Bailieborough, Co Cavan
From the collection of
From the collection of
Visit the area of Bailieborough in County Cavan and explore the history and people.
Joe visits the town of Bailieborough in County Cavan. Joe gives a brief history of the area from the time of the clans through to the founding of the town in the Plantation era and then speaks in the town square to local butcher, John Edward Sheanan, who tells him of the market and trading hitory of the main street. Garnet Coleman shares with Joe his collection of his grandfather's photographs of the town from a century beforehand.
Joe visits Castle Lake and the scant remains of what was once Bailieborough Castle. He then visits the local iron foundry and sees Joe Brady at work making fire grates. Johnny Corrie then recalls the process of making cast iron baths while Martin Reilly shows him some antique items made in iron. John Finnegan shares his memories of working in the old Earl's factory which manufactured children's shoes. Eugene Markey shows Joe around his series of collections, which include antique beer bottles, gramophone machines, road signs and vintage cars.
Joe tells us how the grandfather of the famous American novelist Henry James left Bailieborough to find his fortune in the USA. He then talks to William McElwaine about his family's involvement in the 1798 United Irishmen rebellion and the battle at Rebel Hill. Mike and Sorcha Fell take Joe inside their eccentric tea room which they created inside a once derelict cottage.
Lesser Spotted Ulster is a long-running and popular programme that visits the places many of us have heard of but never been to. Presenter Joe Mahon gently explores what makes a place what it is.