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1900 - Faunarooska Castle40 viewsFaunarooska Castle is a name that comes up every now and then in the Peter Carrucan - Hannah Woods line. What was the connection?
At some time in the past, the farming property which included the Faunarooska Castle had passed into the hands of the Woods family. John Woods, Hannah""s father, is mentioned as residing in Faunarooska in the 1855 Griffith Valuation. It was there that Hannah was brought up, within sight of the historic keep on the family property. Presumably it was still in reasonable repair when she emigrated to Australia in 1857 and, in her last years, she remembered it like that and expressed a desire to return to Ireland and lay claim to it.
Alas, by then, it was a derelict structure that was no longer capable of habitation.
This photo, taken between 1890 and 1915, shows the keep still more or less in its entirety although missing its roof. A collapse in 1985 left it as a ruinous pile of rocks.

1915 Faunarooska Castle41 viewsFaunarooska Castle is a name that comes up every now and then in the Peter Carrucan - Hannah Woods line. What was the connection?
At some time in the past, the farming property which included the Faunarooska Castle had passed into the hands of the Woods family. John Woods, Hannah""s father, is mentioned as residing in Faunarooska in the 1855 Griffith Valuation. It was there that Hannah was brought up, within sight of the historic keep on the family property. Presumably it was still in reasonable repair when she emigrated to Australia in 1857 and, in her last years, she remembered it like that and expressed a desire to return to Ireland and lay claim to it.
Alas, by then, it was a derelict structure that was no longer capable of habitation.
This photo, taken in 1915, shows the keep still more or less in its entirety although missing its roof. A collapse in 1985 left it as a ruinous pile of rocks.

1930 - Ellen Sullivan nee Carrucan50 viewsEllen, the fifth child of Michael Carrucan and Mary Droney, was born in 1863. She emigrated to America and settled in Delaware. She worked hard and earned her living caring for the children until she met her husband to be, John Dennis Sullivan, who worked for a leather company. They were married, settled in Wilmington, Delaware, and had three children. Their first child John died an infant at the age of 18 months. Their youngest daughter Ann died at the age of 19 years. Mary Elizabeth, born 28th June 28 1900, was their only child to reach adulthood and marry. Ellen died in 1940 aged 77.
This photo shows her in her later years in Delaware.

1932 - Michael and Jimmy Carrucan36 viewsThis Fanore photo shows two of the children of Dennis Carrucan - Michael (born 1919) and Jimmy (1922). They are in the middle front with flat caps on. This photo must have been taken around 1932.

1939 Carrucan house36 viewsThe old Carrucan homestead

1940 - Dennis Carrucan and family38 viewsThis photo shows Dennis Carrucan (in centre with flat cap) with some of his family. Dennis was the father of Patrick (1917), Michael (1919), Jimmy (1922), Mary (1924) and Jacko (1925).
Back right: Mary Carrucan
Front: Seamus Carrucan (Dennis Carrucan""s brother), Jimmy Carrucan (with accordion), Dennis Carrucan (with flat cap), Michael Carrucan on right (with violin).
Michael Carrucan (right) was born in 1919 so this photo must be around 1940.

1943 - US Air Corps flying crew - John D Speakman front second from right34 viewsJohn D Speakman, (known to his family as Jack) was the second child born to Mary and Walter Speakman in 1924. When he came of age, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, 2nd Air Division and assigned the position of tail gunner as part of a B-24 bomber crew.
This photo, taken October 1943, shows Jack, front row, second from right - sourced from http://www.dj1953.com/1944/sidney's-story.htm.
Shot down on 24th February 1944, he was interned as a POW until the end of the war. In November 1946, he married Betty Lee Millman. Between 1947 and 1965, they had a family of 9 children, raising them all in the Catholic faith.
Jack had the pleasure to see all of his grandchildren born but he passed away on 29th September 1992, just short of seeing the first of his great grandchildren.

1943 Faunarooska Castle38 viewsFaunarooska Castle is a name that comes up every now and then in the Peter Carrucan - Hannah Woods line. What was the connection?
At some time in the past, the farming property which included the Faunarooska Castle had passed into the hands of the Woods family. John Woods, Hannah""s father, is mentioned as residing in Faunarooska in the 1855 Griffith Valuation. It was there that Hannah was brought up, within sight of the historic keep on the family property. Presumably it was still in reasonable repair when she emigrated to Australia in 1857 and, in her last years, she remembered it like that and expressed a desire to return to Ireland and lay claim to it.
Alas, by then, it was a derelict structure that was no longer capable of habitation.
This photo, taken in 1943, shows the keep in a state of disrepair. A collapse in 1985 left it as a ruinous pile of rocks.

