40 Years ago the Ballyshannon Band played on

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

Remembering the Ballyshannon Band of 40 years ago, in its nice new blazers, happy days, good music, absent friends and many family ties. Four of the members of this band still play in Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band today.  The band has a proud history extending back to playing for Charles Stuart Parnell in the 1880s and is the oldest surviving band in County Donegal. Take a trip down memory lane in this blog.

Front Row: (l.to r.)

Padraig McGarrigle joined the band in De La Salle around 1960

Danny McGeever joined the  band in De La Salle around 1960

Seamus Gallagher (r.i.p.) trombone player whose father Jimmy Gallagher played side-drums in 1929

Bob Gallagher (r.i.p.) played with his brother Jim in the 1940s and their father Jack also played in the band. 

Second Row: (l.to r.)

Jack Grimes (r.i.p.) played cornet in the band

Packie Gallagher (r.i.p.) played alongside his brothers Francis and Tom and Eddie  in the band

Jimmy Rafferty nephew of Seamus Gallagher still plays in the band 

Francis Gallagher (r.i.p.) played side drums like his father Willie Gallagher 

Tom Gallager the longest serving member of the Band who joined in 1943 and played in a group with Danny Gallagher, father of rock musician Rory Gallagher. His children all played in the band.

Anthony Begley joined in De La Salle 1961 and still playing.

James Hoey (r.i.p.) Cornet player and Band leader played with his brothers Bobby and Paddy and his children. James played in the group with Rory Gallagher's father.

Third Row: (l.to r.)

Mickie Gallagher (r.i.p.) a life long and versatile  band member whose sons played in the band.

Fergus Lawlor joined in De La Salle and still playing in the band

Michael Dalton played euphonium in the band 

P.J. Goan (r.i.p.) Considered by many the most talented musician the band produced.

Jim Gallagher (r.i.p.) his father Hughie played in the famous Ballyshannon Band conducted by Mr. Eldon in the early 1900s.

Fourth Row (l.to r.) 

Eamon Gallagher (r.i.p.) followed his father Tommy into the band

Cecil Stephens (r.i.p.) His father was conductor of the band and grandfather a founding member.

Michael Gallagher Band leader today and instructs new members

Eugene McLoughlin (r.i.p.) his son Eugene plays in the band in 2019.

John McGahern (r.i.p.)  Joined the band in De La Salle. The band played recently at John's funeral in 2019. His father Pat and uncle John  played in the band .

A  Local History Book suitable for those at Home and Away

"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. It contains the full story of  The Green Lady which  was  performed in Ballyshannon  to great acclaim. 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. 

Available in  A Novel Idea and Local Hands in Ballyshannon and 4 Masters Bookshop Donegal Town. Also available from Anthony Begley for postal enquiries email anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com

Check out lots of local stories by clicking in the blog archive to the right of this post

St. Patrick's Well in Ballyshannon, the Stations and the Rag Tree on St.Patrick's Day 2019

St. Patrick's grotto at the Abbey Well

One of the stations that pilgrims prayed at

    Gathering water from the well

Tying rags  in an ancient custom

Catsby Cave near St. Patrick's Well  at Ballyshannon

Listening to the history of the Abbey Well with Anthony Begley 

local historian

The station involved reciting set prayers and moving around beds in a similar manner to Lough Derg at the present time. According to folklore the station at the Abbey Well went as follows: Fifteen pebbles were picked from the river bed or station bed and pilgrims began by saying, one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Creed while kneeling at the well. Then going sun wise they knelt at each bed, saying one Our Father, ten Hail Marys and one Creed. A pebble was tossed into each bed. The round of five beds was completed three times and the station was concluded by taking three sips of water from the well and saying a rosary at the grotto. A rag or a medal was left on the bushes near the well

Rag Tree with the Abbey Bay in the background

The photographs above were taken by Pauline Kilfeather, Coláiste Cholmcille, on a history walk/talk to the Abbey, which  I gave to students  from the local community school .

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Ballyshannon 2019
St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ballyshannon 
Sunday 17th March at 2 p.m.

