Oldcastle, County Meath

Oldcastle
An Seanchaisleán
Town
Oldcastle

Location in Ireland

Coordinates: 53°46′09″N 7°09′45″W / 53.769167°N 7.1625°W / 53.769167; -7.1625Coordinates: 53°46′09″N 7°09′45″W / 53.769167°N 7.1625°W / 53.769167; -7.1625
Country Ireland
Province Leinster
County County Meath
Elevation 200 ft (61 m)
Population (2006)
 • Urban 2,226
 • Rural 2,046
Time zone WET (UTC+0)
 • Summer (DST) IST (WEST) (UTC-1)
Irish Grid Reference N550803

Oldcastle (Irish: An Seanchaisleán) is a town in County Meath, Ireland. It is located in the north-west of the county near the border with Cavan, approximately 13 miles (21 km) from Kells. The R154 and R195 regional roads cross in the town's market square. As of the 2006 census the town's population stood at 2,226.[1]

In recent years Oldcastle has grown mainly due to an influx of workers from Eastern Europe to work in the several industries, particularly furniture, bedding and victualling located in the area.

History

The area was the birthplace of St Oliver Plunkett, the last Irish Catholic martyr to die in England.

Oldcastle is the 18th century creation of the Naper family who had received parts of the Plunkett estate following the Cromwellian wars. St. Oliver Plunkett, who served as Lord Archbishop of Armagh in the seventeenth century, and who was hung, drawn and quartered at Tyburn in Middlesex (now in the Marble Arch area of the City of Westminster in London) in 1681 on false charges, was the most famous member of this family.[2]

It was also the birthplace of Isaac Jackson, son of Anthony Jackson III (who some say was a yeoman son in turn of the Charles II courtier, Sir Anthomy Jackson II, of Killingswold Grove, East Yorkshire, England) of Eccleston, Lancashire, England who died in nearby County Cavan after 1666. Isaac was an early Quaker in Ireland, as was his father. He moved to Ballitore, County Kildare, where he married and raised a large family, mostly all of whom emigrated with their parents to Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA in 1725.

Oldcastle suffered quite badly during the Great Famine and subsequent emigration. Owing to the continuation of a Gaelic way of life in the north of the county, Oldcastle suffered far more than the richer more arable land in the southern part of County Meath. The poorest class lived where Irish culture was strongest and were obliterated by starvation and emigration. Nonetheless, land patterns visible today still reveal a strong attachment to the pastoral farming of Gaelic culture. Politically and culturally the area has a strong tradition of support for radical republicanism, the Gaelic Athletic Association and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; a local paper published in the town in the early 1900s gave its name to one of the Irish political parties, Sinn Féin.

Oldcastle Workhouse was located on St. Oliver Plunkett Street (formerly Lennox Street), part of the R195 (the main road to Castlepollard), on the southern edge of the town. Designed by George Wilkinson in a neo-Tudor style, and probably built in the late 1830s or early 1840s, it was demolished before the 1950s. Mellow's Park was built by Meath County Council on the site around 1950. Many Germans, Austrians and Hungarians were interned in the old workhouse by the British Government during the First World War.

Fennor Upper and Lower in Oldcastle is said to be named after Queen Medb's daughter, Findabair (Fennor). In Irish Mythology, she was sent as an offering to Cú Chulainn in his fight against Medb and her army from Connacht. She was killed by Cú Chulainn and the area was named after the place where she was murdered and buried.

In 1923, Micheal Grealy, a member of the anti-treaty IRA, robbed two banks - The Hibernian Bank and the Northern Bank - for which he was executed in Mullingar Barracks.

