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Westmeath Examiner, August 18 1894
Early Wheelers!
“The popular pastime of cycling has been looking up lately in Mullingar and the lovers of the road are to be found in every direction on Sundays,” the Westmeath Examiner of August 18, 1894 reported.
It revealed that to stimulate an interest in the sport some of the cyclists of the town had organised a 10-mile road race which had been held the previous Friday. Seven competitors started and the track chosen was around Ballinderry Road, a route which involved making the circuit 10 times.
Early in the race, P Conlon came to grief, a similar misfortune soon befalling M Shea. The remaining men kept on at a fast pace but the large crowd who had assembled to view the race soon decided that victory lay between J Murray and P Masterson.
“In this view they were quickly borne out as it was plain that the others could not hope to come up to them. Masterson rode at a very rapid pace as did also Murray but the latter was not able to collar the former who thus won easily.”
RG Rogers, whose riding was apparently very much admired, came third.
The starter was Mr William J Weymes, the judge was Mr CJ Garry and Mr JH Smith acted as lap keeper.
Westmeath Examiner, August 13 1904
Watery butter
A Kilbeggan woman found herself in trouble at the local court for selling butter with 19% water in it, which was apparently 3% in excess of the quantity allowed by statute.
Sergeant McGiff gave evidence against the woman, a local shopkeeper, deposing that he bought two samples of butter from the defendant. He sent one of the samples away for analysis. The certificate of analysis certified that the sample contained 19% water, 3% in excess of the standard.
The defendant, who appeared in person, said she bought the butter in the market and sold it as she bought it. She did not know the name of the person from whom she bought it. An assistant of the defendant gave corroborative evidence.
The magistrate considered that the percentage was very little over the standard and accordingly dismissed the case without prejudice.
Westmeath Examiner, August 15 1914
War warnings
War news dominated the columns of the Westmeath Examiner of August 15, 1914, with reports from as far away as Belgium.
Also carried was an item reporting that the previous Sunday morning, the most Reverend Dr Gaughran, Lord Bishop of Meath, at the eight o’clock Mass in the Cathedral of Mullingar, had addressed a few remarks to the congregation in regard to the matters connected with the war.
His Lordship apparently warned the congregation against panic, most especially in the matter of withdrawing sums of money from banks and other securities. In his opinion, perhaps the safest place the money could be at present was in the banks, he said.
His Lordship also asked the prayers of the people that God might make the war terminate soon, and he added a strong warning to all who were called up for active service not to take up military duty without having approached the sacraments to make their peace with Almighty God and receive his blessing.
He concluded with the request that the congregation would pray for the souls already killed or who might be killed during the progress of the war.
Westmeath Examiner, August 16 1924
Heartbreak for children
A report of a heartbreaking case of child neglect that came before the local court was described in the columns of the issue of August 16, 1924 – and the report reveals that even more heartbreaking was the resolution imposed by the justice who heard the case.
The prosecution was brought by the National Society for the Protection of Children against a person who was accused of cruelty to three children aged from 14 years of age downwards. The inspector said the complaint was of cruelty by neglect and it had been going on for a considerable time.
While complaints had been made to the children’s step-parent, not much satisfaction was coming from that quarter either.
The court heard that the children were not sent to school; they were constantly going around the streets; and in winter were not properly clad, had no shoes and their shirts were dirty.
The inspector said he understood that probably as a result of the neglect of supervision of the children one of them had been involved in a larceny case some time previously.
The justice remarked that the vigilance and kindness with which the inspector had followed up the sad fortunes of these unfortunate children was highly creditable to him.
Determining what should be done he imposed a fine of £2 on the children’s parent and made an order for their committal to Letterfrack Industrial School with the order that a levy should be made weekly from the defendant in contribution towards the support of the children.
Westmeath Examiner, August 18 1934
Warlike appearance
“Mullingar presented a warlike appearance on Tuesday. The streets resounded to the tramp of marching men in uniform,” reported the Westmeath Examiner of August 18, 1934.
Continuing it said that one street was completely closed to traffic and all entrances to the town were guarded and admission denied “even to people on business”.
“Almost all the shops in the town were closed for one hour. The uniformed men consisted of a large force of civic guards brought from all parts of Westmeath and the adjoining counties. The force was variously estimated to be anything between three and five hundred. It was under the command of Chief Superintendent Meagher.
“There was an immense crowd at the head of Mount Street, into which admission could not be obtained. It consisted of farmers from Westmeath and Longford and many young men and women.”
“What was the cause of this display?” the newspaper asked and it went on to explain that the purpose was to secure the sale of three cattle previously seized by a court messenger bearing a warrant from the Land Commission. The seizure of cattle had been for a land annuity which, the newspaper said, the land had not earned.
The show of police force was in anticipation of trouble from local farmers who had called on all business people of Mullingar to support their protest by closing for an hour.
“The farmers support you, we expect you to support us,” they told business people.
Westmeath Examiner, August 19 1944
TB waiting list
Efforts to procure a building near Moate for use as a temporary sanatorium for TB patients had fallen through, it was reported.
