Wellington Ablaze

History was repeated in Trim on Monday evening last when the whole town, ablaze with bonfires-one of which was lighted on each of the four towers on King John’s Castle, and another on the summit of Newtown Castle to celebrate their county’s win in the All-Ireland final, reminded the older inhabitants of a similar blaze during the historic sack of Trim on September 26th, 1920 exactly 29 years previous.

The famous Wellington monument was not without its victory fire and it was to the foot of this historic Meath landmark that practically the entire local population were led through the streets by an impromptu band from Athboy Gate. The singing, joyous procession, all carrying streamers and banners of green and gold, presented an unforgettable sight in the Royal town.

At the monument, both old and young danced the victory dances around a blazing bonfire and many of them still celebrated at 3am the following morning.

“KEVIN SMYTH” AT TRIM
Of the thousands of unique All-Ireland final insignias lavished on Meath over the weekend one of the most original was that of Mr Jack Cunningham’s (Newtown, Trim) . Mr Cunningham, whose house is on one of the main Cavan-Dublin roads, erected a goal, between the uprights of which stood a remarkably life-like cloth image of Meath’s powerful goalie, Kevin Smyth.

Whilst en route to Croke Park on Sunday morning several Cavan supporters halted to see the attraction. Some of them smiled and said “Take the little chap in out of the cold”.

Needless to say, Mr Cunningham had his “Kevin” in an even more conspicuous position during the return journey.

RECORD EXODUS
360 people travelled by train from Trim to the All-Ireland football final on Sunday last, whilst 280 boarded the same train at Athboy.

CAR MOBBED AT BALLIVOR
Paddy Dixon, Ballivor, South Meath’s only representative on the victorious Meath team on Sunday last, and who gave such an excellent display against Higgins (Cavan) at centrehalf back, was feted by hundreds of villagers when he arrived at his native Ballivor at 3am on Tuesday morning.

The car in which Paddy travelled was surrounded by an enthusiastic mob who pulled their hero out and chaired him shoulder high through a street dotted with brilliant bonfires.