A Heritage Croup Production

Issue No. 3 MARCH EDITION 1986 PRICE 30p

The street

where and the you live

by Tom McGettrick

EV dl In the Griffith Valuation of Tenements, 1857, there are 219 '" TREASURE-HOUSE OF PREHISTORY" "Occupiers" listed in the town of Ballymote. The following dozen are a selection from names one seldom or never now encounters, Elly, Teevans, Lougheed, Gumely, Cornyn, Ross, Hawksby, Muller, Donagher, McEilsy, Sandes, and Ferins. At that time they were dwellers in this one small town; today it is doubtful if all those names could be found in any one country. Maybe there are people who remember the name Gumley. In the Pigott & Co. Directory for Ballymote for 1824 he is listed as a baker. Philip Gumley in later times owned a large part of Stoneparks and Rathnakelliga. by Leo Regan CAIRN G, CARROWKEEL Bearers of the Hawksby name Seven young people went into had several functions in the town. One of them, Jackson was secretary the hills, armed only with pencils of For a rew days in early of the first Ballymote Creamery cameras. For six months they February, 1986, Ballymote became Committee in 1897. He was also explored a lost kingdom, mapping a centre of cultural development it the caretaker of the Courthouse the traces of man's history for the region. Publicity through local who was instructed to refuse thousands of years, catching and national media focused: P.A. McHugh the use of the building glimpses of natural wonder through attention on an area long dormant for the meeting in January 1899 at the lenses of their cameras. As Minister of State for Arts and which the candidates for 's winter set in, they assembled at Culture, Ted Nealon, T.D., opened first County Council were to be their base to weave with their the exhibition with a speech testify selected. This refusal resulted in myraid skills a tapestry describing ing to the national importance of McHugh procuring a sledge and the Bricklieve Mountains and the Bricklieve and Keash area. breaking open the door to hold the Keashcorran. They studied texts Tributes were paid to Dr. John meeting. A monument to P.A. and reports, interviewed anyone Garvin who passed away the day McHugh stands at the Town Hall in who knew a secret of these places, before the opening. John Garvin, a Sligo. James Hannon J.P., a prepared their studies for public son of Templevanny, had shared member of a prominent Ballymote exhibition for the people of his special regard for this place in a family, was selected and became Ballymote and its hinterlands. In recorded interview with the member from Ballymote of six months they had become TEAMWORK supervisor, Bridget Sligo's first Council. cont. on page 2 experts on a forgotten world. O'Connell. cont. can page 5 2 THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE cont. from page 2 Under the heading "Profession- al Gentlemen" in the same Directory Joseph Lougheed is referred to as a Surgeon. John Motherwell, not mentioned above, was Postmaster in 1824. The Motherw lls are a story in themselves, Michael Farry tells a good part of it in his recently published very fine History of Killoran and . But the researcher need not go back so far to observe great changes. Were an emigrant to return now after fifty years' absence he could entertain himself with many nostalgic reminiscences of who lived here and there when he was a boy, and now their names are gone from the showboards and replaced by others,. strangers to him. He might be able to recall as a child that the names Barlow, - Begley Coghlan, Dawson, Keenan (not Tommy) McGann and Markey were over publicans' doors - some of them removed not so long ago. And what about Hannon, Hotel keeper; Mahon Brothers, Auctioneers; McGovern, Victuallers; Morris & Drapers; Ward, Newsagent; Wilson & Co, Grocers; Kane Bros, Drapers; etc. J.C. McDonagh has an arnusing rhyme in his history in which some of those names feature, but this list is from Kilgannon's Almanac of M1R14.E'S STS.C r: •r, g:,,r,r:rA:uTt-: 1905. Emergency Call ! Has i salEMINININWATAIN anybody got a copy. The rest of the :)awson's and ATHOUGHT FOR EACH DAY story has a more modern trend and Barlow's mentioned above were in yet offers ample opportunity to this section also. Some of the As pure as the lily that grows in the fields properties along this side have observe great changes. Entering As sweet as the wild rose that Ballymote from the Sligo direction changed ownership three and four the kind earth yields. the first shop on the right hand side times. Let these be our thoughts as each is Cryan's. Taking the turn at This is all for this time; mom we pray, To thank the Dear Lord's special Cassidy's one comes to the Garda hopefully there will be another path, Station near the top of the Rock. time to continue. How many of the May our souls be devoid of all envy The only names left in that right unmarked graves around the and wrath. hand section in the memory of ivy-covered ruins of the Franciscan Say a prayer for those both near those who remember back between Abbey contain the remains of the and away, As we journey along our earthly way. the two wars are Cryan and hundreds of un-named and the few Johnson and only in the case of the named in this story ! How many first mentioned was the existing were laid to rest at Emlaghfad THE PASSAGE OF TIME where the story of the Church business handed down from father We are atoms that flow down the to son. Johnson's furniture store begins ! This is an obituary and a river of years was Flannery's Hotel and previous renewal. Work on the Old Grave- On our way to the ultimate sea, to that it was Hannon's. J ridge yard continues, we know it is a And life with its troubles, its cares and tears, Wakely used to stay there while formidable task. Let us hope that Brings its troubles to you and to me. conducting Quarter Sessions in the enthusiasm and the co-operat- So, as the swift-footed years Ballymote. Madame Markícvicz ion which saw the first weed and hurry on, stayed the night there previous to wandering root removed, will We loose sight of each other at last, attending the great Volunteer Rally continue until it will be a pleasure Let us remember that we, you and I have been friends in the to visit on any day of the year the at Keash. The Garda Station was a far-reaching past. Branch of the Munster and Leinster people who lived in the street in Bank and before that it was the which you now live. by Stan Casey R.I.C. Barracks. Don't keep cash at home Let Bank of Ireland BALLYMOTE

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FREE ADVICE IN TOTAL INTRODUCING NEW CONFIDENCE GOLDEN YEARS Bank of Ireland understands the worries of mare peo- Now Bank of Ireland offers the over 60's the hest Die and we're ready and willing to help relieve those worrles. range of banking services free. If you're over 60 — or if you have friends or relatives who acre — then take a look security for your mone y .s assured with Bank of at the very speclal services offered to our Golden Years Ireland, and the dangers of keeplng il at home are Customers removed. • Free Banking You may be worried tha' a bank account will affect No transactn charges for Che q ue Book Accounts- you with regard to Income Tax and such Soc;al Welfare • Monthly Income Se wings Account entitlements as: ;merest paid monthly on amounts over £3,000. • Non-Contributory O -A.P. • Non-Contributory Widows Pension • Free Advisory Service • Unemployment Benefit Free confidenral advice on all our banking services in- • Unemployment Assistance cluding such matters as Tax, Wills and lnherltance- In many cases this isn't actually so, and if it is we'l'l • Free Safe-Keeping be happy to advise you on the choices available In all cases Valuables and documents held for safe-keeplng free of any conversation you might have with us will be treated charge. in absolute confidence and we give you our total guarantee • Free Travel Service on that No commission charged for Travellers Cheques and free advice on travel finance. So why not cal! into your Bank of Ireland branch where our friendly staff will be happy to advtse you ' If this is in- Anyone over 60 who has a Bank of Ireland account convenlent please fill in and post the coupon for futher qualifles for these benefits. information DON'T KEEP CASH AT HOME ?lease send me further information in strict confidence- Please send me further information on Golden Years- Tick as requlred Please call as it would be more convenient-

