School of Kilclooney Kilclooney Castle was once the home of the Ó hUigín bardic family and was occupied by Domhnall Ó hUiginn in 1574. Tadhg Dall Ó hÚigínn refers to a school of poetry here in the 16th century. It is stated that seventeen poets of Ulster's brightest progeny sought learning in Ceall Cluaine, while it is also reputed that students from Scotland may have studied there. Each student studied filíocht (poetry) for 12 years, in a school year lasting from November to March. It is said each student had his own stone hut where he could meditate on a prescribed theme before reciting his composition to his fellow students and tutor the following day. Brian, Hugh and Tully Ó hUigín held three parts of Kilclooney in 1641 but their lands were granted to William Burke at the Restoration in the 1660s. A large portion of a castle or tower house can be seen today in quite a ruinous state, while there is no evidence of the stone huts. The foundation of a grassed-over rectangular building is also present. Milltown Races The Milltown Races date back to 1877, however; earlier race meetings date back as far as the 1840s organised by the local gentry held at the Race Park in Dalgin. These races were originally held on St. Patrick's Day but were later changed to Easter Monday at the turn of the century in hope of better weather conditions. The races saw thousands of people from all over Connacht each year. Local publicans were organisers of the races and The Tuam Herald reported that "Porter ran in rivers down countless throats and corked concoctions sold by the million". By the 1930s, the races began to decline and were abandoned during World War II. They were revived again in 1952 but failed to attract past crowds. The last race meeting was held in 1966. A carnival was organised in 1957 to begin on Easter Sunday and continue for two weeks in an effort to boost attendance numbers. Popular Showbands of the day performed at the carnival but increasing costs led to the death of the carnival. The final one was held in 1981. War of Independence The Irish War of Independence lasted from 1919 to 1921. When hostilities broke out in 1919, the Milltown IRA company numbered between 30 and 40 men, with others in the Ballindine company. Milltown was witness