All invited to enjoy history display in Kilbeggan on Sunday
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One of the old photos to go on display – Gus and Teresa Marshall on their wedding day in 1942.Image 2 of 5
Paddy ‘Cooler’ Baker, who was blind all his life but was a great musician and played on Radio Éireann.Image 3 of 5
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“The Crescent where the Grand Canal was supposed to go from Ballycommon but two or three locks were required and it never happened because it was too costly,” says Stan McCormack.There is much to discuss when the topic is the history of Kilbeggan, and there will be an opportunity to do that in an innovative and interactive way this weekend.
Stan McCormack, well-known in the area for his community work, his historical research and his books, is presenting that history along the town’s main street with photos and some stories – with the help and co-operation of local people – this coming Sunday, July 28.
Explaining the background to his plan, Stan pointed out that Kilbeggan is an old town with a history that incorporates St Beccan’s (Cistercian monastery); the first recorded tornado in Europe – in 11th century; the oldest pot still distillery in Ireland; famous historical figures like Henry Flood and John Philpott Curran, Kilbeggan MPs in the 18th century; the Knighthood story subject of the Kilbeggan Festival; the 1798 rebellion on the main street; the Grand Canal, the Market Square; historic buildings on main street dating from the early 19th century; famous visitors like Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins, Hannah Sheehy Skeffington, Countess Markievicz, John Wayne; the Kilbeggan Races; Protestant Church and graveyard, which has many stories to tell; the Convent; St James Hall; and various other places.
“After the ceremony in the graveyard on Sunday (at 3pm), people can go up the town to look at the photos and displays in the various windows and on to the Parish Centre for refreshments, music and chat,” said Stan.
“Last year a number of people had no place to meet and this could be the start of bringing people together each year and creating the possibility of someone having an event that weekend.
“The photos and stories will be up for a few days but by its nature, it is only a temporary presentation.”
Kilbeggan town has one advantage over many towns in that most of the significant events occurred on the main street, stretching from the Marian Statue at one end to the Catholic Church at the other end, Stan says.
Artists Liam C Martin, Eileen Coughlan, Gerry Jennings all lived within yards of each other on the east side; Manco Scally, the famous aviator, lived opposite Eileen Coughlan; John McGuinness, the local leader of the Kilbeggan Brigade 1916-21, had his house almost burned down in the middle of the town in 1921, directly opposite Kitty Flynn’s house (another remarkable person), where both his sisters were staying for safety; the Volunteer Inn building of knighthood fame is at the top of the hill; some of the buildings were breweries, bakeries, hotels, halls, with stories; the British Army in the late C18 were based in The Square and the hill.