Pages past: Mullingar Workers Council; Street nuisance; World War II over

Westmeath Examiner, May 9, 1925

Mullingar Workers Council

At the monthly meeting of this Mullingar Workers Council the previous Sunday, John McKeown POC, president, presided. Also present were Messrs James Martin, DC, John McKeown, O Duffy, P Dooner, C Skelly, T.C., Thos. Carroll, J Mulchrone, O Cumiskey.

A discussion took place on whether technical employees of public boards were eligible for election. It was finally decided to ask Mr Johnson were such officials eligible for election on the county council, etc. A discussion took place with reference to a 10 per cent cut. That arose out of the reading of a letter from Mr Doyle, chief clerk of the Grangegorman Mental Hospital, stating his committee had decided not to call a conference.

Mr Martin said 13 asylum committees had decided in favour of calling a conference. On the motion of Mr Cumiskey, seconded by Mr Mulchrone, it was decided to send a deputation, consisting of Messrs Gavin, Martin and the chairman, to the next meeting of the Mental Hospital, in connection with the 10 per cent cut. The following candidates were selected to represent Labour at the coming election: County Council – Messrs John McKeown, POC, CTC, James Martin, DC; O Duffy, TC; Thos Gavin, TC; P Dooner, DC and Jas McLoughlin. Town Council – Messrs John McKeown, T McKeon, O Duffy, T Stenson, P Gavin, C Skelly, M Clarke, O Cumiskey, E Hughes, John Kelly.

Westmeath Examiner, May 11, 1935

Street nuisance in Mullingar

At a Board of Health meeting in Mullingar, Mr Shaw raised concerns about the state of the town’s streets following Thursday trading. He described the streets as having been left littered with paper, cardboard, fish remains, and damaged fruit left behind by street traders, and stated that strong winds scattered the debris into homes and businesses, creating an unsanitary and unpleasant environment. Mr Shaw highlighted the injustice faced by local residents who, he said, paid rates and contributed to the town, while traders, who paid nothing, caused health hazards.

He called for immediate action, pointing out the danger to public health and the persistent foul smell, particularly from fish waste. A lengthy discussion followed over who held responsibility – the Town Commissioners, who had bye-laws but lacked enforcement, or the Board of Health, tasked with street cleaning.

Mr Shaw noted that despite providing public rubbish baskets, vandalism and misuse led to their destruction. Dr O’Neill agreed the situation was both unhealthy and offensive, suggesting it fell under the Board of Health’s duties rather than by-law enforcement.

The meeting concluded with further debate about solutions, including potential prosecutions and stronger regulations to prevent future problems. The urgency for improved street maintenance and stricter management of the aftermath of street trading was made clear.

Westmeath Examiner, May 12, 1945

World War II over

World War II had just ended, and marking the occasion, the following item appeared in the Westmeath Examiner under the heading ‘Around About’: Though this part of Ireland has been neutral in the war, there was an intense feeling of relief and gladness among all sections of the people when the anticipated conclusion of hostilities was announced on Monday.

It was a long and fearsome war, excelling in ferocity and destruction any of its predecessors.

While it is true that this country escaped its real horrors – which so many others had to endure – our people had to submit to all sorts of tiresome and vexatious restrictions and regulations.

With the end of this particular part of the world war, it need not be expected that these or any of them will rapidly disappear.

It will take time, and perhaps a long time, before there can or will be a return to normal, and, in any case, the process of necessity will be gradual.

There are two things which this year, at all events, must receive as much attention as in the years past. These are the cultivation of land and the production of fuel.

The crops are mostly in. What all must hope and pray for is a bounteous harvest, which now depends on the favour of Providence.

The exertions of our people in this respect are for saving it and making available what is bestowed.

As for fuel, there is little hope of supplies from outside sources, and full advantage should be taken of every day of favourable weather to win from the bogs sufficient fuel to carry us through until next season.

Turf has been scarce and dear. It ought not to be so in the coming year; and it need not be if a real effort is made by all who are in a position to help.

There is a good deal of activity in the bogs of this county. The idea put forward by the Town Commissioners for a reserve for a period of shortage and hardship in the town is well worthy of consideration.

We are dependent on a week-to-week supply, whereas there never was at any time – when turf work could be carried out – a real shortage of labour.

Westmeath Examiner, May 7, 1955

Mullingar Vocational schools

At parents day at Mullingar Vocational schools, “about sixty pupils” were presented with departmental certificates on the results of the 1954-55 examinations, a Westmeath Examiner of May 1955 reported.

Those who received certificates were: Michael Kelly, 1st place in Ireland, Mechanical Drawing and Metalwork; special prizes of £5 (teachers Mr Fleming and Mr Doherty); Philomena Murray, 1st place in Ireland, Laundry and Household Management, prize of £1 (teacher, Miss McKenna); Mary Teresa Reilly, 2nd place in Ireland, Book-keeping, Commercial Arithmetic and Commerce, Elementary Typewriting, special prize of £2 10s (teachers, Miss Callinan and Mr McKeever).

Manual Group – Anthony Mullen (ESB Apprenticeship); Oliver Quinn, Dermott Doherty, Patrick Gaffney, Laurence Gorman, John Hope, Patrick Mulligan, John Reilly, Anthony Riordan.

Secretarial Group – Elizabeth Clinton, Patricia Farrell.

General Commerce Group – Mary Teresa Reilly, Brigid Kirby, Nora Carey, Rose Tyrrell, Pauline Newman, Margaret Commons, Bernadette Carley, Brigid Colton, Edward Clinton, Joseph McCabe, Flyn McGuinness, Michael Lynch, Mary Lyster, Ann Raleigh, Mary Scally.

