Pages from the Past

1860 "Shameless bribery" and an MP's election "Athlone, we fear, is destined to become henceforth more than ever an electioneering by-word." the Westmeath Independent began its editorial 150 years ago this week. "Amid the list of venal constituencies its name is conspicuous. For is it not well known that the position of its representative is as much an object of traffic as a commission in the army? - nay more, the latter is sometimes obtainable without purchase the former never. "Has it not been suggested that a capitalist could hardly invest his money more profitably than in renting a tenement within the boundaries of our borough? "Do not reliable calculations show that, taking into consideration the usual price of a vote, and the average recurrence of elections, the speculation would leave a handsome margin for profit after paying rent and taxes? The paper went on to say that Athlone elections were "invariably scenes of shameless bribery" The paper said it was understood that the two candidates for the Westminster seat for Athlone had speent 12,000 pounds, in canvassing a borough of about 200 electors.And it said that almost every election in the area was followed by a complaint against the return of the most lavish candidate. The complaint against the election of Mr John Ennis as MP for Athlone was dropped at the eleventh hour, ahead of a planned parliamentary inquiry, with the Westmeath Independent citing rumours that 3,000 pounds had been transfered "from pocket to pocket" in relation to the withdrawal of the complaint. 1910 Bohemians visit for friendly For much of the early part of the 20th century, Easter Monday in Athlone was synonymous with the visit of one of Ireland's premier soccer team Bohemians to take on Athlone in a friendly. Easter Monday of March 1910 was no different with a large crowd attending the Ranelagh Grounds to watch the contest. The Westmeath noted that although a good display of football was provided by both sides, "towards the end of the game it was evident that the home team, or at least the majority of them, were by no means in the pink of training and seemed to be more or less run out". The report also noted that Athlone had to learn from the combination play of the Bohemians forwards. The Athlone team included natives Denis Hannon and Johnny McDonnell, both by them Irish internationals, and normally Bohemians players. The Athlone team, which lost out by 3-0 was: P. McManus, W Monahan and Hynds; O'Meara, Joe Monahan and Murray; W. Farrell, J, McDonnell, D. Hannon, J. Begadon and Gavigan. The referee was John Monahan. Thousands of Territorials set for Athlone Athlone was in for a lively summer, the paper reported in March 1910, as a series of brigades of the territorial army were due in town to undergo training. The paper said the first training of the Artillery Territorials would commence in the end of April or early May 1910. The training would be continued throughout the summer, with a fresh brigade coming in each six weeks up to September or October. The brigades in training would be kept "under canvasss" at a suitable camping ground in the neighbourhood. Each brigade would number between 500 and 600 men. Looters present after local fire A fire in the back premises of Mr Watson's home in O'Connell Street was reported in late March. The scene of the fire was a large two-storeyed house running out from the main building. The building contained Mr Watson's ktichen and general store. The fire had got a good grip on the building by the time of the arrival of the fire personnel and attention was directed instead towards saving the main building and the remainder of the street. The fire was extinquished within three hours but the premises in which the outbreak occured was completely gutted. Police devoted their attention to protecting the licenced premises and other stores from looters. "That this course was necessary there can be no doubt, since notwithstanding their presence a number of petty articles are reported to have been stolen from the kitchen." 1960 Musical Society performs Naughty Marietta Athlone Musical Society was beginning its production of "Naughty Marietta" in late March 1960. Since it was first performed in New York in 1910, the musicial had been barred to amateur societies up to March and Athlone would be providing its Irish provincial premiere. The title role in the Athlone production was taken by Marie Geragthy, from Galway, whilst Austin Gaffney played the male lead of Captain Dik. The comedy role of Silas was filled by Donal Hynes while others taking part included Sean Lacken, Eamon Martin, Myra Harlowe, Jim Gaffney, Dolores Caulfield, John Armitage, Michael Martin, Phyllis Lacken, Marie Mullen, Mary Gahan and Angela Lacken. The producer was Miss Kittie Prince, musical director was Mr R Raesfeldt and the accompanist was Mrs M. Crowley. The society had a real challenge in repeating its feat of 1959 as the Westmeath Independent reported that up to 10,000 people had seen the Athlone society's production of "The Merry Widow", during its 16-night run the previous year. The coach factory disappears Another long-standing Athlone building disappeared from the landscape in March 1960, with the demolition of the old Coach Factory on Gleeson Street. The substantial three-storied red brick residence attached to the factory, occupied by the Geogehgan family for many long years, was also demolished. The move was part of a plan for the extension of the Royal Hoey Hotel. The paper said the history of St Mary's parish revolved around the site as it was here stood the old parish church from 1795 until 1862.