A monument was erected in 1961 in Oldcastle Square by Meath Brigades Executive, Old IRA Federation, 1916-1921 to the memory of Commandant Seamus Coogan and Commandant Patrick McDonnell who were killed by British Crown Forces during the War of Independence. The monument in the form of a cross was unveiled by Seán Dowling, Chairman of the National Federation of the Old IRA.[3]

In November 1997 McKevitt and other IRA dissidents held a meeting in a farmhouse in Oldcastle, County Meath, and a new organisation styling itself Óglaigh na hÉireann was formed.[4] The organisation attracted disaffected Provisional IRA members from the republican stronghold of South Armagh, as well as other areas including Dublin, Belfast, Limerick, Tipperary, County Louth, County Tyrone and County Monaghan.

Oldcastle Detention Camp 1914-1918

Great Britain was in control of Ireland in 1914 when the first world war broke out. The Alien Restriction Act 1914 [5]was passed on 5 August 1914. The Act introduced strict controls on freedom of movement of foreign nationals and introduced a system of registration with the police. The Act also contained powers to deport foreign nationals and to intern all Austrian and German males between the ages of 17 and 42 i.e. men of military age. ‘The Oldcastle detention camp was the only permanent civilian POW camp in Ireland, detaining so called “enemy aliens”. [6]This was due to a fear that these men would betray Britain by returning home and joining the German Army or becoming spies in Britain. Not all German and Austrian nationals residing Ireland were detained immediately. These individuals tended to be citizens who had influential contacts and promised to behave morally. However even these men were detained eventually.

After this Act was passed the British War Office started looking for suitable buildings to convert into detention centres. As stated by John Smyth, [7]‘disused workhouses were ideal. They had much of the infrastructure to hold hundreds of people: dormitories, kitchens, dining halls, water, washing facilities, an infirmary, store rooms, recreation yards etc.’ These also had the bonus of being easy to defend with their high walls and being on the outskirts of towns. Oldcastle Workhouse met these requirements perfectly.

In 1838 The Poor Law Act was passed which aimed to relieve the poor/destitute by providing basic food and accommodation. Oldcastle Workhouse was built and opened in 1842 to accommodate 600 people. By 1914 there were only 50 inmates living in the building. After the military approved the conversion of the workhouse into a detention centre, these remaining residents were moved to other workhouses in the area. In November 1914 the building was converted. The eight foot perimeter walls were reinforced, ‘There are nine sentry boxes around the workhouse grounds, while several galvanized houses have been erected... The grounds are surrounded by barbed wire entanglements about 5 feet high and 14 feet wide.’ Quoted from The Anglo Celt a newspaper in the area at the time of the camp. [8]

On 12th December 1914 ‘The long expected German prisoners arrived this week in Oldcastle and took up quarters in the disused workhouse.’ This was a headline from the time, The Meath Chronicle[9] on the day the arrival. The Meath Chronicle reported that via a specially commissioned train 68 German inmates were transported into the town. From there they were marched through the town under armed guards to their new residence. Two days later another 26 civilians were moved into the camp. This continued steadily from late 1914 to 1915. 304 inmates were in the camp by February 1915 this number increased to 579 by June 1916. By this time every space in the workhouse was being utilised by the camp commandant Major Robert Johnson including the workhouses church sacristy. ‘Written accounts show that the highest recorded number of prisoners being held at the Oldcastle Detention Camp was 583 – the building appeared to be operating at full capacity.’ As taken from John Smyth’s article on the subject .[10] Up to thirty men were housed in a room on regulation camp beds with one pillow and three blankets per man.

Aloys Fleischmann, famous composer, was interned in the camp.

The detainees were civilians from vastly different backgrounds. This ranged from clergymen, jewellery makers and musicians to cooks, butlers and butchers. Though the prison was not entirely pleasant the inmates had some privileges especially those who came from a better background. It was possible for the more affluent inmates to buy their own rooms and hire their own servants from the less affluent detainees. The British wanted to divide the classes as they believed it was not acceptable to put a docker with a doctor. As part of camp life they were allowed to write and send two letters a week containing twenty-four lines. Parcels could be received and visitors were allowed for 15 minutes twice a month. One inmate called Aloys Fleischmann who was a famous composer wrote to his wife and requested “three blankets and a pillow, a warm knitted Jacket, waterproof boots, a wash bowl, a kettle and mug, cutlery, tobacco and books.” This quote was taken from John Smyth research article.[11] We can gather from this that conditions in camp were cold, damp and basic. Although it is also reported that if they could gather 100 prisoners they would go on a four-mile march for exercise ending up in a pub in Dromone. They were even allowed to go in and buy a drink. Aloys Fleishmann[12] kept a diary while in the camp. This link contains images of the camp by some of the prisoners.[13]

