County Louth Archaeological and History Society

Annual Report, 1971Author(s): Noel RossSource: Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society, Vol. 17, No. 4(1972), pp. 270-271, 273Published by: County Louth Archaeological and History SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27729319 .

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annual Eeport, 1971

Membership. Forty-nine new members were welcomed to the Society during the year; their names are shown in the final paragraph of this report. Three members resigned and six

were deemed to have lapsed. Death took a heavy toll from our membership : Mr. T. G. F. Paterson,

founder of Armagh County Museum, one of the Society's honorary members, a frequent contributor

to the Journal and an incomparable guide on tours of his own county ; Peadar Uasal ? Dubhda, poet, composer, broadcaster and translator of the Bible into modern Irish; Father James Passmore and Mrs. James Wynne, both former Council members; Proinnsias Uasal ? Dubhghaill, Mr. Paul

Muldoon, Sister Giobhanni, Mrs. D. M. Wall, Canon John O'Neill, Mr. Matthew Brady and Mr. Felix Hughes. Membership at the end of the year showed a net increase of twenty-nine and now consists of one honorary member, sixteen life members and 362 members.

Journal. Two numbers of the Journal were issued during the year, thus bringing publication up to date for the first time since 1921. That the time-lag in publication has been overcome is

entirely due to the efforts of the Editor to whom the Society is deeply indebted. The attention of all members is drawn to the back cover of the Journal where details of back numbers still available can be found.

Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting was held in the Adelphi Function

Room, Dundalk, on February 18th, with the President, Father Mac lomhair, in the chair. The

proposal to increase the annual subscription to ?1-50 was carried, but only after an amendment

which sought to make the new figure ?2 had been defeated by the narrowest of margins. Motions to raise the life membership fee to ?1$ and to abolish associate membership were also passed.

Lectures. The lecture programme was generally well supported; suggestions for future

lectures will be welcomed by the Council at any time. Details of the six lectures held are as follows :

" Excavations at Knowth," by Dr. George Eogan, in Ardee on January 21st;" Schomberg

at Dundalk, 1689/' by Dr. J. G. Simms, in Dundalk on March 18th; "

Aspects of the Tain/'

by Rev. P?draig ? Fiannachta, in Carlingford on April 15th; "

Mellifont Abbey/' by Dr. Liam de Paor, in Drogheda on October 28th;

" Vere Foster, a Great Pioneer/' by Miss Mary McNeill,

in Dunleer on November 18th; and "

The Beginnings of Primary Education in the Parishes of Ardee and Chariest own," by Mr. Harold O' Sullivan, in Ardee on December 9 th. Our appreciation is extended to all these lecturers.

Excursions. South Armagh was obviously a popular choice for the annual excursion since

the number of participants (seventy-eight) was the largest for some years. On July 29th, a day of brilliant sunshine, Mr. Roger Weatherup conducted us to all the more important sites in the area and spoke at each in his own inimitable manner.

The afternoon excursion on June 7th along the northern side of the Boyne Estuary to Termonfechin and May ne was also well supported despite inclement conditions. Mrs. M. Corcoran

and Mr. J. Garry acted as guides.

Our Society acted as host to a number of visiting groups ; these included the Military History Society of Ireland, whose field day was held on June 6th when Father Mac lomhair conducted a lecture tour on the ground of the Battle of Faughart, 1318; Meath Archaeological and Historical

Society and the Old Newry Society.

ArchcBological Discoveries. Souterrains discovered during May at Newtown, Knockbridge and Riverstown, Ardee were investigated and reported to the Archaeological Survey. It is hoped

270

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ANNUAL REPORT 27I

that reports will appear in the 1972 Journal. Through the diligence of Mr. A. B. Swan the remains of Ballymascanlon Castle have been located; the site is at present being cleared through the

good offices of Mrs. Irene Quinn. Gravestone Inscriptions. The inscriptions at Newt own S talaban were published in the

1970 Journal, which also included a list of those graveyards where complete transcriptions have been carried out. Recording has now been completed at Tullyalien and it is hoped to publish the Ballymascanlon inscriptions in the 1972 Journal.

Surname Survey. Our Society is participating in the surname survey organized by the Ulster Folk Museum. Members wishing to help in this work should contact the Secretary or any Council member.

Preservation and Planning. Liaison has been maintained with the County Planning Authorities, whose co-operation is gladly acknowledged. Action has been taken in one case of

interference with a scheduled monument. Present legislation provides minimal protection for even scheduled sites, the constant vigilance of members is therefore essential to prevent the destruction of any of our local monuments.

