THE CORRAN HERALD A Heritage (,rout) Production .

ISSUE NO. 1² CHRISTMAS EDITION 1987 PRICE: 40p On Writing for the Corran Herald

'Dip into your past', said Mrs. Brady, But I cannot do that, mine is quite shady!

'Of a childhood experience you must write', But nothing will come, at least The Corran Herald wishes all it's nothing polite! Readers, Contributors and Advertisers 'Write through your senses' Mrs Brady declared a Happy and Peaceful Christmas But my senses feel dull and I'm quite and a Bright New Year prepared. My thoughts are in turmoil, my ideas are nil, Kate Cruise can you tell me, will it all be' uphill?

'A cliché must never appear in your prose', THE IRISH WAKE and 'avoid using "very" in what you BY P.J. DUFFY compose'. 'Anything hackneyed please underline', In this' country the practice of From ancient times, and but such a big word I can scarcely holding a wake when somebody throughout that period leading define! dies is something that has been with right up to the early years of the us, right down through the present century, wakes often times I'd like to sound clever and funny in centuries since primitive times. Up went on for the duration of two print, until quite recently, our ancestors nights and as many days. All this but I've no inspiration, not a clue, not had consistently observed the old took place at a time when the dead a hint, custom of keeping a solemn watch were taken directly from their place on the remains of the dead bodies of of residence for burial to the local Maeve I admire, her style is so witty, their relatives and neighbours, from cemetery. It was usually the last Will my efforts be viewed with the time of their passing to the final request of a person about to die, derision or pity? parting at the graveside. Even at the `Won't ye bury me dacent' (decent) Hugh Leonard delights me with present time, some people in parts and where in God's name would of rural still carry on the you find a person hard-hearted phrases so clever, old tradition of holding a wake, Would he sneer at my prose or spurn enough to refuse to comply with although many of the weird my endeavour? these wishes. Any Irishman worth trappings and superstitions have his salt knew what a decent burial been abandoned. Nowadays, Should I 'head for the hills' or should meant. Plenty of beer and tobacco, people hold wakes only when they I persist, plenty of good food to eat, and a find themselves in a situation where and some day find ME on the Best good solid, well-mounted coffin, a member of the family dies at his Sellers list? capable of keeping out he grubs place of residence in the afternoons • and worms. or early evening. Contd. on Page 2 Noreen McCrossan where the wake was bei.:g held, Many stories relating to incidents THE IRISH WAKE supplied the pipes as well as the that were supposed to have taken tobacco. A basket containing clay place during the holding of wakes, From Page 1 pipes would be passed around, 'lave been passed on to us by our followed by a saucerful of tobacco. forefathers. . James Joyce in his As distinct from the ordinary sized writings tells us of tat illusory figure Let's take a brief look at some' of clay pipe or dudeen, the ones in use Tim Finegan, the hod-carrier from the old practices and customs which at wakes had a much smaller a Dublin working class suberb, who according to my late parents, were funnell, and would seem to have supposedly died after a fall from a still in existence when they were been devised to conserve tobacco ladder and whose subsequent boys and girls. When somebody supplies on occasions like this. wake he made famous in song and died it was a usual procedure for old in story. The procedure at wakes it ladies to come to the house and cry Most people at the time of would seem varied little in country a good round. Later on, the scene at retiring home, dropped their pipes or city areas, that is in the working- the household where the wake was back into the basket, and a couple class part of the city anyway. Joyce taking place would change of days following the burial these writes of a mug of porter at the head completely to singing and would be taken out and buried, on and feet of the corpse. Here you storytelling. These type of the nearest bit of wasteland might likely find a mug of porter gatherings were also an ideal available. In the early nineteen at his head and a saucer of tobacco hunting ground for matchmakers, forties County Council worksmen on his chest. and no doubt but they exploited the engaged in roadwork at situation, full measure, resulting in Ballintrufane, Killaville, unearthed Old folks tell us of a noted numerous introductions and a large cache of clay pipes character who dwelled in these proposals. resembling the description of the hearts at the turn of the century, The presence of alcohol at wakes type said to be used at wakes during and made quite a name for himself is, I would venture to say, the last century. Their discovery story-telling and singing ballads at something that has been with us for close to the roadside tended to nearly every wake that took place hundreds of years. Its usage has, confirm the belief that the pipes across the countryside. It has been more oftimes than not, served a were disposed of away from the said that on his arrival, he would twofold purpose, that is to treat place where the wake had been spell out the praises of the dead those people who had come to held. It was regrettable that a man, go on to make remarks on sympathise, and also to act as a worksman while getting on with his how peaceful he looked, as well as useful tranquilize to relieve the job of roadmaking, had accidently to assure the bereaved that he had distress of the bereaved at a time driven a pickaxe right through the gone straight to heaven. This way when there was no other form of centre of the pile damaging most of he was sure to come in for a good drug readily available. The keg or the pipes which numbered between share of the free-flowing liquor and quarter-barrel of stout was the twenty and thirty in all. However, tobacco supplies. His name was most popular measure of alcohol to the type of pipe, and the number Michael Conway but he was better be found at wakes around the involved, left no doubt that they known by the nickname `Miken country, although i1t some cases were left-overs from a local wake. The Hare'. Mikeen, a bachelor had there were families who came up little of the worlds goods but was, with the half-barrel. These Many of us are familiar with the nevertheless, happy as the day is containers were usually placed on a phrase used to describe the laying long. His one big worry was that stool in an outhouse and a certain out of a dead person. We say `they when his turn came there would be person appointed to do the tapping put him/her overboard'. The real no-one around who would be and drawing. In bygone days the meaning of this term baffled me for interested in giving him a proper stuff was drawn into íarge delph some time, but was eventually - 'send-off. mugs, and then passed around described to me by the late Mrs. When he did pass away, Kelleher, a former caretaker at which was sooner than most people among the mourners. It was most Mount-Irwin Cemetery. She had expected, his neighbours did essential that the person in charge maintained that there was a time in not forget his life-long concerrn, here knew his job and was capable our country when only rich people and all chipped in to give him a c$f bring about a `good head' on could afford coffins, and the vast burial as good as the rest. Right each mug of liquor served. Down majority of our citizens who passed then, it was discovered that some the years, good `well run' poteen away were buried with a board and relations of Mikeen who were was also available at wakes, and shroud. This meant that they were resident in America had already set proved itself a valuable asset laid out on a board in their home aside a sum of money for the same especially