Ballyshannon Town Clock- A Landmark since 1878

                         

The storm damage this week to the face of the town clock, pictured above, brings to mind the history of a building which has been a landmark for generations of people who have admired this picturesque building and its chimes. Paddy "Go Aisy" Slevin and his Model T Ford lorry were given the honour of opening the bridge at Ballyshannon, beside the town clock, in the 1940s during the Erne Hydro-Electric Scheme. 

The town clock has an interesting history and is probably the most distinctive and recognisable building in Ballyshannon, for the countless thousands who visit or who pass through the town. Perched at the top of a most impressive Scottish style baronial building built in 1878, the tall two-storey clock and bell tower with crow-stepped gables was built for the Belfast Bank who had commenced business in the town in 1869. It later was occupied by the Royal Bank. In the immediate vicinity was the Provincial Bank, the earliest bank in town in 1835, where the poet William Allingham, his father also called William and his brother Hugh, the historian, worked at various periods. Across the street was the National Bank which today is the Bank of Ireland, all three banks were signs of the commercial prosperity of the area. The history of the clock tower recalls an agreement reached between the Belfast Bank and the planning authorities of the day. In return for giving the bank permission to build the bank outwards towards the road, the bank agreed to provide the town with a clock. The date of the erection of the clock, 1878, can be seen in the stonework just below the recently damaged clock face.

The immediate area around the clock is one of the most historic in the town with the old customs house just across the street where the Saimer Shopping Centre is today. The site of the town clock was very close to where the "Speaker" Conolly (1662-1729) was born and where his family had a tavern in the 17^th century. In sight of the clock tower is the Market Yard where the O’Donnell chieftains had their castle and where in later times the farmers’ markets were held. Across the street was the old military barracks built in 1700 and which stands today as the oldest building in town and the town clock also overlooks the bridge crossing the river Erne.

  

The building ceased operations as a bank when the Royal Bank amalgamated with the Provincial Bank next door and became the Allied Irish Bank around 1966. The Gallogley family who had been in business in the town for generations carried on their clock and jewellery business in the building until very recent times. 

 

A local gift for all special occasions available at The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon and District Museum, Local Hands and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.

Signed hard back and soft back books available at special  price for postal delivery or collection. 

Book Available from Anthony Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com  Enquiries welcome for postal and other details

Memories of an Historic Convent Building in Ballyshannon to be Developed as a Primary Health Care Centre

An historic building in Ballyshannon which in recent years has been in sad decline is to be converted by the Health Service Executive into a Primary Care  Health Centre for the community at a cost of €5.9 million. The community welcomes this development and preservation of one of the most impressive buildings in the town, which is deeply imbedded in the history of Ballyshannon.Pictured above is the Convent of Mercy alongside the Sheil Hospital which it will complement.

The Sisters of Mercy in Ballyshannon  Since 1867

The Sisters of Mercy have played a prominent role in the spiritual, educational and humanitarian life of Ballyshannon since 1867. Indeed they have expanded that role throughout the county and to the U.S.A. The Convent of St. Catherine was founded on the 30^th April 1867 by Sister M. Ignatius Joseph Mc Carthy and three sisters from Kinsale. They were accompanied on the journey by Sister M. Agatha Sheil who had entered the convent at Kinsale for the Ballyshannon Mission, but due to illness had to leave. This lady was a member of a prominent Ballyshannon family which included her brother Dr. Simon Sheil, benefactor of the Sheil Hospital, and this early link between Kinsale and Ballyshannon was developed and continues to the present day. Their first residence was on College Street where the Day Centre is today, and they were given accommodation by Bishop Daniel Mc Gettigan who lived in Ballyshannon at the time. The Sisters quickly established a school and a small orphanage near their residence, and also visited the poor and sick in their homes. They also provided women with employment in craft work.

