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Growing up in Ballyshannon during the 1940/50�s
And
Before the 1940�s and after the 1950�s
They were good and they were hard times, The Falls of Assaroe had disappeared forever, our once majestic River Erne was now but a sad memory, the Erne Salmon had to learn how to navigate this new waterway that was created in the name of progress, as Johnnie Gillespie so aptly described in the Vindicator Newspaper during 1944 The new faces of future generations of Ballyshannon people will not see �A fairyland beside their doorsteps, that delighted the senses and feasted the eyes of their forefathers, no, only a shrunken and imprisoned waterway will meet their gaze�. How true, for the past fifty years we have been looking at a characterless River and an equally characterless Riverbank. For those who do not remember what Ballyshannon was like with this wide winding river moving along directly at the back of houses along the Purt, its waters heading to the Falls of Assaroe and the final plunge into the lower stretches of the river at the pools. We have been blessed in many ways and in particular that William Allingham was born in our town and that God gave him that great gift of writing and composing Poetry, thru him we can read �The Winding Banks of Erne� or as it has been otherwise called �Adieu to Ballyshannon�, whatever the title, it is a wonderful piece of work, and for those who have read this recitation, from it, we can appreciate the wonderful river that was lost to us for ever. 1950 saw the construction of the Power Station�s at Cathleen�s Fall and Cliff well under way, the Natural Harbour to the North of the Mall Quay was used as a dumping ground by the Cementation Company, rock�s that were excavated from the Tail Race, and dumped here, filling in this once Natural Harbour, and Ballyshannon�s legacy is that 50 plus years later, we still have that ugly rock strewn site around the perimeter of what is now called the Mall Park. We would wishfully hope that the present hierarchy of the ESB might consider making amends for the sins of their predecessors and leave the banks of the Tail Race and the Mall Park looking like something that would make future generations of Ballyshannon folk almost proud of these areas before the tailrace was flooded the young boys would look for ball bearings that fell out of broken machinery on the bed of the tailrace, these ball bearings were used for playing marbles.
Life was very simple, money did not matter that much to the young ones growing up, there was 240 pence in the pound, it cost four pence to get into the pictures, all minerals came in bottles and cost 3d, a bottle of Guinness cost 9d (26 for a pound). There was no Broccoli or Brussels Sprouts, or Special K, you got Porridge, Injun Meal or a Boiled Egg for Breakfast, where food was concerned you were not asked what you liked or disliked, it was put on the plate, it was a simple case of eating what you got or do without. For young people the most daring act was to rob an Orchard (Steal Apples) even to do this you were terrified that the orchard owner would catch you in the act. Condon�s orchard on the Mall was probably one of the better orchards as it had such a large variety of fruit, it particular Pears and Plums which most young people then, considered a delicacy? Coyle�s Caf� was a popular gathering place, good fish and chips if you could afford them and the only Juke Box in the town was in Coyle�s, you often saw an odd boy and girl leaving Coyle�s and straying up towards the Back Mall.
Paddy O�Neill�s shop at the Bridge-End, was a popular gathering place on a Sunday morning, men like the Dodger Mc Dermott, Big Bob Gallagher, Paddy Sheerin, Mick Ferguson, �The Bishop� John Joe Sheerin, P.J. Goan, Pat Murray, Jim Sheerin, Johnny Crawford, Terry Mc Dermott, Tommy �The Bomber� Gallagher, and others would discuss the weeks affairs and especially would voice their opinions regarding what way a football match should be or has been played. A younger generation (Not so young now) of people from the Rock the Port and Portnason like the Nolan�s, Mc Dermott�s, Regan�s, Kane�s, Crawford�s, Daly�s, Mc Nerns, Mc Geevers, Flanagan�s, Sean Mc Hugh, O�Neill�s, Merrifield�s, Darcy�s, Sheerin�s, Doherty�s, Mc Govern�s, Ferguson�s, Sweeney�s, Fox�s, Conway�s, Tommy Mc Gowan, Tony Berry and Ernie Hallihan all of these people would have been otherwise occupied probably having a shindig with the crowd from our side of the Bridge, there was always that bit of rivalry between the two parishes.