in the case of poor for a wake. The remains was then purpose. The result was that people, where the purchase of bound to the board, covered with Mikeen got a waking the like of whiskey and other spirits was shroud and taken to the cemetery which was never seen in these parts totally out of the question. for burial. Most country houses before or since. It became a sort of were small and restricted in space, legend, and as happened in the case Tobacco smoking at wakes is of so in order to ease congestion on the of Tim Finnegan, `there was lots of course another form of time night of a wake, the board, with the fun at Mikeen's wake'; in gact there consuming pleasure that has deceased person on deck was often were people there who thought the probably been with us ever since placed under the kitchen table. Mrs. organizers had gone a little too far, that illustrious pipe smoking Kelleher recalled that as a young and one woman in particular stated gentleman, Ralph Lane allegedly girl she distinctly remembers seeing so, in no uncertain terms. An old introduced the weed to these parts funerals arrive at Mount Irwin contemporary of Mikeen's sitting over 400 years ago. There was a Cemetery, and they carrying the by the fireside, obviously well time when the people of the house remains by board and shroud. inebriated, and gripping in his hand Contd. on Page 15 3 RESTAURANT TAKE-AWAY Christmas. `A la Carte' to am - 261A- 11 am-lam 9pm-2am Long Ago Picnic Basket Restaurant BY PAT PRINCE LORD EDWARD STREET, BALLYMOTE. Full Meals Available The seasons then seem, from Breakfast, Lunches, Teas. memory, to have been more seasonal as regards the weather. I recall WE CATER FOR PARTIES FOR ALL OCCASIONS glorious Summers (or so it seemed) Bookings Required Christmas and around Christmas we nearly CLOSED CHRISTMAS DA always had snow. I can still remember the postman plodding ALL DAY NEW YEAR'S DAY through the snow with big bundles of LUNCHEON 1-5 letters, cards and of course parcels, we children would tear the parcels Prop.: Imelda Healy PHONE: 83538 apart with such excitment, wondering what Aunt Mary or Uncle Pat had sent: would it be a lovely fruit cake, jam, plum pudding, etc. I recall my Grandmother giving VINCENT the postman some refreshment, which I am sure delayed the delivery of the post, but no one really cared McDONAGH for it was Christmas and there was plenty of time. &-SON What fun it was going to the town BALLYMOTE for the Christmas shopping, lists a mile long, raisins, currants, bag of flour, sugar, sweet, cakes, tobacco Special Calor Kosangas for our Grandfather, who smoked a clay pipe, whiskey, stout, etc. Things Christmas Promotion like raisins, currants and stout were usually only purchased at Christmas With every Calor Kosangas Cooker for the making of the Plum Pudding purchased from now to Christmas, you and Christmas cake. get a TURKEY absolutely FREE Christmas then as I see it was wonderful. The town was jammed Choose from a wide range of Models with with horse and ass carts and the brands such as: shops filled with people. While the BOMPANI: women went their way shopping for VALOR: all the goodies. the men went to the NEW WORLD: LA GERMANIA yard and untackled the horse or ass FLAVEL: and others and set out to see whom they might meet for the chat and the few pints. It With every Drum of Gas purchased from now was amazing the amount of liquor to Dec. 22nd, you get a Ticket for our that was consumed then (or so it seemed) for very little money. As the Calor Kosangas Christmas Draw evening drew near there was the 1st PRIZE: Christmas Hamper checking of parcels. A great many things were misplaced or perhaps lost 2nd PRIZE: 4 Free Fills of Gas with all the excitment, but all would 3rd PRIZE: 2 Free Fills of Gas be sorted out. when it was time to leave. I remember people going in SHOP OPEN 6 DAYS and out of the shops at all hours, the Monday - Friday, 9.30 a.m. — 7.00 p.m. shops stayed open very late. The Saturday, 9.30 a.m. — 9 p.m. women had their chat and glass of wine and the boss in all the shops McDonagh's and Calor Kosangas 'Always at Your Service' gave Christmas Boxes, which were WE WISH ALL. OUR CUSTOMERS A HAPPY & almost as big as the orders he got and PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS he then stood a drink to each customer. Contd. on Page 4 CHRISTMAS It used to be something we Ugly square glass and concrete LONG AGO office blocks degrade many of our From Page 3 regretted and were ashamed of - a 'racious old streets. High rise flats When this was over all Haemorrhage. We knew the Government of that time was glad of are offered as housing in working went home and in most cases it was class areas. The sight of laundry the ass or horse who got everyone it as it relieved them from the headache of excessive unemploy- hung out on the balconys of these home safely and indeed knew every flats proclaim their lack of inch of the road which was a blessing ment, but now our educated and uneducated young people are being amenities. No wonder ther are drugs, as most were in no condition to head drink and suicide problems. the horse in any direction. literally shovelled out and our government, brazening out the Youngsters roam the streets without The house was buzzing with work shame of it, are trying to fob off work and without supervision, and excitement getting the food thinking citizens into believing that already becoming criminals, while prepared for the big day and putting it will open up new vistas for the the number of homeless people is the house in order. young people, in short, that it is a steadily increasing. blessing in disguise. A senior Christmas Eve arrived, children Do we take our orders and get out politican tells that we can't all live or do we meekly sit around - draw and visitors coming, the sound of on a small island. Ours is the most horses' hooves on the cobblestones, the dole and wait for something to thinly populated country in the EEC. happen? An early edition of our with the visitors being collected at We elected and trusted successive the railway station; everyone National Anthem told us we were governments to run our country - talking, laughing, exchanging the ' children of a fighting race. Now is the today we seem to be on the edge of news and wishing each other time to stand up and fight back. Our bankruptcy. Greetings - it was such a happy time. young girls are capable of more than holding a pen, working a typewriter, The kettle sang on the hearth, there Let us look more closely at one were cups of tea later, singing and filing documents, or taking aspect of the picture - our capital temperatures, and our young men are fiddle playing by the'turf fire casting city. It is a monastosity. It's size out shadows on the ceiling. capable of more than Bar or Navy of all proportion to the size of the work. country and it is still growing while Then the big day 'Christmas Day', vast areas of the country are the excitment of getting dressed for There is a vast luxury market in undeveloped. mass in our new clothes, the sounds the world today. Let us set our sights of laughter, horses trotting gaily, the on that. In Tourist attractions we still Planning permissions are readily have much that Europe and America chapel all lit up and the P. P. wishing available in Dublin. We are told that have lost. Let us preserve, develop all a Happy Christmas. according to an existing law and sell that. applicants would have to be This is how I remember it, and compensated if refused. It has been Our greatest needs are self- each Christmas I try to imagine it as suggested many times that the law confidence and courage. Running it was, but alas times have changed should be changed but nothing away won't solve anything. and the commercialism and mater- happened and we are forced to ialism of the modern 'festival' conclude that people in Government contrast sharply with the spirit of or in high places are amongst the those bygone happy times. planners. The First Christmas Card

