THROUGH OUR EYES
An Irish History
David Cullen
Through Our Eyes – An Irish History is a microcosm of a broader Irish narrative. It navigates critical events in Irish, Australian, American, French, and Spanish history from medieval to modern times, chiefly through the lived experiences of Cullen families, residing in and originating from the remote expanse of valleys and hills at the junction of counties Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim.
Clan O'Cullen
A journey is taken through medieval and early modern Ireland, juxtaposed with genetic science, to investigate and speculate about the deep past of our Cullen family.
Myles of Tir Thuathail
Life in the parishes from the Williamite War in the late 1600s, and through the 1700s, is discussed chiefly through the eyes of our Kilronan patriarch, Myles Cullen.
Chapter 3
Soldier Simon
It tells the story of men local to the parishes, including Simon Cullen from Kilronan parish, who enlisted as soldiers in Irish regiments in the service of France and Spain.
Miley of the Spear
Many people of the parishes both supported and fought alongside the French in 1798, including the legendary Miley of the Spear. The events of the Year of the French are recounted through their eyes.
Chapter 5
Farmer Owen
Family and farm life in the parishes during the first half of the 1800s is revealed through the eyes of Geevagh farmer Owen Cullen.
Chapter 6
The Tithe Wars
During the 1830s, many farmers in the parishes were in revolt. They refused to continue paying a hefty tax, or tithe, to maintain a church that was not theirs. Their fight is remembered in this chapter.
Chapter 7
Holocausd na nGaedheal
The horrors suffered by the starving Irish of the parishes between 1845 and 1852 are told through their misery.
Chapter 8
Father Bernard
Bernard Cullen from Geevagh parish emigrated to Boston, USA, during the bleakest of times in 1847. The story of his dedication to the service of the Catholic Church and impoverished Irish women and children is remarkable.
Chapter 9
White Horse
Many men and women of the parishes felt the humiliation and hardship of convict transportation to Australia. These experiences are told through the eyes of
Patrick William Cullen.
Great Southern Land
In the 1800s, many young men, women, and children from the parishes emigrated half a world away to Australia to seek new lives. This is their story.
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Chapter 11
Fenian Patrick
During the 1860s, a secret society of Irish patriots, the Fenians, rose to fight for an Irish republic. The cause drew support from many people in the parishes, including Patrick Cullen, who was forced to flee his homeland to the United States
under an assumed name, Patrick Kelly.
Chapter 12
The Land League
In the 1880s, tenant farmers in the parishes were evicted for refusing to pay unfair and unjust rents. This chapter chronicles the activism of these farmers, including Cullen farmers, who were instrumental in abolishing landlord title, allowing them to
own the land they leased.
Chapter 13
America
Through the 1800s and into the early 1900s, over two million Irish emigrated to the United States. This emigration, particularly during the hunger years of 1845 to 1852, had a marked impact on the population of the parishes. This chapter highlights Cullen emigration stories and their new lives in an adopted homeland.
About the author
Dr David Cullen lives on the Central Coast of NSW, Australia. His Irish ancestors lived in the valleys and hills at the junction of counties Sligo, Roscommon, and Leitrim.