The Citizen, 1992-07-01, Page 46PAGE A14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1,1992.
East Wawanosh Township 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
Published by North Huron Citizen
Donnybrook, once a hot spot in E. Wawanosh
DONNYBROOK
You wouldn't know to see it, but the was once quite the hot spot. In the 1870's a
peaceful country crossroad of Donnybrook hotel owned by Tom McLaughlin with a big
DONNYBROOK FAIR
Come all ye young fellows attend for a while,
I will sing a few verses will make you all smile,
With the greatest attention I pray lend an ear,
While I sing you the humors of Donnybrook Fair.
In sweet sixty-six, toward the end of the year
When Fenians were fearful of venturing here,
I girted my saddle and mounted my mare,
And off I skedaddled to Donnybrook Fair.
There were horses and cattle and sheep by the score,
Pumpkins and carrots and many things more,
There was Paddy and Mickey and everything rare,
And sure Paddy had whiskey at Donnybrook Fair.
When the judges came round to examine the stock,
The Donnybrook fellows around them did flock.
And now as I have a few moments to spare,
I will sing you a prize list of Donnybrook Fair.
stable alongside occupied the present fields.
The area people used to square dance and
make merry above the stable. But what
really made Donnybrook famous was its fair.
The little hamlet was known far and wide
in the 1860's and early 1870's for its fair
which was one of the first in the district.
People from miles around arrived in wagons,
carts, on horseback and on foot. Probably
some came to Iook over the farm products,
but it was more probable they came to
witness the murderous fights and brawls that
the Donnybrook Fair featured every year.
That was the day the big men of Huron
stripped to the waist and, full of whiskey
(which sold for 25 cents a gallon), fought
with fists and bare knuckles, to see who was
the champion of the fair. Men raced their
horses up and down the road loo, five and
six abreast.
A ferris wheel entertained the children as
well as the usual exhibits in the fair building.
Donnybrook Fair carried on for quite a
number of years but stopped in 1872 or
1873. Things got so rough and the fights so
bad they couldn't hold it there any longer.
The fair was later transferred to Belgrave.
There's that famous stock breeder and terror of dogs,
Got a prize for a colt, some cattle and hogs,
Also some loaf sugar which he did prepare,
And mixed it with butter for Donnybrook Fair.
A man they call Nichol, lives someway near Parrots
He got a prize for his corn and his carrots,
Also for his pumpkins, no better were there,
So he got along bumpkin at Donnybrook Fair.
A man they call Potter got a prize for Cotswold
Also Tom Taylor for his fine Durham bull,
And wee Andrew Black came in for a share
For his colt, by Rob Roy, out of Denney's old mare.
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291-2145 523-9141
When the judges got through, they stepped up to the bar,
Where Pat had his whiskey corked up in a jar,
They took a swig and the sample was rare,
So they gave him a prize at Donnybrook Fair.
They liked it so well that they tried it again,
But then they got tight and stripped off to the skin,
When they got in a passion how their eyes they did glare,
Saying, we will give them a thrashing at Donnybrook Fair.
A man they call Allen, we know him by sight,
He drank half a gallon before he got tight,
And then be began to rip and to swear,
That he was the true champion of Donnybrook Fair.
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& SUPPLIES LTD.
Serving East Wawanosh
and north Huron...
• Grain Elevator Services
• Farm Supplies & Hardware
• Livestock Feeds
Then the great bully Carson, he gave the alarm,
continued on page A16
country home style cooking
Breakfast served all day
Smorgasbord on
Fridays 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
OPEN 24 HRS. A DAY
ON HIGHWAY 86 IN THE VILLAGE OF
WHITECHURCH 357-9992
Wishing our customers, neighbours
and friends best wishes on
our 125th anniversary
Westfield 523-9501