• Reproduction

This 4 the first Christmas Card ever produced. Only 2,050 copies of it were printed and sold at one shilling each in 1846. Designed by an artist named John Cakott Horsley, it was published in London by Sir Henry Cole, who was also mainly responsible for founding the Vic- toria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall, London, as well as national schools for cookery and music 5 A Store of Bonded History

BY MALCOLM HAMILTON ()

You could, by dent of imaginat- ion, look on Sligo Harbours 18th Century bonded warehouses as being among the towns really old, old-timers. For the Queens/Kings Stories building, which lie directly in the path of the approach route for the towns desperately awaited third bridge is just that one of the oldest and finest structures the town can boast, largely forgotten. To take the image one step further it is easy to see how this impressively solid structure has fallen into minor disrepair over recent years. For like the qualities of the aged, when they are not Similarly by other powers building is dry, free from dampness required any longer, they may just contained in the 1729 Act the and decay. This in itself is fitting slip quietly into their own silences, Provost, Burgesse and Freemen of tribute to Nimmo and his engineers to become the relics of bygone the town were empowered to erect that the building has indeed times, tolerated certainly, but in a the old Customs House or Ballast outlasted its function, from the • manner which allows them cross Office. The Quays alongside it were growth years of Sligo harbour ' into a world of their own distant also developed and finally the through to its boom years and to' echoes. The Queens Stores now has bonded warehouse, the last part of the present day. many slates loose, many floors in this overview, was built. It is bad repair, pullies and winches thought that the Queens Stores Had times been kinder, and seized with disuse door hinges that itself was designed by Alexander circumstances been different, one give, not with the oily black Nimmo who was responsible for a could dream up a thousand suitable efficiency of use, rather with a red lot of harbour work in Ireland schemes for the silent Queens dusty snap. throughout his life. He was Stores. A restaurant, with gallery, certainly one of the principle craft centre, coffee shop, a market, It is established fact that Sligo Engineers on Sligo Harbour at this an unemployment centre, maybe Harbour gained considerable time. At the time of construction it even a bar. The quality and heritage reputation certainly by the 14th and is thought that the harbour waters of the building would lend itself to a 15th centuries. In state documents would actually have come to rear host of modern day functions all of the year 1553 Sligo was described bredth of the Queen's Store prior to housed under one roof. There is as being the `best haven town in all the quays being extended and such a centre in Galway, plus the country', and furthermore developed further out. This would another in Limerick. A crumbled during the reign of Henry VI the have moved the docking area beside and ruined distillery on the importance of the port was further the store and Custom House the Galway-Dublin Road was recently endorsed when `It was agreed by central 'focal point of harbour converted into a museum and William De Burgo, Knight, and his activity. community centre. The distillery brother William De Burgo, should was huge, the task of re-slating and have payment for their services in The actual architecture of the restoring it vast, but the local the Irish wars, out of the customs of building reflects the care and community (about an eighth the the ports of Sligo and Galway'. meticulous attention paid to detail size of Sligo's) got together and and functionalism of the age. Fire- through a mixture of voluntary It seems, however, as if the Break walls interrupt the length of effort and Social Employment have development of Sligo Harbour has the warehouse breaking it down built for themselves a heritage always been piecemeal with the into small and compact units. Each centre of immeasurable benefit to Quays alongside the Customs unit has or had winch facilities for their village. House (Old Site) and the Queen's storing loads upstairs, with only Stores together with the the narrow staircase facilities for However, retrospection is of little Customs House being finished as personnel. One would hazard from use now as far as Queens Stores are an overall development in the early this that the building would have concerned. Sligo has waited too 1790's. This development would been rather akward to rob in bulk long for the bridge development to have commenced with an Act of form. Even today, with so much let anything come in it's way. Parliament in 1729 which minor disrepair in evidence in some Queen's Stores would have gone commanded improvement of the parts of the Queens store it is still anyway, if not under the ball and channel into Sligo harbour. comforting to note that a lot of the chain then certainly through Contd. on Page 11 6 THE BIG BOAT

