Tag Archives: Emyvale

EMYVALE PLAQUES

by
Donagh Oratory: Site of former courthouse and parochial hall

Donagh Oratory: Site of former courthouse and parochial hall

I happened to be passing through Emyvale, County Monaghan, on Monday on William Carleton summer school business when I was introduced to the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Public Service Reform, Brian Hayes TD. Accompanied by Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys, he was carrying out a number of engagements in the constituency. He was shown around the village by a group that has erected stone plaques marking the history of five buildings.

Presentation made to Brian Hayes TD Photo: © Michael Fisher

Presentation made to Brian Hayes TD Photo: © Michael Fisher

One of the plaques is at a former orange hall LOL 581 at Bog Lane. The Minister was told it is hoped that this building at the top of the village close to the duck farm will eventually be transformed into a heritage centre. Other plaques mark the site of the old Market House, the former RIC/Garda Barracks, the former Courthouse and Parochial Hall (now the Oratory), and the former Village Inn and Courthouse.

Minister of State, Brian Hayes TD

Minister of State, Brian Hayes TD

In a separate initiative some time ago, an original name stone has been placed beside the entrance to the Leisure Centre and incorporated into a flower bed. It was the sign for a primitive Wesleyan Methodist Preaching House and Mission School (1836) that stood on the site. Emyvale Leisure Centre is the venue for a reading of William Carleton’s story, ‘Fair of Emyvale’, on Sunday 4th August at 7pm. Please note that this time is subject to change. The short story has been adapted by Liam Foley from Clogher and will be performed by the Carleton Players, who will be joined by local actor Pat Deery in the role of narrator. Admission FREE.

Name stone outside Leisure Centre

Name stone outside Leisure Centre

WILLIAM CARLETON SUMMER SCHOOL

by
William Carleton Society committee members at Irish Writers' Centre, Dublin

William Carleton Society committee members at Irish Writers’ Centre, Dublin

Launch of the William Carleton summer school programme 2013

The William Carleton Society made another trip to Dublin this evening for the launch of the programme for the 22nd William Carleton international summer school. The line-up this year is broader than before, with a number of events in Monaghan and Emyvale before the start of the school itself on Monday 5th August at Corick House in Clogher.

Maurice Harmon and summer school director Michael Fisher

Maurice Harmon and summer school director Michael Fisher

Our patron Maurice Harmon read four of his poems and the President of the William Carleton Society, Jack Johnston from Clogher, revealed details of his recent research on Carleton’s addresses in Dublin, where the famous 19thC author spent most of his life, although he was born near Clogher in 1794 and was a Tyrone man!

William Carleton Society President Jack Johnston talking about Carleton

William Carleton Society President Jack Johnston talking about Carleton

Committee member Patricia Cavanagh from Tydavnet gave more details of her late father Terence O’Gorman’s book, which she has compiles from his poems and stories, “Memories Amidst the Drumlins: Cavan and Monaghan”. The book will be launched at the Four Seasons Hotel at 6pm on Friday 2nd August.

Patricia Cavanagh, Tydavnet, at William Carleton summer school launch

Patricia Cavanagh, Tydavnet, at William Carleton summer school launch

WILLIAM CARLETON INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL 2013

Friday 2nd August    

Four Seasons Hotel, Coolshannagh, MONAGHAN    CONFERENCE:        CARLETON, KAVANAGH & GAVAN DUFFY

10:30am registration FREE ADMISSION            Tea/coffee

11am  Professor Thomas O’Grady (Boston/Prince Edward Island) on his poetry and Patrick Kavanagh

12 noon  Art Agnew (Inniskeen) on Patrick Kavanagh

Lunch Break

2:30pm Charles Gavan Duffy: Journalist and Patriot:  Brendan O Cathaoir (ex Irish Times) and Aidan Walsh (former curator, Monaghan County Museum)

3:30pm  Break

3:40pm  Mary O’Donnell (Monaghan poet and author)

4:45pm  Shemus cartoons in The Freeman’s Journal: Felix M. Larkin

6:00pm Reception and Book Launch:

Memories Amidst the Drumlins: Cavan & Monaghan: Terence O’Gorman poems and stories

 Saturday 3rd August

11am meeting at Monaghan museum, Hill Street.

