Tubbercurry
CONNAUGHT RANGERS MEMORIAL GROUP
Commemorating the Centenary of the Connaught Rangers Mutiny in India June 28, 1920, Memorial dedicated to the memory of three Sligo men involved in the mutiny.
This memorial project is part of Sligo County Council’s Decade of Centenaries, the state Commemoration of Significant historical events that took place between 1918 1923.
The commemoration project is designed to tell the story and honour the memory of courageous men who while far from home stood in solidarity with their native country men fighting for our Independence. The project involves the erection of an inscribed monument in Wolfe Tone Square Tubbercurry dedicated to the memory of the three Sligo men that took part in the mutiny; James Gorman Tubbercurry, Martin Boy Conlon Sligo town and Jack Scanlon Sligo.
The official launch of the project will take place at a public function in the library, Teach Laighne, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry at 1 p.m. on November 9 to raise public awareness and generate public understanding of the historical significance of the Connaught Rangers action in India in 1920. The key aspect of the launch will be series of short talks by three historians on the history of the mutiny. The historians for the launch are: Dr Eunan O’Halpin Pro. Of Contemporary Irish History Trinity College (Grandnephew of Kevin Barry), Dr Mario Draper Pro. OF Modern History Kent University. Danny Tiernan Connaught Rangers Historian Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
The Connaught Rangers were a regiment in the British army and were based in Wellington barracks Jalandhar in the Punjab India. When the news of martial law in Ireland and the reprisals by the Black and Tans reached them they protested by refusing to obey orders.
The protest spread to Solan, a military outpost near the Tibetan Border, and the Rangers there led by Private James Daly, protested by grounding arms and refusing to obey orders.
In August 88 mutineers were court martialled at army headquarters at Simla seventy seven were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, 10 were acquitted, 14 were sentenced to death, 13 had had their life sentences commuted to life in prison and some were given up to 20 years penal servitude. Private James Daly, spokesperson for the Rangers in Salon, was executed by firing squad on November 2, 1920, and was the last member of the British forces to be executed for mutiny. The Rangers were returned to England to serve the remainder of their sentences. After a number of weeks they were removed to prisons around England.
The Connaught Rangers mutineers were released on January 2. 1923 following an amnesty as part of the signing of the Anglo Irish Treaty. They returned to Ireland and became Ireland’s forgotten hero’s with families and communities seldom knowing all of the hardship they endured.
Tubbercurry man James Gorman returned to Tubbercurry where he took up life where he left off and developed a fresh, fruit and vegetable selling business in Tubbercurry. He lived a long life and died in the late 1970s the public are invited to come along on next Saturday, November 9, at 1 p.m. at Teach Laighne.
OLD FAIR DAY FESTIVAL AGM
The AGM of the Tubbercurry Old Fair Day festival will take place on Thursday, November 14, at 9 p.m. in An Chroi – South Sligo Enterprise Centre. All welcome to attend. Thank you for your support.
ACTIVE RETIREMENT
Tubbercurry Active Retirement Association members are celebrating their 25th Anniversary with a Mulled Wine Reception and Buffet Dinner in Cawley’s Hotel on Tuesday evening, November 12, at 7.30 p.m. This will be followed by the Launch of our latest book, ‘The Way That It Was IV’, and Musical Entertainment. We hope that many of our past members and our friends will join us for this special occasion. Cost of the evening is €25. To book, please ring 087 1416991 before Monday, November 4. We will be looking forward to a great community get-together.
COFFEE DAY - THANK YOU
Michael and Mary Collins would like to thank all those who supported their Coffee Day which was held in their home in Banada last Friday the 25th. A total of €15,460 was donated. So whether you called to our home on the day or sent a donation, a huge thank you from all our family, especially from our daughter Joanne. All money donated will go directly to the Neurosurgery and Oncology Departments in Beaumont Hospital. A special word of thanks to all those who baked beautiful treats and who helped at our house in so many ways on the day. It truly was great day where so many people met and had the chat over a cuppa. Our Community Spirit is alive and well and long may it continue... our sincere thanks to all.
N17 CONSULTATION
Once again consultations are re-opening on the long awaited proposed new road, running from Knock to Collooney. We were here before, 20 years ago, when extensive consultations and public meetings were held to discuss various options and various proposals for a new N17 roadway. The new route was chosen in or about the year 2000, and development of houses and infrastructure of all types were frozen on or near the chosen route since then.
