28-09-2002
Tree
planting honours noted industrialist
A tree planting ceremony to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the departure of Joseph Beale, the noted industrialist and Quaker, to Australia on September 22nd, 1852, took place at Mountmellick Development Association last Sunday, also September 22nd. The ceremony was performed by David Pim, Anngrove House, Mountmellick, who is a prominent member of the Quaker community.
At the tree planting ceremony, Ger Lynch Chairperson of MDA recounted the story of Joseph Beale who was born in Anngrove House in 1801.
In later years he built Derrycappagh House and operated woollen mills at Irishtown (Malt Factory) and Monordreigh (Barkmills).
Poor trading conditions, following the famine years, led to the decline in Joseph's milling business and despite his determined effort to maintain the employment in the area, his reduced circumstances forced him to join the outgoing tide of emigration. Australia's flourishing wool industry prompted him to seek his fortune there.
To learn more about Joseph Beale's descendents please click here
Poor trading conditions, following the famine years, led to the decline in Joseph's milling business and despite his determined effort to maintain the employment in the area, his reduced circumstances forced him to join the outgoing tide of emigration. Australia's flourishing wool industry prompted him to seek his fortune there.
When Joseph left Mountmellick in 1852 he brought his two eldest sons with him. His wife Margaret and six other children remained behind in Monordreigh. During his 90 day voyage to Australia on a steam ship called the "Sarah Sands," Joseph Beale sent 14 letters home to his wife and family.
These letters were passed into the hands of his great grandson Edgar Beale who wrote the book The Earth Between Them, which recounted the hardships and struggle to reunite Joseph Beale with his beloved family in Australia and which was based on the contents of the letters.
When the MDA had this book reprinted in 2000, they dedicated it to the thousands of people who were forced to emigrate from Mountmellick and the surrounding districts during famine times.
"The Beale departure was the best documented of all those who were forced to depart during these times," said Ger Lynch.
Michael Gormally, chairperson of Mountmellick Town Council, recalled how Joseph Beale was addressed by Mountmellick Town Council before his departure to Australia. "So it is fitting to be representing the Town Council at this ceremony today," he said.
Mr David Pim he felt privileged to live in Mountmellick, the original home town of the Beale family and he thanked the MDA heritage committee for assisting visitors who come to Mountmellick to locate their roots.
The tree planting ceremony was attended by a broad section of the Mountmellick
community including John Moloney TD, members of the Town Council, members
of the MDA heritage committee and others.
The book The Earth between Them is available at the MDA and other retail outlets.
For more information on the MDA click here
Mountmellick
embroidery exhibition draws the crowd
The local landscape was the inspiration for the exhibition of Mountmellick work be St. Joseph's Mountmellick Embroidery Group, officially opened by artist-in-residence Nuala Hayes at County Hall, Portlaoise on Thursday night last.
Addressing the large attendance, Ms. Hayes said that Mountmellick embroidery which owed it, origins to the Quaker settlement in Mountmellick, was a very special skill associated with the basic rituals of our lives such as birth, eating and death. She said that embroidery was very popular in the Slieve Blooms in the past with different designs added to Christening gowns as they were passed down through families. Other popular pieces for Mountmellick work tablecloths and bedlinen.
Noting that it was all women who did the work, Ms. Hayes said they have the patience, concentration and the hand-to-eye co-ordination necessary to carry out the work. And while the aim was for perfection nothing in nature was perfect.
The
Laois artist-in-residence congratulated the women on the creative work. "You
have created a community in doing your work and a creative community is a
healthy community." She said.
Mayor Joe Digan of Laois County Council said Mountmellick work was an embroidery style unique to the town of Mountmellick and was an intrinsic part of its heritage. He said it could be traced back to the 1830's when Joanna Carter, a well known embroiderer and accomplished draughts women introduced the style of work to the area to benefit local women and girls in the declining prosperity. "During times of hardship, money was earned through the sale of this type of work. The proud and unique tradition of Mountmellick work is maintained to this day," he said.
