KNOCKANURE
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West Limerick Resources - WLR
Life has changed very much in my lifetime. I went to school in Athea and I'm living back there again. We’re very positive at the moment because we have a shop, just one shop, but it really does everything. We recently had the butcher retire but now we have a beautician. We have a doctor and surgery, a good chemist and the shop as I said so we're delighted, you know, because like in past years we would have had 10 shops and 15 pubs and all that, life has changed but what we have makes life in the place. Athea always looks lively because there's always things happening. We also have a community hall where I go to exercise classes myself, active drama group and an excellent GAA pitch with a walk that’s all lit up. One thing said about Athea is if you call a meeting, you'll get a crowd no matter what so I think it will keep improving all the time. The village really is a very positive place to live.
Bridie Ahern, Athea
Remember you can also follow 'We Are West Limerick' on instagram https://www.instagram.com/wearewestlimerick/
#wearewestlimerick #Athea #SICAP #limerickcounty #countylimerick #westlimerick #lovelimerick
‘We Are West Limerick’ is an initiative provided through SICAP. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021 -2027.
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May 2024
30 years of Fleadh by the Feale
The Fleadh by the Festival celebrates 30 years in existence this year, and the festival kicks off this Thursday, May 2nd at Abbeyfeale Library at 7.30 with the Presentation of Art Poster Prizes to participants from all of the local national schools, followed by an Oiche Cheoil agus Caint at O'Connells Bar. Friday evening will see the streets come alive with music with the Traditional Busking competition, with entertainment in the Square being provided by Athea and Tournafulla Wrenboys, and if that doesn't fully satisfy the palate, there will be a Singing Night at the Ramble Inn and a Céíli at the GAA. Saturday Morning will see a wide variety of workshops being held in the morning, followed by a Youth Trad Session in the early afternoon. Templeglantine Comhaltas Group will be in the Square after the cows are milked, before the epic Celtic Steps- the Show, take to the stage at the Coláiste. Memories are sure to flood back for many at Leens on the same night as the Brosna Céilí Band reunite at Leens Hotel. A packed itinerary for Sunday afternoon, with a Family Fun Day in the Square featuring a variety of events, including a 30th Anniversary Open Air Trad Session and a trad disco. St Ita's Hall will play host to the wonderful raconteur Daisy Kearney and her many friends for the Storytelling Session at 3, and a variety of music sessions all building towards the appearance of the Mulcahy family at the Glórach Theatre at 8 that evening. The culmination of the Festival will be the All Ireland Bones Playing Championship on Monday evening, drawing competitors from home and abroad. Plenty of music sessions over the weekends in various pubs, as well as a traditional link with both the 6.30 Saturday and 12.00 Sunday Mass. A packed schedule, be sure to check out our website and facebook page in relation to booking tickets for the concerts, all we need now is for the weather Gods to play ball and hopefully deliver some sunshine over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
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Athea News
Apr/24
Kathleens Corner – 23/4/24
by DomhnallDB under News
by Kathleen Mullane
OUT AND ABOUT
Well at last we have sun and doesn’t it bring out the very best in us all. It raises everyone’s spirits and isn’t it wonderful especially for the farmers who really were in dire straits. The last few days have seen cattle out in the fields, a new lease of life for them and their owners. Whatever about the sun, if it stays relatively dry for the moment everyone will be happy we keep the fingers crossed.
Congrats are extended to Joseph Healy, son of Mary and the late Joe Healy of Upper Athea, who is going to be awarded a B.E.M.medal in the U.K where he lives and will be presented to him by The Royal Family. He is being awarded this for work he does on T A T —try a train, which involves building confidence for people to travel daily. Joseph has being doing this for 10 years and is very passionate about it ensuring everyone has a right to travel, and be confident when travelling. Joseph will be presented with his Medal by King Charles or the Queen for his Voluntary Service to the local community and has made a great difference in many peoples lives. Well done to Joseph.
Congrats to our young people who took part in the Community Games over the weekend all winning gold medals in their respective competitions. Aine Ahern, daughter of Margaret and Tony of Gortnagross, won the crawl and freestyle in swimming and Sarah Barrett, daughter of Bobby and Margaret along with Emily O’Connor, daughter of Lorraine and Gary both of Templeathea, won their gold in gymnastics. Well done to them all.
A great crowd attended the Fund-raising Ceili at our Hall recently organised by John Joe Tierney with help from Ray Enright. The Floor was full all night dancing to the brilliant Uí Bhrians band. Thanks is extended to Paul Collins for sponsoring the hampers for the raffle on the night and to John Joe for giving the proceeds of the night to the Hall, which will be used for its upkeep. Many visitors to our Hall have commented on its facilities recently, from Galway, Cork Killarney and other destinations using the Sports Hall and others for Birthday Parties and Family Occasions all saying how well kept it was and also were very impressed with its cleanliness. WI-FI will be an added bonus shortly for hall users so its great to hear good comments on a great facility.
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Timothy Collopy, a Painter, was born in Limerick. He began his working life as a baker’s apprentice, and after his talent for art was discovered by Father Walsh, an Augustinian, he was sent to Rome to study art. His fare and board was raised by subscription from the wealthy Roman Catholic merchants in Limerick.
While in Rome he studied with Hugh Hamilton and Henry Tresham. While in Naples he painted Dorothea Maunsell (Limerick Author) and later gave her drawing lessons.
https://limerickslife.com/timothy-collopy/
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John O’Grady’s Sporting Achievements:
Putting 16 lb Shot:
1914, Irish Championships, 38 ft. 3 in
1916, Irish Championships, 42 ft. 6.5 in.
1918, Limerick Co. Board Sports, 40 ft., 7 in.
1923, Dublin Metropolitan Police Sports, 44 ft. 11 in.
1923, Clonliffe Sports, 45 ft. 5 in.
1924, Irish Championships, 43 ft. 2.5 in.
1924, Tailteann Games, 44 ft., 6 in.
1925, Irish Championships, 45 ft. 6.5 in.
https://limerickslife.com/john-ogrady/
http://www.limerickcity.ie/media/ogradyjack24.pdf
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Limerick Links
https://limerickslife.com/links/
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18 Dec 1862 : Ulysses Fitzmaurice & Lucie Sealy- At Bally-McElligott Church, County Kerry, Ulysses Fitzmaurice, Esq., M.D., son of the late Maurice Fitzmaurice, Esq., J.P. Duagh House, to Lucie, daughter of Wm. Sealy, Esq., Strand Street, Tralee.
https://limerickslife.com/links/
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Limerick lace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Limerick lace is a specific class of lace originating in Limerick, Ireland, which was later produced throughout the country. It evolved from the invention of a machine which made net in 1808. Until John Heathcoat invented a net-making machine in Devon in 1815, handmade net was a very expensive fabric. This meant cheap net became available to Irish lacemakers, particularly after 1823 when Heathcoat's patent expired.[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick_lace
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The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
Sometimes, when I am driving somewhere and I have a bit of time on my hands, I like to go off the beaten track and see a bit more of the country. I’ll bet there are parts of County Limerick that some of you have never seen because they are not on any of the main roads. We all know the villages and towns on the road to Limerick through Newcastle and the coast road from Glin through Askeaton but what about the huge area between those two routes? Likewise there is a big area to the right of the Newcastle West to Limerick road that is less travelled. In theses areas there are lovely villages and vibrant communities. The first impression I got while going through some of them was how clean and tidy most of them were. This may be due to active Tidy Towns committees but a lot of it is down to CE Schemes operating in these areas. Our own village is very lucky to have had a scheme for the past few decades and it has made a huge difference to the area. Every morning the participants on the scheme can be seen picking up the litter and keeping the streets clean. Apart from the work, they have a pride in their own place and want to make it look as good as possible. These schemes started at a time when there was a lot of unemployment in Ireland. The idea behind them was to give part-time employment to those on social welfare and also give them an opportunity to get training on the job. It was a great idea that gave men and women a focus in life rather than lounging around all day and also provided help to community councils, tidy towns committees, schools, halls and churches. Those on the schemes were not very well paid , in fact it wasn’t much more per week than they could get on the dole, but it was on a week on / week off basis and they were encouraged to take any employment going on their week off without fear of losing their money. I have been involved, both as a supervisor and a sponsor, since the schemes began and I have nothing but praise for the men and women I worked with over the years.. There was one group in particular who created problems for me because they were too good!! I found it difficult to keep finding work for them because they would do in a couple of days what I would have thought was enough to keep them busy for the whole week. Of course there were the odd few who were allergic to work but they were the exception rather than the rule. Our area has benefitted greatly from the work of the schemes and continues to do so. Times, however are changing. I don’t know how much longer they will continue because we are almost at full employment in the country and it is getting ever more difficult to fill vacancies. Maybe a change in the criteria for qualifying would help matters. At present a person must be on social welfare for at least 12 months before they are eligible to join a scheme and perhaps that could be relaxed a little. There are also a lot of asylum seekers in the country who could benefit from involvement with communities and earn a bit of money at the same time. I don’t have all the answers but I hope they will come up with something soon or the day is not far off when we won’t have any bodies to keep Athea tidy. As they say: “you’ll never miss the water ‘till the well runs dry”
Young people today can be forgiven for thinking that the people who came before them did not know a lot. How could you live without the internet and social media and how could you survive with just the most basic education?. What they forget is the fact that people had a store of wisdom that was handed down from father to son and mother to daughter. They didn’t need Google to solve life’s everyday problems because they had ready answers for most of them. Today, every doctor’s surgery is full with people suffering from all kinds of ailments. Long ago you didn’t go to the doctor unless you were in danger of death and there was no need because people had cures for most colds, coughs, flus etc and would know what plants and herbs to use. People had a wisdom all of their own and also had ways of spreading that wisdom by the use of “seanfhocail”, old sayings. These were short lines that could also be witty but carried a message just the same. A few examples are as follows:
“Is minic a bhris béal duine a shorn”
Many a time a man’s mouth broke his nose.
I bet there is many a man who wished he had kept his mouth shut before the row started and he finished up with a sore face.
“Ní bhíonn airgead amadáin i bhfad ina phóca.”
A fool’s money doesn’t remain for long in his pocket.
This could also be “a fool and his money are soon parted”. The question is though: how did the fool and his money get together in the first place?
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.”
We all exist in each other’s shadow
This refers to community support and the fact that we should all help each other as best we can.
“Is é buille an phinn an buille is fealltaí”.
The pen’s blow is the most treacherous. (The pen is mightier than the sword)
I don’t know if there is much might in this pen but we all know how much damage can be done by a writer with a grudge. I will give it a rest for this week.
https://www.athea.ie/category/news/
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Glin Castle Open Day: Wow! What a day Sunday last at Glin Castle! ‘With Summer’s best of weather and Autumn’s best of cheer’ perfectly describes the wonderful sunny September day and high spirits of all who attended the Openday. Glin Castle looked resplendent with its backdrop of blue skies and the majestic River Shannon on its doorstep! They came in their droves to experience the wonders of the old-world charm and history of the castle and to learn about its predecessors, the Knights of Glin. The gardens were looking magnificent in the sunshine and were enjoyed by all who took the tours which ran throughout the day. Lots of visitors took advantage of the fine day to sit in the gardens and enjoy light refreshments, coffee and cakes supplied by Bloomers Catering and yummy ice cream cones supplied by Shannon Ices. It was a lovely opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the day. The day would not have been the success it was without the attendance of all the people who took time out on Sunday to visit the castle and we sincerely thank you all for coming. Glin Development and its members would sincerely like to thank Catherine Fitzgerald for allowing us the use of the castle and gardens for the Open day. Also, a huge thanks to the Castle Manager, Marie Therese Costello and her staff, for all their help and assistance on the day. The day would not have been possible without the assistance of the Glin Men’s Shed who organised the parking and traffic control, and we are as always so thankful for their support and help. The raffle was very well supported. Thank you to all our sponsors who gave so generously and to all those lucky winners. We will be making contact to arrange to have your prizes collected. Thanks to all the Glin Development and Tidy Towns members who worked hard to make the day such a success.
https://glin.info/2023/09/08/parish-newsletter-sunday-10th-september-2023/
Glinfest is coming to Glin. Be sure to follow their page so you are kept updated. www.facebook.com/glinfest Delighted to announce that the Glin Halloween Festival will take place this year on October 28th and 29th 2023 in the sleepy, spooky village of Glin, West Limerick. Try out their Kids Spooky Sessions – Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Walk – on Saturday October 28th from 2pm-5pm. Carve your pumpkins with your kids in the ghostly surrounds of the Knight’s Walk. Tickets are €5 per child or €10 per family. Pumpkins included. Or take a trip down the spooky walkway and see what ghouls await. Tickets are €5 per child or €10 per family. Both sessions are entirely child friendly and children and parents are encouraged to dress up and get their spook on in Glin. On Sunday, you won’t know who you have as the village crowds will be in fancy dress at the Halloween Disco in Ceol Corbrai. DJ Joe Scanlon will be taking the village people back to the sounds of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and there will be a prize for best-dressed on the night. There will be a BBQ, drinks and tonnes of festive, fiendish, FUN! Tickets are just €10 and are on sale in local shops and through the committee. All ticket holders will be entered into a special door prize. There will be a raffle on the night and all funds raised will go towards Glin Development. The disco is strictly over 18’s and ROAR. Glinfest is being run by Glin Festival Committee in association with Glin Development CLG. For further details or to buy tickets contact glinfestival@gmail.com
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Buses 7 days a week: Glin to Newcastle West via Shanagolden Operated By: Local Link Limerick Route 593 – Adults single €5, Adult return €3. Call 069 78040 or Email limerick.manager@locallink.ie for details. Glin to Limerick City, operated by Bus Eireann Route 314 – Adults €11 single, Adult return €19.50. Glin to Ballybunion, operated by Bus Eireann Route 314 – Adults €8 single, Adult return €12.50. Call Bus Eireann LoCall 0818 836 611 for details. New route from Tarbert to Tralee via Ballybunion Operated by: TFI Local Link bus route 274 Full details: www.locallinkkerry.ie/tarbert.
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Athea School Celebrating 100th Anniversary. 13 – 2022.
https://www.atheans.ie/2022/06/celebrating-100th-anniversary/
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ATHEA https://www.athea.ie/category/news/
A VERY COLD SNAP
Well these past few days have been extremely cold to say the least, with roads, footpaths etc. bearing the brunt of the freezing conditions. Some businesses remained closed over the weekend including restaurants in nearby Ballybunion and elsewhere affecting their busiest time of the year in the run up to Christmas. Some schools remained closed today and buses in some areas were unable to run.The main thing is we should all look out for one another at this time especially our elderly and those living alone. And just be Extra Careful as you step Outside as people in the last few days have slipped, ending up with broken bones, wrists and ribs – so just Take extra Care.
Sympathy is extended to the family, relatives and friends of Ellen Clerkin, Nee O’Connor, formerly of Athea and Scotstown, Monaghan, who has passed away. We send our condolences to her brothers Jack, Paddy, Mick and Maurice also. May the light of Heaven be Hers.
Congrats to Tommy White of Upper Athea who has reached another big milestone recently and celebrated his Big Birthday along with his Family and friends. All had a lovely time.
We also congratulate John McAuliffe of Lower Athea who also recently had a very important birthday, and he also had a great celebration with his Family. Here’s to the next 10 years when both will hopefully have another celebration with an —O— in it.
A Reminder that the lovely C.D. Entitled –
AUTUMN -MELODIES is on sale at Collins’ here in Athea, and surrounding shops with all proceeds going to The Friends Of St ITAS to help buy further equipment, which will be of great help to the patients.
Brid Hunt of Coole and Alisha Ahern of Knockfinisk, both Transition Year Students at Colaiste Ide Agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale are trying to raise funds for Barretstown, indeed a worthy cause. There will be more news on this in the near future.
This Sunday the AGM of Athea Credit Union will be held at 1.15 in the Church here in Athea. Everyone is welcome to come along.
The Athea Parish Finances leaflet is now available at the Church for the years 2020 and 2021 and Fr. Tony gave an insight into the Church expenses on Sunday Last. As both Canon Kelly’s and Fr. Duggan’s houses are now vacant, it has been agreed that Canon Kelly’s house will be sold and Fr. Duggan’s will be rented to a Ukrainian family.
Thought For The Week:-
The Person is Happiest who lives from Day To Day and asks no more, garnering the Simple Goodness Of Life.
by Kathleen Mullane
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The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
There is a line in a film called “Wall Street” in which the CEO of a financial institution says “greed is good”. Well, greed, good or bad, has taken over and is now driving the bus. Greed is defined as: “intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food “. We can see ample examples of it everywhere like the cost of fuel, rent, shopping and almost every item for sale. Why is the cost of renting a house so high? Most of the houses for rent were bought many, many years ago when they cost a fraction of what they do now. A gradual increase, in line with normal inflation might be acceptable but, even though landlords were quite satisfied with rents they were getting in recent years, they now seize on an opportunity to exploit their tenants, just because they can, due to the high demand for their commodity. The same applies to hotels who have doubled, tripled and in some cases, quadrupled their room rates this year despite the fact that, before the pandemic, they were making a good profit at normal rates. It’s the old “supply and demand” situation where prices go up when there is a scarcity and come down when there is an abundance. People in business will try to maximise their profits so we are stuck with the situation at the moment. The danger is that, with the cost of living rising so rapidly, workers will look for more wages and when employers are not able to meet their demands strikes are in the offing and we are heading for tough times. There is no use expecting the government to compensate everybody for rising prices as there is only so much money to go around and the fact that most of our disposable revenue comes from multi-nationals, who could pack up and leave at any time, means there are limits to what can be done. No good shutting the stable door now; the horse has bolted. Houses should have been built by local authorities over the years in sufficient numbers to house all those who need them. The fact that they were not leaves us in the situation we are in today. There is also a lack of common sense as in the energy scarcity for the winter months. The government went gung ho for alternative energy, mainly from wind farms, but foolishly closed down the peat-burning generating stations in the country, yielding to the pressure from the Green Party and environmentalists, before the alternatives were ready to replace the supply. Of course we should have wind farms and wave power instead of burning fossil fuels but we shouldn’t put the cart before the horse. We are all encouraged to buy electric cars but what is the use if there is a power outage and we are all grounded. There is no Dart or Luas in Knocknaboul or Dirreen. Independent TD for Roscommon, Michael Fitzmaurice, the other day called on the government to reopen the peat-burning power plants immediately. I don’t know how feasible that is but, one thing I am sure of, they should never have been closed so quickly. We need a back up so that is why I fervently hope that the gas terminal on the Shannon estuary between Ballylongford and Tarbert, gets the go ahead from An Bord Pleannála this month. The Greens will be dead against it, as will others, but it makes perfect sense to “keep a guard to the knave” as it were. Maybe recent developments will encourage the board to make the right decision and not leave us in years to come without power at the worst time of the year.
Only the other week I was writing about the increasing violence in the country and how evil is in our midst and thriving. The brutal murder of three young people in Tallagh over the weekend brings matters to a new low. What kind of depraved individual stabs children to death? Then, this morning, we heard about two men who killed 15 people and injured many more in an attack on two remote communities in Canada, again with the use of knives. It doesn’t bear thinking about. I have always thought that the carrying of knives should carry a far heavier penalty than it does at the moment. There is no need for anybody to have a knife on their person when they go out. If they have it, they intend to use it if necessary and don’ listen to the “I need it to defend myself” story. This is the same line that is trotted out by the gun lobby in America who believe everybody needs to be armed to protect themselves. They even want to arm teachers in schools and even older pupils. This is crazy. If nobody has a gun then nobody needs one to defend themselves. The same goes for knives. Anybody found with one in their possession should face the full rigours of the law and be locked away for a long time otherwise we are going to have more tragedies like the one in Tallagh over the weekend.
The Vintage run in Athea on Sunday last was a great success due in no small part to the great weather that sadly is coming to an end. Well done to the organising committee who give of their time, year after year, to raise money for local charities. It is committees like these that keep rural Ireland alive and they deserve our full support.
https://www.athea.ie/category/news/
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The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
This was an exciting time of the year for us in our young days because we knew the school year was nearly over and the holidays were around the corner. We would realise this when, one afternoon coming home from school, the sound of the mowing machine could be heard from more than one meadow. In those days farmers did not cut the hay until late June or early July. They would be watching each other to see who would make a start and as soon as the first blade of grass was mowed they all tackled up and started cutting. The plan was to cut just before a dry spell and, since there were no forecasts, they had to rely on one or two farmers who were good judges of weather. It didn’t always work out but most of the time it did and it was just as well because all the work had to be done by hand and without good weather the crop could be lost. They got their information from the cloud formations, the wind, the signs in the night sky, the flights birds and the habits of other wild animals who always knew what weather was in store. My neighbour, Mick Phil Woulfe, was a great man to give a forecast. Mick would put his thumbs inside his braces, look at the sky and the world around and declare “ther’ll be rain tomorrow but not before dinner time”. He was seldom wrong. The hay cut in those days was very different to what is called hay today. Today’s hay is just grass that could as easily be used for silage and is cut in the months of April and May. The hay long ago grew tall and straight and was laced with all kinds of herbs and wild flowers. It was not driven by artificial chemicals but natural farmyard manure and I’m certain was far better fodder than what cattle get to eat today. Anyway The sound of the mowing machine was music to our ears because we knew the Holidays were upon us. Unlike today’s children, who love going to school, we hated every day we had to enter the doors of that stark building where punishment was the order of the day. We had about a mile and a half to walk and the nearer we got to the school, the more apprehensive we got. Corporal punishment wasn’t just allowed. It was encouraged. The mantra at the time was “spare the rod and spoil the child”. Well, there was no fear we were spoiled and it was a rare day we escaped without a slap or two. Some people castigate those in charge at the time and especially educators from the religious orders like Nuns and Christian Brothers but they were no different from our own parents who also sought not to spoil us. If you got punished at school, you made sure they did not find out at home because, if they did, you were in for another beating. It was the culture at the time and we lived through it without too much damage What was far more damaging was the verbal abuse we got if we didn’t know the correct answer to a question. You could be called ”thick as a mule” , “an ignoramous” or some other demeaning term that made you feel small and unworthy in front of your class mates. No wonder some of us grew up with an inferiority complex that plagued us for much of our lives. Yes, the slap of a cane would hurt for a while but then it would go away however the stinging word settled in the head and festered there forever niggling away at our confidence and sense of worth. Schooldays were not the happiest days of my life and I envy my grandchildren who love their time in education. I do not, however, look back in anger or with a longing for retribution. In the main the teachers were doing their best to get us an education in the only way they knew how. It was the culture of the time and I am glad it has been consigned to history.
