Peasantry dance to a German Band, Ballyline 1863

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Sduddy
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Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Peasantry dance to a German Band, Ballyline 1863

Post by Sduddy » Wed Nov 25, 2020 3:08 pm

Freeman’s Journal: Wed 8 Jul 1863:
Athenry and Ennis Junction Railway (from our correspondent).
Ennis, Jul 6: - The cutting of the first sod of this railway took place to-day at Ballylyne [Ballyline], which is situated about six miles from Ennis. The line is to extend from the Midland Great Western Railway at Athenry, in the county of Galway, to the Limerick and Ennis Railway at Ennis, in the county of Clare. The company was incorporated with a share capital of £200,000. It is unnecessary to say that this undertaking will be of the utmost importance to the labouring classes, who have so much difficulty in obtaining employment. When completed, the Midland Great Western and the Great Southern Railway lines will be connected with each other; and there will be direct communication then between Ennis and Galway. By means of this line the route from Ennis to Dublin will be greatly shortened, and the round about way of going by the Limerick Junction will be avoided. There is another consideration with the promoters of the line that I may take the liberty of mentioning. It is thought that the Emperor of France will avail himself of the advantages which this line will offer for transmitting the French mails via Waterford and Galway to New York, and the English capitalists, with this view before them, have tendered all the necessary funds for the prosecution of the work with vigour.
The contractor for the line is William Munroe, Esq., a gentleman well known for his intelligence, energy, and business habits, in connexion with similar undertakings; and he is assisted by a very efficient staff.
Shortly after twelve o’clock, Captain Butler, addressing the numerous assemblage which was around him in the field where the sod was to be raised, said that he had been deputed by Mr. Munroe to hand over the railway to Mr. Falconer (engineer-in-chief), and before he did so he begged to express a hope that the project would be beneficial to the county by giving employment to the people, and that it would also be remunerative to Mr. Munroe.
Captain Butler then cut the sod with a shovel, and handed it to Mr. Falconer, who said that he hoped the undertaking would be successful in every way, and be a great benefit to the county. He thought its success would, in great measure, be due to the landed proprietors of the county, among whom the name of Captain Butler had been spoken of most highly (hear, hear).
Mr. Falconer then put the sod upon a hand-barrow, and Master Toby Butler, son of Captain Butler, then proceeded to perform his part of the ceremony. He wheeled the barrow down an inclined plane, which had been formed of planks for the purpose, and when he had done the peasantry gathered round him, put him on their shoulders, and cheered him lustily. Master Butler is only about ten years of age.
The company then proceeded to take luncheon, which Mr. Monroe had in a spirit of great liberality provided for them. After the luncheon, Mr. Munroe took occasion to propose a toast. He could not forget to introduce the name of a gentleman who in a great measure had been the author of the project before them. Had it not been for that gentleman, they would not be there that day to cut the first sod of one of the most important works that had ever been inaugurated in this country. He need not tell them that he referred to Capt. Butler, who had not only given his land at the price fixed by the company’s valuator, but had also taken shares in the company to the amount of the value of the land, showing thereby his princely liberality and the great confidence he reposed in the undertaking. Mr. Munroe concluded by proposing “The healths of Captain Butler and Master Toby Butler” (cheers).
Captain Butler returned thanks. He said he had merely done his duty as a resident landlord, and he hoped the other resident landlords in that part of the country would give the undertaking all the assistance in their power. He said he own tenantry would do everything in their power to carry on the work, and he was sure they would act honestly and fairly towards their employer.
Mr. Latty proposed “The health of Mr. Munroe, and success to the Athenry and Ennis Railway” (cheers).
Mr. Munroe, in returning thanks, called on the people of the country to co-operate with him in the undertaking. Let them join him with heart and hand, and he could assure them they would receive a fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work. He informed them that the railway would be made within three years. He concluded his observations amid loud cheers.
After several other toasts the company joined with the peasantry and began to dance, much to the delight of all who took an interest in the proceedings. The music of a German band, which Mr. Munroe had procured for the occasion, contributed very much to enhance the day’s proceedings.
Sheila

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Peasantry dance to a German Band, Ballyline 1863

Post by Sduddy » Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:07 pm

Not everyone was happy with the German bands. Speaking in 1893, Dr. Douglas Hyde lamented that concertinas and German Bands were replacing the Irish pipes. But I think the concertina had already taken hold by then and was here to stay.

Freeman’s Journal: Tue 24 Jan 1893:
The National Literary Society. Meeting in Cork. An interesting meeting under the auspices of the National Literary Society, was held tonight at the Assembly rooms. The attendance was not as large as might be expected. Professor Sigerson was announced to deliver an address, but he was unable to leave Dublin, and his place was ably taken by Dr. Douglas Hyde … Dr. Douglas Hyde then delivered an address upon the necessity for the revival sought to be established by the National Literary Society. He said every scrap of Gaelic lore which remains in the country should be carefully guarded. Every family that still spoke the Gaelic tongue should be encouraged in its use, else who would translate our manuscripts lying in hundreds in our libraries; who would tell us anything of the past history of the country? The Irish people were rapidly becoming Anglicised in their music. Having lost the harp, they were now very near losing the Irish pipes, and the concertina and the German band was taking their place….
Sheila

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