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Pat Smyth, a civil servant with the National Assistance Board in West Tyrone from the 1930's to the 1950's, recalls his memories, experiences and the larger than life personalities he encountered on the way.
It was Paddy Bogues who put Omagh on the map in the field of drama when he took up residence in the town in 1940 following his appointment as a clerk with the National Assistance Board.
In 1941, on my first visit to the Omagh Office as auditor, I met him and learnt how highly he was rated by the Area Officer, James Beattie. He was certainly an outstanding clerk but it was as producer of the Omagh Players Dramatic Society that he achieved national status in the thespian world.
My good friend, Brendan Gillespie, was secretary to the Group. As a colleague of Paddy's I gained an insider's role and soon became privy to his personal plans and ambitions. I was happy to accept an invitation to join the group's social club and at the first meeting that I attended I was treated as a guest of honour as a newcomer to the town.
Towards the close of the social evening, in a game of forfeits, or something of that kind, I was challenged to choose which young lady I would like to see home. It was quite a challenge since the walls were lined by 'good-lookers' some of whom had been lively, and more than lively, at some of the party games.
I suggested an attractive shy brunette and immediately a cheer went up. Paddy informed me that I had the longest dander (walk) of all ahead of me, as Maura McBride, whom I had chosen, lived away out near the Killyclogher Burn.
With blackout conditions and petrol rationing prevailing, all the young ladies had to be escorted home on foot from parties in those years. I must say I had a companion who made my first footslog to Killyclogher a real pleasure.
Paddy Bogues took the Omagh Players right to the top in the Irish theatrical world and kept them there. Paddy McAlinney, later of British television fame, and Michael Conway of Canadian television fame, both owed their successes to Paddy's skill and dedication.
It was he who got Tyrone Guthrie interested in the thespian ability of those two talented performers and set them on the first rung of the ladder to the top. Later, every time I watched Paddy McAlinney singing 'Jeannie With The Light Brown Hair', on a T.V. commercial, it brought back memories of a humble happy home at Lammy, a dear old lady, (Paddy's mum), his sister Phyllis, plenty of craic (joking) and a welcome for all.
Paddy Bogues found Paddy McAlinney struggling to make a living as an insurance agent and casual auctioneer and he set him on the road to fame, as he did for Michael Conway.
Irish towns had a reputation for honouring All-Ireland Winners and Omagh was no exception when the Omagh Players carried off the top award at the Father Matthew Feis in Dublin and brought the cup home. The place went wild with jubilation. Paddy and the cast were heroes of the hour.
The Players were immediately invited to perform at the Group Theatre in Belfast, but on the day disaster struck. The American Forces commandeered the Derry-Belfast midday train without notice and there was utter consternation. With petrol rationed, there was no way the cast with their props could get to Belfast!
When the Group Theatre was notified and faced with no alternative but to cancel the Show, there was panic. Seats had been reserved for the Governor, the Prime Minister and most of the Stormont Cabinet, plus Belfast's Lord Mayor. Cancellation was just not on.
Within hours the Department responsible for petrol rationing were on the line to Paddy Bogues with a terse message: 'Get taxis, private cars - anything! Get the Players to Belfast - petrol coupons will be issued as soon as the convoy gets to Belfast'. No time was lost in rallying a fleet of vehicles and getting local petrol stations to fill them up. The Show had to go on!
The Omagh Players was the vehicle, which quickly propelled me into a lively social scene for which Omagh is renowned. I rubbed shoulders, literally, with a number of attractive young ladies who visited Omagh regularly and patronised the annual balls.
These included Rosaleen McConn, Sheelagh O'Hare and Marie Roche. Rosaleen hailed from Balee near Downpatrick where she grew up in a place called 'Spital' so named because it had been the site of one of the earliest Irish hospitals. She stayed at McIvor's and frequented the Dolphin as well while she was employed as an Inspector with the Royal Liver Assurance Company.
Rosaleen swapped stories about Omagh social life with me on many occasions and in particular recalled a number of amusing mishaps at dance halls. In the blackout she once stepped into a trench and ruined her long frock and shoes outside the county hospital. Another time an exuberant dancing partner managed to step on the hem of her gown, and tripped both himself and Rosaleen, much to her embarrassment.
Pat Smyth, 2001
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