December 16, 1897

Football in Edgeworthstown

At long last the efforts to establish a football club in Edgeworthstown have been successful. A meeting was held on Sunday last which was attended by P. Lee, J. Greene, M. Greene, P. Galligan, M. Burke, M. Gavin, J. Flynn, E. Grimes, D. Grimes, W. Doris, J. Doris, P. Quinn, etc.

The members unanimously appointed P. Lee as Captain and Mr. Burke as Treasurer and also decided to stick to the old name 'Volunteers'. The members decided to play under Association rules as it would be difficult to field a team for the 21-aside Gaelic rules.

April 20 1898:

New Convent for Edgeworthstown

The bishop of Ardagh, Dr. Hoare has performed the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the convent of St Elizabeth's which is to be erected a short distance outside the town of Edgeworthstown and will be placed in the charge of the sister of Mercy.

A donation of 1000, given by a generous donor for the purpose of introducing the sisters of Mercy to the Edgeworthstown area first set the scheme on foot for bringing these excellent teachers to the town.

January 26, 1901:

New Bell in Edgeworthstown

On Friday, January 19^th the new bell was heard for the first time, It having been successfully hung (after a good deal of trouble) in time to ring the Angelus that evening.

The bell is cast in the key of 'E' and its tones are surprisingly soft and mellow and can be heard for a number of miles around.

The structure in which it is hung (pending the erection of a suitable tower) was constructed by Mr. James Feehily of this town and reflects great credit on him for its firmness and stability under the great strain it is subjected to be the weight of the bell (28cwts).

May 3, 1902:

Edgeworthstown Councillors

We heartily congratulate Mr. Patrick Quinn and Mr. Thomas Victory upon their unopposed return as District Councillors for the Electoral Division of Edgeworthstown, Madame Edgeworth having withdrawn her nomination.

July 11, 1908:

Consecration of New Bell

The completion of the new tower and spire, which has been added to the parish church in Edgeworthstown during the year will be celebrated in a fitting manner by the solemn ceremony of the consecration of the new bell that adorns it. The consecrating prelate will be his Lordship, the most Rev. Dr. Hoare.

March 9, 1912

GAA County Final

The final of the county championship between Killoe and Edgeworthstown was played in Longford Park last Sunday before a huge attendance. Great defensive play on both sides meant that there was no score registered when the referee, J. Burns from Ballymahon, blew for half time. After about 10 minutes of the second half Killoe managed to score a point to great cheers from their supporters. From there to the finish it was a mighty contest but at the final whistle the score remained: Killoe 0-1 Edgeworthstown 0-0.

November 12, 1932

An Unusual Visitor to Edgeworthstown

Last Sunday morning at around 10.30am an aeroplane was observed circling the town with the pilot apparently looking for a favourable place to land. The morning was very bright and sunny and very soon large crowds of local people were out to watch developments.

Eventually the plane landed in a big field at Aughabrack near the national school. The pilot, who is accompanying Lord de Ramsey who is visiting Lisard House, the residence of G. More O'Ferrall, made an easy and safe landing in the 40-acre field. Very soon hundreds of locals had gathered to get a close look at the very graceful flying machine, the first that ever touched 'terra firma' in this part of the country.

It was exactly the same type of machine which was used recently by Miss Amy Johnstone when she made her famous flight to Australia.

February 16, 1935

Sensational Shooting Outrage near Edgeworthstown

Father and Son Shot

A daring outrage by four men disguised as Civic Guards occurred on Saturday night last at Lissard, Edgeworthstown and as a result Mr. Richard More O'Ferrall (21) lies in hospital seriously wounded by a bullet after his gallant attempt to defend his father, Mr. Gerald More O'Ferrall, a land agent.

The assault and shooting took place mid-way through a dinner party in Lissard House and Mr. More O'Ferrall Senior was fired on at point-blank range. Only a gold cigarette case in his breast pocket saved him from being killed. The armed men decamped in a high-powered motor car after chaining the locking the gates to the house.

Mr. Gerald More O'Ferrall is the agent on the Sanderson Estate which owns considerable house property in Edgeworthstown where agitation has been in progress for some time for rent reductions.

The Sanderson Estate was formerly the Edgeworth Estate which has associations with the famous Longford literary family of the same name.