BY TOM McGETTRICK

There was extensive turf cutting Procuring turf from Derreen was a There were only vague memories in tedious, time-consuming job. Every along the Owenmore in Portinch, Cluid of the making of this road and Emlaghnaghten and Cluid in the last stage involved crossing in the big canal. Perhaps it was Famine-relief boat. When the turf was ready for century and to a limited degree in the work. The early Ordinance maps do early years of this century. The area taking home the boat was secured no show it, later ones do. So it is bow and stern by the river bank. The was left pitted with bog-holes and fairly certain that at some time early cut-away swamps. It was an ideal turf was taken from up on the bog in a in the last century this development donkey cart or sometimes a donkey habitat for wild-duck and various opened a way to Dereen bog. Was and creels. It was filled into the boat other species of water fowl. The this unique in all Ireland, or was and taken across the river to be curlew's call was often heard at dusk there the likes elsewhere? emptied onto the canal bank. Today calling for more rain. The The turf-cutters made their way to Owenmore flooded frequently out one filling with a graip into a trailer the river by the bog-road and then is enough to see the turf on its way over it. Then one might say that took the boat from the canal. Then everything that wasn'tfastened down home to the turf-shed. There were no the boat was moored on the Derreen graips then. went with the river. Some wit told the side but if there were late comers story of the housewife who got up on someone nearest the river took it Four cargos for the day would be the table as the rising water filled her across in response to a loud hail or a good work. If there was pressure to kitchen. But the rush of water swept whistle. The implements for the day's get an extra load over the boat might her on the table down the river while work were carried in the boat too. leave the canal as early as five her husband accompanied her on the o'clock in the morning. The swans piano. The drainage scheme of sixty How big was it! On one occasion and the wild ducks and the water- years ago helped to dry out the holes eighteen men returned in it after the hens interference with their territory and hollows but there was very little day's work. It was too many and was as they hastened to quieter places. turf cutting then. not repeated, an extra crossing would When taken across each man's turf not have taken very long. It was said was piled high on the can bank Derreen bog is across the river to carry three horse-cribs of turf from Cluid along by where the river waiting for the taking home, when the turf was saved and ready for journey's end. is widest and deepest. This bog was home. It was flat-bottomed and built given out to tenants many of whom of heavy planking. It was taken The turf would leave for home by were from the Cluid side of the river. across the river by the long-handled the bog-road. The piles along the But there was no bridge between the shovels that the men used on the bog canal would diminish and disappear. two sides. One could go round by and they made quite efficient oars. In It wasn't wise to leave it long there. Templehouse Bridge, a journey or all the years there was never a serious Heavy rain for even a day and a night four or five miles or even more for accident that a careless move, a would quickly raise the level of the some of the tenants, but then there lurching boat, a step reached too far river soon to lick hungrily round the was no road in through the bog to between the boat and the water's piles. Then a sod, ten sods, hundreds where their plots were. edge might cause. There must have of sods would slip into the water to be This is where the story of the Big been hundreds of crossings and there carried down like a great flock of Boat begins. There was a good bog wasn't a swimmer among them. birds spread out over the flood. A sad road from the public road through Children too during school holiday end, they would never be collected Cluid, to within a short distance of time loved the boat and the river and again. the river. The `Bog-Road' was a the bog. It was like sailing to strange It is long over. There are a few left landmark in so many places. There is lands. When a wild bird fluttered who will remember the last crossings. an emigrant song about a Bog Road. from the heather there might be a They may say it was great fun `My feet are here on Broadway, etc.'. nest there. Billberries and because they were young then, or be a The parody on it wasn't quite as blackberries were plentiful in season. little sad because the life has left the sentimental. The river along here was ten feet deep. No doubt everyone was alert to river and there is no boat to cross to 'My feet are here, they're broad ones, the dangers and every move was Derreen now. This blessed harvest morn, careful although appearing casual. On one occasion one of the oarsmen THE BIG BOAT! The road into And Oh, the ache that's in them the bog from teh other side was From ingrown nails and corns .....' pushing the boat out, slipped into the shallow water near the bank. `O made. For a time the boat was used From the river to near the end of Jazus I'm drownded , he shouted. for the cutting and saving but the turf this road there was a canal cut to `Well you're going down with a came home by road. Then a severe accomodate a boat. This was how the prayer anyway' was, the quick winter with a heavy flood came. The turf-cutters got to and from Derreen. response from a helper on the boat. boat went the way of the sods — down the river. 7 Ballymote Brass and Reed Band

Michael James Mulligan.

There was a time when Ballymote had a thriving town band and the sound of famous Irish marchers, 'Step Together, Boys of Wexford, Kelly The Boy From Killane' could be heard on all special occasions. The members of the band gave their services willingly and expected no reward other than to entertain the people. The band numbered about 25 Apart from parades the yearly other bands were in existence around members and also trainees were town carnival was a regular feature Ballymote at that time. Keash (fife learning music. Emigration took its then. We played around the town and drum); Emlaghnaughton (fife toll and replacements had to be every evening and also late members' and drum); Culfadda (fife and drum); trained. I was greatly honoured to be funerals were attended to the strains Ballisodare (fife and drum); Gurteen accepted into the band in 1942 as a of 'Dead March of Soul'. On (pipers), and Sooey (pipers). drummer. The Band Masters name religious occasions such as the yearly Ballymote Brass Band did not was Martin Brennan from Marlow. Eucharistic procession, hymns were participate in politics but at pre- He was dedicated and a strict played. The processions were huge in election meetings (usually held at the disciplinarian. When he tapped the those days and covered the whole top of the Rock) bands would come music stand with the little white cane town which was decorated with flags, from all directions, each band for silence, he meant it. Our band banners and flowers. striving to drown-out the other. practice room then was over the Before the war the band used to Ballymote is quiet now but thank present Youth Club (known as the God for the Convent School Band. At Market House in those days). An play the New Year in at the stroke of 12 o'clock from the church clock, the least they are keeping the tradition inscription on the big drum read big drum would be heard. Our band going. The names of the band 'Eucharistic Congress 1932'. master used to tell us a funny tale members who I can remember 1942 - $allymote had the A.O.H. (Ancient about one New Years Eve. The 1946 are as follows:- 'Order of Hibernians) Brass Band ground was a bit frosty and as the during the war of independence so the band marched down the Rock the big Jack Foy and Mick Meehan , radition of brass bands in Ballymote drummer lost his footing causing the (Base); Pat Brennan and Micky went back a long way. There was a drum to roll down the street, all on Brennan ' (Slide Trombone); Mickey yearly collection in the town for the it's own. Healy, Jordon Candon, Peter upkeep of the instruments and also Brennan; Paddy Brennan (Coronet for the purchase of sheet music. Section); Tom Pakey Healy When I was a child Ballymote used Clarinet). Also Tom Brennan, The During the S(cond World War to have it's own Race Meetings Gorenans from Carrownanty, the (1935 - 45) the band as asked to join (where Marren Park is built) Gunnel'Cawley, Frank Flannery, Joe the L.D.F. (Local Defence Force). Brady, ide McKelvaney, Andy We were given uniforms and attended by the band. The sound of brass would have half the children in Dennedy, also -Tailor Healy, Sean participated in all the L.D.F. parades Hannon, Johnny!Prfce. and presenting the Colour Ballymote running in that direction. ceremonies. The war years were busy At the famous 'Battle of the As you can see front-,ate list, the times for the band and we visited Curlews' pageant early 1940's the Brennans were the backbone, of the places like Sligo town, Ballina, parade was led by the band, from Bandmaster downwards. Manorhamilton, and Easkey, to Pipers. There were scores of men on If I have not mentioned some names name just a new.. At one big L.D.F. horseback all dressed up in costumes, of the band I hope I will be forgiven. parade in Ballymote, the colours even canons were made for the were presented to the various occasion. The Ballymote band were When some of the young people of companies in Hogg's field, there and the entire pageant was Ballymote read this article perhaps Keenaghan. These parades were filmed. A great spirit existed among someone or some people will start a attended by bands from other towns the people in those areas. There was Brass Band again and the sound of and villages. They were all pipe, fife not much money around but the brass and the big drum will be heard and drum bands. Occasionally we young people were happy and once again. One of our favourite met our old friends the 'Number 4 healthy. Above all the young people marches was 'A Nation Once Again'. regularl Army Brass Band which were patriotic. Irish music and songs ;Maybe a brass band, once again. covered the Western Command area. were the order of the day. So many 444-44-44.444444*w ,444444k444440 SCULLY'S. BALLYMOTE. PHONE: 183418 SINGING LOUNGE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY II ‘, I