During the meeting of Westmeath County Council on the Monday prior to publication, members were informed that negotiations had broken down for the purchase of Ballinderry House, Moate, which the council intended using as a temporary sanatorium.
The report stated that it was understood that “very little” divided the negotiating parties but the council remained steadfast in their offer to the owner, Mr Edward Gorry who had purchased it some years previously from the Bayley family.
The meeting was informed that at that time, 22 TB patients from Westmeath were in Peamount Sanatorium while there were 22 more on the waiting list for admission. Doctors stated that it normally took three months to gain admission to Peamount.
Westmeath Examiner, August 14 1954
Sales yard excitement
Remarking that it was nearly a year since it had first become known that a cattle sales yard was about to be established in Mullingar, the Westmeath Examiner of August 14, 1954, carried an item describing what visitors to the facility could expect when it opened, likely the following October. .
It revealed that the directors involved in the venture were Mr Charlie Fagan, TD, Mr P Dunne-Cullinan, Mr J Gibson-Brabson, and Mr Arthur O’Neill. The contractors were Messrs T and P Ledwith of Longford, who were at that stage considerably advanced with their work, and Mr Philip Ginnell, Mullingar, was the architect.
Said the item: “The site of the sales yard and adjoining paddocks takes in an area of 4 acres and adjoins the Royal Canal being in close proximity to the loading bank at the railway station.
“The entrance is from Patrick Street and it leads into a large yard which will provide ample space for loading and unloading lorries.
“The sales ring is in an extensive building with seating accommodation, offices and telephone.
“The weighbridge, which is also in this building, can cater for 10 cattle at a time. The dial is clearly visible to those present so that there can be no question as to the accuracy of all weights.
“In all there are 76 pens which can accommodate 10 cattle each. Sales will not be confined to cattle: sheep will also be sold.”
The item revealed that it had been provisionally decided that the commission rates would be 3d in the £ on the buyer with an entry fee of 2/- per beast from the seller.
Westmeath Independent, August 15 1964
Swimming pool hopes
The need to have swimming pools provided in towns like Athlone and Mullingar was raised by local TD Joe Sheridan at Dáil Éireann level.
Addressing the Minister, Deputy Sheridan said he would like the minister to indicate what his attitude was to the provision of swimming pools in inland towns which were far removed from sea or lakes.
“In most of them there are no swimming facilities for either young or old. I suppose the local authorities have a responsibility in this matter, but I would value the minister’s view on this problem. I refer particularly to towns such as Athlone, Mullingar and Longford,” Deputy Sheridan said.
The item did not carry any indication of what the minister’s response was.
Westmeath Examiner, August 17 1974
Band back from Holland
A platform was erected in Dominick Street with a great turnout of politicians and the members of the public for a civic reception intended to welcome back the Mullingar Town Band, who had just undertaken a 12-day visit to Purmerand near Amsterdam in Holland for an international youth band festival.
The civic citation was read on behalf of the Mullingar Town Commissioners by commission chairman, Jimmy Bennett.
Paying tribute to the band, he said it had maintained a musical tradition in Mullingar since 1927 when the confraternity band was formed. It had lasted until 1942 and around that time was reformed and renamed the St Mary’s Military Band.
“Under the musical direction of Christy Grimes, Frankie Caffrey, Joe Delaney, John Darcy and your present musical director Hubert Magee, your band has entertained the people of Mullingar over the years and maintained the musical tradition in the town. Indeed, it is to the credit of some of the older members who turned out when the membership was as small as eight musicians. Had they not been determined to keep going, you and Mullingar, would be the losers,” Mr Bennett read.
Westmeath Examiner, August 18 1984
Fore a success
Compliments on the running of the Fore Races were carried in the Westmeath Examiner of August 18, 1984.
The item stated that a huge garda presence in the area had been credited with keeping the level of disturbances low at the 12th annual Fore Motorcycle Races. This was a relief since the previous year, the local communities of Fore and Castlepollard had called out for an end to the races “after scenes of gang fighting, destruction and general disorder”. The report stated, however, that they were “well satisfied” with the organisation and control exercised in the 1984 races.
Westmeath Examiner, August 13, 1994
Dominick Street castle
Evidence of the remains of an old castle had it just been uncovered at Dominick Street, the front page read story revealed.
The remains were found by Telecom Éireann workers as they dug up the road outside the ACC premises (now occupied by Chocolate Brown) in order to install phone cables.
The archaeologist on site, Brendan O’Riordan, a former director of the National Museum, said it was not known when the castle had stood. However, the castle site was marked on historic maps.
The discovery made by the workmen was of some dislodged stones with mortar adhering to them. Later that same day they discovered evidence of a V-shaped fosse or ditch which would have been part of the castle’s fortifications. It measured 1m 60cm in depth and 4m 20cm in width at the top.
Mr O’Riordan said that Mullingar was an important historic town going as far back as medieval times and he said there were abbey foundations in the town that dated back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
The article reveals that the earliest known map of Mullingar was a sketch map drawn in 1691 by Michael Richards.
Mr O’Riordan said it was not planned to carry out an in-depth excavation of the Dominick Street site but that the team would try to ensure that as little disturbance as possible was caused so that if necessary, the site could be excavated at a future date.