Athea N.S. celebrated 100 years in existence on Friday last and it turned out to be a wonderful occasion. Some of the children and adults dressed up in clothes that would have been worn in the 1920s and it highlighted how far we have come in that length of time. There wasn’t much money about then as it was just after the first world war and in the midst of our own struggle for freedom so clothing was very basic and people were lucky to have enough to keep themselves warm. Now we have a choice of outfits for every day and we lack for nothing Thank God. It was good to see Tommy Moran out and about. He has been a great friend to Athea causes over the years and is an example to would be entrepreneurs who might follow in his footsteps. There was nothing spared on Friday and the large crowd that attended were served teas, cakes, sandwiches and all kinds of goodies. Well done to Mrs. Watters and her staff and helpers who pulled out all the stops to mark a significant milestone in the history of education in Athea.
Athea National School 100th Year Celebrations
https://www.athea.ie/category/news/
June is Aphasia Awareness month. Eighteen months ago I did not know what Aphasia was but I soon found out. Aphasia is a condition that affects your ability to communicate. It can affect your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language. Aphasia typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. Jim has aphasia which is why I am referring to it now. He cannot speak, read or write. Treatments such as speech therapy can often help recover some speech and language functions over time, but many people continue to have problems communicating. This can sometimes be difficult and frustrating both for the person with aphasia and for family members. It’s important for family members to learn the best ways to communicate with their loved one. Suggestions might include the following:
Include the person with aphasia in conversations
Simplify language by using short, simple sentences
Repeat key words
Use a natural conversational manner at an adult level
Encourage all types of communication, including speech, gestures, pointing, or drawing
Don’t correct the person’s speech
Give the person plenty of time to express themselves
Help the person become involved outside the home, such as through support groups.
For some people, computers can be helpful for both communicating and improving language abilities. Unfortunately Jim’s ability to speak has not improved but we get by with gestures and pointing etc. But it can be very frustrating and impossible to have a normal conversation. I just say all that here to bring awareness to this condition. It does not mean the intellect is damaged – just the ability to communicate through word or writing. Those of us who are not affected by it should be grateful. And I am. I would find life very difficult if I could not speak, read or write. Thankfully Jim is tolerating it very bravely.
As well as it being Aphasia month, this week is Carer’s Week which is relevant in my life now too. There are lots of events planned for carers all over the country. Busy times.
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Abbeyfeale Notes 20 June 2022
PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK: The Abbeyfeale Eucharistic Adoration Committee
organised a wonderful day in Knock on Saturday last joining pilgrims from all over Ireland in attending the National Eucharistic Adoration pilgrimage. A big thank you to Kathleen Kennelly and Teresa O’Connell who organised the bus and arranged for a comfort stop in Roots Restaurant in Kilcolgan on the journey up and down where we were met with great hospitality and a fine choice of menu. Then it was onto Knock where the weather was grand and we were able to participate in all the outdoor activities and attend Mass in the Bascilica.
A word to anyone planning a trip over the next few months, the shortage of priests is also affecting Knock and there are long queues for Confessions so maybe make that your first stop when you arrive. There are also queues for getting Masses said but at least its volunteers you are dealing with there. Because the Basilica was full for the ceremonies and again because of the shortage of priests the blessing of the sick was moved to the foyer after Mass as they were trying to cater for the bus loads who had been told to return to their busses around 4.30pm. We were delighted to meet Fr. Tom McMahon late of Duagh parish in the foyer as we queued for a blessing. Our bus driver Timmy Quinn from Kilmorna was very obliging and bent over backwards to help us and there was no rushing no matter what speed us elderly ladies were moving at. So, a great day was had by all and again a huge thank you to Teresa and Kathleen who took on the onerous task of minding 30 of us.
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Feb 2022
ATHEA DRAMA https://www.athea.ie/category/news/
The Mundy sisters at their Ballybeg cottage When I cast my mind back to the summer of 1936Michael (Shane McEnery)
It is a memory play told from the perspective of an adult Michael who introduces his nostalgic memories of the summer of 1936 when he was seven years old and the five Mundy sisters who raised him in rural Ireland, acquired their first wireless radio.
Their older brother Michael’s Uncle Jack had just returned from twenty-five years spent as a missionary in a leper colony in Uganda. Michael was born out of wedlock to Chris, the youngest of the Mundy sisters and Gerry Evans who deserted her and the child and only returns every couple of years to see her.
The radio which breaks down more than it works unleashes unarticulated emotions in the five women who spontaneously break into song and dance with or without its aid.
Brian Friel’s play employs the central motif of dancing and music to explore themes of Irish cultural identity, nostalgia, historical change and pagan ritual.
This is one of those plays that will stay with you.. Come along to Con Colbert Hall, Athea & be entranced by the spell that is Dancing at Lughnasa.
The cast is as follows:
The Mundy sisters are Maggie (Theresa O Halloran) Kate (Nora Hunt) Chrissie (Julie Moloney) Agnes (Anne Marie Horgan) & Rose (Mary Ellen Tierney)
Michael the son (Shane McEnery) Fr. Jack (Tom O’Keeffe) Gerry Evans (Tom Collins)
Play is Directed by Tom Denihan
The play dates are Sunday Feb 13th at 3pm Matinee & then Thurs 17th, Sat 19th, Sun 20th, Wed 23rd, Thurs 24th & Sat 26th at 7:30pm. Doors Open at 7pm.
Tickets can be booked by texting or Whats App on 087 6926746 €10 per ticket.
We would also like to thank Marie Keating photography for capturing the scene & taking such fantastic pictures for us.
Taken from Athea News
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The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
I often wonder about the people we have elected to govern our country and whether we have made the right choices. I don’t suppose any of us voted for a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Green coalition but that is what we got. The government seems to stumble from one blunder to another, the latest being finding a way to reward front line workers for their efforts during the pandemic. Somebody had an idea that they should be given a financial bonus and that is what it should have remained – just an idea. Unfortunately some of those in high office ran with the idea and almost promised it. It is a nice thought but totally impractical as it is almost impossible to determine who should qualify for the bonus. No sooner was it mooted than the scrambling for places at the trough took place. Gardai, taxi drivers, bus and train drivers, shop assistants and many more who worked during the crisis had a right to a claim, as they saw it. What was a bit much was the teachers unions wanting their members included even though they weren’t actually working for a lot of the time with schools closed. To be fair, it was the unions and not the teachers themselves who made the claim and I was delighted to hear many teachers on the airwaves stating that they did not want to be included. Let’s call a spade a spade; we simply can’t afford it. The government might be talking about throwing money around like confetti but we aren’t just broke, we are in serious debt. Look at all the money that has been spent since the start of the pandemic in supporting businesses and workers. It is money we didn’t have in the beginning and our national debt has now gone so high that our children’s children will be paying it back. Then there is the other idea of creating a new bank holiday (why don’t they call it what it is – a public holiday) either in November or February. Haven’t we got enough public holidays as it is? It is not a “free” day off, somebody has to pay, and again the government will have to pick up the bill for the public service. No doubt the hospitality sector will be all for it but there are a lot of small businesses out there who just couldn’t afford to give their workers an extra day off with pay or pay double or triple time for those who may have to hold the fort. No, it is not the way to proceed. Sometimes governments have to make unpopular decisions in the public interest and forget about trying to buy their way at the next election The proper way to compensate the frontline workers is to overhaul the health service so that in the future our hospitals will be properly staffed and waiting lists will be a thing of the past. This would take financial investment but that is what it is, an investment in the future of our country and the health of the nation. The two tier health scheme has to go. I am not in favour of totally free health insurance, every one should pay according to their means and it would be ridiculous to see millionaires included, but medical assistance should not depend on whether you have money or not. A couple of years ago Noreen was taken into hospital and was waiting for tests. She was in a bed in a corridor and we were told that we would be there overnight. I happened to mention to a nurse that we did have private insurance and, within ten minutes, she was put into a semi-private ward. I felt guilty because there were old people in that corridor in a far worse state than Noreen but they had to wait for a public bed even though there were plenty of empty private beds in the hospital. That is just the way things are but it shouldn’t be. There should be a national insurance scheme, run by the health service, where nobody would lose out because of lack of means. There is a line in an old song that goes “If living was a thing that money could buy, the rich would live and the poor would die”. How tragically true!
“You should never speak ill of the dead” That was drummed into us as we grew up and, to be fair, it is seldom done. The opposite is in fact the case. As soon as somebody passes they become almost saintly with all the good things being said about them. It is now customary for some family member to say a few words about their loved one at the funeral Mass and it must be a great comfort to other family members. However, I have noticed that some of these words of praise can go on for too long and go into too much detail. Sometimes, as they say, less is more and a concise contribution can have a much greater impact than a long-winded one. Why should we wait until somebody dies to show them what we think of them? As an example, there are those who have given great public service during their lives and it is only after they die that they are shown appreciation. Would it not be better if that was done while the person was alive and made aware of how much they are loved and respected. Never pass up a chance to tell a loved one how you feel about them. Too soon the day will come when they won’t be there to hear it.
Congratulations to Athea GAA on their newest venture, the tarmac walkway. I walked it the other day and it is a great improvement on the track that was there before. It gives people a very safe place to exercise away from roads that can be busy and dangerous at times. Athea GAA are very progressive and, through all the improvements they have made in recent years, they now have one of the best club pitches in the country. It is good to see that they are not just thinking of the footballers and hurlers and are not afraid to spend money on a facility that will be of benefit to all the parish. Well done and keep up the good work.
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Oct/21
By Carrig Side-05/10/2021
by DomhnallDB under By Carrig Side
By Tom Aherne
Ardagh author Mary Kury’s new book is titled “In loving memory”. As the name suggests it is a survey of four graveyards: Clounagh, Coolcappa, Kilscannell and Rathronan and a review of Cillins/Killeens in the Parish. Each graveyard survey has a map with an index and a list of all the monuments there. The earliest gravestone is dated to 1728. It commemorates Patrick Felan owner of Cahermoyle House at that time. His descendant sold the property to Nicholas Smith in 1765, It then came into the hands of William Smith in 1774, he was grandfather of William Smith O’Brien. The most noteworthy monument is Smith O’Brien’s Mausoleum at Rathronan Graveyard
Other graves of note are the Massy Mausoleum also at Rathronan. The Conway grave in Kilscannell is the resting place of Jim Quinn’s sister. Jim was one of the finders of the Ardagh Chalice. He emigrated to Australia and is buried in Falkner Memorial Graveyard in Melbourne. There are many stones with beautiful carvings: Crucifixion’s scenes, angels, cupids and Celtic knotwork are plentiful especially in Clounagh Graveyard. This graveyard is difficult to access, and this isolation has helped conserve the stones.
Coolcappagh is a new Cemetery with the first internment taking place in 1983. It is located next to the Church car park on the site of the old Parish Church. Priests who were buried in the church have been relocated here and there are two stones to commemorate them. Many who are interred in Coolcappagh, Clounagh and Kilscannell went to school in Coolcappagh. Therefore Coolcappa Boy’s school register has been included. It lists the students who attended there from 1863 to 1907. The book will be launched on Thursday October 14, at 7pm, at Cahermoyle House Ardagh and a further launch at Rathkeale Tourist Office/The Old Court House on Thursday October 28. Tea / Coffee and light refreshments will be served. So do come along and catch up with your local history.
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Bridie Murphy from Glenastar, Ardagh will launch her first book ‘Connections’ at Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday, October 17, at 7pm. Bridie is known far and wide for her photography and now this talented lady has used her time during Covid to compile a selection of her poems, articles and photographs in book form. Seamus O’Rourke, Leitrim, author of Standing In Gaps and many funny rural stories heard on radio and TV will perform the launch. The numbers are limited due to hall capacity, but the book will be available from Bridie and many local shops after the launch.
“Such a timeless and beautiful book you will never tire of. Bridie has captured the beauty of everyday events in this walk-through time with her gifted view of the world.” Is how singer and storyteller Frances Kennedy, Listowel describes it. Quote: “This is the perfect collection of stories, poems and photographs to while away the hours and raise the spirits.” From author Vincent McDonnell. With those two wonderful recommendations the book is eagerly looked forward to. The proceeds from the book will go to Temple Street Children’s Hospital and the Irish Air Ambulance.
https://www.athea.ie/category/by-carrig-side/
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Ardagh Notes from Tom Aherne Sept 2021
LOOKING BACK
Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association was formed five years ago on September 1, 2016. It was to cater for the St Kieran’s area, comprising of Ardagh, Carrigkerry Coolcappa, Kilcolman, and neighbouring Townlands and was held in the Community Centre Ardagh, with 21 people present. The dictionary describes heritage as something inherited at birth and anything that has been transmitted from the past or handed down by tradition. Heritage is all around us as we go about our daily work and now is the time to preserve and record what we have before it disappears. There is an increased interest in our heritage at present and people in all areas are doing wonderful work to preserve it.
Ger Greaney, genealogist, facilitated the meeting, and Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association was formed. The officers elected were Chairperson John P O ’Sullivan, Secretary Mary Kury, and Treasurer Richard Mc Donnell, and more, officers were added at other meetings afterwards. A lot of different areas of heritage were discussed and people were asked to look at their own areas and to start recording what is around them. For example, the name of fields, bridges, crossroads, rivers, forts, Cillian’s, blessed wells, old church graveyards, which may be lesser known to the general public, and need to be preserved.
The Saint Kieran’s area contains a lot of well-known sites, Ardagh Chalice, Ballylin Ring Fort, Ballyine, Mass Rock, Glenastar Waterfall, Campaign House, Carrigkerry, Carnegie Library in Kilcolman, Dunmoylan Church, Munnamohill School, Kilbradern Graveyard, Murray’s Hill, Mannix’s Folly, The Blue Hall, Clounagh, St Kyran’s Well, Lisnacolla Castle, Ballyegna Castle, Elm Hill, and other places of interest. The aim of the Association was to record everything possible, and to mark important dates and anniversaries. A Facebook page was also set up for viewers to check the ongoing progress of the association. A lot has been achieved to date with events held to commemorate The Fenian Rising, Bishop Lacy, Ardagh Chalice, and Ballyloughane School, to name a few. Since the arrival of Covid in March 2020, all activities have ceased, and members have only participated in a few events. Mary Kury led a walk and talk around Ardagh on Saturday, August 21, and last Wednesday published a fine article about Ardagh Graveyard. With the easing of Covid restrictions hopefully activities may be able to resume in the near future.
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The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
The upgrading of the greenway that runs from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale, and will eventually continue to Listowel, has created business opportunities that were not there before. Barnagh Gardens has re-opened and is full every day with tourists and those who walk or cycle the greenway stopping for a coffee or tea and to relax in the beautiful surroundings. At various stops along the way bicycles can now be rented, at a reasonable fee, to individuals and families who want to combine sightseeing with exercise. The bikes come in all shapes and sizes to suit everyone. They even have ones with little trailers that would seat two toddlers and are covered from the rain by a plastic hood. I walk from Abbeyfeale towards Templeglantine a couple of times a week and I have noticed a great change since the new surface was laid. There are now far more cyclists than pedestrians and, at last, there are rules to be followed by all users. I think they have got it wrong though because pedestrians are asked to walk on the left hand side of the path. This means that the cyclists, who ride on the left as well, approach the walkers from behind. Surely it would be better if pedestrians walked on the right hand side facing the oncoming bicycles. Anyway, it is lovely to see this facility being used by locals and visitors alike. The other day I was overtaken by a young lady on a bike that had no saddle or no structure to hold one. It meant she had to keep standing on the pedals with no chance of resting the body. It reminded me of when I first learned to cycle as a young lad in Cratloe. My mother’s bike usually rested against the gable end of the house and I couldn’t wait to try it out. The first few attempts ended in disaster with both myself and the bike on the ground. At last I got a bit of momentum going and managed to balance as the bike raced down the hill. Unfortunately I lost control and crashed into the hen house, which was not a very pleasant landing. I had no major wounds but the house was damaged and the handlebars of the bike were twisted. That wasn’t too bad until my mother appeared waving a sally rod to make sure I never forgot the incident and would not be so foolish in future. The few slaps did me no harm, neither did they deter me from trying out the bicycle when her back was turned and eventually I managed to cycle all around the small field. I was so small that my backside couldn’t reach the saddle and, like the young lady on the greenway, I stood on the pedals and cycled like that for a couple of years. In those days a bicycle was a kind of a luxury and had to be minded. I remembered this when I came upon another couple last Saturday mending a puncture by the side of the road. Fixing a puncture was a necessary skill long ago. We didn’t have the money to replace tyres when they got worn so eventually they would pick up punctures on roads that weren’t as smooth as they are today and we had to be prepared to take off the tyre, pull out the tube, smooth off the affected area, removing any thorns or other sharp objects, apply a sticking solution and covering it with a patch. Then we had to wait while the solution set before putting the tube back inside the tyre and pumping up the bike. The older the tyres, the more patches were applied. I remember having one tube that had so many patches that it looked like it had a rash. When I started secondary school in Abbeyfeale I was still on my mother’s bike and had to wait a couple of years to get the first bike I could call my own. At first I used to take great care of it, wiping it down and oiling the chain and all the moving parts but, as time went on, I got a bit careless and wanted to move on to “three-speed-gear”. Ah, how simple life was back then. It is great to see renewed interest in cycling, a great means of exercise and an alternative mode of transport to the cars that use fossil fuels and are soon to be banned. My son Danjoe lives in Copenhagen and on a visit there I noticed that the place is full of cyclists. They have their own cycle paths on the main streets and have right of way over motorists at junctions. Maybe more could be done at government level to promote cycling in this country. Many of us could do with the exercise and we would all be healthier.
Heartiest congratulations to GAA Chairman, Paul Curry, and all the other Mayo natives in the area on Mayo’s fantastic win over Dublin on Sunday last. It was indeed a great achievement and it was fitting that it should be Mayo that eventually put a halt to the Dub’s gallop. Having said that, Dublin have been a fantastic side, probably the best the game has ever seen, but all good things come to and end and Mayo await either Kerry or Tyrone in the final. Nobody would begrudge Mayo getting their hands on Sam after such a long time having come so close on several occasions, but they will have to earn it.
The events unfolding so rapidly in Afghanistan are frightening. The speed at which the Taliban took over the country surprised everyone and it begs that question as to why the government forces didn’t put up a better, or any, resistance. The evacuation of American troops left the door open and the Taliban needed no invitation to walk through. America learned nothing from the Vietnam war. They went into Afghanistan to wipe out the Taliban but only succeeded in killing some of the leaders while they were no match for the guerrillas in the mountains. Twenty years later, with thousands of lives lost, the Taliban are stronger than ever and are going to inflict their religious beliefs on the community. Already we hear horrifying tales of murder, torture and rape. These terrorists treat animals better than women who, in their eyes should not be seen outside the house and have no place in society. They took the country with the type of savagery that was seen when the Russian forces entered Berlin at the end of the war in 1945. No woman was safe then as is the case now in Afghanistan. Ireland will try to provide asylum for some of those who may be looking to flee the country and we should welcome them with open arms. I know there will be those who say “look after our own first” but, in comparison to those unfortunate people, we have the life of Riley.
Query
Does anybody know when electricity came to Athea Village? The rural area got electricity in 1956.
If you know do please contact us at 068 42533 or 087 6758762
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The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
I met a neighbour while I was out walking the other day and we got to talking about the freedom the top of the Cnoceens gives us especially during a time when people in towns and cities were confined to back gardens not big enough to swing the proverbial cat in. She said: “I never thought I would say how lucky I was to live in the bog”. I know exactly what she meant. When we were growing up the bog was thought of as wilderness by town and city dwellers and those who lived on more fertile land. There were different types of land; good grassland, usually limestone based, mixed land with some wet rushy fields as well as good arable land, and bogland which was useless for growing grass or hay. There were mainly two types of people in our area; those who owned land and those who did not. Most of those who didn’t own their own land got employment from the bigger land owners but, on the verge of the bogland, there were several small holdings with very mixed land, who augmented their meagre earnings by working in the bog during the summer months. People from the bogland areas were thought of as stupid, to put it mildly. To call someone a “bog man” or “bog woman” was not at all complementary. Two brothers from Ardagh were members of the Limerick county senior panel a good few years ago. When they would arrive at training at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, the manager, who hailed from the city would say: “the boys from the bog are landed”. I remember, quite a few years ago, doing a video on the music of West Limerick and Athea in particular, which was aired on Comhaltas live on U– Tube. I spoke about and played the polkas and slides of the area and played a few of them as examples. I got very favourable comments on line except for one that stood out. It simply said “typical bog man and his music”. My first reaction was anger but, the more I thought about it, the more I realised that he was, unwittingly, paying me a compliment. If I am a typical bog man then I am very proud of that fact. Our bogs are rare and special, full of flora and fauna and the most invigorating fresh air in the world. There is a certain smell in the bog that is subtle but very pleasant. Many of you will remember the taste of tea in the bog. It is the best tea you will ever drink. We always call bogland “mountain” even though it may not be that elevated. That is how Athea got its name from the Irish Áth an tSléibhe, “The Ford of the Mountains” because it is surrounded on all sides by bogland. As my mother used to say, “people from the mountain are great to make out” and indeed they are, some of them could give lessons on the art of survival. It is a pity that the turf cutting is coming to an end. Even if there wasn’t a green agenda, it will be all cut away in a few years. It would be nice to think that it will be left as it is but I fear that it will all get planted with even more Sitka Spruce or some other fast-growing trees. We should enjoy it while we can.
Talking about beautiful places, I was playing in a golf competition in Killarney on Sunday afternoon last. As I was about to take a shot I spotted some movement out of the corner of my eye and next thing a big deer passed in front of me taking no notice whatsoever. They roam free around the golf course and have no fear of humans. There was also an abundance of rabbits but what fascinated me most of all were the crows. I was on one green, having left my bag about 330 yards to the left when I saw a crow perch on the bag. He opened the zip with his beak and pulled out what he thought was a chocolate bar but it was only the wrapping I was taking back to the bin. The Killarney members told me that they have become quite adept at thieving like this and they pick on unsuspecting visitors as they know the locals are on to them. Isn’t nature wonderful
I was passing the sewage plant on the Glin road, the other day, when I spotted a skip lorry inside collecting a skip that was under a chute. I didn’t take much notice until that lorry passed me as I was crossing over the bridge near the office. The smell of raw sewage was overpowering and spread throughout the village. Surely it is not legal to transport raw sewage in an open skip. I thought it should at least be in an enclosed tanker and I dread to think what would happen if that lorry had an accident. The water section of Limerick Council have questions to answer.
The older you get, the more friends you lose. Two of mine died in the past week. Back in the ’eighties, when there was a very bad depression, myself and Billy Sullivan worked with each other to try and keep a roof over our heads. We both had old lorries and a couple of machines and spent more time doing repairs than actually making money from them but we survived and had many good and bad days together. What we had we shared and eventually got on our feet and went on to live better lives. Billy drove a truck until he recently retired and, fittingly, it led the way before him to the church. He leaves me with great memories
The second friend was a more recent acquaintance made through our love of golf. Mike O’Connor, originally from Keylod, Moyvane, was a member in Castleisland Golf Club for many years and we played together regularly, especially in the seniors competition every Monday. We were also members of the Billy O’Sullivan competition team that represented the club. He was always enquiring about people from Athea that he knew from the time when he drove the milk lorry for Kerry Co-op. He used to say, “be sure and let me know if anyone is dead”. Alas it is now his turn but I will miss him as a great friend and a wonderful gentleman who never had a bad word to say about anyone. May they both rest in peace.
