Pages Past: Pause on work at hospital; new shopping centre; Kinnegad Show

Westmeath Examiner, September 3, 2005

Pause in Phase 2B

There was outrage across Mullingar when it emerged that progress on the unfinished Phase 2B at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar – started in 1997 – had ground to a halt, due to funding issues. The lead story in the Westmeath Examiner of September 3, 2005 stated that it appeared Minister for Health Mary Harney had instructed the HSE to delay the development of the hospital, “apparently in favour of the redevelopment of the Mater Hospital in Dublin”.

The item stated that “in a somewhat bizarre turn of events”, the minister had written to the HSE advising that it should not go ahead with the development of new facilities, “including long-delayed wards and theatres at Mullingar hospital”, pending an audit of the running costs. What made it bizarre was that two days later, the HSE announcement of a capital investment programme of €600m included provision for the work in Mullingar.

Westmeath Examiner, September 2, 1995

New shopping centre

“Ten years after the project was first mooted, the multi-million pound shopping complex for Harbour Street is to go ahead this year, with Dunnes Stores as the anchor tenant,” stated the lead story in the Westmeath Examiner edition of September 2, 1995. Preliminary construction work such as site preparation and surveying was due to start in the autumn, the writer reported, going on to add that a revised planning application incorporating modifications to meet the Dunnes Stores retail requirements had been submitted by developers Deerland Construction the previous Friday to Westmeath County Council. A spokesman for Deerland said that the complex was to comprise 20 units and would be a major centre by provincial town standards.

Westmeath Independent, September 6, 1985

Busy social scene

The entertainment advertising columns of the Westmeath Independent of September 6, 1985 were phenomenal! The range of choice for young people was far beyond what is available now, in 2025. Every Saturday and Sunday, they could head to Silver’s Niteclub at the Auld Shebeen in Moate – ‘Neat dress essential’; alternatively, that week at Rockford’s Nightclub in Roscommon, on Thursday there was the Garages party night; on Sunday, the Badminton party night or on the Monday night, the Roscommon Race disco.

At Rooney’s of Ballymore, Friday was Irish Night with John Keenan and Friends; Saturday was Rocky’s Nightclub and the Sunday was going to see the Harper Valley Boys perform. ‘Every Thursday and Sunday’, there was The Palm club at Hayden’s Hotel in Ballinasloe; there was dancing at The Harriers Club in Tullamore. The Moonlight Club at The Grove in Athlone was another venue, as was Stringfellows at The Bridge House Tullamore and at The Greville Arms in Mullingar.

Westmeath Examiner, September 6, 1975

Remembering de Valera

In the days following the passing of Éamon de Valera, the Westmeath Examiner published an editorial that captured the gravity of the moment and the legacy of one of Ireland’s most defining figures. Titled ‘The Chief Is Dead!’, the piece reflected on de Valera’s towering presence in Irish political life and the emotional resonance his death stirred across generations.

The editorial described de Valera as a man who had become a legend in his own lifetime – “great, simple, sincere, austere, a born statesman”. It recalled the fervent crowds at election meetings in towns like Mullingar and Athlone, where cries of ‘Up Dev’ echoed with passion. While acknowledging the deep divisions he sometimes inspired, the writer emphasised that even his critics recognised his sincerity and statesmanship.

De Valera was portrayed as inseparable from Fianna Fáil, ruling it “autocratically and most successfully”. The editorial pondered how Ireland might have fared under his leadership in the modern era, questioning whether the economic uncertainties of those times would have unfolded under his watch.

The piece went on to urge Ireland’s future leaders to draw inspiration from de Valera’s ideals – his love for the country, its traditions, language, and people. “He played his part, and played it well,” the editorial concluded. “Ireland remembers.”

Westmeath Examiner, September 4, 1965

Kinnegad Show

Kinnegad Agricultural Show, which had been held the previous Wednesday, had seen “a very good entry of high quality exhibits”, particularly in the cattle and the homecrafts sections, stated a report in the issue of September 4 1965. There were as many as 50 entries in the brown bread class.

