OPINION (AN COLÚN): Remembering the famous and the dead in Banagher

THERE are many very interesting things about Banagher, a special place filled with much culture and heritage.
The town is also in a beautiful location. I love the view from St Paul's Church, down the hill, across the elegant houses and sweeping out to the Shannon and its wide callows. There is a sense of spaciousness, expansion, of the mind opening out into a wider realm having broken out of the chains of narrow thought.
One of the unique places in this elegant, charming town is Hough's Pub which is always a delight to drink in. Hough's is run by the witty Ger Hough who has become well known in recent years for posting very funny videos online. Last week he posted another great video, which focussed on a visit by Santa Claus to the pub. Needless to say, things don't go to plan. Santa drinks too much and fails to deliver his presents to the people of Banagher. The next morning a severely hungover Santa passes on his magic to Ger, so the publican can deliver the presents.
I was deeply saddened to hear recently about the death of one of the town's great originals, Theresa Mann. Theresa played the piano for six decades in Hough's, bringing much life and fantastic singsongs to the establishment on a regular basis. With her trademark black bun of hair bobbing on the top of her head, Theresa was one of those originals without whom life would be more impoverished.
Another thing I love about Banagher is its literary associations. Trollope worked in the town's Post Office for three years and foxhunted locally. Charlotte Brontë married local man Arthur Bell Nicholls and spent her honeymoon in elegant Cuba Court (sadly long since demolished). The historical novelist Malcolm Ross MacDonald lived here for many years (Malcolm passed away in February).
Another of the town's originals is James Scully. The former teacher and local historian has done so much for the area. He is also one of the driving forces behind the year old Banagher Brontë Group, which was a great idea and is proving very successful.
On Saturday the group welcomed the famous novelist Martina Devlin to Crank House for the launch of her excellent novel “Charlotte”. Martina is one of Ireland's most talented novelists and she impressed us all with her knowledge of the Brontës and her love of the subject matter.
The following day the Banagher Brontë Group attended the midday service in St Paul's Church where the new incumbent clergyman Rev John McGinty gave a thought-provoking and inspiring sermon to the congregation.
Rev McGinty is originally from Massachusetts and he told The Midland Tribune that his new life in the midlands of Ireland feels like “a great adventure.”
Rev McGinty told the congregation that Saint Paul's Church at Banagher was very happy to welcome members of the Banagher Brontë Group “for the annual wreath-laying at the resting place in the churchyard here of Arthur Bell Nicholls.”
Rev McGinty added that The Brontë Group “is today commendably celebrating the town's heritage, and the link of this town and church with Charlotte Brontë, her life and work.
“This shines a light on a significant person in her life, her husband, Banagher's Arthur Bell Nicholls. It also shines a light on a very important and happy time in Charlotte's life, her honeymoon.
“Here in St Paul's we are very happy to support and encourage these ongoing and deepening efforts.”
Outside it was cold and blue-skied. A small gathering stood beside the impressive tombstones of the Bell family while a few words were said. Joanne Wilcock, from Lancashire and a member of the Brontë Society in Haworth, said it was a special moment for her to lay a wreath at Arthur Bell Nicholls' grave. She said Arthur was “a true gentleman, with the emphasis on the word gentle. Arthur worked tirelessly as a curate. In this regard, while living in Haworth, he became a rock for his father-in-law providing invaluable assistance as Patrick became older. For a long time Patrick didn't want Arthur as his son-in-law but Arthur was in love and therefore he showed great determination. He never gave up and eventually he married the love of his life, Charlotte. After Patrick's death it was a great blow to Arthur when he wasn't offered the curacy in Haworth, another of life's countless cruelties. But he returned to Banagher, forged a new life, and married his cousin Mary Anna. For 42 years Arthur and Mary Anna offered each other those great blessings of marriage, namely companionship and emotional support.”