This is a very special year for Bailieborough as it celebrates and commemorates the memories of the people who have lived there for 400 years.

According to Pynnar’s Survey a William Bailie was given a grant of 1,000 acres of land in Tonergie, this is now known as Tanderagee. He started a small settlement which over the centuries has evolved into the present town of Bailieborough, in a slightly different location.

BAILIEBOROUGH DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, which is a cross community organisation, has been planning for some time to commemorate this event. Together with Cavan County Council and Peace III funding, we are organising a number of events. The people have got together to discuss, plan and implement activities which have a cross community appeal and involvement.

There are a number of very ambitious projects lined up. Each project has its own cross community committee and it is the function of these various committees to ensure that their project is a success:

THOMAS JAMES BARRON
Bailieborough 400th commemoration celebrates Thomas James Barron, historian and folklorist, with a tribute lecture by Jonathan A. Smyth at Bailieborough Library and Arts Centre, 7th Sept at 8pm.

TOM Mac INTYRE
The internationally acclaimed Playwright, Poet and Novelist, Tom Mac Intyre was born and brought up in Bailieborough. Mac Intyre’s Plays have been produced by the Abbey Theatre and his play "Good Evening Mr. Collins" was staged locally. “The Gallant John Joe” has been performed in the Ramor Theatre, Virginia.

The cross community committee under the chairmanship of Fergus Cronin are planning a number of events for the weekend of 24th September. Tom Mac Intyre will be interviewed by Michael Harding, the well-known author. There will be a Lecture on the Works of Tom Mac Intyre by Marie Kelly who is doing a PhD on the subject.  It is planned to have an Exhibition of Mac Intyre’s work in Bailieborough Library, courtesy of the Abbey Theatre.

SCHOOLS’ PROJECT
1. We have a National Schools’ Project encompassing all of the schools in the Parish, Chaired by Mary Sheanon.
They are planning to stage an evening of musical entertainment. On the same date, the Cross Community Choir under the direction of Rev Florence Taylor will give a performance. Also, on that date, the Bailieborough School of Music under the direction of Michael Gaskin will give a recital. Venue: Bailieborough Community School Date: 14th May 2010

2. History Project
The schools of the Parish have worked together to explore areas of significance to themselves and to share this knowledge with each other. A group of pupils will produce a display of Bailieborough History and Lore. The topics covered will include Castle Lake, The Workhouse, Lough an Lae and The Model School. The Exhibition will be displayed in Bailieborough Library from 3rd June.

BAILIEBOROUGH – A PICTORIAL PAST
This Project is the work of Leslie McKeague, whose interest in local history has inspired him
to compile a very interesting pictorial of Bailieborough with accompanying script. Leslie and his committee are making some copies of this book available to Cavan County Library and to our local Library. The Book will be officially launched by Lord Eames at Bailieborough Development Association, Shercock Road on 28th May. Click here for more information.

HERITAGE EXHIBITION
A cross community committee chaired by John Edward Sheanon have been looking at our shared heritage and how best to acknowledge this. It has been decided to stage an Exhibition and already there is widespread interest in the Project. The Exhibition will be displayed in Murtagh's of Main Street and will commence on 11th June.

BREAKEY HALL
June 11th – An exhibition of Banners and talk in Breakey Hall celebrating the various traditions will be held on the evening of the 11th June, music will be provided on the evening followed by refreshments. All welcome to attend this memorable event.

HENRY JAMES
The author, Henry James is admired and studied throughout the world. His forebears came to Curkish from Scotland in 1700 and his grandfather left for America in 1789. Henry James wrote many famous books, the most famous being “The Portrait of a Lady”.  
A cross community committee chaired by Lil McCormick have explored ways of celebrating his life and ancestors. It is planned to erect a Plaque on the house in Main Street where the James Family lived and had their business. A Booklet containing the relevant facts about the Family will be produced and made available to Cavan County Library and our local Library.

Colm Toibin, the famous Irish author has written a widely acknowledged masterpiece on Henry James called “The Master”. He will unveil the Plaque on 22nd June and deliver a lecture in the Church of Ireland entitled “The Shadow of Bailieborough – Henry James and Ireland”

OUR SHARED HERITAGE
This Project will explore the richness and diversity of the various traditions that have made the Bailieborough area their home down the centuries. This will take the form of a series of talks and conducted tours by well-known local historian Eugene Markey, in late summer.