The Aubane National School, which is now Aubane Community Centre, was built in 1912 and was opened in 1913. It was one building with four separate rooms divided into a girls’ and boys’ school. The school closed in 1974 due to falling numbers. The school was then taken over in 1975 by the Aubane Social Club. The Community Centre now holds many different events like the weekly set dancing on Monday nights.
Author: michaeld
Scenery from Mushera July 2005
I stumbled across some pictures on flickr.com taken around Mushera Mountain and St John’s Well in July 2005 by a visitor to the area. I just thought some of ye might like to see them. The photography is simple but good, and even though the weather was dull, it shows Mushera as it’s beautiful peaceful self. I’ve put in a couple of the photo’s below, but you can see them all as a slide-show if you follow this link:
Pets Corner
Photos are at the bottom
Tabby befriending the Garden Gnome
Deer in Millstreet Country Park
Filmed by the crew of LTV2 for transmission during the next season.
LTV2
Millstreet Country Park
EILY BUCKLEY’S HEN
The little hen lays green eggs (rare) and six little
chicks hatched. They are a lovely lavender colour.
CHELSEA
Chelsea was born on the 15th March 2005.
It was the first day of Cheltemham, naming her Chelsea was suitable to the occasion.
She was born to the 12year old Jessie.
Chelsea is Jessie’s first foal.
SASPERILLA
This swan moved in at the lake, Drishane Castle on Christmas Eve. She befriended the staff and residents of the Castle. They became very fond of her and named her Sasperilla.
Mary Cahill, Tullig pictured with Sasperilla
If you own an unusual pet or animal and would like to share a story please contact us.
Batt O’Keeffe visit to Aubane on 29 /04/2005
See pictures below
On Friday the 29th of April, Minister of State Batt O’Keeffe visited Aubane Community Centre. Mr Jack Lane invited the Minister to Aubane a few weeks ago and the Aubane Community warmly welcomed the Minister to their Community Centre last Friday.
There was a relaxed atmosphere between the locals and invited guests, who sat around the fireside, told stories of old and recalled historic stories from the area. Among the invited guests was the President of Aubane Historical Society, Mr Jack Lane who had plenty of Historic folklore to entertain us. Also present was the President of IRD Duhallow, Mr Jack Roche and former TD, Mr Tom Meaney,
When the Minister arrived he personally thanked everyone for attending. There was plenty of open, frank and factual speeches from several speakers including the Chairman of Aubane Community Council Mr Gerard McSweeney who opened the meeting, welcomed the Minister to Aubane and gave him a brief synopsis of Aubane and its local community centre. Next to speak was Mr Jack Lane who spoke about the Butter road, and the way it needs to be developed, upgraded and maintained to a high standard. Next to speak was Mr Jack Roche who gave a wonderful and informative talk about the way forward for the local area, the butter road and the future of IRD Duhallow. Next to speak was Mr Tom Meaney who gave us a factual and informative talk about the way we need to progress our ideas and channel them through the right corridors.
Finally the Minister who listened carefully to the previous speakers gave us a synopsis of the main issues that were raised and how we should go about getting our goals achieved. The talk between the Minister and all present was very open and informative.
To round off a busy night, in tradition with the Aubane way, all enjoyed a cup of tea and tasty cakes.
To capture the entire event that night, we would like to thank Sean Radley who gave of his time to record this unique event.
Aubane Quiz 2005
Friday 25th March 2005
On the 23rd March Good Friday Night the Aubane Community Council held its first Table Quiz in the Aubane Community Centre. The Members of the Aubane Community Council were very proud of themselves when amid a large crowd of people gathered to participate in the quiz. There was a full house with twenty-two tables of four people per table. The winners of the quiz were the following team – John Tarrant, Denis Lane, Pat Sheehan and Liam Flynn. The team with the best name “Twin Cam” went to the Curtin Family from Buttevant. The Aubane Community Council would like to thank all the businesses from Millstreet Town and the Aubane Area that sponsored spot prizes for this event. A special word of thanks to the Youth Committee who organised this event.
There are also many more events being planned at the moment for the year ahead.