Walking tour of Monaghan town with Grace Moloney, Clogher Historical Society, & Theresa Loftus, Monaghan Museum. FREE.

Lunch afterwards at pub with traditional music.

 Sunday 4th August  

4:00pm Assemble at Emyvale Leisure Centre (refreshments) or Edenmore school.

4:30pm walk to Blue Bridge, Emyvale

5:00pm to 6:00pm

Carleton commemoration at the Blue Bridge Emyvale and new plaque unveiled

6:30 Gather at Emyvale Leisure Centre

7:00pm Fair of Emyvale reading at Emyvale Leisure Centre. FREE. All Welcome.

8:00pm Refreshments.

***All Monaghan events are part funded by the EU’s ERDF through the Peace III programme financed through Monaghan Peace III Partnership***

Monday 5th August

Corick House Hotel,  Corick, CLOGHER, Co. Tyrone  BT76 0BZ

10am Registration, tea and coffee

11am Photocall

11:30am   Opening by Mayor of Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council

11:40am   Summer School Honorary Director:

Prof. Owen Dudley Edwards on “Carleton, Otway and Irish Literature”

1pm Lunch

2:30pm Keynote address Professor Thomas O’Grady, Boston

The Geography of the Imagination: Carleton’s “The Donagh”

3:30pm Tea/coffee break & bookstall

3:45pm Author Gerry McCullough (“Belfast Girls”) & Raymond McCullough

(singer & songwriter)

4:45pm  Broadcaster & commentator Tom McGurk in conversation with Aidan Fee:  “Northern Ireland: past and present”

6pm Close of session

 Tuesday 6th August                                           

09:30am registration  Tea/coffee

10:15am Language in the Clogher Valley of 19th Century. Irish: Dr Ciaran Mac Murchaidh, St Patrick’s Drumcondra.  Ulster Scots: Dr Ian Adamson

11:50am break

12:00 noon  President of the William Carleton Society, Jack Johnston:

“Augher: from landlord, Sir Thomas Ridgeway to George Duffy, the Miller”

12:45pm lunch

2:15pm  Josephine Treanor tells the story of her relative, mentioned by Carleton:

“Anne Duffy, the Miller’s daughter from Augher”

3:00pm  Break

3:15pm Focus on modern Irish writing: Ciaran Collins (“The Gamal”) + Patricia Craig (“Twisted Root”) + Anthony Quinn (“Disappeared”) + Tony Bailie (“A Verse to Murder”)

4:15pm Tea/coffee break

4:30pm Seminar continues & discussion to close of session 6:00pm.

Wednesday 7th August     

09:30am registration tea/coffee

10:00am Dealing with the past: Professor Jon Tonge (Liverpool)

Discussion: Alex Kane and Dr Margaret O’Callaghan (QUB), chair John Gray

11:45am Break

12:00pm  Former politician and commentator Mary O’Rourke on how differences can be accommodated

1:00pm  Lunch

2:30pm Poet Siobhan Campbell MA on writing about the past

3:30pm  Tea/coffee Break

3:45pm Patrick Scully extracts from one man show on Edward Carson

4:30pm Writer & author Mary Kenny (Edward Carson: Dubliner, Unionist, Irishman)

6:00pm Close of summer school

Thursday 8th August

Coach tour in Co.Fermanagh by Frank McHugh & Gordon Brand with particular reference to Shan Bullock: “The Loughsiders”, based around Crom estate. Booking required: for more details contact Frank McHugh e: f.mchugh4@btinternet.com

Cost: £30 including meals

Evening Events: (supported by Shared History, Shared Future Project funded by South West Peace III partnership )

Monday 5th August

Traditional Music session with female Irish traditional group Síoda &

singer Seosaimhin Ni Bheaglaoich,   Rathmore Bar, Main St Clogher 8pm

Tuesday 6th August

Walk on the Carleton Trail with the Clogher Valley Ramblers.  7:00pm

Bagpipers & traditional Music with the McKenna family (Clogher) at Somers Cafe, Fardross (off A4 road)  8:30pm   Free admission

Wednesday 7th August

Concert at Fivemiletown Wesleyan Hall 8pm

Murley Silver Band and Monaghan Gospel Choir: Special Guest Gloria  Admission Free.

