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Welcome to Stories our look at local history, Ireland in the past and some of the best in folk music.
It's hard to believe that we are now in the fourth series but then again good music and history are never ending subjects.
As usual we will bring you snippets from the past, which we hope will interest, intrigue and maybe sometimes even infuriate you. Each week, we will look at an event that happened on this date in Irish history.
On this date Richard Brinsley Sheridan, playwright and orator died in poverty in 1816 and in 1992 Pat Taffe a well-known jockey died in 1992. To start the series we are going to jump back 60 years to see
Wexford in the latter years of the Second World War or The Emergency as it was called in Ireland. In July 1943 John Duffy and sons gigantic wonder circus was visiting New Ross, Taghmon, Wexford, Ferns and Gorey each for one day
only. Among the side shows on offer were baby lions from Dublin Zoo and an octopus captured off Whiddy Island in Cork in January of 1943. But military matters were not far away. Bishop Staunton was to
bless the colours of the Wexford District Command of the LDF at Wexford Park on July 4th at 3.30 Summer Time. A march past at the Hills with other emergency services was to take place later. This was
probably at Windmill Hills.
Music time now so let's kick off 2003 with a tune that I used on
my very first 'Stories', in fact it is the first piece I played in the series. I later discovered that it was written for the victims of that killing of school children in Dunblane in Scotland. This is
Eric Bogle with 'One Small Star'. ONE SMALL STAR
We return to July 1943 and we find Richard Corish being elected mayor for the 24th
consecutive year. Not that he was elected unopposed. Dr. Hadden proposed R. Coffey as a senior member of the Corporation. Miss Kelly seconded this. Mr Flusk then nominated Mr Moran who seconded himself.
In the vote Corish was supported by T. Byrne, J. Gaul, K. Roche, J. Sinnott, J. Crosbie and R. Corish himself. M. Flusk and R. Moran voted for Moran. Miss Kelly, Dr. Hadden and R. Coffey supported Mr Coffey
although in a local newspaper report R. Corish was reported voting for him with Coffey not listed. Ah the dangers of history from secondary sources. The report noted that when Alderman Tommy Byrne voted for
Corish there were calls of "Good man, Byrne", "Good boy Tommy" and " That shook em". In Enniscorthy John Leary T.D. was re-elected chairman of the UDC without opposition. He had recently been elected to The Dail.
At the district court Judge Fawsitt did not have any criminal cases to hear. The sitting comprised of one criminal appeal, one civil appeal, three criminal injury applications, fourteen workmen's compensation
cases, twenty four equity cases, nine civil bills and one ejectment case. One workmen's compensation case saw a Taghmon man who was an agricultural labourer receive £ 70.00 plus arrears for having being
kicked by a horse, resulting in developing a hernia. Such was the joy of reading the local papers in 1943; you don't get stories like that anymore.
Speaking of stories we continue with another song from the master storyteller Eric Bogle. By the way this great performer visits Wexford next month and plays at Colfers in Carrig 0n
Bannow. I got my ticket booked back in April so if you want to witness one of the top singer/songwriters of the age I advise early booking. Here he is one of his great but lesser known
compositions 'Progress' – listen to the words here and consider if they apply to your town. PROGRESS
That track is taken from a fabulous album called The Emigrant and the Exile featuring Eric Bogle and John Munro who will be appearing with him at Colfers. Its on the Greentrax label catalogue number CDTRAX 121.
Okay back 60 years again to 1943. In Blackwater plans were well advanced for the races at
Ballyconnigar Strand. There were seven entries for the parish race. At the fair day cattle had made £2 to £3 better than previously. The local branch of the Red Cross had hosted a successful dance with Thomas Walsh as MC.
Taghmon was having a bad time for accidents. Statia Connors was injured by a mowing machine at Slevoy. John Rochford was injured when he fell from a hayrick. Down in Forth & Bargy a horse pulling a load of manure bolted
through a wheat field, jumped a ditch into a stream but was uninjured. An institution that still remains in the fond thoughts of many Wexford people moved in 1943. We usually associate St Michael's
summer camp or Father Gaul's as many still call it, with Carne. But prior to 1943 they had used Ballinesker as the site since 1934. In total 94 boys aged 11 to 17 availed of the camp in 1943.
In Ballycullane two soldiers were charged with taking bicycles without the owners permission. At the same court a man was fined £ 1 for each of his three children who did not attend school. Having no
lights on your bike attracted a 2/= fine or 5/= if you did not attend the court.
