A unique easily read publication, 'The Pettigo History Trail' gives further prominence to a fascinating little village which, over the years, has been a hub for rail passengers and, latterly, cars, most of them going to or coming from Lough Derg.
The book is edited by well-known local historian, John B. Cunningham whose father, 'Master' Cunningham taught in the local Lettercran National School. However, of greater significance is the fact that the publication has been out together by the Pettigo Men's Group, who took the opportunity of laying out a heritage/plaque laying trail to complement Pettigo's famous, and some infamous, sons and daughters, places and events.
In all, there are 31 of these, so there are the same number of plaques. The reader can see for themselves the running order in the centrepiece of the book, with each personality/place linked to a trail map.
The project forms part of ADoPT's (the Association for the Development of Pettigo and Tullyhommon) Peace II Regeneration Project whose development officer, Natasha McGrath described it as, ' a prime example of how a group of local people can come together within their community and produce such excellent results'.
So, what's the connection between a wayward Bishop, a 19th wine merchant whose family name endures, 'The Quiet Man' film, 'Waltzing Matilda', integrated education, 'Riverdance', a local version of Robin Hood, and a US Secretary of State?
Family links
They all have family links with Pettigo, and they're only a quarter of the profiles in the book. Going backwards, older readers will recall Dean Acheson who was the US Secretary of State in 1949. He died in 1971 and was a descendant of the Achesons of Grouse Lodge near Pettigo.
Prionsias Dubh (Black Francis) McHugh, one of John Cunningham's all time favourites along with the Marx brothers, was one of the last highwaymen in Ireland.
His 'Robin Hood' reputation drew an audience when he was hanged at the Gaol Square in Enniskillen in 1780. He and his ban of men had their lair around the Scraghey Hills.
Basil McIvor, who died in 2004, was born in Tullyhommon and went on to become a barrister and a Unionist MP and Education Minister in the first power-sharing executive. He promoted the cause of shared schools and, in 1981, he became the first chairman of Lagan College.
Andrew Barton 'Banjo' Patterson, of the locally familiar Barton name, was an exponent of many trades, from jockey to soldier to writing, including song writing. He composed Australia's national anthem, 'Waltzing Matilda'.
And, speaking of the arts, Moya Doherty, the producer of the box office hit, 'Riverdance' was born in Mill Street, Pettigo. Some readers will recall that eventful night of the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest which Ireland hosted when the dancers, led by Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, 'scored' better than the contestants - and they were only the interval entertainers!
Impress
Does anyone recall the scene in 'The Quiet Man' when the local Catholic parish priest was asked by his Church of Ireland neighbour cleric to 'lend' him some of his flock so as to impress is Bishop? Well, that actually happened at a CoI service in Aughterdrum Church. So impressed with the turn-out was the Bishop that he cancelled plans to close it down.
What can be said about Bishop 'Miler' McGrath that hasn't been said before by John Cunningham? He started of as a Catholic bishop, then moved over to become CoI bishop, then archbishop, down in Tipperary where he had his own army of around 200 men, most of them from the Pettigo area.
Somehow or other, he escaped an early death despite his rascalities and excesses, and lived to100.
Fittingly, we have reserved 'French' Tom Barton (born 1695) to the last, for he is among a handful of Bartons featured who achieved international fame as soldiers, statesmen and, in Tom's case, to wine manufacturer. The name, Barton and Guestier, endures to the very present day.
Copies of this delightful publication, 'The Pettigo History Trail', are now available locally, free of charge. Credit for it is due to the Pettigo Men's Group, a sort of 'Last of The Summer Wine' ensemble, who meet every Monday night in the Winter months in Pettigo Resource Centre where they plan an array of social activities. Their photograph is carried on the book's back cover.
