The Queen of Connemara: The Extraordinary Life of Bina McLoughlin

By E. Philip Brown

"The Queen of Connemara: The Extraordinary Life of Bina McLoughlin"

Nestled on Ireland's rugged west coast, the tranquil village of Leenane in County Galway embodies a timeless charm where traditions, faith, and charismatic characters once held sway, yet now stand at the crossroads of changing cultures, technology, and commerce.

This narrative immerses us in the remarkable life of Bina McLoughlin, a woman whose existence spanned the early 20th century—a period when Ireland grappled with poverty. Born in 1931, Bina's early years were marked by hardships, with scarcity, rationing, and rural life shaping her world. The 1930s saw the Irish people indulge in pastimes like crossroads dancing, a popular diversion in villages like Leenane.

Bina herself was a captivating figure, known for her striking beauty, flowing shawls, dark ringlets, and a resounding voice that seemed to echo from a bygone era or the pages of a fairy tale. Her indelible impression on those who met her testifies to the captivating aura she exuded.

Beyond her individual story, this narrative unveils the profound influence of religion and the Catholic Church on Irish society in the early 20th century. Bina was a devout Catholic, attending evening Mass in Leenane village with unwavering devotion and regularly reading the epistles, impressing all with her eloquence and passion.

Bina's legendary love for animals was another facet of her character. Her humble home doubled as a sanctuary for cats, dogs, sheep, and more, often prioritized over sparse furniture. She earned the title of "Ireland's last shepherdess" through tireless work tending to sheep in Connemara's challenging hills, regardless of weather.

But Bina was not just a woman of tradition and toil; she engaged deeply in politics. A staunch supporter of the Fianna Fáil party, she held Éamon Ó Cuív close to her heart, affectionately calling him "Dev Óg." Her political involvement was active, campaigning and canvassing with color, enthusiasm, and an unconventional approach.

As we journey through Bina's life, her mystical qualities emerge, with knowledge of folk remedies and superstitions adding to the intrigue surrounding her. Some believed she could hex individuals with curses, while others sought her blessings and spells. Whether real mystical abilities or spirited personality, it remains a subject of fascination.

Bina's fame extended beyond Leenane; she became a prominent figure on local radio stations and an icon of Connemara. People from near and far visited her to see her beloved animals and engage in heartfelt conversations. She embodied Connemara's spirit, even appearing in the iconic film "The Field," further cementing her legacy.

After her passing, her unique character and friendship with Éamon Ó Cuív took on a new dimension. Her determination to be buried on her land, a controversial request, showcased her unwavering spirit. Despite challenges, a compromise was reached to honor her wishes, preserving the sanctity of her memory.

Today, as Bina rests peacefully overlooking Killary Fjord, opinions about the enigmatic Queen of Connemara may vary. Some recall her fondly, cherishing memories of loyalty, friendship, and mirth, while others may choose to forget. Yet, her life's story—filled with empathy, humor, and a deep connection to her homeland—remains a tale worth telling, a testament to the resilience and spirited character of a remarkable Irishwoman. In "The Queen of Connemara: The Extraordinary Life of Bina McLoughlin," readers embark on a journey through time, culture, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who left an indelible mark on the heart of Ireland.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E. Philip Brown
• Release date: Oct 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223339441

E. Philip Brown

E. Philip Brown is a distinguished public historian, accomplished author, and dedicated educator known for his passion for uncovering and sharing the rich history of the Merrimack Valley in Massachusetts. With a profound commitment to preserving and disseminating the stories of diverse communities, he has made a significant impact on both the literary and educational landscapes. As an author, E. Philip Brown has illuminated the history of the Merrimack Valley through a series of insightful books. His works include "Greeks of the Merrimack Valley" and "Armenians of the Merrimack Valley," which offer a captivating exploration of the cultural tapestry woven by these communities in this region. Additionally, his "Haverhill, Massachusetts Trivia Book" adds an entertaining dimension to local history, engaging readers with intriguing facts and anecdotes. In "In Service to America: Haverhill's Heroes from Concord to Kabul," Brown pays tribute to the brave individuals from his hometown who have served their country with valor. E. Philip Brown's academic journey has equipped him with the knowledge and expertise to bring history to life. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, which provided a solid foundation for his later pursuits. His quest to deepen his understanding of history led him to earn a Master of Arts in Public History from American Public University, where he honed his skills in research, interpretation, and storytelling. Outside of his literary and academic endeavors,

Book preview

The Queen of Connemara

The Extraordinary Life

of

Bina McLoughlin

by E. Philip Brown

ꗂ

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Introduction

On the rugged and serene west coast of Ireland, in the heart of County Galway, lies the tranquil village of Leenane. A picturesque haven nestled at the crossroads of Westport, Clifden, and Maam, where the rolling mountains gracefully meet the embrace of Killary Harbour. Leenane, like so many Irish villages, is a place where time-honored traditions, unwavering faith, and charismatic characters once held the spotlight, but now find themselves at a crossroads, navigating the confluence of cultures, technology, and commercial opportunities.

