THE 1916 Irish rebellion had little effect on Tubbercurry 90 years ago but there were many good old rebels here then too that supported Padraig Pearse and his compadres, who struck a brave blow to the British Empire. One rebel still holds the old tradition in Tubber, that woman is Anne Killoran, who has much memorabilia on our own great rebel - Sligo’s Countess Markievicz. Anne went through a great deal of printed material last week and some date back to 1916. One such article was in The Times called ‘History And Encyclopaedia Of The War’, which gives stories of the Rising and the demolition of the capital of Ireland on Easter week 1916, when the city was brought to a standstill. The arrests, trials and executions are covered in with stories and photos of those sad days in Ireland, taking place in Dublin. As WB Yeats wrote of it - “Times have changed, changed utterly”, as he foretold that independence was not far off in those days. The book can be viewed with other such items on the Rising in Killorans for anyone who may like to view them in the lounge in the evening when Anne can show the treasured and cherished history of the rebellion of 1916, when a band of brave Irish men and women took on the Empire and so many gave their lives for their love of Ireland and freedom.
SLIGO IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is no mistaking who will be the top man in Sligo this Easter week, country legend Don Williams from Nashville, who is playing two farewell concerts at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Sligo on Saturday and Sunday to a sell out crowd on both nights. For dancers however, the Radisson, the Sligo Park Hotel and the Southern Hotel will have at least two top bands playing over the weekend. The man behind all this is James Cafferty of Show Tours Ltd. - the Curry man with the ‘Midas’ touch. James lit up Bundoran over several years with Joe Dolan, Dickie Rock and the greats of Irish show-business and also took on Killarney, County Kerry with the same attractions. This Easter Sligo will reap the rewards from the extra cash from concert and dance fans that will come from all over. Don Williams and James Cafferty are the toast of Sligo town this Easter weekend. Well done lads.
BOOST FOR THE AREA: Michael Leonard’s lovely new building complex will be soon frequented by civil servants from the Department of Community Affairs and Gaeltacht Affairs due to the visit of Minister Eamon O’Cuiv, who visited the town last weekend. It’s a great boost for the area even though its of a temporary nature, but some 70 people will take up employment in Tubbercurry in this decentralisation move from Dublin. This new building is most impressive and close to all major roads and the town. Michael Leonard is to be congratulated on this achievement because jobs was an issue neglected in the town since the big slim-down at Basta Ltd. When half the workforce were laid off over 20 years ago. It’s a ‘shot in the arm’ for the area but its not known if any local jobs will be created in the move. I have always written of the property that is in the ownership of Michael Leonard and, to date, this has been a major scoop for him and fair play to the man for his success. Many people hold the view that more and more houses are fine, but there are other items that are also needed and this is just one. Let’s pray that there will be more.
The LATE HUGHIE CLARKE: It’s with a sad heart that I write of the death of an old friend and customer of mine who passed away on April 3. He was Hughie Clarke of Carrowreagh-Knox, who departed life peacefully at Sligo General Hospital. It was only some three months since his beloved wife of many years, Josie, also passed on and this sadness in Hughie’s heart was very noticeable in recent weeks because they were a devoted couple all those years. Hughie returned home from America in the mid-1950s to run a farm when Josie Walsh, as she was then, caught the eye and a loving bond was developed between the young couple that led to a happy marriage and rearing a family. Hughie took to farming - that was the only option in those days - and contracted out work on other farms with his small tractor to raise the family, which was the way of life in those days. Hughie was a most pleasant and friendly man who had great friends all his life. He was a great husband, father and neighbour, as all who knew him can agree. His remains were reposing in his residence on April 5 and then were removed to the Church of St John the Evangelist, where Solemn Requiem mass was celebrated on April 6, followed by burial in St Attracta’s Cemetery in Rhue. Deepest sympathy is extended to all his beloved family - daughters, sons, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, relatives and a wide circle of friends. May he rest in peace.
