Spike's Sligo
Spike’s grandfather, William Milligan, was born in
Sligo (Sligeach in Gaelic) in the far north west of the
Republic of Ireland, just shy of the Northern Ireland border.
The famous 19th century poet WB Yeats was also born there.
There’s a saying amongst Sligo locals that paraphrased
sounds something like this, "When sober, everyone in
Sligo can quote Yeats. When drunk, everyone in Sligo can
cite their grandfather."
William Milligan was a Sergeant in the British Royal Artillery.
Like his son, Leo, and grandson, Spike, William sang in
an army band and was an accomplished performer with a knack
for comedy.
In the 1860s, he took part in a performance at City Hall
in Sligo staged for Queen Victoria of England, which was
documented in writing and discovered by contemporary Irish
historian, Paul Gunning.
Sergeant William Milligan received glowing reviews about
his comedy and "eccentric dance".
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