In this narrative, we unravel the extraordinary life of a remarkable woman, Bina McLoughlin, whose existence spanned a time when Ireland grappled with the shadows of poverty in the early 20th century. Born in 1931 to modest circumstances, Bina’s early years were marked by hardships, being a shepherdess in a land devoid of immigration, plagued by rationing, and strangled by scarcity.

Ireland’s population was a mere fraction of what it is today, with the majority residing in rural areas and villages. The 1930s saw the Irish people indulging in various pastimes, with crossroads dancing as a popular diversion. A makeshift stage or platform often took center stage in villages like Leenane, where people from far and wide gathered for nights of merriment, song, and dance.

Figure 1: Young Bina with geese – courtesy of Ron Knivett

As we delve into the life of Bina McLoughlin, we encounter a woman of striking beauty, known for her flowing shawls, dark ringlets, and a resounding voice that seemed to echo from a different time or perhaps from the pages of a fairy tale. Bina’s indelible impression left on those fortunate enough to meet her testifies to the captivating aura she exuded.

Intriguingly, this tale encompasses much more than the life of a single individual; it unveils the profound influence of religion and the Catholic Church on Irish society during the early 20th century. Bina, a devout Catholic, dedicated herself to her faith, attending evening Mass in Leenane village with unwavering devotion. Her connection with the church was deep, as she regularly read the epistles during Mass, impressing all with her eloquence and passion.

Bina’s love for animals was legendary. Stories abound of her caring for her cherished creatures, ensuring their well-being even before her own. Her humble abode was a sanctuary for cats, dogs, sheep, and more, as these animals often took precedence over the sparse furniture that filled her home. Bina earned the title of Ireland’s last shepherdess through her tireless work tending to sheep in the Connemara hills, regardless of weather conditions.

Yet, Bina was not just a woman of tradition and toil; she was deeply engaged in the political landscape of her time. A staunch supporter of the Fianna Fáil party, she held a special place in her heart for Éamon Ó Cuív, affectionately calling him Dev Óg. Her political involvement was far from passive, as she actively campaigned and canvassed during elections, bringing color, enthusiasm, and an unconventional approach to politics.

As we journey through the chapters of Bina’s life, her mystical qualities come to light. Her knowledge of folk remedies and superstitions added to the intrigue surrounding her. Some believed she possessed the power to hex individuals with curses, while others sought her blessings and spells. Whether these were genuine mystical abilities or the expression of a spirited personality remains a subject of fascination.

Bina’s fame transcended the confines of Leenane, as she became a prominent figure on local radio stations and a symbol of the Connemara region. People from near and far visited her to see her beloved animals and engage in heartfelt conversations. She embodied the spirit of Connemara, appearing in the iconic film The Field, driving cattle through the village, further cementing her legacy.

Bina’s unique character and her close friendship with Éamon Ó Cuív took on a new dimension after her passing. Her insistence on being buried on her own land, a request that stirred controversy, showcased her unwavering determination. Despite the challenges posed by her will, a compromise was reached to honor her wishes in a way that preserved the sanctity of her memory.

Today, as Bina rests peacefully overlooking the breathtaking beauty of Killary Fjord, opinions about the enigmatic Queen of Connemara may vary. Some recall her with fondness, cherishing memories of loyalty, friendship, and mirth, while others may choose to forget. Yet, her life’s story, filled with empathy, humor, and a deep connection to her homeland, remains a tale worth telling – a testament to the resilience and spirited character of a remarkable Irishwoman.

mar sin tar agus bain taitneamh

as an scéal seo liom

1

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Her Birth, Early Life

Life is a journey, and it starts on the day a child is born. Not everyone has a dramatic birth, even if all humans are born equally. No child is greater than the other; neither is the birth of the President’s child better than the birth of the child of a man. Bina McLoughlin was born to average parents, the kinds of people you would call ordinary. Bina McLoughlin, the popular Irish Queen, was born to an Irish father and an Italian mother in 1929.

During her lifetime, the eccentric shepherdess lived with her dogs, donkeys, goats, peacocks, and cats in a little cottage lacking good drinking water or electricity. Far away, in Maam Cross, Galway, in Ireland, she lived a simple lifestyle despite being a millionaire.

Many villagers, including Government Minister Eamon O Cuiv, were surprised after seeing and learning how rich she was after her death in 2001. She was a great Irish singer and a socialite during her lifetime, even though she neither drank nor smoked. Any social gatherings she was not attending were seen as not complete. Apart from being a social bee, she had many political friends and supported many political icons, including Eamon O Cuiv and others.

Figure 2: Bina's House – courtesy of J. Cunningham

Her Early Life

Bina McLoughlin was a queen by her nature and name. People often described her as one hell of a woman. She earned herself such descriptions because she dominated a zone in Ireland for about 70 years as the Queen of the Connemara. She was known for her dressing, usually flowing shawls that were colorful with black ringlets with her booming voice. Bina always gave the impression of a character from a fairy tale or a different era entirely. There was just this weirdness she portrayed.

Her fame spread all over the Galway country region in Ireland, where she lived and later died. Her fame earned her the title "Queen