Mayor Digan complimented all of the women involved in the exhibition and
their teacher Anne Kelly who, he said, worked tirelessly to keep the highest
standards of the craft alive. He welcomed Sr
Therasa Margaret McCarty, a presentation nun from Mountmellick, who had played
a major role in the revival of the craft. "She taught herself the stitches
using a Victorian needlework book and she continues to pass on her knowledge
and expertise today."
Mayor Digan expressed the hope that St. Joesph's Group could continue its excellent work and that many more family heirlooms would be created for future generations to enjoy.
Acting Arts Officer with Laois county Council, Bridie Keenan, said it was great to see such a big turn out to launch the exhibition, work which was described as a "glorious tangle of flora, translated into stitchery, memory of walks which have been and are to come."
She
said the exhibition was creating quite a reaction and a lot of interest had
been expressed by the public. "It is hard to imagine the amount of time
and patience it takes to create a piece of Mountmellick Embroidery, so I commend
all the ladies who have worked on the display. It is a traditional craft that
should be nurtured and handed on and it certainly seems to be in very safe
and skilled hands, judging by what we see here."
Ms. Keenan said that teacher Annie Kelly and her group met every Monday night in the Parochial House, Portlaoise. "I am told that the odd stitch or two can be ripped if it's not correct! But it is important to keep the tradition in tact. Congratulations Annie and may your good work continue."
Kathleen Bennett of St. Joseph's Group said that Annie Kelly had 
been
with them for eight years and was a tremendous help and encouragement. Annie
Kelly told the gathering that it gave her great pleasure to see the ladies
enjoying and finishing their pieces. "It is lovely to see the results
of their handwork on display."
Among those to receive presentations on the night was Sr. Teresa Margaret McCarty who started teaching Mountmellick work to local women in 1970 at the request of a local teacher, Brian Healion. Over the years she gathered interesting samples from the Quaker collection as well as a trunk of transfers designed by Quakers over 150 years ago, thanks to the Pim family. Over the years the efforts to revive the craft received further boosts including the publication of a book and the production of a video An Grianan.
The exhibition can be seen during office hours at County Hall until Friday October 4.
For more information on Mountmellick Embroidery click here
Mountmellick marks static
No change. Mountmellick got 211 marks in the Tidy Towns Competition in 2001, the same this year.
Ironically Mountmellick's treasures - its many attractive old buildings are in some cases a weakness in the TT contest.
The judges, in their report, write: "The build environment is essentially 18th century in character and there are a number of interesting churches and houses to be seen.
"However, this very quality has brought 20th century dilapidation, unfortunately fairly evident at a number of points along the Main Street".
The continue "The town Square is somewhat of a disappointment. Used as a carpark, its roles as a pleasant meeting place within the town is lost.
"The buildings surrounding the Square are quite attractive but the supermarket signage is out of proportion. Gormans' Furniture and Costcutters signs could be much improved".
In a remark that will probably raise a few hackles the judges state: "Questions must be raised about the aesthetic value of the trunk of the metal Christmas tree".
They praise the appearance of the Garda Station, Community Centre/School, shops and houses at the Birr end of the town, and St. Vincent's Hospital, but note that warehouse buildings on the Portlaoise Road are in some disrepair. They laud the Heritage Trail.
On landscaping, the judges are mostly positive, but point to kerbside weeds on some roads. They call for better screening of concrete fencing. Flowers at Turleys Pub, the wall at the MSM recycling centre, and shubbery Kirwan Park all get favourable mention.
On wildlife and natural amenities, the judges say the development of a riverside nature walk should get more attention. They add "While there is access, there was no evident maintenance of pathway or provision of signs or other information".
They describe the Patrick Street development plans as "most interesting and opportune". They hope the opening of the river and its bridge will encourage the establishment of community-accessible wildlife habitats.
On litter the judges comment "While litter did not appear a serious problem, there was some near a fast food outlet and grocery shop in the Main Street."