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30 Jun/21
By Carrig Side-29/06/2021
by Domhnall DB under By Carrig Side
By Tom Aherne
There is a Holy Well in Clonagh (Reens Ardagh) that is about halfway between the road and Clonagh graveyard. Saint Kyran’s well is a small spring that is enclosed by some rough stone. There was a statue over the well, but this has been taken down. The pattern was held on September 9. In his work “Holy Wells in Co. Limerick” Kevin Danaher stated that the rounds were still made in 1955. Small offerings were also left at the well. The water is believed to cure eye ailments.
John O’Donovan (from 1840) tells us that the poorer members of the district used to do the stations here. Legends about the well are many and varied. The well moved when clothes were washed in it. A woman who was praying at the well was interrupted by a man who later died. There is reputedly an underground passage that leads from the well to the graveyard.
Long ago there lived a man who dreamt that there was gold hidden in the churchyard at Clonagh. His mother who believed in dreams, forced him against his will to dig for it. At last, he went to dig for it at night. He worked so as not to be seen by the neighbours. After digging for hours, he came to a flag. Under it he found an amount of beetles.
Those he put into his bag to give his mother a fright. In the morning when she arose, she saw the bag, and she was delighted, and got holy water and went over to it and shook it on it. On opening the bag, she found it full of gold coins instead of it being full of beetles. The above story was written by Maureen Mullane, aged 12 years in 1935, and included in the School Folklore Collection It was told to her by her father, a farmer, whose address was Riddlestown, Rathkeale.
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March 2021
Doctor Kieran Murphy, Athea has issued a letter, to the Carrigkerry Community Centre Committee, regarding the closure of the GP Satellite Clinic in Carrigkerry Community Centre. Since the onset of the pandemic and the first lockdown last year he has suspended his attendance. His reason was that it was a walk in centre with just the doctor in attendance without reception or secretarial support, and it was not possible to maintain social distancing and adequate hygiene and PPE standards. As it is his intention to retire this coming December and as it is unlikely that it will be safe to resume attendance at Carrigkerry possibly before the autumn, he has taken the decision that his attendance should be suspended permanently. He has been in contact with the HSE to inform them of his intention.
He goes on to say it has been both a pleasure and a privilege to serve the community of Carrigkerry since 1984. Unfortunately the current pandemic has had a dramatic effect on many aspects of our society and many things will not be the same again. Please accept my thanks and appreciation for the assistance and support of the committee over the years. On behalf of all his patients, community thanks is expressed for the service he has provided.
From Tom Aherne
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Mar/21
By Carrig Side-02/03/2021
by DomhnallDB under By Carrig Side
By Tom Aherne
Congratulations to Sophie Hennessy, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry, daughter of Mary and Dan who received a Rachel Kenneally Memorial Award. Rachel from Tipperary passed away aged 26 back in 2018. She played Gaelic football for her county and the bursary (value €750) is funded by Munster LGFA and one student from each of the six counties was chosen for the award. Sophie is a first year student in Mary Immaculate College Limerick training to become a primary teacher. She plays football with Old Mill, and Limerick junior football team, and will perform the role of ambassador, with the other five award winners to champion ladies’ football in their club, county and province of Munster over the next 12 months on behalf of MLGFA. Sophie’s grandfather Sean “Foxy” O’Connor was an outstanding hurler with the local club, Knockaderry in senior hurling and he also represented his county in National League, and Tournament matches.
The death has taken place of Tom Kennelly, Templeathea East, Athea, and Kerrikyle, Ardagh on Wednesday, February 17 at Saint Michael’s Nursing Home, Caherconlish, Co. Limerick. Predeceased by his parents Ellen and John Kennelly (Ardagh), and cousin Mike Enright (Athea). Sadly, missed by his cousins Margaret Enright and family, Jack and Tom Enright, Nora Philips, Bridie Liston, the management, staff and residents of Saint Michael’s Nursing Home, Saint Joseph’s and O’Connell House Residential Care Centre, Newcastle West, cousins, neighbours and friends. The Requiem Mass took place in Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Friday, February 19 at 11am, followed by burial immediately after in Templeathea Cemetery, Athea.
Tom, an only child, grew up with his parents in a house situated on the border of Kerrikyle, and Glensharrold. His parents were small farmers and Tom attended Kilcolman National School and was a very bright student. He played games with his school friends, and the other local boys, and he was a lot taller than all. When his parents died the farm was sold to Patie Wrenn from Clounleharde, and Tom moved away. In later years Tom was based in O’Connell House Residential Care Centre Newcastle West, and he was a familiar figure around the town running errands for staff, and fellow residents. Tom was a kind and gentle figure who was around the 70 year mark, and he will be sadly missed by all. May he rest in Peace.
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Back to the Future
By Domhnall de Barra
Happy New Year to you all. Even that sounds a bit strange the way things are at the moment when we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. If someone had told me, when we faced the first lockdown back in March, that we would be in a worse situation at the start of 2021, I don’t know how I would have reacted. I thought it would last for a couple of months at the most and we would be back to normal by the Summertime. Hindsight is a great thing and it is now very easy to blame the government for opening up the country too early but they had a very difficult choice to make at the time and, if we all did as we were supposed to do, maybe we wouldn’t be in the position we are now. Certain sections of the community decided that they knew better and refused to wear masks or maintain social distancing while others continued to party like there was no tomorrow, especially over the Christmas period. Their actions have resulted in a catastrophic rise in the number of cases, people in hospital and ICUs. We hear these statistics on the news every evening but behind these numbers are real people. Those who died are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters and the sad thing is that their deaths were entirely avoidable. The selfishness of some has resulted in too many broken hearted families and, least we think the misbehaviour was only in the cities and big towns; it is not. It is right here in our own community. I passed a house the other day that normally has three people living in it but there were eight cars parked outside. Now, you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to work out that the government advice given a few nights before that was being totally ignored by those visiting and mixing in this house. This is not an isolated incident, as anecdotal evidence would suggest, so there is no need to point the finger elsewhere – we are to blame ourselves. I know it is difficult at times and we all get fed up of not being able to see our families and friends but, if we are ever to get off this vicious circle of lockdowns we simply must fall into line with the health experts’ advice. If we can knuckle down for a few weeks we can make a difference and, don’t forget, the longer we go on the more people will have been vaccinated and the nearer we will be to returning to normal life.
This is a great time of year for looking forward and backwards. The usual new year resolutions will be made and soon forgotten but lately we have had plenty of time to reflect on the past and ask ourselves some questions. One of those questions came to mind lately and it is “what is you biggest regret in life?”. I thought about my young days and what if I had taken a different path in life but I soon rejected that because I probably would not then have married Noreen and have the great family we enjoy. Though it was difficult at times I wouldn’t change a whole lot because I have had such a variety of jobs from teaching to working for the likes of Murphy’s and Wimpy’s in England. It would take far too long to list all the various positions I have held except to say that I met some great, and not so great, people in all of them. I will say that I have met far more intelligent men, labouring in trenches all over England, than government ministers I had to do business with when I was President of Comhaltas. So, what is my biggest regret? It is the amount of time and money I wasted in pubs over the years. Now, don’t get me wrong, anyone who knows me understands that I like a visit to the tavern now and again and there is nothing wrong with that but I grew up in a time where there was far too much drinking, especially in England. People who were living in digs had no place to go in the evenings after work so the pub became a kind of second home. This led to long sessions of drinking that left some permanently broke and depending on the “sub” to carry on. Many of these men died young due to organ failure and the conditions they worked in. It was not as bad in Ireland because there wasn’t as much money in circulation. My father had a lorry in the years after the 2nd world war when there wasn’t any coal to be had and turf was in big demand. Lorry owners made a fortune at the time and could afford to spend long hours at the bar counter. I have many memories, as a young boy, of waiting in the lorry at night or sitting in the corner of a bar, supping Nash’s lemonade and eating Marietta biscuits waiting for my father and his friends to finish their session. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to smoke and drink and of course I didn’t. As soon as I started going to secondary school I took up smoking. There was a shop near the school that would sell a single cigarette for two old pence. If you were really stuck and only had a penny the proprietor would cut the cigarette in half with a blade. Soon after that I started to drink. There was a certain pub where we would be sold a half pint of Guinness or a bottle of “Time” beer. Today that sounds really bad but, back then, smoking was not thought to be harmful, indeed it was supposed to make you relaxed, and Guinness was good for you. So we got into bad habits at an early age and some of us went on to drink and smoke a way more than was regarded as normal. Being a musician did not help either as most of the gigs were in pubs and it wasn’t unknown for customers to leave a drink for you if they liked what you were playing. The fact that you were playing in the pub meant that you were entitled, as “staff”, to stay after hours and of course I did, sometimes until dawn of day. That is the one thing I would change because, apart from the health and financial hazards, it took away valuable time I could have spent with my family. We can’t, however, change anything that happened in the past but we can learn from our mistakes and pass on a bit of advice to those coming after us. I look forward to the day I will be able to have a few drinks, especially with my musical friends, and enjoying the great atmosphere that is typical of the Irish pub but you won’t catch me throwing it back ‘till all hours of the morning.
I want to complement Fr. Duggan, and his colleagues in Abbeyfeale as well, for the way they looked after the needs of their parishioners at Christmas time. The webcams have made a huge difference and I would say there are now more people attending Mass, albeit online, than ever before. This is one of the best things about social media and it is amazing how quickly some of the older generation have adapted to smart phones and laptops and are quite skilled at finding the site they require. One woman told me lately; “it is like having your own private Mass”. They are also great for having face time with family and loved ones so, 4-+ though they have other uses that can be harmful, they can be instruments for good in all our lives. Stay safe out there.
HISTORY August 2020
John Mikes Bar
MEADE’S FORGE ON MAIN STREET
When people frequent the bar for the first time and make their way into ‘Jack & Nora’s Kitchen’ to the rear of the bar, one of the first things that catches their eye is this beautifully hand-painting of a thatched cottage, expertly painted by Mary Stenson Shanahan. We’re often asked about it, here’s the history behind this somewhat iconic painting of Main Streets last standing thatched cottage.
In the painting are Patie Quirke (right), Patie Meade (centre) and Jimmy Culhane (left). This painting is based on a photograph which was used as a postcard for Abbeyfeale for many years.
Originally, all the houses on Main Street in Abbeyfeale were thatched. Gradually, in the late 1880’s the houses were replaced by slated dwellings. The Meade Family did not follow suite and change their dwelling. This thatched dwelling, incorporating the forge, remained as a link with the past. The house belonged to Patie Meade and his sister Mag Meade. Patie was a blacksmith and his forge was a social centre for all who came on business or merely to exchange news and jokes. The forge was a busy place. The thud of the hammer on the anvil and the hiss of steam were familiar sounds to the passersby.
The implements the blacksmith used were - a bellow for blowing the fire and increasing the heat, a hand hammer for driving nails, an anvil for barring the shoes resting on while turning them, a rash and file for paring the hoofs of the animals, pinects for withdrawing shoes from animals and a tank for holding cold water.
The blacksmith played an important role in the community; he not only shod horses, ponies and donkeys as a farrier, but also repaired agricultural implements such as barrows, spades and ploughs, shod wheels and often made gates and railings.
Meade’s forge was demolished in February 1979. Patie and his sister had already gone to their reward. Golden Scissors Hair Salon, next to the Fire Station occupies the site of the former Meade Family Forge.
There was also a forge at Bridge Street that was owned by the Begley Family (opposite Twohigs Supervalue). Another forge was located at St. Ita’s Road (just below Kelly’s old secondary school entrance) that was owned by the Lane family. Paddy Brosnan from Cordal worked in his forge below the old Boy’s school, now Teach na Féile at the end of New Street.
Credit: Echoes of Abbeyfeale
Summer Time
By Domhnall de Barra July 2020
This was the week we looked forward to long ago because it was the first week of the summer holidays. On the last day of school there was an air of excitement until we put the bags on our backs and ran back the road for home as if we had escaped from prison. Children love going to school now but, in our day, it was a different story. I spent many, many years attending school and college and I have to admit that I hated every one of them, with the exception of “station” days, sports days and school outings. (The “stations” were held in the school so that people from the locality could attend Mass and pay their dues to the clergy). Cratloe School was a tall, grey forbidding building ran by teachers who believed in the saying “spare the rod and spoil the child”. It was rarely a day went by when we weren’t punished for some misdemeanour and I am convinced that some of the teachers took out their frustrations on us. You can imagine how we felt when we had two whole months ahead of us free from school and all that went with it. It was the time also when farmers started to cut the hay. Unlike today, nobody started cutting until July came around. There was no forced grass in those days; the only help it got was from farmyard manure that was spread in the spring. I can still hear the click-click-click of the horse-drawn mowing machine as we cautiously peered over the ditch. There was usually an older man , sitting inside the gap, edging blades that would be replaced every so often. Although there was such a thing as a one-horse mowing machine, the custom in this part of the country was to use two horses. They were fine strong beasts who never complained as they pulled the heavy machine all day. I loved watching the cut hay falling in swarths from the machine and lying neatly in rows. It was different hay in those days because it was mingled with wild flowers and plants that have been killed off in recent years by the use of artificial fertiliser. As kids we spent a lot of time playing in meadows, especially after the cocks were made and woe betide us if, in our boisterous play, we managed to knock one of them. There was another treat in store when the hay was being drawn in; riding on the “float”. The float was a flat haycart that could tip up to allow a cock of hay to be winched on board. We would find a seat behind the cock and ride back and forth all day, if the man in charge allowed us. Hanging around the meadow had other benefits. it was the practice at the time to bring the tea to the meadow so that the work would not be too delayed. The basket contained buttered bread, cuts of bacon and strong hot tea in a bottle covered by a woolen sock to keep it warm. We were never left out and there was something magical about that meal. You have never really tasted tea until you drink it from a bottle in a sock in the meadow or bog. ‘Twas easy please us in those days but we didn’t know the meaning of the word “bored”. Days weren’t long enough for us to do all the fun things we did in summer and we had to be called in as night approached, much to our great disappointment. By todays standards we were poor but we did not know that – nobody told us. We didn’t need money or possessions because our imaginations were rich with possibilities. Yes, being young in the summer holidays was great and we enjoyed every minute of it.
At last we have a new government and I wish them well in trying to get the country back on its feet after the ravages of Covid 19. There is much on the media about the appointment of ministers and the lack of representation from Limerick to Donegal and through Tipperary to Waterford. It may come back to haunt them yet because Sinn Fein now have a golden opportunity from opposition to make all the right noises and moves and mop up the votes of some diehard Fianna Fail and Fine Gael supporters who did not agree with the joining of the two parties in government or are up in arms about the overlooking of some of their TDs who would have expected to be handed a portfolio. they will however have to stop blatently flouting the health regulations as they did during the week when hundreds attended the funeral of Bobby Storey in Belfast. It must be galling for some people who have had to miss the funerals of their own loved ones to watch this display lead by major SinnFéin leaders. There cannot be one law for them and another for the rest of us. Historic times indeed but the day may not be far off when we may see Sinn Féin in Government and our first female Taoiseach. Watch this space!!
Congratulations to Patrick O’Donovan and Niall Collins who were both given junior ministerial appointments during the week.
===========================
Glin County Limerick Books.
There are many publications about Glin and by Glin people and most of these are in Glin Library.
Publications include
The Knights of Glin – Seven Centuries of Change
and editions of
The Glencorbry Chronicle
that include the following articles:
Glin Heritage Centre by Mary M Moore
Food for Thought by James O’Donovan
Glin Workhouse by Bernard Stack
Hamilton Terrace by Kathleen Fitzgerald
The Treasures of Glin Castle by Desmond FitzGerald
Glin Tennis Club by Margaret O’Leary
The Death of John Murray by Thomas J Byrne
Glin During the Great Hunger by Tom Donovan
Roibeard Breathnach? Anseo a mhuinteoir! by John A Culhane
Glin Bridewell by Tom Donovan
Some Thoughts on Religious Practices and the Survival of Faction by Patrick Coleman
The Glin Drowning Tragedy by Tom Donovan
Typhoid at Glin by John Curtin
The Local Fishing Industry by Jason Windle
The Boston Pilot by Tom Donovan
Spanish Letter by Margaret O’Leary
Book Reviews by Tom Donovan
The Lime Kilns of Glin by Bernard Stack
Micheal O’Longain by Catherine O’Connor
Prehistoric Structures at Ballyhahill by Gerard Curtin
Grave Dispute at Glin by Tom Donovan
A Centenary Record of Famine in West Limerick by John Curtin
The Four Brothers – Eighteenth Centtury Knights of Glin by Thomas J Byrne
A Big Top Down Under by Tom Donovan
Some Recollections of Old Glin by John O’Shaughnessy
Parson Weldon’s Ledger by Tom Donovan
Home Thoughts by John Curtin
Two Popular Glin Tunes by Tom Donovan
Business Survey of Glin 1926-1942 by Christina Craft
Some Old Glin Wills by Tom Donovan and Anna Costello
May 23 2020
by Domhnall de Barra
This week we have articles form Marian Harnett (Abbeyfeale Notes), Tom Aherne (by Carrig Side), Kathleen Mullane (Kathleen’s Corner) Peg Prendeville (Knockdown News) and Jer Kennelly (Knockanure Notes).
I had a few enquiries about publishing anniversary notices, thank you prayers, novenas etc. Yes, we can publish those as well as any items for sale, notices etc. Email them to me or just drop them through the letter box in Athea. I call every day to pick up mail etc.
The death has taken place of Nora Fitzgerald (nee Shine) formerly of Dirreen, The Hill, Upper Athea and Waterford City. Predeceased by her husband Tom. Nora’s passing is deeply regretted by her sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, son in law, daughters in law and all her Athea relations. May she rest in peace
With the phased return to work, some of our CE Scheme workers are back in business. At the moment it is those who work outside and we are limited to the number who can be employed at any one time. Safety measures have been put in place and already the sign of their work can be seen, especially in the two graveyards. Thanks to those who volunteered to keep the place looking tidy during the lock down. It will be a while before we get back to normal but we will do our best with the resources we have.
People from all over the world logged on to Athea Tidy Towns Facebook page, last Sunday, to witness Mass in Athea Church. Fr. Tony deserves our gratitude for making this possible and we hope it continues. It is a great comfort to the faithful in these challenging times. There is only one problem: there is no collection! It is difficult to see how the clergy can continue without the revenue from the weekly collection plates. They still have the same expenses, such as the upkeep of the buildings etc., and they, of course, have to provide for themselves. Some mechanism should be found to facilitate donations to the Church. If people donated what they usually gave weekly it would solve the problem. Food for thought.
An incident that was reported on the media last week reminded me of days gone by. When Boris Johnson decided to relax the restrictions in the UK and allow sports like golf, tennis and fishing to resume, Scotland did not agree and kept their lockdown going. As a result , on a river that divides England and Scotland, English anglers were out in force on the southern side while their Scottish counterparts could only look on in envy from the opposite bank. That took me back to a time, mid-way through the last century, when nearly all the people in this neck of the woods were practising Roman Catholics. In those days fast and abstinence were strictly enforced, especially during Lent when just one meal a day was allowed plus two collations. A collation is “a light meal allowed on fast days in place of lunch or supper” ( I had to look in the dictionary for that!). The collation could not be over a certain few ounces and I remember my parents weighing out their meagre portions with a weighing scale. At that time there was also prohibition on the eating of meat on Friday which became a day for eating fish instead. One of my neighbours, a devout man, would not dream of eating meat on Fridays so he fried sausages instead!! In his book they weren’t meat at all. Fasting from midnight the previous night was also required of those who were about to receive Holy Communion. Bearing in mind that transport was limited at the time and most people walked or cycled to Mass, many would be fasting from midnight to noon the following day. They definitely earned their rewards. Eventually the laws were relaxed and eating meat on a Friday was no longer banned but it was not done on a unilateral basis. It was left to each diocese to decide when they abolished the obligation. Kerry diocese had moved before Limerick so, for a while, those living in Kerry could eat meat on a Friday but their neighbours in Limerick could not. The river Feale divides the two counties and at the time it was a great source of income for salmon fishermen from around Abbeyfeale. Salmon were plentiful and there was a ready market for them so, from the season’s opening on the 1st of March, the banks would be lined with anglers. They fished all day and took packed lunches with them. Bill Cotter, a great character and wit, was fishing with a group on the Limerick side of the river one day but, when it came to lunch time, his friends were surprised to see him crossing over to the other bank. They were wondering what he was up to until he pulled out a fine cut of cold bacon and began to make a sandwich for himself. It was Friday so Bill announced that since he was now on Kerry soil he was entitled to eat meat while the boys in Limerick could not. You could not make it up if you tried.
Fr Michael Noonan has been in touch with the following update. Mass will be streamed live via Facebook from Ardagh Parochial House on Saturdays at 7.30pm from this Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am. Also Mass at 9.30am on weekdays, and the Rosary on Saturday mornings at 10.30am.The contact link is https://www.facebook.com/100456194998744/live/
Know your 5K is a new initiative from the Heritage Council and National Museum of Ireland. It is as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and what people see in the vicinity of their own 5K locality. They are inviting readers to share their discoveries and insights about the hidden heritage found in peoples own homes and locality. Heritage is a very broad term including archaeology and architecture like ancient monuments, old graveyards or historic buildings. It would be a nice project for members of Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association to participate in. They could share all this information at future talk nights. You can find out more information about Know Your 5K at www.ouririshheritage.org/content/category/archive/place/knowyour5k
HISTORY: Saint Kieran’s GAA Club whose catchment area includes Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/ Kilcolman parishes, was formed in May 1972, following Carrigkerry’s County Junior Football Championship win. Before this since the GAA was founded football and hurling teams from the area played under all the different parish names. The time has now arrived to include all the material that is available from the four areas and beyond together in book form in a complete club history.
A small group of people have come together to oversee the project during the current lockdown of all club activities. This is a window of opportunity to put the wheels in motion, as the time frame is just two years. Many club members may use this time to recall their association with the club, over the years. The history will include a memories section , recalling the successes, and disappointments, the personalities involved, and companionships formed within the club over the years.
All are welcome to share their recollections be they passed players, club officers, or loyal supporters, with a special appeal to the elder generation. The West and County winning Captains are invited to share their thoughts and memories of their big days. The role of the dual player, and players that came from other clubs, or went and joined other clubs, would make interesting reading. The carnival matches and tournament games were legendary with many incidents worth recalling. The many dinner dances, club functions, and Scór successes were all part of the club’s story and are worth recalling.