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'The Island' as it is called locally, There is also a noted Well and a has all the beaury one could ever Wishing Chair. The Well is situated In November, Mr. Luke want to see, Knocknarea similing in a rabbit warren and according to Hannon, Chairman of the Keash down upon it, Benbulben guarding it, legend, it was dug out by the Saint to branch of the Irish National Sligo and in the a depth of about four feet in the dry League, introduced what he called distance. Years ago the Island was sand. It is always about half-full of 'a very important little book', "The more frequented as a resort for pure spring water; it never dries up Lays of South Sligo", by Mr. J. Summer visitors, than it is now. It is and never overflows. Another strange O'Dowd, Bunninadden, subse- indeed sad that it failed to make thing about this Well is that when a quently M.P. for South Sligo. The progress which it so well deserves. person takes out a barrel of water it Committee resolved to do all they will yield no more to him, if a second In Boates' Natural History of person comes for some immediately could to give the volume Ireland, published in 1652, it is stated afterwards, he also can get a similar circulation. that there were then three silver and quantity at once without waiting. Whatever circulation the book lead mines in Ireland one of which received, one of the poems obtained was in 'Connaught upon the very Another mystery is associated a wide and lasting popularity, Billy harbour mouth of Sligo, in a little with the little islet called Dun-an- Connell's tale of the days when he desert island called Coney Island'. Padhraic. It is said that the water, no was young, 'when the gallant Ifthis is correct and one cannot see matter how the tide will not reach Frenchmen landed in Mayo'. This any reason for doubting it some of within five or six feet of the top, the islanders could possibly have although the pillars which mark the particular lay was put to music, but been millionaires if a mining expert passage to and from the mainland are as it happens also to be one of the best of O'Dowd's poems, it's had come to dig it up, but alas this did four feet higher than the inlet and are often completely covered. survival may perhaps be a tribute to not happen. the literary taste of people. The There are many interesting and We also have 'St. Patrick's following lines from another poem amusing legends concerning this Wishing Chair' a huge chair-shaped are also remembered: little island - of ghosts, goblins, boulder in the centre of one of the The ivied ruin of Ballymote fairies, mermaids and saints. One is fields on the western side of the Looks weird and lonely still that St. Patrick visited it while on his island. It has been said 'anyone, And fair as ever proudly soars rounds and intended to establish a except a native of the parish who Keash - Corran's stately Hill. Church there, but an old pagan takes a drink at St. Patricks', well woman named Stones served up a once a da y for nine days in succession The Grim old Tower on Emlafad pair of cats for the Saints' dinner and who then sits in the chair, will get Seems gloomy as of yore; instead of rabbits. After the Saint whatever they have wished for. And once again I stand beside had said the usual prayers before The winding Owenmore. meals, a dog appeared in the THere are many more stories doorway and the two cats took life attached to this beautiful island and I again and jumped off the dish. The have been told that it was a Rosses It was an age of facile rhymesters Saint was so upset by the trick played Point man, Peter O'Connor the who let few occasions of local on him that he refused to build the founder of the firm (O'Connor and excitement pass without their church, but did promise, however, Cullen) which sailed early in the last commemoration in verses, good, they would never be prevented by the century between Sligo and New York bad or indifferent. Numerous as tides from wetting their feet, either and other places, who baptized the these rhyming chronicles were, it is going to or returning from Mass on Coney Island of the latter in honour surprising that local events did not the mainland on any Sunday of its Sligo namesake. attract better composers, because throughout the year. It is certainly a no makers of poems ever had a fact that although the tide sometimes more appreciative audience. The rises to fourteen or fifteen feet over people of that time were intensely the surface of the strand, people can fond of music and of any poetry or always walk across dry-shad about verses to which music could be mid-day on Sundays; but, no doubt, wedded. .some astronomers might be able to give a reason for this Phenomenon The new ballads and lovesongs that would not agree with the from America, such as those of legendary one. Stephen Foster, were much sought after and sold by ballad singers at the fairs and markets. 11

STEP IN - STAND OUT

KIERAN O'DOWD, c/o P.F. O'DOWD & CO. MAIN STREET, BALLYMOTE. FOR TRU VALUE IN SHU VALUE

OUTINGS Outings form an attractive branch of Ballymote Heritage A Store of Bonded Group's summer activities. These are not confined to Archaeological sites, though one or more is usually History included in a tour. Their aim is to stimulate interest in this country of ours, in it's pre-historic past as from Page 5 demonstrated by Archaeological remains, it's historic past as shown by ruined castles, graveyards, and monastic sites, and it's mansions, another 200 odd years of disuse for upper portion of Sligo Harbour will some still in use, some abondoned I would hazzard it would have ever be in use again, (with a bridge and decaying, some being restored taken at least that long to shake the cutting it in two it is definite that the and opened to the public as tourist Queens' Stores from its painstak- warf along the site of the old attractions, and last but not least, ingly considered foundations. Customs house will never see our beautiful country with it's berthing again). So with the old rivers, lakes, mountains and forests Meanwhile the building awaits `Customs House gone and doubtless — it's generally unspoiled and very it's. final days, with the closed impressive improvements on the varied rural scenery. memory of age. It's secrets are hard way for the old cobbled surface of to unravel, and even then uncertain. the Quays on the way, it is probable The first outing of the season was Was Nimmo definitely the now that Queens Stores is the last to Templehouse. This is a Georgian Designer? In what year is it certain visable ambassador of the harbour mansion situated in about 1000 Work on the Queen's Stores began says that perhaps more than acres of farm and woodland. It has and what was it's definite date of anything else were responsible for a magnificent boating and fishing ;completion? On investigation of it's the flourishing of Sligo town. lake and very beautiful gardens. history you find the details vague The Percivals have been there since ;and sometimes in conflict. So take a ramble by it soon if you the 17th century but the name of the can. Pay your respects to the place is derived from the former Direct references to the store in architecture of cut stone in one of owners The Knights Templar. The various histories and records of it's finest and most functional remains of their 13th century castle Sligo are scant, few and far between examples in Sligo, while it's still can still be seen on the lake shore. .and invariably tied into the standing, we have deemed it soon The present owners are involved in development of the harbour as a enough a proper thing to lower it farming and tourism. whole. It is unlikely now that this into the ground, as rubble. 12 Introduction