The chosen route running from Charlestown towards Sligo ran more or less parallel to the existing N17, and by-passed Tubbercurry just along the edge of the western side of the town. From Tubbercurry it moved towards Collooney crossing the existing road around the Tubbertelly/ Muckelty area and travelled towards Collooney on the east side of the existing road.
Now the whole route needs to be looked at with a fresh set of eyes to see what new constraints may affect the chosen route. A wide corridor will again be looked at between Knock and Collooney. The previously chosen route may be chosen again, or a new route might be preferred. One thing is for certain a new road is needed very soon as the existing N17 between Curry and Collooney is not fit for purpose. Hundreds of people travel from Tubbercurry and South Sligo every morning and evening to and from work in Sligo, and it is without doubt one of the most frustrating part of anybodies day. Get stuck behind a slow driver, or a trailer or truck and you are in a queue of traffic for 10 miles and can be 10 to 20 minutes late for your appointment or work.
Minor repairs and upgrades continue to be done every year on this road, but it is only scratching around the edges.
A consultation process is now beginning and it is up to all road users and property owners who may be affected to air their opinions and have your voice heard.
Information is available at the National Roads Project Office, Sligo County Council Business Centre, Market Yard, Sligo, from October December 29 12th, 2019.
1997 DVD BEING COMPILED
‘Tubbercurry 1997’ Part 1, a DVD featuring short interviews with many of the business people of the town recorded in 1997 is being compiled at present, and will be available at the end of November.
BOOK LAUNCH
Padraic O’Dwyer from Carnaleck is about to launch a new book. Padraic’s book tells the story of his travels in 52 countries around the world over the past 50 years. Some of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to Sligo Cancer Support Centre. Returning Home, by Padraic O’Dwyer will have its official launch in Brennan’s of Cloonacool on Friday, November 8, at 8.30 p.m. Padraic is issuing a special invitation to his many neighbours and friends to attend. Light refreshments served.
SET DANCING CLASSES
Set dancing classes will begin in Banada Community Centre on Wednesday night, November 6, starting at 8 p.m. This is a great way to exercise in a friendly and relaxing environment and a great night’s fun for all. Everyone welcome. Contact Liam Flynn for further information.
TABLE QUIZ
A table quiz will take place in Brennan’s Cloonacool on Friday, November 15, next. The quiz is being organised by Rita Normanly in aid of Safe LInk, a frontline service, based in Boyle, supporting victims of domestic abuse. This will be a fun quiz so all are encouraged to attend.
TRADITIONAL MUSIC CLASSES
Traditional music classes continue in Tubbercurry Family Resource centre on each Monday. Flute and Whistle for beginners. Starts at 6.15 p.m., advanced Flute, Whistle and Fiddle at 7 p.m., and Fiddle for beginners at 7.45 p.m. All budding musicians very welcome.
PARENTING PROGRAMME
Free four Week Parenting Programme – Shaping Ourselves and Our Children starting November 8 in the FRC This course is for parents/grandparents/carers or those working with young children.
We will explore: Hopes and fears we have for our children and their future, How home shapes our children for the world outside, Self-esteem and confidence, Communication skills – what parents say and what children hear, Learning through play, Respect for diversity and our changing communities. This programme will run from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Free lunch provided. Generous child care allowance for participants.
To register for either course please contact Kate at 086 8276055 or email lifestart.kate@ gmail.com or pm us.
DANCE CLASSES
Classes held very Wednesday night in Dancing West Studio, Tubbercurry starting at 8 p.m. All welcome to join us for a great night. Why not join us for a lesson? No Partners needed. Also learn new steps or practice and exercise, and meet new friends. For more information call 087 6674561.
SOUTH SLIGO IN OTHER TIMES
This is the name of a new book on little stories, events, people and places of South Sligo, covering Tubbercurry, Tourlestrane, Mullinabreena and Achonry. Written by renowned author, James McGuinn from Cashel, just outside Tubbercurry, it is full of interesting stories, photos and memoirs, and is a must for any family library.
Selling at just €10, all the proceeds are going to the Tubbercurry branch of the Sligo Cancer Support Centre. They will also make ideal Christmas presents for South Sligo natives living away from home. Buy early and often. Available in various outlets in Tubbercurry or from the Cancer Support centre in Ard Aisling.
TUBBERCURRY CARD GAME
Single Hand 25 card game takes place in St Brigid’s Hall, Tubbercurry every Sunday night at 8.30 p.m.
CORRESPONDENT
Email Roger McCarrick – tubbercurrynotes@eircom.net.