Fore Abbey - A Wonder of Westmeath

Pictures by Michael Fagan

A mound of churches that exists in the heart of the Irish midlands is an historical place of stones beside the village of Fore, County Westmeath, writes David Flynn.
The French Benedictine abbey ruin is situated within a valley and beneath two hills, and it appears that the stones are deliberately built into the hill.  Also, it almost appears that the abbey has grown out of the stone-filled hill.
The broken and in some parts roofless ruin, has many nooks and crannies all among its more than four walls.  The stone surrounding hosts history from other centuries involving monks, vikings and the people of the nearby village of Fore.

High in the hills behind the abbey is rich green forestry, all marrying nature together around the grounds, which is also surrounded by grazing cattle.
The abbey was founded around the year 630, which is almost 90 years after the founding of Clonmacnoise in the adjoining County Offaly.  Between the eighth and twelfth centuries, Fore Abbey was destroyed many times by Vikings.  However most of the stone building today in Fore Abbey is from the 15^th century and has been restored since the 1940s by various groups including the county council, FAS teams, and the Office of Public Works. 

The Abbey is also noted for what the local population call its seven wonders: 1. A monastery built upon a bog, 2, the mill without a race, 3 water that flows uphill, 4, the tree with three branches that won’t burn, 5, the water that doesn’t boil in St. Fechin’s holy well, 6, the anchorite in a cell, 7, the lintel-stone raised by St. Fechin’s prayers.’

 

STREETE PARISH PARK VINTAGE DAY - Sunday, July 12th, 2015

The fun filled Vintage Day which is now in its 14th year, is one of the most popular family days in the Irish Midlands.

Streete, Co. Westmeath boasts one of the most renowned Vintage Shows in Ireland and has also become well known as a fun day out for families and folk of all ages.  The village’s Vintage Day is so well renowned that two years after it was set up, Streete obtained the All Ireland Vintage Society Rally (2005) and now a full decade on, it comes full circle again with Streete hosting the Irish Vintage Society All Ireland 2015 this July 12th.

This year the rally will feature some of the most interesting vehicles in Ireland, such as vintage cars, tractors, motorcycles, stationary engines, and many more, including from another era – horse drawn equipment.  A huge turnout of vehicles is expected on the day, not just because of the All Ireland Rally, but because of the name the Streete Show has developed over the past decade.

Thousands of folk turned up on the 2005 day, and the same and more is expected this year.  Expected on the day from all over Ireland are a minimum of 500 cars as well as at least 100 tractors.  There will also be many vintage “stand alone” engines.  The annual charity Tractor Run around the district is one of the most popular events on Saturday, 11th, the day before the Sunday Vintage Day and it will commence at 4 p.m. from the Streete Parish Park Community Centre and Sports Complex.

Some novel beauties like Model Railway working display will be set up and operated by its owner, Michael Leek and there will also be an opportunity to see some tinsmiths at work.

Everything on the day is built in and around the Community Centre and Sports Complex which is an important resource for the youth of the area.  The Sports Centre itself allows for many sporting pursuits.  A jaunting car with Clydesdale horses will be present on the day, which is another opportunity not experienced every day.  Children’s entertainment will also be on site and it’s important to point out that Order of Malta members will be in attendance on the day, giving of their generous time for the safety of all in the vicinity.

Streete Parish Park members will be supporting the local Tractor Run with support from many neighbouring clubs.  The Tractor Run followed by a BBQ in memory of local man, Philip Moran and as said above the approximate 20 mile Run will take place on the Saturday, starting at 4 p.m.  Funds raised on the day will be donated to the Irish Heart Foundation, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the local Church of Ireland in Streete.

There is overnight supervised parking for tractors etc. on Saturday night.  There will be a display of early 1900’s vehicles, including steam engines.  Another must see is the Ladies Tractor Build at 3p.m. on Sunday when a group of women from Virginia, Co. Cavan called “THE HEATHER ANGELS” will be dismantling and rebuilding a tractor.

It will cost €10 for adults for the day and children are free, which will make the outing more attractive for a family outing.  A special souvenir brochure will be available at a minimum cost if required.  There will be live music and entertainment on the outdoor stage as well as an area suitable for dancing should you wish.

