CHRISTMAS IN FERMANAGH COUNTY HOSPITAL.

CHRISTMAS is always a very happy time in Fermanagh County Hospital, where Miss McWilliam and her excellent nursing staff so well succeed in bringing an atmosphere of home and good cheer to the patients. As usual, the wards were delightfully decorated, streamers of holly and bunting and a profusion of flowers giving an appropriate effect of joy and happiness. Surgeon Fleming, Doctors Forester and Hamilton joined with Matron and nursing staff in dispelling the “away-from-home-for-Christmas feeling that patients might have had; and a happy, homely spirit made staff and patients one big happy family during the festival time.

A large Christmas tree was erected in the Children’s Ward, and this was laden with gifts and gaily coloured lights. The little ones entered into the spirit of the celebrations and, in a “ home-from-home ” atmosphere, enjoyed themselves immensely. An anonymous donor sent to Sister M. Maye, of the Children’s Ward, a parcel of gifts, “for some poor child” in the ward. These, and the other gifts, were distributed amongst the happy little ones, who quite correctly believe that for such as they, who are away from home for Christmas, Santa Claus has a special love and generosity. Other donors were generous in their supplies of holly, books, papers and toys. The Fermanagh. Male Voice Choir and the Methodist Church Choir visited the hospital before Christmas and provided nice selections of appropriate music.

ERNE HOSPITAL.

Masses of holly and bunting, used tastefully to provide an effect of beauty and gaiety, struck a happy note in the Erne Hospital, where almost, a hundred patients spent a very happy time during Christmas. Special Christmas fare was provided, Sisters Donaghy, Condell and Murphy joining with the Matron, Miss McKay, and the other members of the nursing staff to lighten the burden of illness with which the patients faced the festive season. Presents were sent in by kindly people and these were distributed Carol singers and choirs supplied an enjoyable programme of music in the days leading up to the Feast. Dr. M. E. McBrien and other helpers from outside the hospital assisted the nursing staff in making the patients’ Christmas time a happy one.

27-1-1951. PETTIGO. Pettigo monthly fair on Saturday was small but the demand for all classes, of cattle had improved from the previous fair and prices showed a marked increase. Springer cows sold from £29 10s to £36 10s each; three-year-old heifers sold from £27 10s to £34 10s each; two-year-old heifers sold from £21 10s to £27 10s each; fat bullocks sold from £29 10s to £32 10s each; year-old calves sold from £10 10s to £11 15s each; dropped calves sold from £1 to £1 5s each; young pigs sold from £5 to £7 5s each; farming horses were unsaleable.^;

Sympathy is extended from the residents of his native Grouselodge to the brothers and relatives and to the clergy of the diocese of Clogher on the death of the Very Rev. Denis Canon McGrath, P.P., of Bundoran, last week. The late Canon McGrath was beloved by the people of Grouselodge in which townland he was born and reared.

On Friday night a well attended dance was held in St. Mary’s Hall, Pettigo, the proceeds being in aid of the poor and needy of the district, The function was generously supported by all the business people of Pettigo village.

On Saturday Sergeant M. McCabe, from Dublin, took up duty as sergeant in charge of Pettigo Garda station which had been vacant since the transfer of Sergt. Dominic Noone a few weeks ago.

During the past week all the schools in Pettigo village and surrounding districts have been‘closed owing to the flue epidemic which is raging in the area. Many of the business houses in the village are carrying on with depleted staffs. A few cases of pneumonia are reported in the area.

During the past week-end there was heavy flooding in the Lettercran, Cashelinney and Tullylark districts of Pettigo as a result of the long, wished for thaw which set in on Wednesday. In many parts of the district, roads were impassable for motor traffic owing to the floods.

Mr. Andrew Gallagher, of Grouselodge, is the first farmer in the district to have the ground ready for this Season’s potato crop.

3-2-1951. PETTIGO. On Monday a pretty wedding took place in St. Mary’s Church, Pettigo, the contracting parties being Mr. Michael McCrudden, youngest son of the late Patrick and Margaret McCrudden, of Woodlands, Dooish, Ballybofey, and Miss Rosaleen Hilley, third daughter of Patrick and Alice Hilley, of Lettercran, Pettigo. Margaret Hilley (sister of the bride), was bridesmaid, and Mr. Joseph Hilley (brother of the bride), was best man at the ceremony with Nuptial Mass. Rev. J. F. Brennan, C.C., Pettigo, officiated.

