www.blacklion.ie

The road sign at the junction with the road to Dowra in 1965.

In September 1965, I arrived in Blacklion as a student of the White Fathers, at St Augustine’s College. I had long wanted to join the White Fathers, for about 7 years, I think. I travelled up from Dublin with a second year student, Michael Wolohan. We reached Enniskillen at about 9 o’clock in the evening. It was dark, and I remember seeing an RUC man in the street with a rifle in his hands, a sub-machine gun slung across his shoulder, and a pistol in a holster  on his belt. I thought, ‘he’s two hands and three guns, how can he manage them?’ Michael quickly told me that we wouldn’t see anything like that in Blacklion. Soon a car arrived to whisk me off over the border and to the life I had long wanted so much.

(Article and photos provided by Mickey Mac Manus)

The Sl & NCR was a 48 mile railway line that linked Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh to Sligo town. The route was Enniskillen,Florenscourt,Belcoo,Glenfarne,Marorhamilton,Dromhaire,Ballintogher,Ballygawley,Collooney Ballysadare and Sligo town. During the 80 years life of the railway, money was always a problem and it was often under treat rarely making a profit even though after the 2nd world war it was receiving financial support from two governments. A road service was also provided by the sl&ncr company in its latter days to provide bus transport to passenger but this service did little to help the companies financial problems.

Level crossing # 7 Killycarney Co Cavan