Michael & Patricia This is the second in the series on Griffith's Valuation started in the Hurley October edition of the Corran Herald. Three rather small townlands have been selected but (PORTERS) they have a local history significant O'Connell Street, Ballymote, beyond their size. They are for Maghera, Camross and Derroon. * Newspapers & Magazines * Confectionery * Maghera is the townland on the * Tobacco * Stationery * Toys * right as one approaches the National Lottery Creamery from Ballymote. The name is derived from Machaire, a SHOE REPAIR AGENCY plain but it could mean just a field, a PHONE: 83185 :: OPEN 8.30 am - 8.30 pm playing field, a race course, etc. Machaire an Óir is the Field of Merry Christmas to all our customers & friends Slaughter — the Battlefield. One notices the name George B. Cuffins (B for Blakeny) there. (See Below). His name will crop up in later issues. The Revenue Police Barrack (see below) was later a school and is noted the residence of Dr. J. Glynn. There were at that time Revenue Police and Peace Police and their titles indicate the function each force had. Camross is Cam-Ros Crooked Wood. The word `plantation' appears after the second last entry below. This was a wood on the right side of the main road to Sligo, in the townland. There are also some TINA'S large tree stumps visible in the field HAIR SALON on the right of the road to O'CONNELL STREET, BALLYMOTE. TEL. 071-83382 Templehouse. This would explain this `wood' part of the name and maybe the wood was `crooked'. The Seasons Greetings to all our customers name appears in its English version in Westmeath. Crooked Wood P.O. OPEN ALL DAY MONDAY :: LATE OPENING THURSDAY 044 — 72111. In this townland the' SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS & SENIOR CITIZENS name Philip Gumley is listed and there will be reference to him also later. Philip and Blakney had fingers in many pies. DERROON: Although obviously coming from the word Doire, an oak wood, the `-oon' ending is difficult to explain. Because it has JAMES the same.sound as uan, a lamb the

The word lamb has been added to McDONAGH the explanation `doire uan' a wood of lambs or could it be an effort at a diminiture of doire (little oak Grocers & Undertakers wood). It contains two names which have been associated with the history of Ballymote and this Keash, Ballymote. county, Sir R. Gorbooth and Capt. Wishing all my customers & friends a Richard -Gethin (or Capt. Gethins Very Happy Christmas as he was called). The Captains Brae is named after him. He lived for a time at Earlsfield:— 13 Griffith's Valuation

BY TOM McGETTRICK

VALUATION OF TENEMENTS. 2G5 PARISH OP EMLAGEPAD.

Names. I 1 Rateable Annual Valuation. Total Annual I n and Lett ers Description of Tenement; I- Arm. .__.-._ ...- 1 Valuation , of Reference to of Rateable Map- .t Townlands and Occupiers. Immediate Lessors. I Land. Buildings. I property. _ MAG HER (Ord. S. 33.) . Lain! and herd's house, 1 44 0 0 I a Patrick FlanaFlanagan,gan George B. Gubbins {{ 55 3 17 i 1 0 0 4 3 0 0 Orchard, . I — — — 4 0 0 Bartholomewb O'Brien, SirRobt.GoreBooth,Bt., Land (severance) 0 0 20 — — 2 (See Exemptions), . Patrick Flanagan, . Revenue police barrack I _ and land, — — — I'atric7• Flanagan, . Half the annual rent derived from Revenue) police barrack, 5c. . h — — — 7 10 0 • Total of Rateable Properly, 55 3 37 ! 44 0 0' 1 0 0 56 10 0 EXEMPTIONS: 2 • . . . . . Revenue police barrack' and land. . . i 0 2 10 0 15 0. 8 0 0 8 15 . 0 Total. including Exemptions, . 56 2 7 44 15 0 9 0 0 . 65 5 0

CAMROSS. (Ord. S. 33.) 1 a Lewis W. Rea . SSirRobt.GoreBootb,Bt., Land, house and offices 20 3 10 9 5 0 2 1 0 • 11 15 0 2 a James Meehan, . . . -:Same, . Land and house, . 24 2 16 6 0 0 0 10 0 6 10 0 3 a Owen Hevers, . Same, . . Land and house, . 8 0 25 6 10 0 0 13 0 7 5 0 4 a Thomas Hevers, . Same, . . Land and house. 10 2 19 9 15 0 1 3 0 11 0 0 5 John Fox,, • . Same, . . Land, . 6 2 10 6 3 0 — 6 3 0 6 Bartholomew O'Brien, Same, . . Land, . . . 13 0 9 13 5 0 — 13 5 0 7 Archibald Lawson; . Same, .. . Land, . . . 2 1 18 2 5 '0 — 2 .5 0 8 Robert Donoghue, . Same, . . Land, . . 2 3 15 2 10 . 0 — 2 10 0 9 Edward O'Brien, . Same, . Land, . . . 12 1 25 10 10 0 — . 10 10 0 10 Peter Cannon, . . ' Same, . . Lund, . . 5 0 0 5 10 0 — 5 10 0 11 William Cornyn, . Same, . . Land, . . . 9 0 30 10 0 0 — 10 0 0 12 John O'Brien, . . Same, . . Land, . . 20 1 33 - 8 0 0 — 8 0 0 13 Patrick Gorman, . Same, • . Laid (bog), . . 1 0 23 0 5 0 — 0 5 0 14 James Dyer, . . Same, . . Land (Log), . . . 1 3 0 0 7 0 — 0 7 •0 13 a Michael Coghlan, . Same, . Land, house, and offices, 31 2 27 14 0 0 1 10 0 15 10 0 } 6 2 0 0 1( William Callaghan Same, Land, 7 — 9 1 5 0 l 7 a; f L and and herds house, 3 3 0 2 5 0 0 10 0) 18 a John Roche, Same, . Land and house, 10 0 1 8 15 0 0 1.5 0 9 10' 0 19 Philip Gumlay, . Same,. . . Land,• . 2 . 12 1 5 1 5 0 9 SirRobtGoreBooth,Bt fee: Lund (plantation.). . 9 1 0 1" n , • – 4 10 0 91 Catherine Kearns, . SirRobt.GoreBooth,Bt., Land, . . 15 3 30 ' 6 0 10 0 — .. . 'i • I Total, . 218 2 3 136 12 7 15 0 144 7 0'