February 23, 1935:

Victim of Edgeworthstown Outrage Dies

Mr. Richard More O'Ferrall who was shot while trying to protect his father in the raid on the house at Lissard, Edgeworthstown on February 9, died from his wounds at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin on Wednesday morning. Mr. O'Ferrall would have been 21 next month.

April 6, 1935

Four Men on Murder Charge

Edgeworthstown Shooting recalled

Following a big Garda round up in Longford and Leitrim at the end of last week, four young men were arrested and charge with the murder of the late RM. Richard More O'Ferrall.

The four were: William Mulligan with an address in Ward's Terrace, Longford but a native of Aughnacliffe; John Shanley, Dromod, Co. Leitrim, known as 'Nipper' and a well-known Gaelic footballer: James Joseph Reynolds and his brother John Reynolds, Currycamp, Dromod.

On Wednesday morning large crowds assembled at the Courthouse and other points in Longford town obviously awaiting the arrival of the prisoners. As the lorry carrying the prisoners from the Garda Barracks drew up at the Courthouse the prisoners were heard singing 'The Soldier's Song" and sections of the crowd, including several girls, broke out in cheering.

June 1, 1935

Edgeworthstown House For Sale

The historic home of the Edgeworths at Edgeworthstown was crowded at Wednesday's sale of furniture and other effects. The house and 200 acres of land have been purchased for 3000 by an Irishman at present in the United State, Mr. Noonan, a native of the district.

The antique inklaid table containing an autographed from Sir Walter Scott to Maria Edgeworth was sold for £35 to a Mr. Egan.

The president of the St. Mel's College was the purchaser of the books in the library at the bargain price of £10.

July 20,1935

Jury Fails To Agree in Murder Trial

'There is no possibility whatsoever of the jury agreeing' was the final statement of the foreman at the end of the eleven day hearing in the High Court of the murder charge against four men in the relation to the killing of Richard More O'Ferrall.

September 17,1938

Death of Former Jockey

We regret to record the death of Mr. Jack Lynn at his residence, Cam, Edgeworthstown on Wednesday, December 7^th. Mr. Lynn was one of the best-known jockeys on the Irish turf where he had a most successful career until increasing weight called a halt. He rode in the Grand National several times and always kept his head, and his seat too.

As far back as 1907 he came third in the National of 'Patlander'. He leaves a widow and seven children, the youngest being only two months old.

January 13, 1945

Longfordman Was 'Brains' At Scotland Yard

A Longfordman who as Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard figured in some of the most famous English murder cases of the century has died in London. He was John Gillian a native of Cam, Edgeworthstown who was aged 75 and had been retired for the past 15 years.

Mr. Gillan joined the London Police about 50 years ago and soon joined the Detective Branch. As Chief Inspector he had a brilliant career and took part in many very famous cases. These included the Stoke-on-Trent pottery murder, the murder of Elsie Cameron, the Tilburn Typist, and the famous Brighton Trunk Murder. He knew almost every criminal in London.

Mr. Gillan was a first cousin of Mr. P. Quinn, Edgeworthstown and was also a personal friend of the late J.P. Farrell, M.P.

December 13, 1952

Lisard house To Be Model Farm?

Deputation Will Be Heard Tuesday

Mr. Tom Walsh, minister for Agriculture, is to receive on Tuesday next a deputation from Longford Committee of Agriculture on a suggestion to convert Lisard house, Edgeworthstown, into a model dairy farm for the breeding of in-calf heifers or for a center for the promotion of artificial insemination.

February 19, 1955

Champ In Short Pants

When they called out thirteen-year-old Paddy Reynolds' name at roll-time in Edgeworthstown National School on Friday "O" went after his name as his sixth class mates answered "As Lathair" for him.

But the teacher didn't worry - he knew that Paddy was in Athy at the National Ploughing Championship. And there Paddy, the youngest competitor in the two-day event, walked in the headlands comparing the work of men four times his age, and discussing the finer points of ploughing with the champions from Wexford.