A  Local History Book suitable for those at Home and Away

"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. It contains the full story of  The Green Lady which  was  performed in Ballyshannon  to great acclaim. 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. 
Available in  A Novel Idea and Local Hands in Ballyshannon and 4 Masters Bookshop Donegal Town. Also available from Anthony Begley for postal enquiries email anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com
Check out lots of local stories by clicking in the blog archive to the right of this post

On this day 9th March Falgarragh Park (St. Benildus Avenue) and the East Rock houses were opened in Ballyshannon

Opening of Falgarragh Park (now St. Benildus Avenue) on 9th March 1936. Sean T. O'Kelly,  later President of Ireland , seen here on the right,  under the umbrella,  in the centre, officially opened the housing scheme. Cecil Stephens, Town Clerk, is the man  carrying a folder beside Sean T. Ó Kelly. Dean McGinley P.P Kilbarron  parish is further back under the umbrella.

The second largest housing scheme in the Ulster counties of Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan was opened at Falgarragh Park Ballyshannon by Sean T.O’Kelly, Minister for Local Government and Public Health  on Monday 9^th March 1936. Mr. O’Kelly had played an important role in the 1916 Rising, twenty years before, and was later to become the second President of Ireland. On his visit he firstly inspected the new housing scheme at East Rock which had recently been built on the site of the Rock Barracks. Fr. Timoney blessed the houses and the Minister inspected and complimented the workmanship in their construction. He then visited the Mall Hosiery where the proprietor Mr. Swan presented him with a beautiful cardigan made in the factory. He also visited the Mall Quay and surrounding areas where he praised the new seating, shelter and dance platform recently completed as part of the Town Improvement Scheme. He also visited the Mall Laundry where he was welcomed by the proprietors Mr. & Mrs. M. Ward.
Official Opening of Falgarragh Park (now called St. Benildus Avenue)

At 12.30 Sean T.O’Kelly attended the official opening ceremony of the 80 houses at Falgarragh Park which he described as “the most beautiful he had yet seen”. The Minister remarked on the numbers of houses that needed to be replaced all over Ireland to stop the spread of tuberculosis and infant mortality and welcomed this new housing development in Ballyshannon.  Present with the Minister were local clergy Dean McGinley, Fr. McMullin and Fr. McGroarty who blessed the houses. Also present were Cecil Stephens, Town Clerk, Mr. Lysaght Commissioner in charge of the Town commissioners, M.F. Irwin C.E. Clerk of Works, W.J. Doherty architect of the scheme, reps. of contractor Kilcawley, Maloney and Taylor Ballisadare Co. Sligo, Dr. Gordon, Major Myles T.D. and Brian Brady T.D. The tape of number 77 was then cut by the Minister who inspected the house.

A fuller account of the housing schemes at  Falgarragh,  East Rock , Erne Street, Abbey View Terrace and Cluain Barron are contained in the book “Ballyshannon Genealogy and History” available in local shops. It also contains the biggest housing changes ever in Ballyshannon in the 1930s which I call the Ballyshannon Clearances.  See below for book details. Read also about local incidents in the independence struggle and the forerunner of the backstop in the 1920s,

The following is an extract from a poem which has twelve verses and a number of verses are parodies of William Allingham’s “Adieu to Ballyshanny”. The poem was written by Dan McCauley who had fought in World War 1 and whose family, were one of a number of families, who left condemned houses in places like Bachelor’s Walk and the Back Street to live in the new houses which had all modern amenities.

 The Flight to Falgarragh

‘Twas in an old thatched cabin

With its walls as white as snow,

Where mother dear, (God rest her soul),

Some forty years ago-

Told me of some noble deeds,

How the great Red Hugh did turn

The Saxon from Tirconaill

On the Winding Banks of Erne.

I’ve trod the world ever since,

I’ve ploughed the seas afar,

I’ve seen Killarney’s lakes and fells,

And historic Castlebar.

From County Down to Cavan Town,

Through Fermanagh’s leafy fern,

Till I landed at Falgarragh

On the Winding Banks of Erne.

And now we have a Housing Scheme

To brighten up the town:

We’ll clear out all slum dwellings

And pull the old shacks down,

A brand new house they’re giving us,

              And its Finn Hill turf we’ll burn,

Away in grey Falgarragh

By the Winding Banks of Erne.

"Ballyshannon Genealogy and History" available  in A Novel Idea and Local Hands in Ballyshannon. Available also in Four Master's Bookshop in Donegal Town. For postal details contact anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com