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Brothers Donal and Desmond Lysaght on a visit to their brother William (Nay) Lysaght's hut, Corbally, August 1950.
This section of Gabbett's Grove was known as the huts. In the late 40's and 50's when people hadn't much, we were privileged to have a hut on the banks of the River Shannon at the end of the Mill Road, we spent our Summers there. In this magical place, we grew to love water and all its aspects. We woke each morning to a special beauty, always changing, always new and filled with the wonderful elements of nature.
Our days were spent swimming, boating, fishing, picking blackberries, hopping in and out of boats, rowing or paddling over to St. Thomas's Island to swim from the lovely sandy beaches at the tip of the Island, sometimes to explore the ruins of the old house or search for mushrooms.
Every evening at dusk, we saw a great spectacle take place in the sky, when the rooks, jackdaws and ravens, all caw-cawing loudly, gathered in a whirling mass, preparing to settle down for the night in the tall trees in Ruddock's and Forde’s.
HUT OWNERS, FRIENDS AND ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF CORBALLY REGATTA 1952. Back row: L to R, Kevin O'Reilly, Mike Buggy, Bob Kinsella, Larry Kinsella, Johnny Delahunty, Seanie Gilligan, Joe Gilligan, Pat Hogan. Front row: Tony Darcy, Dom Sheehan, Nay Lysaaght, Sean Real, Donal Lysaght.
The hut owners were mostly from St. Mary's Parish except for Larry Kinsella who was from Wexford. In hut No. 1 was William (Nay) Lysaght, next was his uncle Arthur Lysaght, Peter Fagan, Densie Cowhey, Gus Hanley, Mickey Collins, Larry Kinsella, Joe O'Shaughnessy, Seanie Gilligan/later Jack Meehan and Johnny Delahunty, Johnny Hogan had a hut on the opposite side of the Grove overlooking the Mill Stream.
The huts were very basic, small, well built wooden structures, warm and cosy inside and consisted mainly of a bedroom, living room, tiny kitchen, outside toilet, small front garden, the river was an extension.
So fond were Larry Kinsella's memories of this little spot, when he died in England 1989, his family brought his ashes back to be scattered in the place he loved so well.
On 2nd August 2008, the ashes of Chrissy Hogan who died in England in June were brought home by her family and scattered on the river from the pier at Pat and Marie Lysaght's house at the end of the Mill Road.
THE BOATHOUSE AT LYSAGHT'S HUT BEING USED AS VANTAGE POINT DURING CORBALLY REGATTA 1953. Spectators from Left: Mrs. Rosaleen Lysaght, Joan Eakins, Davie and Sarah Keane, Paddy Kinsella, Mrs. Frahill, Mrs. Hannah MacLysaght, Hannie Reid, Maurice McMahon, Johnny Reddan, Paddy Moloney, Joe Dennihy, Mary Sheehan, Terry Gilligan, Myra Sheehan, Monica Byrnes, Joe Sheehan, Helen Gilligan, Connie Kerley, Pat Lysaght, Tim Dennihy.
Corbally Boat Club taking part in the An Tostal Parade in Limerick 1953. From left: Ger Gilligan, Denis O'Shaughnessy, Bob Kinsella, Larry Kinsella, Kevin O'Reilly, William Lysaght, Larry Devaney, Martin Hogan.
In Kinsella's garden July 1950. From left: Ann and Pat Lysaght and Susan Kinsella. Sitting in the background is Larry Kinsella,
Larry and Winnie Kinsella kept a lovely Flower and vegetable garden. Daughter Susan playing in the garden with her dolls pram. Part of Mickie Collins hut can be seen in the background. (Photo courtesy if Patrick Kinsella, U.K.
From left: Susan Kinsella, Ann Lysaght, Elaine Hanley. Front: Doreen and Joan Hogan.
Arthur MacLysaght 1887-1971. A keen fisherman and river enthusiast with his fleet of boats for hire, Corbally 1960. In his younger days, he was an outstanding handballer and played many great games in the Old Ball Court in Watchouse Lane with J.J. Bowles and Ned Bourke. Man sitting in boat is Peter Fagan.
Outside Kinsella's hut 1950's, From left: Michael and Elaine Hanley, Terry Kinsella on Bess, Paddy Kinsella all dressed up in suit and tie, must have been a special occasion and Susan Kinsella. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Kinsella, U.K.)
Back Row: Nay Lysaght, Bob Kinsella, Mickey (Smokey Joe) Collins. Center: Martin Hogan, Dom Sheehan, Johnny Hogan, Denis O'Shaughnessy. Front: Bobby Nolan. (Photo courtesy of Mary Gilligan, Chicago, U.S.A.
From left: Elaine Hanley, Ann and Pat Lysaght with dog Ginger and Michael Hanley, August 1952, sitting near the block house on the Green, Liberty Rock and St. Thomas's Island in the background.
The Gilligan's enjoying the sunshine outside their hut. Back Mrs. Mary Gilligan with baby Helen. Left: Eithne Slattery, young boy Liam Gilligan, Mrs. Josie Gilligan, Terry Gilligan and Dolores Sargent. (Photo courtesy of Mary Gilligan, Chicago, U.S.A.)
This is one of the first huts in Corbally it was built by Martin O'Farrell. In the photo: Martin O'Farrell, Jim Gilligan, Connie Crowe, the boy standing is Charlie Walnutt who lived nearby in "Willow Bank Cottage" now "Corbally Cottage”.
Michael and Elaine Hanley
messing about in the river in front of their hut.
Mr. & Mrs. Gus Hanley, caretakers of Corbally Baths in the early 1950's with daughter Elaine and dog Snowey, photo taken in the garden of their hut at end of Mill Road. (Photo courtesy of Michael Hanley, Bristol, England).
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