+44)0771423 2783. An additional cost for postage and packaging
will be necessary and details of this will be given with any enquiry.

"The Town" (An Baile). A History of Castlewellan Town, The Parish of Kilmegan and 100 Years of the Castlewellan GAA Club 1905 - 2006

Published in November 2005 "The Town" traces the history of Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn (St. Malachy’s GAC Castlewellan), Co Down, Ireland from its formation in 1905.

The book’s 500 plus pages and containing more than 100 photographs charts the rich history of the club and the community from which it draws its players and supporters throughout the past one hundred years. Commonly referred to as “the town”, the club has successfully evolved from simple beginnings, when the town’s schoolmaster, Martin Cafferkey formed the first Gaelic schoolboy hurling team in the town about 1903. Two years later on Sunday March 19th 1905 the convention of the Down County Board was held in St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan, and it was on that historic date that Castlewellan GAC was officially affiliated to the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The title of the book is quite simply “The Town” and the choice of this title will come as no surprise to the Gaels of County Down and further afield as this is the name commonly given to the St Malachy’s club as far back as anyone can remember. Equally, Castlewellan’s neighbouring parishes and villages have always referred to this historic little settlement as the “town” and so when a name was being sought for the book the Club committee’s unanimous chose was quite simply “The Town”.

From landlordism and partition, through two World Wars and ‘the troubles’ this is the first time that a comprehensive history of Castlewellan has been put together. Written and researched by former Club Chairman and Secretary Gerry Dougherty and current Club Secretary Ciarán Crilly, this is their story about the proud Gaelic tradition of the town and parish of Kilmegan and the influences on the community of successive generations of local Gaels and by those that came to settle in the town.

While “The Town” is an essential and enjoyable read for the Gaels of Castlewellan and the surrounding parishes it is also an enjoyable and informative read for those with no GAA connections whatsoever. The history of the area is traced from the seventeenth century when Castlewellan was one of the principal strongholds of the Magennis clan until they were dispossessed of their patrimony in Castlewellan after the Battle of the Boyne. After the Magennis’s came the Annseley’s, and from they acquired and built the town of Castlewellan in the 1740’s there has always been an Annesley presence and influence in the town right up to the 1960’s. So no story about Castlewellan and it’s community would be complete without describing the influences of successive generations of the Annesley family, on the town and its people. Local people have their story to tell also and this book contains accounts and memories of local people growing up and living in the town going back to the 1920’s.

The appearance of this beautiful hardback book is most impressive and of a high professional quality with the cover depicting a number of features of this historical town and most importantly from a Club perspective a photo of Castlewellan’s own Pat Rice who won two ALL-Ireland medals with Down in 1960/61 holding the Sam Maquire Cup in 1960. Throughout the chapters of this book the great and the good the funny and the sad are visited but most importantly of all – the people that formed led and brought honour to Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn CLG and its community.

The book, which is sure to become a collector’s item, comes cover gloss laminated and applied onto stock hardback material. The text is printed in 4 colour process plus silk coating throughout on 130gsm silk art paper, folded, gathered, sewn in sections case bound, trimmed and packed with inside text finished in 4 colour process on 135gsm silk finished paper.

'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years.




The commemorative DVD entitled 'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years produced in our centenary year 2005, charts in visual form the Club History with many old photographs and cine clips of former town footballers and club events.

The story is narrated by Gerry Doughery (introduction),Frank Lennon, (1920's and 1930's), Patrick McAleenan (1940's), Dan Rooney(1960's), Colm Crilly (1970's), Colm McAlarney(1980's, Ciaran McCabe (1990's), Cormac McCabe (history of hurling), Emma King (history of Ladies Football), and Ciaran Crilly (looking to the future).
This historic DVD also includes a new club anthem 'Castlewellan Heroes' written and performed by the Cowan brothers Jimmy and Terry from Bann Road.

When purchased along with the 'Town' book the DVD costs £10.


