Death of Noel Dolan
Noel Dolan, a native of Ballinamore and a long-serving officer of the Leitrim Society of New York, died at his home in Bergenfield, New Jersey on February 10th 2011.
Noel is survived by his wife Sheila, by his sons Kevin and Tom, daughters Sheila, Maureen, Kathleen and Deirdre, by his sons in law and daughters in law, his 18 grandchildren and by his brother Peter (who was a star player with the Leitrim Minor team in the 1946 All Ireland Final) and by his sister Eileen.
The Carrickmakeegan Tragedy of 1942 is forever etched in the memories of the people of Ballinamore, when six young people from the town lost their lives in a boating accident on the Shannon-Erne Waterway, at a very deep point where the canal enters Garadice Lake.
Those who drowned were Sean Dolphin, Seamus Wisley, Maureen Rowley, Maureen Moran, Carmel Prior and Minnie Walsh.
The tragedy would have been much greater but for the bravery of Noel Dolan who managed to drag two girls to safety and who joined with other rescuers in saving the lives of the remainder of the group of friends.
Noel’s heroic efforts were acknowledged by the Coroner and by a spokesman for the parents at the subsequent inquest into the tragedy.
In the intervening years there has always been a close bond between the survivors and also between the families who lost their children and Noel Dolan has remained a hero to them all.
The last remaining survivor of that tragic August day at Carrickmakeegan is Mrs Bernadette Spollen, sister of Seamus Wisley. Just some weeks ago another survivor from that day, Sheila Martin of High Street, died at her home in Dublin.
A number of songs were composed in tribute to and in memory of the victims and in all of these the heroism of Noel Dolan was acknowledged.
In late 1942 Noel, who had attended Ballinamore Boys’ National School, Ballinamore Vocational School and Clongowes Wood College, started an apprenticeship with CIE, qualifying as a machinist. Six years later he emigrated to England and in the following year joined the Merchant Navy with the British India Steam Company as an engineer and this took him on the high seas to places like Bombay, Basra, Singapore, Madras, Dubai and Sydney.
In 1954 Noel decided to emigrate to the USA and settled in Chicago. It was here, in 1958, that he was to meet his future wife, Sheila Maguire, from Druminchingore, near Newtowngore. Though they had grown up within a short distance of each other, they had never met until a chance encounter in Chicago. Noel and Sheila married in 1960 and took up residence in Bergenfield, the New Jersey town that became their home.
For a number of years Noel worked with the US Government in a Brooklyn shipyard and was to receive a Citation for Bravery for his heroics on the day a raging fire broke out on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.
Noel later worked with PATH in New York and then joined the famed Macy’s Store on 34th Street at 7th Avenue as their air-conditioning engineer, a position he held until his retirement in 1997.
Noel and Sheila inculcated a great love of Irish traditions, music and dance in their children and they were to become world class Irish dancers, competing regularly at the World Finals in Dublin. Kevin danced at one final with the future Riverdance and Lord of The Dance star Michael Flatley. The Dolans were well known entertainers at countless Leitrim and Irish celebrations in the New York area and indeed their talents have been passed on to the next generation of the family.
In 2004 Noel and Sheila were honoured with the Distinguished Service Award by the Leitrim Society of New York at their annual Gala Dinner, on the night another well known Leitrim man, Shane Flynn of Carrick on Shannon, was Guest of Honour, in recognition of his appointment as Chief Executive MBNA Europe and of his efforts in influencing MBNA to open their office in his home town.
Rain or shine, Noel Dolan was a regular in Gaelic Park, New York and he maintained a life-long love of the GAA, with a special interest, of course, in the Leitrim Club and in all players and teams visiting from Ireland and most especially from Leitrim. He was a dedicated member of the Leitrim Society, serving for many years as a Trustee and was always to the fore in the various activities of the Society.
Serious illness in recent years did not deter Noel from his involvement and he never lost keen interest in all things Leitrim. Indeed, when the Aughawillan Drama Group performed their play Wake in the West in Yonkers, New York in November 2010, Noel was in the audience with his wife Sheila and his brother in law John Maguire and relished meeting many friends from home and from the wider New York area on the night.
This love of Ballinamore and Leitrim stayed with him to the end and in his final days he recounted many stories from his youth around Ceannabo to his close friend Brendan Wisley, who had travelled especially to New Jersey to be with Noel and his family in those final days.
