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Newspaper article on Liam Loughman and the Loughman Gathering by Larry Cooney
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6 Topic Newspapers • 29 August, 2013 BY LARRY COONEY Along with their other cousin, Portumna-based Dolores O’Shea, both Liam and Larry were the co-ordi- nators of what proved to be a very successful and mem- orable event, which began in Dundrum House Hotel last Friday evening and also ended there following lunch last Sunday after- noon. Almost eighty of the visi- tors, from as far away as Auckland, New Zealand and California, USA and more closer to home in the UK, who all stayed in Dun- drum were joined by as many more relatives from the local area for an event that was billed as a once in a lifetime occasion and it is safe to say that many who attended will have been left with nothing but positive memories of an unforget- table weekend. FAMILY HISTORY Many of those who attended were interested and even intrigued by Liam Loughman’s work on the family history, dating back over 350 years. It ended in their native Hollyford when youngest of nine of the Loughman family Rogie sold the Foilmacduff homestead in 2002. And a visit to that same home- stead was also one of the highlights of the weekend. There the two surviving members of the Loughman family, sisters Mary (Babie) Noonan and Nonie Cooney were reunited around the hob in the old kitchen – courtesy of the current proprietor Johnny Ryan, who threw open the entire farmyard for an organised barbecue that included music from a young folk group - Na Broic and also a display from four young Irish dancers. Although it was wet and miserable on Saturday afternoon, the party lasted over three hours. FARMYARD BARBECUE AND SOCIAL EVENING Later that evening just a few miles away in the adjoining village of Annacarty – the Ponda Rosa was the venue for a social evening to round off a memorable day to the sound of the music of Sean Doran and Sammy Smith from Mullingar. Everyone visited the fam- ily plot in Kilpatrick ceme- tery on Sunday followed by Mass in Hollyford at 11.00am and the final Gath- ering photograph overlook- ing the Slieve Felim Mountains. Just before he departed for home on Sunday after- noon Liam Loughman said: “I never quite knew how my version of the family history would be received but after such a wonderful weekend it has probably been one of the most satis- fying projects I have ever undertaken in my life and I would be pleased to help any other families who might also like to know more about their own back- grounds.” BY DWAYNE LEAVY The report showed, that in the last year, the cost of renting a home in West- meath has gone up in line with most other counties and cities. The average cost of rent rose by 0.8 in the last year, which is in line with the average across Ire- land. The average price of rent is now €568 in West- meath, the costliest in the midlands. It seems that after years of falling house prices that the trend is now starting to reverse, Westmeath homes beginning to bounce back The cost of renting a home in Westmeath is beginning to improve after years of decline according to the latest report carried out by daft.ie Kinnegad takes trip down memory lane for Heritage Week KINNEGAD people took a trip down memory lane whilst celebrating Heritage Week and the Kinnegad Gathering, which coincided with each other last week. BY MICHELLE CRAWLEY The festivities began on Thursday, August 15 when Kinnegad welcomed Pride of Place judges to the town and the parish enjoyed 10 days of celebrations. “We enjoyed 10 days of wonder- ful events. It was fantastic. We are delighted with the turn out and the success of the events” expressed Cllr. Denis Leonard, a member of the organising committee. HISTORICAL WALK & TALK Kinnegad celebrated its historical heritage with a walking tour guided by local historian, Ruth Illingworth. The tour, which began at the old school, encompassed his- torical sites across the town, including the Church of Ire- land graveyard, the Church of the Assumption, where Ruth provided information about two famous parish- ioners General Jackson and Cardinal Glennon, before stopping at the new Boreen Bradach heritage board, which was launched earlier in the week, as part of the Kinnegad Parish Commu- nity Tourism Project. After the walk, Ruth gave an hour long talk on the history of Kinnegad, where she gave accounts of the changes that have taken place from celtic to modern times. J.J Farrell, a local farmer, also spoke about the changes that have taken place in agriculture down through the years and gave an account of farming life, as well as the fairs in times gone by. MEMORIES OF SCHOOL Another night of remnisc- ing followed on Thursday, August 22, when Rose Flynn, a former principal of St. Etchen’s N.S, spoke nostalgi- cally about school life. On the night, the group looked back on how teaching and school life has changed in recent years, as well as tak- ing a look back on school memorabilia and the roll books. “There was a huge interest in the roll books. People were interested to find themselves in the roll books or members of the family”, said Cllr. Leonard. KINNEGAD LIVE A live concert held in The Hilamar on Friday night last, August 23, showcased a wealth of talent from across the parish as young people took to the stage, providing a wonderful evening of enter- tainment in aid of the Kin- negad Youth Club. BALLAD & TRADITIONAL NIGHT A thoroughly enjoyable and successful fundraiser was held in The Hilamar on Saturday night last, August 24, with all proceeds going towards the autism unit planned for the new Rath- wire National School. On the night, musicians from across Westmeath per- formed on stage, including members of Ballynacargy Comhaltas, and the Nally family from Ballymore. “It was a fantastic night and a great initiative. It was a won- derful concert showcasing the great talent within the county. Over €800 was raised on the night for the Rath- wire N.S autism unit”, said Cllr. Denis Leonard. Other events included; set dancing in the old school for those light of feet or who just wanted to give it a try, traditional nights in the local public houses, and a variety show held in The Downs Hall in aid of senior citizens. The ten day cele- bration came to a close at the hugely enjoyable Clonard Vintage Festival held on Sunday last, August 25. Mullingar men part of very successful Tipperary Family Gathering Gaybrook author, Liam Loughman and his fam- ily, along with Topic reporter Larry Cooney, were reunited with their relatives, many of whom they had never previously met, for a nos- talgic Gathering event in Dundrum, Co. Tipper- ary last weekend. The iconic moment of the Tipperary Gathering weekend: Sisters Nonie Cooney (85) from Birmingham and Mary (Babie) Noonan (95) from Kilross were reunited last Saturday in the kitchen of the house in Hollyford Co. Tipperary where they were reared back in the late 1920s. After-Mass chat in Hollyford: Members of the Loughman family from Gaybrook chat with Liam’s aunt 95 year old Mary (Babie) Noonan last Sunday morning. Pictured from left Siobhan Loughman, Mary Noonan, Mairead Loughman and family history author, Liam Loughman. Cousins reunited: At the social evening in the Ponda Rosa in Annacarty Larry Cooney, extreme right, was joined by his cousins, Athlone native Camilla Loughman, Portumna native Oliver O’Shea, and Marie Healy from Delgany Co. Wicklow. Relatives reunited in Tipperary: The Loughman Gathering in Co. Tipperary attended by the Loughmans from Gaybrook and Larry Cooney from Mullingar. Cllr Ruth Illingworth at the monument to General Richard Henry Jackson in Kinnegad. Side view of Old School house in Kinnegad which walkers were able to have a look around on their tour of historical sites. JJ Farrell, Rosaleen Ronan, Rose Flynn, Cllr Ruth Illingworth, Cllr Denis Leonard and Michelle Bray pictured before taking part in a walk around historical sites in Kinnegad on 19 August. Patricia Lynch (nee Murrayhill) and Chris Nolan (nee Kenny) who returned home to Kinnegad for The Gathering festival there.
Transcript
Page 1: Westmeath Topic

