Daingean goes back to 1835

The town of Daingean is taking a step back in time on March 3, after getting permission from Gardaí in Tullamore to reinstate a toll for one day only that was paid by those coming to town fairs until 1835. Secretary of Daingean Development Association Gillian Barratt said this week that with the money of the old days no longer being in circulation toll attendants will take "whatever people can afford" as they enter the town. All funds from the initiative will go to local Tidy Towns' efforts, and locals are being asked to come out on the day to help clean the town up. Houses on the town's Main Street are also to be power washed on the day, in preparation for painting on March 24 and 25 as part of Dulux's "Paint Daingean Beautiful" project. "It used to take place in Daingean on fair days," Gillian said, explaining the toll. "There were approximately seven fairs in Daingean every year, and people would have to pay to get in." The unique fundraiser taking place on Saturday, March 3 from 10am to 5pm hopes to raise money to pay for the flowers the local Tidy Towns committee are planning to plant around the town. "It's a way of raising funds rather than just standing with a bucket," Gillian said. Local organisers had thought of staging an old time fair on the day in homage to the fairs of bygone years, but short notice means this just won't be possible. Collectors are hoping to dress in old fashioned costumes to get into the swing of things and attract motorist's attention however.