There was a huge turnout of family, friends, members of the Leitrim Society and the Irish American community at Noels wake, Funeral Mass and burial in Bergenfield, all joining in celebration of the life of a very special man.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Noel’s wife Sheila, their family and extended family, his brother and sister, his brother in law John Maguire new York and sister in law, Mrs Eileen McGovern, Corduff, Garadice and to his many relatives, including his cousins Paddy and Michael Dolan, Ballinamore and to his many, many friends,
.Go n-déana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.
Ballinamore Darts
The second semi-final of the Francis McGirl Memorial Cup Competition was played last Friday night in Drumcoura, and like the first semi-final the week before a great crowd turned up to see the game, the semi-finalists were McGirl’s and Jackie’s. Last week’s semi-final between Shortt’s (A) and Fenagh was a very solid game Shortt’s winning by (5) games to no score, but this game was very close and exciting all the way, McGirl’s just getting through on a score line of (5) games to (3). The final takes place next Friday night the 11th of March between McGirl’s and Shortt’s (A) in McGirl’s. Thanks to everyone for their great support in our raffle, thanks also to Tommy and staff at Drumcoura for refreshments at the game.
Tidy Towns News – The Ballinamore Bring Bank centre is one of the most used in Leitrim. We have three clear glass containers, two brown glass containers, one green glass container, two drinks can containers and two clothes banks (one more clothes bank at St. Patricks Boys National school – which helps fundraising) After recycling please remove and bring home all plastic bags and cardboard containers. If there is no place in the containers for goods, do not leave your goods for recycling
unattended at the bring bank. Either (a) come back another time or (b) use an alternative bring bank site. The bring banks are emptied regularly. Thank you for recycling.
Ballinamore Whist Drive Results
The whist drive was held on the 3rd March and the winners are as follows:
Top Score with 151 was Madge Fleming
1st Lady Evelyn Kiernan with 150
2nd Lady Carrie Moroney 145
3rd Lady Maureen Dolphin 144
½ time lady Diana Lynam with 73
1st Gent Mary Maguire with 144
2nd Gent Jean O’Reilly 143
3rd Gent Martin Daly 140
½ time Gent Peggy Logan 74
Longest sitting lady Margaret Nelis / Longest sitting gent Jim Young
Raffle winner – 1st Brigid Freehill / Mary Bohan / Carrie Moroney
SPORTSHALL BOOKINGS – As the Winter Season draws to a close a number of slots become vacant during March. Any interested party should phone 9644207 to find out the various times becoming vacant each week evening.
Sean O’Heslins GAA - Seálta ná Seachtaine
Hurling Club Formed
For the first time in a long period of years a separate Ballinamore Hurling club has been formed and will be affiliated as a solely hurling club. Officers were elected and they are as follows; Uachtarán: John Harte. Leasuachtarán: Seán Ó Suilleabháin. Cathaoirleach; Conor Harte, Rúnaí: Paddy O’Connor. Cisteoir: Donal Quinn, PRO: Brian Dolan. Cláiritheoir: Ruairí Ó Suilleabháin.
Leitrim Supporters Club Draw – Leitrim Supporters Club are celebrating 25 years of fundraising on behalf of Leitrim GAA. This year they have the usual draw with tickets at €40 each.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ag tosú inniu. Bígí ag caint Gaeilge chomh minic agus is féidir. Tá dhá oíche den Chiorcal Comhrá sa Leabharlann fágtha. Ar an Máirt ag 8.30. Beidh Fáilte romhat.
Scór – County Scór Finals are in Ballinamore tonight Saturday starting at 7.00. Sean O’Heslins have six items in the finals.
Lotto – Ní raibh aon bhuaiteoir den Phota Óir ar an Luan seo caite. Pota Óir €3,050. Winners of prizes for those present on the night: €40; Séamas Mac Murchaidh. Buidéal uisce beatha ó Liam Mac Fhearghail; Aodhán Mac Samhráin. €40 an duine: Michael McGirl, Aughnasheelin, Karen and Adrian McCartin, Aughavas, Áine Donnelly, Kildorragh, Gary Smyth, Breda McWeeney, Longstone. Uimhreacha: 31524760
Drama Festival – Season tickets are now on sale for the 30th Annual Drama Festival which takes place from 6th to 13th March.
The tickets, costing just EUR40 for the eight nights of competitive drama, can be purchased from Ciaran Smyth’s or from any committee member.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade – The Business Association is calling on all businesses, schools, community and voluntary groups, youth groups, sporting organisations and anyone who feels like it to come out and take part in our St. Patrick’s Day parade. Let’s celebrate our National holiday in style -it’s less than three weeks away. The parade will be on Thursday March 17, starting at 4 pm, with assembly from 3.15 at St.Felims Square. More details later.
