Work on life and writings of 19th century 'Bard of Bailieborough'

JW Montgomery was master of Oldcastle workhouse

The work and memory of a writer and poet who served as master of Oldcastle workhouse in the nineteenth century has been revived by Philip S Blair in a new book, 'Montgomery's Measure - The life and work of JW Montgomery'. Subtitled 'Sweet Bard of Bailieborough', the biography tells the story of the Victorian lyricist, antiquarian, and public servant whose contributions to Irish poetry and poor law administration have long remained in the shadows.

Born in Co Cavan in 1834 and later establishing his residence in Downpatrick, Co Down, Montgomery dedicated several decades to the workhouse system - an institution that played a pivotal role in Ireland's social history. In addition to his public service, he nurtured a vibrant literary career, producing six volumes of poetry and prose, engaging in correspondence with prominent writers of his era, with a family whose lineage includes composer Alicia Adelaide Needham and biochemist, Dr Joseph Needham.

In the early 1860s, John Wilson Montgomery and his wife Mary became master and matron of the Oldcastle workhouse. He had previously been master in Bailieboro, where he married Mary Argue, whose parents owned the Adelaide Hotel on Market Street.

During this period, Montgomery authored a piece on a visit to Shirley Castle in Co Monaghan for the Meath Herald newspaper. Through the editor of the newspaper, a Mr Henderson, he became friendly with Sir Samuel Ferguson, the poet, barrister and antiquarian.

The pair visited the Sliabh na Calliagh hills in Oldcastle together, after which Montgomery scribed a poem 'Carbane Revisited' in honour of one of the Loughcrew hills.

In 1866, the Montgomerys, then with two young daughters, moved to the workhouse in Downpatrick, and his last recorded event in Meath was recorded in the Meath Herald that July, when he attended a lecture on the works of poet John Milton given by the Rev Thomas Kemmis. Following his retirement from Downpatrick, Montgomery moved to Bangor in Co Down with daughter, Annie and a son, John, circa 1900. Mary had died in 1896, and Annie was to predecease her father in 1907. He died on 4th June 1911, aged 77.

Using newspaper archives, family records, and marginal notes discovered in a rare edition of his 1887 'Fireside Lyrics', Montgomery's Measure presents the most comprehensive portrayal to date of a man once celebrated as 'The Sweet Bard of Bailieborough'. Featuring 32 of his poems, the book not only aims to reinstate Montgomery's name in the historical narrative but also to pay tribute to the sentiment conveyed by fellow poet David Herbison: "Tis for your songs and songs alone, I wish you to be better known."

A member of the Lecale and Downe Historical Society in Downpatrick, Philip S Blair worked in education having studied the arts, and has worked and volunteered in hospitality, finance and administration. Published by Ganimor Press, the book is available via Amazon.