A journalist visited the camp in June 1915, ‘he stated that he was “met by a large body of men” and described them as “fine strapping men”’. Account taken from John Smyth’s extract on the camp.[14] These men caused no trouble for the guards but seemed bored and had nothing to do. The reported goes on to lament that they should be put to better use. Certainly, in the early days the inmates had nothing to occupy their time so this could have been the reason for four of the detainees to be sent to the mental asylum in Mullingar. By July 1916 it was reported that the detainees had formed committees to run the camp. They took charge of their own washing, drinking water and cooking. There were 3 bakers and 12 cooks among the inmates who provided all the meals for the camp. They were provided with regulation provisions which included, ‘bread, biscuits, fresh or frozen meat, tea, coffee, salt, sugar, condensed milk, fresh vegetables, cheese, butter, peas, beans, lentils and rice.’[15] Account taken from John Smyth’s extract on the detention centre. A The rest of the men practiced their trades by making toys, jewellery, boots and wood-carving. Many men spent their days painting and sketching. The camp also contained two orchestras’ which performed concerts and played for dramatic performances.

Apart from the boredom one of the other issues for the inmates was the relationships with their families. This led to many divorces and estrangement from their children. There were numerous escape attempts reported in newspapers. One of the most notorious attempts was by Carl Morlang and Aphonsus Grein who managed to escape for a few days. On the night of the 14th August at 9.30 pm the prisoners were noticed missing at roll-call. Morlang and Grein left the prison and made their way northwards to Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan disguised as two Clergymen. ‘At the village of Denn a few miles from Cavan, Grein entered the public house and treated all hands in lavish style.’ An account taken from The Anglo Celt.[16] They were captured the following day by the local constabulary and returned to camp. When they were searched they were found to be carrying maps, supplies and money which they should not have been able to obtain. Also among their belongings it was said there was a letter addressed to Charles Fox thanking him for helping them escape. He was a decorated ex-officer in the British Army and a successful businessman. He was very republican in his views so he was arrested and tried for treason which was a hanging offence. However, the charges were dropped. He returned to Oldcastle and treated like a hero by the locals.

Two inmates were killed at Oldcastle during the years 1914-1918. One on 17th September 1917 during an escape with another inmate. August Bockmeyer was shot when he refused to stop. Although he survived the shooting he later succumbed to his injuries. There was an enquiry and it was declared that ‘Private Tiernan’s actions to be “quite justified” in the “discharge” of his duty.’ As stated by the article by John Smyth.[17] The second Franz Xaver Seemeier died mysteriously in January 1917. Apparently the detainee was playing football when he collided with another player and was taken to the infirmary. The following day he died from serious internal injuries. It has also been suggested that a guard bayoneted Seemeier after he had been spotted trying to look for something along the barbed wire fence. It is unlikely that the true cause of his death will ever be known.

After the 1916 Rising the political landscape had changed in Ireland. There was an anti-conscription meeting in Oldcastle held on the 13th April 1918. The guest speaker was Arthur Griffith a key figure in Sinn Fein. The rally was attended by thousands of people and was only 300 meters away from the camp. The speeches taking place were very Nationalist and anti-British. Prisoners watched from the roof of the camp ‘from which the meeting was visible’. Account taken from The Anglo Celt. [18] Once the speeches had ended the crowd moved towards the prison but nothing became of this. Following this incident and the political concerns at the time the British decided to move the prisoners from Oldcastle. On the 25th May 1918 a specially commissioned train left Oldcastle to go to North Wall, Dublin. The prisoners were then taken by ship to Knockaloe Camp on the Isle of Man. Oldcastle was returned to its previous owners the Oldcastle Board of Guardians and fell into disuse. During the War of Independence in May 1920 Oldcastle Workhouse was set ablaze by the local IRA to stop the British using it as a military base. The main buildings no longer stand the only thing still standing is the perimeter wall.

