2026 A Memorable Event in Ballyshannon 90 Years ago with Rare Photographs

  

Sean T. O Kelly at the opening of Falgarragh Park in March 1936. The Sheil Hospital in the background. Local men have a grandstand view from the wall of the Sheil Hospital.

Do you recognise any local people in these 3 rare quality photographs at the opening of the biggest housing story in Ballyshannon on the 9th March 1936? The opening was beside the Sheil Hospital which will be the biggest building project in our lifetimes.

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 9th 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.

This was the end of the era of thatched houses in Ballyshannon in what is known as The Ballyshannon Clearances when sub-standard houses were replaced by new houses.

The unique photographs in this blog were given to me by Cecil Stephens (junior) whose father also called Cecil was Town Clerk in 1936. Both father and son were great townsmen and local historians. The photographs may have been the work of Mardi Kelly a well-known local photographer who has left great images of The Erne Hydro-Electric Scheme of the 1940s.

Sean T.O' Kelly cutting the tape. On extreme left is Cecil Stephens Town Clerk, Dean McGinley is on the right of Sean T. O' Kelly and Major Myles T.D. is on the left in the light coloured coat. 

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.

Below 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 McCauleys had lived on Bachelor's Walk.

A NEW BALLYSHANNON BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS 2026

A new Ballyshannon local history book entitled “Two Ballyshannon Pioneers in American History” has been launched for Christmas 2026 by local historian Anthony Begley. Book cover shows Inis Saimer and the Erne channel and has lots of old photographs and maps of life in Ballyshannon and America.

A BALLYSHANNON BROTHER AND SISTER WHO MADE HISTORY IN AMERICA
The book tells the story of a brother and sister who lived in West Port in Ballyshannon and who emigrated to America after the Great Famine. The book records life in Ballyshannon and their early years, their father’s roots in Alla townland near Rossnowlagh, and their amazing lives in America,

Finley Anderson, a Ballyshannon-born war correspondent in the American Civil War, was a prisoner in the War, and he had close connections with many famous people in America. He was in the guard of honour as President Abraham Lincoln’s remains made their way to the White House. He also became a world -famous journalist and played a major role in the search for Dr. Livingstone in Africa.

    Jane Anderson, his sister, was a Ballyshannon-born writer and poet who played a major role in the fight for women’s rights in America. She fought for the right to vote and the welfare of older women and orphans. 

The book also records more famous Ballyshannon lives in America and famous Ballyshannon writers.

 

Book Available locally in Rory and Pearse O’Neill’s, A Novel Idea Bookshop, Ballyshannon Museum and Four Master's Bookshop. Costs €15. Also available for postage worldwide from local historian Anthony Begley for details email: anthonybegleyballyshannon@gmail.com

 

PLEASE TELL ANYONE AT HOME OR ABROAD WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED