A Memorable Day in Ballyshannon 75 Years Ago and Some Familiar Faces

Where did the time go Tommy? 

Tommy Gallagher formerly of Bishop Street and in 2020 living in Cluain Barron  with his wife and family sang a duet with his sister at the Garden Fete and Fancy Dress in 1945 close to the town clock. (photo Brian Doyle)

Saturday 23rd May 2020. Check out one of the great annual days in Ballyshannon until modern times. In 1945 Ballyshannon's best known character today, sang a duet with his sister and he is living in Cluain Barron in 2020. Can you identify any of the three brothers in the photo of  The Big 3 world leaders of Stalin (Russia), Truman (U.S.A.) and Churchill (G.B.) who were in Ballyshannon 75 years ago? Who played the part of  the President of Ireland ( Uachtarán) and who was Lady Pompadour both are still out and about in town? Lots of other blasts from the past in this trip down memory lane. 

Saturday 30th May 2020. A Forgotten Ballyshannon Landmark and a Fishy Story.

The Garden Fete and Fancy Dress Parade 75 Years Ago

The Fancy Dress and Garden Fete was one of the  highlights of the social life of Ballyshannon in the not too distant past. Keep a close eye on the results of the Fancy Dress below,  including Ballyshannon's best known personality today singing duets with his sister. Note the President of Ireland ( Uachtarán) now living in Chapel Street and the prettiest tiny tot now living on the Bundoran road.  
Can you name any of the three brothers in the photo below? One was very well-known in the musical and business life of the town until recent times. Clue he is Stalin  the one with the moustache. Also check the choir members, dancers and actors who performed in Ballyshannon in 1945, as  some are still very well known in the town in 2020. Others you will  recall with affection.

l.to r. Stalin, Churchill and Truman pictured on Main Street where Saimer Court is today. Do you recognise Stalin? Answer at bottom of blog.

The Garden Fete and Fancy Dress Parade was an annual occasion when the community came together, dressed up, performed, enjoyed the fun and raised  needed funds for local charities. Over 600 people attended the Fancy Dress and Garden Fete at the rear of P.J. Stephen’s premises on Wednesday 25th of July 1945. (The site is occupied by the Saimer Court Shopping Centre today.) The parade commenced at the Courthouse  and led by the Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band  under Eddie Lynch bandmaster, made a circuit of the town. The Courthouse mentioned  is now  the Tyrhugh Centre on the Mall.

• On arrival at the venue the large crowd were entertained to an open-air concert. Members of Frank O’ Donovan’s troupe opened the concert,  
• Followed by choruses from the pupils of the Convent schools who sang “ A-Hunting We Will Go” and “Away to the Woods”. Those participating were: Misses M. Lawn, K. Liddy, B. McGovern, D. Stewart, B. Cooney, M. Slevin, C. Lynn, H. Gallagher, C. Lawn, N. Curran and A. McGovern. 
• Ms. Rose Daly, Erne Street, recited, “Biddy’s Trip to Cork” and “ Biddy at the Pictures.” 
• The pupils of Finner School, under Mrs. Dundas, their teacher, performed a sketch entitled, “Heads and Heels” The cast were: Misses Joan White, Doreen Regan, Hazel Barr, H. Hamilton, and Masters Noel Hamilton and Ronnie Moorehead. Finner School also performed a Maypole Dance with; J. White, D. Regan, H. Barr, H. Hamilton, Sally McClelland and Peggy Hunter. 
• Ms. Maureen Slevin (later Maureen Kane), West Port, performed  song and tap-dancing numbers. 
• Thomas and Margaret Gallagher from Bishop Street sang, “ If you ever go to Ireland” and “The Rose of Arranmore”
  

• • Prizewinners in the Fancy Dress 1945

  
  

  Adults: Most Topical- Tyrolean Pair- Maureen Slevin and Blaithnaid Stephens.

  Most Original- Curly Wee, Polly Parrot and Cuthbert Colt- B. McGill O.S., P. Maguire O.S. and R. Grehan.

  Funniest- “Summer 1945” Patrick and John Stephens.

  Special award to “Modern Transport”- Michael McDonagh, Rose Daly, Annie Breslin, Dympna Duffy, Teresa Bromley.

  Children: Prettiest Costume- “Hawaiian Pair”- Anton and Eugene Noonan.

  Most original- An tUachtaran agus a Bhean- Helena Gallagher and Herbert Bromley.

  Funniest- “ A Dutch Pair”- Sean and Kathleen Tiernan.

  Firms- “The House of Stephens 1834-1945”- L.McGrath, B.McIntyre, K.McShea, L.Kerrigan, J.McDonnell. H.Campbell, G.McCarville, M.McCloskey, B.Loughlin and B.Stephens.

  Best Decorated Bicycle- Celine Kennedy.

  Tiny Tots- Prettiest- Margaret McShea as “Lady Pompadour”

  Most Original- John Holmes as “An Erne Schemer.”

  Funniest- Cecil, Aidan and Liam Stephens as “The Big Three".

  
  

  

  l.to r. Truman (Liam Stephens), Churchill ( Aiden Stephens)  and Stalin ( Cecil Stephens) in the parade for the fancy dress and garden fete in 1945. ( Paul Stephens)

  

  Limited edition quality hardback with dust jacket as above available in A Novel Idea and Local Hands Ballyshannon and Four Masters Bookshop Donegal Town. Also available for postage from anthonyrbegley@hotmail.com

  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.