This work can commence now and be submitted to the club in the coming weeks. The club would appreciate 600 words or thereabouts, and ideally your contribution by email, but a written memory can be transcribed afterwards. People may be spring cleaning at present, and they may come across old newspaper match reports, cuttings, match programmes and other memorabilia of interest. These can be stored in a safe place until required and photographs would also be most welcome in time and can be scanned and returned.
This is a major club project to record for posterity the dedication, and contribution of men and women in most households within the parishes, and all help will be greatly appreciated. Since last week’s notes appeared a few people have been fast off the mark and submitted some lovely reminiscences. It is planned to have the club history ready in time to launch it to mark the jubilee of Saint Kieran’s in two years’ time.
Bits and Pieces
by Domhnall de Barra
I have a nasty old cold at the moment which is more annoying than painful. There’s lots of coughing, tightness in the chest and a little factory that keeps churning out mucus at an alarming rate!. Usually, when this happens to me, I am over it in a couple of days but this time it has been with me for more than three weeks. A visit to the doctor has provided me with some medication so, fingers crossed I will be back to my old self (and a lot less grumpy) in the near future. Because of the cold and the terrible weather, I was housebound over the weekend, no golf, but at least I had some company. Danjoe and his family were on a short visit from Copenhagen so we had plenty of time to chat and catch up. We watched a few matches on TV and it got me thinking about the futility of playing field games at this time of the year. On Sunday, Clare and Laois were playing in Ennis in the middle of storm Dennis. Hats off to the players who togged out in such conditions but what did this encounter achieve? With the storm force wind, rain, hailstone and soggy underground conditions there was little room for exhibitions of skill with most possession being gained by mistakes that were unavoidable. Even still we got glimpses of what these great athletes are capable of but wouldn’t it have been much better if the game was played at a later date? There is too much competition at this time of the year. We have just finished minor challenges like the McGrath Cup, which was at one stage a competition for the weaker counties. It now has no real meaning but it forces teams to go into training at a very early stage. Remember that, in the middle of the Summer, there will be very little activity as teams get removed from the championship. The league was once a high profile competition but it is now treated as a chance to experiment with new players and nobody seems to mind if they don’t win it. I would favour a system where the league and championship were combined with the country divided evenly into four divisions who would compete on a league basis but that the top two teams in each division would progress to the championship. It would cut down the length of the season and would leave more time for club matches. There is the old argument about the provincial finals but, when you look at it, they are not really on an equal basis. In hurling, for example, there is no championship in Connaught and a very limited one in Ulster because of the amount of teams taking part. In football there are plenty of teams but there are more teams taking part in Leinster than Munster and Connaught put together. It could still be possible for provincial finals to take place with the best two teams in the league system. Better heads than mine will be needed but something must be done to spare players from having to try and perform in bad conditions at the worst time of the year.
The play in Athea is over again for another year and it was a great success. The hall was full for every performance, including the first night, something we have never before seen. I enjoyed my visit and I must applaud the actors from Athea Drama Group who gave great performances. Indeed it was the quality of their acting which rescued what was a play with very little substance. There is a great following for amateur dramatics at the moment as evidenced by the large crowds that attended. It is great for local actors who work so hard for months in search of perfection. There are many long cold nights spent going over and over the same scenes as well as the time spent at home learning all the lines. It takes huge commitment but it is all worthwhile when the curtain goes up and adrenalin starts flowing. At the final curtain, when the crowd are showing their appreciation, there is a great feeling of satisfaction, elation and sheer joy. I think what makes Athea a bit more special is the work of the backroom team. No detail is ignored providing a set and props with sound and lighting second to none. When I was watching, I would have given anything to be up there on that stage again. Congratulations to all and already looking forward to next year.
When Danjoe was home last week we got talking about several topics, as we do with the aid of a couple of single malts, and of course the state of the country got a good airing. The cost of housing and the exorbitant rents being charged, especially in the major cities, came up and he told me something that surprised me. In Denmark they do not have property bubbles or the boom and bust graphs that we have here. Though the cost of housing is not cheap, it is still within people’s budgets and rent prices do not fluctuate like here. One of the reasons for this is the fact that Danish people are entitled to own one house only. If you own a house, you must live in it. It cuts out the speculators and the vulture funds who buy up property to rent at the expense of families who are trying to get on the property ladder. I thought it was a brilliant idea and would make huge changes if it was applied here. I am however a realist and I know there are too many vested interests in the corridors of power to allow a gravy train to leave the station for the last time. He told me a lot more about their system that I haven’t room for here but I might return to it in the future. What I am sure of is the fact that we should be looking towards Scandinavia for our modus operandi than towards the failed capital systems of the western world that make billionaires of a few and paupers of the majority.
Time for Change
By Domhnall de Barra
When I was much younger, and working as hard as I could, I looked forward, in my mind, to the day I would reach 65 and be able to retire. Like many another I had to earn my bread by the sweat of my brow and, over the years, I have had many different jobs from teaching to digging trenches, driving all kinds of machinery, long distance lorry driving and bus driving, pipe laying, brick laying, electro plating, cultivating roses, piano tuning, playing music, supervising engineering projects overseas, working as a full time organiser for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, supervising FAS schemes, and many more as well as doing some sub-contracting and owning my own businesses ending up with printing. Not having a silver spoon in my mouth when I was born I started from scratch and Noreen and myself toiled to pay off a mortgage we got from Limerick County Council to build our own home in Cratloe in 1975. Along with this we had to put the children through college without the aid of grants so, for many years, I worked during the day and played music or taught music at night. This is no sob story as I enjoyed what I was doing but I always wished I had a little more time so you can understand why I looked forward to being 65. In the early days that seemed light years away but gradually the birthdays came and went and the years flew by, getting shorter it seemed each time, until the day came when I celebrated that noted landmark birthday. However, now that it had arrived I wasn’t ready for it and didn’t feel any different to what I had always felt so retirement was put firmly on the back burner. You could say I was eligible but not ready! By now, the house was paid for and the children had grown up and graduated so there wasn’t the same pressure to work so hard but I wanted to get up in the morning and have something to do for the day. Thank God for the health that saw me through my life. I had an anaesthetic for the first time last Friday when I had veins removed from my legs. Gradually, over the past few years I have noticed myself slowing down a little. I look in the mirror and see an older man looking back at me. The hair is almost gone and there are more wrinkles by the day but that does not bother me in the least. I do, however, realise that the time has now come for me to slow down even more and curtail some of my activities. Since I returned from England in 1972, I have immersed myself in local organisations. I am proud to say I was instrumental in bringing 10 Fleadh Cheoils to Athea since then and it looks like there will be another one next year. We also had a few TradFéiles which brought further boosts to the local economy. I can also look back with a little satisfaction on my years with Athea Drama Group, Cairde Duchais and Athea Community Council. It was a labour of love and an opportunity to serve the community and help to enhance our parish, a place I truly love for its landscape and caring people. But, all things come to an end and I have made up my mind that my time to retire has finally arrived, not at 65 but at 75 which is my next birthday. I will also be married 50 years in February. The energy simply isn’t there anymore and there are plenty of young, energetic people to take up the tasks. I, therefore, will not be seeking re-election to Athea Community Council Ltd, Athea/Old Mill/ Carrigkerry Ltd, or Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann when the AGMs come up in the near future. I will, if required, stay doing the weekly Lucky Numbers Lotto until the loan on the building is paid off and I would like to continue with the Newsletter especially since Lillian now has taken over the lion’s share of the work. I will also do a little printing but not a lot!! There are a few things I would like to do while I am still able and a few places I want to visit. No doubt I will miss the voluntary work and I thank all those who worked with me over the years. You did the major work, I was just a small cog in a very big wheel. Athea is a very special place and deserves all the accolades it receives. But it needs new blood to keep it going. There is no monetary reward in working for your locality but the satisfaction of knowing you played a part in preserving our society is worth more than mere money. If you have any spare time on your hands, please become involved. There are numerous organisations and clubs crying out for new members. You won’t regret it as I don’t, in fact I got far more out of it than I ever put into it. It is time for a change.
One has to have great sympathy for our beef farmers in their protest against the meat factories. There is no doubt that they are getting underpaid for their produce at a time when the factories and the supermarkets are cleaning up. There is no way they can continue producing beef at a loss year after year so they have every right to fight for a fair deal. However, I think they shot themselves in the foot the other day when they prevented lorries full of cattle from entering a meat plant that was expecting a visit from a Chinese delegation who were coming to inspect the premises as part of setting up a new deal to export beef to China. Because there were no cattle to slaughter the visit had to be cancelled and the deal is now in jeopardy. This helps nobody in the long run. The protesters should have held off for that day and allowed the visit to take place. They could have resumed their blockade afterwards and would have lost nothing. It is high time the government stepped in and brought some clarity to the whole affair. We cannot allow our farmers to be treated in this way and we will be the losers when they go out of business and we will be eating sub standard beef from South America.
COLBERT
William Colbert, First of 13 children : 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks, #6
Feb 12, 2019
#52AncestorsCaliforniaColbertIrelandpaternal ancestors
Prompt for 2019, week 1 — “First”.
My great-grandfather, William Cornelius (aka Willie) Colbert, was the eldest of 13 children. He was baptized on 31 January 1877, in Moanlena, Mahoonagh Parish, Co. Limerick, Ireland, to Michael Colbert and Hanora Josephine McDermott.[1]
william colbert baptism record_mahoonagh parish_limerickgenealogy
William had 7 sisters, and 5 brothers, one of whom was Con Colbert, who was executed on 8 May 1916, after the Easter Uprising.[2]
Sometime in 1890 or early 1891, the family moved from Moanlena to Athea, as William’s youngest two siblings, Dan and Bridget, were baptized at Templetathea West, Athea parish, Co. Limerick. Williams’ mother Hanora died in childbirth with the last child born, Bridget, on 17 Sep 1892.
As a young adult, Willie became attracted to a young dairy maid named Eileen Houlihan, daughter of Charles Houlihan and Anna Carmody, also of Athea, Co. Limerick. The story goes that William’s father Michael wanted no part of William being involved with Eileen, so Michael paid the passage for Eileen to go to San Francisco[3], where her older sister Margaret had immigrated to in 1897.[4]
As one might suspect, that got Michael nowhere, as Willie soon headed to San Francisco himself. I found a passenger record for a William Colbert from Athea, who traveled to New York from Queenstown on the SS Etruria in July 1899, at the age of 22[5]. That fits with what I know of my great-grandfather. It also fits with the stated immigration date given on the 1910 Federal Census.
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This and That
By Domhnall de Barra
We had a spate of funerals in the parish lately and we said goodbye to some people who had a great presence in Athea. Because of this we witnessed some of the biggest gatherings at funerals for a long time. One of those who died was a neighbour of mine, Con O’Connor from Cratloe. He was the last surviving member of a family that were well known and respected in our area. Con was a few years older than us when we were growing up but we all mixed together and he became our idol. He always dressed in the latest fashions and had a motorbike when we had only old bicycles. He worked at Michel Reidy’s shop in Abbeyfeale where he repaired bicycles, motorbikes, radios and basically anything mechanical. He also drove Michael’s hackney car at a time when few people in the country areas owned their own cars. The busiest time they had was on Sunday mornings taking people to Mass. Very often neighbours would share the car but they would sometimes have to make three or four journeys to the one Mass. Of course they all had to be taken home again afterwards and it was a bit of a rush because there was another Mass coming up and more people to be ferried. Anyway “Conneen” as we used to call him, took it all in his stride and always had a joke handy to lighten the mood. When we started to go to dances he took us to places we would never have reached, like the Rose of Tralee festival or the dance in Ballybunion during the summer. He would also give us the use of the car to do a little courting if we were lucky enough to “shift”. He loved music and Irish music in particular so he organised a session in the house in Cratloe on Saturday nights. I was in my early teens at the time and I couldn’t wait for Saturday nights to put the accordion on the carrier of the bike and cycle the short distance over through the glen and up the passage to the house. There were some fantastic nights with musicians such as Colm Danagher, Timmy Woulfe, Jack Fitzgerald, Patie Boy Hartnett, Jack Morrissey and many more playing away until the small hours of the morning. He introduced us to the tape recorder, one he got from his brother Fr. John who spent most of his life in the missions in Africa. It was the first time we heard ourselves playing but also the first time I heard my own voice. It was totally different to what I imagined it to be and to this day I still can’t listen to myself. Con’s mother was one of the Fitzgeralds from Abbeyfeale and we got to know all her relations who regularly attended the sessions – magical days. Con also loved guns and was a great marksman. He kept the pot full with game birds and at night he would roam the countryside in search of foxes. He made a living from them when there was a good bounty to be had. Eventually we all grew up and went our separate ways and lost touch. Time goes by so fast and the world that we knew disappeared. We don’t have our rambling houses anymore, more’s the pity, but I will always remember that house in Cratloe and all the help and friendship I got from Con. It is fair to say he had a big influence on me in my formative days when he was like a big brother. May he rest in peace.
Last Sunday night was a great success for the Lourdes Fundraising concert in the Church. We had an exhibition of local talent that kept the audience entertained for just over three hours along with some distinguished artistes from outside the parish who gave their time free to help raise funds to send people to Lourdes. I must admit to being a little disappointed with the attendance from our own parish. If we took out all the people who came from outside the parish the attendance would be poor enough. The admission to this concert was a meagre €10 which is just a fraction of what it would cost to see a show in any theatre. The people who stayed away don’t realise what they missed. Any way thanks to all of you who did make the effort and showed such appreciation for the performers on the night.
Fr. Duggan is to be commended for organising this event and also his committee who did great work behind the scenes. We can be proud of all the talent that exists in our parish and we should have more concerts like this to give them the platform they deserve. I did meet one woman who did not agree with having such a concert in the “house of God” as she put it. I am sure that God does not mind people being happy and enjoying themselves, after all, it was He gave us the talents we have so why would He not want us to share them with his people in His own house. Didn’t he change water into wine at a marriage feast so that the guests would enjoy themselves? By sharing our music, song and dance we are offering praise to the Lord for what he has so generously bestowed on us and, in the process, if we can help to send some deserving people on the Lourdes pilgrimage, isn’t that a bonus. Well done to all involved.
Preparations for the County Fleadh which will be held in Athea over the June bank holiday weekend are ongoing. We are currently seeking adds and articles for the programme so there will be some of our members calling to you in the near future. We ask you to support our efforts to give a big boost to our village which is highly regarded throughout the county as a home of all things traditional. We will also need lots of help at the weekend so, if you can spare an hour or two, we’d love to have you. It promises to be a great occasion.
From Liam O'Mahony
A happy New Year to all recipients of this email.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh uilig.
Firstly, four points that the officials and politicians associated with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport [DTTAS], Limerick City and County Council [LCCC] and Kerry County Council [KCC] might reflect upon:
1] Why had the home page of the website (http://www.dttas.ie/tourism/english/greenways) only featured promotional videos of the Mayo, Waterford and Westmeath Greenways while omitting the link (https://youtu.be/zGDnCBpslEY which was commissioned by LCCC)? [The DTTAS website was only updated after GST Ltd. contacted the Department a fortnight ago]
2] How is it that EuroVelo route1 signage can be found along local roads in Wexford and Waterford but not in Limerick? The attached photo (Pic5) was taken recently in the Waterford Gaeltacht at a location some 15km from the Waterford Greenway. It is directing cyclists along a coastal route to Ardmore. It is also about 15km from the Great Southern Greenway Rathkeale Trailhead to Adare and LCCC have failed to provide signage along quiet local roads to this historic village despite several requests by the Great Southern Trail Ltd.
3] With the hopeful expectation that KCC will be successful in their funding applications for Listowel and Fenit could they undertake any necessary clearance of vegetation etc. in the early months of 2019 to avoid being delayed by habitat regulations during the summer months.
4] Will LCCC and KCC refrain from titles such as 'Great Southern Greenway Limerick', 'North Kerry Greenway' and 'Tralee-Fenit Greenway' to avoid confusing visitors? Why not use "Great Southern Trail Greenway'' throughout to illustrate that the route is a nature trail rich in flora and fauna as well as acknowledging its origins when the "Great Southern Trail" was planned as Ireland's first long distance rail-trail thirty years ago? (See www.southerntrail.net)
As the year 2018 drew to a close approximately 100 people of all ages enjoyed the annual 27th December Great Southern Trail Greenway Christmas Walk/Cycle organised by GST Ltd. This year the chosen route was the 9km from Tullig Wood (Templeglantine) to Abbeyfeale. The participants were ferried to the starting point by Coach House Travel courtesy coach thanks to Phelim & Margaret Kinahan and the ever obliging driver, Pat Liston. The weather was spring-like and enabled everyone to admire and enjoy the surrounding countryside. At journey's end there were copious quantities of delicious mince pies to be enjoyed in the homely atmosphere of Leen's Hotel and the personal attention of Olive, Mary and the team.
We welcome the commencement of works by LCCC to reconnect the Barnagh Tunnel with the main Greenway and look forward to celebrating this event in the springtime D.V.
A New Year Dawns, by Domhnall de Barra
So, we begin a new year and as usual we make our list of resolutions that we firmly believe we will stick to for the foreseeable future. It is a natural reaction after a period of celebration, eating rich food and overindulging in the alcohol department. For those of us who are used to working every day and have regular eating habits it is totally unnatural to be inactive for any period of time and although we look forward to the time when we have nothing to do, when it actually comes we don’t know what to do with ourselves. If we are honest, most of us are glad when Christmas is over and we can return to what resembles normality. We do of course want to make our lives better, hence the new year resolutions. We go on diets, give up beer and cigarettes, chocolates and sweets etc. The only thing they all have in common is that the vast majority of resolutions fail. We mean well starting off but we are only human after all and, bit by bit, we return to our old habits. Perhaps we are making the wrong kind of resolutions. Instead of dealing with material things we could try to be better to our families, friends and neighbours. It will not cost us anything and will give us that “feel good ” factor that enriches all our lives. The new year brings us hope, an expectation that things will be better from now on. The longest night has passed and each new day brings a little more daylight. Hope is really what keeps us going. It was so important to the people who came before us who lived through troubled times. When they had very little material wealth and struggled to make ends meet they always had the hope, through their religious beliefs, that there was a better life to come when their suffering would be over and they would enjoy happiness in Heaven. While we have hope we get the will to carry on and it keeps us going.
My hope, this year, is that the political turmoil we have at the moment will cease and we will not career down the slippery slope into chaos. In recent years, politics has failed us, giving us Brexit, Donald Trump and a host of left wing politicians who want to return to the philosophies of people like Adolf Hitler. Brexit is the direct result of miscalculation by the British government who sought to appease a group of Tory MPs who still believe that “Britannia rules the waves” and England is still the greatest nation in the world. They wanted to pull out of Europe so the easiest thing to do was to have a referendum which, in the government’s reckoning, had no chance of being passed. They were so complacent about it that they did not put up a proper defence against the blatant lies that were being told to the British public by people like Boris Johnson, one of the most educated buffoons in the world. Now it is a complete mess and nobody knows how it will all end. My fear is that a return to a hard border of any kind will plunge this island into a war of terrorism once again. People do have long memories and there are those who are just waiting for an excuse to resume hostilities. So, I hope common sense will prevail and we will reach a settlement that will not impinge on the livelihoods of people either in Ireland or the UK.
The election of Donald Trump was another major surprise to everybody, including the pollsters who had predicted a comfortable win for Hillary Clinton. He has brought the art of politics to an all time low. He is basically an uncouth, ignorant man who has no respect for his opponents and very little for his allies. What a contrast he is to the great men who have held that high office in the past who knew how to speak and how to negotiate with other leaders around the world without resorting to insults and name calling. My hope is that the American people will somehow get rid of him and bring us back to some semblance of decency.
I want 2019 to be the year we start to deal in a serious way with asylum seekers. At the moment, those unfortunate people who have paid their life savings to unscrupulous pirates to ferry them across the Mediterranean in an attempt to escape the brutality of war are in what we call “direct provision”. It is no more than open prison where there are no rights to earn a living or contribute to the community. Some of them are in this situation for years and years. How can it possibly take 8 years to process an application for asylum? We need to treat these people with respect. It has often been said to me “we can’t house or look after our own so why should we do it for foreigners”? Let us get one thing out of the way; there is no housing crisis in Ireland; there is a crisis in the major centres like Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway but there are thousands of vacant houses throughout rural Ireland. At the last count there were over 50 in Athea parish alone. Some of them are not in great shape but there are also quite a lot that would need very little work to make them habitable. Would it not be better to have people living in all these houses, raising families that will enrich our society and ensure a future for our schools and local businesses. Does it really matter what the colour of their skin is or what religion they follow, if any? Irish people left these shores in droves after the famine. How would we feel if they had not been welcomed in places like America, England and Australia and were instead put into “direct provision” for years waiting to know if they could stay or be deported. All it takes is the political will to act and I sincerely hope this is the year we see a change.
I hope you all have a very happy New Year.
NEW YEAR
At the sound of the tolling midnight bell
a brand new year will begin.
Let’s raise our hopes in a confident toast,
to the promise it ushers in.
May your battles be few, your pleasures many,
your wishes and dreams fulfilled.
May your confidence stand in the face of loss
and give you the strength to rebuild.
May peace of heart fill all your days
may serenity grace your soul.
May tranquil moments bless your life
and keep your spirit whole.
Author Unknown
July 2018
THE WILD WEST
By Domhnall de Barra
As I mentioned last week I was in Seattle for a few days visiting my son Sean and his wife Marie. Sean is employed by Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, who have over 80,000 people working for them in the area. Other major employers include Amazon, Microsoft and Google, to name but a few. The area is developing at an alarming rate but it still maintains its own unique identity. Situated on a lake, close to the mountains, Seattle is a beautiful place which is steeped in history. Of course the land was taken from the Indians but the tribes still exist and all the areas are named after them, even the city itself which was named after Chief Seattle.
It got me thinking about the fascination we had, as youngsters, for the “wild west” and all things to do with America. We spent hours pretending we were cowboys or Indians shooting each other with makeshift guns or bows and arrows. Our curiosity was whetted by comic books and old films that portrayed our heroes and villains in stark contrast. The “baddies” always wore black while the “goodies” had, at least, a white hat. Every young boy had a collection of comics that could be swopped for other ones when they had been read a few dozen times. The favourites included; Hop-along Cassidy, Gene Autrey who carried a guitar and sang cowboy songs, Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto, Roy Rogers who had a horse that performed tricks called Trigger, Buffalo Bill, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, The Cisco Kid and many more. The comics were not easy to come by as money was very tight and they were expensive at the time but we saved our pennies and when we had enough we headed for the paper shop and couldn’t wait to get home and read every line from cover to cover. As soon as we had devoured every picture and word we were out around the fields imitating the actions of our heroes. We even had the lingo down pat, terms like “stick ‘em up”, “not so fast”, “howdy partner” and “so long” could be heard from young mountainy boys with a good imitation of a western drawl. The comics were good but the “pictures” were better. Every so often, travelling groups would come and set up in a field near Cratloe creamery and show films every night for a week or so. Most of these films were westerns and of course we were enthralled by them. Those films bring back great memories. The projector was powered by a generator that worked of a petrol engine. You could hear this engine chugging away as the images appeared on the white screen at the other end of the tent. Black streaky lines continually ran up and down the screen and the old projector would sometimes stop altogether but it did not interfere with our enjoyment. The noise was sometimes deafening as we cheered on the sheriff as he chased one of the baddies at breakneck speed on horseback to the accompaniment of music that complimented the rhythm of the horses hooves and the many dangers on the way. When it was all over we walked home discussing the film we had seen and surmising what might have happened if a horse hadn’t fallen or a bullet had not been diverted buy the sheriff’s badge!!
