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Including
Ballymoe,
Creggs,
Glinsk
Williamstown, a village situated half way
between Dunmore and Ballymoe in North Galway. Few other
places will boast of such a strange beginning because it was founded in
the last century by William McDermott, a local landlord, just to spite a
rival who tried to establish another town close by! All is quiet in
Williamstown now, as the era of the landlord is long over, and the other
town failed to survive. He also
helped with the building of the old church of the Sacred Heart completed
in 1839.
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Templetogher
Templetogher, 'the Church of the Pass', is the
ancient seat of Christianity in the parish. The earliest church outline can
still be seen in Templetogher. Nearby is St. Patrick's Well, a popular
pilgrimage place until recent times. Tradition says that St. Patrick passed this
way in the fifth century.
Mickie Timothy Traditional Music & Set
Dancing Festival
The annual festival includes concerts, céilís, workshops, music, dancing and
singing sessions, as well as busking competitions. Mickie was a well-loved
character who was born in the nearby townland of Carranderry in this remote
corner close to Roscommon and Mayo, and lived there all his life. He started
playing accordion at the age of 9, learning from a lady called Maggie Kenny.
Whenever music was required, Mickie was the one they sent for, and he always
came willingly. He often played for stations, when Mass was held in a home. The
festivities would continue well into the night with plenty of music and dance.
Mickie was a farmer and tradesman (carpenter), an active strong man, jolly and
outgoing. He travelled everywhere by bicycle and was still on the bike in his
eighties. Mickie Timothy who died in 1996 at the age of 87.
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Places of interest around Williamstown include Corralough lake, mills at
Templetoghter and Clough, holy wells at Templetogher and Beaugh, many ringforts
throughout Williamstown, and parts of ancient roadways at Castletogher.
Glinsk
Castle, reputed to be the last castle built in this country.
Dunamon
Castle is
thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited building in
Ireland.
Ballinakill Abbey
is reputed to be the first gothic Church in
Connacht.
Old Traditions of Williamstown
Wakes: Up to about 1926 wakes in the parish lasted two nights. The priest
came to the house on the morning of the funeral and said mass in the kitchen but
later that year it was arranged that the dead be removed to church.
Match Making: Up to around 1924 marriages were "Made Matches". When a
match was made between a boy and a girl, the fathers would decide on the
marriage by the amount of money and land to be exchanged. |
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