Saturday 27 April 2013

Masters, Murders, American Wakes and a Local Link to Florence Nightingale

Local Link to Florence Nightingale

A Ballyshannon lady Mrs. Coane was one of those who volunteered and went with Florence Nightingale to the front in the Crimean War (1853-1856). She was married to William Coane a tailor on East Port and was the mother of Ms. Mary Coane who at one time also lived on East Port in the town. In 1938 Ms. Mary Coane had letters and photos received from Florence Nightingale- “The Lady with the Lamp.” Whatever became of those valuable memorabilia one may never know? Perhaps they are in an attic somewhere in the area? 


Mary Coane remembered her mother talking about pilgrimages she made in the 19th century to Tobarshannon a holy well which was rediscovered recently during the  By-Pass excavations at Ballyhanna. Holy wells like St. Patrick's Well in the Abbey were once very popular places of devotion. The Abbey Well  is in a scenic location which is well worth a visit as the grotto and stations are still intact.

Florence Nightingale was the founder of modern nursing and it is interesting that a Ballyshannon lady was with her during her humanitarian work, tending to the sick and the dying in the Crimean War.

Military Murders in Ballyshannon

A Coane family lived on the Port as far back as 1786 when there were was an atrocity committed by the army from the Barracks at the bridge, resulting in the shooting dead of two innocent women named as Elinor Madden and Mary Mountain. One was shot adjacent to the barracks and the other near the Diamond in the town. These random shootings followed on from an army raid for poteen at the tavern of Denis McGowan on the Port. The soldiers were chased back across the bridge from the Port and the soldiers opened fire killing both women in what was a crowded Ballyshannon with the Fair Day in progress. In the shootings which followed a bullet lodged in a chest of drawers in Coane’s house in the Port.
There was also a very well known Coane family who were extensive landowners at Higginstown House, the ruins of which stand on the high ground overlooking the town of Ballyshannon about a mile or so above the Fr. Tierney Gaelic football park.

Master McIntyre’s School

“We remember him, perched on his seat and bringing us around him, and imparting that knowledge which we wish we could have remembered. We sometimes, in our fancy, think we are back again in the days when we mimicked his manner and voice. And most of us remember, too, his jibes and jokes, the brand of snuff he was so fond of, and the stern lecture he used to give to the messenger who purchased the cane for him at P.B.’s (Stephens), the fierce scowl on his face when anything was done to lower the dignity or reputation of the School, and the joyful feeling reflected in his countenance when examination results were satisfactory”. 

A past pupil described Master McIntyre above and remembered the school with its old press full of books, the antique clock on the wall, the little bell on the desk. Happy days!  Master McIntyre was from Creevy and was known as “The Latin Master” as he prepared boys for Maynooth and the priesthood. Master John McIntyre’s School in College Street closed in September 1922. It was located where the Sister of Mercy later had their Music rooms and the building still survives just past the entrance to Coláiste Cholmcille.

An American Wake in Tírconaill Street

On July 4th 1923 a group of young ladies were given a farewell dance as they prepared to emigrate to the United States. The date was very appropriate as it was also Independence Day in America. The event was held in Tirconaill Street Ballyshannon with dancing and singing including “When the Ebb Tide Flows”. An accordion player and a flute player performed in this American Wake and this was followed by friends and neighbours bidding farewell at the GNR railway station. Perhaps someone knows of their descendants who could be located for the Gathering?

Ballyshannon Musings:  Please let people with an interest in Ballyshannon and surrounding areas know about this site, particularly people who are not living locally and those who are abroad. 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 site can be located on the internet (or by connecting to my Facebook page). New items will be posted every week or two on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are not taken from the book below.



A New Local History suitable for those at Home and Away 



Anthony Begley, local historian, published a new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" which 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 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 tel. 0872351044. Enquiries welcome for postal and other details, also available from The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town. 

The Gathering in Ballyshannon: Google “The Gathering in Ballyshannon” for more details of special events you might like to attend later in the year. Lots happening in Ballyshannon in the summertime including Rory Gallagher Festival,  Ballyshannon Folk Festival also Ballyshannon 400 celebrating the granting of a town charter in 1613 and there will also be a commemoration of the Kildoney Fishermen’s victory in 1933. Check out www.facebook.com/Ballyshannon Town Council or ballyshannon.ie for further details. The Ballyshannon and District Museum, with coffee shop available, newly opened  in Slevin's Department Store. Well worth a visit Monday to Saturday.