Entertainment

The Oldcastle Agricultural Show: One of the events not to miss is the Oldcastle Show which is held on the third Sunday in July in the Gilson National Park. Each year it attracts thousands of people to the town. There is fun for all the family with live music, a fashion show, free children's entertainment, Tug O War Competition and much much more. Entries for Cattle / Sheep / Horses / Poultry and Home Industries can be made by contacting the Show Secretary on 087 4346986. YouTube singing sensation Fr. Ray Kelly will be performing at the 2016 Show which takes place on Sunday 17 July.

Le Chéile Arts & Music Festival is held on the bank holiday weekend in August at various venues around the town. The festival has been running since 1998 and has featured acts such as Aslan, The Saw Doctors, Shane McGowan, The Riptide Movement and Kodaline.[19] Fr Ray Kelly is also a local feature and performs in his own parish church.[20]

Sport

Oldcastle is a centre for anglers & is ideally located four miles (6.4 km) from Lough Ramor (County Cavan), a lake that is noted for its coarse fishing.

Oldcastle is also ideally located six miles (10 km) from Lough Sheelin (County Cavan) which is noted for its trout fishing.[2]

Oldcastle GAA club is 125 years old.[21] It competes in the Meath Intermediate Football Championship are in Division 2 of the League.

The town has a wide range of other clubs available for all to join. The track and mountain running club of Saint Brigid's Athletic club are also located in close proximity of Mullaghmeen forest with such notable members as Gerrard Heery who finished 2nd over 40 in Snowdon international mountain race 2013, and other endurance members such as Eamonn Fitzsimons who has completed and ranked highly in many international multi day adventure and foot races representing his club and country[22][23][24][25]

Economy

Oldcastle had a bed-manufacturing industry including firms such as Gleneagle Woodcrafts, Briody Bedding and Respa Bedding which are a major source of employment for the area.

There are the engineering firms located in the parish of Moylagh, County Meath, approximately 5.0 miles (8 km) from the town. These industries have attracted many immigrants to the area for work, mainly from Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, and Poland.

In 2010, a Head shop, since closed, opened up in Oldcastle on the Mountnugent road, across from the Oldcastle House Hotel. Local citizens of Oldcastle protested against the store when it opened.[26]

Tourism

Oldcastle seen from Loughcrew

Tourism is important to Oldcastle. The town is located a short distance from the Loughcrew Cairns, a major tourist attraction. Built around 3300 B.C. as passage tombs they predate the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

Local Geography

Oldcastle is located in the foothills of Sliabh na Caillaigh.[2]

In 2005, an environmental disaster occurred in Oldcastle when a sewage treatment plant overflowed and spilled into the River Inny. 4,000 wild brown trout were killed as a result.[27]

Education

There is a mixed primary school, Gilson National School, and a secondary school, St. Oliver Post Primary. This secondary school has been expanded in recent years, with the opening of a new building in 2002. The secondary school celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, opening four new classrooms on the date. Noel Dempsey and Bishop Micheal Smith were present. On 3 March 2007 the school won the All-Ireland Vocational Schools Championship Senior Cup 'B' Competition in Gaelic football.

Recently a new community library was opened replacing a smaller library in the town and is located next to the local Credit Union.