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Please post to Bank of Ireland, Ballyrnote, or your nearest Bank of Ireland Branch- Bank if-Ireland STRONG AND SAFE. 4 eloonamal.on by J. McGarry The ancient name for Cloonamahon was Kil-na-Mochain, meaning the Church of Mohain. According to legend this church mysteriously moved to Lough Cronan at Drumfin and finally to Kilmorgan where the ruins in the old graveyard still are. The phenomenon of moving churches is not quite unique even in . From the 13th century, Cloonamahon belonged to the McDonaghs of , one of whom signed the Composition of in 1585 when it was numbered amongst the lands they surrendered to the Crown and were regranted from the Crown. The The birds he opened their cage' estate contained nine as As he went up and down; well as Cloonamahon. And he said with a smile, When Red Hugh O'Donnell was "Nave peace now"; Cloonamahon became associated preparing for his eventual And he went on his way in local focklore with the O'Hart showdown with the English forces, with a frown. he appointed his own nominees to family from the unusual circumst- ances in which they were disposs- territories held by chiefs of dubious And these were the works of John, essed. allegiance. Of Cloonamahon and When weeping score by score, Charles O'Hart and his brother other lands he appointed Morich People came into : Right Rev. John O'Hart Bishop of Caech McDonagh as chief. Morich For he died at ninety four. was killed in battle in 1598 when were in possession of Cloonamahon from 1687 tG 1715. his properties including There was no human keening: This period coincided with the Cloonamahon were confiscated. The birds from Knocknarea most severe strictures of The Penal O'Connor Sligo, overlord of And the world round Knocknashee Days when a Catholic could not South Sligo, gave the lands to a Came keening in that day. relative, C.O'Hart. The hereditary legally own anything of greater value than £5. A not unusual scat of the O'Harts was at In the 17th century, Cloonama- strategy in Ireland in those days, Ardtarmon Castle in north County hon became famous as the home of when a Catholic owned land, was to Sligo- The O'Harts, like the the brothers Thomas Laurence get a friendly Protestant neighbour Mcllonaghs, traced their lineage to Connellan the greatest Irish to hold the land in trust for him. ancient royal origins. composers and performers of the Unfortunately, the Hart brothers Carolan, the Last of the Bards, harp with the exception of Carolan, made an unwise choice in 1715 was a frequent visitor to Cloonama- the Last of the Bards. Indeed the with one Lawrence Betterige of hon when it was owned by Charles compositions of Thomas were Cartron, (Otherwise Knockmullen) Oil and where his brother Right considered superior to Carolan's. Of who had himself legally registered Rev. John O'Hart, Bishop of the two brothers Thomas was the as owner. The Harts were Achonry, also resided. it was more distinguished. Both travelled dispossessed. Fr. O'11art was Carolan's custom to compose Odes to Scotland, but at different times. befriended by the O'Haras, who for a member of the family in Thomas is credited with composing gave him a house on Annaghmore whose house he was entertained. 700 tunes, not a dozen of which estate at a place called Killaser, near I he first verse of one composed by survive. Two are of particular the Village of Billa, Where there him to I)r- O'llart runs: interest, Molly St. George and was a church dedicated to St. Molly McAlpine. They are the Lassara, mother of St. Fechin. Here earliest harp tunes of which the In this hour of my joy, let me turn he ended his days in povetry. appropriate words are exant, with to the road, Local folklore retained a the possible exception of Eileen To the pois one's home let me steer: tradition of Dr. O'Hart's great love Aye ! my steps shall instinctively Aroon. Molly McAlpine was of birds and his endeavours to free seek that abode, adapted by Thomas Moore for all caged birds. From this Where plenty and pleasure appear. "Remember the Glories of Brian circumstance the story was told Dear Hart, with the learned thou ' the Brave." Carolan said that he that on his death birds came from art gentle and kind; ' would rather be the author of all directions to sing his requiem. With the bard, thou art open and Molly McAlpine than of any free; The poet, Yeats, com mem orated melody he himself had ever And the smiling, the sad, in each this legend in The Ballad of Fr. composed. Other well-known tunes mood of the mind, Hart (originally ealled The Priest of are The Battle of Killiecrankie, Find a brother's fond spirit in thee Collooney) Farewell to Lochabor- 5

KEASH AND THE BRICKLIEVES cont from page 1 NEW YEAR'S DAY WEDDING For three days and nights, John Blake, TEAMWORK, hundreds of people discovered the Department of Labour, Mespil world of the Bricklieve Mountains Road, 4 and expressing to and Keashcorran. They studied the him your opinion of the work photographs, maps, drawings, shown in the exhibition and exhibits and slides presented each encouraging the Department of evening. Several people attended Labour to extend TEAMWORK the slide presentation on more than TG 85-271. Or, you can write to one accasion. School children, Ted Nealon, T.D., 31 Greenfort families, young people and old Estate, Sligo, expressing your people from throughout the region support for TEAMWORK and from every walk of life were TG 85-271. drawn to the exhibition. For a few Most importantly, the Brick- days, the community celebrated the lieve Mountains and Keash need enchantment and hostory of thier protection. We can provide the own landscape. protection against litter, vandalism, Throughout the six months of building or development which the project, TEAMWORK Tg 85-271 destroys the landscape, destruction found co-operation everywhere, of field monuments, whether from Sligo V.E.C., from the deliberate or through carelessness. landowners who welcomed them Let no one fotget that beauty is an into their homes, from the endangered species, that history can Community Centre and the Vocat- be buried and lost forever. If you ional School, from the Heritage still care about natural beauty and Group in Ballymote, from specialists our own cultural history, you can in archaeology, history or geology, make a difference. Together, we The marriage of Mattie Casey, from teachers and principals, from can build a better future for our Main Street, Ballymote to school children. Ths success of the children in our own place, proud of Kieran McDonagh, Carraroe, Sligo exhibition with capacity attendance our land and its hisotry because we took place in the Church of The each evening when people would feel it and know it as part of our Immaculate Conception, Ballymote. normally be reluctant to leave the daily lives. warmth of their fires and televisions, .011.1n10, grew from the interest and co-oper- ation expressed during the project. But people were not simply being CASTLE polite. For a few days in Ballymote, we shared a vision of our world HOTEL where beauty and wonder were real. BALLYMOTE Yes, the Bricklicves and Keash do Proprietors: Jim and Patsy Cawley. exist. catering for Private Parties. Weddings and Functions. Some questions remain. The Dining Room open all day and Bar Luncheons served. exhibition and archive or material Telephone (071) 83367/83342. from the survey deserve a perman- ent home. This material could provide the basis for a museum in Ballymote where people could be EARLY & LATE introduced to the area. Minister of State for Arts and Culture, Ted LORD EDWARD St BAYMOTE Ncalon, T.D. indicated in his open- ing speech that artifacts in possess- ion of the National Museum could be transferred to local museums Sects n{eGtioo®ry a^ with sufficient conditions of main- Bo^k tenance and secutiry. A museum t^ti°^ecy based in Ballymote would attract c° Yape^b C acd5 visitors from throughout the world J ^, and provide a centre of civic pride for all the people of south Sligo. More work can be done through TEAMWORK for the Ballymote Order your Fresh Flowers for area. An extension to the project has been applied for in order to Mothers Day March. 9th widen the area of the survey. You can support this project by writing to:- 6 CLOONAMAHON ARTIST byP.J.Duffy from page 4 PASSING of an As the congregation assembled as the handball After the death of Thomas for Mass Killaville Church on the player who won many a Connellan, many odes were morning of Sunday, January 26th hard-fought competition; as the addressed to him of which the there were expressions of disbelief stage-actor, comedian and story-tell- following is typical: on everyone's face as word went er who left audiences in stitches Whenever harp-note ringeth round that Fred Finn had died in with such comedy places as Cobweb Irene's isle around the early hours of the morning. For Glory, Mountain Dew, Sugar for Thy hand its sweetness flingeth, many people like myself it was Jam, to mention but a few. Back in the 1940's he and Surpassing mortal sound. indeed the end of an era. Fred was our neighbour, he was always there, another local lad Joe Brett formed Thy spirit-music speakpth and like many lesser known their own little comedy group and Above the minstrel throng, characters from our area who have did rehearsals in an old disused And thy rival vainly seeketh passed away in recent months, we farmhouse at Knockgrania. With The secret of thy song! had regrettably taken him less or no professional supervision at all more for granted. they succeeded in getting their act Betterige became so unpopular At 68, we might have reasonably is a .er. With a cast that included in the locality that he sold been excused for thinking he was saw locals, this group took the Cloonamahon to Thomas Rutledge man expected to be around for diem to numerous parish halls of Collooney. The latter had one many years to come. It is something awed the country. son and three daughters. The son that might make us seriously On the day of his funeral a was killed in an accident and the ponder on these lines written by mourner from an outside parish Cloonamahon estate was given as local poet, the late Martin Brennan: remarked "shure we knew him as dowries to the daughters. Esther `Tis singluat that those who are an actor as well as a musician". endowed Rutledge, the eldest daughter got His funeral was one of the largest With intellect so far above the Cloonamahon on her marriage to and most moving ceremonies seen crowd in these parts in recent times. The Joseph Meredith about the year Are sometimes prematurely called arrival of the remains at Killaville 1741. From then until the early away Church on Sunday evening was years of this century Cloonamahon While plodding multitudes are left accompanied by Larry O'Dowd, the belonged to their descendants. to stay. lone piper whose haunting laments In or about 1902 Cloonamahon brought tears to many people was acquired by the Congested During the week before he and seated in the pews inside the little District Board- The estate was his lifelong music partner Father church. divided into small farms to relieve Horan had appeared on the popular At the requiem Mass on Monday congestion mainly in Carrick ban- T.V. programme "The Mountain morning Fr. Filan paid his own agher. The house and somc 25 acres Lark". special tribute to the dead musician For most people resident outside while Mrs. Marian Egan of Ballisod- of land eventually sold to Sligo our area Fred was just a jolly fellow are read a solemn little poem County Couneil. in turn the house who played sweet music on his "Farewell Fred". Musicians present was used as a Sanatorium and fiddle, a sort of heir apparent to played selections on their instrum- eventually in the early 1940's a Michael Coleman. But we had come ents. Larry O'Dowd again excorted Monasterv of the Passionist Fathers. to know him over the years as the the courtege as it left Killaville and The nucleus of the property had man who could plough a ridge of later through Gurteen village where returned to Catholic ownership for lea for potatoes as well as any man a huge crowd of mourners had the first tink since 1715. in the County; assembled. Fred Finn was one of those singular characters who appear on the scene once in a century. Apart altogether from his musical abilities he was an outstanding neighbour who never spared himself when it came to helping somebody in wilmoomT. CASEY _ distress. His sudden departure from our area has created a void that will 1llII.P. f3.I. Ph. W. be very difficult to fill. Upon a dusty wall A silent fiddle hangs YOUR COUNTY PHARMACY Flanked by a sagging bow Whose haunting rhythm once Medical and Veterinary Prescriptions Set many a heart aglow.

