Colm J. Donnelly:-
Hugh McKisick (1872—1946), native of Ballinlea, lived with his brother William (1871—1935) on a small farm. Those who remember him describe him as a man of large stature, with a keen wit, who was always prepared to see the humorous side of any situation. Neither he nor his brother married, and their home is now occupied by the Glass family. A man blessed with a remarkable memory, Hugh entertained all his neighbours with his tales of past local events and ghost stories. Being self-taught and an avid reader, Hugh enjoyed composing verses about local occurrences, which he would then recite to his friends whenever he visited their homes or they visited his thatched cottage.
Since his poems were seldom ever committed to paper, few have survived. The poem that is the subject of this article and another, simply entitled “Ballinlea” (in the possession of Mr.James McCaughan, Craigalappin), are the only two examples of his art that the writer knows to be still in existence. Both members of the Church of Ireland, Hugh and William were buried in the Church of Ireland graveyard in Ballintoy.
THE LISNAGUNAGH PLOUGHING MATCH, 1926.
Although once a flourishing concern with widespread local support, the Lisnagunagh Ploughing Society had suffered heavily in the 1920’s, due to the revival of the nearby Bushmills Ploughing Society. Therefore, it was decided that the 1926 tournament would be the society’s last competition. In an advertisement in the “Coleraine Chronicle’’ of 16th January 1926 the Secretary announced that the contest of the 22nd January would be the Society’s final endeavour. Therefore, the winner of the Chill ploughing competition that year would be allowed to keep the first prize silver cup in perpetuity. With an entry fee of 2s 6d, and the event open to all comers who had paid not later than the 20th January, the prizes were as follows:
First Prize A silver cup presented by Mr. W.R. Workman, Bushmills.
Second Prize One Pound and Five Shillings
Third Prize One Pound
Fourth Prize Fifteen Shillings
The ploughing was to commence in the morning at 11 o’clock sharp, and the ploughmen were to be allowed four hours to plough a half rood.
The tournament generated much interest in the Ballinlea community, with Mr. John McCambridge (1908—1961) entering the competition and receiving much encouragement from his farming neighbours. Among these, Mr. Alexander Price, Prolusk (1893—1977). Mr. Edward Donnelly, Maghernahare (1884—1933), and Mr. Daniel McHenry, Kilmahamogue (1906— ) provided him with much advice and help for the coming event. Alex Price and Eddie Donnelly supplied John with their mares for use in the competition, while Eddie Donnelly allowed him to practise in one of his fields at Maghernahare.
The match itself was held on the appointed day in a field lent to the Society by Mr. Boyce of Bayview. The judges of the event were Mr. P. Gray, Finvoy and Mr. R. J.
Boyd, Drumskea. In the “Coleraine Chronicle” report of 6th February it is related that the match “brought together a large attendance of the farming community” and was well supported by a generous turn-out. The result of the tournament was as follows:
1. John McCambridge, Ballinlea (Plough held by self)
2. Mrs. Hanna, Ballygan (Plough held by son William)
3. Robert Christie, Carnkirk (Plough held by self)
4. John Irons, Gateside (Plough held by son William)
5. Robert Smyth, Ballyallaght (Plough held by self)
6. William Purcell, Carnkirk (Plough held by self)
The silver cup returned home with John to Ballinlea, much to the delight of his family and friends. In commemoration of this great event for the local community, Hugh McKisick composed the following humorous poem:
Dear John, you’re first of ploughmen,
Your art is all your ain,
You’ve won the cup with honours
From the champions of the Plain.
You’ve defeated Smyth and Christie
Of Antrim’s ploughing fame,
And also Hanna and Irons
From the Liberties of Coleraine.
Indeed you’re not a coward John,
To boast you’re counted vain,
You can stand defeat or victory, John
Good luck to you again.
And when you’ve conquered County Antrim,
I’ll advise you cross the Bann,
And into County Derry
There you can try your han’
Perhaps you’ll meet Miss Quigley
Or some other ploughing maid.
And when she sees your manly style
She’ll have your heart betrayed.
But before you marry John,
You’ll need some sound advice,
Go to Eddie Donnelly,
Or else to Alex Price.
And if they plan your marriage
As they did with the plough,
I’m sure you’ll be successful John,
You can go and marry now.
SOURCES
Coleraine Chronicle, 16th January 1926, Page One “Lisnagunagh Ploughing Match” (Advertisement)
Coleraine Chronicle, 6th February, 1926, Page Nine “Ploughing at Lisnagunagh: Local Society’s Final Effort” ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the following people for their generous help in supplying me with information for this article: Mr. Charles Donnelly, Cloghcorr: Mr. James A. Donnelly, Maghernahare House: Mr. Daniel McHenry, Knockbawn. I would also like to thank the Rev. Fr. P. McCrea, Parochial House, Ballinlea and the Rev. J.N. Patterson, The Rectory, Ballintoy for providing me with the necessary Death Record Entries.