August 22, 1959

County Fleadh Huge Success

Longford's first Fleadh Conndae, held on Sunday last in Edgeworthstown, was a resounding success. Never before has a progressive market town seen such a gathering. Thousands thronged the streets, the halls were packed - and the pubs too, while everywhere there was music, singing and laughter. Business was better than ever before. Pubs, restaurants and shops were packed and the jingle of coins and ringing of tills mingled with the accordion, flute, fiddle and the tambourine

May18, 1968

Anyone for Left-handed Thimbles?

A left-handed thimble factory for Edgeworthstown! That's the application that the secretary of Edgeworthstown Development association received when he advertised a three-acre site near Edgeworthstown in the national press. The advertisement mentioned the grants available to industrialists and also the labour pool and educational facilities.

We give the letter in full:

"Dear Sir, - I am interested in your advt in the Irish Independent. I am anxious to set up a factory in your area for which I would require approximately six acres of arable land. There should be a good potential in this factory as there is no one of its kind, to my knowledge, in the country.

"The factory is for the manufacture of a special type of thimble (citeog - left hand). As you see, I am following the programme 'Buntus Cainte'. "Now with so much talk in your county bout saving the West, I think this is ideal proposition and we will be able to supply the young men and women with all the thimbles they require in their knitting and sewing industry of the West.

We intend to start off with a boy and two girls and finish up with two boys and two girls, increasing gradually with the demand for thimbles (riggers).

"Please let me have full information and lowest terms and when it might be convenient for me to do business with you. I am anxious to rush it lest and opportunity goes.

"Please treat with confidence, as it is rumoured that Longford Chamber of Commerce is interested in a similar factory.

I can assure you that there will be no smell, smoke or noise (except the clash of thimbles).

Thanking you

Yours Faithfully,

Louis Hepperstew

April 21, 1972

Controversy over Edgeworthstown

I did not intend to enter into any controversy over this, but I have been led to believe that there was a strong canvass made to have the name changed back to Edgeworthstown, said Mr. T. Kenny at Monday's meeting of the county council, when the council were informed of the result of the plebiscite to change the name of Mostrim to Edgeworthstown. The result of the plebiscite was in fact, 119 votes for and 15 against with one spoiled vote.

May 21, 1976

Drugs Snatched In Edgeworthstown

A gang of raiders, believed to be from Dublin, broke into a lock-up chemist's shop in Edgeworthstown early one morning last week and took a large quantity of heavy drugs, suitable for addicts.

Gardai confirmed this week that a number of men were being questioned by the Dublin based Garda Drug Squad. Arrests are likely to be made within the next few days.

The raid was a daring one as the garda station is almost directly across the road from the chemist shop owned by Mrs. Maeve Cullen of Deanscurragh, Longford.

April 9, 1993

Bobby - The World Champion!

When it comes to dancing, 10-year-old Bobby fox from Ringowney, Edgeworthstown certainly has what it takes.

The young boy with the big smile won the hearts of a panel of nine Adjudicators in Mosney Holiday Centre on Sunday last, and outdanced competitors from six other countries to carry off the title of Under11 Boys World Dancing Champion.

April 21, 1995

Edgeworthstown's 24-Hour Nightmare

Children raise alarm, chased by 'white cloud.'

As the rest of the nation watched last Wednesday, Edgeworthstown went through a nightmare so unreal that most communities don't ever stop to worry about it.

It is impossible for any community to even imagine that the lives of half its population could be threatened. But the unthinkable happened here in Longford last week.

Over 250 persons, including 61 nursing home patients were evacuated from Edgeworthstown, after propane gas began escaping from a lorry-drawn tank, the driver of which died when it crashed into a wall last Tuesday night.

The Scania truck appears to have skidded along the bend and smashed into an ESB log pole before crashing through a concrete wall and landing in its side in the front garden of Mrs. Teresa Hughes, the widow of popular auctioneer Barney Hughes.

February 16, 1996

Cahill Clocking up Winners

Gary Cahill from Tennare, Edgeworthstown, is certainly making a name for himself in the world of English National Hunt Racing.

The promising young Irish jockey, who has been based with the Mary Reveley stables since last summer, has been clocking up the winners and registered his first treble at the Ayr meeting on Saturday last.

23-year-old Gary is son of Pat Cahill, the Auctioneer in Edgeworthstown Mart, and clearly has a very bright future ahead of him