The master's gone whose Agents: Nimble fingers made these sounds. Coty, Kimmel, Sans Souci, In yonder chuchyard His body lies; Yardley, Lentheric and Cyclax His spirit plays for hallowed angles Beyond the distant skies. 'FEELING S RF,E'r, BALLYMOTE PH. (.071) 83370 7 by Mrs. Mary O'Donneli PILES Continuing our journey to lived the Phillips brothers who Ballymote, we round the bend at worked in Temple House right into OF G tI A N G E the Demesne wall and meet Jimmy old age. They did not marry, and .the last, Henry, died only last year. Many changes for the better have Costelloe's forge and dwelling Their house now stands empty. taken place in rural Ireland over the house. Both still stand - but only At last we meet two new houses. past seventy years, and expecially just. The forge closed with Jimmy's Up to our right, a short distance over the past thirty, but the death over 60 years ago. Later the from the road, we see the changes I am now recording cannot family sold out and moved to McGettrick and Hannan new ail be said to be for the better. Dublin to set up a thriving drapery bungalows. The Hannan family are My story begins at Templehouse business in North Earl Street, now new to this farm, having replaced Cross where the road from Bally- sadly closed too. the Brehony's but the McGettricks mote to Coolaney crosses the Adjoining Jimmy's farm was have lived here for as long as I Galway road, about four miles from that of his brother Batty. This Ballymote and the same from family still own the house and farm remember. On the opposite side of the road Coolaney. and a granddaughter has built a At this cross in the first quarter lovely bungalow alongside the old down a short avenue we see the of this century there was a cluster family house. This is the only new Gallagher house, now empty for of six houses; a shop, a public house that has been built along this some years. Here a fine family of house, a police barracks, and three stretch of road since the start of six girls and two boys were reared. private dwellings. Today only the this century. All have gone to their reward pub and two dwelling houses The Lynch family live in the except the youngest, Josie, who remain. In 1922 the police barracks gate-house a few hundred yards , lives hale and hearty the other side was burned down and later the further on. It still belongs to the of Ballymote. ruins were re-built to enlarge the estate but Lynches have lived here On we go now to the letterbox home of the Hall Family which for as long as I remember. The gate at the junction of the Ballymote adjoined it. In the 1950's the two here is one of four entrances to the road and the Emlaghnaughton - houses on the opposite side of the estate. Down the hill, we meet the Chiid road. Just past here, we meet road were demolished by Sligo main entrance known as "the The Ruane house and nearby the ruins of the Gilroy house, part of County Council to make room for a Grand Gates", an imposing gateway wider road and a better view indeed with its fine gate-house which is now used as an outhouse by the Ruane family. A little further appraoching the cross. situated just inside. Here in the on, well into the fields on the same Soon after, the shop, which had early years of the century the side of the road, John Leydon lived. provided the area with food, grain O'Dowd family manned the gates. Only a heap of stones masks the and fertiliser for most of a hundred They moved to England and were spot today. years, closed its doors for good_ Lt replaced by a few different families Next on the left was the Doddy I'm glad to say its owners, the Halls, until the youngest O'Dowd son house. I remember it as a cosy farm still live and thrive there. Larry returned in the 1960's and house with a lovely flower garden The pub has been modernised took up residence there as a tenant. in front. To-day there is'nt a trace and remains in the same family-own- Our journey next leads over of it after the bulldozer has done its ership. The one dwelling house left Temple House bridge to meet on has also been modernised and is let our left the derelict house of the work. Right by Willie Cryan lived, to visitors during the tourist season. Armstrong family, long gone to but his house has also vanished. Many German families have their eternal reward. Michael was Third in this cluster we meet our enjoyed a stay there over the last the shepherd and butcher in fourth new house, that of the Wim's ten years. Temple House until a few years family. Close by is the cosy cottage As we leave Templehouse Cross before his death. of Mrs. Reynolds, always weli kept and take the road towards Bally- For the next half mile or so over the years. Behind the Wim's mote, we see a demesne wall right remember beautiful trees inter- home, two other new houses have in front of us. The wall encloses mingled with laurels and rhododend- replaced thatched houses, one is Temple House Estate and stretches rons along both sides of the road. owned by Fahy's and the other by for approximately two miles from The rhododendrons remain, but the another Wims. John Kerins also Rinbane to Temple House Bridge trees at least the tall lovely ones lived here but his house has long on the Owenmore. Up to 1961 a where the squirrels scuttled to and gone. This area is known as Ring. beautiful wood of elm, oak, and frc among the branches all the Less than a mile will now take us beech stretched all the way along long lazy days of summer, are no to Ballymote but in that short the inside of this wall but hurricane longer there. Alas ! No trees, no distance nine family houses have Debbie played havoc with it in a squirrels for many a year now ! disappeared without trace over the few hours on that never to be On now to Munnc's turn and years. forgotten September day in 1961. veer left to bring us to Corrigeen Between Ring and Camross Hill Over one thousand trees were where there were two houses on the on the irght hand side of the road levelled that day by the Strom and brow of the hill. One has now gone, there were four near little thatched so was a good part of the wall itself. and the other, the house of the houses in my childhood days. John Today most of the fallen trees have Costellow family, stands empty. McGovern lived in the first, Martin sold off as firewood and only a few Their nearest neighbour, Eileen Dunne is the second John sad-looking surivors remain to Cosgrave, lived in a neat little house McDermott is the third and right remind us of the beauty that once nearby hut today only a heap of opposite a Cawley family. Today as was there. stones remains. Beside her there I pass I cannot see even the track of cont. on page 11 8 RANDOM RECOLLECTIONS so making it a memorable occasion indicating the wealth of traditional Ballymote and Surrounding in the annals of Ballymote. music talent in Ballymote and surr- area The formation of a Branch oundings. It would indeed be hard Comhaltas Ceoltoir Eireann ensued TRADITIONAL to find a camparable area anywhere and the Branch flourished from IRISH MUSIC with such a richness of music. Take some years. Amongst its achieve- for instance the otwnland of I came to Co. Sligo in 1955, to ments was a series of annual Tradit- Lisananey almost within hailing what is in my opinion the Premier ional Concerts in the Cinema in distance of Ballymote and we find County in Ireland, in the sphere of Ballymote. I recollected that the that almost every house in it had Traditional Irish Music. I came attendance at one of the Concerts over the years at least one musician from Co. Clare with Traditional was so great that an invited like Michael and Tmooie Hunt and Irish Music ringing in my cars. I musician (J.J.McKenna) who had Matt Molloy (Sr.), Pipor Anderson, looked forward to meetings and come all the way from Ballinamore, Packie Dowd, Packie Gallagher, hearing the Traditional musicians of Co. Leitrim had some difficulty Joe Hannon and Maggie Connell. In Co- Sligo and I was not dissappoint- getting in, the admission doors habe Ardconnell (adjoining ) ed in my expectations. having had to be closed early to John Flanagan and Mike Doddy The word Sligo derives from the prevent overcrowding. Some of and in another townland close by Irish word Sligean meaning a sea these Concerts featured musicians and still but a short distance from shell, which is alleged, with strings from as far away as Co. Tyrone and Ballymote, Cambs, a flute player drawn across it, to have been the Co. Armagh - Mickey McCann for called Jacques Cawley, some of first musical instrument ever used. instance from the former and whose music has I understand has What a happy coincidence ! Brendan McGlinchty from the been recorded on the old 78's. A Having duly arrived in Co. Sligo latter. short distance from Cambs there I set off "footloose and free" in Unfortunatley for reasons was a great exponent called Willie the direction of Ballymote, my first outside the control of the excellent Snee. One could go on and on. stop being the home of the late Organising Committee the Concerts Reverting to activists in the field Willie Coleman of Carnaree some had to be discontinued. I recollect Don O'Connor and his talented three miles from Ballymote. There I that amongst the members of that family who resided in Ballymote was cordislly received and treated Committee were Alfie Banks, the for some years, were prime movers to a wide caricty of reels by Willie late Johnnie Irwin and the late in the organising of two Fleachanna on his much loved and much used Frank Leonard and others whom I in Ballymote as well as being fiddle from his extensive repertoire can't recall. popular performers at many a of tunes. in the great world of Traditional session. Before I left that pleasant Music in the Ballymote area I made As recently as about two months atmosphere Willie and I arranged to many friends of long standing as for ago a wonderful session of pay a visit to Ballymote at an early instance Michael and Tommie Hunt, traditional music making the rafters date. whieh we did. We visited Danny Healy, Lorrie Irwin, Louis ring, formed a significant part of a Batty Cawleys "licenced premises" Preston, Seamus Leonard and very enjoyable and successful and there met the brother Michael indeed many others too numerous Function organised by the and Tommy Hunt, they being suit- to mention. In the Ballymote Ballymote Heritage Group at the ably armed with fiddle, flute and hinterland one must mention the Castle Hotel, Ballymote. Amongst pipes and accompanied by Willie an late Paddy Killoran who is regarded those playing was the late Fred entertaining recital was inevitable. as one of the fathers of traditional Finn a most popular and talented As I recollect tha late Frank music; the late John Joe Grandinor violinist whose early demise caused Flannery (Marren Park) was in the and family who belonged to widespread sorrow: Tom company. We arranged with Batty Keenaghan Ballymote; that superb McGettrick ex N.T. was M.C. Cawley's approval and blessing for flute player Matt Molloy whose last A prominent feature of life in another session, to which I would father Jim Molloy, a flute player in Ballymote presently is the existence bring along my tape recorder of the his own right, was a native of of a Traditional Music Society open reel to reel type current at the Lisananny, Ballymote; the Finn based at `The Hide Out' Sylvester time. family from Marlow current Kerins' premises where well attend- Word got around that a recording performers on a variety of instrum- ed sessions are held every Thursday session was to take place at Batty's ents; Jimmy McGettrick from night indicating the ever continuing and that aroused great interest over , a veritable storehouse of love for and dedication of Tradit- a wide area as the technique of tape tunes. the late Tommie Keenan, ional Music in the Ballymote area. recording was novel at the time.. publican, Ballymote, who had a The Sligo style or might we say Come the clay, or rather the night special handshake if the incoming the Ballymote style is much there was a massive gathering of customer happened to be a admired from Cork to Donegal and musicians and their friends at musician; Joe Cullen from Keash indeed known of in foreign parts. Batty's, so much so that it was who is employed at Vinnie When the "Chieftans" played reluctantly decided that all hands McDonagh's Electrical shop; the traditional Irish music on their tour go to the Loftus Flail to obtain late Jimmy Brennan accordeones of China was to be wondered at sufficient space to accommodate from Marlow Road, and many that amongst their number was to the huge crowd. others who could be added to the be found the wonderful flute Many from amongst the list. Matt Molloy whose late father musicians played selections of The above is just a cross section (already referred to) was a native of music, mainly on flute or fiddle and )f names that comes to mind Lissananey, Ballymote. In penning cont on page 14 9