Michael and Rita Rogan�s Fly Tying emporium and Tackle Shop at the Bridge End, was undoubtedly a major attraction for anglers world wide, and was solely responsible for attracting many visitors to Ballyshannon, such was the fame of the famous �Rogan name� worldwide.
No house had a TV, this was a completely new invention, the first one in the town was placed in the window of Seamus Mc Gonigles Electrical shop on Castle Street, the picture was very fuzzy, but large crowds used to gather to watch Roy Rogers or Hopalong Cassidy.
The Ballyshannon Boxing Club was probably one of the better ones in the North West during the 50�s, the club was run and run well by Michael Burke, Brendan Rodgers, Willie Mc Allister Snr, Paddy Meehan and others, a young Michael �Iron Man� Dolan helped with the training, some of the boys who belonged to the club were Patsy Rooney, Mickey Cooney, Fintan Rooney, Joe Coyne, Frankie Kerrigan, Tom Fox, Seamus Gallagher, Cathal Gallagher, Jackie Gallagher, Jimmy Coyle, Tommy Mc Nern, Young Willie Mc Allister, John Mc Allister, Paddy Donagher, Kevin Mc Caffrey, Alo Hoey, Michael Mc Govern, Benny Sheridan, Packie Gallagher, Eddie Mc Gonigle, Noel Mc Ivor, and there were so many more who were involved with this great club, Seamus Gallagher created much excitement in the town by winning a National Boxing Title, this fete was followed by Noel Mc Ivor, Cathal Gallagher, wee Patsy Mc Groarty and Paddy Doherty, boxing tournaments were a regular feature in the Abbey and the Erne Cinemas.
The Handball Alley was one of the busiest sports arenas in the town, some of the people who frequented the Alley at that time were Jimmy Rogan, Francie �Titsie� Daly, Dutchie Darcy, Sylvester Maguire Snr., Johnnie Moore, Willie Daly, Dermott Lapsley, Tom, Packie and Francie Gallagher, Jody, Patsy, Eddie and Charlie Rooney, Jim and John Askin, Frankie and Jim Kerrigan, Maurice Murray, Dennis Patton, Mickey Gillen, Jim White, Dan and Benny Dorrian, John, Paddy and Cormac Mc Cready, Thomas Duffy, Jimmy Rooney, Jimmy Coyle, Michael Donagher, Michael White, John, Seamus and Patrick Coyle, Mickey Keenan, Michael Mc Govern, Michael Gallagher, Paddy and Kevin Begley, P.J. Coughlin, Paddy Donagher, Blackie Coyle, Paddy and Alo Hoey, Willie and John Mc Allister, Brendan Farrelly, Sean Mc Dermott, Roger and James Mc Ginley, Francis Smith, Danny, Jack and Jim Downey, Seamie Granaghan, Seamus Darcy, Fergal Gildea, Dennis Lawn. With the help of Francie Gallagher, those listed above are the names that come to mind. The older fellows always took control of the big alley while the younger lads used the side alley, during the summer�s the alley would be packed, it was always a pleasure to sit and watch a good game of handball. Someone who was known to all at that time blew a hole in the Alley in 1957, regardless of this person�s treachery the damage was repaired immediately.
The Handball alley was also a popular venue for Open Air Ceili�s on the odd Sunday evenings during the summers; Cyril Curran and his Assaroe Ceili Band usually provided the music, this was a very popular event for young and old.
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Since the time of St. Patrick, Angling has always been a tradition in Ballyshannon,
Some of those that partook of this gentle art during the 40�s and the 50�s, men like Johnnie �The Wildduck� Kerrigan, Vincent Grimes, Pat Mc Gettigan, Maurice Foley, Hugh Mc Geever, Jack Gormley, Michael Mc Donagh, Willie Daly, Ted Tiernan, Dermott Lapsley, Frank Smith, Niall Green Snr, Brother Fidelas, Brother Nathy, Jack Fannon, Larry Curran, Frankie Miller, Pierce Mc Mahon, and popular faces at Port Na Marbh were Pat Murray, Paddy Kelly, Frank Stewart, Paddy O�Neill and Joe Darcy, they say that the Wildduck was one of the best men to fish the Elver (Baby Eel) he was part of the furniture on �Nellie�s Rock� at the back of the Laundry, while most others would fish off �Carrick A Davy rock�; many of the old timers always had it to say that the best time to cast a fly was just after darkness had set in. Most of the above mentioned men have since passed on RIP, but people like Willie Daly, Pat Murray, Paddy Kelly and the man with a wealth of fishing knowledge Pat Mc Gettigan are thankfully still with us.