Those films gave us a very bad image of the wild west and what it was really like. It treated the Red Indians very unfairly and portrayed them as blood thirsty savages whose only aim in life was to kill and scalp the white men. In general the Indians were a noble race who lived a nomadic life following the buffalo and the elk as they roamed the vast prairies. The men hunted the animals for food and skins which they used to make their tee pees and clothing. The only killed what they needed and never killed for pleasure. The tribes had their own regions but sometimes there might be disputes over certain areas and trouble would ensue between neighbouring tribes.
There was rivalry between them and sometimes raiding parties would be dispatched to steal horses. This action provoked a similar response until the dispute got out of hand and outright war loomed. This was usually settled by talking or havin a “pow wow” as they called it, but if differences could not be resolved a battle between the tribes would occur. Nobody got hurt in these battles. They had a system called “counting coup” which was simple enough. Once a warrior was touched by an opponent he had to retire from the battle and take no further part. The tribe who got the most touches won and peace was restored. It is true however that they did take up arms against the early settlers who were after all trying to take their lands ad way of life and some of the exchanges did become quite savage. I suppose their way of life could not be maintained forever and “progress” meant land had to be used more efficiently but they were a proud, noble, artistic people who should be held in high esteem. In our innocent youth we did not think of them as human beings as such and in our imagination we shot hundreds of them. Around Seattle, the tribes own all the gambling casinos and in an ironic twist, when the city needed money for development they were able to give them a big loan – nice one! As one native said “the white man took everything from us but we are getting it all back, bet by bet”.
Abbeyfeale 2018
FINBAR WRIGHT: Tickets are selling fast for tenor, songwriter and poet Finbar Wright’s concert on Friday, February 9. He has only two Irish concert dates in his diary for 2018 and the first one is here in Abbeyfeale at the Church of the Assumption on Friday, February 9 so why not give a gift of a wonderful evening of music and song to someone you love and build up some kudos for Valentine’s Day. This is the man that has sung before Popes, Presidents, Kings and Queens, with the Irish Tenors, appeared on Good Morning America, sung with Kiri Te Kanawa and the late Jerry Lee Lewis and now he’s coming to Abbeyfeale to celebrate the Jubilee year of the Church of the Assumption. Profits from these annual concerts are used to support the youth of the parish through the youth ministry, youth clubs, and trips to Lourdes etc so parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles come out and support your young people. Doors open 7pm and show will commence at 8pm. Tickets available in numerous outlets as well as on the ticket line 089/4356981 where you can leave a message if you wish to place an order.
William Upton 1845
ArdaghLimerick
Edit
William Upton, carpenter, Fenian, novelist, poet and rural labourers' leader was born on 27 August 1845 in the village of Ardagh, Co. Limerick, one of eight children born to Frank Upton (1799-1881) and Catherine Nolan (1800?-1854). Frank, a carpenter, and his Catherine had married locally in 1829.
The Upton’s were artisans and Roman Catholic but their forebears, just a few generations back, had been Protestant landholders. It is unclear precisely why or how William Upton's line became tradesmen but it is probable that the marriage of his Protestant grandfather, Edward (born 1742), to a Catholic named Mary Dunworthy (or Dunworth) led to a familial exclusion.
William became a carpenter and cabinetmaker, and in common with many young nationalist artisans he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood during the mid-1860's. On March 5th 1867,as part of the ill-fated rising, he joined Limerick Fenians in an attack on Ardagh police barracks. Police reports identified him as one of the leaders and as having organised efforts to burn out the barracks when the frontal assault failed.
Following the failure of the rising, Upton went on the run, travelling to Roscommon and using the pseudonym William Cleary - he later incorporated 'Cleary' into his name, becoming William C. Upton from the 1870's. He was arrested as a suspect under his false name and spent a month in jail but was released without his true identity being discovered (2).
A reward was offered for his arrest and a description published in Hue and Cry on 4 June 1867: Upton - 23 years old, 5 ft 10 inches, stout make, fair complexion, round face, blue eyes, regular nose, fair hair, small fair whiskers, wore a dark tweed coat, cord trousers, light tweed vest, very good looking, walks very erect, is a carpenter by trade. Upton escaped to the US where he remained for more than two years, returning to Ardagh in late September 1869.
Local police immediately requested permission to arrest him but, although they were instructed to 'keep a close watch on his movements’, he was never charged with involvement in the 1867 rising, apparently because the informer who was to give evidence had already left the country (3).
On 1 November 1874 he married Mary Barrett (1854-1913) of Knockfinisk, Athea, and built a house in Ardagh village where he established himself as a small-scale building contractor. Upton remained active in local Fenianism throughout the 1870's and joined the Land League on its emergence. He was particularly concerned with the plight of the rural labourers and from at least 1880, spoke out on their behalf.
In October 1880 he was the central figure behind the formation of the Ardagh Labour League, which demanded a cottage, and acre, and fixity of tenure for rural labourers. The Ardagh League was one of the many formed throughout Munster during the 'land war', and Upton was a close friend of P.F. Johnson, the Kanturk-based rural labourers' advocate, and Daniel Histon, a tenant-farmer from Shanagolden and leading figure in the rural labour movement. Upton was one of the key activists behind the founding of the Munster Labour League in May 1881, and the following month he was part of a labourers' delegation to London to lobby the Chief Secretary for Ireland.
In September he attended the Land League national convention in Dublin, representing rural workers, although he was later critical of the Land League's neglect of the labourers. Upton's greatest and most innovative contribution to the agitation came with the publication of Uncle Pat's Cabin or Life among the Labourers of Ireland (Gill and Son, Dublin 1882), probably the first Irish social-realist novel written by a worker, The book depicts the life and conditions of a labourer called Pat McMahon.
A review in the Nation described it as a work of 'angry discontent': We cannot for a moment doubt that he gives voice to the feelings and ideas of at least the labourers of his own district, and we must perforce conclude that the most bitter discontent, not only with the conditions of their lives, but with the mass of farmers around them, fiercely seethes amongst them.
Their language is nearly always the language of complaint or denunciation, or of resolve to tolerate no longer the hardships and humiliation that beset them (4). It was not particularly well-written (Upton later admitted to writing it in six weeks) and was penned primarily as a piece of social agitation. in general, it was well received and in 1887 Gill and Son published another book by Upton, Cuchulain: the Story of his Combats at the Ford: A Dramatic Poem. Upton had written poetry and songs during the 1870's and continued to do so throughout his life.
In the late 1880's the Upton family emigrated to the US and settled in New York, where William lived until his death on 8 January 1925. He and Mary had ten children, Francis,Hannah, Edward, James, Kathleen, Minnie, Lillian, William, John and Robert and there are now many descendants in America. In 1914 he published a revised version of Uncle Pat's Cabin in New York, adding a preface that claimed implausibly that the novel had impelled the enactment of the 1883 Labourers' Act. Nonetheless, and despite its literary weaknesses, Upton's forgotten novel remains an important early example of working-class literature in the cause of social reform. Fintan Lane.
Notes: (2) Maighread McGrath, "His book helped free the Irish slaves", Irish Independent, 3 May 1965; Desmond Shanid, "William Upton: the forgotten literary Fenian of Ardagh", Limerick Leader, 3 November 1956. (3) National Archives, Fenian files, police report from Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, 3 October 1869, 4696R.
(4) Nation, 7 October 1882.
Courtesy of Johnny Upton - John Upton
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Limerick People
Who was Patrick O’Brien – The Blind Piper
Posted by Sharon Slater | Jun 2, 2014 | People & Genealogy, Who was? | 0
blind piper
Artist: Joseph Haverty 1844
Patrick O’Brien was born in Labasheeda, Co. Clare to a prosperous farming family. He was well educated and fluent in Greek and Latin. By the age of 26 he was completely blind and like many blind people of his time took to music as his full time profession. He played the uilleann pipe (also known as Union Pipe), which are a traditional Irish pipe “píobaí uilleann” (literally, “pipes of the elbow”), from their method of inflation.
He moved to Limerick City where he attempted to make his name and although he would not become renowned on the professional circuit he would become well known as a street performer. His usual spot was on the corner of Hartstonge Street and George Street (O’Connell Street).
He lived in the Englishtown area, in Pump Lane off Nicholas Street.
He had two daughters, one of whom is supposedly immortalised in the painting by Joseph Haverty in 1844. The original is held in the National Gallery of Ireland.
He slipped on ice in 1854 when he was 93 year old. During the following year, without being able to perform he became destitute and one of his daughter had to tend for him full time. She had to pawn many of her belongings to tend to him. There was a call out to assist her in the Limerick Chronicle Obituary at the time of Patrick’s death. He was buried in Kilquane, Parteen, Co. Clare in December 1855.
ROCHE O BRIEN
William Roche was born in Limerick in 1775 to Stephen Roche and Sarah O’Brien in Limerick. His father was the son of John Roche, a Limerick merchant, and his mother was the heir to large estates in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick and Tuam in Galway.
His uncle, Philip Roche, built the Mardyke Warehouse in 1787, which is now known as the Granary. The street sign he inserted during construction can still be seen today.
His brothers, George and James, set up a wine exporting company from Bordeaux, France. James was imprisoned for 6 months in France during the French Revolution.
After his release James returned to Ireland where he set up a bank in Cork with another brother, Stephen.
William set up a bank in Limerick with his brother Thomas, with whom he would remain in business with for over 20 years.
William died unmarried and childless on 27 April 1850, his obituary was recorded in the Limerick Chronicle.
TOM McKessy
The caption with the image mentions that her husband arrived in New York in September 1925. The family were going to the Bronx
http://limerickslife.com/mckessy/
Thomas McKessy’s (14 May 1876 – 1945) married Sarah Collins (25 September 1880-1966) in 23 October 1897 when he was 21 and she was 17. They had a total of 21 children.
The 10 who arrived with their mother travelled vie Cobh and were named from left to right as :
Johnanna – 20 May 1909 – 1972, also called Joan
John – 26 May 1910 – 1987
Dennis – 1912 – 1930
Lizzie – 14 December 1913 also called Lillian
Katherine – 30 November 1914 – 2002, also called Catherine
Bridget – 19 February 1916 – 1989
Eugene – 31 March 1918 – 1998
Daniel – 9 September 1919 – 2005 also called Donald
Ita – 3 August 1921 – 1957, also called Ita Finbar
Cecilia (in her mother’s arms) – 22 November 1922 – 1993, died as Cecilia Mary Donnelly
By 1929 when Sarah was applying for her citizenship 5 more of her children were living in New York:
Thomas 30 June 1899 – 1980
Sarah 23 Jul 1902
Margaret 27 Aug 1903
William 19 Jan 1906 – 1982
Hanora 3 Feb 1907 – 1991
Only one of the McKessy children remained in Ireland:
Mary 1898 – married in 1923, Stayed in Ireland
Five had passed away:
Hannah 1901 – 1901
Margaret 1901 – 1901
Patrick 11 Mar 1908-1908
Unknown died between 1911-1926
Unknown died between 1911-1926
(The dates of birth for the children varied slightly on each record)
Father – In 1911 Census of Ireland – Thomas was a Tailor and Shop Keeper in South Quay, Newcastle West.
Mother – In 1901 Census of Ireland Sarah was living alone with her two eldest children, Mary and Thomas, in Maiden Street, Newcastle West.
By 1930 Census of America the parents and a number of the children were living in the Bronx and Thomas was working as a railway agent.
http://limerickslife.com/category/limerick-people/
DANCING DOWN THE YEARS
Domhnall de Barra
Dancing is probably one of the oldest forms of artistic expression and has functions that may be social, ceremonial, competitive, erotic, martial, or sacred/liturgical. Archaeological evidence for early dance includes 9,000-year-old paintings in India at the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, and Egyptian tomb paintings depicting dancing figures, dated c. 3300 BC .
My own experience of dance doesn’t quite go back that far but I remember watching old Western movies depicting Red Indians dancing around camp fires to the sound of chanting and the beat of bodhrán-like instruments. Most primitive tribes had their own war dances, rain dances, wedding dances etc. and the custom has developed over the years to what we have today. There are basically two types of dance; one which is performed solo or in a group for the entertainment of others and social dancing where people dance in couples for enjoyment. It is in our nature to dance, or at least to keep time to music. When a lively tune is played most people will tap their feet in time. Dancing is just a natural extension of that.
When we were growing up dancing played a huge part in our lives. The dance hall was one of the few places where boy could meet girl and we looked forward all the week to the dance on Sunday night. Before we could venture onto the floor some dance steps had to be learned. You wouldn’t get very far with a girl if the first thing you did was stand on her toes or kick her in the shin!! Older brothers and sisters were very useful in this regard and many is the dance that was practiced on the kitchen floor. Neighbours would also lend a hand passing on their artistic knowledge but it was a nerve-racking experience in the beginning.
In those days, unlike now, people actually danced together and there were different steps for the various dances. Waltzes, foxtrots, quicksteps, military two steps, sambas, tangos were only part of what might be played by the band on a particular night and, at that time, no night’s dancing was complete without at least one Siege of Ennis and the local polka. So, there was a lot to learn before picking up enough courage to ask a lady to dance. Most of us had only a few basic steps of the simpler dances to start with and picked up the others as we went along.
I was extremely lucky on my first voyage to meet a local girl who was slightly older than me who took me under her wing and had great patience with my clumsy efforts at the waltz. I was a quick learner and, with a bit of confidence, I soon became confident enough to hold my own to most dance rhythms. It was the custom at the time for the ladies to gather on one side of the hall and the gents to congregate on the other.
When a dance was announced there was a rush across the floor to get a partner. The gents always did the asking and, though it was frowned upon by dance hall owners, ladies sometimes refused. Having made the crossing and been refused one was in a dilemma. Should the quest for a dancing partner continue by asking the next nearest lady and risk a further humiliating refusal or return to the other side of the hall under the gaze of everybody. We soon got cute and would pre-book a dance partner before the next dance was called. This avoided the dreaded charge across the floor and the chance of further disappointment. After a while there were regular ladies that we danced to every night. They might be going out with somebody else, so might you, but we danced for the love of it and enjoyed every minute of it.
Time moved on and the influence of modern music added new dances that were different to what we were used to. “Rock and Roll” was one of the first that required totally different movements to what we were used to. This was followed by “jiving” where the man stood dancing in the same place twirling a lady under his outstretched arm. This dance became very popular and is still danced today.
The next craze that came along was really the first one where there was no contact between the dancing couples. It was called the “Twist” and it lasted for a good while. Other dances came along that did not require contact between couples and this gradually has led to the disco dancing that has taken over from the formal dancing we knew.
The good thing about disco dancing is that no formal learning is required and dancers are able to make up their own movements as they go along. It is almost a return to the primitive tribal dancing of old so it might have come full circle!
In recent years there has been a resurgence in old style dancing, particularly set dancing and social dancing. Classes are available all over the country for those who want to brush up on the skills they had in their youth or those who want to learn for the first time.
The classes are a great social occasion as well and there is great craic amongst those attending. We are lucky in Athea to have three great dance teachers, Timmy Woulfe, John Joe Tierney and Josephine O’Connor. Their classes will be commencing again an a few weeks time so there is no excuse for anyone who wants to learn a few steps and meet new friends at the same time.
Abbeyfeale’s Louisiana Tiger: A Confederate Veteran Returns to Ireland
This was the headline in a Kerry newspaper in 1915. The confederate veteran in question was Maurice O'Donnell.
Maurice’s demise in 1915 was noted in at least two Irish newspapers. The Freemans Journal of 25th March 1915 recorded that he ‘took part in the American Civil War, having fought with the Southern armies, and became partially disabled for life in one of the closing battles.‘ A more detailed account of Maurice appeared in the Killarney Echo and South Kerry Chronicle of 27th March 1915:
DEATH OF A CIVIL WAR VETERAN– One of the few old natives of the town dropped off during the week in the person of Mr. Maurice O’Donnell of Chapel St., who died after a protracted illness in his 87th year. The deceased took part in the American Civil War in which he practically lost the use of one of his legs. He fought unfortunately on the Southern side and so was disentitled to a pension. This was all the more keenly calamitous as being forced in his latter days to see his interest in the house he lived in he was debarred from realising the purchase amount by the landlord’s trustees who reside in England and resisted his right to dispose of a yearly tenancy. The old veteran who was under notice to Quit at the time of his death deeply deplored his inability to see the matter out before his exit. Deceased belonged to the O’Donnells who were one of the oldest of the native families and who are said to have come from the north originally with Red Hugh O’Donnell, and settled down all over the south after the rout at Kinsale.
ABBEYFEALE An Account in 1837, by Samuel Lewis, a parish, in the Glenquin Division of the barony of UPPER CONNELLO, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 10 miles (W. by S.) from Newcastle, on the mail coach road from Limerick to Tralee; containing 4242 inhabitants, of which number, 607 are in the village.
This place obviously derives its name from a Cistertian abbey founded here, in 1188, by Brien O'Brien, and from its situation on the river Feale: the abbey, in 1209, became a cell to that of Monasternanagh, or Nenay, in the barony of Pubblebrien.
The village, situated in a wild mountainous district, was almost inaccessible, but since the construction of the new lines of road, great alterations have taken place; great improvement in the condition of the people has resulted from the facilities thus afforded of taking their little produce to market; and the inhabitants are now industriously and profitably employed.
Here is a large and commodious hotel, and some respectable houses, but the greater number are thatched cabins. The village has a penny post dependent on Newcastle, and is a constabulary police station.
Fairs are held on the 29th of June and Sept. 24th, chiefly for cattle, sheep, and pigs.
The parish comprises 17,659 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which 1620 acres are arable, 12,800 pasture, and about 3500 waste land and bog: a considerable portion of the waste land is gradually being brought into cultivation, and the system of agriculture is steadily improving.
From long previous neglect, the lands in many parts have become marshy and cold, and in some places are covered to the depth of several feet with a loose turbary, which, in the total absence of timber, affords excellent fuel, of which great quantities are sent to Newcastle, whence limestone is brought in return and is burnt with coal of indifferent quality procured here for that purpose only.
The farms have generally large dairies, and a considerable quantity of butter is sent to Cork and Limerick. On the great line of road from Limerick to Tralee is Wellesley bridge, a handsome structure, about a mile and a half to the west of the village; and at the same distance to the east is Goulburn bridge.
The new line of road leading through the heart of the mountains from Abbeyfeale to Glin, a distance of 12 miles, was opened after the spring assizes of 1836, previously to which there was scarcely any possibility of access to this secluded district, which for that reason was, in the year 1822, selected as their head-quarters by the Rockites, who dated their proclamations From our camp at Abbeyfeale.
The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Limerick, and in the patronage of Lord Southwell, during whose legal incapacity the Crown presents; the rectory is impropriate in Richard Ellis and Thomas G. Bateman, Esqrs.
The tithes amount to £320, payable to the impropriators; the clerical duties of the parish are performed by the curate of an adjoining parish, who is paid by Lord Southwell. The church, a small edifice in the early English style, with a lofty square tower, was erected near the village in 1812, for which the late Board of First Fruits gave £800.
There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel, situated in the village, was erected on the site of the ancient monastery, a small portion of which is incorporated with it. There are four pay schools, in which are about 100 boys and 50 girls.
On the bank of the river, one mile from the village, are the ruins of Purt Castle, built by a branch of the Geraldine family, to command the pass of the Feale; it is strongly built, and occupies a bold situation.
Athea Graves
http://historicgraves.com/graveyard/temple-athea/li-tpat
Scollard Grave
LI-TPAT-0141 LI-TPAT-0141
Ellen Scollard (O'Connor)
John Scollard
Patrick Scollard
Dan Scollard
Dan Scollard
Maureen Scollard (Sheahan)
Catherine O Mullane mother of Daniel O Connel
By Donie O Sullivan | Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Catherine O Mullane, Mother of Daniel O Connell the Liberator. The O Mullane’s were significant Catholic landowners in Brittas townland in the parish which is about 2 miles from the graveyard. They lost most of their holding in the Cromwellian confiscations and moved to Whitechurch where Catherine was born in 1752. The Lombards got some of this land but returned their share to the O Mullanes during the next generation. Her father, John, was born in Brittas and for some unknown reason Catherine was buried in the family tomb in Kilshannig when she died in 1817.
Denny John Wynn first winner of Aintree Grand National
By | Tuesday, March 5, 2013
This is reputed to be the burial place of Denny John Wynn who rode the first Irish winner of the Aintree Grand National in 1847 on a horse called "Mathew" owned by John Courtney of Ballymagooley near Mallow. Denny was killed in a riding accident in 1858.His son Joe took up the sport and rode in his first Grand National in 1862.On the morning of the race he got word that his sister died back in Kilshannig but he insisted in proceeding in honour of his father. Tragedy struck at the "Chair" fence in view of the grandstand when he was seriously injured in an accident and died shortly afterwards.
Graveyard: Newberry (Kilshannig)
Drommahane, Cork
Ardagh Chalice
http://historicgraves.com/story/ardagh-chalice-connection
SAMPLE: 5. Anthony Walsh must have been well known to John Ryan of Danganmore who is buried here and his brothers, particularly the Chevalier Edmund Ryan; all Kilkenny men As also, without doubt, another Kilkenny man, Captain John Hennessy, also of the Irish Brigade in France, who is buried not far from here at Derrynahinch.
6. Service in the French Army was an important career move for young men such as John Ryan and his brothers James and Edmund. Certainly John fought against the English at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 and Fontenoy in 1745 ( as part of the Wars of the Austrian Succession). Fontenoy is still remembered as it was the valour of the Irish Brigade that won the battle for the French King, against the traditional foe of England.
http://historicgraves.com/story/ryan-family-danganmore-wild-geese
The Right Rev. Bishop Patrick ‘O Connor
By | Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Like the Carroll’s and Meany’s, the O’Connor’s have a long history with the townland of Clonea, all three families also have a great tradition with the R.C Church.
Patrick O’ Connor was born during the darkest period of Ireland’s history at Knock’ West, Clonea Co Waterford. He was born in a house that was steeped in tradition and religion on Christmas day of 1848.
His three uncles who were priests, Joseph, Patrick and Gerard Meany were all born in the same house. His aunt was Mother superior
http://historicgraves.com/story/right-revbishop-patrick-%E2%80%98o-connor
The Sarsfield's of Abbeyside-(A nautical journey in time)
By Eddie Cantwell | Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Commander Eugene Sarsfield.