Ballymote District Council Organisation in the District is welcome to send delegates to the Following a four year cycle of Council at any time and al' successful operation, Ballymote Meetings are open to the Public. District Council had an inconclusive Matters which will be given Annual General Meeting, due attention in the coming months are Responsiblity and Awareness possibly to customry apathy which creation of awareness of the litter alway noticable. However ` at the problem and provision for litter One must first ask - in what way? resumed Annual General Meeting bins at asuitable points; the What are their responsibilities, and held in January, there was an possibility of securing a children's to whom are they responsible. The excellent attendence of a cross playground or open Park; removal answer would have to be that we all section of business interest for of abandoned cars; re-siting of have responsibilities: we arc which some credit must be due to speed limit, junction, and road responsible to ourselves, to our the publicity of the Council in a signs; improvement of roads families, to our employers, to the recent issue of the Corran Herald footpaths, derelict sites; tourism, communities in which we live, to and also the publication of the and numerous other matters. A our country, and in a wider sense to excellent Survey Report. This very comprehensive Survey Report the world in which we live. resumed Meeting showed completed by the out-going Council We are inter-dependent. None of immediately that there was is still available on sale and copies us can go it alone. That continuing lively interest in the may be had at £2.00. The next inter-dependence should be an Council and an anxiety that its meeting of the new Council takes essential part of our education from work should continue. place on Tuesday 18th March. our earliest years. Unfortunately Appreciation was expressed by the this is not the case. Competition is large gathering of the work the order of the day. Competition outgoing Council when the election breeds selfishness and ruthlessness. of officers came about, no Success becomes the all-consuming Dear Sir, difficulty was experienced in filling goal, breeding arrogance in the the various positions. Elderly people living on their winner and fustration in the loser- The Officers elected were:- own seem again to be a target for Our world to-day is made up of Chairman: Mr. John J. Kielty; what must be one of the lowest winners and losers, those who go Vice-chairman: Michael Rogers; forms of criminal acts. There have forward to success and its rewards, Secretary: Keenan Johnson; been horrifying stories of people and those must remain under-dogs Assistant Secretary: John Perry; being attacked and intimidated in all their lives. This fatal trend starts Treasurer Derek Davey; Assistant thier own homes and their life at school, is carried into adult-hood Treasurer Mrs. Eileen Tighe; P.R.O. savings stolen. In nearly every case and has produced the world we Alfie Banks. The New Council the Gardai have been successful in have to-day. consists of the officers and also aprehending the people involved We all have been shaped in this Messrs. Paddy Brady, Jim Higgins, and pressing charges. However, the mould and feel that we can do Robert Wallace, Michael Flynn, money stolen is rarely recovered nothing about it. We submit to Gerry Cassidy, Sean Molloy, Con and of course nothing cam make up bureacracy and the dictates of Lohan, Nathy Fahy, Paddy for the shock and suffering caused officials in the various branches of Conheady, Eamonn Scanlon, to the victims. Government without question, and Michael Farrell, Mrs. Una Preston, On a sad note, it is said that never stop to think that we are die Miss Mary McGettrick, Mrs. Mai some of the victims have been units that make up the whole, and Hunt. The new Chairman expressed afraid to report the matter to the that such all power reset wlth us. his thanks to the Members and he Gardai or even to discuss it with Not just with the successful ones stated that a deep debt of gratitude their neighbours. They are worried who arc manipulating us. it is our was due to out-going Council for that they might lose their old age responsibility as adults and unites the work it had achieved. pension or orther benefits should it of the Nation to educate ourselves It was immediately evident from become known that they have built in how we arc governed, how our the lively discussion which took up sonic savings. money is spent, and how those place on many topics, that the There is no need for such worry who govern us live up to their Council was getting off to an as one can keep quite a sizeable responsibilities. invigorating start and high on the amount on deposit with a bank and The phrase "Knowledge is list was once again the Public Light earn a good rate of interest and still power" usually conveys the mean- System in the Town. The necessity not have the old age pension entitl' ing of specialised knowledge which for an urgent improvement is being ement affected. I think it important does give power in certain fields but taken up actively with Sligo now to try and exhort any Senior basic knowledge of the machinery Council in conjunction with the Citizens who may be worried about of Government under which we Traders Association. Many other any financial matter of Social live, how it interacts on us on how items concerning environmental Welfare entitlement to seek advice we interact on each other, can give imporvement will appear on the in strictest of confidence form a us a quiet self-confidence and Agenda for the monthly meetings trained Financial Advisor. enable us to set a real value on which will he held at the Loftus ourselves and on what we do no Hall on the 3rd Tuesday of each Manager & Staff matter what our sphere of activity month at 8 p.m. Any other cultural Bank of Ireland, Ballymote is. 10