DERROON. (Orr). S. :33.) 1 a Owen Preston, . .- SirRobt.GoreBooth.Bt., Land, house, and ffices. 17 :1 17 I I 5 0 0 15 0 12 0 0 – b Michael Preston. . I Owen Preston, , House, — — 0 3 0 0 .5 0 2 140 1 28 105 0 0 . 9 10 0 107 10 0 – — — 0 13 0 ! 0 15 0 _ c Owen Hovers, . . Same, . . ]louse, . . . — ! — 0 15 0 015 0 _ d ! Patrick Hevers, . Saute, . . House, .. — 1 — 0 15 0 0 15 0 Total, . 158 I 3 116 5 0 3 15 0 122 0 0 14

RETIREMENT Pictured are Vincent and Nellie Jordan with the organising committee at a function to mark his retirement from An Post.

WORKING Christmas Greetings WIVES to all our customers It is fashionable for married women to go out to work in the From world of today — the Creche, the Babysitter, the Grandmother can take over. Motives are rarely out of Fastprint economic necessity but rather, luxuries, Social contacts, distaste for the child-minding ch ores, ets. And like so many other things a doubtful advantage Europe SLIGO encourages the idea. Do we blindly have to follow a fashion or a lead? A young child needs its mother. No one can take her place. A school- going child needs a friendly haven not a locked door and empty house. The adolescent needs someone who loves enough to be patient, understanding and helpful and willing to stand and wait while the future citizen goes through the trauma of finding the adult in `Fawlty Towers ' himself. Those are the needs of the child. Now support and O'Connell St., Ballymote. compensation for the mother who stays with her children —that needs careful thought. The emancipated Lounge • Bar • Meeting Rooms woman needs more than platitudes. Only themselves can spell out BAR FOOD ALL DAY womens needs. It is high time that women assumed the freedom they Christmas Wishes to all our have fought for and started to behave responsibly. Then only will customers and friends they gain full respect and no longer be available as afair game for manipulation. 15 THE IRISH WAKE From Page 2 a mug of porter, lashed out. way in at the end of the kitchen and `It's a nice house of gold this where `Orah hold your whist man and dropped down on his knees beside a I haven't seen a bloody halfpenny in have a bit of sense', said he `shure low stool. The same character was wages for the past seven weeks'. Mikeen the poor devil would be usually present at every fair around delighted if only he knew the fine the countryside buying and selling a The fellow was evidently send-off we were giving him'. The couple of nags. On this particular dissatisfied with the order in which old man may have been well under night he was actually returning his employer was coming forward the influence of the stuff he was from a fair and had pitched his with his weekly pay packets. holding in his hand, but he had hit steed to the garden gate before the name squarely on the head. It dropping in to pay his respects. His Today as we witness the passing certainly was what Mikeen wanted, name was Tom KiHoran of the Irian wake, we should stop to it was what everyman of the day, (nicknamed Tom Vickey) after a note that what is gradually slipping who might call himself an Irishman noted horse dealer of the day away from us is a sensitive and wanted, and that's precisely what (Thomas Vickey). compassionate piece of our culture. the words `won't ye bury me dacent' The watch on the dead, is an old meant. To do the job in a stingyor As Mick the priest concluded his tradition, that I would venture to half-hearted way was nothing short rosary Killoran popped up on his say dates back to pagan times. In of an insult to the memory of the stool and proceeded to light his city areas the coming of the funeral dead and a dim reflection on pipe. Just as he did so Mick began parlour has finally brought this anybody who might attempt to to announce the first of a second set grand old custom to an end. carry it out in this manner. of mysteries, with the intention of getting on with a second rosary. A I wonder what the bould Tim Other stories of incidents that flustered looking Killoran gave a Finnegan might think if, say today, were supposed to have taken place sour glance in the direction of Mick: he were to rise from the dead and at wakes still linger on in folk `Well, bad luck to ya' said he, find himself in a funeral parlour. memory. You had the custom of thrusting his pipe back into his Isn't it likely that he would roar saying three rosaries in the course pocket and getting back down on out', thunderin' Jazus what have ye of a night. Usually there was a man his knees again. About mid-way done to me?' or woman in each locality who were through the fourth decade Mick Our young people especially outstanding at introducing the nodded off to sleep his rosary should, if ever they find themselves preliminaries to the rosary, then go beads dropping to the ground. He at a wake, stop to ponder that what on to announce the mysteries, and had, incidentally, been to the same they are seeing is the preliminary of conclude with the trimmings and fair, and was apparently jaded out an old burial rite, that flourished in the litany. tired. He quickly recovered, `Where the middle ages. When it eventually was I?', he enquired, meaning at We had such a man in our area, passes, and some day it will, along what part of the rosary did he fall way back in the early years of the with it will go a significant part of off to sleeep. `At the fair of century. His name was Mick Scully our ancient heritage. Carrickmagat' quipped Killoran, of Phaleesh, and he was present at with a tone of devilement in his nearly every wake around the voice. countryside. Being a person of great piety and virtue he was the one Carrickmagat fair was a noted Bernadette usually called upon to offer up the sale of horses held on February the rosary for the happy repose of the first each year. The venue was that Mid pretty dreesses, ribbons, net soul of the deceased. Because of his stretch of roadway situated half- Sits the lovely Bernadette deep devotion to his religious way between Collooney and Plying needle, scissors, thimble duties, people used to refer to him Ballisodare. It attracted all the Deftly moves her nimble fingers as Mick, the priest. It has been said, leading horse dealers of the day. Making subtle alternations. Fruits of that Mick used to carry around with study, skill and patience; him a fifteen decade rosary beads, As we might very well imagine, Thoughtful is her face and mild and oftimes at wakes used to do the people weren't all saints in those Though well-grown, she's but a child full circle of that heads without days either, and poor Mick Fifteen years have now passed o'er quiting. encountered many more incidents, her during his tenure as Master of All her life is stretched before her. The story has been told of an Ceremonies at wakes. On another Questions grave are in her mind incident that happened one night at occasion while saying the rosary at Of future year will they be kind a wake shortly after Mick had the house of a local