The Abbey Fishermen were so called as almost all of the fisher families lived in the St. Francis Abbey area of Limerick city. This area was once inhabited by Franciscan monks and relics of their abbey can still be seen. In the days of the Abbey Fishermen the area was full of houses and people but many of their houses have been demolished. For hundreds of years their livelihoods depended on the fish in the Shannon River – Salmon and eels. They fished these waters in season, off season the fishermen engaged in market gardening and working in the local bacon factories to supplement their earnings; twelve teams of “brochauns” (specialised boats, an old map of the city dated 1590 show a number of these vessels) with two men in each, a net-man and a paddle-man.
The names of these fisher folk; Clancy, MacNamara, Hayes, Abbey families and Shanny, a Park family. These families can be traced as far back as 1719 in connection with Snap Fishing; although I have no doubt that this tradition goes back for hundreds of years before records began. As documentary evidence shows that the Lax Weir (lax is a Scandinavian word for salmon) was in existence in the year 1200. The system of dividing the river into inures and the rules of fishing, together with the laws of succession practised by the fishermen must surely be a unique survival of the principles of Brehons. The Clancy family laid claim that they are the descendants of the hereditary Brehons (law makers) to the powerful O’ Brien family. This claim was substantiated by them with the fact that they held a Roman Catholic plot in St. Mary’s Cathedral even after the Cathedral was converted to Church of Ireland, and practising of the Roman Catholic religion was virtually outlawed in Limerick.
Four Abbey Fisherman Families
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. All the men would frequent “Shanny’s Pub” a pub on the Shannon River near to the Blackbridge run by three Shanny sisters. This pub opened onto the river so the men could enter straight from the river.
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.
The Battle of the Tail Race 1932 a protest held be the Abbey Fishermen against the Ardnacrusha scheme.
Members of the Limerick Guild of Fishermen’as published in the Freeman’s Journal on October 21 1840
~ Patrick Bourke ~ Michael Cahill ~ Thomas Clanchy (Red) ~ John Clanchy ~ Thomas Clanchy ~ Patrick Clanchy ~ Patrick Coughlan ~ Thomas Dwyer Jun. ~ Thomas Dwyer Sen. ~ Michael Hartigan ~ James Hayes ~ James Herrott ~ Peter Keogh ~ John Keogh ~ John Lyddy ~ James Lyddy Jun. ~ James Lyddy Sen. ~ John O’Connor ~ Charles O’Connor ~ Owen O’Connor ~ Patrick O’Connor ~ James O’Connor ~ Patrick O’Connor ~ John O’Dea ~ Christopher O’Farrell ~ Anne Ryan ~ Mary Ryan ~ John Ryan ~ John Shanny ~ William Shanny ~ James Shanny ~ Conor Shanny ~ Edmond Shanny ~ Patrick Shanny ~ Patrick Silver ~ Michael Tuohy
Additional text from article:
Messrs. John Ryan and Patrick Shanny to be admitted members.
The Snap Net
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.
The Brecaun
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.
The image linked above 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.
Trade Directories
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.