47n1•11•1111

BALLYMOTE VIDEO SE R VICES BARONIAL ELECTION The 1985 Ballymote Baron- LORD EDWARD St, t3ALwYMUTt ial Election was brought to a PH. (fl71)$31 55 successful conclusion at a dance in the Loftus Hall on 27th October. Like the N„ I Ago ts Official Video for 1980 contest, the latest elect- Uniyu,- ',wont ion had its share of drama and ti1'cddint;s MAR`, i I((111 IlliN(;Lt)T_ excitement when the fayourite, Cuncerts Tom Cannon, just managed Plays N ROSE to pip Timothy Scanlon by a Sporting I•,.nts mere 143 yotes (23.80 in I c!e-(.ine 'Transfer cash). Timothy, who had (open 7 days) benefitted greatly from supp- VIDEO LIBRARY ort he receiyed from relatiyes working in industry in England, was considered a no-hoper by the pundits. He SANDS OF TIME When will women stop talking also conducted a highly about womens problems. Why not personalised compaign in The sands of time do ebb and flow, look at themselves as what they are, towns as far afield as Longford, That's why life now flows so slow. citizens of the state 50% of the but he maintained a yery low As babies we do laugh and cry, population. The housekeepers of profile in his home area. In Yet contented in a cradle lie. the nation and of equal value in the contrast, Tom Cannon organ- When children we run out to play, scheme of things with their male ised a yery successful 25 drive As teenagers we do sing and dance, counterparts. Education, Public health, Housing, the economy etc. in Ballymote, a profitable golf Never stop to give our lives a chance. are very much their concern. They marathon, a sale of work and a Middle age it then comes next, have a moral obligation to become methodical sale of raffle cards Take it easy is now the text. The Lord his reaper to us informed about these things and throughout the north-west. about how public money is being Eamon Scanlon who was now does send, For we are old it is the end. spent, also they have a moral oblig- placed third was obyiously, So the sands of time do ebb ation to let their opinions and rec- handicapped by an exhausting, and flow, ommendations be known to those and costly county council Where oh where did our lives in authority and these in their turn election campaign when he then go. have the same obligation to give narrow failed to win a seat. these recommendations serious The yotes receiyed by the by the Flintstone consideration. first three were as follows. There is much talk of divorse, Tom Cannon il1•1111•11•1=11111111111 contraception, marital breakdown, etc. these times, does anyone 13,740 votes (£2,290.00) candiate, Tom Cannon and he seriously consider what the present Timothy Scanlon congratulated Tom on his tendancy to promiscuity will have 13,597 votes (£2,266.20) remarkable fundraising efforts on tomorrows children. Maybe if Eamon Scanlon on behalf of the community. women stopped talking about these 4,500 votes (£750.00) The Chief Herald, Neal things and started studying the The remaining four candid- Farry, presented the Baronial probable causes of a lot of these ates, John Joe Kielty, Bernard problems they might find some coat of arms to all the candid- useful remedies. Many of the so O'Brien, Alfic Parke and Bill ates and he thanked them McGoyern grossed 4,920 yotes. called womens problems are in real- for their fine collective achiev- ity deep-rooted social problems and (£820.00) between them. The ement in a time of great gross proceeds of the camp start with a basically defective edu- recession. cational system. Uneven distribut- aign were £6,126.20)- ion of wealth, overgrown cities and The treasurer of the Park towns, bad housing, poverty, etc. Re-deyelopment committee, The winners of the raffle also play their part. Until women J ohn Conlon was returning were as follows:- themselves realise their value in the officer and he was assisted Justin Scanlon, Hill View scheme of things and claim the by Tommie Layin. Drive (£300.00), Mae Killoran, status that should be theirs they The H igh Sheriff, Alfie Lisananny (£100.00), Phil will continue to be treated as sec- Banks conferred the Baronial Currid, Ardnaglass (£50.00), ond class citizens and remain pow- robe, sash, coat of arms and and Mae Middleton, Coolaney erless to do anything about the the title deed on the winning. (£50.00). abuses of which they now complain, 1 I ...... cont. from page 7 those houses. In the early 1920's two two-stor- ey cottages were built on Camross Hill by the British Government and COJÆMA i'IS given to two Ballymote men who had served in the British army in the 1914-18 war. On the other side ÇORNER l.OUNGE !of Camross hill stood the Cawley ( family home, now a cattleshed. ,yrrlote Ph 83475 'Biddy, the last member of that Ball 'family that I remember there, 'married Pat Brennan and died a few (Props Jim and Margaret Murphy) 'years ago. Now we come in sight of the MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY and SUNDAY chimney-stacks of . hllymote, and ALL YEAR ROUND here there stood the happy houses of Mr. Killoran, John Berreen and C. Ruane. To-day not a stone of Pub Grub Available these houses stands, and a nice new bungalow owned by the Murtagh family is the only replacement to Saturday 8th March. ..CRUISCIN .. Ballads, Trad. date. Sunday 9th March... Joe Sweeney ... Sing-a-long Along a narrow lane, a little way Saturday 15th March.- Joe Sweeney.. Sing-a-long from the Murtagh home, two more families have also died out; the ,.,...... ^ - —.^...^ Hcvers and the Meehans. Nobody lives on that lane today. in my youth, the doctor's house or be able to up a co-operative near the railway bridge was the last or business enterprise. These things house before I reached the town. YOUTF- involve working with other people Dr. O'Harte senior served the people and are very useful, but in the of Ballymote and surrounding areas world of to-day and in this country people as part of the for many years from this house and of ours more is needed. We must nation's population cannot be was succeeded by his son 1)r. Frank start with the personal qualities of taken in isolation and dealt with in O'Harte for as many years more. the young person. As a people we isolation. We must look at whey Both have gone to their eternal tend to be slip-shod in our dealings they came from and where they are reward and their house has passed with our fellow citizens. We make going if we are to work out a into the possession of the Perceval promises that we do not intend to formula to help them. We must family. keep. We arc not punctual, not also look at the circumstances of Within the recent past another always truthful, and not always of the times in which they live. doctors' residence and surgery have loyal to our friends. These arc been built on the edge of town. In rural areas most children get things we need to correct. Personal Here I)r. D. In;nleavy and her un-interrupted primary and second integrity should be put before the level education and during that doctor husband Barney Cimeannon young people we try to influence as period of thier lives they are have taken over from the Doctors' a valuable and highly desireable relatively protected and provided O'Harte. Between here and quality that they should try hard to Ballymote a garage stands; first for: their main concern during achieve. On the posative side court- built by the lale Pake Begley it has school years is to pass examinations esy, consideration for others and and prepare themselves for jobs long been in the possession of Alex the art of communication are which they hope will be waiting for Gilmor and family. qualities that should be cultivated, them. All this is pretty soul-less Opposite this garage, the and lastly obligation to ones stuff. Their experience of real life gatehouse and entrance to the country. situations is limited to happenings Farlsfort estate stood on my earliest We arc children of an ancient in their homes and the localitites in visits to Ballymote. Today Val race, and our history, though which they love. Youth organisatio Henry's bungalow replaces the chequered, holds many things of organisations try to supplement gatehouse and the estate is partly which we should be justly proud. their knowledge by bringing them built over with County Council Some would tell us we are into contact with other young houses and a fine Vocational people in and out of school Europeans now, maybe, but the School. The great house itself is atmosphere and encouraging them European nations arc very careful now the Convent of Mercy. to preserve their own national to engage in activities that would We have arrived at last at the identies, including their languages. prepare them in some measure for Ballymote of seventy years ago; the Why should'nt we ? We could use life in the after-school world. Loftus Hall and Tighcs public English, French, or German for The framework of these activities house then Coughlan's were the is important . It is not enough that business reasons and yet proudly first two houses of the town then. a person should be able to conduct use our own tongue for Over the years it has expanded in communicating with our own peop- a meeting successfully, be a good all directions and it would be hard le. chairperson, secretary, or treasurer, by Una Preston to say today where it starts or ends. 12

TO CHRIS MacDONAGH

By Dominic O'Kelly (Cf. Donegal Democrat, May 20th 1960)

In sorrowing appreciation of the late J.C.T. MacDonagh, B.Comm. Bank of Ireland House, Ballybofey, who died (suddenly) at the annual meeting of our County Donegal Historical Society (of which he was a founder member and present President) on Thursday, April 28th, 1960. Gur moide do Theaghlach De a anam.

We weep to-day in Donegal, a TEEL7NG STPEET, BALLYMOTE, !G o^iG'^ stranger yet a friend .. . For Chris MacDonagh came the call that signals Journey's end. them in and unlike the way with Ballymote anglers from abroad who later came A Scion of a Sligo clan once owning to fish here and who returned the acres vast Angling fish live to the water, the catch all This quiet unassuming man so fond came home. of ireland's past. Tradition When the value, to the Country of our coarse fishing as a tourist For twenty years among us here There is a bronze fishing hook in attraction gradually carne to be adopting our Dark Hills the National Museum, about the realised there was development on a Old forts and caves and crannog size of a half-crown with a long national basis. Ballymote was on of sites gave Chris his greatest thrills. shank and an eye at the end. The the centres that entered the market note attached says that it was dis- early for a share of the trade. The Tirchonaill owes him gratitude for covered at Carrownanty, Bally- first efforts might be regarded as a loving labour done: mote, but has no date. It was probing to see what the district had Research and archaeology the lore considered worthy of a place in this to offer and what use could be of days long gone. great collecting centre `or many made of it for the benefit of the aspects of our National Heritage town, then a club was formed. Our Donegal Historical Society was and it establishes a tradition for born The first meeting of this club angling in our district going back to With Chris its fons et origo: he took place in what was then a the dun and distant past, even to nursed it night and morn. Market House on 22nd Feb. 1951. the Bronze Age. Present and elected to the Comm- One can easily accept that the Financier philantropist in many ittee were, Tom McGettrick, Pres- Owenmore River, Templehouse and a social field ..- . ident; Edw. McGettrick, Chairman Cloonaceigha Lakes and the many How sweetly could his violin to Thos. J. Gallagher, Sec; other smaller lakes around our the CuilFl)ionn yearning yield ! Tom P. Healy, Treasurer; Dan, town were teeming with fish then, Brennan, Jas Reynolds, and Paddy as they are now. One well-known Now permanently passed away Donegan. There was an apology angler in the town has a bronze reel lone loved ones left behind from Paddy Rogers, O'Connell handed down from an old fisher- For his kind soul we fondly pray Street, who immediately became a man which could also be worthy of and his memory keep in mind. member of the Club. These were all a place alongside the Carrownanty fishermen whose first interest was (look. The tradition lives on, and the sport for its own sake and they C. McDonagh's Book: memory recalls the Donegans, the paid in one shilling each, member- A HISTORY OF BALLYMOTE Reynolds, Dan Brennan, the Healys ship - yes, one shilling the first to a ANI) THE PARiSH OF J.McManus and others leaving the movement which was to contribute EM LAG HFA I) town after first Mass on Sunday to the welfare of the town and have Mornings to spend the day at one repercussions in far away places. or other of their favourite fishing But hopefully that story will be stands. There were no three—piece told in later ussues. rods among their equipment in THE COR RAN HERALD those days, only long one-piece PUBLISHED IN BALLYMOTE sixteen footers often cut in a local EDITOR JAMES FLANAGAN wood and one had to keep well DESIGN,TYPESETTiNG back as they swung around Dowd's ^ AND PRiNTING BY or McDonagh's corner on the way ^.•^1^'r .^ ,2e&^ "FASTPRINT" ^s 1 out of town. No nets either - the ^ C3,, '. é^ ,^,,3^^ , tackle was strong enough to haul Are' BALLYMOTE G.A.A. CLUB BALLYMOTE BADMINTON CLUB A.G.M. Sports vr.z•.•.•. .4 .'JiG•P.•.•• .•i .•.•.•.•.•.4.V1.•. The Club currently has a large The following officers were ed unacceptable insurance risks membership, divided into three elected: for a small number of people groups: Adult, Juvenile and Junior. President who haye been providing this Joe O'Hara mode of transport at their ADULT: Chairman own expense for many years. Two adult teams were involved Pat McGrath Accordingly it was decided to in County leagues this year. At the end of the first half, the division 5 Vice-Chairman vigorously promote the Ciste team ended joint first, and the Padraig Creegan Gael draws during 1986 so Secretary division 4 team in the top of their that a professional approach, league. Paschal Donohue supported by a regular and The adult team play on Tuesdays, Treasurer substancial income, will be Wednesdays and Thursdays. Brendan Dempsey implemented. Wednesdays are reserved for home P.R.O. A motion was passed to matches or team practice. Currently Neal Farry request Sligo County Board to there is a Club Competition in ensure that the first rounds of progress. In his report, the outgoing the Senior and Intermediate JUVENILE (12-16) temporary secretary, Neal championships will be played The Juvenile team plays on Wednesday nights, 7 - 8.30p.m. Farry congratulated the Under before the first round of the Their progress looks very promising 12 football team on winning Junior Championship each the County Championship. He for future teams. They are trained year so as to preclude regraded by Jim Gallagher. also congratulated St. Nathy's Senior players taking part in JUNIORS (8 - 12) hurling Club's Under 12 and the Junior Championship. The Junior team plays on Friday Under 14 teams for their The Ballymote G.A.A. club nights. They arc being trained by achievements in winning their was founded in 1886 and it John O'Connor. It is encouraging to respectiye county titles. was decided to mark the see so many juniors interested in The new club president Joe centenary year by publishing a the sport. O'Hara, noted with satisfact- centenary history of Gaelic ion that three of the new club games in the Ballymote area. officers were from the old A history commlttee has been Derroon club area and he appointed. PERM'S hoped that the spirit that During a liyely debate on characterised Derroon in the the parish rule it was noted thirties and forties would be that Sligo County Board failed eyident in all Ballymote teams to implement a resolution (Ba/lymote in 1986 as it was in the that was passed by the 1985 juyenile football and hurling Conyention demanding that Large Sliced Pan 56p teams in 1985. the parish rule be strictly The hurling and football enforced. This resolution was 1 lb. Butter 99p coaches, John Cunningham, sponsored by the Ballymote 1 kg. Sugar 59p Michael Donnelian, Neal Club. 5011 gr. Cornflakes. .59p Farry, Paddy Con heady and The new club chairm: n Pat 4 lb. Chips 99p Pat Haugh were included in McGrath, appealed for 6 pkts. Biscuits asst. 99p the congratulatory remarks. co-operation from all members I doz. Eggs size 3 89p In his report, the treasurer, to help the club to achieye Brendan Dempsey reported success at all leyels during its 1/2 lb. Lyons Tea 95 p that the club has a deficit of centenary year. 4 lb. Chickens .... 3.25 approximately £250. He It was noted that 130 boys 4 st. Kerr Pink stated that transport cost from the parish, who arc Potatoes 5 99 £190 during 1985. It was attending the local primary Gateaux Swiss Roll .59p decided that mini-buses should and post-primary schools arc 1/2 tin Biscuits..... 2.99 be hired to transport all receiving expert coaching from juvenile teams to winter league Scamus Pilkington of Kilfrcc, 1 lb. Marmalade... .49p fixtures, irrespectiye of cost, who is the official County Toilet Rolls 19p since this is the most efficient G.A.A. juyenile coach. Lge.Lucozadc 92p method. It was stated by some 1' Ltr. Minerals 79p members that the transportat- A history committee has been Block Ice Cream 69p ion of large numbers of appointed. children in priyate cars inyoly- Shoulder Bacon lb. .75p 14 ilallzjmot&s 1ootball Vast by John Benson The town and parish of Bally- ion on the grounds that two Sligo participated_ with considerable mote have been associated with the players, Gilgan (Wanderers) and distinction in the many sports G.A.A. since the very early years of Dockry (Ballymote) had played fostered in the town, those already the founding of the organisation. soccer but this was subsequently mentioned and Tennis. His name Both on the field of play and in the withdrawn for want of evidence. was Vincent Grant. In addition to council chamber men from the Mayo provided the opposition in his activities on the field he also capital of Corran have played the semi-final, and although Sligo interested himself in the administ- important roles in the evolut- matched the visitors in the first rative side of sport, being appointed ion process of the G.A.A. The half, Mayo described as "the more a county team selector for a period. first County Board was set up stylish and experienced", won in The famous Sligo senior team in 1887 and one of the members the end by a comfortable margin. that won the Connacht Senior was one James A Flanagan who Best for Sligo were Dockry (Bally-- championship in 1928 included a lived in O'Connell Street where mote, Gilgan, Clancy and Kelly fine player from Derroon, Bertie Paddy Egan and his family now (Wanderers) and Keevans and McGettrick, who operated at right reside. Shortly afterwards another O'Dowd (Killavil)." half back and distinguished himself Ballymote man, John Cawley, was Ballymote won the county on many occasions, most notable elected to the Board. championship in 1914 by beating being his display against mighty Two priests from the town at and Kerry in a National League were very much involved in G.A.A. Deroon followed suit the following semi-final at Tralee in 1929. activities at the time. They were year with a victory over Knockalassa in 1930 the Annual Convention Canon John McDermott P.P. and in Coolaney. The twenties saw was held at the famous Henry Hall, one of his curates, Rev. J. Ballymote football flourishing. Coolaney. Ballymote's representat- McNicholas. It must be mentioned Games were then played in a ives were