Go Mairidh ár nGaehilig Slán”
A great drive to
promote the Irish language was undertaken by the Gaelic League and they
certainly added much colour and entertainment to the Ballyshannon area in the
early 1900s which we take a look at in
this blog. It is interesting to see how people set about reviving a language
which had been struggling, certainly in this area, and perhaps their
enthusiastic approach could be replicated for other areas of life today.
Classes
in the Rock Hall
Classes for Junior and
senior students were given by Aodh Ó Dubthaigh (O’ Diver) with the junior
classes commencing Book 1 of Craig’s series and the seniors continuing with
Book 11. The principal idea was to get people speaking Irish and the teacher
assured students that even after a few lessons they would be able to carry on
basic conversations. Three classes were held each week with an average
attendance of 30 per class. The students paid an entrance fee of one shilling
or two shillings for a family. Each week they paid a penny to pay for light and
heat. Junior and senior classes were taught the Módh Díreach and the income
helped to pay for the teacher. Dr. Mulhern P.P. gave the Rock Hall free for the
classes which ran throughout the school year.
Gaelic
League Entertainments
D.V. Stephens of the
well known Ballyshannon family put on Magic Lantern
shows for the Gaelic League including one called “The Scenery of Ireland.”
These were the forerunners of the movies which became popular in the Rock Hall
in the 1920s. The Magic Lantern Show was followed by a Coirm Ceoil. Dr. Maguire
a historian who wrote a history of Ballyshannon gave a lecture on “Abbey
Assaroe.” followed by a short concert. Dr. Maguire was well known in Gaelic
games circles as he later presented the Maguire Cup for the senior club
championship. He had a brother Michael, a solicitor, living in Castle Street Ballyshannon.
Three plays were performed in the Rock Hall on 15th April 1909: “The Building Fund” by William Boyle plus 2 farces by Seamus McManus “The Leading Road to Donegal” and back by popular demand “The Lad from Largymore.”The cast for the plays included; Ms. F. Daly, E. Lynch, M.D. Quigley, John McCormick, Ms. Celia Croal, T. Kelly, P.H. Daly, P. Croal and Ms. A. Mulhern.
Three plays were performed in the Rock Hall on 15th April 1909: “The Building Fund” by William Boyle plus 2 farces by Seamus McManus “The Leading Road to Donegal” and back by popular demand “The Lad from Largymore.”The cast for the plays included; Ms. F. Daly, E. Lynch, M.D. Quigley, John McCormick, Ms. Celia Croal, T. Kelly, P.H. Daly, P. Croal and Ms. A. Mulhern.
Much of the entertainment was in English but the aim was to raise funds,to create an interest in joining the Gaelic League and to instil pride in being Irish.
The
First Great Féis or Aeridheacht 26 July 1908 at Rockville
Close to 2,000 people
attended the first great Gaelic League gathering in the grounds at Rockville in
Ballyhanna in 1908. “Go Mairidh ár nGaehilig Slán” ( literally may Irish remain strong) this was
the banner on the platform which greeted people from a wide area as they
arrived to celebrate our Gaelic culture. Indeed passengers on the Great
Northern Railway who had excursion tickets for Bundoran could break their
journey at Ballyshannon at no extra cost. The railway station was close by and
even though there was a big A.O.H. rally in Bundoran the same day the crowd was
impressive. Performers and competitors came from Gaelic League branches in
Glasgow, Enniskillen, Townawilly, Kilskeery, Strabane, Belleek, Bundoran and Garrison.
Guest singers and
dancers provided a varied programme of entertainment for over three hours with
refreshments served in Rockville House which was given with the permission of
the trustees of the late Mr. Sweeney. The grounds for the Aeridheacht were
kindly provided by Mr. Cassidy J.P. The days festivities included a performance
by Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band who had previously won the cup at
Letterkenny Féis and under their conductor Mr. Eldon, all agreed they were
first class. Bandmaster Eldon was a member of the military at Finner Camp and his memory is still recalled by older generations of bandsmen.
Local dancers and choirs from St. Catherine’s N.S. tutored by the Sisters of Mercy and Mrs. Dick performed as did the dancing team of the Misses Stephens and McGovern, Messrs. McManus and McIntyre. The local newspaper agreed that “they could not be surpassed for grace and finish.” This was the first major aeridheacht co-ordinated by Mr. Keawell who was secretary of the local Gaelic League and acted as master of ceremonies on the day.
Local dancers and choirs from St. Catherine’s N.S. tutored by the Sisters of Mercy and Mrs. Dick performed as did the dancing team of the Misses Stephens and McGovern, Messrs. McManus and McIntyre. The local newspaper agreed that “they could not be surpassed for grace and finish.” This was the first major aeridheacht co-ordinated by Mr. Keawell who was secretary of the local Gaelic League and acted as master of ceremonies on the day.
The
Second Féis or Aeridheacht 16 July 1909
The second annual Gaelic League event was once again
held at Rockville. Cecil Stephens (senior) had assumed the mantle of secretary
and this gathering had many guest artistes and lots of competition to whet the
appetite. Cecil Stephens was an active member of many cultural and community organisations including being a founder of the Donegal Democrat, conductor of the town band and musical society, town clerk and much more.
