Pages past: investigation into Mullingar workhouse
Pages Past
Freeman’s Journal, September 29, 1854
Agrarian outrage
A report was reprinted from the “Protestant and Tory paper”, The Westmeath Guardian, on an investigation which had recently been held into the Mullingar workhouse.
The Freeman’s Journal said the report was of public importance as it illustrated the state of morality existing in such institutions.
The investigation had been held by Inspector Otway, and among the matters that emerged were charges and cross charges by Mr Baldwin, the master of the institution, and the schoolmaster, against each other.
The charges that interested the newspaper most were the allegations that the master of the workhouse had permitted persons of improper character to remain in offices in the house – despite remonstrations by the workhouse’s Roman Catholic chaplain; and also, that despite knowing that one of the female inmates of the house had had a child by one of the officers, he had not reported that matter to the board.
Readers were informed that the chaplain, Rev Henry Barton, had remonstrated with the master and matron about the employment of “improper females” at the workhouse. Miss Frances Browne, embroideress, had informed the chaplain that “Nolan, the cook, and Elliott, who superintends in the dining hall” had been drunk on St Patrick’s night.
When the master of the workhouse, Mr Baldwin, was informed, he initially failed to take action.
The report went on to state that the priest in February 1884 found himself baptising a child belonging to a woman named Dunn, an inmate of the workhouse. He understood the father of the child to be a man named Green, who was the assistant schoolmaster, who had actually been dismissed in September 1853.
In the investigation, Mr Baldwin expressed regret at not having notified the board of the birth of Ms Dunn’s baby, and with regard to the drunk ladies, he said he could not understand how they could have got the drink into the workhouse.
Kerry Evening Post, September 24, 1864
Distemper in pigs
The Kerry Evening Post reported that “a good many cases of distemper in pigs” had proven fatal in parts of Westmeath in previous weeks.
“The symptoms it may be well to particularise, which are great restlessness, with constant low grunting, refusal to feed, followed by a thickly-spread kind of eruption resembling pock all over the skin, but most violent about the neck, which quickly turns black and soon terminates in death,” the report stated.
The writer said he had not heard of a single recovery. “Clean dry bedding is perhaps the best preventive. Owing to the colour of the eruption, no diseased meat can be offered for sale.”
Leinster Express, September 26, 1874
Agrarian outrage
“At the Kilbeggan courthouse on Tuesday, the district magistrates held a private investigation into the circumstances connected with an alleged agrarian outrage on Michael Seery,” the item began.
It stated that Mr Seery had publicly stated in several places that as he was going to his residence, he was set upon by three men, who forced him to his knees and ordered him, under pain of death, to immediately give up his house and land.
Mr Seery had, however, managed to escape and went to the house of Mr Boyd, a magistrate residing in the neighbourhood, who after the man’s statement, informed the constabulary, who summoned Seery to appear before the magistrates to substantiate his claim.
The report said that the investigation was held, and during it, Seery stated that he had been attacked at Cloneyheigue at a certain hour. He also gave his opinion on who his assailants were.
“Several highly respectable witnesses were examined who swore that Seery was miles away from Cloneyheigue at the time he was alleged to have been attacked,” the report stated.
It went on to state that three witnesses also swore that the suspected parties were in their own homes at the time and that it was their belief that no outrage was committed.
The report then revealed that the magistrates had directed the petty sessions clerk to take a note of Seery’s informations before them, with a view to having him prosecuted for perjury, as that was not the first alleged outrage reported from Cloneyheigue. “The affair has caused great excitement and indignation throughout the whole district,” the report concluded.
Westmeath Examiner, September 27 1884
Sunday’s Well flooding
Commentary on a Mullingar town flooding problem was contained in the issue of the Westmeath Examiner of September 27, 1884.
The item read: “Notwithstanding the expense recently gone to, Sunday’s Well Road had again been flooded, although the rains to which we have been accustomed latterly are by no means heavy.
“The reason of this flooding is the want of even a small drain cut alongside the road to convey the water from the channel recently cut.
“The state of the streets is yet so bad as to require to have public attention still called to it. Is it the county surveyor, the assistant surveyor or the contractor who is to blame?
