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Westmeath Independent, February 16, 1856

Auction of furniture from La Mancha

An advertisement was placed by the auctioneer Edward Coffey of Mullingar outlining the contents of an auction containing the stock and household furniture from La Mancha, Mullingar. The auction was due to take place on February 25, 1856, at La Mancha.

The contents included a handsome set of full-sized mahogany dinner table, breakfast card and loo tables, mahogany parlour chairs in haircloth, Morocco easy chairs, parlour and drawing room curtains and cornices in damask; a rosewood Devonport mahogany four-post and Albert beds, bedroom curtains, blankets and counterpanes, large Brussels carpet and hearth rug, a stair and other carpets, two couches in damask, 12 dining room chairs, a grand square pianoforte in rosewood with a stool to match; music stands, music books, several handsome and valuable framed prints, a beautiful Ormolu timepiece, fenders and fire irons, garder vines, hall chairs, work tables, coconut malting, bedroom chairs, mahogany wardrobes, basin stands and dressing tables, iron bedsteads, hair mattresses, mahogany secretary and bookcase with a large assortment of knives, forks, plates and plated ware, china, dolphins, glass, a double barrel gun and a pair of pistols, a splendid collection of choice new books by the best authors, newly and beautifully bound. Also for sale were a very handsome and useful harness and saddle mare and free from vice a grey mare, seven years old, a grey draft mare, also for sale was a fashionable jaunting card, newly new with an apron and Morocco leather cushions.

The Freeman’s Journal, February 19, 1866

Attempt made to derail train

A description of how an attempt had been made to derail a train in Westmeath was carried in the Freeman’s Journal of February 19, 1866. The report stated that the previous Friday morning, the Up mail train, having travelled two miles on the Mullingar side of Moate, came in contact with two heaps of stones placed maliciously on the rails, which gave the engine “a great shock”.

It had been fortunate that the train was not thrown off the line, the consequence of which would have been most disastrous as the train was running rapidly down an incline, the writer stated.

The stones placed on the line were, the report revealed, unusually large, one of them weighing six stones six pounds. They were also very hard stones and were driven many yards ahead with great violence, deeply cutting into several sleepers.

“This short section of line between Mullingar and Athlone has been the scene of as many attempts at wholesale murder as the whole of the rest of the Midland line, this being the second outrage during the last five months and the seventh during the last few ears. No provoking cause can be assigned,” the report concluded.

The Nation, February 19, 1876

Confraternity of Holy Family week of devotions

The writer assigned to cover the week of devotions carried out by the Mullingar branch of the Confraternity of the Holy Family, described how events had begun on Friday February 4, continuing on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with the daily sermons being delivered by His Lordship, the Bishop of Meath, Most Rev Dr Nulty.

The Friday and Saturday were devoted to concession and preparation for Holy Communion, with upwards of 20 priests from the adjoining parishes assisting, and on Sunday morning between 1,100 and 1,200 members, with about 200 probationary members of the society received Holy Communion.

Prior to that final Mass, at 9.30am, about 1,000 members assembled on the lawn before St Mary’s College, each wearing a green sash and the medal of the society suspended by a green ribbon from the neck, the prefects being distinguished by a purple neck ribbon and a white rosette. Each section carried in front a handsome gilt shield with the number of the section on it. Having been formed in order of procession, they proceeded down College Street before taking their places in the Cathedral.

Stated the writer: “Viewed from the gallery, this appearance of the members of the confraternity was most imposing. Their demeanour and the orderly manner in which each section moved in its turn to the rails gave evidence of the superior management and arrangements of its worthy president and the attention and zeal of the prefects and sub-prefects in carrying out his directions, and told unmistakably of the great advances this society has made since its inauguration by the Reverend Father Harbison in 1867.”

The Freeman’s Journal, February 19, 1886

Size of local constabulary out of proportion

In a report on the proceedings in Parliament, it was stated in the Freeman’s Journal that Mr Tuite had indicated that on February 23 he would be asking the chief secretary whether there was at present in the town of Mullingar a force of about 40 constabulary occupying two separate barracks and if this force, in proportion to the population of the town, which was 1737, together with the peacefulness of the locality, was not far in excess of what was necessary for the maintenance of order, and whether in consideration of this fact and of the absence of serious crime generally throughout the entire county of Westmeath, the extra constabulary force could not now be withdrawn from the county and this second barracks of Mullingar, which was established in the last five years, abolished. He also intended to ask him whether it was true that the said force at Mullingar was not frequently employed by the county inspector and other constabulary officers at Mullingar at other duties.

Westmeath Examiner, February 22, 1896

Public water squabble

A major civic issue in late 19th-century Mullingar was the long-running effort to secure a reliable public water supply. Reporting on February 22, 1896, the Westmeath Examiner detailed an inquiry held the previous Tuesday by order of the Local Government Board into a proposed scheme for the town. By that stage, the board of guardians had abandoned hopes of sourcing water from Loch Owel, Mullingar’s natural supply, and instead adopted an alternative plan put forward by Mr Joyce, using the waters of Loch Sheever and nearby springs. Evidence presented at the inquiry confirmed both the quality and quantity of the proposed supply, and the scheme met with no direct opposition.

