‘Last book’ from Stan a colourful tribute to Kilbeggan

Main photo shows Stan McCormack at the launch of his book, Kilbeggan Memories, in St James’s Hall, with Edel Fallon, the designer (left) and Deirdre Kennedy Cowley, Fagan Print and Design, who was responsible for the printing.

Marking the end of an era, Kilbeggan historian Stan McCormack has published what he has described as the ‘last’ of his six books – a wonderful collection of photographs capturing the essence of community life in Kilbeggan over the last century.

‘Kilbeggan Memories’ is sure to be a big hit in the south Westmeath town and its hinterland, packed with hundreds of photographs going back several decades, as well as articles and facts pertaining to the history of Kilbeggan.

“I believe local history can improve any town,” says Kilbeggan native Stan, who explained that ‘Kilbeggan Memories’ is partly the outcome of the highly popular ‘Kilbeggan Past’ page on Facebook, where over 1,700 photographs have been collected over the span of a few years.

History, and specifically the history of Kilbeggan, is Stan’s passion. His first book, published in 1995, dealt with the 150-year history of Kilbeggan Races. It was followed up with a study of the 1798 Rebellion in Kilbeggan, which was published in 1998 to mark the bicentenary of the uprising.

‘Kilbeggan 2000’, a book of historic photographs edited with Kitty Flynn, followed in time for the millennium, and six years later Stan published ‘Kilbeggan Past and Present’. His last book, ‘Racing through the Midlands: Westmeath and Offaly’ (2015) ended up in the library at Buckingham Palace.

‘Kilbeggan Memories’, featuring 200 pages of material, is neatly divided into several categories, covering Kilbeggan’s streetscape, religious and educational history, sport, entertainment, tourism (including Kilbeggan Distillery), rural life, natural amenities and special occasions. In between, there are collections of individual stories, memorable moments, groups and families who, together, make up the fabric of life in Kilbeggan over several generations.

Interspersed among the photographs are articles detailing various aspects of Kilbeggan history over the last century. For example, Stan himself looks at Kilbeggan’s first ever Westmeath senior football title, won in 1919; Rose Keegan Phylan examines the history of the Phylan family and their long association with Kilbeggan; Kitty Flynn gives an account of the life and accomplishments of Gus Marshall of Coola Mills; and Seamus McClelland writes about his childhood memories of the town. It’s not all about the last hundred years, though. Among the pages you will find Stan’s description of the first ever tornado recorded in Europe, which struck Kilbeggan in May 1054, while at the start of the book, Stan has compiled an excellent chronology of the town’s history.

As this is Stan’s last book, he now hopes to embark upon a public history project in the town, presenting the history of Kilbeggan in windows along the town’s streets, designing a walking tour, having some plaques erected, and endeavouring to make lots of historic Kilbeggan information available online.

‘Kilbeggan Memories’ is currently available in Kilbeggan from John Whelan’s, the Post Office, Centra, Pat Kelly, Mace (Dublin Road) and Kilbeggan Distillery. It can also be bought at Just Books in Mullingar.

“People are very welcome to call to my house on the Tullamore Road, or ring 087 749 9857/ 057 93 92683,” said Stan. “Paperbacks cost €20 and there is a small number of hardbacks at €30.

“I would like to thank Deirdre Kennedy Cowley, the staff at Fagan Print and Design in Mullingar, and Edel Fallon, the designer, for all their great work they put into making the book a success. We were a great team.

“I would also like to thank the people of Kilbeggan for their support through six books in 25 years.

“On Cemetery Sunday weekend at the end of July, I will be hoping to present the history of Kilbeggan in the windows along the street and to bring people together in the Parish Centre for a cup of tea and some music. Any help will be appreciated.”