the late Bertie Farry and at this point that in those years field known as the "Stone Park", John Hannon. The selection nationalist feelings were running situated in an area adjacent to the committee were in attendance high throughout the country and present Corran Park. The team and in their ranks were four from the I.R.K. was seen, in the eyes of colours were Black and Amber Ballymote. They were John A. the authorities, to be closely vertical strip and Sunday after Barnes, P.J. Nangle, Paddy Dwyer connected with this Body. As Sunday they could be seen in and as already mentioned, Vincent a result the priests were frequently action against the best teams in the Grant. In the county minor team of subjected to questioning by the county. Outstanding among them that year were Tom McGettrick, police- incidentally, the same were Bertie and Fonso Farry, Bertie and John Kivlehan. In the Junior attitude stili persists in the Northern McGettrick, Patrick Dwyer, Bill team were Louis Harte, Willie part of our country. McDonagh, Louis Harte, Tommy Met)onagh and Vincent Grant. The Mot mg into the present century Bolger, James Kilmurray and others. senior team included three players a teacher from Fmlaghnaughton, In 1926 Sligo carried off the from the Ballymote area, Bertie Batt Henry, was made secretary of Connacht Championship and six of McGettrick, Charlie O'Connor and the County Board. His term of the above were included in the Sean O'Beirne, who was an army office lasted from 1914 to 1923. At team. They were: the Farry brothers, officer and came from the much the same tilhe another Bertie McGettrick, Louis Harte, Rathmullen area. Ballymote man, John A Dockry, James Kilmurray and Tom my in a future issue it is hoped to became Chairman of the Board and Bolger. The last three were not deal with the glorious arca of the was succeeded in 1929 by local natives of the town. Louis Harte famous Derroon or, as they were School Principal, John A. Barnes. was brother of canon Peter Harte, popularly known, "The Bit in 1917 a young doctor from the who was P.P. in Ballymote front O'Red". Skrcen area received a signal 1970 to his death in 1973. James r honour by being nominated the Kilmurray was a young member of TRADITIONAL IRISH first patron of the County Board in the Garda Siochana, stationed in MUSIC Sligo. He was I)r. Paddy O'Hart. the town, while Tommy Bolger cont- from page 8 by Hank Mulvey On the field of play Bally- looked after the lighting needs the foregoing I have depended mote had some outstanding succ- of the town, being in charge of solely on memory. There may be esses in the first twenty years of the the "Power House" (now the inaccuracies and I would be glad to G.A-A- Flre team won the county site of the Youth Club). have them pointed out; So much championship in 1882 and again in It may be of interest to mention could be w ritten about traditional 1905, beating Achonry Davitts and that games other than Gaelic [untie in the Ballymote area that 1 Gurtcen. There's an interest- football were played in the Stone am sure there are many omissions ing piece of history relating to Park ín those years. Hockey and in the foregoing. "They are not a Sligo team that participated Rugby also had their adherents intentional and will I hope be in the Connacht Championship in and were played mainly by officials excused. It would take a very large 1913. I quote: "On the Sunday from the three banks as well as wine indeed to contain a complete following the County Final Sligo by students on holidays from survey of the subject. Finally one met and defeated Leitrim 2-I to I-1 schools that catered for such would have to travel a long distance in the Connacht Championship at sport. In the late 1920's a young indeed from Ballymote to fine Boyle before and attendance of one man came to work in the Hibernian some one who had not heard of the thousand who paid £25 in the gate Bank in Market Street. He proved place through its long and deep receipts. Leitrim lodged and object- himself a first class athlete and , assoeiation with Traditional Music. I5 BALLYMOTE was badly needed. Sligo County and Eamonn alongside Francis HANDBALL CLUB Handball Board was formed shortly Cawley and Jimmy Finn were by David Casey after, and from the mid-twenties members of the team which won Ballymote has for many years onwards the all-Ireland for Sligo the National Handball been recognised as the stronghold championships at senior, junior and league in 1966. Des Walsh with of handball in County Sligo. This other grades were established. Marcus Henry were two of the tradition has come about as a result During the next 20 years or finest individual and doubles of the great efforts made by a very more many fine players emerged in players in Ireland during these years. determined and dedicated group of the Ballymote area including Marcus had won the all-Ireland players, officials, and supporters of Michael Hannon, Val Henry and the minor softball title in 1963 and the game. It is necessary to look at Regans. In 1947 Jim O'Rourke and 1964, a rare achievement in any the historical development and Joe Bergin representing County era. He also won with John Gaffney evolution of handball in Ballymote Sligo won the All-Ireland senior the junior doubles in 1967. and environs to really appreciate softball doubles championship. Hannon was also a player of great the standing of the club. There was a lot of concern at this character and humour he was Handball is one of our oldest stage for the future of handball in always willing to give advice to the games and there is evidence to the county. Many courts were younger players. His sudden death suggest that it was played in neglected and there was a shortage was a sad loss to all who knew him. Ballymote in pre-famine times. The of young players. This fact was very Michael Hannon saw his dream famine left in its wake a trail of quickly recognised by Michael of a roofed alley come true in 1970. destruction, in many cases families Hannon. He saw the need to get the He continued to give guidance to were completely wiped out. young people interested in the the young players of Ballymote and Emigration which started during game, and also he wanted to see a much success followed. Players the "great hunger" continued ballalley in Ballymote which was such as Michael Porter, Francis throughout the remainder of the comparable with the best. McCann, John Cawley, Jude 19th century and into the present Repair work was carried out on Cassidy, Padraig Hurley, Padraig century. The emigrants brought the alley and a great effort was McCann, Pat Egan, Martin Golden with them to their adopted started to continue the all winning Connaught titles. The countries a great heritage of music development of the club. This was more experienced players Paddy and song, folklore, stories and carried on into the 60's by players. Walsh who won a doubles title in games. Part of this heritage was the supporters and the general public. 1974 with Eamonn Hannon game of handball which was played There were collections, raffles, continue to play the game along in places as diverse as Britain, dances and much of the planning with John Gaffney, Francis Cawley. America, Canada and Australia by and organising was under the in the 70's all-Irelands continued to 1900. direction of Michael Hannon. At be won by Ballymote players. During the late 19th and early this time many young players of Francis McCann and Michael Porter 20th century handball was widely top class were emerging and this continued a great tradition winning played in County Sligo and new also had much to do with the great titles at minor, under 21, and alleys weie built in towns, villages work done by Michael and Val Junior level. They won tiller titles county. Henry. Many connacht titles were in 1976, 1979 and 1981. Francis Ballymote ballalley was built in won from 1958 to 1974. Among and Michael arc two players who 1910 near the site where the games the winners of provincial titles were came through the under age were played in the last century. Des Walsh, Michael Cunnane. competitions like many of the The competitive aspect of the Justin Henry, Ray Walsh, players mentioned previously. They game consisted of many Eamonn Hannon, Jimmy Finn, have attained many honours tournaments organised by various Marcus Henry, Noel Clarke, M.F. including schools titles at all-Ireland clubs including Ballymote. There Hannon, Francis Cawley, Ray level, Top-Ace representation, were many very good players Henry, John McArdle, Ray many Connaught titles. around and it is with pride that McAndrew, John Gaffney, Paddy With players of their calibre the they represented their clubs. Players Walsh, Ray Alyward. This reflects future of the game is assured in cycled and sometimes walked in all the depth of talented handballers Ballymote. The winning of the kinds of weather conditions to that were playing in those years. all-Ireland colleges and vocational participate, and it was this effort There were many notable achie- schools titles in the 70's probably and commitment which gave rise to vements in different competitions. more than anything else reflects the friendly rivalries between In 1961 Des Walsh was the first great tradition and quality of individuals and clubs and thus a Sligoman to win an All-Ireland handball in Ballymote. Other great tradition was born. A new singles title when he captured the players to have played on those court was also completed at junior softball singles title . Des great colleges teams were Cohn Emlaghnaughton in 1926 under the played much of his earlier handball Conway, Jim Dockry and Padraig direction of Batt Henry and other in Collooney and during the 60's he Cawley. enthuasiasts. So at this stage in the became a great player with Bally- Michael Hannon saw his dream middle 20's handball was really mote. He won many Connaught come true and even though he is no taking off. titles and also was a member of the longer with us the spirit and In 1924 at Croke Park the Irish All-Ireland club winning side in tradition which he helped to carve Handball Council was set up. This 1969. The other members were continues to grow. People like was to prove very important as it Marcus Henry, Eamonn Hannon, Michael Hever also Kevin Hurley would provide the liaison which and Josie Mattimoe. Des, Marcus did much to encourage the youth- cot. on page 16 16

