Pages Past: Grand National winner in Mullingar

Westmeath Examiner April 16 2016

Grand National winner in Mullingar

The streets of Mullingar were thronged on April 10, 2016, for the parade through the town of Michael O'Leary's Grand National winning horse, Rule the World. Trainer Mouse Morris and the team from his yard accompanied Michael and Anita O'Leary and their children, while grooms Aaron O'Hanlon and Clive Ryan had responsibility for stewarding the horse as he made his way through the streets and the crowds who had turned out to see him.

The victory parade through the town came less than 24 hours after the horse had given Mullingar its second ever grand national success.

The report on the day's activities stated that despite paying €90,000 for a horse that went on to win £695,779 in the Grand National, Mr O'Leary said that Rule the World did not count as his best ever investment: "No," he stated. "Ryanair shares were probably the best investment I had in a very long time." He joked that he needed the airline industry to keep paying the training fees to Mr Morris and the others involved to bringing the horse to success.

He continued: "Racing is a hobby and that' all it is. It's a great hobby; it's a very expensive hobby so I need to keep working hard at the airline to make sure I can pay for the hobby.

"There's great highs at racing but there's an awful lot of lows. Far more of the horses that run lose than win. We ran three horses in the National yesterday and two of them didn't even complete. But you have to enjoy these days when you win any race - and certainly when you win a big race - and the big privilege of yesterday was to win a big race with Mouse and Jamie [Morris] who is the assistant trainer."

Westmeath Independent

April 25 1936

Loan of £20,700 for 62 new houses

A sworn inquiry into the proposal by Mullingar town commissioners to raise a loan of £20,700 for the construction of 62 new houses on the Green Road was held by Mr S MacLysaght, BL, department inspector, in the commissioners’ offices on Friday 17 April. The town clerk gave evidence on the valuation of the town and produced the resolution passed by the commissioners requesting permission to raise the loan.

Several tenants in the commissioners’ houses were in considerable arrears. The inspector stated that situation should be remedied, warning that tenants moving in to new houses might assume they could live rent-free.

Dr O’Neill, county medical officer, presented a report on a housing survey he had conducted in Mullingar. He noted that the town’s water supply was good and that the addition of 62 houses would not affect its efficiency.

Mr Brett, a commissioner, recalled the board of health’s earlier efforts to acquire a site on the Fair Green from Miss Sullivan, which the department refused to sanction. Later negotiations for the Camp Field resulted in a price 200% higher than that initially agreed with Miss Sullivan. He expressed his belief that securing the Camp Field could solve the town’s housing problem, noting it could accommodate 60 houses.

He added that there was a definite scarcity of better-class houses in Mullingar. Vacant houses typically attracted around 15 applicants, and people often paid high rents due to the shortage.

Westmeath Examiner April 15 2006

Investigation in Kilbeggan

A joint county council and department of agriculture investigation was launched in south Westmeath after the discovery of a pit containing the carcasses of a large number of cattle and sheep at Kilbeggan.

The discovery had been made by the council, who were notified of a possible pollution incident on the outskirts of Kilbeggan. The council investigation found that the dumping of the carcasses was done without the knowledge of any authority and without use of a waste disposal licence.

Council director of services, Murt Hanley, confirmed to the Westmeath Examiner that the environmental department spearheading the investigation were satisfied that it was dealing with what it termed "a historical site", ie one dating back further than six years.

The report stated that after the pit was opened for initial inspection, it was covered over again as a decision was made on what to do with the carcases.

Westmeath Examiner April 20, 1996

Rosemount woman had to flee war

A Rosemount woman and her nine-month-old baby arrived safely back in Ireland after fleeing the civil war which had just erupted in the East African country of Liberia, where they had been living. The report said that Terese Kinahan-Sayeh and her daughter Mairéad had to flee their home as rebel forces sought out the homes of Europeans intending to loot them of their possessions.

The mother and daughter went to a guest house at an American mission hospital in the hope of being evacuated with the help of the American embassy. "We were told to wait and to be ready on standby. We had our bags packed for three or four days," said Therese. "We thought we would be lifted by helicopter straight away, but we had to wait."

