Report Paul Murphy
One hundred and thirty six years after his death the poet, patriot and newspaper editor’s links with Counties Meath and Louth are to be remembered in a major four-day festival in the Boyne Valley. Born at Dowth Castle in 1844 O’Reilly found himself condemned to death for his nationalist activities, had his sentence commuted to transportation to Australia and managed to escape from prison to the United States where he went on to carve out a career as editor of the Boston Pilot.
A special committee under the chairmanship of Frank Taaffe has been formed to organise the four-day festival and which starts on Thursday 14th August next. The committee also includes vice-chair Peter Mooney, treasurer Ciaran Warfield and members Amanda Ryan and Fergus McKeown of Dolly’s Bar, Siobhan Mooney, Mary Taaffe, Paul Nolan and Cian O Loi. Speaking about the festival this week Peter Mooney said that a group of local people had come together to give recognition to Boyle O’Reilly and others of his time who believed in independence for Ireland.
“He and others like him gave a huge shot in the arm towards Irish independence and it is important that we should remember them. His name is remembered still, not only in Dowth his birthplace but also in Drogheda where he worked in The Drogheda Argus but also in America and Australia”.
Schedule of Events Planned
On Thursday 13th August the festival will be opened by GAA President Jarlath Burke who will be accompanied by St Brigid’s Pipe Band at the Boyle O’Reilly Memorial. From 8-9 harpist Siobhan Warfield will perform at Netterville House. From 9-9.30 there will be a re-enactment of John Devoy reading a letter he received “The Voice from the Tomb” which inspired the Catalpa ship rescue plan.
Netterville was the home of Carmel and the late Jim Flynn both of whom invested their energies in remembrance of Boyle O’Reilly. Netterville is now in the care of the Opw and is cooperating with the festival organisers. Meath County Council has also given a grant towards the festival events. The festival committee also remembers the late Peggy O’Reilly of Stameen in Drogheda who did so much work in promoting O’Reilly and his work but also historian Sean Collins who instigated the John Boyle O’Reilly Summer School in 1992.
On day 2 of the festival and exhibition by 25 local artists will take place at Netterville House. Special Jbor jersies will be launched. Slane Gfc, Na Fianna Catalpa Club in Perth and the Jbor Club in Springfield, Boston will have pride of place. Marcus Howard who has made a documentary film on the Catalpa Rescue will speak about his work from 7.30-8. A large marquee will be erected at Dolly’s Pub and the group Coscán will perform there from 8-10 followed by PoitÃn from 10.30-12.30.
On Saturday the art exhibition will be open at Netterville from 12 noon to 5pm. Historian Brendan Matthews will give a talk at Netterville from 12-1.30. A book – The Fenian Empire – by Patrick Mahoney – will be launched at Netterville from 2-3 on Saturday. From 1.30-3 tours of Dowth Castle and church will take place.
On Saturday also a craft fair will take place at Dolly’s from 12 noon to 4pm. Connoisseurs of whiskey can take part in a tasting event from 5-6.30pm. in Dolly’s Marquee from 7.30-9.30pm The Wednesday Gang will perform and they will be followed by the High Stool Prophets.
On Sunday lady GAA players from Slane Gfc and St Mary’s Gfc Donore will tog out for a match at 11am for the John Boyle O’Reilly Perpetual Cup sponsored by Billy McMenamin.
After the match the players accompanied by St Brigid’s Pipe Band will march 5kms from Slane to Dolly’s. From 12 noon to 4pm a farmers Mart will be held at Dolly’s and a family fun day will also be held with lots of balloons and face painting. A mural will be painted on Dolly’s Pub walk this week. Other notable names connected with the area, Philip Clarke of 1916, Peadar Kearney, whose mother came from Rathmaiden, and Francis Ledwidge, will also be remembered. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.