Photo’s
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quiz1.jpg (35677 bytes) A full house at the Quiz in Aubane Community Centre.
quiz2.jpg (37862 bytes) Question Masters Michael O’ Riordan and Don O’ Riordan.
quiz3.jpg (35457 bytes) John F. Kelleher, Alan Burton, Anita Sherlock, Donal Corkery writing the
answers.
quiz4.jpg (44636 bytes) . Kathleen O’ Keeffe, Jerry Kelleher, Tony Twomey and Una O’ Mahony
enjoying the quiz.
quiz5.jpg (43665 bytes) Sonya O’ Riordan Secretary of the Aubane Community Council in depth
thought.
quiz6.jpg (36717 bytes) Aubane Council Members: John Dineen, John Sheehan, Ned Lawlor and John W.
Kelleher.
quiz7.jpg (53068 bytes) quiz8.jpg (36351 bytes) Denis Lane accepting First Prize on behalf of his winning team from
Michael O’ Riordan
quiz9.jpg (36451 bytes) Eoin O’ Sullivan accepting Second Prize on behalf of his team from
Chairperson of the Aubane
Community Council Gerard Mac Sweeney
MEMBERS REPORTS
April 2005
Jamie Hooper, Millstreet Youth Club Candidate, Dáil na Nog 2005 writes:
Dáil na nOg Elections
On the 16th of March, I attended the Comhairle na nóg in the Tralee Youth Centre. This was an evening event where four speakers from three areas of Kerry had to speak for two minutes about two issues which affect Young People today, either Facilities for young people, or acohol and drug misuse.
From each area one candidate was to be elected by the other people there and there was also a “Wild Card” vote which I think the Jundges elected which could be from any area.
The people elected would then go to Dáil na nOg on the following Saturday in Dublin. Two candidates from Gaeltacht areas had been pre-elected.
We each had to have an election slogan. Mine was “Mol an óige agus tiocfidh si”
The judges included two people from Kerry who had gone there before, Fr Jerry Godly, Director of KDYS and a journalist from “Kerryman”.
I was one of the candidates to have to speak but first there was a social meeting in which we had Pizza and drinks in the Youth Café and then we were split into two groups to discuss and debate the topics.
In these groups the teenagers decided what we would like to see being done in our areas. Ideas ranged from Drop-in-Centres to Swimming Pools and even a Roller-Disco.
Then came the time when we had to speak. The Killarney group (my group) was first to speak, and I was third to speak. I had never spoken in public before. My speech was mainly about how the lack of good facilities for young people results in alcohol and substance abuse. Well my turn came around after listening to two okay speeches. I read it as best I could, but I hafe to habit of looking down at the sheet and not into the crowd. When I had finishes Fr Godly congratulated me.
Next up was Shirley Somers from Killarney who did a brilliant speech not having it al written down and mostly in her head. Then it was time for people from the other areas to vote on a ballot card which one from Killarney would go to Dublin. I had a fear that my speech didn’t revolve around the issues enough and that all the others would be far more in depth than mine. My fears were not realised however as candidate after candidate came to the microphone and talked about themselves for two minutes straight.
On and on about why they deserved to have a free trip to Dublin and I thought damn I didn’t sell myself enough. But then I thought sureley with speeches like that they don’t have a chance but one person frim each area had to be elected.
Then the results came out.
From my group, as predicted, Shirley Somers was elected, I was pleased because she had put a lot of work into it.
I was annoyed that the one other person who did speak about the issues did not get elected and I had hoped that if not me, he would get the “Wild Card” but it was neither. Just another one of the people who spoke about himself got the “Wild Card”.
So I left the thing thoroughly disappointed but the man from the Kerryman did day he was happy that some people spoke about the issues.
I am not sure if I’ll try again next year but I suppose it can’t be hard to write a speech about myself, can it?
January 2005
Hi
Just and update on what we have been up to at the youth club. We have been busy since we came back from our Christmas break. Every year KDYS organise inter club competitions. We had two soccer teams, one under18 and under15. We also have a quiz team and there is a chess and drafts day coming up.
All our members did us proud and a good time was had by all. We also attended a disco held be Cordal Youth Club Co Kerry, which was a great night. The next disco is being held by Dromtariffe Youth Club in March. So we are really looking forward to that.
There was a training day held in Tralee. Sox pf us went. There were arts and crafts, computers, drama, out-door sports and co-operative games. It was absolutely a fantastic day.
We learnt lots and I thought you might like to try some of the games. We had some laugh doing them. ENJOY!!!!!!
EILEEN MURPHY
RATHCOOLE “B” 0-1 WATERGRASSHILL
RATHCOOLE “B”
by
Shane Kelleher
RATHCOOLE “B” 0-1 WATERGRASSHILL
COONEY PARK, RATHCOOLE.