Laundry and Household Management – Anne Mullane, Mary Montgomery, Marie Gavigan, Mazie Smyth, Nora Kearney, Mary Coyne, Anne McGrath, Sheila Sheerin, Teresa Stokes, Monica McQuaid, Anne McKay, Frances McKay, Mary Wallace, Anne Rickard, Bernadette Monaghan, Mary Franey, Bridget Pidgeon, Patricia Mullen, Noreen Nooney, Ann Dalton.

Cookery – Mary Nolan, Veronica McGrath, Greta Murray, Catherine Gilroy.

Elementary Typewriting – Kathleen Naughton, Annette Duffy, Mary McCormack, Mary Doolan, Martha Conlon.

Entrance Scholarships – M O’Donoghue, Brendan Scully, P Rock.

Sessional Exam Scholarships and Book Prizes – Timothy Cronin, Matthew Nooney, Betty Muldoon, Noreen Nooney, Mary Montgomery, Mary T Reilly.

Book Prizes – Anne McGrath, John Bardon, Mary Murray.

Westmeath Examiner, May 8, 1965

New county library HQ

The Westmeath county librarian, S O Conchubhair, revealed to the Longford Westmeath Joint Library Committee that the transfer of land necessary to facilitate the provision of a new headquarters for the county library in Mullingar had taken place.

In addition, preliminary sketch plans had been prepared and a survey of the site was undertaken by the architect Mr Ginnell.

Mr O Conchubhair stated that Mr Ginnell and his assistant had visited the new headquarters of the Antrim County Library in Ballymena and the new annexe to the Belfast City Library and Mr Ginnell’s assistant had also inspected the Kent County Library headquarters at Maidstone as part of the process of drawing up plans for the Westmeath library.

Westmeath Examiner, May 10, 1975

Old traditions

The Kilbeggan local notes writer of May 10, 1975 was gratified that an old May tradition was still being observed: “In these modern days when so many old customs are being discarded, it was delightful to find out on Thursday May 1 that a lovely old Kilbeggan tradition still survives – this is the strewing of flowers outside the entrance door to welcome in the month of Mary, the Mother of God.”

The writer noted that the previous week, “practically every doorway was thus adorned”, and they were interested to know if the tradition was carried out elsewhere, as newcomers to Kilbeggan said they had never seen this tradition before.

“It is pleasant to learn that the newcomers have also adopted the practice,” the writer concluded.

Separately, in the same notes, another May “tradition” also got a mention – that of the annual Spring Show at the RDS in Dublin, an annual showcase of interest to the farming community. The local ICA guild was running a bus to the event on Thursday May 8 for the event, which was becoming “more popular each year”.

Westmeath Examiner, May 6, 1995

Community school decision for Moate

The Carmelite Order in Moate issued a statement supporting the decision of the Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, to develop a community school in Moate.

In a letter dated April 13, 1995, the Department of Education had written to the trustees of Carmelite College, Moate, stating that after consultations with all the parties, and careful consideration of all the arguments, the minister had now decided that the appropriate option for Moate would be a community school.

The Carmelite statement said the order was pleased that the minister had made her decision, and thanked her and her officials for listening and responding to the views expressed during the consultation process.

The statement said that from a meeting with the parents of pupils attending Carmelite College and Mercy Convent, addressed by representatives of the Mercy Order and the Carmelites, parents and teachers had expressed their desire to see the community school option pursued for Moate.

Westmeath Examiner, May 7, 2005

‘Rate my teachers’ slated

A controversial website, ‘Rate My Teachers’, was lashed by Westmeath TD Paul McGrath, at Dáil Éireann level, who revealed that the website was now carrying comments about students as well as teachers.

“Some terrible comments have been made about some female students,” he told fellow deputies in Dáil Éireann.

Deputy McGrath – a former teacher – quoted from a letter about the website he had received from a teacher of his acquaintance of 28 years’ standing. The teacher stated that the school in which he worked was “wonderful” and he was “very contented” in his chosen profession up to a few months previously: “I would be widely accepted by my own teaching colleagues and the vast majority of my students as a teacher of the highest calibre,” the teacher wrote.

“I treat all my students with respect. I have excellent class discipline. I prepare my work thoroughly. I give regular tests, which are always returned the following day. I have a great sense of humour and engage in easy banter with my classes. My exam results are always above national average. I have always figured highly in extra curricular activities… I have always gone the extra mile for the students of this school without ever giving it a second thought.

“In the last week, my boss asked me to do something for the students outside of class time. I said no for the first time ever. My reputation and that of a number of my colleagues has been shredded by the comments made by anonymous people on this cheap entertainment website… Personally, I feel betrayed and disillusioned. I have made myself a promise which will be very difficult to fulfil, that I will do nothing extracurricular for my students until the day this website is removed from our system.”

Westmeath Examiner, May 2, 2015

Everest avalanche experience

A Mullingar man who had been on a trekking holiday in Nepal spoke of his relief at emerging unscathed after an earthquake struck the area near the Mount Everest base camp. Some 3,500 people died when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck: John McAnaney from Mullingar was due the next day to travel to the base camp, where scores of people were feared dad following a number of avalanches triggered by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

“I was in Lobouche, drinking ginger tea, and the entire building started shaking,” John told the Westmeath Examiner, admitting he was looking forward to getting back to his family and friends in Mullingar, many of whom had left him messages on social media.

“When we found out what happened, we all decided to head back down the mountain. We didn’t go to base camp because by then it was a graveyard, so many people died,” he stated.

“Today we walked to Lukla airport. We are hoping to fly back to Kathmandu tomorrow. The entire mountain had emptied of tourists, bar a few. We’re just happy to get back to ground level.”