The report stated that there had been close on 1,100 entries, and plenty to interest the large attendance, including the introduction of trotting competitions, staged by the Dublin Trotting Club.

Sean Flynn, of Clonfad House, Milltownpass, had for the third successive year won the Westmeath Examiner Cup for the best agricultural horse or mare, and the writer noted that if Mr Flynn succeeded in winning the same event the following year, the cup would become his property.

Westmeath Examiner, September 3, 1955

Choral Society’s Pink Champagne

The Mullingar Choral Society had succeeded in securing the performing rights to Johann Strauss’s enchanting opera, ‘Pink Champagne’, the edition of September 3, 1955 announced.

The writer explained that Pink Champagne was a recent version in English of ‘Die Fledermaus’, and the Mullingar show would be only the second ever performance of the work in Ireland.

The writer went on to reveal that Miss Kitty Corcoran, who, a few years earlier had “thrilled thousands” in the county hall in Mullingar, had returned from the United States. The writer tipped her as “the obvious choice” for the leading female role: “Her unbounded enthusiasm and singular earnestness should inspire the whole Choral Society and make of this opera a production to be long remembered.”

Westmeath Examiner, September 1, 1945

Hay destroyed in Mullingar blaze

“A quantity of hay was destroyed when a fire broke out in a hay shed, the property of Mr PL Rooney, about 100 yards from the Military Barracks, at 7pm last Saturday,” stated a report in the issue dated September 1, 1945.

The hay shed, which adjoined Mr Rooney’s residence, was strongly constructed with zinc roofing and that made the work of extinguishing the fire extremely difficult, readers were told. “The fire had made considerable progress before it was observed and the Mullingar Fire Brigade summoned. The Brigade was assisted by military, members of the Garda Síochána and a large number of civilian volunteers.

“At the outset the efforts of the Brigade were directed towards saving Mr Rooney’s residence.

“After about three hours, the fire was extinguished, but it was 5 o’clock on Sunday morning before all the work was completed.

“It is estimated the shed contained about fifty tons of hay, some of which was saved by being thrown out of the shed.”

The report stated that Mr Rooney supplied sandwiches and tea to the firefighters during the work.

Westmeath Examiner, September 7, 1935

The Downs school opening

“An event of far more than passing interest, especially for the older folk in The Downs and Mullingar area generally, took place when the second splendid new national school building at The Downs was opened,” stated an item in the Westmeath Examiner of September 7, 1935.

The new buildings forming the school were, the writer stated, “in every sense modern and suitable” unlike some of the older school buildings around the county, which were “not at all what would be desired”.

Marking the opening, the writer stated that the occasion prompted memories of some “fine old personalities from the past” associated with the far-off years of teaching at that school. Indeed, a slab erected on the new building read: ‘Dedicated to Henry Glynn, teacher 1862 to 1885, by Christopher Branagan, an old pupil from California’.

Mr Glynn was, the writer said, succeeded in his role by his son, Joe Glynn, who was not only a gifted teacher but possessed of rare literary gifts and “a charming facile wit that made him one of the most popular and beloved of the community”.

He continued: “His literary work published and otherwise showed him to be one who had gazed intensely at Parnassus and drawn into his receptive soil a generous modicum of ‘the divine afflatus’.”

Mr Branagan, meanwhile, had, the writer revealed, donated £2,000 towards the erection of the new school.

“All of these fine personalities are now gone from the scene, ‘bound into the sheaf of kindred hearts’ beyond the skies, but perhaps it is not too much to hope that as well as the elder folk, the young pupils in the new school today will, when the slab catches their eyes, breathe a prayer for and turn a reverent grateful thought towards those whose memory it enshrines and recalls.”

Westmeath Examiner, September 5, 1925

Earl of Longford’s marriage

The Westmeath Examiner reported on what it described as an interesting event at Pakenham Hall, Castlepollard, on September 4, 1925. On that day, the Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Longford were presented with “a handsome and valuable gift” from friends and former tenants of his Lordship’s Killucan Estate. The tribute was offered in celebration of their recent marriage.