Commander Eugene Sarsfield. Commander Eugene S. Sarsfield Playground encompasses an entire block which is bounded by East 38th Street, Avenue M, Flatlands Avenue, and Ryder Street in Brooklyn. It is quite an extensive park and playground. There is no doubt but many Dungarvan people have passed this parkland over the years not realising the connection that it has with their native townland. In 1949 the entire property was named after Commander Eugene Sarsfield, whose family lived nearby at ‘Avenue M’. The park was officially dedicated in 1949 and was attended by the widow of Eugene Sarsfield, Anne, (Gartland), and their two young daughters, Anne and Mary-Elizabeth. The Park,
http://historicgraves.com/story/sarsfield-s-abbeyside-nautical-journey-time
Mary was born in 1970 and was raised along with her five siblings in the North Kerry village of Ballylongford.
Mary Kennelly studied theology and history at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. She studied for the Higher Diploma in Education in University College Galway. In recent times she undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support and Special Educational Needs in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. She has just completed her Masters degree in Educational Management in Waterford Institute of Technology.
She teaches in Presentation Secondary School, Listowel, Co. Kerry. She also works for the Special Education Support Service. She worked in the Arts for many years including time with Writers’ Week Listowel and the Brendan Kennelly Summer Festival. She has written features for a number of publications including ‘The Kerryman’, ‘The Sunday Independent’ and ‘The Sunday Tribune’. She has edited a number of publications. In 2004 she published ‘Sunny Spells, Scattered Showers’ a collection of poetry and paintings with the artist Rebecca Carroll. In 2010 she published another body of work, ‘From the Stones’, a collection of poetry and paintings with the renowned artist Brenda Fitzmaurice.
Mary currently lives in Glin, Co. Limerick with her husband Gus and their three children Ruth, Matthew and Caleb.
The Munster News and Limerick and Clare advocate
Wednesday August 24, 1887
http://www.from-ireland.net/newspaper-munster-news-limerick-clare/
Father Shannon and the drought (River Shannon in drought)
”How long has you on this planet my man?”
”Well, I was born in the year 1799, sir.”
Then you are 88 years of age. Now, tell me did you ever see the Shannon so low during all that time?
Well, sir, I know it well ; I was thirty years boss of a canal boat and I ought to know, and I never saw so little water in the river before.”
The scene of the foregoing conversation was the south bank of the Shannon at Killaloe ; the day, Sunday last, and the speakers a very old country man, and the citizens of Limerick who related the occurrence to us. He was expressing his wonder at the state to which the mighty Shannon was reduced all the way down
to limerick, and he could have applied his words to its condition for many miles below the city as well. It is so shallow at Killaloe, and at places near Castleconnell that it is really almost possible to walk across dry shod. At Limerick, about Corbally and below, between the bridges, there are also
extraordinary shallows or complete absence of water ; but still farther down is a more astonishing result of the drought, for at one point of the river about a mile below the quays, the mud has so silted up, that if it had consistency enough to bear, a person might walk from one bank to the other. Of course this
is entirely the result of the continued dry weather, the falling away in the quantities water in the upper stretches of the river and complete drying up of some of its tributaries. It is more remarkable at present than before as the Spring tides strip to such a great extent, and when they are now coming in they rush up headed by a (boar) at a rate that sweeps mud and everything else before them at a furious pace. During the first hour of the tide on Saturday and Sunday, the water must have risen nearly nine feet at the quays, but when it had fully ebbed again the beds and banks cleared as before. We read in an old history before us that as far back as 1667 Father Shannon conducted himself in a somewhat similar style and a poetic record in its pages says :-
“A drought excessive came, it was so great.
The Shannon from the city did retreat,
The Mayor and many more upon dry ground,
Outside the walls on foot did walk around”
There would be no difficulty in accomplishing this feat now, for as many years beyond the ambit which was then marked by ramparts, there is no water whatsoever. So little is there to oppose the incoming tide, that within the past week salt or brackish water ran right up to Sarsfield bridge ; and the same
old history tells us that this occurred in 1723 when “there was so little rain that year that salt water fish came up to the quay and ling was taken between the two towers” That was as far up as Thomond bridge. Sixty two years later than that the history in 1785 “The summer of this year was so remarkably dry
and warm there was scarcely any water in the Shannon between Baal’s Bridge and the new bridge, in which place numbers of eels, flat fish and salmon peale were taken by boys out of the bed of the river” But that was before the day of gas, for when they began to make it at Watergate and let the tar run in to the
stream they so poisoned its bed that all fish forsook it. The most serious results though are the accumulation of mud which the uprushes of the tide have left abreast of the quays. There are now some four feet of water on the sill of the Floating Dock, whilst outside the pier-head the mud has formed a bar right across to the north shore. It is hoped that the winter floods will sweep the hundreds of thousands of tons of mud away to the depths from whence it came, but to look at it now this seems scarcely possible. The Harbour Engineer calculates that some couple of millions of tons of mud have shifted up stream since the first of June. No doubt he is right, and it will require large outlays and hard work with the dredgers to get the channel back to its normal condition.
The Munster News and Limerick and Clare advocate Wednesday August 24, 1887
House of Commons – yesterday
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying to Mr. Cox, said that £5,000 assigned for the
Encouragement of horse and cattle breeding in Ireland would be paid to the Royal Dublin
Society, whose show now being held at Ballsbridge was he was glad to say likely to be a special success in consequence of the prospect of assistance to be given by the
Government.
Irish National League.
Carrickerry Branch
The Rev. J. Ambrose presided. The case of Maurice Culhane whose cattle were seized on by his landlord, was considered, when it was proposed by Denis Lynch and seconded by Denis Liston ; “That having considered the case of Mrs. Widow T. Culhane and her treatment at the hands of her landlords, Mr. Alexander Tallis Yielding and Mrs. Hugh Yielding (the wife of Mr. Hugh E. Yielding of Newpark, Croagh, in the county of Limerick), we respectfully ask the committee of the Kilcoman branch of the League to afford us an opportunity for a consultation with a view to bringing public opinion to bear upon the landlords for their action in accumulating costs to the amount of £18 upon a rent of £25, in seizing only £50 or £60 worth of cattle to satisfy same.”
“That the Rev. Chairman be deputed to communicate with the Kilcolman branch to arrange time and place of proposed conference which he very kindly consented to do”
Taken from “The Munster News and Limerick and Clare Advocate”,
April 2, 1887
Truth is Stranger than Fiction
Yes, at times it is, and that reminds me of another saying from the North of England; “there’s nowt as queer as folk”. The following tale, which is absolutely true, illustrates the point.
Two neighbours from Abbeyfeale worked together buying and selling anything that would make a few bob that was badly needed to finance their tendency to frequent various bars in the town. They weren’t much good at it and were very often broke. One night in the pub they overheard the owner saying that he was in the market for a singing bird, a Canary to be precise. He said he wouldn’t mind paying a good price for the right bird which was very rare at the time. They put their heads together and after a few enquiries they found out that there was a man in Rathkeale, Mike Quilligan of Roche’s Road, who bred the very type of bird that was required. Unaccustomed as they were to travelling such distances they got the old pick-up ready and the following morning headed off to Rathkeale to purchase the canary and make a tidy profit. It wasn’t a fine day, in fact it was misty and overcast and visibility was very poor. As they used to say long ago, “the sky was down on the ground”. They motored on through Newcastle and continued on until eventually they could see rows of houses along the side of the road. Not knowing where Roche’s road was they pulled into the side and asked two men who were chatting by a wall for directions. “Roche’s Road?” one of them said. “By God there is no Roche’s Road in Adare that I know of and I am living here all my life”. “Isn’t this Rathkeale”, the boys asked and were quite shocked to discover that they were in Adare. They argued as to whose fault it was and eventually came to the conclusion that they had passed through Rathkeale in the fog without noticing it. They turned around and headed back the way they came peering intently through the mist in case they might miss Rathkeale again. At last they reached a town again but, as soon as they saw the River Room hotel, they knew they were in Newcastle. They were completely flummoxed and after a brief period of reflection decided to give up the quest and return to Abbeyfeale. They went into Jack Rourke’s and announce to everyone in the bar that “Rathkeale has disappeared of the face of the earth”. It provided amusement for weeks after. What the to boys had not realised was the Rathkeale by-pass had just opened and they were one of the first to drive through it.
The same two were forever in trouble with the law, nothing major but offences like no taillights, no tax, bald tyres etc. Justice Cyril Maguire was sitting in Abbeyfeale Court House at that time and was getting fed up with hearing the boys excuses. One day they were back before him but this time it was for not paying the fines he had imposed on them in the past. He decided to teach them a lesson and gave them a month in jail. A local taxi was called and they were taken, not to Limerick jail which was crowded at the time, but to Portlaoise. They were dropped at the door of the jail and as soon as they were admitted the taxi took off. After being processed they were informed that there was no room for them and they were free to return home. “We can’t go home”, one of them declared, “we have no money and it is a long way to Abbeyfeale”. After some time an official approached and gave them the price of the train to Limerick and the bus from there to Abbeyfeale. The two boys were delighted, in fact they were so pleased with the outcome that they decided to celebrate in a local hostelry in Portlaoise before getting the train which was not due for another hour and a half anyway. In the bar they struck up conversation with local replicas of themselves who had great sympathy for them when they heard their story. Time flew by and the time for the train came and went. A sing-song followed and soon it was closing time and they had no place to go and no money in their pockets. They were, as Eamon Kelly used to say, in a pucker, but after much debating and weighing up of options they finally agreed on a course of action. Imagine the surprise of the official in charge at Portlaoise when , at 12.30am, he discovered two dishevelled Abbeyfeale men, knocking on the door of the jail, asking for lodgings for the night! The following day they were escorted to the train and put on board and eventually returned home. Cyril Maguire never realised how much he was costing the state when he handed down that sentence
Domhnall de Barra
Old Movie Reels Of Glin from the archives of the late Fr Denis Browne RIP. Wonderful Article about Fr. Browne on his time in Glin, written by Margaret Sweeney of Lr Main St Glin.
Posted on 03/09/2016 by glinnews
Fr. Denis Browne, by Margaret Sweeney of Lr Main St Glin and Dublin.
It is with a great sense of fondness and a deep sense of gratitude and privilege that we recall the wonderful memories that the name Fr. Denis Browne evokes.
Fr. Browne arrived in Glin in his beloved red volkswagon, together with the gentle, smiling housekeeper Mary Anne and his playful happy dog Trixie. Very quickly both children and adults alike knew we were lucky to have been gifted this special human being and priest. In his own quiet yet friendly way he became the very core of the parish, ministering to the elderly with a kind of care and compassion that was exemplary yet understated, getting to know the strengths and needs of his parishioners and helping the youth to blossom and share experiences that were the stuff of dreams back then.
Being in the latter group at that time we felt the luckiest of all. Our summers were filled with the thrill of packing anything up to 12 small children into the volks (pre “health and safety” !!) during the school holidays and heading off to Banna strand, his beloved Béal, an odd time Ballybunion (which was full of undesirable and costly distractions like bumpercars and candyfloss) and sometimes as far as exotic Inch on the Dingle peninsula. We would spend the day swimming, playing in the sand, racing up and down the length of the beach and feast on sand and tomato sandwiches!! Oh the joy of it all. The journeys were always shortened by the variety of “in house” entertainment as we sang our way to our destinations, told jokes, solved riddles and chatted the carefree chat of childhood. And Fr. Browne himself would often join in with a gloriously out of tune rendition of a Johnny Cash song or his own version of a whistled tune from James Last. Bliss.
Very soon word spread, numbers grew and the need for a bigger mode of transport arrived to carry his motley crew on their trips. We could not believe our eyes when we saw the minibus complete with an amazing rolltop roof. This was the stuff of movies, beyond our wildest dreams. It hardly dawned on us to ask where or how he got it, but he did tell us that himself and a Fr. McNamee in Limerick city bought it to share….I don’t ever remember it not being at our disposal so I suppose the city crew managed without. There was no stopping us now and by the time many of us had finished primary school we had travelled the country, from the top of Torc Waterfall outside Killarney to the most northerly tip of Donegal, Malin Head. We explored the Burren, climbed Galty Mór, swam in Salthill, visited Yeats’ grave at Drumcliffe. We made headlines when we had the excitement of being stranded on Scattery Island on the day of the Munster final and had to be rescued by a pilot boat from Foynes. We got to know our country, to love our heritage, to explore our talents, all while having the very best of fun.
The discovery and development of talents was another wonder to behold. Fr. Browne loved his camera and big reel projector, and perfecting his skills as a not so serious moviemaker filled many a pleasant hour for him. Filming the local festival’s fancy dress parade or cows chewing the cud on Meade’s Hill (sometimes speeded up or slowed down to match the carefully chosen, accompanying music) gave him an enormous sense of fun, satisfaction and pleasure. His converted garage became the cinema where we watched ourselves on big screen, where changes to the village were recorded when such things as the triangle at the bottom of the town was given a facelift, where evidence of Mr. Bill cycling across the Shannon estuary to Clare on his specially adapted bike could be seen again and again. Who needed Hollywood in those great days! We had Fr. Browne!
That garage was not only our cinema, it was also the place where the children congregated to practise our singing, drama, music for the many concerts and competitions Fr Browne got us involved in. We gathered willingly a couple of nights of the week to sing our songs and prepare to perform in local halls, nursing homes, rehab centres or competitions. Family bands were formed, a ventriloquist’s doll was bought and abilities were discovered and nurtured, so much so that in the Munster Talent Competition held in Ballylanders we swept the boards!!!!!
And it didn’t stop there! Fr. Browne had a great love of athletics, fitness and general sense of well being….He was truly a man before his time and yet very much of his time. We were introduced to track and field events, racing, long jump, high jump, even throwing the discus, our very own Olympics. This brought us in contact with the children of his previous parish. The amazingly fast and athletic sisters, Ann and Grace O’Brien as well as Cathy Morrissey, all from Ballygran became the ones to beat and if memory serves me right was seldom achieved! But with Fr Browne it was never about the winning but simply about enjoying the taking part and that is why even the slowest of us loved the experiences and could happily disregard the challenge, while the talented deservedly had their many moments of glory.
We reminisce often of the glorious times we had with this amazing man, who was so generous in spirit, so kind, so honest and honourable and so much fun. Our childhood was special because of him. To this day we feel a deep sense of gratitude and have an abiding sense of appreciation of all that he did with us and for us. He was a walking(often running) saint and a privilege to know.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
RIP Fr BRowne: The Very Rev. Fr. Denis Browne, PP retired parish priest of the combined parishes of Castletown/Ballyagran/Colmanswell was called to his eternal reward on Wednesday December 11 2014, at Milford House, Limerick.
The late Fr. Denis will be fondly remembered by every parish he ministered as the very lovable, gentle disposition and forgiving Catholic curate and subsequently a very unassuming Cannon and parish priest until his retirement in 2004.
From Castletown/Ballagran, Fr. Browne’s 10 year term in Granagh/Ballingarry was remarkably productive as he settled into very organisations ambitions and achievements in the parish.
His arrival in Granagh had an almost immediate tonic effect on the promotion of local athletics and in general terms during the 1960s, the local athletic club could be said to been one of the top parish athletic clubs in Ireland catering for all aspects/grades of athletics, which was the result of Fr Browne’s outstanding encouraging promotions in the parish and county.
As spiritual director of the Pioneer Total Abstinence association, Fr. Browne had an unequalled encouraging approach that endeared himself to the stranger as if they were his very own flock while his addresses to the PTA meetings had the most admirable gentleness of delivery, like his Sunday sermons, they also contained an unshakeable Christian message for all to adhere to.
Our sincere sympathy to his relations and thousands of friends in the athletic fields, pioneer association, clergy and religious orders.
May he rest in eternal peace?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ1qsA8Hkfg
I uploaded a new Glin video from the 1960's here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHlDP9...
DEAR FR JOHN O SHEA.
Mary Prendeville Murphy wrote the following to Fr. John O’Shea after she completed an hour of Eucharistic Adoration as a spiritual farewell gift to him in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel August 2016.
I met a ‘Friend’ of ours today, we spent an hour together,
We spoke of no one else but you, and hence I write this letter.
I told Jesus we were sad to see you moving from our town
But by the time I went on home I felt no longer down.
Jesus told me ‘He’ had chosen you from first you saw the light,
And o’er the years ‘He’s’ kept you firmly in his sight.
The work you do it in ‘His’ name, you do so well and willing,
With a team of friends around you, you work like you are singing.
From the day you first arrived in the Church in Abbeyfeale with a voice so clear
And gentle ways, you made our Mass so real.
“Down to Earth’ the people said, the youth were also keen,
But how the years have flown so fast – they say it’s now fourteen!
God’s work comes first – of that we know, we won’t create a ‘fuss’ –
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you – we hope you’ll think of us.
God bless you Fr. John, wherever you may be,
At the mention of your name I know we’ll all agree
That you’ve left your mark on Abbeyfeale, our loss we must endure,
We never will forget you – of that you can be sure.
As a priest we know your worth was really hard to measure,
As a friend we know the likes of you are simply just a treasure.
Culhane, Maurice (e1742) A convict, felon or vagabond from Co Kerry, in America Sep 5 1742, given public money for trip (Emigrants from Ireland to America 1835-1743, by Francis McDonnell, c1972).
Culhane, Michael (b1826) Age 23 of Co Limerick; trial 16/07/1849, crime malicious assault, sentenced transportation 7 years, ship Rodney 23/09/1857 .
Culhane, C (e1861) (e1861/65). Pvt, company G 12th MS Inf ( Civil War Muster Rolls).
Culhane, Daniel (b1893/08/16) Born Leitrim East, Co Kerry, Ireland, lived Mariposa Co CA ( WW1 Civilian Draft Registration; ( WW1 Civilian Draft Registration Database).
Culhane, Cornelius (b1840) Private, wounded Cold Harbor Jun 27 1862; died from disease Fredericksburg VA Dec 27 1862; Feb 1 1863 Conversion of StPaul church, prayers requested for Cornelius Culhane, who died recently in VA. (Cornelius Culhane, Natchez).
Culhane, Maurice (b1921) Michael; Flight Sergeant, Royal Australian Air Force, died Jan 13 1945, buried Sydney Memorial, New South Wales, Australia; son of Michael & Agnes Bennett Culhane of Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia (CWGC).
Culhane, Daniel (b1885) Private, Central Ontario Regt, died Jan 24 1919; buried in Douglas (StMichaels's) Cemetery, Ontario Canada; son of Maurice & Ellen Culhane of Admaston ON (CWGC).
Culhane, Daniel (b1893/08/16) Born W Leitrim East Co Kerry Ireland; 1917/18 signed for the Civilian Draft Registration at Mariposa CA ()
Culhane, David (b1893/08/16) From East Leitrim, Co Kerry, Ireland, registered in Mariposa CA 1917/18 for Civilian Draft Card ( Archives).
Culhane, Emmett (e1945) P 2nd Lt, inducted from NY, 544th Bomber Squadron 384th Bomber, died Mar 19 1945, monument at Cambridge England, missing, Purple Heart etc ( WW-II & Korean Soldiers Interred Abroad).
Culhane, Francis (b1912) James Private AIF 2/24 Bn, Australian Infantry, died Nov 10 1941; buried in Lae War Cemetery, Papua, New Guinea; son of Denis Henery & Catherine Winifred Culhane of Alexandra, Victoria (CWGC).
Culhane, Gerald (b1920) Augustine SSgt US Army, 1st Cav Division, from Rochester NY, married, died Sep 12 1967 of an heart attack in South Vietnam, 20 years military service, Roman Catholic, The VietNam Veterans Memorial Wall Panel 26E Line 59 ( & ).
http://lib.znate.ru/docs/index-248966.html?page=16
By Kathleen Mullane
Golden Jubilee, June 2016; I’m sure anyone that attended both the mass and celebration of Fr. Paddy Bowen’s Golden Jubilee on Saturday night last will agree that it was a most wonderful evening and night. The evening mass was concelebrated by eight priests including Canon Kelly, Bishop Murray and long time priest friends of Fr. Bowen. The choir was exceptional also. The 1st Communion class all attended in their ‘finery’ and the 6th class of Athea N.S. received their certificates of graduation from Fr. Bowen. Margaret Watters, principal Athea N.S. thanked Fr. Bowen for his kindness and being in touch always with the schoolchildren. Fr. Bowen thanked especially all his friends over the years who helped him over his 50 years of priesthood and the main message of his sermon was that “a good friend” is the most important person in one’s life.
After mass it was down to the hall, which incidentally was packed to capacity. Colleen Reidy, Matt Tierney and their band of helpers dished out the most beautiful food and all adults and children were fed to the hilt. Fr. Paddy had a little bar there and everyone was treated to a tipple! Music, song and dance was the order of the night and of course many jokes thrown in and songs sung by many including Fr. Bowen himself and friends. Mary Daly, his housekeeper, was presented with a bouquet of flowers and Fr. Paddy with a book of “This is your Life”. All those who organized the whole event must be sincerely thanked, it was a credit to all. And especially to Fr. Paddy who treated the capacity crowd to the entire party himself. The night finished up with all singing “ Auld Lang Syne” and “Bind us together”. Indeed a most memorable parish Golden Jubilee Celebration. We wish Fr. Bowen all the very best for the future and hopefully he enjoys Lourdes this week.