1990 - Fanore Carrucans - James Eileen Sarah Mary46 views1990 - Fanore Carrucans - James Eileen Sarah Mary

1991 - Jim Nancy and Katorina Carrucan with Estelle Simpson48 viewsIn early 1991, John and Estelle Simpson (Estelle Simpson nee Carrucan is a great grand daughter of Peter Carrucan and Hannah Woods) travelled to Ireland and met the Carrucans of Fanore. This photo shows Estelle (on right) with Jim, Nancy and Katorina Carrucan.

1996 - Wildflowers of the Burren29 viewsThe cracks and crevices of the limestone pavements in the Burren nurture a host of beautiful and unusual wildflowers. In spring, a mass of colours dots the landscape to delight the discerning walker. Varieties include Thrift or Sea Pink, Kidney Vetch, Mountain Avens, Orchid, Speedwell and Bloody Cranesbill.
Postcard bought by Jim and Helen Martin when touring Ireland in 1996.

1996 Fanore - Jim Martin with Patsy, Jim and Nancy Carrucan38 viewsTaken when Jim and Helen Martin were touring the family haunts in Ireland in 1996, this photo shows Jim with Patsy Carrucan and Patsy's parents Jim and Nancy.

1996 Fanore - Panorama Picture 219 viewsPart 2 of a panoramic shot of Fanore, taken by Jim and Helen Martin when they were visiting our Irish relatives in 1996.

1996 Fanore - Panorama Picture 121 viewsPart 1 of a panoramic shot of Fanore, taken by Jim and Helen Martin when they were visiting our Irish relatives in 1996.

1996 Fanore - Jim Martin with Patsy, Jim and Nancy Carrucan30 viewsTaken when Jim and Helen Martin were touring the family haunts in Ireland in 1996, this photo shows Jim with Patsy Carrucan and Patsy's parents Jim and Nancy.

1998 James Carrucan34 viewsPatrick and Bridget Carrucan had six children, Michael (1828), Patrick (1831), Bridget (1833), Peter (1837), Martha and Mary.
Their eldest son Michael stayed in Fanore and married Mary Droney, a local girl. Eventually the family farm was passed to him and in time it passed to his son Dennis and then to his son James.
This memorial card was issued to mark the death of James in 1998.
Today, James' son Patrick (Patsy), his wife Anne and their family occupy the property, which has expanded some five-fold from when Patrick senior first husbanded it.

1998 Mary Paul and Kathleen Carrucan37 views1998 - Mary Carrucan, one of the children of Dennis Carrucan, grandson Paul and Kathleen Carrucan on right hand side with baby. This was taken in the original farmhouse.
Photo from Michael Carrucan Jnr, Paul's father.

1999 O'Briens Tower Sister Maureen Kelly23 viewsThis photo shows Sister Maureen Kelly (Patrick branch) when she was visiting Ireland in August 1999. She stands in front of O'Brien's Tower, on the Cliffs of Moher

2000 - Fanore at Sunset26 viewsThis photo was given to us by Shane MacNamara, whose grandfather Patrick MacNamara was born in Fanore. He is related to both the Woods and Carrucans in Fanore. He commented:
Hannah Woods was the sister of my ancestor Frances Woods. Frances Woods married John Casey and their daughter Mary married my great grandfather Patrick McNamara.
I've also gone to Fanore. The first time was in 1982 where I spent an afternoon with Jim and Nancy Carrucan. One of my great aunts was living with the Carrucans. Unfortunately, I'm sketchy on which one and I think she was Nancy Carrucan's mother.
It's interesting you mention the Carrucans connection with fishing. I can vividly remember Jim Carrucan showing me a big catch of fish from the previous day. He mentioned at the time that he was the only one in the village who went fishing.
My grandfather (Patrick MacNamara) could not swim and as young children they were told stories of sea monsters presumably to keep them from venturing too close to the sea. Maybe that is why the Carrucans were the only fishermen in the village.