CHURCH SERVICES: St George’s Church of Ireland in Tubbercurry holy week and Easter services - Wednesday, April 12 - Passover meal in St George’s schoolroom at 8pm; Thursday, April 13 - Holy Communion in Rathbarron Church at 8pm; Friday, April 14 - Good Friday service of reflection and meditation in Rathbarron Church at 11am. Objects of the cross and devotions in St George’s from 2-3pm; Sunday, April 16 - Easter Day, Holy Communion in Rathbarron Church at 10am. Holy Communion in St George’s at 11.30am.
THE LATE AUDREY URWIN: The death occurred of Audrey Urwin of Lavinia, Rhue, at her residence peacefully on March 31 last. The late Audrey and her husband have been resident in Tubbercurry only a few short years and they made it their new home, having resided in the UK prior to their move here. Husband Don and the late Audrey were a very popular retired couple, who had settled in well in the area. They took part in the Leyney Writers Club and Audrey was a member of the Western Drama Festival Committee. She is survived by her beloved husband Don and the following family - Rosemary and Chris, Nigel, Jane, Melissa, Michael, Victoria, Mark, Margaret, Daniel, Joanne, Isobelle, Jack and Sam, and relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.
ANNUAL WALK: The date pf this year’s ninth annual South Sligo sponsored walk in aid of North West Hospice is Sunday, April 30 at 3pm. The route is Bunnanadden via Achonry, Moylough and Chaffpool, and back to St Brigid’s Hall. Sponsorship cards are available from John Gillespie in Teeling Street.
ENGAGED: Popular young couple Maurizio Cretaro and Mandy Gallagher, announced their engagement last week.
STARS IN THEIR EYES NIGHT: Stars In Their Eyes in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland raised a sum of E6,000 when it was held in Mickey Mac’s Pub on March 24 last. It was an outstanding success and attracted a vast crowd of followers on the night. There is still some sponsorship cards out there to be returned and we appeal to all who took part to drop them, and the cash, into Mickey Mac’s or to Teresa McDonagh at Barry’s Pharmacy on Teeling Street as soon as possible. The organising committee are very grateful for the response of the public for this event and for the generous responses for this worthy cause. It was a great night.
JUST MARRIED: On Friday, March 31, a lovely wedding ceremony was held in the Sacred Heart Church in Bunnanadden when the young couple - Teresa Kennedy, daughter of Eamon and Veronica Kennedy of the internationally-known Kennedy’s Lounge in Doocastle, County Mayo, and Peadar Gallagher, son of Peter and Ann Gallagher, Mullinabreena, were married. The reception was held in the Sligo Park Hotel. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to the newlyweds.
CALLS FOR A SWIMMING POOL: In conversation with young parents on a day-to-day basis in my trade, it does seem that the majority of them frown on the lack of some essential facilities in our growing town. Many of those people moved here in the last few years and like living in one of the new estates just a short distance from the town. The one thing they are all in agreement with is that the town is badly lacking a swimming pool above all other such facilities.
Each parent I have talked to points out the opinion that we lack such a facility, and so do their young children, because the ability to swim is very important today and something every young person should learn. We had all hoped that St Attracta’s Secondary School would have provided us with a swimming pool in the early stages of its construction but alas that was not to be, even though a case was put forward by local people for a pool to be included in this fine complex. We are now further away from a swimming pool than ever. I can recall stories of fundraising committees in years’ past, who set out to get funds to provide the area with a proper place to swim, Carnivals were held and tickets were sold to raise money for a pool when the water supply did not come up to the level of the water power of the current Lough Talt pressure. But men and women set their minds to achieve that goal and money was raised and where it all ended up is anyone’s guess. Accountability was not a word used in those days and Eddie Hobss’s mum and dad were not even going steady in those days.
It was all water under the bridge and what was done was done but no swimming pool ever materialised. A mayoral election was run soon after and once again a swimming pool was he reason to raise money from that event, which was the talk of the west, and entertainment was at an all-time high with the two candidates that took part. Yet the funds never reached the levels required to provide a pool.
In 1978, again at a mayoral election, one candidate promised to get the ball rolling again and, if elected, would see the town get a pool. Another person got the job and the candidate who raised the pool idea was an ‘also-ran’ contestant. However, the idea was fine and again it is about to raise its head as more people complain that, while new homes pop up like mushrooms, the lack of essential services and facilities stand out like a sore thumb. Could we be on to something like that again?