Council Meetings. The business of the Society was transacted at eleven Council meetings, which were held in Ardee, Drogheda and Dundalk (three each), Dunleer and Louth. Our thanks are due to those who provided accommodation and hospitality

on these occasions.

Tntstees. The property of the Society is vested in trustees, the number of whom was increased to five by the appointment of Rev. P. J. Campbell, C.C., Mr. P. F. Power and Mr. N. Ross

to join Father Mac ?omhair and Mr. M. O'Flynn. Elections. The results of the annual elections, for which 102 ballot papers were received, will

be found on another page. Members are again reminded of their right to nominate candidates for election to the Council

and are invited to avail themselves of it. General. While the past few years have seen a not inconsiderable increase, both in member

ship and in activity, it must be pointed out that income from present membership will not allow

any new projects to be undertaken. All members, particularly those living in the county, are

requested to try to introduce one new member during the coming year. Names of intending members should be sent to the Secretary or to any Council member.

New Members. Mrs. M. Corcoran, Mr. James Garry, Rev. J. Campbell, C.C., Misses M. and N.

Prendergast, Mr. John Lougheed, Miss T. Cox, Rev. R. S. Morris, Messrs. Patrick Boylan and

S. J. Shaw, Miss Mary Carroll, Dr. Sean McDonagh, Mr. W. S. Meagher, Miss Maureen Wilson, Mrs. P. Halpenny, Rev. C. C. Ellison, Mrs. Mary McDonnell, Miss F. E. Nixon, Messrs. Peter

Woods and Bernard O'Rourke, Dr. Padraig Quinn, Messrs. Peter Passmore, J. G. Halpenny and Thomas Russell, Mrs. M. M. Everard, Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Richard Duffy, Mrs. Agnes

Murphy, Mr. James Fullerton, Dr. Maude O'Cleirigh, Mrs. Noreen Small, Miss M. McCann, Messrs. Finbarr Boyle, Gerald Daly and John Dunne, Aine Inion Ni Bhraonain, Dr. E. Norton, Monsigner Henry Laverty, P.P., Misses Maureen Callery, Grace Carroll and Winifred Moore, Mr. Alan Moore, Captain Alex. Henry, Mr. Patrick Toms, Seoirse Uasal Mac Adhaimh, Sisters Sheila Hogan, Pascal Keegan and Brendan O'Hanlon and Mrs. Leroy Wright.

Noel Ross, Honorary Secretary 16th January, igy2

Eeport of glrbee Subcommittee

Ancient Cemeteries. Ardee must be one of the few parishes in the country which has put its ancient cemeteries in presentable order, with one

exception, Mapastown, which has been receiving

voluntary attention from a local member. Since this graveyard is not vested it has no caretaker; the sub-committee is, however, confident that the problems involved can be overcome.

The expenses incurred have been refunded to the member by the sub-committee,

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COUNTY LOUTH ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR 1971

Receipts

Balance in Bank, 31st December, 1970

Ardee Lecture, January Dundalk Lecture, March

Carlingford

Lecture, April Drogheda Lecture, October .

Dunleer Lecture, November . Ardee Lecture, December

Proceeds of South Louth Excursion

Interest on Deposit Account

Interest on 6 % E.S.B. Premium Stock

Sale of Publications

Members' Subscriptions

:

1969 ..

?3-00

?10-00 ?i4-36 ?7*67 ?1277 ?3-35

?25-20 ?42-04 ?104-16

?26-50

1970 ..

?14*00

1971 .. ?245-00 (@?i-oo p.a.) 1971 ?25'5o (@ ?1-50 p.a.) 1972 .. ?2-00 (@ ?i-oo p.a.)

Extra, Rate of Exch. ?1*12

1972 .. ?28-50 (@ ?1-50

p.a.) ?319*12

?695*63

Expenditure

Ballot Papers, Envelopes and Postage Notices, 1971 Annual General Meeting

Rental, Adelphi Function Room, 1971

Annual General

Meeting Lecture Expenses : Ardee, January

Dundalk, March Carlingford, April Drogheda, October Dunleer, November

Ardee, December

South Louth Excursion (Notices, teas,

gratuities)

Printing of 1970

Journal and

General Printing Distribution of 1970 and 1971

Journals

?n-54

?9-8i

?1-05 ?io-86 ?12-42

?15*09

?17*19 ?!3-i6

?9-92 ?7'5*

?27-64

?4i8-53

?16-24 ?434*77

Office Requisites

Hon. Secretary's General Expenses Insurance of Blocks, Stock, etc.

Half-yearly Bank Charge

Balance to Credit, 31st December, 1971

?20-43 ?8-69

?3-oo ?0*50 ?102-91 ?695*63

January, igy2

Patrick F. Power, Honorary Treasurer

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