TABLET Page 12, 2nd January 1847
(Smith O’Brien a view of him)
Before I leave this subject I can't help mentioning one other circumstance which occurred on the Sunday before the debate with him, and it has been brought to my mind by the declaration that Mr. O'Brien would adhere to his own opinion even if all the lawyers were against him. On that afternoon I met a county Clare gentleman, who asked me if knew that Mr. Smith O'Brien was in town. I replied in the affirmative. He said—" when he was a boy his father was exceedingly fond of him; for since he was ten years' old, if sixty persons were opposed to him he would adhere to his own opinion." (Laughter.) I replied—" I fear that he is the same boy to this day. (Continued laughter.) He then returned to the subject of the Report, which he read, and concluded by moving its adoption.
http://archive.thetablet.co.uk/article/2nd-january-1847/12/ireland
ATHEA and Limerick
It’s The Way We Tell ‘em
Or should that be “the way we say them”. We might not think it but people from this area are very difficult to understand when they travel abroad (or beyond Limerick even!). We speak at a rate of knots and we very seldom separate our words from each other. We also have different pronunciations to other areas. “How are the men” is spoken as “howrdamin”. We generally replace e with I therefore men become min, we write with a pin, a den is a din etc. We also drop the g at the end of words ending with ing so we have mornin, evenin walkin etc. Contrast this with the people of Brosna and Mountcollins who really pronounce their ”ings” sometimes even putting a g where it shouldn’t be. A young boy once told me he was out on the “mounting” chasing hares. And a man in Newmarket used to ask me how the Askeating wrenboys were getting on. There is also a tendency in this area to broaden some vowels. “leave me alone” becomes “lavemealone” we feel the hate, not heat, we drink “tay”, go to the “craymery” and eat a “male”. We do all this with a lovely lilt but to the outsider it is very difficult to understand. I discovered this when I left home and went to England and even when I returned to Ireland, working for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, I had to consciously slow down and try to pronounce my words properly. There were two other men from Lixnaw working in headquarters at the time and when we got together at the dinner table we forgot ourselves and lapsed into our normal way of talking. A Dublin man, John Keenan, pulled us up one day and told us it was very rude to be conversing in Irish when there were others there who didn’t understand the language. He was convinced we were talking in Irish!! We got a good laugh out of that. I wouldn’t change the way we speak for the world. It is our own unique style and we are happy with it. Just be mindful when talking to people from outside the area and slow down a bit. Regional accents are in danger of disappearing in the not too distant future. Peg Prendeville alluded to it in her column last week and I wholeheartedly agree with her. Do we really want to talk with “TV accents” and just mimic everything that seems to be in vogue at the moment. There is nothing wrong with regional accents. Some of our most successful people never lost their native “blas” The Moriarty brothers, Paddy and Micheál from West Kerry, are two who made it to the top in their chosen profession without ever changing their accents. Their neighbour, Daithí O’Shea is another proud Kerry man who is a joy to listen too. Denis O’Connell from Moyvane was head of banking in Ireland but the minute he started to speak you could tell where he came from. I have never met somebody from Donegal that didn’t have that lovely rolling style of speaking and this is true of most counties in the North of Ireland so why should we ape what is a contrived accent and lose something that makes us different from others. TV has a lot to do with it. There is a kind of uniform accent in Montrose that is probably looked on as necessary for success. In England, many years ago, the BBC presenters all had what could be called “home county” accents. They realised that regional accents were in danger so they changed their policy and employed presenters and newscasters with strong regional accents. It worked. John B. Keane told the story of a time when he was having a pint in Al Roche’s bar in Lyreacrompane. A young fellow came in dressed in modern gear having just returned from England where he had spent six months. He asked for a drink in a strong London accent which prompted one of the locals to turn to John B. and remark “will you look at the eirí in áirde on my bocach” Enough said.
Domhnall de Barra
Act of Love
By Peg Prendeville
Dressed in her navy and grey
I lead her to the school bus,
like the robin pushing her young
out of the nest.
Every muscle in me
strains to hold her back
and hug her to me
so that she may never lack
the comfort of knowing she is loved.
But a deeper knowledge whispers
“Let her go. Let her find herself.
I have given you the pleasure
of her first four years.
It was my special gift to you.
But she is my flower.
I will feed her
and she will blossom.
Give her to me and I will care for her
and you will have the reward
of knowing that you helped to plant
the seeds of her loveliness.
Like the seed she will endure darkness
before the light will draw her
so that her colours will ooze forth.
Then she will dance and sing in the sun
and she will fly back to you
on the wings of freedom.”
With tears ready to spill
I wave to my youngest child
as she begins her first day at school.
The death has taken place of Timothy (Tim) Ahern on Thursday July 30 2015 at his residence Long Island, New York and late of Rooskagh, Carrigkerry. He attended Ballyloughane, School in the 1930s Tim emigrated to America and became well known in the construction and painting business. Tim and family provided work for a lot of Irish people over the years and looked out for their interests. His Funeral Mass and burial took place in Long Island, New York on Tuesday August 4. 2015 .
Council Needs New Members
Athea Community Council has a proud record of achievement going back almost 30 years. In the early days it was amalgamated with the tidy towns committee with a view to improving the look of the village by upgrading the infrastructure, creating litter awareness and developing areas like the Giants Garden. The council was made up of two representatives of each organisation in the parish and it was well attended and supported. After a few years the tidy towns went their own way and the council started sponsoring FAS schemes. These schemes made a huge difference to the village. Stone walls and footpaths were built and the Giants Garden was developed into the beautiful peaceful amenity it is today. To comply with FAS requirements the council had to become a company limited by guarantee and elections were held to create a board of directors. There was great interest throughout the parish and plenty of nominees for the 12 positions on the board. It has worked well since then except for the fact that the number of people on the board has dwindled. When somebody resigns from the board, as will happen with retirement, other commitments, bereavement etc., there is nobody to take that place. Where we should have 12 members on the board we now have only six. Another problem is that five of those six have been there for years and years and are ready to retire. What is going to happen then? If we have no community council we have no CE scheme. Without a scheme there will be no employment for 16 people locally, the streets will not be cleaned daily and the Church, Hall, GAA grounds etc will be without workers. The local graveyards and gardens, trees and shrubbery will not be maintained and grass will not be cut in the Summer time. They say you never miss the water ’till the well runs dry, well the water level is getting pretty low. The local lottery still is well supported in the parish and has funded the schemes over the years as well as funding the new footbridge, refurbishing the library and the acquisition of its own premises in the last couple of months. Unfortunately there are now only three people who are available to do the lottery on a Saturday night and they have been doing it for over 20 years. To be honest we are getting a bit old and tired and could do with a break now and again. If we do not get some new blood soon the whole thing could collapse. There must be people out there who would be willing to join the council if only for a couple of hours a month. The more members we have the less workload for each person. Small communities like ours cannot survive without volunteers. If we want to have a nice place in which to live we must do it ourselves. There is nobody coming from outside to do it. There is no monetary gain but there is great satisfaction in being part of a body that promotes the welfare of the community and seeks to keep the village vibrant when others around us are closing down. For my own part I get great satisfaction from looking at the footbridge, the town land signs, the many stone walls and footpaths etc and thinking “I had a hand in creating that”. So I am making an appeal to anyone out there who might like to help to please contact me. Together we can continue to improve the place we love and keep a few jobs in the area. We can continue also to help the tidy towns committee in there efforts to enhance the appearance of the village and gain valuable points in the annual competition. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future, just call to me at the office or give me a call at 087 6758762
Domhnall de Barra
LIZ DUNN
More at http://listowelconnection.blogspot.ie/
Liz Dunn in her Alice in Wonderland costume for The National Children's Literary Festival at Writers' Week 2015.
I have reached the conclusion that retired English people, some of them with no Irish blood in them, are the salt of the earth in many Irish rural communities. I encounter English people and hear English accents in every organization I join. Some are here because they have fallen in love with an Irish emigrant but many, like Liz, have fallen in love with Ireland and the way we live here. Many have become "more Irish than the Irish themselves."
Liz Dunn of Athea is the human dynamo behind The National Children's Literary Festival at Writers' Week. I have seen her work throughout the year as she led a committee of volunteers to the great festival that was the children's programme at this year's Writers' Week. She, literally and metaphorically, rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She always went the extra mile. I could exhaust every cliché for hard work and I would not have got to the essence of Liz.
She, with the help of a committee and children's co ordinator, Maria McGrath, put together the programme for the festival. Then Liz got to work selling it. She drove around the countryside distributing brochures, she visited schools, made countless phone calls and she networked like billy-o. All of this before the festival began. It was then she came into her own in earnest.
Domhnall de Barra
The “Going to England”
There is a lot of talk, particularly since the fall of the Celtic Tiger, about emigration. There is a big difference between emigration now and what happened in the middle of the last century. After the 2nd World War there was abject poverty in this country which was just trying to find its feet after 800 years of British rule. Everybody was in the same boat except for the few who were lucky and wealthy enough to get an education and become teachers, civil servants etc. Very few went beyond national school and some didn’t even complete the full term there as they were required to work on the family farm or take any kind of work to supplement the family income. Jobs were few and far between at a time when there were big families in every house so emigration was the only answer. England had been devastated by the war and needed building up so there was an opportunity for employment on the building sites and roadways. “Going to England” in those days took as long as going to Australia today. I remember in the early ‘sixties getting the train from Abbeyfeale at 8am on Friday. There was a change at Limerick for Limerick Junction, then onto the train to Kingsbridge where we changed again for Dun Laoghaire. The boat was very primitive by today’s standards and was used to ferry live cattle as well. Most people sat in the open air all night. Arriving in Hollyhead, we took the train to Crewe where we waited for the London train. On then to Rugby and the final change to the Coventry train which got into the station at 8.15am Saturday morning; a full twenty four and a quarter hours travelling ! Those who arrived first made it easier for those who followed on because they were in a position to put them up for a while and point them in the right direction for employment. The Irish were not generally welcome in Britain in those days. Boarding houses often had the sign “No pets, no blacks, no Irish” printed on the front window but they were needed to do the work and gradually became accepted by the majority of the English who are in the main a very fair race, in fact they were much better to the Irish workers than some of their own who exploited them. Girls got work in factories, hospitals and as maids in big houses while the men mainly worked on the buildings. Much of the work was sub-contracted to Irishmen who were known as “subbies”. They would arrive at a central point in the town on a Monday morning where the men looking for work gathered. They took as many as they needed and if any of them did not come up to scratch they were not taken the following day. As in all walks of life there were good and bad subbies, some treating their men well while others overworked and underpaid them while lining their own pockets. Going home to Ireland often was not an option. No cheap Ryanair flights in those days and the travelling time was too long. Many of the men spent their wages in the pub (staying in the digs all night was not an option) and only came back home for funerals. Others sent money every week to help those at home. Indeed many households depended on the letters from abroad to survive. The Irish communities in England gradually grew and eventually became an important part of the country’s development. They became involved in all walks of life, including politics, and made a name for themselves. The beginning though was tough; hard work and the heartache of being separated from family and friends in a foreign land. Today’s emigrants have no such troubles. They are all well educated and are only a couple of hours away at any time. They can thank the early travellers for the opportunities that exist for them today.
Domhnall de Barra
Tribute to Pat Brosnan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCHrjvpG5Ms
Fun in the Snow
By Peg Prendeville
“Mammy, does God answer all prayers”
The child asked his mother one day
“Well he listens to all and does his best.”
“Goodee, cos for snow I’m going to pray.”
So he went on his knees and joined his hands
“Please God, if you’re not too busy tonight
Will you send down some snow – a heap of it, please
We all want a snowball fight.”
And God as we know likes to please every child
And he answered the little boy’s plea.
The very next morning when the boy did awake
He clapped his hands with glee.
He stood at the window and called “Lads get up
The place is covered in white.
Thank you God for listening to me,
Now I know Mammy was right.”
So on with the clothes, his boots and his gloves
Out to the virgin lawn.
Snowballs and missiles flew through the air
It was like a war in Glenbawn.
He made a snowman big and fat
With a carrot for a snout,
He buttoned his coat with pebbles
And put a pipe into his mouth.
And all that day the snowman stood
And watched the fun and play
The sun shone down and, said the child,
“Oh no, I think he’s going away.
The snowman’s shrinking, he’s gone so small
I think my fun must end.”
That night in bed he joined his hands
“Thank you, God. You’re my best friend.”
By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Patrick J (Pat) Brosnan Knocknagorna, Athea, and late of Dromada, Lyreacrompane, Co. Kerry peacefully in the loving care of the Bluebell Unit, St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West on Thursday January 8th. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Normoyle, who was a native of Glenastar, Ardagh, on November 11th 2009. Pat composed many songs including The Lights of Carrigkerry while he was living in England in the 1960s and it was recorded by George Langan. The song is heard regularly on 102 FM Community Radio and other local stations. His passing was even mentioned in the Irish Country Living section of the Irish Farmers Journal. He was a familiar face in the locality attending Irish Nights, and collecting the various censuses for the C.S.O. He lay in repose in Kelly’s Funeral Home, Athea on Friday January 9th from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm followed by removal to St. Bartholomew’s Church, Athea.
His Requiem Mass on Saturday at 12.00 noon was concelebrated by Fr Paddy Bowen, Fr Michael Cussen and Canon Kelly. Family members were very involved in the readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory gifts and hymns. Family members brought symbols associated with Pat’s long life to the altar before mass commenced. They included a sod of turf to show his love for nature and time spent working in the bogs. His pens which were used to cover a lifetime of news collecting and a number of publications in which his writings appeared over the years. Fr Paddy in his homily recited one of Pat’s Limericks from his published book and spoke of his loyalty to God, family and community. Margaret and Tina sang lovely hymns throughout the ceremony and Pat and Mary’s work for the church was remembered. His daughter Breda, on behalf of the family, thanked everybody and paid a lovely tribute to her father, and son Seán recited one of his compositions “Athea”.
Large crowds attended on both days to pay their last respects and to offer their condolences to his family on their sad loss. Pat was laid to rest amid wind and rain beside his late wife Mary in Holy Cross Cemetery on January 10th. Domhnall De Barra paid him a deserved tribute for all the work he did for the many organizations in the community and sang The Bard of Athea, one of his own compositions. This was composed to mark Pat’s 25 years writing the parish notes for The Limerick Leader. Con Fitzgerald sang one of Pat’s best known compositions The Turf Machine, and local musicians played a selection of music. Tina’s singing of ‘In my Father’s House’ on a bitter cold January afternoon touched all present.
We extend our sympathy to his son Seán (Listowel), daughters Sheila (Walsh, Athea ), Tina (Andrews, Dublin), Breda, (Burr, Canada), eight grandchildren, daughter in law Marie, sons in law Pat, Chris and Andrew, sisters in law Kathleen and Maureen Brosnan (Lyreacrompane), nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, wonderful neighbours and a very large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace.
The Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal will be in the shops this weekend. The family of the late Thomas J O’Donoghue has put the final touches to the journal which he had nearly completed before his unexpected death last December. This will be the 37th edition and it will be dedicated to his memory. The much admired journal was founded in 1977 and it grew to be one of the most sought after publications each December. The three founding members Thomas J. O’Donoghue, Paddy Faley, and Pat Brosnan, have all passed on, and we thank them for the great enjoyment they provided for readers at home and abroad over the 37 years. The final edition is bound to become a collector’s item, and an early purchase of the journal is advisable, and we look forward to its contents.
Congratulations and best wishes to Paul Collins, son of Pius and Margaret, and Audrey Galvin, daughter of Aiden and Kay, on their recent wedding at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Irremore, Listowel. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Maurice Brick. Bridesmaids were Ciara Cullen, Fiona Kitchen and Louise Galvin. Best man was Jamie Collins, Groomsmen were Tom Collins and Denis Collins. Flowergirls, Niamh Kitchen and Sarah Collins. First Reading: Sarah Moriarty, Second Reading: Amanda Harnett. Prayer of the Faithful readers: Jerry Hannon, Siobhán Naughton, Lizzy Turbinski, Paudie Galvin, Lorraine O’Mahony, Michael Hannon, Philip Collins. Offertory Gifts: Kay Galvin and Margaret Collins. Reflection: Helena Walsh. Music: The O’Neill sisters. A great day in glorious sunshine was had by all and celebrations began at The Malton Hotel in Killarney
DEATH occurred on 30th May 2014 of Sheila Lynch (nee O’Connor) Upper Athea, wife of the late Mick. Sheila was in her nineties and some years ago ran Lynch’s pub with her husband Mick. She will be missed by her son Danny, daughters Nora and Mary, daughter-in-law Marion, sons-in-law Ger and Frank, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews and nieces.
DEATH occurred at St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West of Catherine (Kit) Shine of Dalton Street, Athea. Deceased, whose maiden name was Fitzgerald, was a native of Keale North but lived most of her life in Athea. She was pre-deceased by her late husband Dan Shine several years ago. Kit, who had reached her 90’s, was a very religious person and a regular attendant at the Masses in her local Church. She also visited Lourdes and many pilgrimages. Up to a few years ago she could be regularly seen out on her bicycle cycling through the village or on the way to visit her brother Tom in Keale.
Few weeks ago since her daughter Breda Carey died . She was married to retired Garda Jerry Carey who was a native of Galway. Kit Shine was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery after requiem Mass on 17th November 2013.
DEATH has taken place of Jack Connolly, Ballymuddagh, Glin, on November 16th, 2013, (in his 97th year). He is survived by his wife Mary, sons Patrick, Thomas, Gerard, John, daughters Ann, Sally, Una and Mairead, Predeceased by his son Joseph. Also survived by daughters-in-law Elaine and Anne and Thomas's partner Maureen, sons-in-law Charles and Thomas, grandchildren Laura, Michael, Robert, Jack and Thomas, sister-in- law Sr. Josephine (Fermoy) In the Church of the Immaculate Conception Glin, Requiem Mass was celebrated for Jack Connolly on 19th November 2013, Burial in Kilfergus Cemetery, Glin.
Killeaney AFC club members extend sympathies to Tom Connolly, Treasurer of the club, on the death of his father Jack Connolly at the ripe old age of 97. Jack had been active until very recently. He was featured in the 2nd Vanishing Ireland book. Jack was noted for his great memory and the editor, Turtle Bunbury, had this to say about him in the book “Jack is a quietly lucid individual. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of family pedigrees in the area. Not only is he able to identify any man or woman down to their nearest (or farthest) second cousin twice removed, but he can reel off the year of their birth, their occupation and their present address.” Sympathies to Tom, his mother Mary and all the Connolly families.
OLD IRISH WAYS MUSEUM; Located in Caherguillamore, Bruff and owned by Denis O’Connor , for details visit www.oldirishways.com
From Tom Ahern
Stephen Goulding, son of John and Mary, Carrigkerry, will be standing for the Labour Party in next year’s Limerick County Council local elections which will be held in May. He is presently living with his wife and family in Newcastle West and is very involved in community and volunteering and would be a great asset and a strong voice for our area. He is presently the Deputy Principal of Listowel Community College, after a number of years spent teaching in Desmond College Newcastle West. Stephen is also National Treasurer of the Principals & Deputy Principals association of the TUI. He is a member of Newcastle West & District Lions Club, Newcastle West AFC and the Arra Players Drama group. He is also a Board member of West Limerick Resources since 2010 and was appointed to the board of Leargas last year by Minister Ruairi Quinn. Stephen is also a Volunteer broadcaster on West Limerick 102 and presents a weekly Sunday review programme.
Congratulations to Sean Goulding from Carrigkerry who recently published This Haunted Island which is on sale in Newcastle West Bookstore. Sean is a philosophy graduate who has taught in Ireland, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. He is living in Saudi Arabia
Death of Bridie A Shine
By |Pat Brosnan
The death occurred on 28th March 2013 of Bridie Ann Shine of Gortnagross, Athea. She was a member of a well known and highly regarded local family and her death has been widely regretted. Together with her late brother Mossie, Bridie Ann ran a busy and thriving grocery shop in the village which only closed in recent years. Bridie was a very religious person and attended Mass regularly up to very recently even after her health had started to decline. Bridie Ann and Mossie were both members of Athea Civil Defence Unit at one stage when it had a big membership in the locality and Mossie was also Chairman of Athea GAA Club for a number of years. A big number of people from far and near called to Kelly’s Funeral Home on Saturday evening to pay their respects and offer their condolences to Bridie Ann’s relations. There was also a large congregation at the Requiem Mass on Easter Sunday morning which was celebrated by Fr Patrick Bowen PP and Canon Patrick Kelly. The funeral to Holy Cross cemetery on Sunday afternoon was also well attended. Michael O’ Halloran from Pallaskenry represented the Retired Limerick County Civil Defence Association at the Requiem Mass. Sympathy is extended to Bridie Ann’s nieces, nephews, her in-laws and other relatives. ‘May her soul rest in peace’.
Ardagh Notes April 2013
The Irish in the American Civil War was launched at Newcastle West Bookshop on Saturday 23rd March 2013 by Sean Kelly a member of the Newcastle West Historical Society. Sean gave a most interesting talk on the war and his views on some of the battle sites he visited which was enjoyed very much by the good attendance present. The author of the 200 plus page book Damian Shiels from Reerasta South Ardagh, and family members were also in attendance. Damian gave all present details of his background work and his interest in the military and wars. The official launch was done by Myles Dungan of RTE in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks on Saturday 23rd February. The book is a social history of the war and it is broken into four sections ‘beginnings’, ‘realities,’ ‘the wider view’, and the ‘aftermath.’ Damian is an archaeologist by profession and this is his first book and it is published by The History Press Ireland. The book is available for sale in Newcastle West Bookshop
DEATH Feb. 2013;: The death has taken place of James (Jim) Neville, Ballylin Shanagolden, and late of Kilcolman Rovers soccer club. He was the son of the late Jack and Catherine, and he was a member of a large family and he was 63 years old. He was educated in nearby Nutgrove School and Rathkeale Technical School. He worked as a carpenter in the building trade and took pride in his work. He was very involved in playing sports in his young days winning honours with Kilcolman Rovers as a player and manager in soccer and Kilcolman, Carrigkerry and Saint Kieran’s in football. He won a West Junior football medal with Kilcolman in 1970 and a West U-21 football medal with Carrigkerry in 1971(final played in 1972) and a number of tournament trophies during a short career. He won 7 Desmond League medals Munster Junior Cups and F.A.I. Area Cups and Desmond Cup medals with Kilcolman Rovers over a long playing career.
His health declined and he was forced to give up work about 14 years ago but he kept active and pursued his leisure activities. He liked attending matches and vintage displays with his friends, and he was a familiar figure around Creeves Cross. He also liked reading quizzes, and taking a few drinks in the Thatch Bar. He was honoured by the Kilcolman Rovers soccer club at their function to mark 44 years in the Desmond League in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on 12th January 2013. His sudden passing is much regretted by all who were lucky to know Jim and to see him playing sports since he donned the Kilcolman Rovers jersey in 1968 up to his retirement as manager in 1987.
His remains reposed at Madigan’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden from 6.pm, followed by removal from8.pm, to the local Church on Thursday evening last. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in Saint Senan’s Church Shanagolden by Father Jim Noonan with family members assisting in the ceremony and the choir members supplied some appropriate hymns and music. His brother Maurice on behalf of the family paid a lovely tribute to Jim, who was taken far too young from this World. Members of Kilcolman Soccer Club and Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club formed a guard of honour as his remains left the church. Burial took place in Kilmoylan Cemetery on Friday 22nd February. 2013, We extend our sympathy to his brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, kind neighbours, and a large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace.
Suicide Tragedies
PATS Corner Athea News
It has been said that there are few families in this country who have not been affected to some extent by suicide, whether it be close relatives, distant relatives, a neighbour or friend of a deceased person who has taken his or her own life in such tragic circumstances. We all have had recourse to this in our time, in my own case a near relation in Knocknagoshel parish some years ago. There seems to be no overall cause that drives a person to such an unfortunate action but we can only surmise that those who take their own lives are very disturbed and traumatised and can see no rational way of getting out of their predicament. That is the sad part of it all that while some people who commit suicide appear perfectly normal up to the time of their tragic deaths and might have benefited had they discussed their worries with relatives, friends and professionals who may have been able to help them overcome their fears or whatever may be bothering them. There are others of course who may be suffering from chronic ill health and depression who would be more likely to attempt suicide and of course such people require all possible help and treatment as well as constant supervision.