Next Blog "Coolmore Centenary Ballad 1952" will be posted on Saturday next 4th May. Many local families are named in this ballad remembering the school built in 1852 which celebrated its centenary in 1952.










Saturday 20 April 2013

Forthcoming Blogs and Events for a Worldwide Audience



Ballyshannon Musings -Worldwide Interest -40 Countries

Ballyshannon Musings is now being received by people in the  40 countries listed below who have an interest or connection with the Ballyshannon area.

Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya,  Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A., Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Zambia.

Ballyshannon and District Museum was officially opened by Ballyshannon man Charlie McGettigan, a former winner of the Eurovision Song Contest, in a fine new facility in Slevin's Department Store with a coffee shop available. Should be of great interest to all our visitors for the Gathering and for years to come. Also a valuable asset for local people and schools. A very large turnout for the launch showed  the continued interest in the history of the oldest town in Ireland.Well done Shane Toolan, Kevin Gallagher and all involved in a great community effort.Congrats also to Barry Sweeny, local artist, on his very interesting paintings of Ballyshannon and its historical personalities.

Forthcoming Blogs

27th April:  Masters, Murders, American Wakes and a Local Link to Florence Nightingale
4th May:  Coolmore National School Centenary Ballad 1952
11th May: Ten Local Tourist Attractions 200 Years Ago.
18th May: Bundoran an Early Tourist Resort and Location of a Hurling Match in 1839
25th May: Ballyshannon 400

The Gathering in Ballyshannon: Google “The Gathering in Ballyshannon” for more details of special events you might like to attend later in the year. Lots happening in Ballyshannon in the summertime including Rory Gallagher Festival,  Ballyshannon Folk Festival also Ballyshannon 400 celebrating the granting of a town charter in 1613 and there will also be a commemoration of the Kildoney Fishermen’s victory in 1933. Check out www.facebook.com/Ballyshannon Town Council or ballyshannon.ie for further details.

Ballyshannon Musings:  Please let people with an interest in Ballyshannon and surrounding areas know about this site, particularly people who are not living locally and those who are abroad. 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 site can be located on the internet (or by connecting to my Facebook page). New items will be posted every week or two on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are not taken from the book below.


A New Local History suitable for those at Home and Away 


Anthony Begley, local historian, published a new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" which 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 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 strugglle, 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 tel. 0872351044. Enquiries welcome for postal and other details, also available from The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.









Saturday 13 April 2013

A Forgotten Ballyshannon Golf Course Over a 100 Years Ago



Not many people may realise that Ballyshannon had a nine hole golf course at the beginning of the 20th century. It is hardly a coincidence that a golf course was started in Ballyshannon as Bundoran Golf Course was in decline at the beginning of the 20th century.  Bundoran Golf Course had opened in 1894 but by the early 20th century this golf club was in trouble as many of its members were country members, who had travelled from long distances to play the links at the seaside. Many of these members lapsed.

The Ballyshannon Golf Club was opened in the first decade of the 1900s with the military at Finner Camp and some local people playing on the scenic golf course overlooking the Erne. Golf was not as widely popular at that period and only the better off would have played the game. The course was nine holes with the longest hole being 440 yards. The Captain of Ballyshannon Golf Club was F. G. Townsend and his wife was the Honorary Secretary.

Grand Fundraising Concert 1910

By February 1910 Ballyshannon Golf Club were hosting a grand concert in the Rock Hall Ballyshannon with ladies and gentlemen from counties Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal, Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh present. This would have reflected golf members at the time as most locals would not have played golf. The golfing fraternity performed a play entitled, Sugar and Cream by J.P. Hurst and the cast included F.G.Townshend, Mr. Wentworth, Mr. G.A. Sparrow, Mrs. Sparrow, Mrs. Mirfield and Mrs. Gregory.

Golf Course Located at Cornhill

Over  twenty years ago Andrew Vaughan, Dunmuckrum, Ballyshannon, told me  that his father let land for the setting up of the Ballyshannon Golf Course on a site overlooking the Erne. The site of the Ballyshannon Golf Course was between Mr. Vaughans residence at the top of Cornhill and the Likely property at the bottom of the hill, adjoining the main road from Ballyshannon to Bundoran. The golf course site is still visible at Cornhill beside the main road. Mr. Vaughan recollected his mother telling him that Miss Knox (later Mrs. Ross of Belleek) played on the course. Her son, John Ross, was later  Captain and President at Bundoran G.C. and a veterinary surgeon in this area. 

