Pages from the Past

150 Years Ago 1859 Fair Day in Athlone Fair Day in Athlone represented the commercial heart of the town in bygone days. And in 1859, Westmeath Independent reported that the fair on Monday, March 15, was well supplied though not to the extent that we have seen it on other occasions. 'From an early hour the fair was filled with buyers, but the high prices demanded prevented any sales being made until some time later,' the report continued. Eventually when deals were done, prices obtained, although remunerative, were 'a shade under those of the neighbouring towns'. The paper went on to give a number of examples of the transactions completed, including Mr Adamson, who bought 40 heifers at £17 10s. There was also a large show of sheep and the demand even at the high prices asked, was greater than expected, however, there were few good horses. Rail tragedy in Taughmaconnell A husband and wife, Thomas and Eileen Walsh, were killed in a 'fearful accident' on the Midland and Great Western Railway at a place called Dooferabridge, in Taughmaconnell on March 25. According to the Westmeath Independent, the couple had been in town late that night and 'rather freely partaken of refreshment'. On their way home, they took a short cut and were struck whilst crossing the rail-line by a mail train. Walsh, who was an employee of the rail company, 'was not much mutilated', but the 'head and face of his wife' were much disfigured. An inquest returned a verdict of death by accident - with the coroner noting the deceased were under the influence at the time. 100 Years Ago 1909 St Patrick"s Day celebrations 'As long as St Patrick"s Day continues to be celebrated in Ireland there is every hope that Ireland will someday become a nation,' stated The Westmeath Independent in its coverage of the St Patrick"s Day Parade in Athlone 100 years ago. 'For the Irish, the 17th of March is only a little less tremendous in its significance the 25th of December. St Patrick"s Day was always the religious festival that it deserved to be. In latter years however, with the revival of a new spirit, which synchronised with the coming of the Gaelic League, there has been really a tendency to rally round the 17th of March as a fount of National inspiration as well as a centre of spiritual triumph.' The article continued by relating the history of Christianity in Ireland and berating the 'Saxon occupation' which 'robbed Ireland and held it by the throat in unjust thraldom to this day.' 'All Ireland is awakening to the National aspect of St Patrick"s Day and, as was to be expected, Athlone is not only responsive but enthusiastic. 'No town or centre would be more typical of the brighter outlook than Athlone. Neither in the town, nor in the surrounding districts, was there a trace of the excesses or scenes of violence which were a disgrace to by-gone years. As far as the writer could see all the public houses were closed. As a result, not a single man was seen to be under the influence at the close of the day.' The writer described the parade as filled with, 'banners, banerrettes, ornamentation, badges, St Patrick"s Crosses, sashes, a brilliant chromatic display moving to the sweetest and purest and most inspiring of Irish music.' 'Stronger than any legislation is the sense of self-respect and what is becoming, which contributed in Athlone to the happy results of Wednesday last, a triumph which we hope is symbolic of the higher triumph which lies before us - the St Patrick"s Day when we will be able to commemorate not only our spiritual steadfastness but the National freedom which in any formal state of affairs should be the complement of such moral grit and devotion.' 50 Years Ago 1959 St Patrick"s Day Parade revived in Athlone after 30-year break 'Colour and pageantry' came back in to the celebration of the feast of the national apostle in Athlone, the Westmeath Independent reported this week, when one of the 'finest parades to be seen in the provinces' took place on St Patrick"s Day. 'It is over thirty years since the national holiday was honoured with due ceremonial in the town and the revival of the parade, under the aegis of the Chamber of Commerce, was on a scale that did full justice to the organisers,' the March 21 paper reported. Over 2,000 people took part in the celebration, which also incorporated an industrial pageant and 60 decorated floats. Led by St Mary"s Pipe Band the parade went through the streets of the town to St Mary"s Church where shamrock was blessed and distributed by Very Rev. P. McGivney, Adm., St Mary"s. The ceremony concluded with Solemn High mass attended by participants in the parade from 20 different organisations and children from seven schools. Old Ballydangan church and spire demolished A major landmark on the Athlone to Ballinasloe road disappeared from the landscape this week 50 years ago according to the Westmeath Independent. After loud explosions in the Ballydangan area, the walls and spire of the old disused Church of Ireland disappeared following demolition to facilitate Roscommon County Council"s road widening programme. 'The remains of the old church were for long a familiar sight to all who journeyed the main Athlone to Ballinasloe road, and were a source of much sentimental attachment for natives of the district, who vigorously agitated against the removal of the building,' the paper stated in the March 21 edition. A local committee headed by Mr P.E. Millar, Ballydangan, in their efforts to have the old church preserved, sought to enlist Bord Failte on their side, but as apparently it could not be 'regarded as a monument of any antique importance or the like, there was little the Bord could do to help'.