On tidiness, they say dereliction is an ongoing problem that can only be resolved by redevelopment or imaginative screening. The Hinch Plant Hire Yard too, requires screening they state, and there is a damaged wall at this locality.
Residential areas impressed the judges. They say "Many (houses) had outstanding gardens which added to the environmental qualities of Mountmellick".
They commend the town for its attention to shrubbery and grass amenity areas, but say there are broken walls and chain link fences that "require screening or other tidying work".
The judges sum up "Mountmellick is going through a time of considerable change. Many of its old buildings are due for replacement and their reconstruction or replacement must be treated with great care if the old world ambience of the town is to be retained. Your drawing together of the various residential, business, community and local authority interests will do much to underwrite the future of your town".
Mountmellick Community School Exhibition
The annual school exhibition will be held on Thursday and Friday, September 26 and 27 in the school. This exhibition features arts, crafts and works compiled by the students in the various subject areas.
Mrs Bridie Keenan, representing Laois Arts Council will officially open the exhibition on Thursday evening at 7 PM. It will remain open to the public until 10 m and from 2 PM to 6 PM on Friday. All are welcome to visit the school and view the exhibits.
Mountmellick come back twice to snatch point
Mountmellick Utd 3 Portlaoise 3
In what can only be described, as a cracker of a game Mountmellick found themselves two goals behind in the first 20 minutes as Portlaoise B were humming.
Diddering in the home defence in the first five minutes saw a back dispossessed and superb work by Carl Connolly set up evergreen Portlaoise player manager John Loughlin for the opener.
With Joe Turner, John Kerry, Padraig Goodwin and Kevin Conroy struggling to contain the runs of Tom Devane, Conor O'Leary and Connolly, the home side were on the back foot early on.
More shoddy defending resulted in a free-kick and Tom Devane's brilliant free-kick gave Donie O'Mahony no chance in the Mountmellick goals.
Mountmellick should have pulled a goal back straight away when Padraig Goodwin put Paul Lee in on goal but his shot went just wide.
Mountmellick began to pile on the pressure as Robbie Hibbitts, Niall Lynch and Paul Lee test Alan Loughlin, James Timmons, Ozzie Dunne and Barry Lawless.
John Kerry hit a post, Paul Lee and Robbie Hibbitts went close, and Ray Farrell had a shot saved before Lee's great run down the left saw him in on goal and shooting home from the narrowest of angles before the break.
Early in the second half Lee hit the equaliser when he latched on to a long Donie O'Mahony punt and outstripped the defence.
Stalemate then set in before Portlaoise took the lead. Devane got possession of the ball and feinting to cut in field, he fed Connolly, who located Barry Linden and his cross was inch perfect to the head of David Fitzpatrick who nodded Portlaoise in front.
Mountmellick then switched to a back three and the move paid off when a quick Niall Lynch free-kick found Joe Tuner who crossed for John Kerry to net the equaliser.
In the last minute a fine 20-yard strike was saved by Portlaoise 'keeper Danny Brown who had a great game.
The result shows that Portlaoise will be a force in the Major Division and Mountmellick will have to keep their concentration if they want to continue reaping points.
Mountmellick Utd : Donie O'Mahony, Mark Parkinson, Keith Payne, Kevin Conroy, Joe Turner, John Kerry, Padraig Goodwin, Ray Farrell, Robbie Hibbitts, Paul Lee, Niall Lynch. Subs: Kieran Conroy for Padraig Goodwin, Ivan O'Neill for Keith Payne.
Portlaoise : Danny Brown, Alan Loughlin, Aidan Ryan, Ozzie Dunne, Barry Lawless, Paul McCormack, Brian Scully, Conor O'Leary, John Loughlin, Carl Connolly, Tom Devane. Subs: James Timmons for Aidan Ryan (injured), David Fitzpatrick and Barry Linden for Ozzie Dunne and Paul McCormack.
