Description and personal Memories I have of Virginia and the community that I lived in during my early childhood years
“Some of the best things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They can only be felt with the heart”.
There's nothing not to like about Virginia, to the Lawlor’s, Virginia is not just a town, it is place of heritage, history and beauty.
To recall and record my childhood memories of the town, I will start from a point about three miles from the town on the main Dublin Road, the N3, walking or driving along you can clearly see Lough Ramor on the left glistening in all its beauty with its many islands.
To recall and record my childhood memories of the town, I will start from a point about three miles from the town on the main Dublin Road, the N3, walking or driving along you can clearly see Lough Ramor on the left glistening in all its beauty with its many islands.
Travelling further on towards Virginia, as you look around, you cannot help being amazed by the natural beauty that confronts you, especially at the many shades of green of the surrounding gently rolling hills and fields and the quaint single story cottage style homes which line the road on each side at various intervals they all seem to be well cared for, with nice gardens and exterior paint which always looks as if it has only just been applied the day before. As you travel along towards Virginia the massive oak and elm trees are always visible from the road they are a characteristic feature of the land / fields which border the lake on the Virginia side.
Then when you travel on bit further your sense of wonderment is rudely interrupted by the ugly sight of Glanba Milk factory located on the edge Lough Ramor and you can’t help but think how in the hell did they get planning permission for what can only be described as a monstrosity. I could not for one moment imagine what the response would be if someone proposed to build a similar structure which has no architectural merit whatsoever to be built on the edge of Lake Windermere or any other lake in beautiful Lake District of England. They just would not get away with it.
As you head further on towards Virginia and get closer to the town, you pass our Lane, Rahardrum Lane on the right. This is where the Lawlor ancestral home can be seen.
Looking ahead at this point towards the town the Old Mill and bridge come into view on the right hand side of the road. The mill in times gone by played an important part in the general day-to-day activity of the town. I believe it was built in 1845 and was originally a grain mill. When I was living in Virginia as a young child the mill was owned by the Kellet Family and it was still in working order and being used for the processing flax for the making of linen cloth and for sawing of timber. There was a small shop in the basement selling food and other household items. The mill, around 1960, became vacant and due to lack of maintenance or care it deteriorated into an old neglected and vulnerable building and at one time it was being considered for demolition. Fortunately, it was bought and converted into houses, which is typical of many similar developments which have taken place in the town over the years some good and some bad.
Then when you travel on bit further your sense of wonderment is rudely interrupted by the ugly sight of Glanba Milk factory located on the edge Lough Ramor and you can’t help but think how in the hell did they get planning permission for what can only be described as a monstrosity. I could not for one moment imagine what the response would be if someone proposed to build a similar structure which has no architectural merit whatsoever to be built on the edge of Lake Windermere or any other lake in beautiful Lake District of England. They just would not get away with it.
As you head further on towards Virginia and get closer to the town, you pass our Lane, Rahardrum Lane on the right. This is where the Lawlor ancestral home can be seen.
Looking ahead at this point towards the town the Old Mill and bridge come into view on the right hand side of the road. The mill in times gone by played an important part in the general day-to-day activity of the town. I believe it was built in 1845 and was originally a grain mill. When I was living in Virginia as a young child the mill was owned by the Kellet Family and it was still in working order and being used for the processing flax for the making of linen cloth and for sawing of timber. There was a small shop in the basement selling food and other household items. The mill, around 1960, became vacant and due to lack of maintenance or care it deteriorated into an old neglected and vulnerable building and at one time it was being considered for demolition. Fortunately, it was bought and converted into houses, which is typical of many similar developments which have taken place in the town over the years some good and some bad.
Next to the mill is the lovely stone bridge and to the left just a bit further on is a row of quaint Georgian style houses on Bridge Crescent. Another thing you can’t help noticing is the beautiful hand cut stone that the Mill and bridge are built from they are a lovely blend of different dark greens, greys and blues and I always marvel at the physical effort and workmanship that was the Hall Mark of the masons who built the bridge and most of the houses and other stone structures in and around Virginia
At this point there is a slow S bend in the road and beyond on the left hand side of the road is a row of old traditional houses and just a bit further on the old Catholic Church of Saint Mary’s, the church Presbytery and the Bank of Ulster can be seen.
At this point there is a slow S bend in the road and beyond on the left hand side of the road is a row of old traditional houses and just a bit further on the old Catholic Church of Saint Mary’s, the church Presbytery and the Bank of Ulster can be seen.
The old Catholic Church of Saint Mary’s is of significant importance to us because it is where we were baptised and where we attended mass on Sundays with our my Mother and Father. The church was built on a plot of land gifted to the people of Viginia in 1845. The old church was replaced in the late 1980s by a new church which is now located just out of the town on the Baillieborrow Road. The old church has been transformed into a thriving community theatre and concert venue.
At this point the road straightens out and you can now see the whole of the town. Your eyes will nearly always be drawn to the spire of the old protestant church at the very end of the town, where the main road through the town splits. To the left is the Road to Ballyjamesduff and to the right is the road to Cavan Town, which is approx 30 miles away.
At this point the road straightens out and you can now see the whole of the town. Your eyes will nearly always be drawn to the spire of the old protestant church at the very end of the town, where the main road through the town splits. To the left is the Road to Ballyjamesduff and to the right is the road to Cavan Town, which is approx 30 miles away.
Looking around the town it is noticeable that Virginia is a comparatively small town it is immediately noticeable that there are approximately twenty or so shops, pubs, and restaurants on each side of what used to be the Bank of Ulster on the main road which incidentally is called Main Street. I don’t think it would cause offence if someone upon seeing the town for first time described the town as a typical small Irish town but to us Lawlor’s it is a lot more than just a small town. We bloody love the place, and it holds deeply ingrained memories of our past lives and family history.
Over the years when I have visited Virginia on holiday, which I have tried to do a least once a year since I left. Before doing my usual “walk of the town”, I always stop for a few minutes at the church and purposely take in the familiar details of the town and it gives me great pleasure to think about the people and friends I remember from the past and the events that took place such as the “town fair” out of a sense of duty I remember them and finish by saying a small silent prayer of thanks for the opportunity and privilege of being able to feel once again that I am truly at home even though it may only be for a short period of time.
In this modern era of the towns history the atmosphere of the town is quite lively and there is a strong pub scene, with many music sessions and not forgetting the Ramor theatre.
Over the years when I have visited Virginia on holiday, which I have tried to do a least once a year since I left. Before doing my usual “walk of the town”, I always stop for a few minutes at the church and purposely take in the familiar details of the town and it gives me great pleasure to think about the people and friends I remember from the past and the events that took place such as the “town fair” out of a sense of duty I remember them and finish by saying a small silent prayer of thanks for the opportunity and privilege of being able to feel once again that I am truly at home even though it may only be for a short period of time.
In this modern era of the towns history the atmosphere of the town is quite lively and there is a strong pub scene, with many music sessions and not forgetting the Ramor theatre.