More information at: www.williamcarletonsociety.org

e: wcarletonsociety@gmail.com

Costs:-
Daily: £40/€47 including lunch and tea/coffee break;
concession £33/€35 (saving of €3)
Morning:  £13/€15 or one session £7/€8   including tea/coffee;
concession £10/€12  or one session  £4/€5
Afternoon: £16/€20 or one session £8/€10 including tea/coffee;
concession £12/€14  or one session  £4/€5
Lunch £11/€13  

Tour Thursday including meal: £30/€35
Season ticket 4 days £150/€175 or concession £130/€140 (saving of €10)

Accommodation:

Dinner, B&B Packages at Corick House Hotel, Clogher:

3B&B plus 2 Evening Meals@ £170pps (double/twin occupancy)

3B&B plus 2 Evening Meals @ £220 (single occupancy)

2B&B plus 2 Evening Meals @ £140pps (double occupancy)

2B&B plus 2 Evening Meals @ £180 (single occupancy)

Double Room Rates B& B only

1 night £55pps

2 nights £50pps

3 nights or more £45pps

Single Rate B&B only

1 night B&B £70

2 nights or more B&B £65 per night

Accommodation also available at Glenvar guest house, 111 Tullyvar Road, Aughnacloy BT69 6BL

WILLIAM CARLETON SUMMER SCHOOL

by
Pat Boyle presents a copy of The Authentic Voice to Mayor of Dungannon Cllr Phelim Gildernew

William Carleton Society Vice-Chair Pat Boyle presents “The Authentic Voice” to Mayor of Dungannon Cllr Phelim Gildernew

Details have been announced of the 22nd annual William Carleton summer school. The programme for 2013 was  launched at the Hill of the O’Neill Centre/Ranfurly House in Dungannon in the presence of the Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Cllr Phelim Gildernew. He was presented with a copy of “The Authentic Voice”, edited by Gordon Brand and illustrated by Sam Craig, which contains articles about Carleton based on lectures to the summer school in previous years.

William Carleton

William Carleton

The summer school opens at 11:30am on Monday 5th August at Corick House Hotel in Clogher. The starting time has been put back to enable more people to attend who might have to travel, especially our friends and supporters in the Dublin area. Our Honorary Director Professor Owen Dudley Edwards will speak about Carleton, Caesar Otway and Irish literature. Otway was a Protestant clergyman in Dublin whose influence on the writer came at an important time in his career. Professor Thomas O’Grady from Boston will speak about “The Geography of the Imagination: Carleton’s story “The Donagh”. The final talk of the day will feature the broadcaster and poet Tom McGurk, who comes from Brackagh in County Tyrone, in conversation with one of his contemporaries at school, Aidan Fee, about Northern Ireland, past and present.

On Tuesday 6th August there will be a discussion about language in the 19thC Clogher Valley. Dr Ciaran Mac Murchaidh, St Patrick’s Drumcondra will talk about Irish and Ulster Scots will be the topic for  Dr Ian Adamson. There will be a session on literature with Ciaran Collins “The Gamal”, Tony Bailie, and Patricia Craig “Twisted Root”. Josephine Treanor will talk about her relative, Anne Duffy, the Miller’s Daughter from Augher, one of Carleton’s first loves.

Wednesday 7th August is devoted to dealing with the past and will feature Professor Jon Tonge (Liverpool), Mary O’Rourke on how different political strands can be accommodated, poet Siobhan Campbell and Mary Kenny talking about Edward Carson, unionist, Dubliner and Irishman. Actor Patrick Scully will present his one-man show on Carson, which he performed recently at the Lyric Theatre studio in Belfast.

Patrick Scully as Edward Carson

Patrick Scully as Edward Carson

The final day, Thursday 8th August, Gordon Brand and summer school deputy director Frank McHugh will act as guides for the annual coach tour. This year it will go to the neighbouring county of Fermanagh. It will focus on the work of Shan Bullock, who wrote “The Loughsiders”, based in the area around the Crom estate. The tour will depart from Corick House in Clogher at 10:30am and advance booking is necessary at wcarletonsociety@gmail.com.