Fishermen of 1938 and their Compensation
Nickname | Born | Address 1938 | Compensation | |
Patrick Clancy | Netter | 1867 | 2 Sheep Street | 749 6 0 |
Martin Clancy | Young Martin | 1867 | Athlunkard Street | 692 0 0 |
Michael Clancy | Nucks | 1869 | 7 Nicholas Street | 894 9 0 |
John Clancy | Gages | 1877 | 10 Nolan’s Cottages | 875 4 8 |
John Clancy | Sugans | 1879 | Fish Lane | 885 0 4 |
James Clancy | Dick | 1888 | 3 Brown’s lane, Edward St | 761 14 4 |
John Clancy | Cauly | 1891 | 43 Upper Clare Street | 472 0 0 |
Joseph Clancy | Buckets | 1907 | Athlunkard Street | 388 0 0 |
John Clancy | Diddles | 1907 | 1 Glue Yard Lane | 798 9 4 |
Gerard Clancy | Riley | 1907 | Ivy Cottages, King’s Island | 700 9 4 |
Michael Clancy Jnr | Mickey Pick | 1911 | 1 Glue Yard Lane | 162 0 0 |
Patrick J Clancy | Poppy | 1914 | 59 Mungret Street | 585 3 4 |
Thomas Clancy | Tawdy | 1914 | 1 Robert Street | 637 3 4 |
James Clancy | Bud or The Yank | 1915 | 3 Brown’s lane, Edward St | 507 19 0 |
John Clancy | 1916 | 3 Brown’s lane, Edward St | 482 14 8 | |
Thomas Hayes | Hackney | 1868 | 4 River Lane | 797 2 0 |
Robert Hayes | Napoleon | 1872 | Campbell’s Bow, Broad St | 935 13 4 |
Martin Hayes | Rab | 1874 | Athlunkard Street | 1000 9 0 |
John Hayes Snr | Bone | 1880 | 6 New Road Pennywell | 347 16 0 |
Patrick Hayes | Sunlight | 1887 | 24 Broad Street | 626 14 4 |
Michael Hayes | Lully | 1891 | 5 Francis Abbey | 769 12 8 |
Patrick Hayes | Randy | 1894 | Island Field | 769 12 8 |
Thomas Hayes | Bantrum | 1903 | Island Field | 724 2 4 |
Christy Hayes | Susi or Sonny | 1907 | 2 Watergate | 635 9 4 |
Christy Hayes | Rialto | 1907 | 2 Cornmarket Row | 667 9 4 |
Michael Hayes | Starry | 1912 | 21 Mungret Street | 546 12 0 |
John Hayes Jnr | O.K. | 1912 | 6 New Road Pennywell | 529 12 0 |
Patrick McNamara | Todsie | 1874 | 3 Sheep Street | 1000 9 0 |
Peter McNamara | Smuts or Iron man | 1878 | Meat Market Lane | 974 0 2 |
Patrick J McNamara | Tons of Money | 1892 | Sir Harry’s Mall | 769 1 3 |
Patrick McNamara | Balla | 1908 | 2 Glue Yard Lane | 513 19 7 |
Peter McNamara | Boar | 1901 | 3 Fish Lane | 878 10 1 |
Robert McNamara | Dutch | 1901 | 2 Creagh Lane | 817 10 1 |
Aug. McNamara | Rabbit | 1902 | 3 Meat Market Lane | 787 6 7 |
James McNamara | Elbows | 1903 | 3 Sheep Street | 976 2 3 |
John McNamara | Munchin | 1905 | O’Halloran Lane, Thomondgate | 737 17 11 |
Joseph McNamara | Beaver | 1908 | 9 Fish Lane | 448 4 11 |
Aug. McNamara | The Music Man | 1912 | 3 Sheep Street | 648 11 11 |
Peter McNamara | Peerie | 1913 | 2 Meat Market Lane | 488 7 7 |
Joseph McNamara | Baa | 1914 | 3 Sheep Street | 173 0 0 |
Michael Shanny | Old Mike | 1865 | Lower Park | 738 10 7 |
Patrick Shanny | Vinegar | 1873 | Island Field | 819 13 3 |
John (Sean) Shanny | Big Sean | 1883 | Lower Park | 1040 7 3 |
Patrick Shanny | Der | 1885 | Lower Park | 1058 2 11 |
John Shanny | Brass Band | 1884 | Lower Park | 988 2 11 |
Michael Shanny | Young Buckshoes | 1888 | Lower Park | 873 14 3 |
James Shanny | Forty | 1893 | Lower Park | 718 0 0 |
Patrick F Shanny | Feeney | 1896 | Lower Park | 788 8 3 |
Patrick Shanny | Pat the Thatcher | 1897 | Lower Park | 823 3 11 |
James Shanny | Jones | 1903 | Lower Park | 787 2 3 |
John Shanny | Tucker | 1907 | Lower Park | 733 9 3 |
Michael Shanny | Young Mike | 1911 | Lower Park | 569 16 3 |
Michael Shanny | Skirter | 1912 | Lower Park | 512 11 11 |
Patrick Shanny | Woods | 1914 | Lower Park | 498 3 3 |
Joseph Shanny | Young Joe | 1914 | Lower Park | 498 3 3 |
Folklore
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.