Club Chairman Miceal Crilly presents the President with copies of the Award winning Club book and DVD written and researched by Ciaran Crilly (right) and Gerry Dougherty (absent from photo)


Members of the Club Executive representing the Club at the McNamee Awards in the Burlington Hotel. From left Ciaran Crilly, Seamus Owens, Laurence McAlinden, Miceal Crilly (Chairman), John McCartan (former Chairman), and Liam Sloan


The President of the GAA Mr Nickey Brennan presents Ciarán Crilly Club Secretary and co-author of "The Town" and the Club DVD 'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years, with the McNamee
Award for best Club Media Production in the 2005 Awards in the Burlington Hotel Dublin on Saturday 15th July 2006. Co-Author Gerry Dougherty was unable to attend due to commitments in the US with the Ulster Gaelic Football team in San Francisco.

These awards are presented annually by the GAA in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals in the area of communications. The concept evolved as a result of the Mc Namee report published in 1971.

There are eight recipients in the 2005 Awards each recieving a specially commissioned Clock mounted in carved and polished Irish Bog Oak. (Click here for Press Release and details of all the Awards)


Members of the Club delegation mingling with guests in the Burlington Hotel following the presentation of the Awards. From Left Liam Sloan, Seamus Owens (seated) Donal McAnallen (brother of the late Cormac McAnallen, Ciarán Crilly


Club Executive members pictured with GAA President Nicky Brennan and County Chairman Jerry Quinn (centre) at Saturday night's Awards in Burlington Hotel


Waiting for a taxi-bus at 4.00am !


A big thank you to everyone that contributed to both productions.







Photographs of Book launch in St Malachy's Clubrooms November 2005

Where can I purchase "The Town"?

Priced at £20 “The Town” can be purchased directly from St Malachy's GAC from their HQ at Circular Road Castlewellan, from Rodgers Newsagents Main Street Castlewellan; and from Smith's Music and Books Newcastle.

The book can also be posted anywhere in the world and enquiries are welcome. Email the Club Secretary at castlewellangac@gaelmail.com or telephone (+44)0771423 2783. An additional cost for postage and packaging
will be necessary and details of this will be given with any enquiry.

"The Town" (An Baile). A History of Castlewellan Town, The Parish of Kilmegan and 100 Years of the Castlewellan GAA Club 1905 - 2006

Published in November 2005 "The Town" traces the history of Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn (St. Malachy’s GAC Castlewellan), Co Down, Ireland from its formation in 1905.

The book’s 500 plus pages and containing more than 100 photographs charts the rich history of the club and the community from which it draws its players and supporters throughout the past one hundred years. Commonly referred to as “the town”, the club has successfully evolved from simple beginnings, when the town’s schoolmaster, Martin Cafferkey formed the first Gaelic schoolboy hurling team in the town about 1903. Two years later on Sunday March 19th 1905 the convention of the Down County Board was held in St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan, and it was on that historic date that Castlewellan GAC was officially affiliated to the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The title of the book is quite simply “The Town” and the choice of this title will come as no surprise to the Gaels of County Down and further afield as this is the name commonly given to the St Malachy’s club as far back as anyone can remember. Equally, Castlewellan’s neighbouring parishes and villages have always referred to this historic little settlement as the “town” and so when a name was being sought for the book the Club committee’s unanimous chose was quite simply “The Town”.

From landlordism and partition, through two World Wars and ‘the troubles’ this is the first time that a comprehensive history of Castlewellan has been put together. Written and researched by former Club Chairman and Secretary Gerry Dougherty and current Club Secretary Ciarán Crilly, this is their story about the proud Gaelic tradition of the town and parish of Kilmegan and the influences on the community of successive generations of local Gaels and by those that came to settle in the town.