Charles Gavan Duffy

Charles Gavan Duffy

This year there will be a number of events in Monaghan and Emyvale (which has a Carleton connection) preceding the summer school. On Friday 2nd August there will be a one-day conference at the Four Seasons Hotel, CARLETON, KAVANAGH and GAVAN DUFFY. Admission is free and the event is funded by the EU Peace III programme of Monaghan County Development Board.

Professor Thomas O’Grady from Boston will read some of his poems and talk about his research on the Monaghan poet, Patrick Kavanagh. Art Agnew from Inniskeen will read selected extracts from Kavanagh’s works, including The Green Fool. The afternoon is devoted to a study of Monaghan man Charles Gavan Duffy, a devotee of Carleton and one of the influential people who helped the writer to obtain a civil list pension in 1848. The speakers will be Brendan O Cathaoir from Bray and Aidan Walsh, a heritage consultant who was the first curator of Monaghan County Museum. Monaghan poet Mary O’Donnell, one of the William Carleton Society’s patrons, will read from some of her works. The programme will conclude with a talk on “The Shemus Cartoons” from the Freeman’s Journal by Felix M.Larkin from Dublin.

I am also pleased that the William Carleton Society will be hosting the launch of a book, “Memories Amidst the Drumlins: Cavan and Monaghan“, containing some of the poems and stories written about the area by the late Terence O’Gorman from Tydavnet and edited by his daughter, Patricia Cavanagh. Terence was a regular visitor to the summer school and many other similar events throughout Ireland.

On Saturday 3rd August, Grace Moloney of the Clogher Historical Society and Theresa Loftus (Monaghan Museum) will lead a walk through Monaghan town, starting at the Museum at Hill Street at 11am. This event is free. The following day, Sunday 4th August, there will be a ceremony to mark the Carleton plaque at the Blue Bridge near Emyvale. At 8pm in Emyvale Leisure Centre, the Carleton Players will perform a reading of the “Fair of Emyvale”, adapted by Liam Foley.   summerschoolad

Blue Bridge near Emyvale

Blue Bridge near Emyvale

EMYVALE GP CYCLING IN TYDAVNET

by
First race ready for the off: Under 12

There was plenty of excitement around Tydavnet on Sunday as dozens of cyclists and their back-up supporters arrived for the annual Grand Prix races organised by Emyvale Cycling Club. The Community Centre was used for registration and adminstration. The sun shone brightly and the temperature climbed up to 25C as the junior races got underway over a shorter route. The Under 12s were first off, although a car parked outside the chapel on the start/finish line caused the organisers a few problems initially until the owner was located. The crowd was not as big as for last year’s national championships. Nevertheless there were visitors taking part from several counties including Donegal (Errigal CC), Cork (Kanturk), Tyrone (Coalisland), Derry (Roe Valley) and East Antrim.

On the start line at Tydavnet chapel
Cyclists also came from Dublin and Newry and the local riders from Emyvale were also there battling for the prizes in the various categories. The event was well organised with stewarding to ensure that roads were kept clear for the participants. Following the thrilling finish in the senior race in the senior event last year in Scotstown, it was decided that a village finish would once again be more exciting for the spectators. For the full list of results, go to the Cycling Ulster page. East Antrim’s Glen Kinning won the main event over a 60 miles course in a sprint finish from David Wherity of Stamullen, Co.Meath.
Under 14s getting ready for the start

TOP CYCLING EVENT IN MONAGHAN

by

ON SUNDAY JUNE 26th around  120 riders are expected to take part in the national senior road race championships for men. The winning elite rider wears the national champion’s jersey for all road races in the following 12 months. The first of the men under-23 in this race receives a separate award for the espoir category. With the 2012 Olympics fast approaching it’s certain thecompetitors will be out to impress the selectors of Ireland’s Olympic team. County Monaghan will have two riders taking part, Conor Murphy from Clara near Emyvale who has just finished the 8 day FBD Milk Rás. Another local competitor is Monaghan town’s Ryan Sherlock, current national hill climb champion. These riders along with all the Irish elite competitors will make this one of the top sporting events in the county this year.