The Market House built in 1762, and was probably as important as the Town Clock building as a town landmark. Charlie Fry ran Checka (A game something like Bingo) in the old Market House twice a week, Ceili Dancing and Music was also taught in the Market House and various committees including the Town and Harbour Commissioners held their meeting�s there. But unfortunately it was allowed to run into ruin and was eventually demolished during 1988.
The old Brass and Reed Band for many years held their practices in the Market House and this would have been the principal base for the band for many years. To quote from �The Origins of the Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band� The band traces its origins back to 1899, prior to this there were always bands in the town, before1899 there was a Brass Band also a flute band, some of the principals involved with the Flute Band then were, President � Thomas Mc Gowan (Baker) Market St. Treasurer- Patrick Gillespie, (Rope and Twine Maker), Market St
Ferdinand Mc Fadden, Erne Hotel, Market St, Patrick Daly, The Rock, Jimmy Holland, John Gallagher, (Shoe Maker), John Monaghan, James Mc Gowan, William Stephen�s, (Shoe Maker), Eddie and Jack Higgins, Thomas Gallagher, and the Mc Shea Brothers. The Brass band was active during the struggle for tenant�s rights, which was championed by Michael Davitt and the Land League, this was a band of many talents, and they often travelled to venues as a Flute Band, having carried their flutes in their pockets. Bands in Ballyshannon have nearly always been involved in Social and Religious Occasions, in 1840 Father Mathew the great Temperance Crusader addressed a gathering of thousands in the Big Meadow, College Street, a recital was given at this crusade by a Ballyshannon Band. At the inaugural meeting held during 1899 in the Market House to establish a Brass and Reed Band in Ballyshannon, the following people attended that meeting to consider fund raising, to purchase instruments, Michael Cassidy chaired the meeting, Robert Sweeney, Michael Gavigan, Daniel Mc Nulty, James Mc Nulty, P.B.Stephens, J.I.Kelly, Charles Kelly, Lewis Rapmund, Michael Gillen, James Mc Keown, John Mulligan, Ben Mc Gloin, Edward Lynch, Phillip Cleary, John Mc Adam, Patrick Lyons, Barney Cusack, John Mc Cartney, Con Gallagher, Paddy Patton, James Mc Gowan, James Cleary, Bernard Gallagher, Ferdinard Mc Fadden. During the 1930�s the Brass and Reed Band were very active they participated in at least four Sligo Feis Ceol�s, their instructor was Eddie Lynch and the conductor was Cecil Stephens. Band member Eddie Taite was apparently a very talented and gifted musician, he formed a band that participated in dances all over Donegal, other members of this group were Jimmy Daly and Charlie Mc Hugh and others. Eddie and Freddie Mc Donagh frequently sang duets in St. Patrick�s Church choir, Eddie Taite was killed in action towards the end of World War 11 in 1945 and is buried in Holland, his sister Rosaleen Gallagher of Erne Street survives him. Band members during the 1930�s were Jimmy Gallagher, Red John Rooney, J.J. Stephens, Lanty Mc Dermott, P.J. Goan, Felix Coughlin, James Gallogley, Pat Mc Quade, Paddy Monaghan, Jimmy Coughlin, Eddie Taite, Tommy Gallagher, John Ward, Tommy Mc Guinness, John Gallinagh, Dan �The Swank�Gallagher, John Cleary, Charlie Gallogley, Alby Munday, Jimmy Daly, Gerry Melly, Packie Keon, Packie Mc Ivor, John Gavigan, Steve Martin, Joe Mc Cauley, Freddie Mc Donagh, Joseph Toland. There were up�s and down�s keeping the band together especially during the peak immigration years, but still as the saying goes �The Band Plays On�, band members who were involved with the band during the 1970�s were, Pauric Mc Garrigle, Danny Mc Geever, Seamus Gallagher, Bob Gallagher, Jack Grimes, Packie Gallagher, Jimmy Rafferty, Francie Gallagher, Tom Gallagher, Anthony Begley, James Hoey, Mickey Gallagher, Fergus Lawlor, Michael Dalton, P.J.Goan, Jim Gallagher, Eamonn Gallagher, Cecil Stephens Jnr, Michael Gallagher, Eugene Mc Loughlin, John Mc Gahern, Jimmy Rafferty, Packie Mc Ivor.