6 Topic Newspapers • 29 August, 2013

BY LARRY COONEY

Along with their othercousin, Portumna-basedDolores O’Shea, both Liamand Larry were the co-ordi-nators of what proved to bea very successful and mem-orable event, which beganin Dundrum House Hotellast Friday evening andalso ended there followinglunch last Sunday after-noon.

Almost eighty of the visi-tors, from as far away asAuckland, New Zealandand California, USA andmore closer to home in theUK, who all stayed in Dun-drum were joined by asmany more relatives fromthe local area for an eventthat was billed as a once ina lifetime occasion and it issafe to say that many whoattended will have been leftwith nothing but positivememories of an unforget-table weekend.

FAMILY HISTORY

Many of those whoattended were interestedand even intrigued by Liam

Loughman’s work on thefamily history, dating backover 350 years. It ended intheir native Hollyfordwhen youngest of nine ofthe Loughman familyRogie sold the Foilmacduffhomestead in 2002. And avisit to that same home-stead was also one of thehighlights of the weekend.

There the two survivingmembers of the Loughmanfamily, sisters Mary (Babie)Noonan and Nonie Cooneywere reunited around thehob in the old kitchen –courtesy of the currentproprietor Johnny Ryan,who threw open the entirefarmyard for an organisedbarbecue that includedmusic from a young folkgroup - Na Broic and also adisplay from four youngIrish dancers. Although itwas wet and miserable onSaturday afternoon, theparty lasted over threehours.

FARMYARD BARBECUEAND SOCIAL EVENING

Later that evening just afew miles away in the

adjoining village ofAnnacarty – the PondaRosa was the venue for asocial evening to round offa memorable day to thesound of the music of SeanDoran and Sammy Smithfrom Mullingar.

Everyone visited the fam-ily plot in Kilpatrick ceme-tery on Sunday followed byMass in Hollyford at11.00am and the final Gath-ering photograph overlook-ing the Slieve FelimMountains.

Just before he departedfor home on Sunday after-noon Liam Loughman said:“I never quite knew howmy version of the familyhistory would be receivedbut after such a wonderfulweekend it has probablybeen one of the most satis-fying projects I have everundertaken in my life and Iwould be pleased to helpany other families whomight also like to knowmore about their own back-grounds.”

BY DWAYNE LEAVY

The report showed, thatin the last year, the cost ofrenting a home in West-meath has gone up in line

with most other countiesand cities. The average costof rent rose by 0.8 in thelast year, which is in linewith the average across Ire-land. The average price of

rent is now €568 in West-meath, the costliest in themidlands. It seems thatafter years of falling houseprices that the trend is nowstarting to reverse,

Westmeath homes beginning to bounce backThe cost of renting a home in Westmeath is beginning to improve after yearsof decline according to the latest report carried out by daft.ie

Kinnegad takes trip downmemory lane for Heritage Week KINNEGAD people took a trip down memory lane whilst celebrating HeritageWeek and the Kinnegad Gathering, which coincided with each other lastweek.