Last year’s winner, Matt Brammeier, a Liverpudlian with an Irish passport, wears the national champion’s jersey. As a result of his victory he signed a professional contract with HTC-Highroad. The silver medallist is better known, Nicholas Roche, son of former champion Stephen Roche. He has already won this race twice and rides as a professional with a French team, Ag2r-La Mondiale. Roche has won a total of five professional races, finishing 15th in last year’s Tour de France and 7th in the Tour of Spain, raising him to 32nd position in the world rankings. Roche’s cousin, Daniel Martin, is the 2010 bronze medallist and is a professional with the Garmin-Cervelo team, currently ranking 49th internationally. Fresh from his exploits at the recent Giro D’Italia, Letterkenny’s Philip Deignan of Team RadioShack could well lead the Ulster challenge to win the race.

Spectators are invited to come and watch all the competitions particularly the men’s and women’s races starting on the main street of Scotstown at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to all events is FREE so the organisers are hoping many people will turn up to cheer on the local riders in particular. The race distance for the elite men’s event on Sunday is around 175km. featuring seven laps of a 25k circuit. Beginning in Scotstown the cyclists head for Knockatallon Cross, past the Sliabh Beagh Hotel, onto the Clogher Road heading past Killylough to Tydavnet, then continuing along the Monaghan road to Lemacaulla Cross and Connolly’s Bridge, branching off to Ballinode and then back to Scotstown. Medal presentations will take place immediately after the finish of the race around 4pm.

The four-day event begins on Thursday evening (June 23rd) with a time trial in Emyvale village for the elite women’s and paracycling champions awards. The first competitor sets off at 7pm and riders will follow at one minute intervals on the N2 main Derry to Dublin road. Their route will take them southwards to the Coolshannagh roundabout near Town of Monaghan Co-op, then heading northwards on the N54/A3 across the border to Middletown. The riders then head for Caledon and Aughnacloy, with a finish back on the N2 at the border at Moybridge, covering a distance  of 40km.

On Friday (June 24th) it’s the turn of the senior men’s time trial championships, with the first rider due off at 6pm. The 40km route is the same as that cycled by the women. The time trial is not expected to cause too much traffic disruption on the main roads but drivers are advised to proceed with caution and to allow extra time for their journeys. AA roadwatch traffic information can be obtained at www.aaireland.ie.

On Saturday morning (June 25th)  the national elite women’s road race championship takes place with about fifty competitors. Scotstown GAA complex will serve as the race headquarters and parking at Urbleshanny will be available for spectators. The race starts on the main street of the village at 11am over a 12.8km circuit. Competitors will be heading for Knockatallon Cross, turning right towards the Sliabh Beagh Hotel and then right again onto Carrahor Road onto the Scotstown Road back to the village, continuing this right hand circuit for seven laps. It finishes outside the Sliabh Beagh hotel after completing a total distance of almost 100km. Current champion Olivia Dillon from Co. Mayo will have to travel from San Francisco in the USA to defend both the women’s time trial and road race titles she won last year. The Ulster challenge in the women’s events is likely to come from 2009 road race champion, Heather Wilson from Lisburn.

On Saturday afternoon (June 25th) the national veterans’ road race championships will be held. The race begins at 3pm on the main street of Scotstown, cycling over the same course as the women’s event to cover eight laps, making a total distance of around 110km and again finishing at the Sliabh Beagh venue. On Saturday evening at 7pm, all leisure cyclists are invited to take part in a charity ride covering one lap (25km) of the elite road race course. Those wishing to participate should sign on at the Scotstown GAA complex from 6pm. Voluntary donations will go towards the Co. Monaghan branch of  Special Olympics Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, race organiser Patsy Brady said: “This is a big honour for Emyvale Cycling Club to be staging the national championships for the first time. Although the club hosted the B Championships three years ago, this is a much bigger event and we are grateful to Town of Monaghan Co-Op for their sponsorship. There has been massive interest in the national championships this year with Irish cyclists based in the UK, continental Europe, and the USA making enquiries. We look forward to welcoming them all to Monaghan at the end of June.”

2011 Irish National Championships Programme

Thu 23rd  Elite Women’s/Paracycling Time Trial @ 7pm Emyvale

Fri 24th   Senior Men’s Time Trial Championship @ 6pm Emyvale

Sat 25th  Women’s Road Race Championsip @ 11am Scotstown

Sat 25th    Veterans’ Road Race Championship @ 3pm Scotstown

Sun 26th   Senior Men’s Road Race Championship @ 11am Scotstown

Full details about entries and routes can be found at Cycling Ireland