Two parties, however, were professionally represented – not to challenge the project, but to seek exemption from the water rate that would follow. These were the Midland Railway Company and the Most Reverend Dr Nulty, Bishop of Meath, both arguing that they had already incurred substantial expense in providing private water supplies. While such claims might also be made by smaller ratepayers with pumps or wells, the paper argued that neither case justified exemption.

The railway company, the writer said, deriving significant revenue from Mullingar, had a clear interest in the town’s health and sanitation and should contribute accordingly. Even less convincing, he suggested, was the bishop’s position. Much ecclesiastical property was already tax-exempt, and the remaining liability would amount to no more than about £10 annually. Evidence given by Father Daly further weakened the case, revealing that Dr Nulty acted as a profitable water contractor for police and military and drew water from the Royal Canal, a privilege denied to the town itself.

Westmeath Examiner, February 24, 1906

Mullingar, Kells and Drogheda Railway

Some progress had been made by the promoters behind the proposed provision of a railway running from Mullingar to Kells and Drogheda, with approval of the Guarantee Bill from Louth County Council.

A 1906 report stated that the matter would come up for approval at Westmeath County Council’s quarterly meeting, and would also come up in due course before meetings of Meath County Council and the Drogheda Town Council.

“The petition filed by Midlands Great Western Railway Company against the project is in more than one respect an extraordinary document of its kind,” commented the writer.

“There is an air of dictation to the councils concerned in the matter which is not at all agreeable or perhaps warrantable and it is questionable whether the Midlands strengthen their hands by such a paragraph as number 13 which states “to the powers so sought, more especially insofar as they relate to the counties of Westmeath and Meath, your petitioners object as unjust and unwarrantable and such as ought not to be granted to the company who obtained their original Act by means of gross misrepresentation to parliament”,” the writer added.

Westmeath Examiner, February 19, 1916

Ploughing at Castlepollard

The annual ploughing match at Castlepollard had just taken place on a field loaned for the occasion by Joseph Keegan. The day was inclement, meaning there were fewer spectators than was typical of other years, although 20 ploughs were listed for the match.

The report stated that much praise was due to Mr Keegan for his hospitality to all who attended, and also to the untiring efforts of Mr W Coughlan and Mr James Lyon and their committee for making the Castlepollard ploughing match such a success.

Victory in Class A for chilled or digging ploughs went to William McDermott, 2nd place to Pakenhamhall per John Connor and 3rd to H Gibson of Stonehall.

Class B for ploughs with wheels, went to Pakenhamhall per John Brown. Class C for old swing ploughs was won by James Daly of Ballycomoyle, with Bernard Daly 2nd and Patrick Lynch of Drummond 3rd. The championship class for ploughs with wheels was won by Pakenhamhall per John Robinson.

The championship class for swing ploughs without wheels was won by Patrick Burns of Ballycomoyle. Special prizes were awarded to William McDermott for Best Furrows and Neatest Edges.

Westmeath Examiner, February 27 1926

Westmeath Sportsmen’s Ball

The annual Westmeath Sportsmen’s Ball had taken place at Columb Barracks in Mullingar and proved “a huge success in all respects, with the music and catering being all that could be desired”.

The fancy dress was noted universally as the best of recent years. “Quaint, original and excellently designed,” said the writer describing the occasion for the Westmeath Examiner. The prize winners were Mrs Keelan as Rainbow, with Mrs Norman Field of Knockdrin Castle as a pirate.

Among the gentlemen, Captain Boyd Rochford and Colonel JH Batten as the Dolly Sisters won first prize.

Other specially praised costumes were Dr TJ Dowdall solicitor as Cupid, Mrs Porter as Cleopatra, her headdress being a fine work of art; Miss Farrell and Miss O’Connor as American Kids, a delightful study in black and white; Miss Cartron as Gypsy; Captain Brophill as a hospital nurse, a triumph of make-up; Miss Kerrigan as the man in dress clothes, and another Miss Kerrigan as Departed Soles, a very clever costume.

Among the attendance otherwise were Mrs Boyd Rochford, Mr Brennan, solicitor Tullamore, Mr and Mrs Clibborn, Mr J Doyne, Mr Joseph Downes solicitor, Miss Grant, Miss M Daly, Mr AE Joyce, Mr Kelly, Mr Large, Mr R Meares, Mrs Macken, Miss Macken, Miss O’Sullivan, Mr PP O’Reilly, Miss E O’Neill, Miss CV Porter, Mr WT Patrick, Major Saunderson, Miss B Shaw, Mr Joseph Shaw, Mr Thomas J Shaw, Miss Tottenham, Mr J Williams, Tullamore and Mrs Williams.

Westmeath Independent, February 22 1936

Propagation of the Faith

The contributions from the parishes in the Meath diocese towards the propagation of the faith were Mullingar £72, Tullamore £59, Navan £50, Clara £44, Drogheda £31, Kells and Oldcastle £25 each, Trim £24, Skryne £23, Kilcormack £21, Delvin, £20, Athboy £19, Kinnegad, Castlepollard, Duleek, Killucan and Castletown £18 each, Tubber and Rochfortbridge £17 each, Bohermeen and Collinstown £16 each, Dunshaughlin, Kilskyre, Beauparc and Dysart £15 each, Moynalty £14, Longwood £13, Drumraney, Mountnugent, Ballymore and Ballinabrackey £12 each; Kingscourt, Johnstown, Clonmellon, Enfield, Kilbeggan and Rathkenny £11 each, Summerhill and Ballynacargy £10 each.