The epidemic of flu is still claiming many victims both in Pettigo village and the surrounding districts. In many areas whole families are confined to bed. All schools in the district have been closed as a precaution.

On Wednesday morning the death took place at her daughter’s residence, Main St., Pettigo, of Mrs. Catherine Geelan (75). Deceased was widow of Sergt. Edward Geelan, R.I.C., who prior to his marriage was stationed in Pettigo. At the funeral on Friday to St. Mary’s Cemetery, Pettigo, the chief mourner were—Mrs. J. Egan, Mrs. A. Cox, Pettigo. Mrs. Jim Gallagher. Newcastle (daughters); Eddie Geelan, Coventry, Jim Geelan, Donegal (sons); John Egan, G. Dorrian. J. Gallagher, A. Cox, (sons-in-law); John, Vincent, Seamus, Desmond, Dermot and Monica Egan; Liam, Andrew, Eamon and Maureen Cox, Alan, Dorrian, Jim, Eamon, Kathleen, Bernadette, Anne, Breda, Gertie and Marie Gallagher (grand-children); J. Fogarty, Cardiff (brother); Mrs. P. J. Flood, Pettigo (niece); Mr. John Watters (nephew). Rev. Jas. F. Brennan, C.C., gave an eloquent panegyric and celebrated Requiem Mass and recited the last prayers at the grave-side.

FERMANAGH S MINOR TEAM. John O’Neill (Lisnaskea); Owen Clerkin, (Roslea), Patrick Murphy, (Kinawley), Tom Callaghan (Roslea), Tom McManus (Kinawley), Paddy McComb (Lisnaskea), Jas. O’Hanlon (Newtownbutler), Sean Gonnigle (Belleek), Eamon O’Grady (Gaels), Tommy Devanney, (Irvinestown), Paddy Casey (Devenish), John Maguire (Ederney), Brendan Shannon (Newtownbutler), Tommy McDermott, (Roslea), Peter Murray, Roslea.

Subs. – Liam Slevin (Belleek), Thomas Donohue, Terry Donegan, (Newtownbutler), Hugh Maguire, (Irvinestown) and Kevin Donnelly and Bennie Fitzpatrick (Gaels).

17-2-1951. Tempo.

A MEETING of Fermanagh Co. Board. G.A.A., will be held in Parochial Rooms, Enniskillen, on FRIDAY, 16th FEBRUARY, at 8 p.m. sharp. All Clubs are requested to be represented.

TEMPO SYMPATHY. At a meeting of the Tempo G.F.C. on Tuesday night, a vote of sympathy was passed to the relatives and friends of the late Fr. D. McCaffrey, C.C.

CHANGES IN TEMPO TEAM? The year 1951 is expected to bring about changes on the Tempo team, as the better of the 1950 minors are anxious to fill the positions of their predecessors: These young players together with the remaining members of last years team should build up a fair defence and produce some good football:

Although Tempo. is officially a senior team, it would be unfair to grade them senior, as the result would prove to be a fiasco, and moreover, injuries which would be likely to occur would be the first step towards breaking up the team, which is beginning to prove its worth on the sports field.

The committee for the year 1951 is probably one of the largest of its kind in the county. Men who have hung up their boots are still in co-operation with the G.A.A. and devote, many of their spare hours in the club’s affairs. The officials are:—Eddie Connors (chairman); T. Doherty (vice-chairman), Phil McCarron (treasurer), and Hugh McCaffrey (secretary).

17-2-1951. PETTIGO. The death took, place at Tamlaght, Pettigo, on Tuesday after a prolonged illness of Mrs. Catherine Friel (82). At the funeral on Thursday to Carn cemetery the chief mourners were: James Dowd, Thomas Friel, Glasgow. Bernard Friel, do. (sons); Miss Mary A. Friel, Mrs. Catherine Simmons, Mrs. Winnie Friel (daughters); P. G. Simmons, James Friel (sons-in-law): Mrs. Thos. Friel, Glasgow (daughter-in-law); Thomas Herby, George, Cathleen, Maisie and Winifred Simmons (grandchildren). Rev. Fr. Brennan, C.C., Pettigo, celebrated Requiem Mass and officiated at the graveside.