Our next Eric Bogle piece is a beautiful song about looking at
our parents with new eyes. I dedicate this one to Katie and Nicky and all parents everywhere – listen closely. This is 'Standing in the Light' STANDING IN THE LIGHT
What were people buying in Wexford in 1943? Con Macken at The Cape offered best drinks as usual but also
advertised pure ground coffee at 3/= a pound, raisins at the keenest prices and fresh butter bought daily. Hanton's established in 1812 offered coffins in oak, elm, pitch pine
and deal. You could have a motor or horse drawn hearse. Mind you Boggan's offered a Rolls Royce hearse. The cinemagoers were in for a shock as The Capitol and Palace
cinemas advertised a price increase due to higher cost for films. E. Marcus an eyesight specialist from Dublin was on tour offering free eyesight testing and glasses from 21/=. He was to visit The
Globe Hotel in New Ross, Bennett's Hotel in Enniscorthy, Kelly's Hotel in Newtownbarry – Bunclody for the younger listeners, The Traveller's Hotel in Gorey. We were told that Aspro offered a good night's sleep and Fynnon
Salt relieved leg pain. The government published a list of maximum prices that goods could be sold for. Fresh milk was available bottled or loose. Biscuit varieties included
Square Meal, Kerry Cream, Arrowroot and Jam Puff. Household candles were offered in 14 sizes and cigarettes had to be sold in multiples of 5. Firewood blocks could not exceed 10 inches in diameter.
Petrol was to cost 3/1 from the pump per gallon but a penny more in cans. Turf was sold for 64/= a ton or 3d for a dozen sods.
I wonder what fine poaching attracted. Let's hear Eric Bogle as he sings of 'The Poachers Moon'. THE POACHERS MOON
What about entertainment 60 years ago? The DMP held their first annual sports day in Wexford Park with athletics and cycling. Broadway Sports and big tug of war contest was advertised as was
the Horse and Pony Races at Castleview Adamstown. On the drama front there was the Rural Drama Festival in The Theatre Royal. Murrintown Dramatic Society performed "Still Running" supported by vocalists and The Society Band.
St Brendan's from Bannow put on the George Sheils play "Professor Tim". Ballymitty Dramatic Class offered not only a play called "Nothing in his Life" but they also gave a musical and vocal sketch.
Other groups taking part included Clonroche Dramatic Society, Tacumshane Dramatic Society, Taghmon Dramatic Class, Castlebridge Dramatic Players and Kilmuckridge Students Union. Where are all these drama enthusiasts today?
New Ross Feis took place in Adamstown with music, singing, dancing, language and history. There was a boxing bill at Duncannon. You were urged to Kike It or Bike it to Killane Castle for a monster Carnival and Sports.
On offer in the carnival were: roll em in, line em up, wheel of fortune, football kick and hurling puck. There was a grand concert that night in aid of Piercestown Parochial Funds. The concert ad ended with the
warning No Standing Allowed.
PEOPLE
Every town is filled with characters some of whose lives influenced the development of the area, others were interesting beings and most were just ordinary citizens. To take on research of all such lives
would fill a hundred volumes and more, a task beyond our resources. But because people make a town, we include a very short selection of mini-biographies. John Greene was born in Wexford in 1803 and educated at the
Diocesan School in Spawell Road along with James Roche (later Rev.) and J.T. Devereux. He was later apprenticed to William Lord printer of 'The Wexford Journal'. He left Wexford in 1828 for Carlow
where he founded a newspaper. He returned to Wexford later and founded 'The Independent' supported by the local Liberal Party branch. As proprietor and editor he was prosecuted and jailed for
anti-tithe articles. In 1840 he was elected to the Corporation and represented Selskar Ward for 50 years during which he was mayor on seven occasions. He supported O'Connell and opposed Parnell.
Greene was a justice of the peace and Deputy Lieutenant of the county but declined a knighthood. He was married to Mary Sweetman and had four sons, two of whom became barristers, one a priest and one a doctor.
John Greene died in 1890. George Hadden was born in Wexford but spent his early years studying abroad. Later with his wife, Helen, he worked as a missionary doctor in both China and Siberia. Returning to Wexford in
the 1930s he entered fully into the political and social life of his native town. As well as being involved in the Boat Club and the Cage Bird Society, Dr. Hadden was founder member of two organisations,
which have become Wexford institutions. These are the Wexford Male Voice Choir and Wexford Historical Society, which was originally called The Old Wexford Society. The good doctor who can
still be recalled striding along our streets with white hair, beard and staff, was also a member of Wexford Corporation and was made a freeman of the borough in 1972. He wrote and lectured widely on our
heritage up until his death in 1973 at the age of 91 years. P.R. Hanrahan was born in Wexford and acted as principal of the Lancastrian School from 1831 until it was disestablished in 1878.
Like many a hedge schoolmaster, he was a classical scholar and greatly loved poetry. A collection of his work published as "Echoes of the Past" includes 'The Fetch'. It included the following lines
reflecting part of our folklore: "I knew he'd die For the banshee's song The whole night long Was heard from the bawn.. I knew he'd die For the fetch was seen In the green boreen By the fairy's path"
Mr. Hanrahan died at Farnogue Cottage aged 78 and he is buried at Carrig. Robert McClure was born in Wexford on January 28th 1807, the son of a naval officer. At an early age he went to Sandhurst military
school in England. From there he joined the navy and served on Nelson's 'Victory'. But it is for exploration rather than fighting this son of Wexford is best remembered. Commanding a ship called 'The
Investigator' he discovered the north west passage allowing ships to sail around the north coast of the Americas. McClure was knighted for his efforts. He died in London in 1873.