The atmosphere will be Irish Vintage and it promises to be a most enjoyable day for everyone from a toddler to much much older folk.  There will be entertainment for all and as well, there will be entertainment in all the local pubs and food and accommodation in some.  Food will be available all day on site.

The Irish Vintage Reps Michael and Maureen Cole expect to have an outdoor stand with all IVS literature and insurance details.  There will be many displays etc. and many tea stalls, cake stalls as well as a great selection of crafts too many to mention.

Come and see John Reynolds from County Leitrim, who will have his Horse and Barrel Wagon on display, as he demonstrates the original skill of cooking and baking outdoors.  You can sample some bacon and cabbage, cooked on site in a skillet.
The ever popular Dog Show will take place at 3p.m. with nine classes which is being sponsored by well known Oliver Kelleher (Castlebar Ltd).
 For some excitement there will be mouse racing and much more.  The location of the site is 4 miles off the N4 from Rathowen Church.
The site is on around 12 acres of farmland not including ten acres for parking (with plenty of room for disabled parking).  The Vintage Day site is just 56 km from Athlone, 75km from Dublin on the N4 and 25km from Mullingar, also on the N4.  Signposts will be at many points from the nearby towns of Edgeworthstown, Castlepollard and Granard.

Pictures from past Streete Vintage Days taken by Michael Fagan

Derryglad - A Gem from Ireland’s Past

Pic: Davey O'Connor

 Close to the border of the midlands and west is Derryglad Folk Museum which encompasses 5,000 artefacts from the last hundred years or so.  The folk museum is situated within eyesight from Curraghboy village, which is about seven miles from Athlone town.

Pic: Davey O'Connor

The museum has its own storyteller, Charlie Finneran, who gives individual attention to each of the folk who happen upon the popular museum on the country road.  Charlie has become an institution in himself, and has proven himself a big hit with visitors to the folk museum, writes David Flynn.
Charlie built the museum on his own land, and filled it with original artefacts from the past.
Signs to many of the Roscommon villages adorn the grounds of Derryglad Folk museum, showing its support for its native and surrounding homeplaces on this acre of history.

Pic: Michael Fagan

As you enter the driveway, you spy the old black bicycle and green post-box on the wall and around the corner from there is an old skillet pot over a fireplace. 

Pic: Orla Donnelly

In front of there is a telephone box, and inside the museum, you'll find an old phone with the button A and button B.  Outside the building is a monument of remembrance for legendary Roscommon footballer, Dermot Early.
One of the highlights of the centre is a clever replica of the old McCormack’s photography and sweet shop, which resided in Church Street, Athlone from 1948 to 2002.  Here you can see old photographs of familiar faces on the walls of the replica building.  Cameras, all from the film age are there on display, just like we were still in the 20^th century. 

Pic: Davey O'Connor

Following on you encounter a great array of farm machinery and an old schoolroom, which looks so real, you can see yourself back in the desk with the inkwell.  Around the schoolroom are tin whistles, the old map, religious artefacts, and the old suitcase schoolbags.

The main body of the museum houses many old household objects, like washboards, earthenware hot water bottles, a settle-bed, ration books, war medals, and butter churns, to name a few out of thousands.   This is probably the highlights of the museum, with its numerous memories of old Ireland.

Pic: Michael Fagan

 

Sport is featured to a great degree in the Derryglad museum, with heroes such as Jimmy Murray of Knockcroghery and Gerry O’Malley of St. Brigid's honoured with photographs and old footballs. 

Pic: Orla Donnelly

Memories of various shops from the midlands are also there, like an old chemist called the Medical Hall’. The chemist, which has potions from another day displays old wares such as carbolic soap, and something called ‘Asthma Cigarettes’.

Pic: Orla Donnelly

 

Out the side door, you can walk into a colourful area of well-preserved farm machinery, ploughs, and tools of other ages.

Pic: Michael Fagan

Charlie is there throughout the whole acre of history.  He is there for guidance or just a sociable chat.  Derryglad is a magnificent journey into a past that we thought was long gone, and which we thought we would never see again.

http://www.derrygladfolkmuseum.com/