100 years ago
Water and Poetry
At the meeting of the Lisnaskea guardians on Saturday, the Chairman, Mr Plunkett, said that after all the trouble and expense the council had gone to in sinking a well and erecting a pump at Derrylin he had been informed that the water could not be drunk. Mr Burns said he had drunk the water and that it was good. The Chairman: A man told me that another man had informed him that the water was bad. As Dryden says -
"The flying rumours gathered as they rolled scarce and talk is sooner heard than told, all that it told is added something new and he that heard it made enlargements, too - On every lip it swelled on every tongue it swelled"
A tax for servants
Householders who keep servants will have a new tax to bear from July 1st next. From that date 1,600,000 domestic servants will be able to claim compensation under the Servants Compensation for Injury Act.
Wise householders are already taking out policies with the insurance companies to cover the legal obligations of the new act. Already many thousands have been issued, the rate varying from 2s 6d to 20s per servant, according to the nature of the employment. Indoor and outdoor servants are alike protected - grooms, coachmen, gardeners, chauffeurs etc. as well as cooks and palourmaids and all other house servants. Any one in service not receiving more than £250 a year is affected by the act. The liabilities which the employs are now subject too include;
1 - Anything between £150 and £300 in case of death
2 - A fixed amount payable for life tot he injured person in case of permanent disablement not to exceed 20s per week.
Sailors, clerks, typists, resident governess, nurses, assistant curate, are covered by the act.
75 years ago
Talkies in Enniskillen
"Tilly of Bloomsbury." Ian Hays popular human interest comedy, playing at the Town Hall, Enniskillen, for 3 days, commencing Thursday 3rd March, has been freely adapted to the screen that roars of hearty laughs come freely, interspersed with bits of homely sentiment. The cast includes some celebrated English actors and actresses and is a very impressive one. Most successful are Sydney Howard, Edward Chapman and Ellis Jeffreys. During the week commencing 7th March there will only be pictures one day, Saturday the 12th. For this day a very fine British picture has been secured entitled "The W Plan" the secret version of the novel by Graham Seton. It is a war story but mostly from a thriller angle concerning the exploits of a Colonel in a Highland Regiment. Brian Adherne and Madeleine Carroll are the featured players.
The Gaelic Players
The Enniskillen Gaelic Players are at present engaged on Lady Gregory's comedy, 'The Rising of the Moon.' The players at present need no introduction to the Enniskillen public, and I am sure that the public will show its appreciation on St Patrick's night by giving their support at the Town Hall. Everyone can attend on this night, as the committee in charge have decided to run two houses. The programme will also consist of vocalists from Belfast, Derry, and Dublin. One of Ireland's leading violinists will contribute. A novel item will be the introduction of selections on a Harp by a Dublin Harpist. The joint committee of Gaelic bodies in charge of these concerts are leaving no stone unturned to make them real worthy of such a historic occasion that is the fifteenth centenary of the coming of our National Apostle.
Friendlies
Belnaleck and the Gaels met at Gaelic Park where the home side won. At Lisnaskea the local boys met Kilevan with the free state lads the winners.
50 years ago
Clubs want to lease Lough Erne
The following appeared in a report by Castlecaldwell Anglers Club.
Efforts during the year to get the ministry of Commerce to develop the trout angling potential of Lough Erne met with failure; the Ministry stating that due to the size of the lake, the expense would be to great to justify the results, which would be doubtful. As this club did not agree with this point of view delegates at a joint meeting of the Fermanagh clubs held in Enniskillen proposed and were seconded by the Arney club delegates, that a federation representative of the Fermanagh clubs be formed with view to obtaining a lease of Lower Lough Erne - the federation to carry out the development of the lake.
The proposal was finally agreed with the amendment (Enniskillen Club) that no federation be formed until it be first established that the Ministry was agreeable to lease the lake.
Fermanagh player helps Newry to victory
On Saturday the 2nd of March the MacRory Cup was carried into St Colmans Newry for the third time in the colleges history when they defeated St Patrick's St Patrick's Armagh by three points.
Chief credit for the St Coleman's victory must go to their mid fielder, P.T Treacy, a native of Garrison Co Fermanagh who gave a really magnificent display. His opponent, Adrian Clarke was known to be the dangerman on the St Patrick's team, but even though he was in the best of form he wasn't the equal to Treacy's standard.
But one man never makes a team. St Colmans had no weak links, T Keenan (Capt), L Murphy, F Mussenn, L McCartan, L Watson and D McCartan had all grand games.
Scorers for St Colmans scores were - Treacy (0 - 04), Mussen (0 - 01), D McCartan (0 - 03).
25 years Ago
Irvinestown gets Youth Centre
Irvinestown Youth Centre is one of five projects which has been given the go ahead by the Western Education and Library Board, which last week agreed - despite a resolution expressing 'deep feelings of concern and frustration' - to make cuts of almost £1 million in its running costs for the coming financial year.
Board members at a special meeting in Omagh agreed to slash £980,000 off a total recurrent expenditure budget for 1982/83 of some £30 million. And the Chief officer Mr Michael Murphy, told members that the reductions had to come from some 70% of that total, as the rest represented mandatory items like grants and could not be touched. Hardest hit out of the £670,000 reduction in supplies and services are library stocks and the youth service which takes cuts of £135,000 and £135,000 respectively.
Potora head of the River Race
The annual Head of the River boat Race, organised by Potora Boat Club, takes place on Saturday. The quiet waters of Lough Erne will be invaded by over 50 crews from three different Provinces. They will be competing in five different classes for pennants and cups to be awarded to the fastest crews over the three and a half mile course.
Nearly half the crews entered will be travelling across the boarder to take part. Portora itself will be entering three VIII's. The 1st VIII will lead the defence of the home waters, lead by their stroke and captain, David Storrs. Later this month David will be taking part in the junior International trials in Carlow. He and Alan Corrigan who rows at 7, are the only members of last years crew to be eligible for the first VIII this year.