“I understand that the road from the post office to the end of Patrick Street was taken from the late contractor on the grounds that his tender was too low for him to be able to execute the work properly. And it was given to the present contractor at something like £100, payable half-yearly.
“Still, the roads are no better. Whoever is responsible should see to the matter.”
Westmeath Examiner, September 29 1894
All Saints Steeple
Work on the erection of the steeple at All Saints Church had been completed just that week, the Westmeath Examiner revealed on September 29, 1894. Construction on the steeple had been commenced just over 12 months earlier.
The writer of the item said there could be “no possible doubt” but that the new steeple was a vast improvement on the old one.
“The new steeple is indeed a splendid structure and a monument to the taste and skill of the church authorities, while it speaks, if one may use the word, trumpet-tongued, for the superior workmanship of the men who, under the supervision of Mr Lee, carried out the contract,” the piece continued.
The item went on to say that the final touches to render the building perfect had been undertaken just that week, and many of the people of the district took the opportunity of ascending the height and gazing at the magnificent view.
“In connection with the building, a grand bazaar was arranged to aid in clearing off the expenses,” the writer went on, noting that “many were the encomiums” lavished on the church ladies “for the tact and industry they displayed in making the visitors part with the coin”.
Evening Herald, September 22, 1904
Swordfight in Rathwire
A sword and a revolver were produced in an incident in which several people in Rathwire were injured, an item in the Evening Herald on September 22, 1904 revealed.
The story explained that as a result of the closing-up of a short cut through the fields to the Catholic church in Rathwire, the people of the area had, the previous Sunday, attempted to assert their rights to the passage.
“They proceeded to take down a barrier erected by a farmer named Neill (a Protestant), but the latter and his son appeared on the scene, the father carrying a revolver and the son a sword,” stated the journalist, who went on to explain that there were between 20 and 30 people congregated at the entrance to the passway when Neill and his son came up and called on the people not to interfere with the fence or pass through their land.
The item continued: “The pedestrians insisted on their right of way and commenced to cut down the wire. Young Neill, it is alleged, drew the sword and struck a young man on the lip, cutting it in twain. A gash was also inflicted on the neck of one of the party by the sword.
“A rush was made to catch the weapon, and in the struggle which was made to wrench the sword from its possessor, the hands of several people were cut.
“The sword was broken in three places and rendered useless as a weapon of defence.
“When the encounter had subsided, the people cut down the fence and proceeded on their way without further molestation. The occurrence created much excitement in the locality.”
Westmeath Examiner, September 26, 1914
Stirring scenes in Kinnegad
“At Kinnegad, on Friday night, a stirring scene of rejoicing was witnessed,” stated the intro of an account describing how several hundred people, including the local corps of the Irish National Volunteers had paraded the streets of Kinnegad, led by the Hon Colonel Patrick J Wymes, JP, honorary secretary of the North Westmeath executive of the United Irishmen League.
“Numerous torches blazed in the procession, windows were lighted up, and cheers were given heartily for Home Rule, John Redmond etc and ‘God Save Ireland’, ‘A Nation Once Again’ and other national songs chorused,” stated the item.
It went on to state that Mr Wymes had sent the following telegram to Mr John P Hayden, MP, National Director for North Westmeath: “Westmeath nationalists congratulate and thank you on this day of Ireland’s restored freedom.
“We are once more numbered amongst the nations of the earth.”
Irish Independent, September 24, 1924
Harvest menace
The country was experiencing a spell of bad weather and the Irish Independent reported that the harvest was “seriously menaced” by the storms and heavy rains.
In Cavan, large tracts of low-lying land were covered with “sheets of water” and large quantities of hay had been lost, while a considerable amount of the turf crop was beyond redemption and potatoes were beginning to rot in the land.
The report went on to state that in Westmeath, Louth and Laois, floods had also reached a high level, and potatoes were rotting.
“The road between Gibbonstown and Rochfortbridge is submerged and impassable,” the report stated.
Leitrim Observer, September 22, 1934
‘Two Escapes’
The Leitrim Observer carried an account of how Dr Gavin, RMS, at a meeting of the Mullingar Mental Hospital Committee, described two “dramatic escapes” made by patients.