Cahal O’ Byrne from Belfast clad in the costume of an Irish chieftain entertained the crowd with songs such as “The Stuttering Lover”, “I Know my Love” and “O’ Donnell Abú.” Band Master Eldon was on hand to once again conduct the Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band and also to play a solo selection on the war pipes. There was no shortage of entertainment with William McCusker 1st prize winner at Enniskillen Féis in splendid voice with songs like “Beautiful Isle of the Sea.” Ms. Drum from Enniskillen once again sang beautifully with songs such as “Once \More in the Dear Old Land” and “The Donovans.”
Cashelard N.S Successes
Cahal O’ Byrne from Belfast clad in the costume of an Irish chieftain entertained the crowd with songs such as “The Stuttering Lover”, “I Know my Love” and “O’ Donnell Abú.” Band Master Eldon was on hand to once again conduct the Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band and also to play a solo selection on the war pipes. There was no shortage of entertainment with William McCusker 1st prize winner at Enniskillen Féis in splendid voice with songs like “Beautiful Isle of the Sea.” Ms. Drum from Enniskillen once again sang beautifully with songs such as “Once \More in the Dear Old Land” and “The Donovans.”
Cashelard N.S Successes
An interesting competition
for children studying Irish since July 1908, resulted in a victory for Cashelard
N.S with Ballyshannon Boys N.S. College Street second. In the competition for
children studying Irish since October 1907, Ballyshannon Convent N.S were first
with Cashelard N.S second. In a handwriting competition the winner was Miss M. Sweeney
with Patrick Monaghan Ballyshannon Boys N.S, Ms. S. Sweeney and Ms. M. Breslin
Convent N.S in the prize winners. Ms. K. Higgins Convent N.S. won the single
reel and the same school won the 4 hand reel and performed an 8 hand reel. In
the fife and drum band competition St. Patrick’s Boys Band Ballyshannon were
the winners with Belleek Band second. The Belleek Band generously returned
their cash prize to the Gaelic League.
Great credit is due to
local people who continued with the Irish language revival for many years and
it is interesting to note how the neighbouring communities particularly in
County Fermanagh helped out. Gradually the influence of the Gaelic League
revival was noticeable in local shops also, with an increased use of Irish
manufactured goods in Ballyshannon.
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A New Local History Book suitable for those at Home and Away
A new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" reveals newly researched history and genealogy of the town, extending as far as the Rossnowlagh, Cashelard, Corlea, Clyhore, Higginstown and Finner areas. Includes the parishes of Kilbarron and Magh Ene.
The genealogy material provides detailed guidelines for anyone tracing their roots in the area or anywhere in County Donegal or Ireland.
The book contains 500 pages and is richly illustrated with stunning colour, aerial photography, original illustrations and rare photographs of the area not seen before.
The blogs are original and are not taken from the book above.
Final Blogs
7th September Complete Guide to Ballyshannon Musings 2012-2013
Ballyshannon Musings: Good to hear that people connected to the Ballyshannon area enjoyed the blog worldwide and the site received thousands of hits. The site is called Ballyshannon Musings and there are a number of back issues available on the internet. Copy this link and it can be googled at http://ballyshannon-musings.blogspot.ie/
A New Local History Book suitable for those at Home and Away
A new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" reveals newly researched history and genealogy of the town, extending as far as the Rossnowlagh, Cashelard, Corlea, Clyhore, Higginstown and Finner areas. Includes the parishes of Kilbarron and Magh Ene.
The genealogy material provides detailed guidelines for anyone tracing their roots in the area or anywhere in County Donegal or Ireland.
The book contains 500 pages and is richly illustrated with stunning colour, aerial photography, original illustrations and rare photographs of the area not seen before.
Topics include: How
to go about Tracing your Roots/The first settlers in the area/ Newly
researched history of the town of Ballyshannon and the townlands in
Kilbarron and Mágh Éne parishes/ Records
of the first travellers and tourists to Ballyshannon, Bundoran,
Belleek, Rossnowlagh and Ballintra/An aerial guide to place names along
the Erne from Ballyshannon to the Bar/Flora and Fauna of the area/ A
history of buildings and housing estates in the locality/Graveyard
Inscriptions from the Abbey graveyard, St. Joseph’s and St. Anne’s
/Rolling back the years with many memories of the Great Famine,
Independence struggle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing,
handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations,
folklore and lots more.
Book Available from Anthony
Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com Enquiries
welcome for postal and other details. Also available at The
Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon and District Museum,
Ballyshannon Tourist Office, The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.
The blogs are original and are not taken from the book above.
Final Blogs
31st August A Unique Diary of Ballyshannon Life in the 19th Century
Ballyshannon Musings: Good to hear that people connected to the Ballyshannon area enjoyed the blog worldwide and the site received thousands of hits. The site is called Ballyshannon Musings and there are a number of back issues available on the internet. Copy this link and it can be googled at http://ballyshannon-musings.blogspot.ie/
The blog archive of Ballyshannon Musings will still be available to read on the internet.
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