While “The Town” is an essential and enjoyable read for the Gaels of Castlewellan and the surrounding parishes it is also an enjoyable and informative read for those with no GAA connections whatsoever. The history of the area is traced from the seventeenth century when Castlewellan was one of the principal strongholds of the Magennis clan until they were dispossessed of their patrimony in Castlewellan after the Battle of the Boyne. After the Magennis’s came the Annseley’s, and from they acquired and built the town of Castlewellan in the 1740’s there has always been an Annesley presence and influence in the town right up to the 1960’s. So no story about Castlewellan and it’s community would be complete without describing the influences of successive generations of the Annesley family, on the town and its people. Local people have their story to tell also and this book contains accounts and memories of local people growing up and living in the town going back to the 1920’s.

The appearance of this beautiful hardback book is most impressive and of a high professional quality with the cover depicting a number of features of this historical town and most importantly from a Club perspective a photo of Castlewellan’s own Pat Rice who won two ALL-Ireland medals with Down in 1960/61 holding the Sam Maquire Cup in 1960. Throughout the chapters of this book the great and the good the funny and the sad are visited but most importantly of all – the people that formed led and brought honour to Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn CLG and its community.

The book, which is sure to become a collector’s item, comes cover gloss laminated and applied onto stock hardback material. The text is printed in 4 colour process plus silk coating throughout on 130gsm silk art paper, folded, gathered, sewn in sections case bound, trimmed and packed with inside text finished in 4 colour process on 135gsm silk finished paper.

'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years.




The commemorative DVD entitled 'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years produced in our centenary year 2005, charts in visual form the Club History with many old photographs and cine clips of former town footballers and club events.

The story is narrated by Gerry Doughery (introduction),Frank Lennon, (1920's and 1930's), Patrick McAleenan (1940's), Dan Rooney(1960's), Colm Crilly (1970's), Colm McAlarney(1980's, Ciaran McCabe (1990's), Cormac McCabe (history of hurling), Emma King (history of Ladies Football), and Ciaran Crilly (looking to the future).
This historic DVD also includes a new club anthem 'Castlewellan Heroes' written and performed by the Cowan brothers Jimmy and Terry from Bann Road.

When purchased along with the 'Town' book the DVD costs £10.



Club Chairman Miceal Crilly presents the President with copies of the Award winning Club book and DVD written and researched by Ciaran Crilly (right) and Gerry Dougherty (absent from photo)


Members of the Club Executive representing the Club at the McNamee Awards in the Burlington Hotel. From left Ciaran Crilly, Seamus Owens, Laurence McAlinden, Miceal Crilly (Chairman), John McCartan (former Chairman), and Liam Sloan


The President of the GAA Mr Nickey Brennan presents Ciarán Crilly Club Secretary and co-author of "The Town" and the Club DVD 'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years, with the McNamee
Award for best Club Media Production in the 2005 Awards in the Burlington Hotel Dublin on Saturday 15th July 2006. Co-Author Gerry Dougherty was unable to attend due to commitments in the US with the Ulster Gaelic Football team in San Francisco.

These awards are presented annually by the GAA in recognition of outstanding contributions made by individuals in the area of communications. The concept evolved as a result of the Mc Namee report published in 1971.

There are eight recipients in the 2005 Awards each recieving a specially commissioned Clock mounted in carved and polished Irish Bog Oak. (Click here for Press Release and details of all the Awards)


Members of the Club delegation mingling with guests in the Burlington Hotel following the presentation of the Awards. From Left Liam Sloan, Seamus Owens (seated) Donal McAnallen (brother of the late Cormac McAnallen, Ciarán Crilly


Club Executive members pictured with GAA President Nicky Brennan and County Chairman Jerry Quinn (centre) at Saturday night's Awards in Burlington Hotel


Waiting for a taxi-bus at 4.00am !


A big thank you to everyone that contributed to both productions.







Photographs of Book launch in St Malachy's Clubrooms November 2005

Where can I purchase "The Town"?

Priced at £20 “The Town” can be purchased directly from St Malachy's GAC from their HQ at Circular Road Castlewellan, from Rodgers Newsagents Main Street Castlewellan; and from Smith's Music and Books Newcastle.

The book can also be posted anywhere in the world and enquiries are welcome. Email the Club Secretary at castlewellangac@gaelmail.com or telephone (+44)0771423 2783. An additional cost for postage and packaging
will be necessary and details of this will be given with any enquiry.