Therese, who was originally from Curragh, Rosemount, was working in the capital, Monrovia, where the fighting was concentrated. By profession, a hospital administrator, she was working as an administrative consultant for the Christian Health Association, overseeing health clinics and mission health services.

Therese had spent a lot of time in Liberia over the previous five years. The report continued, explaining that she had first gone out as a lay missionary in 1984 on a two-year leave of absence from her then-job at the Coombe Hospital to work at St Joseph's Hospital in Monrovia. On her return to Ireland, Therese became president of Viatores Christi, a position she held for five years.

Westmeath Examiner April 19 1986

Farming concerns

Westmeath IFA members held a meeting in the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar, to brief local TDs on what they described as the serious situation facing Irish agriculture. Farmers outlined the impact on farm families and those involved in agri-related businesses, according to a front page report in the Westmeath Examiner of April 19 1986.

Those present included Patrick Cooney, TD, Minister for Education; Mary O'Rourke, TD; and Albert Reynolds, TD.

Louis Vambeck, a former chairman of Westmeath IFA, said high interest rates were crippling efforts to revive the economy and leaving little hope for farmers. He asked how Irish farmers could compete with countries such as West Germany and Holland, where borrowing rates were as low as 5% and 6%.

Mr Vambeck also highlighted levies deducted at slaughterhouses in the Republic, amounting to approximately £9.50 per animal, compared to just £3 in Northern Ireland. He said fertiliser exported north could be bought there at significant savings and brought back across the border. He further pointed to lower diesel and petrol prices in the North, as well as differences in VAT on machinery and spare parts.

Alan Murray, chairman of the Westmeath IFA Grain Committee, said farmers were enduring a difficult period due to the 1985 weather and EEC policy. He said problems were compounded by cheap imports, falling prices, rising input costs and expensive borrowing.

Willie Small, a member of the IFA National Dairy Committee, warned that a proposed milk cessation scheme would be disastrous for Ireland. He said milk taken out of production would be lost permanently, rendering the efforts of Minister Deasy to secure an increased quota ineffective.

Tom Reid, chairman of the Westmeath IFA Livestock Committee, said the plight of winter beef fatteners showed a lack of concern for a key sector of a £1 billion export industry. He said the high cost of borrowing to invest in housing and stock was placing severe pressure on farmers committed to winter finishing.

Westmeath Examiner April 10 1976

It's right to look after the left

The 'Miscellany' column in the Westmeath Examiner of April 10 1976 featured a reflection on the challenges left-handed people faced.

The writer said a recent news item had opened his eyes to the difficulties encountered by those who favour their left hands, noting he had not previously realised how common it was, though estimates suggested three out of every 20 people are left-handed.

The article referred to past practices where well-meaning individuals attempted to force children to use their right hands, including cases where a child's left hand was bound. It also noted that some teachers insisted left-handed pupils write with their right hands.

"We can derive some consolation from the fact that none of the cases referred to had any connection with our own country, though I can recall a teacher who in my own school days could always be counted upon to frown sternly whenever a child was observed using the left hand to write," the columnist remarked.

He added that the same teacher maintained exceptionally high standards, particularly in handwriting, and was firmly convinced that no one using the left hand could write legibly.

The writer went on to question how many people were aware that certain manufacturers produced items specifically for left-handed users. He admitted it had never occurred to him that one could buy left-handed scissors, noting that everyday items could prove awkward for left-handed people.

He also highlighted the work of a woman in Milwaukee, United States, who had designed a range of products for left-handed users and encouraged manufacturers to cater for them.

She had gone on to establish a shop, appropriately named Left Hand Limited, devoted entirely to meeting the needs of left-handed people across North America and beyond.

Westmeath Examiner April 1966

Rising remembered

Mullingar was among the centres that marked the golden jubilee of the 1916 Rising in April 1966.

A parade in the town on the Easter Monday was reviewed by Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan.

The main ceremonies were held at Columb Barracks, where, according to the Westmeath Examiner, the military authorities arranged a "splendid programme".

