Bawnboy and Templeport
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Some Lodgers in Bawnboy. |
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P.J. Fitzsimons, woodwork instructor in the Vocational School in the 1930s was the first tenant in one of Patrick McGovern's new houses in 1935. When he left Bawnboy about 1938, the house was occupied by George Sackville, Customs Officer in Swanlinbar, his wife May and two daughters Margery and Georgina. At the same time Joe Murray from Fermanagh, who replaced Fitzsimons as woodwork instructor had lodgings with Mrs. Annie McGovern next door, as also had Sophia O'Doherty who had replaced Daisy O'Connor as Home Economics teacher. The Sackvilles had a long stay in Bawnboy. Mrs. Sackville was a great citizen, always ready to lend a hand in some worthy project, a song at a concert or a part in a play. George died suddenly about 1950 and shortly afterwards the family returned to Dublin.
Mrs. McPartlan had many lodgers during the 1930s. Nurse Bridget Fee (later Mrs. Hugh Cullen) lodged there in the early 1930s, as did a few years later Philomena O'Dowd N.T., Tomena. Bella Power dance teacher stayed there once a week and taught Irish step dancing to the young and céilí dancing at night to the adults. These classes were very popular and had a big influence on the dances held for many years afterwards in Bawnboy and Templeport Halls. It was no problem if an eight-hand reel or 'The Walls of Limerick' followed on an old time waltz. Chris Maguire took lodgings with Mrs. McPartlan in the late 1930s. In 1942 Gerry Brady N.T. left Munlough N.S. and Chris Maguire took his place, leaving a vacancy for Rose Maguire in Tomena N.S., right beside her home. Nuala Waldron who got lodgings in Dolans of Port and later, joined Sophia O'Doherty in McGoverns filled the vacancy in PORTURLAN N.S. As the McGovern family grew up, living space created a problem and the two teachers moved to what had been Nurse Connolly's house. Rose Maguire's marriage left a vacancy in Tomena N.S. which was filled by Nuala Waldron, and Lily Flanagan was appointed to Porturlan N.S. By the summer of 1948 Nuala and Sophia had made serious decisions - Nuala to join the Sisters of Mercy, Westport and Sophia to get married. Nuala is now Sister Perpetuo in Westport and Sophia who married John O'Hare went to live in Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone, where she is now a widow.
Chris Maguire returned to Tomena N.S. after a long debate with Canon John Brady, and Philip Smyth from Mullagh, Co. Cavan came to Munlough N.S. The following year Margaret Mulligan was appointed to Porturlan and got lodgings until the summer holidays in Eugene Morahans. At this time Nancy Edwards was in charge of Home Economics in the Vocational School due to the retiral of Dympna O'Connell, Stradone, from her post.
Dick O'Mahony who replaced Joe Murray in the Vocational School in 1942 had with Garda Jack Doyle made new seats for the Workhouse Chapel, to celebrate the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament there by Fr. McMahon C.C. Dick got married in the mid-forties and went to live in Airmount. He left Bawnboy about 1948 and was replaced by a student teacher, John Finnegan, Bailieboro. At this time Michael Dolan, a student of Dick O'Mahony was in training college, and in 1949 he became woodwork teacher and Headmaster of the Vocational School.
In September 1949 Rita O'Reilly, Virginia became Home Economics teacher in Bawnboy and lodged in McPartlans where she was joined by Margaret Mulligan. Early in the 1950s Michael Dolan and Margaret Mulligan were married and were lucky to find McGoverns house empty through the departure of the Sackville family. During their stay in Bawnboy four of their children, Concepta, Padraic, Anne (RIP) and Micheál were born. When they took up residence in their new home in Snugboro, Ballyconnell, John the youngest of the family was born.
About 1950 a change of Garda Sergeant brought Francis J. Reynolds, his wife Delia, and family Peter, Michael, Betty, Paddy and John to Bawnboy. Peter and Michael were a great asset to the G.A.A. team for several years afterwards. When Margaret Dolan (née Mulligan) retired on marriage from Porturlan N.S., Betty Reynolds replaced her and soon afterwards when Séamus Maguire retired, Máirtín McGowan was appointed in his place. Máirtín, too, was a great asset to the parish G.A.A. team and in very many ways to the parish itself. Máirtín and Betty married about 1960 just as the Dolans were leaving Bawnboy. The McGowans took up residence there for three years during which time two of their children, Martina and Niamh were born. They then moved to their new house at Daisy Hill, Ballyconnell where Brendan, Mary, Ceola, Rónán (RIP) and Nessa were born. James and Mary McGovern gave accommodation to Mary Dolan Home Economics teacher for a five year period and to Keena McDwyer for a year. They needed space for themselves and their family from that time onwards.
A vacancy in Drumlougher N.S. about 1953 saw Marian Collins coming to the parish to fill the post. Mrs. Reynolds, Bawnboy provided temporary accommodation in the Garda Sergeant's quarters, but she soon moved to Priors of Mullaghmore and later to Dolans of Roscoo. When later on she took up an appointment in Munlough N.S., Mrs. Cassidy, Kilsob looked after her until Aidan McGovern gave her a permanent home in a beautiful setting by the shore of Templeport Lake. Their children Mary, Gene and Breda visit regularly while Conor is local Agricultural Advisor.
When Seán and Peggy O'Reilly retired from the pub business, formerly Mullallys, in 1972 they built a new bungalow on the site of Balls' burnt-out house, and had it ready for occupation the following year. It was at this time that two new teachers were appointed to the Vocational School, Philomena Gilroy from Garrison, a general subjects teacher, and Ann Tighe from Sligo, a teacher of Home Economics. Peggy O'Reilly gave these two newcomers accommodation in her bungalow. When Philomena married Mícheál Heery, Derrycassan in 1978 Ann took lodgings with Mrs. Teresa Martin in Killycluggin until she married Albert McManus, Gorteen two years later. Philomena was secretary of the Social Services Committee for many years and both contributed handsomely to the committee in charge of Senior Citizens' Outings.