In Song and In Story

Over fifty people braved driving rain to hear and see Paddy’s collection of memories of old Ballina and Killaloe.  Paddy started off by declaring he was nearly a Clare man, his parents had lived on the Canal Bank in Killaloe before he was born, unfortunately their house caught fire meaning they had to move to the Tipperary side of the bridge and Paddy was born a proud Tipp boy!   

Paddy’s parents moved to what we now called Old Cullinagh, the lived in No 3 and he showed photos of himself and his brothers and their neighbours the Conroys, who lived in No1. These photos were taken by a travelling photographer, the boys were rushed inside and changed into their Sunday best for the camera, it was a special occasion not like nowadays.

Paddy played an old cine-camera movie of the residents of Old Cullinagh, we were able to see Maria Riordan running up the road.  Maria was one of the subjects of the last Oral History talk, she had a lovely voice, it was great to see her in the movie.  Also in the movie were Ma Kelly, Mary Kelly, Joan Riordan, Mary Riordan, Mary Donnellan, Jack Cronan and many more. 

Paddy then explained the fountain stone which marked the well outside the Ballina Hall which was the National School.  The fountain was a popular gathering place for locals, Paddy recited a humourous poem about the fountain. When the road was widened the fountain stone disappeared, it is rumoured to have been buried near the current Marian, behind the Lakeside Hotel.

Paddy described how children as young as three in the National School had to cross the road unattended to go to the school toilets which were fairly basic and in a shed over the stream.  When the new National School was built the old school served as a church while the main Ballina Church was being renovated, it was also the location for The Hop held every Wednesday.  The Reno were the band and Paddy had a movie of one of the Hops in the 1960’s, it was really super to see the dancing and the outfits. 

He showed a great photo of McKeogh’s yard and described all that went on there, Tony Delaney’s garage, PF Ryan repairing bikes, John Keogh the stone cutter, Francie Hannan with his cows up at the back of the yard and there was even a pub! 

Paddy spoke of Hugh O’Brien who had a business where the Washerwoman is now, Hugh was a local character and was involved in the establishment of Quigley’s Dance Hall.  We were told about Fr Noonan’s vocal objections to the dance hall delivered from the altar and the subsequent burning of the hall.  The full newspaper article of the court case related to the burning of the hall is in our Journal which will be available at the next talk. 

We will definitely have Paddy back to give another talk as he ran out of time and has lots more material.  It was a super evening, very entertaining. 

Thank you again to Catherine at the Lakeside and all the staff for setting out the Shannon Suite for us, we are really indebted to the management and staff at the Lakeside for providing a venue for our monthly talks and for other extra curricular events such as the Valuation Day.  Without their support none of this would be possible.