On Monday night the last dance of the season was held in Cashelinney Hall, the proceeds being in aid of the hall repair fund. Mr. John J. Johnston, Skea, was fear a’ toighe.

Kesh monthly fair on Monday was very small, with practically no buyers in attendance; animals offered for sale were hard to cash.

The death took place at Montiaugh of Patrick McGoldrick (79), formerly a resident of Crilly, Pettigo. At the funeral on Friday morning to Lettercran, the chief mourners were Frank, Owen and James McGoldrick (brothers); Ellen Monaghan, The Cross (sister); Eddie Monaghan, Owne, Jas. J., Eugene and Jim McGoldrick (nephews). Rev. Fr. McKenna celebrated Requiem Mass and recited the last prayers at the grave-side.

On Monday of last week the heaviest snowfall of the season was experienced in the Pettigo district, where snow fell to a depth of 12 inches in a few hours. Many roads in the area are still unfit for vehicular traffic owing to drifts and ice.

On Ash Wednesday, February 7th, the Rev. James F. Brennan, C.C., Pettigo, distributed the ashes and recited the Rosary in Saint Mary’s Parish Church, Pettigo, and in Saint Patrick’s Church, Lettercran.

On Wednesday the death took place suddenly at Killeter of Thos. Irvine (57). The funeral took place to Killeter cemetery.

The flu is still claiming many victims in the Pettigo district.

Repair work by the Irish Land Commission on a bog road in the Grouselodge district had to be abandoned during the week owing to the heavy snowfall in the district.

24-3-1951. PETTIGO. The death took place at Ballymacavanny, Pettigo of Mrs C. Rooney (80). At the funeral to Pettigo Cemetery, the chief mourners were- Kathleen Rooney, Mrs. J Mulrine. Mrs. Mary J. Ward (daughters); Mr. J. Mulrine, Mr. Ward (sons-in-law); Miss Mary Mulrine (grandchild).

Prices at Pettigo monthly fair on Tuesday were—Springer cows, £35 to £39; three year old heifers, £31 to £34; two- year old heifers, £22 to £26; fat bullocks, £29 to £32; year old calves, £11 to £13 10s; dropped calves, 10s to 21s; young pigs, £5 to £7.

The death took place of William Vartue, of High Street, Pettigo (72). He was also well known to pilgrims to Lough Derg. At the funeral to Pettigo the chief mourners were; Mrs. Cochrane (sister); Henry and Geo. Morrow, Rebecca and Susan Morrow (cousins).

On St. Patrick’s Pay the annual pilgrimage took place to St. Patrick’s Well, Magherakeel. Almost 400 took part in the traditional station. The Rosary was recited by Very Rev. P. McGlinchey, P.P.

During the past week there have been losses of both cattle and horses in the Pettigo and Mullinmeen districts. It is believed that the shortage of fodder in. the district is the cause.

On Saturday the death took place at Belault South, Pettigo, after a short Illness, of John Martin (75). At the funeral to St. Mary’s Cemetery, Pettigo, chief mourners were: Thomas and Jas. Martin (sons,; Mrs. Catherine Martin (widow); Mrs. Mary MacMahon, Mrs. Peggy Ginn, Mrs. Jennie Wheatley (daughters); Patrick Martin (brother); John MacMahon, Bert Wheatley (sons-in-law); Phyllis, Marie, Kathleen, Margaret and Ann MacMahon (grandchildren); Wm. and Thos. Reilly (brothers-in-law); Mrs. W. Reilly, (sister-in-law); Thomas Reilly and John Reilly, (nephews) Mrs. P. Monaghan, Pettigo (niece); P. Monaghan, J. Friel (relatives).

Donegal Co. Council workmen are employed widening and paving the main Pettigo to Castlederg road at Grouselodge.

The death took place at her brother’s residence, Gortnessy, Pettigo, of Miss Fanny Porter, who had lived in the U.S.A., where she had spent her youth. The funeral took place on Thursday to Pettigo Cemetery; chief mourners being Bob and Willie Porter (brothers); Mrs. B. Porter (sister-in-law).