2000 - Faunarooska Castle24 viewsFaunarooska Castle is a name that comes up every now and then in the Peter Carrucan - Hannah Woods line. What was the connection?
At some time in the past, the farming property which included the Faunarooska Castle had passed into the hands of the Woods family. John Woods, Hannah's father, is mentioned as residing in Faunarooska in the 1855 Griffith Valuation. It was there that Hannah was brought up, within sight of the historic keep on the family property. Presumably it was still in reasonable repair when she emigrated to Australia in 1857 and, in her last years, she remembered it like that and expressed a desire to return to Ireland and lay claim to it.
Alas, by then, it was a derelict structure that was no longer capable of habitation.
This photo, taken between 1890 and 1915, shows the keep still more or less in its entirety although missing its roof. A collapse in 1985 left it as a ruinous pile of rocks.

2007 Fanore Football Club calendar25 viewsThe 2007 Fanore Football Club calendar features three Carrucans
Kevin (back row, seventh from left, senior team photo)
Patsy (back row, third from right, senior team photo)
Niamh (front row, right, Under 12 team)

2008 - Aloha Surf School in Fanore22 viewsWhen Frank Carrucan of Ballarat (Patrick line) visited Fanore in 2008, he found the Aloha Surfing Club and went for a swim in the Atlantic - brrr..I feel cold already.

2008 - Aloha Surf School in Fanore13 viewsWhen Frank Carrucan of Ballarat (Patrick line) visited Fanore in 2008, he found the Aloha Surfing Club and went for a swim in the Atlantic - brrr..I feel cold already.

2008 Anne James and Patsy Carrucan28 views2008 Anne James and Patsy Carrucan

2009 Michael Carrucan Senior with his wife Christine and son Michael Jnr29 views2009 - Michael Carrucan Senior, one of the 5 children of Dennis Carrucan, with his wife Christine and his son Michael Jnr.
Photo supplied by Michael Carrucan Jnr.

2009 Michael Carrucan senior with wife Christine and granddaughter Laura28 views2009 - Michael Carrucan Senior, one of the 5 children of Dennis Carrucan, with his wife Christine and his son Michael Jnr.
Photo supplied by Michael Carrucan Jnr.

2010 - Fanore main street25 views

2010 - Fanore ODonoghue's Pub25 views

Annaly House24 viewsAnnaly House, in Fanore, is the farmhouse B&B run by Pasty and Ann Carrucan

Annaly House13 viewsAnnaly House, in Fanore, is the farmhouse B&B run by Pasty and Ann Carrucan

Ballyvaughan Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen24 viewsSituated 8km from Ballyvaughan about 100m off the Corofin Road on the left between Ailwee Cave and Learaneagh Castle, this stone tomb dates between 2500BC and 2000BC. The highest slab (portal) is 2m, the capstone measures approx 3.6m x 2m.

Burren Coast Road25 viewsThis postcard, sent by John Martin during his 2008 trip to Fanore, has the following descriptor:
The Burren coast road from Doolin to Ballyvaughan passes Fanore and Black Head and offers some of the most dramatic coastline in Co. Clare.

O'Brien's Tower on the Cliffs of Moher23 viewsO'Brien's Tower on the Cliffs of Moher was built in 1835 as an observation tower for the hundreds of visitors who then came to the cliffs each year. The tower was restored in 1970 and is once again a prime viewing location.

O'Brien's Tower on the Cliffs of Moher16 viewsO'Brien's Tower on the Cliffs of Moher was built in 1835 as an observation tower for the hundreds of visitors who then came to the cliffs each year. The tower was restored in 1970 and is once again a prime viewing location.

Cliffs of Moher24 viewsThese majestic cliffs, amongst the most magnificent stretches of cliff scenery in Ireland, front the Atlantic to a height of nearly 200m and extend for a distance of 8km from Hag's Head due west of Liscannor to a point beyond O'Brien's Tower. They take their name from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.

Cliffs of Moher10 viewsThese majestic cliffs, amongst the most magnificent stretches of cliff scenery in Ireland, front the Atlantic to a height of nearly 200m and extend for a distance of 8km from Hag's Head due west of Liscannor to a point beyond O'Brien's Tower. They take their name from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.

Doolin Co. Clare26 viewsDoolin is famous for its wealth of Irish music and in recent years has attracted large crowds to festivals of fleadhanna of Irish and international music. Nearby is Doonagore Castle, an unusual structure consisting of a circular tower in a small bawn or walled enclosure.