On Thursday July 24th 1958 the following article appeared in the Irish Press.
Dancing in Ireland’s Biggest marquee at Killeigh Carnival
The Irish Press Thursday, 24th July 1958
Killeigh Macra na Feirme Branch
Back L-R: Tommy Clavin, Peter Phelan, Jim Plunkett, Jim O’Rourke, Senchell Gallagher or ? O’Brien, Phil Deering, Dick White, Jack Bracken, Mick Dunne, Dinny Plunkett, Joe Plunkett, ? O’Brien, [], John Deering, Ben Purcell, Mick Dunne, Paddy Conroy, Christy Murray, Tony/Sony Foy, Jimmy Meackle, Ned Berry, Mick Murray, Brian Deering, Aage Delaney, Harry Cox, Willie O’Rourke, Ned McElduff.
Centre Kneeling: Brian O’Rourke, Joe Kane, Paudie (Pat) Condron, Seated: Martin O’Grady, Billy Mitchell, James Matthews, Fr. Donohoe, John Kearney, Mick Horan, Paddy Mitchel
Front: Paddy Berry, P.J. Meehan, Pauline O’Brien, Marie O’Rourke (?Molloy), ?O’Brien, [?], [?] , Dolores Plunkett, ? O’Brien, John Cox, Jim Gallagher
If any names are incorrect or missing please let us know in Offaly Historical Society at info@offalyhistory.com or 057 9321421.
Killeigh Macra na Feirme Branch
A DANCE CARNIVAL, the seventh of its kind, will be held at historic Killeigh, Co. Offaly, from July 25 to August 4, reviving in modern from the ancient Festival of Killeigh of 1432, a great hosting, founded by Margaret [O’Connor née Ocarroll] daughter of the king of Ely, which was attended by poets, musicians, and historians from all Ireland and many parts of Scotland.
Dancing played an important part in this historic hosting, and thanks to the enterprise and enthusiasm of the local Macra na Feirme Branch, the summer of 1952, two years after the establishment of the branch.
The story
The story of how this came about is interesting. In March 1950, a group of young men from the district met in the local schoolhouse to discuss ways and means of making rural life more interesting. Before them were the precepts of the Macra na Feirme movement, which was then spreading rapidly over Ireland. Chief among these precepts was the fostering of a greater love of the land among the young men and women of the district and the holding of competitions, etc., to stimulate a pride in agriculture and in general to endeavour to make more attractive rural life.
First step was to find a suitable meeting place for the newly–formed branch. Several suggestions were made, none of which were faithful, until V. Rev. M.P. Kennedy, the late Parish Priest, having learned of the difficulties and being in favour of the old disused building at the disposal of members. It sadly needed repairs and, as repairs meant finance, the next step was to raise the necessary fund from which to put building in a habitable state.
Enterprise
The Branch rose to the occasion. A raffle was organised which the people of the district supported and not only was sufficient money gained but there remained a handsome surplus. With this encouragement and a steadily increasing roll of membership, the Branch in its new home started their programme.
The first noteworthy achievement was to have the County Ballroom, Tullamore, reopened for public dancing and then came the revival of the ancient Festival of Killeigh in 1952. So successful was the Festival that it has since become an established event in the life of the district. Every year its popularity increased, and it was no uncommon experience to find enquires coming in for particulars of the programme from many parts of Ireland and it is not surprising that among the attendances there were many tourists.
This year the branch intends to make the Seventh Annual Dancing Carnival the best ever. The marquee, which is the biggest in Ireland, 5,500 sq. ft., has been fitted with a new maple floor expertly laid, and special seating accommodation has been provided. To add to the attraction the marquee will be specially lighted to give a twilight appearance, and this with the artistic scheme of decoration will give to the interior a real continental festival appearance.
Following former policy, only leading dance orchestras and ceili bands are booked by the branch. The line–up includes Jimmy Wiley, the Grafton Dance Orchestra, Tyrone; Ballinakill Ceili Band, St. Peter’s Ceili Band, Maurice Lynch, Lenis Cronin, Trevor Jenkins and his All Stars, Belfast, and Ralph Sylvester.
Popularity
All those who have attended Festivals are warm in their praise of the arrangements made and without exception all have enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Criterion of this is the fact that many parties come by car and bus from long distances year after year.
Although the Dancing Festival is one of the outstanding achievements of the branch yet their activities cover a wide field of endeavour. Indeed it may be said that Killeigh is one of the most progressive and enterprising branches of the organisation.
The Branch have always completed in the Macra na Feirme inter–branch Competitions. This year they won the County Final of Question Time, and became the first holders of the North–Offaly Agriculture Society Cup. In 1957, the branch won the One Act open competition in the Clare Drama Festival, and were the first Macra group to compete in the All Ireland Drama Festival.
They held Irish Language and dancing classes in cooperation with the Gaelic League during the winter and spring of 1954/’55. Lectures organised by the Branch included “History of Killeigh,” and “The Book of Kells.”
Last year the branch launched an “Invalid Fund.” The first invalid, a former member of the Brach, travelled with the St. John Bosco pilgrimage to Lourdes on May 28. His many friends who travelled with him on that pilgrimage will be glad to learn that he is making progress towards recovery. Next year they intend to send two of more invalids from some of the children’s hospitals in the country.
The local sports club will hold their 66th annual sports on Monday 4th August under N.A.C.A. rules. It was on this famous bowel track that many of our leading athletes got their first taste of big time competition.
Offaly Independent July 26th 1958
Supported by the Department of Culture Communications and Sport as part of the Commemorations Series.
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