Historic gathering to mark migration to Kiltoom area
Image 1 of 7
Image 2 of 7
Gerry Kelly, Gerry Doran, Sean Cleary, Anthony Kelly and Mary Burke.Image 3 of 7
Tom Davitt, Padraig Kilcoyne, Eilish Davitt, John Burke, Sabina Davitt and Walter Burke.Image 4 of 7
Michael Reilly, Joe McNamara, Marion McNamara, Dympna Coyne, Frank Burke, Mary O’Malley and John Burke.Image 5 of 7
John Boyhan and Eilish Davitt.Image 6 of 7
Seamus O’Brien, Sean Casey and Mary Burke at the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society talk on the Land Commission migration from Mayo to Westmeath in the 1950s.Image 7 of 7
Imelda Davitt, Rachel (Burke) Dunne, Tom Davitt, Mary Burke, Liz Keenan; (front) Isla Dunne.There was an historic gathering, including people who travelled from Mayo, for a talk on the Land Commission migration from Creggangaun, County Mayo to Kiltoom, County Westmeath on Wednesday last.
A large number made the journey from the west, and from all parts of Westmeath – especially Kiltoom – to commemorate the successful migration in the mid-1950s.
The meeting was facilitated by Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society and two members of the Burke family – John, a son of Paddy Burke, and Mary, his sister-in-law, who is married to John’s brother, Walter.
They recalled the historic context for the move east of the 10 families and the huge welcome they received in Kiltoom. The families made a huge contribution to the social, economic and cultural life of their adopted county, not least in 1980, when Ringtown won the senior hurling title. Ten of the players, including Padraic, James and David Kilcoyne, John Mulvey, John, Walter and Frank Burke, Christopher, MJ,and Tony Corrigan, were sons of families who moved east in 1955.
It was an emotional night for the huge crowd who attended the lecture as the story was recalled in song, recitation and poetry. A beautiful display of artefacts from the period of the move was on display, having been arranged by John’s wife Marie Burke. Both Marie and John are now deeply involved in community activities in Rosemount, where they now live.
Among those contributions was one by PJ McNicholas, who spoke of his parents, Gerald and Sarah McNicholas, who migrated from Bohola, Kiltimagh, in April 1955, joining the other families from Cregganbaun.
Mary O’Malley quoted her uncle, Willie Davitt, who recalled the great sense of loss in the area following the departure of the families and that “we might never see them again”.
She also read a poem, ‘The Homes They Left Behind’, written by Michael John Coyne, which captures the scene in the area before the families migrated.
Liam Davitt, who is from the area, recalled the years preceding the arrival of the families and the building of roads and the houses. He also spoke how the local people accepted their new neighbours and did the utmost to make them welcome and help them settle in.
His sister Sabina read a poem by John Victory, a native poet, which typified this acceptance, support and welcome from the local community of Kiltoom “and that you won’t be so sorry for leaving Mayo”.
Michael O’Grady wrote a song entitled ‘From the Creggans to Kiltoom’, which tells the story of the families moving from the west and settling in their new homes in Westmeath.
It was such a privilege to have him with us to sing his song which captured the whole story and was a fitting conclusion to the evening, said Seamus O’Brien of Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society. This was one of the most enjoyable and best ever attended lectures organised by the Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society and the wide variety of contributions facilitated by Mary and John Burke contributed to the success of the evening.