Dancing Lancers in West Street
PART FIVE
BY JOHN FITZGERALD
Over the decades of the twentieth century, Callan exiles in New York and other American cities spoke sadly and thoughtfully of another time and place…out of sight but not out of mind… They cast their minds back to when they danced lancers in the middle of West Street.
Some of them recreated these fun-filled episodes from the “Old Country”, especially at weddings and birthday parties. Platform dancing had been a highpoint of the craic that brought Callan to life once a year.
It all started back in 1924, when Martin Kelly encircled himself at the gate of the Co-op Creamery with other residents of the street he was born in. He had an announcement to make. Adults and children flocked to him to hear of his new brainwave: He suggested the organising of annual offbeat sporting events in West Street.
He cast a spell over the large assembly as he explained his grandiose yet perfectly down to earth vision of a street animated by open-air competitions and fun activities. Next day, Martin gathered together a few of his pals from the street to form an ad hoc committee: Peter Roughan, Martin Holden, Pat Bergin and Jimmie Robinson.
The first meeting to plan strategy was held in Pat Bergin’s comfortable and spacious ass and cart, which was anchored outside the entrance to the Creamery.
In the course of the five-hour intensive negotiations and deliberations (the ass had to be fed three times during the meeting), the Committee decided that a variety of sports events would be staged; and that the actual sporting grounds would consist of the street extending between the two Creamery gates.
The local “young lads” would be assigned to collect money to establish a prize fund.
Within days, Callan teemed with collectors, all hoping to swell the coffers of the West Street Sports Committee. The fund-raisers worked hard: Like most other people in the town, they wanted to see nice prizes for the winners and runners-up in the forthcoming events. Martin Holden (father of Peggy Holden-Walsh, who later resided at Canon Kennedy Court) acted as Treasurer.
Martin Kelly’s eyes lit up with relief and excitement when the children flocked to his house with the result of their Quest: To his amazement, they had gathered a staggering twenty-five shillings. They presented the sack of halfpennies to Martin, who relayed the good news to the committee.
He thanked them profusely…the obliging youngsters who went out of their way to support the planned festival of novelty games: Prominent among them were the Crokes, Healys, Holdens, Robinsons, Hogans, Ryans, O’ Neills, Keeffes, and Griffins… family names that once dominated the vigorous and hearty social landscape of that part of town.
A list of sporting events was drawn up and a “programme” advertising the fun and games was nailed to the electric light pole that stood outside Martin Kelly’s house.
The big day came and went. It delighted town and country folk of all ages. Though successful, Martin and his group felt that the following year’s event should be more imaginative, challenging, and entertaining.
Running was fine, they agreed, and the Egg and Spoon races had a lot going for them…as indeed had the sack races, a turkey plucking competition and the much hyped “Throw a Turnip at the Scarecrow” Tournament…but the event lacked a “bit of gizz” according to Martin Kelly, and this, he advised, could best be injected into the proceedings by encouraging folks to “step it out”.
It did not need to be strictly Irish dancing, Peter Roughan opined…just anything that would liven up the street should fit the bill. Musicians were approached…and there was no shortage of them in Callan.
To be continued…
(More stories of those bygone times can be read in my book Callan in Words and Pictures, which is available from Amazon)