man who had a Will she find a loving mate, or will ordered eveybody on to their knees bereavement in his family, Mick she seek the Cloisters gate for the rosary. The deceased person was drawing close to the end of the Will the Mission fields behold her was conviently laid out in a pouch final decade when a worksman on Will her children's love enfold her bed near hand to the kitchen the farm shuffled in and dropped Will she climb to dizzy heights fireplace. Mick knelt alongside the down on one knee on front of the Or will the lowly paths suffice remains announcing the mysteries, kitchen dresser. Slightly annoyed Youth's deep thoughts are seldom rolling off the decades and at the with the commotion, Mick looked long intervals, earnestly imploring the around, then got on with reciting Now the pensive mood is passing Lord to have the dead person's soul the litany of Loreto, Mystical Rose, Now the mouth is softly smiling elevated to a state of eternal Tower of David, Tower of Ivory, And the eyes are Nightly shining happiness. Towards the end of the House of Gold, he entreated. At Dim forebodings take thier flight, third decade a local character and this point the worksman let forth a She's going to dance tonight. part-time horse trader edged his heavy sigh and muttered to himself: 16 The Prestons and their Music WOMEN Women are sti' - wasting their potential and achieving little The Larkins of Ennis, Co. Clare Women's affairs and Men's affairs, BY UNA PRESTON are one of the foremost musical one concerns the other. That fact families in that town and Mrs. c..mot be over emphasised. Instead Theresa Larkin is another child of of isolating themselves women Michael Preston of Carnaree. should look at themselves as what EUGENE PRESTON PASSED TO they are, and act accordingly. They HIS REWARD SINCE THIS Viola Preston founded the are citizens of the country and of ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN, BUT Eamonn Ceannt ceili band in Dublins the worm and of equal value with HIS GRANDCHILDREN ARE Pipers Club in the fifties. The their male counterparts. Their place CARRYING ON THE TRADITION Eamonn Ceannt was one of the best in Government is where the power IN BOSTON. known bands in the country for the next twenty years and broadcast lies — at the grass roots. They don't Ballymote and it's hinderland is many times on Radio Eireann and have to stay there and they won't, sometimes called the heartland of later on R.T.E. The Eamonn but they must start from there. They must know how the house — Irish Traditional music and it is true Ceannt numbered among it's the country is being run, how it's to say that musicians from this area members Vincent Brodrick the have had an enormous influence in famous flute player from Loughrea, money is being spent, how the the whole sphere of Irish music as we Co. Galway, Dan Healy of children are being educated and know it today. The family names of Cloonamonagh, Ballymote, and in why that pattern, who is getting big Coleman, Morrison, Gardiner, and later years the afore mentioned money in the health and other Killoran immediately spring to mind. Louis Preston and also Lorraine services and is all the expenditure justified, all about prices, food Another, perhaps lesser known but Hickey another grandchild of widely influencial family spring to Michael Preston. supplies, imports, supermarkets, mind. Another, perhaps lesser known etc- has been the Prestons of Carnaree. Viola Preston let the Eamonn Women's study groups are Two recent expericences highlighted Ceannt ceili band until her untimely needed in every centre of this fact for me. On a recent visit to death in 1981. David Preston spent population big or small. One would Dublin I found myself in O'Sheas his working life in England and his ask what should they study and the pub in Bridge St. There I found a fiddle playing enriched many a answer would have to be — the great session of traditional music in Session in London in the forties and nation's house-keeping, at every progress and leading the way with fifties. level from the top to the bottom. A some excellent Flute playing was first question might by Why must Louis Preston. Coincidentally, the One of the features of Irish we be governed by remote control? next day I heard on the Radio a traditional musical families is the Why must Civil Servants based in recording of Euy;zne Preston who is passing of the tradition from one our capital city tell us what to do? an uncle of Louis and at eighty five generation to another and this is You will say our local years of age the father figure of the certainly true in the case of the representatives can explain our Irish Music scene in Boston, U.S.A., Prestons. Apart from members of the needs, but do they know them? and still playing. family previously mentioned the families of a number of other They are members of political Eugene is the last surviving Prestons have continued the parties and as such are powerless member of the family of Michael tradition. unless in the framework of the Preston and Maria Shannon of party. Their first allegiance should Carnaree. Maria was a well known The Sheridans of Lavally, be to their constituents, but in the melodeon player and seems to have , are the children of party system to which most of them imbued in her thirteen children a love Annie Preston and Michael belong they must think and act as of music that has extended far and Sheridan. Josie and David Sheridan the party bosses decide. Women wide from their birthplace in are well known accordeon players must challenge that state of affairs, Carnaree in the early years of this and Josie's daughter, Siobán and and insist that organised groups at century. David's son Michael are already all- grass roots level will be listened to Ireland champions at under age level. and their advice sought. Like many a family of the same Louis who lives in Dublin is the son of era, circumstances dictated that they Anthony Preston and his brother be scattered but wherever they went Tony is also a fine player, and so it CORRAN the Prestons brought their music. goes on. Traditional music has The best known players of the older finally taken its rightful place HERALD generation Prestons were Michael worldwide and is enjoying (Flute), Eugene (Flute), Viola unprecedented audiences and A (Accordeon), and David (Fiddle). popularity. Ballymote Michael was a railway worker who finally settled in Co. Clare. His son This universal appreciation of our Heritage Michael was a member of the All- native musical heritage is due in no Group Ireland in the late fifties they toured small way to families like the America. Michael Preston stayed on Prestons of Carnaree who kept the Production in the States and now lives in New music alive in difficult times and Editor: James Flanagan York. He was the subject of a lengthy played and fostered it whereever they article in a recent edition of Treoir, went. Printed by: the Journal of CCE. FASTPRINT, SLIGO. D. F. P.