A Pancake Night will be held in Templeport Resource Centre on Tuesday 8th March. Pancakes will be served till 10pm. Dancing from 10pm till 12.30am with music by Country Cousins. Proceeds in aid of Day Centre. Please support. Any queries please contact Kathleen on 087-7921683.Please note they will be no day centre on Wednesday 9th March
Country and Western Night in Kilbracken Arms Hotel In Carrigallen On Friday 18th March Dancing to Sean Donohoe And Other Entertainers from 10 till late All Proceeds Going to S.T.O.P (suicide prevention)
Well done to the 3rd and 4th class girls from S.N Bhríd Naofa who came 2nd at the All Ireland Sports Hall Athletics 2011 on Wednesday last. They were just narrowly beaten by Offaly. The team was; Megan McHugh, Aileen Flynn, Éadaoin Murphy, Grace Reilly, Alannah Smyth, Maeve Hamill, Michaela Harte, Joely McGovern, Abbi Sweeney, Elaoishe Martin, Aoibhín McGoldrick and Laoíse Moran King. Thanks also to Mary McGovern, Helen Harte and Geraldine Reilly for driving to Athlone.
ATHLETIC CLUB – Well done to the 4/5th Class Girls at Ballinamore GNS who finished second to St Joseph’s, Ballinagar of Offaly in the National Sports while representing Leitrim in the National Sports Hall Athletics Competition in Athlone IT last Wednesday. Training continues at usual times with the Leitrim Road Leagues coming up later this month.
DIABETES INFORMATION MEETING – Interested members of the public are invited to attend an Information Meeting in conjunction with the AGM of the Leitrim Branch of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland in the Bush Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, on Wednesday night (9th) next at 8.00.p.m. The speaker is Dr Maeve Durkan, Consultant Physician in Medicine, Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism and her topic is ” Getting the most from your Diabetes Clinic Appointments
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland, Church Street, Ballinamore, Sunday service is at 12.15pm every Sunday except on the 4th Sunday which is held in Drumreilly Church, Drumreilly.
Life Coaching Course – Life Coaching Course In Fenagh Visitor Centre for 5 Continuous weeks. Course Course will be held be Nuala Duignan(Life Coach). You can contact Nuala for more information or to book a place by calling 0872532675 or check out more information on her website www.nualaduignanlifecoach.com . Course will take place for five Monday mornings from 10.00am to 12.00noon, starting Monday the 14th of March.
St Patrick’s Day Fun Day Info Scouts
1st Leitrim Scouts will be holding their annual St Patricks Day Fun Day in the Ballinamore Community Hall on Thurs 17th March 2011 immediately after the Parade. We would be extremely grateful on any donations of the following items: / unwanted gifts, cuddly toys (must be perfect condition) and cakes, baked goods. Donations can be dropped on wed 16th (evening 6 – 9pm) at the Hall and all baked goods and cakes on Thurs from 10 am at the Hall. The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Adventures would all appreciate the support. Come and Treat yourself to a tea / coffee and a cake.
Church news
Wed is Ash Wed: Mass Ballinamore 7.30am: Secondary School mass 12.30pm in the church, people are welcome Aughnasheelin 8pm.
Mass times this week: 9am Mon & Tues; 7.30am & 12.30pm Ash Wed; 8am Thurs & Fri;10am Sat
Ash Wed is a day of fast and abstaining from meats.
Confessions Sat 12noon to 12.30pm
Eucharistic Congress Preparations - will begin its pilgrimage around the country and will visit our diocese between the 18th and the 29th of May. The bell will also be accompanied by four specially commissioned icons symbolizing the four stages of preparation for the congress—’Gathering’, ‘The Word’, ‘Breaking Bread’ and ‘Mission’. More details of what will be involved will be available soon. Each parish will be asked to provide at least 12 volunteers to carry the bell on its journey through the diocese.
Eucharistic Adoration – Each Wednesday evening here in the church from 9 to 10pm there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the side chapel, beside the alter. Would you like to spend a Holy Hour for the success of the upcoming Eucharistic Congress?, an hour a week for Lent?, or just come along to spend some quiet time in prayer for whatever your intention?. “…thousands of people from all across our country will testify that one hour each week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the most peaceful, the most satisfying hour of their whole week.” As we start into Lent would you like to join them ? Everyone Welcome
Do you know anyone in the parish who you feel is worthy of a Cavan People of the Year Award? Maybe they’re involved in parish work, local schools, sport or community work? Nomination forms can be found in the Anglo Celt and should be returned to the Anglo Celt Office, Station House, Cavan. All entries must be received by March 20th to be considered. For further information contact Peter Stokes on 087 839 8155.”