Architecture

The Gilson National School is said by the local Chamber of Commerce to be the "Gem in the Crown of Oldcastle's architecture"[28] The Gilson National School's trust and building owe their existence to the generosity of Laurence Gilson, a native of Oldcastle Parish. A statue of him was unveiled in May 2011. Gilson donated money to the town of Oldcastle in 1810 for the establishment of a multi-faith school.[29]

The Show Hall in Oldcastle is located near the church. It hosts bingo, show dances, show bands and Le Chéile concerts annually.

Transport

Heavy traffic in central Oldcastle

Rail

Oldcastle railway station, at the end of a branch line from Navan, opened on 17 March 1863 and for many years provided a source of revenue and income for local farmers as well as other industries in the area by allowing local goods and produce to be transported to the main ports of Ireland for export. The station closed for passenger traffic on 14 April 1958 and the branch finally closed altogether on 1 April 1963, during a period when numerous railway lines were being closed.[30]

Bus

Bus Éireann route 187 services Oldcastle from Monday to Saturday. It provides transport to neighbouring towns and villages of Mountnugent, Ballyjamesduff, Virginia and Kells. Onward connections e.g. to Dublin, Cavan, Navan and Enniskillen are available at Virginia/Kells. There are four journeys both to and from Oldcastle each weekday. Subject to road safety the bus will stop to pick up and set down passengers at any safe point along the route.[31]

Notable people

See also

Sister Town

References

  1. ↑ CSO Census 2006
  2. 1 2 3 "oldcastlechamber.com". oldcastlechamber.com.
  3. ↑ http://www.freewebs.com/duleekmonument/meathhistory19592008.htm
  4. ↑ Mooney & O'Toole, pp. 38-39.
  5. ↑ Pellew, Jill (1989). ""The Home Office and the Aliens Act, 1905.".". The Historical Journal 32.02: 369–385.
  6. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  7. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  8. ↑ http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2014/12/13/4034489-last-word-their-only-crime-was-their-nationality/
  9. ↑ "Meath Chronicle". Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  10. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  11. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  12. ↑ "Prisoner of War Camp, Oldcastle, Co. Meath in summer, miniature water-colour, painter unknown -". Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  13. ↑ "Prisoner of War Camp, Oldcastle, Co. Meath in summer, miniature water-colour, painter unknown -". Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  14. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  15. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  16. ↑ http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2014/12/13/4034489-last-word-their-only-crime-was-their-nationality/
  17. ↑ The Oldcastle Prisoner of War Camp 1914-1918, John Smith, Riocht Na Midhe – Records of Meath Archaeological and History Society 2010, Vol XX1
  18. ↑ http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2014/12/13/4034489-last-word-their-only-crime-was-their-nationality/
  19. ↑ Gary Dunne, GSDSoftware. "Le Cheile Arts & Music Festival 2015". lecheile.com.
  20. ↑ "Oldcastle & Moylagh Home - Oldcastle & Moylagh". Oldcastle & Moylagh.
  21. ↑ http://oldcastle.meath.gaa.ie/
  22. ↑ "St Brigid's Athletic Club - Home". stbrigidsathleticclub.com.
  23. ↑ "Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Race". beastofballyhoura.com.
  24. ↑ http://www.www.snowdonrace.co.uk/
  25. ↑ http://www.oldcastlechamber.com/clubs_entertainment.htm Oldcastlechamber.com
  26. ↑ "Meath Chronicle - Closure of Oldcastle head shop fails to halt protest march". Meath Chronicle.
  27. ↑ "Sludge kills up to 4,000 fish in Co Meath". RTÉ.ie. 11 August 2005.
  28. ↑ "oldcastlechamber.com". oldcastlechamber.com.
  29. ↑ Casey, Ann (2011-03-23). "Tribute to Oldcastle man set for May Day unveiling". The Meath Chronicle. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  30. ↑ "Oldcastle station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Retrieved 2007-11-22.
  31. ↑ http://www.buseireann.ie/pdf/1334740995-187.pdf
  32. ↑ "Singing priest Fr Ray Kelly offered deal with music label". The Irish Times. 5 May 2014.
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