DONEGAL ANNUAL
43
scenery surrounding it. Among those
before human aid could reach him. I
I met was John Greene, a son of the
must stop but pardon an old man's
late John Greene, who was one of the
love to talk about the place that holds
leading merchants of the town in my
SO dear, a place in his memory. I can,
time and I believe for some years
in imagination, wander along the
afterwards. Through his estimable
shore at Portnamorrow; run races in
wife I was furnished with a copy of
the green fields just above it and when
your paper about a month ago and
the tide was in, bathe in the stream that
seeing views of Ballyshannon
furnished power for the mill near what
advertised I determined to have a set
we call Allingham's Grove; or sit at
for myself and one for each of my
Green's Quay in the evening and listen
most intimate friends while in
to the music of Golden's Key-bugle as
Ballyshannon. And if they prove to be
he sat on the rock above the pool while
what I think they are I will send for
the salmon boat in charge of Jimmy
a few more sets to be sent to St.
Gallagher was industriously drawing
John's.
in the salmon in his net for the profit
When I was leaving St. John's Mr.
of Dr. Sheil.
Hammond presented me with
I may, perhaps, visit the old spot
"Ballyshannon, It's History and
yet. I would do SO this coming
Antiquities" by Hugh Allingham. I
summer if I thought there was any of
have it beside me now and through its
my old acquaintances alive. But as I
aid I am enabled to spell the names of
cannot find that there are any of them
the locations I have named. The book
left it would seem to me like a visit
has been a source of much pleasure to
to a graveyard. I must again apologise
me and I value it SO highly that it
but it is so much pleasure to me even
occupies the most prominent place in
to write to anyone in Ballyshannon
my bookcase.
that I cannot resist the temptation.
I have carefully read the
Yours faithfully,
Independent through and through and
Frank W. Watson
have found many familiar names
The second item concerns the
among your advertisements, one of
hanging of Samuel Crummer for the
them never to be forgotten - it is that
murder of his father as reported in the
of Lipsett. In company with my father
Ballyshannon Herald of May 7th,
I was sitting on one of the sandy banks
1847. The Donegal Indpendent on
when the boat in which young Michael
February 6th, 1886, writes about the
Lipsett was crossing the bar was upset
closing of Lifford Jail and adds a little
and he was drowned. I remember my
to the long history of this Penitentiary.
father's cry of terror "My God they
On Monday morning Lifford Jail
will drown", as he ran down the
after a couple of centuries ceased to
strand and towards the bar. But young
perform its function and reverted
Michael Lipsett (Henry according to
ownership to the Grand Jury of the
the paper), the pride of his family and
County of Donegal. The jail has been
idol of his friends, had passed away
closed under the provision of the
Title by University of Galway. Citation for letter transcript from a published source: Cunningham, J.B. (1990). A Ballyshannon Emigrant's Letter and Lifford Jail. Donegal Annual, No. 42, pp. 42-45.