Site for a New Convent

The site for a new Convent building was endowed by William Stephens, Draper, The Cloth Hall, in Market Street, who left over a £1,000 to the Sisters of Mercy in his will.  This was a substantial sum of money at the time and the Stephens family also contributed generously to the local church building. (The Cloth Hall is now the location of Sean Ógs) The Convent buildings were constructed for the Sisters of Mercy on land which originally belonged to a local business family called Sharkey. The Sharkey family had  property and business interests in the College Street, Market Street and Bundoran areas in the 19th century, including a tannery in Market Street.  Part of the grounds of the present St. Catherine’s Convent were once known as Sharkey’s Field.

Foundation Stone Laid 1879

The foundation stone for the new convent was laid on 15th September 1879. The architects for the project were O’Neill and Byrne, a firm based in Belfast and Dublin. The contractor was Matthew McClelland of Derry. Building work was suspended for a period during 1881-1882. The new building was to consist of a detached nine-bay, three- storey convent with projecting gabled end bays, recessed entrance, projecting accommodation, sanitary and stair wings to the south.

Convent Occupied in 1883

The Sisters of Mercy occupied the building on 2^nd April 1883. The new convent was dedicated, on the 17^th March 1884, by Archbishop Mc Gettigan of Armagh, who had been elevated from the position of Bishop of Raphoe. The Sisters of Mercy were locally to be involved in the running of The Workhouse, The Sheil Hospital, The Rock Hospital, St. Catherine’s Primary School, Carrickboy N.S., Our Lady of the Angel’s Primary School and The Sacred Heart Secondary and Boarding School.

A local gift for all special occasions available at The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon and District Museum and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.

50% Reduction on postage for orders for this book to all destinations. Genuine special offer from author. 

Signed hard back and soft back books available at special  price for postal delivery or collection. 

Book Available from Anthony Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com  Enquiries welcome for postal and other details

Two Band Members Remembered.

 

Front Row: Padraig McGarrigle, Danny McGeever, Seamus Gallagher, Bob Gallagher.

Second Row: Jack Grimes, Packie Gallagher, Jimmy Rafferty, Francis Gallagher, Tom Gallagher, Anthony Begley, James Hoey.

Third Row: Mickie Gallagher, Fergus Lawlor, Michael Dalton, P.J.Goan, Jim Gallagher.

 Back Row: Eamon Gallagher, Cecil Stephens, Michael Gallagher, Eugene McLoughlin, John McGahern

Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band St. Patrick's Day in Sligo 1979.

  

Two Bandsmen Remembered 2013

Cecil  Stephens

Cecil was a member of Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band for over 40 years playing the clarinet and later the bass. His grandfather P.B. Stephens was a founder member of the band and his father Cecil (senior) was conductor and a trustee of the Band in its most successful era in the 1930s. Cecil was secretary of the band for many years and showed meticulous attention to detail and was respected by all bandsmen. He was also actively involved in the orchestra of the Musical Society. He will be sadly missed by his friends in the band and by the wider community who recognised his contribution to the community in so many ways. Band members extend our sincerest sympathy particularly to Sally, John, Anne Marie and Paul and to his extended family.  He had a tremendous interest and knowledge of the history of the area and was generous in sharing his archives with everyone. Cecil Stephens was a great townsman who carried on a family tradition of service to the community.

Jim Gallagher

Jim Gallagher was a lifelong member of Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band joining as a schoolboy in 1943. He was an accomplished cornet player and had a great love and commitment to the band and was proud of his long family association with the town band. His father Hughie played the side drum in the famous Ballyshannon band conducted by Mr. Eldon in 1906-1910. The band played outside St. Patrick's church as his remains were being brought to the Abbey graveyard. Band practice on Monday night was cancelled and a minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to his memory. Band members extend sympathy to Fiona, Eunan, Brian and Turlough and to his extended family. Band members also recognise Jim's wonderful contribution to Gaelic games and to many aspects of community life.

 

Ideal local gift for all special occasions available at The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon, Ballyshannon and District Museum and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.

50% Reduction on postage for orders for this book to all destinations. Genuine special offer from author. 

Signed hard back and soft back books available at special  price for postal delivery or collection. 

Book Available from Anthony Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com  Enquiries welcome for postal and other details