But as already stated there is no simple or common reason why some decide to take their own lives, each case is different and unique to the person who attempts or succumbs in inflicting self-harm upon themselves. But this stated there are some very well known facts which could lead to suicide such as financial problems which are very much in the forefront in these times of depression, abusive behaviour in the home or elsewhere, alcohol and drug problems, troublesome family members or difficult neighbours, victims of vandalism, robberies and anti-social behaviour, unfair and discriminating treatment by the authorities in different matters against certain people, all such things lead to anxiety and uncertainty and possibly trigger off thoughts of self-harm in people of a more sensitive personality.
Last week my fellow correspondent Tom Aherne, Carrigkerry, mentioned in his column that while he agreed with Garda Vetting for all people coming into the workforce he also mentioned that Garda vetting for participants for Community Employment Schemes is a joke at present due to the delay in vetting. Tom of course would know more that me on this particular instance in the Carrigkerry area, but in the overall context of this Garda vetting process is if it’s at all needed in most instances. While we all know that a small minority of unsuitable people were in the wrong jobs in the past, it does not mean that those who are now taking up employment or changing their jobs need to be treated in a suspicious manner and be subjected to Garda intervention. No blame to the guards who have been allocated this task by the Government or the relevant Department, but certainly it gives the impression that our country is becoming more and more like a Police State and people’s lives becoming more and more under the control of the Irish authorities, or even more sinister under the iron heel of the European Union.
God knows the Gardaí have enough to do besides having to interrogate everybody who is about to take up employment. That should be the task and responsibility of the potential employer just as it always has been, when in our younger days we took up employment or changed jobs either in this country or when we worked abroad. As already mentioned the Gardaí should be left to do their job of preventing and solving crime.
Having often worked under the supervision of the Gardaí while doing Census for the Central Statistics Office it is only fair to state that the Gardaí were great people to work with, but long before my employment with the CSO compiling the Census and later supervising it had been taken from the Gardaí and passed on to civilian enumerators and supervisors where it remains at the present. But to revert back to the vetting process, in our younger days all that was needed by people going into employment was a reference from a parish priest, a former teacher or some other local dignitary, certainly no vetting in those days. And as far as those working in County Council road works or similar employment the idea of having to get a reference to take up such manual work would certainly be treated as a big joke.
Now it looks as if a person who is about to take up a job footing turf for a week in a bog will need to be vetted. What indeed is the world coming to? As we started off this article with a look at the possible causes of suicide here is a little story (completely hypothetical, or imaginary) which ties up the two strands of this article. “A young girl of 18 whom we will call Sue worked in a shop in the nearby town. She was a quiet, sensitive girl but was a good efficient worker and got on well with her employers and the customers. All was going well until one morning the owner of the shop checked the till and found that a sum of money from the previous day’s takings was missing. She questioned Sue about it who told her that in all honesty she knew nothing about it. However, the missing money was not found and a couple of weeks later the owner informed Sue that her services were no longer required. This worried Sue quite a lot as she felt that she had been branded a thief without any reason on her part. But she decided to get on with life and applied for another job that was being offered in another more distant town. She went through a vetting process and in her honesty mentioned that she felt that she had been a suspect in the theft of some money in the original shop where she had worked. She failed to get the job that she had applied for but she still kept looking for employment again and again and again. But the answer was always the same, sorry the vacancy has been filled. One day her mother came home from work and found Sue unconscious on the sofa, she had taken an overdose of tablets, but they got her quickly to the local hospital where she made a quick and full recovery. A couple of days after Sue had come home from hospital she and her mother had an unexpected visitor, the lady from the shop where Sue had worked. She was all lovey-dovey and tearful apologies for having suspected Sue as she explained how the missing money had been found in a separate compartment in the till a couple of weeks previously, before Sue was admitted to hospital. She told Sue and her mother that she had been too ashamed to call on them until she had heard what happened to Sue. And then of course the inevitable offer to Sue that- “yes dear your job is waiting for you any time that you are ready to come back”. “No thank you, I don’t think so” replied Sue’s mother as she poured her visitor a cup of tea”.
The above little tale can be accepted as typical of either truth or fiction, but it would illustrate my own belief that too much of this vetting lark is of no benefit either to employers or employees. In my own experience of having worked in English psychiatric hospitals for ten years one of the things that was most evident during all this time is that the mind is a very fragile thing in either healthy or sick people and needs to be treated as such. Strangely enough in one of those hospitals there were more suicides and attempted suicides among staff rather that patients there.
One middle aged ward sister who was near retirement age took an overdose of tablets which killed her. Then again there was a young and very fit married man who was a charge nurse in one of the wards and the captain of one of the soccer teams at the hospital during my time there. By all accounts he had some financial problems which caused a mental breakdown, he was sent to another psychiatric hospital for treatment and while there he killed himself by turning on a gas oven. Another staff nurse whom we knew attempted suicide while home for a weekend. It would not have been al that surprising if a patient in a hospital psychiatric ward had to be put on special observation because of a suicide risk, but qualified professionals attempting or committing suicide would of course be a much more complicated matter and where is the answer to this?
In my opinion instead of the present Garda so-called vetting it would be much safer and more practical to have an assessment of those seeking employment carried out by trained professionals who would have a much better understanding of the complexities of personality traits and none of the delays of the present system which as Tom Aherne very rightly pointed out in his column last week is preventing people from taking up much needed employment and holding up schemes that are basically designed to help rural communities particularly areas where there is high unemployment. All this red tape cannot be good for the mind, the body or the soul, so let us see the end of it.
Septembers of the Past
From Pats Corner Athea
September has in the past always been a rather special month for those of us who grew up in the rural areas of the country. While we may not have any great happy memories of having to return to school after six weeks of freedom during the summer holidays romping around through the countryside during July and August, or out in the bogs and hayfields helping as best we could with the saving of the crops. Some of my own special memories of Septembers of our boyhood and early teenage years are of bringing in some of the late saved hay into the sheds and of being out in the cornfields during fresh and balmy September days giving a hand with the binding of the sheaves of oats, wheat and barley after these had been cut with the horse drawn mowing machine. No reapers or binders or any up to date machinery in our part of the country in those far off days just the basic equipment that was needed to bind and stook the corn crops before bringing these into the farmyard and putting into stacks in readiness for the threshing later in the year. Then of course September brought us the All-Ireland finals in hurling and football and how we eagerly looked forward to the broadcast of these matches on the old battery operated radio of those days. In later years of course we often travelled to Croke Park, particularly when the Kerry team were playing in the football final. September too was the month of the Listowel Races which meant a few days off from school for the children of North Kerry. What a fascinating place Listowel was for young children in those days, with the Market Yard a virtual wonderland of excitement and colour with the swinging boats, the chair planes, the bumper cars, the ghost train, the trick of the hoop operators, the magicians and all the other amusements and sideshows that made a trip to the Listowel Races one of the highlights of the year for the young boys and girls of North Kerry and West Limerick. There was also, of course, for the older teenagers and those in their twenties, thirties, forties and so forth a set dancing platform in the Market Yard where people could dance to their hearts content in the crisp Autumn air until late into the evening. Then as well as that there was a good choice of adult dancing venues for the race nights, the Slua Hall, the Astor Cinema and Walsh’s Ballroom. Also if the weather was still holding fine in September it was considered a good time of the year to spend a day in Ballybunion when the place was quieter after the summer holidaymakers had left. Apart from the Sunday of the All-Ireland finals other Sundays in September were often taken up attending County Championship hurling and football finals which were usually played in the Autumn. It was a time as well when local matches in our area would be played with all the needle and intense excitement that such encounters between neighbouring teams in rural parishes were to generate in times past. In those days when a farmer would lend a field that would be suitable for playing a match between local townlands he did not have to worry about insurance claims if there was an accident in his field during the course of a game unlike the present time when he would be liable if any of the participants in a game or sports of any kind got hurt. In our young days there used to be a sports field in every townland and nobody gave it a second thought as it was considered completely natural and normal that a farmer would lend a field to a local football team or sports club. Not once in those days did one ever hear of a farmer looking for money for the use of his field. In many instances some of those local football pitches were meadows and would only be available for matches from September until April when the hay would then start to grow. But as well there were grazing fields where matches could be played at any time of the year. In our own farm part of a meadow was used as the townland’s football pitch, but again only after the hay was saved and drawn home and the after grass eaten by the livestock in early September. The field was then ready for football. Then each year towards the end of September the digging of the potatoes was usually started and rural people exchanged their views about how good the crop was or otherwise. In normal years most of the turf had been drawn home from the bogs by early September (this year has surely been one of the exceptions) but hopefully the potato crop and indeed all the other crops will still show a good return in the long run for all our sakes, as losing any crop would be a disaster. This time of the year holds many special personal memories for me as it was on a September night that Mary Normoyle and myself first met at a Sinn Féin Céilí in Scanlon’s Hall, Athea. At home on holidays from England at the time and looking forward to attending the Kerry v Galway All-Ireland Football Final that weekend, someone in Listowel told me that a bus was taking people to a Céilí in Athea that night. Actually the girl who told me about it was Maureen Flavin from Dirrha who was working in Listowel and going out with Mickey Quinn from Templeathea at the time, and later married, who sadly died a few years ago after himself and Maureen had raised a lovely family of four boys who incidentally are good friends of my son Seanie since he went to live in Listowel parish several years ago. It is really amazing how one short trip in a bus to a Céilí can change a person’s whole life but certainly without any regrets. September brings back many happy memories of my first time meeting Mary and of all my years since in Athea and all that this lovely parish has given me and the family through all the good and indeed sometimes sad times. With all these things in mind September can be a month of many pleasant memories.
ATHEA POEM
“The days are so short and the nights so long
Thinking of Christmas and holidays coming on
So we sit in the workroom at study you see
Planning the day when we will be “Set Free”
I will never forget that day in November
When Mulhern was in a tare and showed up her temper
She called on the 2nd years and oh what a dose
She opened their bags and examined their clothes.
The first was Mary Agnes whom we thought was the best
But Mulhern was not pleased, she found fault with the rest
Her print and her overall were ironed so grand
That Mull “beat her away with the back of her hand”
Gretta came next with her clothes in a bag
Her print and her overall tied up like a rag
Mull chases her away and giving her a thump
Saying get out of my sight you lazy lump.
Written in c 1945 by Kathleen’s Mother of Athea.
Muckross, Killarney after the storm Feb. 2014
Nature threw a tantrum
And said “Listen here to me!
If you don’t mind the planet
You’ll be left without a tree!”
The wind it howled with temper
Ran across the land in rage
Destroying all before it.
Its strength was hard to gauge.
Til at last it was exhausted
And laid down with a sigh.
Now we survey the damage
Most unpleasing to the eye.
By
Peg Prendiville
JACK O GRADY aged 90 July 2014 Knockbawn
Happy Birthday Jack O’Grady
Jack O'Grady on his 90th birthday
Jack O’Grady on his 90th birthday
You’re an inspiration to us all
On how to live to ninety years.
With you we are enthralled.
When you get up each morn
You get ready for to go
To tend your cabbage and your spuds
And watch your garden grow.
You’ve been married to your darling Peg
For sixty years and four
You both have had a happy life
And a welcome at the door
For all who wish to call on you
And trash out the daily news,
From politics to religion
You share your different views.
You’ve reared a loving family
Three sons, and a daughter
You’ve been blessed with nine grandchildren
Who have brought love and laughter.
Your great grandchild Jack is just the first
There are more to come I hear
So there will be many reasons yet
To fill your heart with cheer.
On this, your ninetieth birthday,
It is my privilege to write
These few lines to honour you
And I pray most every night
That you’ll be with us for a long time yet
In the company of your wife
And I will call and chat a while
As I have done all my life.
Peq Prendeville
Dr John Danaher, Medical Doctor, Obituary, August 1900.
Funeral Of Dr Danaher
The funeral of this much regretted young man took place on Sunday last from his brothers residence in Monemohill. Dr Danaher, who, since taking his degrees had been in practice in London, some time ago contracted rheumatic fever, from the effects of which he never rallied despite what medical care and skill can do. The immense cortege that accompanied the remains to the family burial ground at Ardagh testified to the love and respect in which Dr Danaher was held by his neighbours.
Father Cahill (in the unavoidable absence of Rev S Danaher PP) officiated, assisted by the Rev Fathers O’Gorman and Kenrick, and among those present were P Danaher, Woodcliffe; D Danaher (brothers); John Danaher, Dublin; J Danaher, Moyreen; Maurice Danaher, Stephen Danaher, Shanagolden; J Danaher, Athea; P Danaher, Glenagore; W Danaher, Loveglass; To Danaher, James Danaher, Loughill; Timothy Danaher, The Mount; Coroner J M Ambrose, MD; Dr Cornelius Nolan, Shanagolden; Dr Edward Ambrose, London; Dr S E Hayes, Rathkeale; Dr Morgan, Messrs Michael Feeheny, DC; John Morgan, DC; Edward Sheehy, CC; Fc Hartigan, BE; James Liston, DC; P O’Shaughnessy, DC, Loughill; J Fitzgerald, Balllyhahill; M H Woulfe, Newcastle West; Stephen Ambrose, do; James Ward, DC; John O’Shaughnessy. Joseph Fitzgerald, Michael O’Sullivan, James Moloney, DC; James T Moloney, Mohernagh; Daniel Commane, John Commane, Stephen Commane, P J Enright, John Enright, J Leahy. Thomas Leahy, Timothy Leahy, M Burke, Tiermore, R Burke, Old Mill; Peter Burke, P Hedderman, Fern Hill; Thomas Madigan, Shanagolden; M O’Callaghan, Ballynoe; D O’Callaghan, Feenagh; P L O’Sullivan, Chairman DC, Shanagolden; John Kelly, Shanagolden; James Purtill RO; Philip Purtill, Castlequarter; Thomas Liston, Athea; Denis Hurley, Athea; James Leahy, Benanaspuck; Michael Trehy, DC; Stephen Mulcair, John Mulcair, Michael McDonnell, James Nolan, DC; William Irwin, Moig; John Hurley, Banogue; P Liston, Park; John Manahan, Moyreen; Robert Quaid, Knockaderry; Daniel O’Brien, PLG; Michael Dore, Monegay; John Mangan, Shanagolden; John Dore, Shanagolden; Daniel Riordan, Michael O’Connor, Flean; John O’Brien DC; Thomas O’Brien DC; Thomas Stanley, John M Donovan, DC; M Cregan, DC; John Cregan, Shanid; J Creegan, Ballyhahill; W Cregan, J Flynn, Carrickerry; John Halpin, M Culhane, Thomas Culhane, Barneigue; John O’Kelly, Michael Dalton, James Neville, Michael Mangan, Monemohill; John Hastings, Patrick Kerley, Shanid; James Nolan, Ballyanne; Thomas Nolan, Waterpark; Cornelius Nolan, Glensharrold; Michael Leahy, P Barry, W Kennedy, Shanagolden; P O’Shaughnessy, CC, Newcastle West; P O’Shaughnessy, Solicitor, Rathkeale; T Hunt, Solicitor, Kilrush; James Norman, Rathkeale; Dr Mangan, P O’Shaughnessy, DC, Kilbrethern; P Hunt, Athea; T Quaid, John Tierney, M Tierney, Templeathea; M Fitzgerald, Glenagore; J Dalton, Glenagore; Michael Liston, Glenastare; M Fitzgibbon PLG; James Fitzgibbon, RC; M McDonnell, Dunmoylan; John McDonnell, RO; Daniel Mullane, John O’Shea, Lisready; etc, etc,
Wreaths were sent by the Sisters of Mercy, Mrs Hartigan, Dr Ambrose, (London); Miss Nolan, Miss Delia Danaher, and several other sympathetic friends.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Phelan, Newcastle West.
This death took place on the 8th August 1900 and was published in a newspaper after his funeral. We do not know the name of the Newspaper !. He was aged 34 when he died.
Glin Library
Posted on 06/11/2014 by glinlib
Congratulations to the Glin men who won the County Junior Football title last weekend. Well done to all the team : M. Stack, T. O’Connor, B. O’Donovan, K. Sweeney, J. Fitzgerald, P. Costello, John Wallace P. Moloney (0-1), E. Horan, P. Sheahan (0-1), M. Culhane (0-7), D. Sheahan (0-2), P. Scanlon (0-1), P. Fitzgerald, T. Culhane (0-2). Subs: S.Culhane for P. Sheahan, M. Sweeney for T. Culhane, A. Mulvihill for D. Sheahan, T. Scanlon for K. Sweeney, H. Dunne for J. Wallace, James Wallace, B. Culhane, M. Sheehy, S. Shine, P.Horan, G. Culhane.
I post the following poem which was written by Paddy Faley RIP when they last won in 1984. It was published in the BRJ 1985 which is in the local history corner of the library.
Some well trained men set out from Glin
To capture the county crown
In the junior grade we were not afraid
Their followers they’d let down.
For Timmie Woulfe had made them tough
As he drilled them oe’r and oe’r
Day and night in their sportsfield bright
Down by the Shannon shore.
Great craft and skill he did instill
Into these gallant men
Who in their great display on that November day
Defeated the famed Seán Finns.
Like great Glin men bold in the days of old
They shone out in ‘84
And we sang their praise as in former days
Down by the Shannon shore.
For history’s sake an effort I’ll make
Their names to enumerate
Michael McLoughlin of course between the posts
We cannot over-rate.
We had Hogan John and Jack Regan
And Paddy Sweeney to the fore
The three Fitzs clearing, Maurice, Shane and Kieran
Down by the Shannon shore.
Noel Culhane, a great young man
With Davy Fitzgerald too
They at centrefield great skill did yield
And their rivals did subdue.
John Anthony in the roll of captaincy
And Fitzgerald farmer John
Did wish John McNamara shine, in the half forward line
And could be relied upon.
Leo Roche is beyond reproach
With Michael Adams and Conor Fitz
In full forward flight was an inspiring sight
As they smashed Rathkeale to bits.
Subs, young Liam Long and Jotty Culhane
A warrior from days of yore
Brought great renown into Glin town
Down by the Shannon shore.
As they home returned, the bonfires burned
To welcome our heroes brave
Amidst ringing cheers as in former years
When their forefathers the day did save.
Excitement was high as the night drew nigh
And the music and song did soar
As the county cup, it was filled up
In the pubs by the Shannon shore.
LOCAL Produce; jar of Ballyhahill Honey for sale and it impressed me at how many local entrepreneurial people live in the area. We will never go hungry in Knockdown as long as we have O’Briens Cheese, Kearney’s Bread and Scones, Novelty Cakes by Lisa, Home baking by Maire Reidy McIntyre, Puddings and Sausages by Brouders, Honey by McClellan in Lime Kiln Cottage not forgetting the Knockdown coleslaw
Taken from By Peg Prendeville of Knockdown News. http://www.athea.ie/
Changes in our Time
I was looking recently at a film made in the early days of television in this country and I was surprised at the change in the way the people of this locality express themselves. The programme was made in Abbeyfeale for “Radharc” in the early sixties. Much of it was filmed during a fair day in the town and a number of local men and women were interviewed about their lives and the locality. It was lovely to hear the old West Limerick/North Kerry dialect with the odd word of Irish thrown in for good measure. It brought me back to my own young days going to Kelly’s school in Abbeyfeale. On a fair day it was impossible to cycle through the town which was full of cattle, pigs, sheep and other livestock. Walking through, it was great to hear the tangling and deal-making of the farmers with the buyers, some of whom came from far up the country. They could easily be recognised by their accents which seemed strange to us. I remember the first time I ever heard a different accent to our own. It was as a young boy being taken to England on a holiday by my grandmother. We left Abbeyfeale station at 8am in the morning and having taken the train to Limerick, Limerick Junction, Kingsbridge (now Heuston Station), and Dunlaoghaire, went on the cattle boat to Holyhead. At Hollyhead we boarded the train for Crewe, changed there for Rugby and finally got the train to Coventry arriving at 8.15am, 24 and a quarter hours after leaving home. You could be in Australia now in less time. It was when I boarded the train in Holyhead that I heard a Welsh accent for the first time. I was amazed that it could be so different but I soon learned that accents changed from place to place, each with its own beauty.
In Ireland we had beautiful regional accents from Donegal to Waterford , Kerry to Antrim. They seem to be dying out and it is a pity. Young girls in particular have adopted a way of speaking that is influenced by a manufactured accent from Dublin 4. This way of speaking removes all the broad vowels with roundabouts being pronounced “rindabytees”, houses are “hyses” and apparently there is a big city on the South coast called “Quork”. There is also an upward inclination at the end of each sentence as if it was a question. Why are we so apologetic about our natural accent that we have to imitate the so-called celebrities on our airwaves? Some people went to England and America in their youth, lived their lives in those countries without ever changing. Others went for six months and returned speaking like cockneys and yanks. Is it a lack of self esteem and confidence that makes us want to blend in? Yes, we have to speak clearly and at a normal pace to make ourselves understood but keeping one’s own accent has never been a barrier to getting to the top in any profession. During my days as president of Comhaltas I had many dealings with RTE. The head of the authority at the time was Paddy Moriarty from West Kerry. He was also head of the ESB and many other national organisations but never compromised on his beautiful Kerry Gaeltacht brogue. Neither did his brother, the famous broadcaster Micheál. A man called Denis O’Connell from Moyvane was the top man in banking in this country for many years. You would never think he left North Kerry. How come it is only the Irish that have the tendency to change their accent? You would never find a Welsh or Scottish person doing so and the English have kept their own regional distinctive accents and encourage their broadcasters to use them. One final grouse: why have we all, men and women, become “guys”. We still have a bit of growing up to do.
Domhnall de Barra
By Peg Prendeville
There is very little happening in the area so I include a little poem to cheer up your hearts. Remember Lucy, my grandchild, who was born with spina bifida and was told she would not be able to walk as she was paralysed from the waist down. For a long time she was very immobile but, through private physiotherapy in First Step Therapy in Patrickswell, Lucy has good news for us as follows:
“Dear Mammy, I’ve something to tell you
And I know you’ll be filled with delight
When you hear that I took a few steps today
With my walking frame to keep me upright.
Yes, I know it has taken me such a long time
For now I am three and a bit
But you know the obstacles I overcame
To get me up on my feet.
Remember all the drives to the physio
You used to sing all the while
And I did my best to lift up my legs
While you coaxed me on with a smile.
At first I could do nothing at all
But Bart was so patient with me
And little by little I could move a bit
While he counted one, two and three.
Oh sometimes I was sick of it all
And maybe a bit of a coward
But Nana and you dried up my tears
As you hoped I would get my reward.
I know I’ll not be an athlete
But who knows? Maybe I will!
And maybe I’ll walk up the aisle one day
And give you all such a big thrill.
So goodnight now Mammy and thank you
For your part in helping me walk
I’m so blessed with all of my talents
I can laugh, I can sing, I can talk.”