The above information is only a re-cap of the actual history of the Bands of Ballyshannon, the full History of Ballyshannon Bands is a remarkable story and a story that deserves to be told, we look forward to seeing this story on this Web Site in it�s entirety, from the dark days of the 1880�s right up to the Ballyshannon of the 21st Century.
Garda in Ballyshannon during those days would certainly have been bored for the want of something to do, unlike the Ballyshannon of today. Families were very close, children were not hanging out all over the town and in particular during the late hours of the night, the Garda had a good relationship with the locals, and were held in high esteem, I think the most exciting part of a Garda�s day was checking to make sure you had a light on you�re bicycle, most bike�s had the old carbide lamp and yes the Garda tried to make sure that Publicans did not breach the official drinking hours especially on Sunday�s as Pubs were closed on all Sundays, Christmas Day, St Patrick�s Day and Good Friday.
Soccer was taboo in the eyes of the GAA, the Ban was in full force, Ballyshannon Soccer players played their games on a pitch down by the Estuary at Finner, Footballers, who enjoyed both Soccer and Gaelic, were at a great disadvantage, because you literally had to sneak out to the Soccer pitch for training or for a game, most went via the old Lime Kill and then walked the strand over to the football field so as not to be seen.
The Danby Show�s were held on the 15th of August each year, this was a very exciting day and one that was looked forward to for months; large crowds attended the shows. Farmers prepared their animals for some weeks to have them entered in the different categories and displays of homemade produce were on display also hoping for that coveted 1st prize, but the Horse Jumping, undoubtedly was the most popular event, Prior to heading for the Danby Shows on the 15th August, many people would attend Saint Patrick�s Well, this devotion to St. Patrick has been going on for hundreds of years and to this day, the tradition is still observed.
We had two Railway Stations in the town at the time, the GNR Railway Co. operated from the South side of the town, the Train Station was at what we still call Station Road, this train carried heavy and light goods and passengers, many�s the one got on the train here as a start to their immigrant life and never returned to their native town. Goods were picked up and delivered by lorry, the GNR lorry drivers at the time were John Connolly, Packie MC Geever and Louie Harte and Mick Slevin was a helper, also Paddy Slevin or �Paddy Go�Aisy� as he was popularly called made deliveries, Unfortunately the GNR railway ceased to exist in 1957 and the closure of the railway could be perceived as the direct cause of isolating Donegal from the rest of the country. The Donegal Narrow Gauge Train also known as the Wee Train, operated from the head off the town. People who were associated with the CDR in Ballyshannon, were Hugh Mc Mahon who was for many years the Station Manager, Neily Fullerton who had the distinction of driving the first CDR train to Ballyshannon, Joe Thompson, Jimmy Mc Intyre, Joe Rea, Eddie Tate, Paddy Gallinagh, Dan Mc Groary, Jimmy Irwin, Tommy Mc Aree, Dan Gallagher, Wee Tommy Mc Cafferty, Jimmy Mc Menamin, Eddie Mc Gonigle, Christie Kennedy, Mikey Lafferty, Danny Bannigan, Seamus Cleary, Eddie Mc Groary, many of the train personnel got lodgings in Pete and Peggy Campbell�s house, some of the CDR personnel who came from North of the Gap made Ballyshannon their permanent residence. Thanks to Larry Mc Mahon for the above information on the wee train. The train serviced a good part of the county, locally it was a good way of getting to Creevy or Rossnowlagh as cars were scarce and very few young people had a bicycle. There was a special service laid on for people going to Mass on Sundays at the Friary in Rossnowlagh, the wee Train would leave Ballyshannon at 10.30am and would pick people up at Legaltion Cross, Kildoney and Creevy, old and young might have to walk a mile or more to get to their train stop, regardless of the weather conditions, then the train would return leaving Rossnowlagh at 12 noon. There were three trains daily to Donegal Town from Monday to Friday, and if you wished to go further, then you made the connection in Donegal Town. Those from the area who emigrated to the North of Scotland to work in the Tunnels would also use the wee train, they would take the train to Derry then get what was known as the Cattle Boat to Scotland, it was a long hard journey and their return journey home to spend Christmas with their families was made less exciting by the over zealous Customs Officers who in the event that the particular train that the returning emigrants were on did not get customs clearance, then the train was literally stripped and often the returning immigrants had to pay outrages duty on the small and inexpensive gifts that they were bringing home to their families, the train schedule was not effected and if the customs had not enough time to check all the baggage, then this baggage was taken off the train and forwarded only when the customs officers had checked everything and in many cases some of the baggage might not arrive at the home station until after Christmas. Like the closure of the GNR the wee train made its last run from Ballyshannon in 1959 thus ending over 100 years of train service in Ballyshannon.