Proceedings began on Easter Sunday morning with Mass in the Garrison Chapel. That was followed by a parade to the square, where the 1916 Proclamation was read by Lieutenant M Dunne. A Guard of Honour presented arms and the tricolour was raised by Lieutenant N Callinan.

Colonel D F McCormack, OC 4th Brigade Mullingar, unveiled two plaques on a newly erected 1916 memorial, which was blessed by Very Rev Fr Dermody.

Describing the ceremonies, the newspaper noted: "The tread of marching feet, the clash of rifle butts on the square, the echo of the commands, all conjured up the scene as it must have been when the men of 1916 marched out. The display was most impressive and in keeping with the best traditions of the Irish Army."

Two members of the Mullingar 5th Brigade Old IRA then marched to the Old IRA plaque at St Mary's CBS, where the Proclamation was read in Irish by Michael O'Murchú and in English by Tony Keegan, both pupils, dressed in Volunteer uniforms.

The writer also praised the Mullingar Jubilee Commemorative Committee for its organisation of the Easter Monday ceremonies and commended St Mary's Town Band, whose turnout and playing were widely admired throughout the events.

Evening Echo April 12 1956

Mayo families arriving

'More leave for new homes in Westmeath', stated the headline in an item in the Evening Echo, revealing that five families were due to leave their homes in the west of Ireland early that morning to travel by CIÉ bus to Westmeath.

They were to be settled on 37-acre residential farms on the Purdon Estate, Kerinstown, Killucan, where three other Mayo families had arrived the previous week.

The migrants' belongings, livestock and farm implements were to be transported by CIÉ lorries. In addition to the holdings, the Land Commission provided fodder and fuel for the new arrivals.

The report added that, with the arrival of a Connemara family at the Bonnow Estate, Irishtown, Ballynacargy later that month, the Land Commissio's 1956 migration scheme to Westmeath would be completed.

Westmeath Examiner April 20 1946

Wanted greater afforestation

A motion on afforestation in Westmeath was proposed by Michael J Kennedy, TD, at a meeting of the Westmeath County Committee of Agriculture and was seconded by Mr Gerry L'Estrange.

The motion called on the Forestry Department to establish an office in Mullingar and to take over the council's woodlands, subject to full compensation.

Mr Kennedy said Westmeath ranked highly in forestry terms and that the establishment of a local office was warranted. Mr L'Estrange, in seconding the motion, suggested the department should consider acquiring smaller parcels of land, noting it would not usually take less than 300 acres for planting.

Chairman Mr Finerty said that while 300 acres might be required overall, it did not have to be in one holding.

Following discussion, Mr L'Estrange proposed that a forestry inspector be invited to attend a future meeting to explain the scheme, pointing out that many people were unaware of the £10 per acre grant available.

The motion was passed.

Westmeath Independent April 25 1936

Loan of £20,700 for 62 new houses

A sworn inquiry into the proposal by Mullingar town commissioners to raise a loan of £20,700 for the construction of 62 new houses on the Green Road was held by Mr S MacLysaght, BL, department inspector, in the commissioners' offices on Friday 17 April. The town clerk gave evidence on the valuation of the town and produced the resolution passed by the commissioners requesting permission to raise the loan.

Several tenants in the commissioners' houses were in considerable arrears. The inspector stated that situation should be remedied, warning that tenants moving in to new houses might assume they could live rent-free.

Dr O'Neill, county medical officer, presented a report on a housing survey he had conducted in Mullingar. He noted that the town's water supply was good and that the addition of 62 houses would not affect its efficiency.

Mr Brett, a commissioner, recalled the board of health's earlier efforts to acquire a site on the Fair Green from Miss Sullivan, which the department refused to sanction. Later negotiations for the Camp Field resulted in a price 200% higher than that initially agreed with Miss Sullivan. He expressed his belief that securing the Camp Field could solve the town's housing problem, noting it could accommodate 60 houses.

He added that there was a definite scarcity of better-class houses in Mullingar. Vacant houses typically attracted around 15 applicants, and people often paid high rents due to the shortage.