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Commins Calling Aiden Street in Kiltimagh has always been ‘a real community’. So says Fr Paddy Kilcoyne, PP.
Aiden Street ‘community’ recall days past
Commins Calling Michael Commins
AIDEN Street in Kiltimagh has always been ‘a real community’. So said Fr Paddy Kilcoyne, PP, when he addressed the large congregation at the reunion Mass in Kiltimagh Church on Saturday evening week. Many people had journeyed from various parts of Ireland and from overseas to share in the weekend festivities in the town. Fr Kilcoyne described the occasion as ‘a celebration of good neighbourliness and good community spirit over the years’. He listed out the array of trades and businesses associated with Aiden Street from the 1930s to the ‘60s. “It was a very self-sustained community with people caring for one another and helping out one another.” Gleaning through the reflections of local resident Johnny Kelly in the Aiden Street Journal, Fr Paddy commented on how resourceful and industrious people can be when the necessity is there. “In the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s in the west of Ireland, there was very little employment available for anyone. People had to find work for themselves. In Aiden Street, there were a few dressmakers, a blacksmith, a few shoemakers, carpenters, bakers, a tailor, postman, musicians, wheel-wright, coffin-maker, clog-maker, dancing teacher, a few soldiers, a cooper, painters, nurses, mid-wives, matron, doctor, teacher, bell ringer, sacristan, weaver, plumber, ganger, firemen, farmers, taximen, priests and gardai. You would have great difficulty today to find people with all those trades and skills, even in the yellow pages. ….but they all lived in Aiden Street.” Also recalled were the shopkeepers and business outlets …a few drapery and grocery shops, hardware shops, a salt shop, egg shop, garage, pubs and others. While the Mass was for all the deceased members of the street, Fr Kilcoyne specifically mentioned the people from the street who had died since he came to Kiltimagh as PP eight years ago. They were Liam McDonagh, PJ Shannon, Ann Garvey, Patricia Joyce, Margaret Byrne, Frank Higgins, Michael Browne, Richard Brennan, Frances McLoughlin, Kathleen Marnell, Dan Dempsey, and Brendan Reilly. Nancy Shannon presided at the offertory procession commentary where items associated with the street, its people and history, were brought to the altar by local residents. Brenda Kelly brought a letter, reviving memories of all the letters her late father Miko Kelly delivered to the homes in Aiden Street during his years as a postman. Geraldine Gallagher carried a painting made in the O’Hara Home while Pete Kelly brought up a fire helmet, a powerful symbol of the strong connection with the Fire Brigade service that has long been a feature of the street. Paddy Byrne carried a horseshoe in memory of the forge and the blacksmiths who provided a vital service in former times. Tailors and dressmakers were an integral part of the street in years gone by and there was a lot of symbolism in the needle and thread which Breda O’Hara brought to the altar. Lenore Dempsey carried a tennis racket, representing the children who played in the old playground and on the street. Aiden Street was the home of the Garda Barracks for many years and Gerry Cahill carried a cap and baton in memory of all the gardaí who served in the old barracks. Judy Byrne presented a copy of the Aiden Street Journal, remembering all the residents who could not be with them for the celebration weekend, while Johnny Kelly and Deirdre McDonagh brought the bread and wine to the altar. The local parish choir, with soloist Mary (Walsh) McNicholas and organist George Lee, lent their talents to the special occasion. A celebration dinner and party was held in the Cill Aodáin Hotel on Saturday night and the event was a real nostalgic occasion. Brian Mooney and Mary McGee (nee Byrne) had plenty of stories to relate, all of which brought back many memories of life in Aiden Street down through the years. The festivities went on late into the night. Earlier on Saturday, there was a nice gathering in the museum at the old railway station where Johnny Kelly’s story-telling video in relation to the street and also a slide show took centre stage. A lot of hard work was put into organising the reunion by the committee which included Betty Solan, Judy Byrne, Mona Dempsey, Noreen Brennan, Mary McNicholas, Nancy Shannon, and Johnny Kelly. The publication of the Aiden Street Journal was also a special highlight and the input of Johnny Kelly and his knowledge of the street came in for much favourable mention. Committee member Judy Byrne said: “Many people who had not been back in Kiltimagh for several years came home for the reunion. We had a marvellous time and all went very well. It was a wonderful weekend in Kiltimagh.” Siamsa comes to streets of Swinford
THE streets of Swinford will be alive with the sound of music over the coming nights. It’s festival time in the Mayo town as the 23rd Siamsa Sráide gets under way over the bank holiday weekend. The promotion brings many visitors to the town and is a major boost to the local economy. Festival co-ordinator Brid O’Connell and events manager Francis Brennan are pleased that they have put together a good line-up which should prove as popular as ever with the many supporters of Siamsa Sráide. Trudi Lalor from Laois and her band will perform in the Square for the open-air concert on Saturday night (August 4) with music from 11pm to 1am. The Crossroads Céilí with Michael Sexton and Pat Walsh from Clare will entertain the dancers and visitors on Sunday night with the show from 8pm to 11pm. Bank Holiday Monday night sees Louise Morrissey from Tipperary and her band entertain, starting at 11pm. The big Heritage Day takes place on Tuesday and there will be an open-air céilí from 3pm to 5pm featuring the popular Copper Plate band from Omagh. The Conquerors will have them dancing in the streets later that night. The festival draws to a close on Wednesday night when Mike Denver and the band will provide the music for the party goers before the curtains come down on another Siamsa Sráide.
McNicholl comes west
YOUNG ‘n country. That’s John McNicholl from way up north. The Derry man is one of the new batch of country singers to emerge on the circuit in recent times and he brings a fresh enthusiasm and vitality to the scene. John and his band are playing for the Bank Holiday Monday night dance in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris (on August 6). With memories of a very enjoyable trip to Nashville last November still fresh in his mind, John has taken country music to heart. Another trip to the USA is on the cards for later this year. In the meantime, a new album plus a busy summer schedule of dates will keep John very much in the limelight in the months ahead. Dancing in Claremorris is from 11pm to 1am.
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