BY MICHELLE CRAWLEY

The festivities began onThursday, August 15 whenKinnegad welcomed Prideof Place judges to the townand the parish enjoyed 10days of celebrations. “Weenjoyed 10 days of wonder-ful events. It was fantastic.We are delighted with theturn out and the success ofthe events” expressed Cllr.Denis Leonard, a member ofthe organising committee.

HISTORICAL WALK & TALK

Kinnegad celebrated itshistorical heritage with awalking tour guided by localhistorian, Ruth Illingworth.The tour, which began at theold school, encompassed his-torical sites across the town,including the Church of Ire-land graveyard, the Churchof the Assumption, whereRuth provided informationabout two famous parish-ioners General Jackson andCardinal Glennon, beforestopping at the new Boreen

Bradach heritage board,which was launched earlierin the week, as part of theKinnegad Parish Commu-nity Tourism Project. Afterthe walk, Ruth gave an hourlong talk on the history ofKinnegad, where she gaveaccounts of the changes thathave taken place from celticto modern times. J.J Farrell,a local farmer, also spokeabout the changes that havetaken place in agriculturedown through the years andgave an account of farminglife, as well as the fairs intimes gone by.

MEMORIES OF SCHOOL

Another night of remnisc-ing followed on Thursday,August 22, when Rose Flynn,a former principal of St.Etchen’s N.S, spoke nostalgi-cally about school life. Onthe night, the group lookedback on how teaching andschool life has changed inrecent years, as well as tak-ing a look back on schoolmemorabilia and the roll

books. “There was a hugeinterest in the roll books.People were interested tofind themselves in the rollbooks or members of thefamily”, said Cllr. Leonard.

KINNEGAD LIVE

A live concert held in TheHilamar on Friday nightlast, August 23, showcased awealth of talent from acrossthe parish as young peopletook to the stage, providing awonderful evening of enter-tainment in aid of the Kin-negad Youth Club.

BALLAD & TRADITIONAL NIGHT

A thoroughly enjoyableand successful fundraiserwas held in The Hilamar onSaturday night last, August24, with all proceeds goingtowards the autism unitplanned for the new Rath-wire National School. On thenight, musicians fromacross Westmeath per-formed on stage, includingmembers of BallynacargyComhaltas, and the Nallyfamily from Ballymore. “Itwas a fantastic night and agreat initiative. It was a won-derful concert showcasingthe great talent within thecounty. Over €800 was raisedon the night for the Rath-wire N.S autism unit”, saidCllr. Denis Leonard.

Other events included; setdancing in the old school forthose light of feet or whojust wanted to give it a try,traditional nights in thelocal public houses, and avariety show held in TheDowns Hall in aid of seniorcitizens. The ten day cele-bration came to a close at thehugely enjoyable ClonardVintage Festival held onSunday last, August 25.

Mullingar men part ofvery successful TipperaryFamily GatheringGaybrook author, Liam Loughman and his fam-ily, along with Topic reporter Larry Cooney,were reunited with their relatives, many ofwhom they had never previously met, for a nos-talgic Gathering event in Dundrum, Co. Tipper-ary last weekend.

The iconic moment of the Tipperary Gatheringweekend: Sisters Nonie Cooney (85) from Birminghamand Mary (Babie) Noonan (95) from Kilross werereunited last Saturday in the kitchen of the house inHollyford Co. Tipperary where they were reared backin the late 1920s.

After-Mass chat in Hollyford: Members of theLoughman family from Gaybrook chat with Liam’s aunt95 year old Mary (Babie) Noonan last Sunday morning.Pictured from left Siobhan Loughman, Mary Noonan,Mairead Loughman and family history author, LiamLoughman.

Cousins reunited: At the social evening in the PondaRosa in Annacarty Larry Cooney, extreme right, wasjoined by his cousins, Athlone native CamillaLoughman, Portumna native Oliver O’Shea, and MarieHealy from Delgany Co. Wicklow.

Relatives reunited in Tipperary: The Loughman Gathering in Co. Tipperary attended by the Loughmans fromGaybrook and Larry Cooney from Mullingar.

Cllr Ruth Illingworth at the monument to GeneralRichard Henry Jackson in Kinnegad.

Side view of Old School house in Kinnegadwhich walkers were able to have a lookaround on their tour of historical sites.

JJ Farrell, Rosaleen Ronan, Rose Flynn, Cllr Ruth Illingworth, Cllr Denis Leonard and MichelleBray pictured before taking part in a walk around historical sites in Kinnegad on 19 August.

Patricia Lynch (nee Murrayhill) andChris Nolan (nee Kenny) whoreturned home to Kinnegad for TheGathering festival there.

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