A TRADITIONAL horse-drawn cart which is 120 years old has taken centre stage at the Fermanagh County Museum in Enniskillen in a bid to showcase “the beautiful craftsmanship” of a past era.
Established back in 1835, the McKeagney family in Tempo was widely regarded for their coachbuilding workshop, where they built a range of transport methods including horse, pony and donkey carts.
The tub trap that’s on display at the Fermanagh County Museum was originally built for Joe and Mary McCusker of Ballyreagh, Tempo, who used it up to 1940.
The trap then lay in a barn until 1982 when it was given to the late Johnny McKeagney. The Tempo family wanted to highlight the craftsmanship of the coachbuilding that’s synonymous with the McKeagney’s.
“Our father [Johnny] felt connected with his coachbuilding heritage. It was a big driver in his passion to preserve artefacts that gave colour and texture to crafts and traditions of the past,” said a spokesperson.
“The trap physically represents what Johnny spent years researching and illustrating as coachbuilding features prominently in his book ‘In the Ould Ago – Illustrated Irish Folklore’.
“Gabriel, a master craftsman, channels this rich heritage into his woodworking style and encompasses the McKeagney’s maker’s mark into his work, referencing the long family tradition of exquisite craftmanship dating back to 1835.”
Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, John McClaughrey, are pleased that the Fermanagh County Museum is hosting this exciting display.
“I am delighted that the McKeagney family decided to lend the traditional tub trap, which was built and restored by their family, to Fermanagh County Museum so that visitors to the museum can discover more about the fascinating history of local coachbuilding and see at first hand the beautiful craftsmanship of the traditional tub trap,” he said.
“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to enhancing and increasing access to local heritage and we are grateful to the McKeagney family for the long term loan of the tub trap so people can enjoy and appreciate this bygone era.”
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