"Before I Forget" Edition 18
The eighteenth edition of “Before I forget...”, the journal of the Poyntzpass and District Local History Society, was launched at a function in The Meeting Place, Community Centre on Thursday 10th April.
This popular journal, which has established a reputation for excellence, lives up to all expectations and, as usual, has been produced to the highest standards. The contents are based on the texts of talks given to the Society in the recent past and show to great advantage the meticulous research of the various contributors.
Since its first publication back in 1987, the Society’s aim has been to present well-researched local history articles to the wider public, in a form that was both informative and accessible. This they have managed to achieve over the years and this edition of “Before I forget…” will certainly meet those aims for here there is a wealth of interesting information and an enjoyable read in equal measure.
This edition, includes such a rich mixture of articles, that even readers with only a passing interest in local history, are sure to find something of interest in its 125 pages:
- There is the poignant story of the local young women and girls who sailed to Australia in the middle of the nineteenth century as part of the 'Earl Grey, Female Orphans Scheme' and the, hitherto unknown, local connection with the village of 'Point Pass', South Australia.
- The history of Poyntzpass Silver Band, and how 70 years ago founders made the brave decision to lay aside their flutes and take up instruments which none could then play, is retold by current members.
- The turbulent history of The Railway Hotel and the rise and fall of the Searight Dynasty makes for interesting reading, as does the affectionate history of the ancient townland of Shaneglish.
- 'A Railway man' relates how the coming of the railways in the 1840's impacted the local community and influenced the fortunes of one family in particular, while there is a fascinating walk along the River Cusher at Clare village where 1,500 years of history seem just like yesterday.
- The impact of a local community activist, William John Hanna, 'The Miller Hanna of Ballydougherty' on local life in the 19th and early 20th centuries, has been largely overlooked but an article here rightly records his outstanding contribution to the struggle for tenants' rights and local government.
Also included are extracts from the contrasting Memoirs of two local ladies and, to mark the 50th birthday of the Society there is a look back through the Minute book to see how thing have changed, but have largely remained the same.
In keeping with recent practice there is included an up-to-date recording of the headstone inscriptions at St Patrick's, Ballyargan, which will surely provide for nostalgic browsing for many and useful information for family tree researchers.
In his introduction the Society's Chairman, Robert Morrow, writes, “To whoever is reading this, in whatever year, in whatever country, I hope you find in these pages the warmth and comfort of home.”
We hope it will.
