John Gavin lecture is well received

Delvin Historical Society"s 2009 lecture programme is going from strength to strength...AS evidenced by the large turnout for John Gavin"s wide ranging talk about the history of Clonmellon and South Hill, Delvin, which took place in Carmel Gaffney"s pub.The informative talk was attended by about sixty people, a number of whom came from Meath to hear the renowned local historian talk about the Chapmans, Lawrence of Arabia, Killua Castle, Ballinlough Castle and South Hill.A very informal atmosphere reigned over proceedings, as those attending the lecture felt free to ask a number of questions about the variety of photographs used by John during the talk, which lasted about an hour.The photographs ranged from general shots of Killua and Ballinlough Castles, St. Lucy"s Well and Killua Lake, to more personal pictures like the fair day in Clonmellon, the staff at South Hill, and the World War I hero, Lieutenant Arthur Boyd-Rochfort.Using his extensive knowledge of his native Clonmellon and surrounding areas, John was able to give a very human background to the grandiose structures which dominate the local landscape.John, a leading member of Meath Archaeological and Historical Society, is Honorary President of Delvin Historical Society, so the local group was especially proud to have one of its own take to the stage.Next month, a lecture on the Ice Age in Westmeath is sure to draw the crowds, and there will be more details on this as the mid-May date draws closer. In June, Manfred Peter will return to Delvin at the invitation of the Society, to update locals about his investigations into the life of St. Wendel - a German saint who is believed to have hailed from the Delvin area.Laurence Ginnell commemorationThe Keenan Darmody cumann of Sinn Féin, Delvin, will mark one of the most important days in its calendar this week, when the second annual Laurence Ginnell commemoration takes place outside the village on Saturday next, April 25.Sinn Féin European election candidate Padraig McLoughlin - who is currently a member of Donegal County Council - will be in attendance as locals gathered at the Smiling Bess gate in Rosmead at 5.30pm on Saturday evening.A piper and colour party will then lead a parade to Clonarney Cemetery, where Ginnell - the first Sinn Féin TD for Westmeath, and Delvin"s only TD since the foundation of the State - is buried. Cllr. McLoughlin will deliver the graveside oration.Laurence Ginnell (born 1854), a Delvin-born lawyer and scholar, was nicknamed "the Member for Ireland" when he stood up for the land rights and political entitlements of the Irish after his election to Westminster.He is remembered for providing a legal defence for the participants of the 1916 Rising, and became a leading TD in the First Dáil, which convened in 1919. Sent on fundraising missions to the Americas on behalf of Sinn Féin, Ginnell opposed the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, and despite his advanced years, was roughly ejected from the Dáil by pro-Treaty TDs in January 1922 while presenting robust arguments against the document.He died in the United States in April 1923 - the same week as the seventh anniversary of the Easter Rising.Those attending the commemoration will retire to the Blue Hackle, Main Street, Delvin from 9.30pm on Saturday night, where a function will be held to mark the occasion, and to officially launch the Sinn Féin local election campaign of Delvin man, Mick Kenny. All are welcome to attend, and music will be supplied by "Divil-a" Bit".Comaskey campaign launchDelvin man Bernie Comaskey will officially launch his Fine Gael local election campaign on Thursday next, April 23 at 9pm in the Blue Hackle Inn, Delvin.Bernie, who recently announced his candidacy, will run for FG alongside Cllr. Frank McDermott in the county council elections on June 5, and is one of three Delvin men who have declared.Special guest for the event will be Mayo TD and the Maritime County"s current football manager John O"Mahony.All are welcome to attend, and after Thursday night, it"s pedal to the metal for the Bracklyn man, as he begins his canvass of the area.St. Mary"s volunteersThe management at St. Mary"s, South Hill, Delvin are seeking volunteers for residential, day and community services for 1-2 hours per week. Interested parties may contact Gerry McLaughlin on 087-8059667.