The veterans of Cuilmore recall that the school catchment area was based on many 'divisions' but are quick to point out that those bound- ary lines never divided the people of the area. It was and still is, fed by children from Fahy (half-parish of Kilmeena) and from Newport parish. The land of this area was shared in the past by numerous landlords. Thankfully, this latter division is now relegated to history and people prefer to remember the good old times.'
Pat Keane of Derryloughan tells an amusing story of the fairs which used to be held at Ass Bridge. These were cattle fairs and were a big local event. The churn makers would also be there, as it was a good opportunity to sell their hand- crafted dash churns. But they didn't bring their churns to the fair empty. They filled them with ash sticks, better known as ash plants. These would add to the excitement of the fair before the day was out as faction fights were common. In fact, it would have been regarded as a bad fair if a good fight was not in full swing before noon. If this were the case, somebody would be heard to remark "Oh, Lord God, it's twdve noon and not a blow struck yet." At this point all would rush for the churns and the important business of the day would get underway.
Pat ends his story by informing us that "Ass" Bridge is a misnomer. Its real name is "Ash" Bridge which took its title from the ash plants which were used in the faction fights on fair days.
Peter Spellman and Pat Keane recall many fairs in Newport. These continued up until the 70's when the Marts were established. Although a fair was held in Newport each month, there were four fairs each year which were regarded as being more important than the others. These were known as the 'old' fairs and were hdd on June 8th, September 14th, November 11th and December 20th. Children had good reason to remember those 'old' fairs as schools were closed for the occasion. There would not have been much point in keeping the school open as the children of the area would be helping to drive cattle or sheep towards Newport at dawn. Others would lead a cart of pigs towards the fair. All day they would stand guard over their animals as they watched the haggling that took place before a deal was made. Here, they learned lessons which would prepare them for life.
Peter Spellman remembers many Christmas Fairs (December 20th) when McGreal's Butchers; Westport, would come to Newport on a bicycle. On the front of the bicycle was a carrier laden with meat. On arrival, the butcher would borrow a tea chest from Carey's shop and set it up as a counter on the footpath. Careys, was at that time, a shop of considerable importance in the West of Ireland. They were the main employers in the locality and were said to stock "everything from a needle to an anchor." Meanwhile, the butcher sold from his humble counter to those interested in buying fresh meat for Christmas.
In those days, every little red meat was eaten. Homecured bacon, poultry from the farmyard and salmon from the Black Oak river were more usually eaten.
FISHING
Both Peter and Pat assure us that in their youth the river was filled with fish even though poaching was far more common than it is today and the river was dragged daily by the owner of the fishing rights -Newport House.
Winters must have been colder in those days, as Peter and Pat have memories of workmen from Newport House using sledges to break the ice on Burkes Lake and Cuilmore Lake. It was then drawn by horse and cart into Newport House and put into a cellar. This was the forerunner of our modern day deepfreeze.
REVENGE
As in every Irish village, Cuilmore has its share of stores of revenge which were handed down through the years. Peter Spellman tells us that the old stable beside his house was once the home of two brothers named Sweeney. News reached them that Landlord Burke of Clogher had evicted one of his tenants -a widow. The brothers and a certain Mr. Kelly from the half parish of Kilmeena planned revenge. One night they paid a visit to the Land. lord's house, were met by a savage dog which they killed, and entering the house they pulled the Landlord from his bed and dragged him along the ground until the skin was torn from his back. As a conse- quence of their cruel deed they were deported to Van Diemens land. Spellmans were later granted their holding.
MASS ROCK
Mulchrones Hill in Derryloughan was the site of a Mass Rock during Penal times. People would have walked long distances over the mountains to attend Mass in this spot. Sadly, the rock is no longer there but Peter Spellman remembers Mr. Power bringing the children to see it while he was a pupil at the school.
THATCHING
Seventy years ago the housing in this area was very different. The thatched house was the usual abode. However, the people of the locality had one major problem. Rushes were uses for thatching and no rushes grew here. This meant that they were regarded as valuable by those who had them growing on their lands. It was, therefore, necessary to cut and collect rushed illegally under the cover of darkness.