The Summer weather seemed to have been better then and certainly the winters seemed to have been more severe, snow and frost was a norm during most winters, the snow was a welcome sight amongst the young folk, as soon as there was a good fall, then out came the sleighs, it is probably hard to imagine to-day, that the Main Street was a desired location for sleighing, yes, it was not unusual to see twenty sleighs or more flying down the Main Street one after the other and some of the better sleighs going over as far as the Bridge End. All the sleighs were built at home and with great care and attention, they averaged between six and eight feet long, with a turntable at the front which was controlled by a rope on each side, usually by the Sleigh owner, he sat at the back and his four to five passengers sat in front, there was a fair amount of skill in handling the sleigh, you had to make sure your passengers lay back as much as possible, this way you were able to generate a fair bit of speed. Higginstown hill was another great ride, it was great coming down but pulling the sleigh back up was a different story, Erne Street was a run for the dare-devils, manys the sleigh never made the left turn at the bottom, some even went thru Mrs O�Donnell�s �Mary King William� half door on College Street and were rewarded with a good smack of her bisim (Broom). Another good Sleigh run was Falgarragh Park (St.Benildus), some of the people who came from the street during the 50�s and are now away, Thomas Duffy, the Coyle Family, the Rooney�s, Anna Griffith, members of the Martin family, the Duncan family, Eugene Doherty, and so many more, there was a big fall of snow one of those years and the young ones were getting the sleighs ready when the Council Men were sent out to chip Falgarragh, but the young lads had other ideas about the Council spoiling their fun, a Poem relating to the particular period was written by John Clarence Mangan who came from the shores of Birra Lough, Killangle, Rossnowlagh and is called,
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Not long ago in the frost and snow
When days were cold and dark
A lorry took some councilmen
To chip Falgarragh Park.
But youngsters who were playing there
Saw if the work was done
Their fun would be all over
For their sleighs they would not run.
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Bob Tolan was the ganger man
And a man of many wars
Said he, I fought the Black and Tans
From them I bear no scars
I fought in France and Flanders
And the Battle of Dunkirk
Do you think today I�ll run away?
From the urchins in the park
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The youngsters gathered around him
About a score and ten
With shouts of �Up Falgarragh Park�
And down the councilmen
They tackled him from front and back
With every kind of scrap
And then a flanking fire
Which had him in a trap
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James Doherty got wounded
But I�ll not say what he said
For I hear he made some reference
To the man to whom you bow your head
He shouted for the doctor
And ran off for a guard
And going past the convent gate
He looked like a man who was scared
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Then up speaks Patsy Fagan
The lorry I must save
For if we stay much longer here
We�ll never need a shave
He put the lorry in reverse
And quickly did retreat
And they never stopped or looked around
Ti�ll they came to Castle Street.
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When they got to Castle Street
It was then they called the roll
And to their joy and great relief
There was no deathly toll
It was then the ganger made a vow
Falgarragh he would pass
If every pothole in the place
Could drown a tinkers ass
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The lads that�s in Falgarragh now
Are of a fighting race
And in a field of battle yet
I�m sure they�ll take their place
If only we had that army
I�m going to let you know
Sir Basil Brook might go and gawk
For the Border it would go
A lot of the young lads wore Hob Nail Boots then, they were great for sliding on the Icy Slides on the footpaths, these slides were achieved by throwing a couple of buckets of water on the footpaths, such was the frost, that the ice immediately formed to provide excellent slides.