The proceedings were presided over by Rev BS Radcliffe, The Rectory, Killucan, and the deputation included James Stafford, Knockaville; Patrick Keegan, Glenmore; Thomas Bray, Craddenstown; Patrick Falkner, Newdown; Edward Cole, Riverstown; A Coffey, Hodgestown; and William Bailey, Killucan, who acted as honorary secretary and treasurer.

The presentation consisted of a formal address – signed on behalf of the subscribers by Rev Dermot Cole, PPVF Killucan, Rev M Radcliffe, and Messrs S Duncan, J Stafford and W Bailey – together with a massive and beautiful silver rose bowl, known as ‘The Cruiskeen Bowl’. It was of entirely Irish manufacture, crafted by Charles Lamb of 3 Temple Lane, Dublin, and was greatly admired by all, especially the recipients, the writer said.

The inscription on one side read: ‘Presented to the Earl and Countess of Longford by their friends and former tenants on the occasion of their marriage on 19th June 1925’. The reverse bore the Earl’s coat of arms.

The accompanying address expressed deep gratitude for the kindness of the Earl’s father and ancestors, their support for community projects, and the enduringly harmonious relations between landlord and tenant on the Killucan estate.

Westmeath Examiner, September 4, 1915

NJ Downes’ death

The death had taken place of the noted Mullingar solicitor NJ Downes.

Recounting the news, the writer stated that seldom had such universal sorrow fallen over the people of Mullingar and District as that which descended on the Monday of that week with the news that the previous evening, Mr Downes, of Belle Vue had passed away “to the land beyond the grave”.

“It is no exaggeration to say that in the length and breadth of the fair on Monday no subject was spoken of so frequently and so pathetically as the death of Mr Downes and as the vast concourse of people included in the fair represented not only Westmeath and other midland counties but many other parts of Ireland and included men of all stations, universality of the sorrow felt may be in some small way, gauged,” the article said.

The writer continued by stating that to Mullingar the loss of Mr Downes was a grave blow in its public, social and national life.

Mr Downes was a native of Greville Street, Mullingar and had been called to the solicitor’s profession in the Michaelmas term of 1876. He was the father of the solicitors bar in Westmeath and was solicitor to the MGWR (Midland Great Western Railway), to the Mullingar District Council and Boards of Guardians.

The writer added that he was “a practical and spirited supporter of local sporting institutions, rode to hounds and was for many years a director of the Mullingar Race Company Limited.

“As a nationalist, he was a tower of strength in Mullingar, always a member of the Mullingar branch of the United Irishman League and a constant supporter of Mr John Redmond and the Irish party and his purse was ever at the disposal of the national cause in the most generous manner.”

His funeral Mass was held at the Cathedral in Mullingar. Burial was in Walshestown Cemetery and the funeral was one of the largest ever seen in Mullingar.

“To obtain a full list of the attendants on such an occasion would clearly be utterly impossible,” the Examiner stated before going on to list as many as it could.

Westmeath Examiner, September 2, 1905

Eclipse generated interest

The previous Wednesday morning keen interest had been displayed across the country in a promised solar eclipse. Unfortunately due to heavy cloud cover, few in Westmeath managed to see the eclipse for more than a few moments.

The report stated that the morning had been fine and clear in this district and hopes had been entertained that a cloudless sky would enable a continuous observation to be made. At about 10.30, however, the clouds began to gather and by 11.14, when the eclipse commenced, it was impossible to observe it as the sun was obscured and this condition continued except for a very brief interval until about 1.30, which within about 10 minutes of the passing of the shadow.

At that stage, the clouds did lift and the last phase was visible.

The writer noted that between about 12.27 and 12.30 there had been an appreciable fall in the temperature and “a mysterious weird darkness fell around”.

“Although in Ireland generally – Dublin included – the experience of those interested in the eclipse was disappointing, in Spain, Tunis and several places in Asia and North Africa as well as parts of Canada which were in the shadow track and the cone of total eclipse, very important and interesting observations were made by the astronomers and others engaged and many excellent photographs were secured”.