"The Town" (An Baile). A History of Castlewellan Town, The Parish of Kilmegan and 100 Years of the Castlewellan GAA Club 1905 - 2006

Published in November 2005 "The Town" traces the history of Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn (St. Malachy’s GAC Castlewellan), Co Down, Ireland from its formation in 1905.

The book’s 500 plus pages and containing more than 100 photographs charts the rich history of the club and the community from which it draws its players and supporters throughout the past one hundred years. Commonly referred to as “the town”, the club has successfully evolved from simple beginnings, when the town’s schoolmaster, Martin Cafferkey formed the first Gaelic schoolboy hurling team in the town about 1903. Two years later on Sunday March 19th 1905 the convention of the Down County Board was held in St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan, and it was on that historic date that Castlewellan GAC was officially affiliated to the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The title of the book is quite simply “The Town” and the choice of this title will come as no surprise to the Gaels of County Down and further afield as this is the name commonly given to the St Malachy’s club as far back as anyone can remember. Equally, Castlewellan’s neighbouring parishes and villages have always referred to this historic little settlement as the “town” and so when a name was being sought for the book the Club committee’s unanimous chose was quite simply “The Town”.

From landlordism and partition, through two World Wars and ‘the troubles’ this is the first time that a comprehensive history of Castlewellan has been put together. Written and researched by former Club Chairman and Secretary Gerry Dougherty and current Club Secretary Ciarán Crilly, this is their story about the proud Gaelic tradition of the town and parish of Kilmegan and the influences on the community of successive generations of local Gaels and by those that came to settle in the town.

While “The Town” is an essential and enjoyable read for the Gaels of Castlewellan and the surrounding parishes it is also an enjoyable and informative read for those with no GAA connections whatsoever. The history of the area is traced from the seventeenth century when Castlewellan was one of the principal strongholds of the Magennis clan until they were dispossessed of their patrimony in Castlewellan after the Battle of the Boyne. After the Magennis’s came the Annseley’s, and from they acquired and built the town of Castlewellan in the 1740’s there has always been an Annesley presence and influence in the town right up to the 1960’s. So no story about Castlewellan and it’s community would be complete without describing the influences of successive generations of the Annesley family, on the town and its people. Local people have their story to tell also and this book contains accounts and memories of local people growing up and living in the town going back to the 1920’s.

The appearance of this beautiful hardback book is most impressive and of a high professional quality with the cover depicting a number of features of this historical town and most importantly from a Club perspective a photo of Castlewellan’s own Pat Rice who won two ALL-Ireland medals with Down in 1960/61 holding the Sam Maquire Cup in 1960. Throughout the chapters of this book the great and the good the funny and the sad are visited but most importantly of all – the people that formed led and brought honour to Naomh Maolmhoig Caisleán a’ Mhuilinn CLG and its community.

The book, which is sure to become a collector’s item, comes cover gloss laminated and applied onto stock hardback material. The text is printed in 4 colour process plus silk coating throughout on 130gsm silk art paper, folded, gathered, sewn in sections case bound, trimmed and packed with inside text finished in 4 colour process on 135gsm silk finished paper.

'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years.




The commemorative DVD entitled 'Ag Amharcthar Na Blianta' -Looking Back Over The Years produced in our centenary year 2005, charts in visual form the Club History with many old photographs and cine clips of former town footballers and club events.

The story is narrated by Gerry Doughery (introduction),Frank Lennon, (1920's and 1930's), Patrick McAleenan (1940's), Dan Rooney(1960's), Colm Crilly (1970's), Colm McAlarney(1980's, Ciaran McCabe (1990's), Cormac McCabe (history of hurling), Emma King (history of Ladies Football), and Ciaran Crilly (looking to the future).
This historic DVD also includes a new club anthem 'Castlewellan Heroes' written and performed by the Cowan brothers Jimmy and Terry from Bann Road.

When purchased along with the 'Town' book the DVD costs £10.