Vanished Without Trace

The new club folded around 1916 and Andrew Vaughan remembered as a child, seeing the golfers shed in his fathers farmyard. The Club at Ballyshannon had around 50 members and  officers at Finner Camp played on the course just as they also did at Bundoran. The field at Dunmuckrum was taken over by the British Military in preparation for the Great War (1914-1918) and traces of the tees and greens could be detected until  fairly recent years. They also occupied ground adjacent to Portnason House at the same period.  Bundoran Golf Course revived after the First World War and Ballyshannon golf course disappeared without trace in the 1920s.

Next Blog:  Masters, Murders, Customs and Local Links to Florence Nightingale” will be posted on 27th April

The Gathering in Ballyshannon: Google “The Gathering in Ballyshannon” for more details of special events you might like to attend later in the year. Lots happening in Ballyshannon in the summertime including Rory Gallagher Festival,  Ballyshannon Folk Festival also Ballyshannon 400 celebrating the granting of a town charter in 1613 and the commemoration of the Kildoney Fishermen’s victory in 1933.

Ballyshannon Musings:  Please let people with an interest in Ballyshannon and surrounding areas know about this site, particularly people who are not living locally and those who are abroad. The site is called Ballyshannon Musings and there are a number of back issues available on the internet. Copy this link and forward google http://ballyshannon-musings.blogspot.ie/ The site can be located on the internet (or by connecting to my Facebook page). New items will be posted every week or two on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are not taken from the book below.



A New Local History suitable for those at Home and Away 


Anthony Begley, local historian, published a new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" which 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 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 strugglle, 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 tel. 0872351044. Enquiries welcome for postal and other details, also available from The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon and The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town.









Saturday 6 April 2013

A Full Listing of Blogs on Ballyshannon Musings


This week´s Ballyshannon Musings names all the topics that can be easily read on the site. New stories about the Ballyshannon area will be added  for the Year of the Gathering.The following newly researched blogs can be read on the Ballyshannon Musings Archive :

2012

Ballyshannon Fisherman’s Curious Discovery
40 Shades of Ballyshannon 
Lots of Local History at Allingham Festival
Centenary of De La Salle 1912-2012
Ballyshannon Workhouse Closes 90 Years Ago
The Garden Fete and Fancy Dress Parade1945
Christmas Shopping in Ballyshannon in 1889
19th Century Ballyshannon- A Commercial Centre
Dancing and “Sitting Out” in Cars in 1935
Ten Rarely Asked Questions on the Ballyshannon Area
“Let me sing of what I know(1)” 

2013

“Let me sing of what  I know” (2)
Farewell to Ballyshannon/ 
The Maid of the Melvin Shore and Other True Stories
The Worst Fire Ever in Ballyshannon 1849
Early Drama Groups and Ballyshannon Playwrights
Local History Suitable for Home and Away
Ballyshannon Links to Two Unusual Olympic Games
Ballyshannon Imprisonments, Whippings and transportations to Van Diemen's Land
From Ballyshannon to Australia and Onwards to Zambia
Eamon DeValera's Late Late Rally in Ballyshannon


The Gathering in Ballyshannon: Google “The Gathering in Ballyshannon” for more details of special events you might like to attend later in the year. Lots happening in Ballyshannon in the summertime including Rory Gallagher Festival,  Ballyshannon Folk Festival also Ballyshannon 400 celebrating the granting of a town charter in 1613 and the commemoration of the Kildoney Fishermen’s victory in 1933.

Ballyshannon Musings:  Please let people with an interest in Ballyshannon and surrounding areas know about this site, particularly people who are not living locally and those who are abroad. The site is called Ballyshannon Musings and there are a number of back issues available on the internet. Copy this link and forward google http://ballyshannon-musings.blogspot.ie/ The site can be located on the internet (or by connecting to my Facebook page). New items will be posted every week or two on Ballyshannon Musings during 2013the year of “The Gathering”. The blogs are not taken from the book below

Next Blog will be posted on Saturday 13th April - "A Forgotten Ballyshannon Golf Course over a Century Ago" The blogs are not taken from the book below.

A New Local History suitable for those at Home and Away 


Anthony Begley, local historian, published a new book entitled: "Ballyshannon. Genealogy and History" which 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 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 strugglle, hydro-electric scheme, Gaelic games, boxing, handball, Boy Scouts, soccer, mummers, characters, organisations, folklore and lots more.

Book Available from The Novel Idea Bookshop Ballyshannon/ The Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town or can be mailed by Anthony Begley West Rock Ballyshannon. anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com tel. 0872351044. Enquiries welcome.