One woman, the doctor said, escaped by picking a lock one morning, boarding an omnibus to Dublin and afterwards going to Belfast. She had written from there stating she was expecting a job and that she would write again later.
Dr Gavin said that as she had exceeded the statutory period of absence, they did not propose to take any action. A second patient had escaped during the progress of a football match which he and others were allowed attend. He had not yet been located.
Westmeath Examiner, September 30, 1944
VD in Westmeath
The county was still reeling with indignation after an Irish Times article alleging an increase in the incidence of venereal disease in Westmeath.
At a meeting of the county council, a report on the subject by Dr H O’Neill, county medical health officer, was discussed.
Dr O’Neill said he had made a close study of all the information available, including the results of a questionnaire circulated to all the medical practitioners in the county earlier that year.
He said 20 doctors had replied to the questionnaire, which asked for the comparative figures for 1938 and 1943. Seven doctors had not been in practice in their districts in 1938, and of the remaining 13, eight supplied figures indicating a slight increase, and four indicated no change.
Dr O’Neill added that clinic returns over the previous 10 years indicated a diminution rather than an increase. He believed the total number of cases for 1943 to be 48 at most.
Council members issued a call for the Irish Times to apologise for the claim it had carried.
Westmeath Independent, September 25, 1954
Reuse recycle
The spire being erected on the Catholic church at Coralstown, Kinnegad, had previously been part of the structure of the Church of Ireland church at Kinnegad, the Westmeath Independent reported.
The item stated that when the Protestant church at Kinnegad was damaged by lightning some years earlier, it had not been repaired and Rev E Crinion, PP, Kinnegad, acquired the spire, which was removed stone by stone.
The paper added that there was now no Protestant church at Kinnegad.
Evening Herald, September 23, 1964
Milk quality
A letter from the Minister for Health to local authorities recommending the use of pasteurised milk in hospitals had caused “concern” to the Midland Milk Producers Association, the Evening Herald reported, revealing that the association wanted a meeting with the minister to discuss the implications.
The association president, Mr WJ Young, Athlone, said that milk, handled under hygienic conditions and sold direct to the consumer from disease-free herds, was the highest grade of milk.
Mr GW Allen, of the county council, said the minister should be asked if a producer prepared to supply high-grade milk to an institution at a lower price than pasteurised milk would have his tender refused.
Mr J Healy, Mullingar, said if the recommendation was enforced, it would mean that many small farmers in the midlands engaged in milk production would be out of business.
Mr W McCaffrey, Offaly, said of the three grades of milk sold in Dublin, the cheapest was pasteurised milk.
Offaly Independent, September 27, 1974
Soft spot for Ballynacargy
“I was at a traditional music session recently in the village of Ballynacargy, over near Mullingar, and it was the most enjoyable night I had for a long time,” read an item in the Offaly Independent 50 years ago.
It continued: “The artistes present did not belong to the smooth sequined side of showbusiness, but they were dedicated amateurs, who are content to remain that way, and are happy as long as they keep alive this part of our Irish heritage.
“Malachy Moore, the well-known Westmeath-born exponent of traditional music, who plays the accordion, was joined on this occasion by his good friend, Tom Leavy, on the drums.
“By the end of the night, I had wined and dined so well, and the music was so good that I was doing ‘half sets’ and ‘Walls of Limerick’ with local men.
“Sorry, all you fine male dancers if I stepped on your toes a few times.
“Materialism is surely the curse of this age, as people are led to think that happiness, contentment and fulfilment come from wealth alone, but it is my conviction that the people of the old, less well-off days in Ireland – if one can judge from the music and songs they left behind – were on the whole a happier lot than their grandchildren today, who possess cars, televisions and can have continental holidays twice a year. The thought struck me after attending this session, and hearing the many wonderful tunes they left behind.
“Also it was brought home to me very forcibly that one can experience much worthwhile entertainment in remote country areas, where the atmosphere is so wonderful, compared to the artificiality one finds in brightly-lit and luxuriously carpeted hotels and lounges,” the Offaly Independent report concluded.