Pages from the Past

Stories from the back issues of the Westmeath Independent 150 YEARS AGO 1861 Outrage at Ballymahon On the night of December 6, 1861, "as three workmen in the employment of Mr Michael Murtagh, of Shrule Mills, were returning home fro the town of Longford, and when near Carina, were pounced on by a party of 15 men who savagely beat them with sticks and stones, inflicting several severe cuts on their heads." "It appears some short time ago the workmen in Mr Murtagh's employment struck for higher wages with the exception of the three men above referred to, who would not join in the movement, but continued at their work. This is the alleged cause of the attack." "Mr Murtagh has offered a reward for the discovery of the perpetrators of this gross outrage. The injured men cannot identify any of their assailants." New owner for hotel Under the heading, Bergin's Commercial and Family Hotel (late Rourke's), Athlone, the following advertisement was published in the Westmeath in late November 1861. Mr. Bergin, proprietor of the Atlantic Hotel, Miltown Malbay, begs to inform the nobility, gentry and the public in general, that he has purchased from the late respected Mr Rourke the above first-class commodious and long-established hotel in the central town of Athlone. And he begs to intimate that he is determined to spare no expense, exertion or care, to provide for the comfort of those who will honour him with their patronage. Commercial gentlemen will find that the above establishment most central and every attention shall be paid to their comfort. 100 YEARS AGO Graveyard a "barbarous, revolting and shocking sight" 1911 The horrendous state of the old graveyard at St Ronan's, Taughamaconnell, was laid bare in a letter by the then parish priest, Rev John M Pelly, reproduced in the Westmeath Independent of November 26, 1911. Excerpts from the letter read as follows: "I must say that since my advent to this parish nearly six years ago, I have scarcely ever attended a funeral in which human skulls, bones, and pieces of coffins, were not disinterred, a practice contrary to all the notions of decency and respect which we owe to the sanctity of the bones of the dead. In many cases, the graves had to be made so shallow that there was scarcely two feet of covering over the coffins. I can say that this graveyard is only a receptacle for offal, than a place set apart for the burial of Christians. It would simply be a disgrace and a public reproach to us to have it any longer in our midst. It is without proper boundaries. It is simply a piece of waste ground, covered with weeds, long grass, tumbled down headstones, earth, stones, rubbish of all kinds mixed with the bones of the dead. It is really a barbarous, revolting and shocking sight." 50 YEARS AGO 1961 Over 10,000 at National League match in Athlone Over 10,000 people crowded into Pairc Chiarain in Athlone in late Novebmer 1961 to witness a National Football League tie between Offaly and Roscommon. The report said: "The suitability of St Chiaran's Park, Athlone, as a centre for inter-couty football fixtures was demonstrated on Sunday last when an attendance of over 10,000 was drawn to the Offaly-Roscommon National Football League tie. "The pitch was in excellent order for the big game and a first-rate encounter ensued in which Offaly, playing for their ninth Sunday in succession were fortunate to gain a one-point victory over their old League rivals who came within an ace of repeating their success over the Leinster champions at Tullamore last year in the same competition. Final Score Offaly 1-5, Roscommon 0-7 Roscommon: A. Brady, J.J Breslin, J. Lynch, J. O. Moran, R. Creaven, G. O'Malley, P.J.Shine, J. Kelly and S. Keane, A. Kenny, E. Curley, Dom, Feely, P. Watson, M. Shivnan, Des. Feely. 25 YEARS AGO 1986 Jack Charlton visits Athlone With the Republic of Ireland football team back in fashion due to their qualification for the European 2012 Championships, it's interesting to note that 25 years ago, the Westmeath Independent reported on a visit of then Irish manager Jack Charlton to the town. Charlton paid a whirlwind visit to Athlone early in December 1986 to give his full support to a draw which the paper said "might make or break the Football Association of Ireland". Charlton was introduced to supporters at Athlone Town FC headquarters, by Noel Heavey, President of Athlone Town FC and the instigator of the FAI Investment Plan. If all the tickets in the draw were sold, the FAI stood to make a profit of €3m. the paper said. Oliver at St Joseph's Summerhill The annual school musical at the various second-level education facilities in the region is always a school highlight. And 25 years ago things were no different. The Westmeath Independent in November 1986 reported on plans for the St Joseph's College musical, Oliver. The report said: "Up to 80 girls at St Joseph's College, Summerhill, have been burning the midnight oil in recent weeks learning how to artfully pick a pocket or two in preparation for this year's musical presentation at the college, Oliver, which will be performed in early December. Playing the leading characters in the cast will be Maria Murphy as Oliver, Grainne Moore as Fagan, Sarah Ward as the Artful Dodger, Sandra Wilson as Nancy, Fiona Flanagan as Sykes, Sinead Grogan as Mr Bumble, Helena Lennon as the Widow Carney, Audrey Fagan as the undertaker, Regina Mulvey as his wife, Irene Halligan as Mr Brownlow, Aisling Kearney as Beth, Rita Broderick as Dr. Grimwig, Adeline Lynch as Noah, Simone Dwyer as Charolotte. Cahterine Lennon as Mrs Bedwin and Elaine Henry as Sally.