Abbey Memorial Bridge
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 plaque was erected to the memory of the Abbey Fishermen on the Abbey Bridge in 2014
Anthropological view of the fishermen
Mark Maguire’s anthropological study of the fishermen which was recorded in the Limina journal in this study Mark focus mainly on the culture of the Abbey fishermen, and the displacement of them with in a wider community.
St Mary’s Prize Band
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.
There was a Shanny family living in no.1 Roseville Gardens Corbally Limerick, they moved there from Old Park. John, one of their sons worked/s with Mr Binman as a manager in Limerick, so maybe you might make contact there.
Hi. Ger. I. Am. The late. Stephen. The. Gullyman hayes. Grandaughter. Still. Tracing the. Hayes. Side. And lizzie. Crowe. Side
You are right, thank you for letting us know about the error. The three fishermen who are buried in Mount Saint Laurence drown in 2nd February 1930 their names were Thomas Anslow, Thomas Madden, and John O’Connell.
I am sure your mother had some very interesting stories of the area.
Sharon
Hi .
I enjoyed your article on the Abbey fishermen .
There is a mistake Shanneys pub was in Plassey on the clare side above the black bridge .Geographically in todays plassey it was just to the right of the new bridge on the clare side just on the bank up from the river the ruins were there up to the time the new bridge was built .
The plassey drowning which happened around the turn of the last century happened after the boatmen were drinking in Shanneys before their boat sunk .Their Grave is just inside the gate of mount st laurance grave yard on the left hand side .And yes there was three sisters one was anne i dont know the other two names .My Mam spoke of them frequently she grew up in Plassey in Ryans Lock Known as Annabeg House .
Hi My name is Ger Hayes im a grandson of a Abbeyfisherman [Jack Bone Hayes]. I saw your email on Sharons site.Iv done my family tree back to 1760 and it joines up with yours.Nopoleons father Edward [Ned Spaudey Hayes]and my Great Grandfather John were brothers.If your father was Michael[Starry]Hayes you must be Kevins sister.Ihave sent all this to him a few months ago.If you needme to send it to you let me know Il be glad to help. Yours Ger.
i have been in the
process of making a family tree, my father was
michael hayes, son of robert hayes (napoleon).his father
was edward hayes, married to mary hartigan, so far i cant confirm his parents, possibley samuel bury hayes, or maybe william hayes, do you have any better info you could sharevery ,im finding this search much more challenging than i expected.
thankyou for the very good book, i grew up hearing many stories re abbey fishermen.
looking forward to hearing from you at your convenience.
mary hayes-huston
The Shanny family mainly resided in the Lower Park area of the city so they were in the St. Patrick’s Parish. So you would be looking for baptismal records from St. Patrick’s RC Church, which is on Clare Street. Occasionally they would have been baptised in St. Mary’s RC Church on Athlunkard Street.
This site gives information on how to search passengers lists in the 1840s http://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/ships/tousa1840-1845.shtml
I hope this helps. If you find further information let me know and I will try and point you in the right direction.
Sharon
hi–am looking to find origins of my great great grandfather, married ann ? shanny; emigrated ?1840’s
to NYC; first appears in nyc directory as a junk dealer
in 1850; he died in 1875 ?age; will see if i can get
more information; do you have any suggestions for
places to look?
thank you
ann sullivan
4 woodcrest ave
burlington, ma 01803