cont. from page 15

Kevin has also sadly gone to his rest but will be remembered. As we CRYAN & head towards the 90's Ballymote Handball Club can look forward to lVM.L.A.V much more success and growth. Selling Is Our Business all=11111t AUCTIONEERS, VALUERS, We extend to Mrs. Y. Perceval of Forthill, vice-president of Ballymote Heritage Group sincerest sympathy ESTATE AGENTS on the death of her husband. To the relations of Dr. John Garvin, Dublin a native of Templcvanny who was long Ballymote, Co Sligo associated with the lore and history of the Bricklieves. A copy of his PHONE (071) 83318 articles first published in the Roscommon Herald "The High Hollow Townlands" is now safely treasured at Sligo County Library. Dr. Garvin presented them only a short time before his death.

IONA From Roscommon Herald 1919

"Mr. Tom McGowan the SCAN! well-known drummer with Ballymote Brass and Reed Band AND who was reported killed in the war, has turned up to prove that `the rumour was very much exaggerated'. He was cordially wlecomed by his JRtkJI N many friends" Note: He lived to serve with the Local Defence in the Second World War. THE ROCK B A? I OOTE

"Master Chris McDonagh, aged Retail Wholesale 13, som of Mr. Eugene McDonagh Ballymotc, the well-known and popular commercial traveller has Deep Freeze Specialists obtained an honours certificate for violin playing at the recent examin- HAVE YOUR OWN ANIMAL ation held under the auspices of the SLAUGHTERED AND FREEZER PACKED AT REASONABLE RATES Incorporated Society of Musicians, London. The talented boy has also won a medal at Sligo Fels Ceoil". Nore: James Christopher has many talents. MARY ROSE CRYAN the Corran Herald would like to express sincere gratit- Incorporating GERARD CRYAN ude to Patrick Mattimoc, 33 Vanscoy Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3R 1114 formerly of Main Street, Ballymote for Auctioneers Grocers his best wishes and generous contribution of £50 on the Phone Eiafiiylztote 83370 occasion of the Launching of the Herald.