SUNDAY, 26 FEB.
Two games, two wins for a Rathcoole side jus t hitting top form. Unfortunately attention had to be turned away from the league and towards A.O.H cup matters with Watergrasshill the visitors to a bitterly cold Cooney Park on Sunday last.
A David vs. Goliath tag was hardly justified but with a division separating the sides, it seemed the odds were firmly stacked against Coole who entered the game with a somewhat under strength team. Injury and illness prevented the services of first choice midfield pairing, David Bourke and Paddy Daly. Not to mention top scorer Finbarr Cleary.
Despite the supposed difference in quality, the game played out as if any other division 3 league encounter. The only real difference between the sides being “Hills” ability to counter attack at speed. But with Rathcoole taking the more direct root, supplying Jonathan O Leary and Darren Kelleher with good quick ball, it seemed the visitors defense were struggling to cope with such an approach.
But mid way through the first half Coole were coming off a solid ten minutes of sustained pressure, even a succession of four straight corner kicks saw the home side end with nothing if only a psychological advantage. But this was too soon change as hill made another trade mark break up the pitch, eventually leaving keeper Brian Cooper stranded in a one on one situation , yet it still took a twenty yard cracker to break the deadlock.
The end to end football continued into the second half with the visitors just about maintaining their advantage with the defense now getting to grips with the threat posed by Leary and Kelleher. But in truth this really was an error ridden game, perhaps only redeemed by some excellent goalkeeping from both custodians. One nil the final score, with neither side looking like breaching the others rearguard.
Certainly a game which won’t live long in the memory, or will it be looked upon as a missed opportunity. Alfie Cooney’s men will certainly be keeping the league as the main focus of attention. Let’s just hope Sundays defeat won’t put a damper upon the recent run of results in the league. A decent performance against a solid division 2 side should give “Coole” plenty of confidences going into next weeks encounter with Gratten F.C. And with players returning from injuries and absences, there is no apparent reason for not collecting another three points.
TEAM; B Cooper, R Brown, T McAuliffe, L Dennehey, D Guerin, S Kelleher, E Crowley, D Twomey, C Kelleher, J O Leary, D Kelleher. SUBS USED; P Tancred.
NEXT MEETING; Vs Gratten F.C. Sunday 5th march. Gratten Park [Fr O Neil’s]
Supports always welcome.
In Passing March 2005
In Passing
by Seán Radley
CORK 2005
January 8, 2005 saw the official opening of Cork as the European Capital of Culture for 2005. What a colourful firework display was witnessed on that Saturday. On the Sunday an occasion which had a direct link with Millstreet took place in Cork City Hall at a spectacular Tea Dance. The famous Pádraig Pearse Harp which had been presented to Drishane Convent many years ago by Senator Margaret Pearse (sister of Pádraig) had, in turn, been given to the Cork School of Music where it would continued to be played rather than be a Museum display item. In recent years it has been superbly restored. It was officially played for the first time since restoration at Cork City Hall with the Cork Pops Orchestra on Sunday, 9th January as a very significant cultural event of Cork 2005 – European Capital of Culture.
The historic event featured recently on LTV2.
WEB
Over 21,000 hits on http://www.millstreet.ie/ in the first eleven days of January is certainly uplifting news for Hannelie O’Connor and all those involved with the newly revised Millstreet website. This proves the popularity of the website with an increasing number of new visitors who become regular browsers of the site. Feedback to our email address <email> is wonderfully encouraging with lots of suggestions like the inclusion of a street map of Millstreet and continuation of photographic galleries of life in our parish. We’ve even had web visitors from Austria, Hungary and lots from emigrants in the five continents. This month’s website Personality of the Month is John Kelleher, Aubane. We encourage you to inspire your relatives abroad to log into our website at least weekly for updates of their native Millstreet and to visit our “Links” on the site which includes Fr. James McSweeney’s excellent spiritual site http://www.todayismygifttoyou.ie/ which changes daily. The valuable assistance of Michael Cashman, Tullig in the ongoing development of our local website is deeply appreciated. We especially appeal to those abroad who regularly visit http://www.millstreet.ie/ to let us know by sending us a brief email to <email>
LTV2 MILLSTREET
We’ve now reached Programme 10 with our signal continuing to improve. Response has been enthusiastic. One of the easiest ways of receiving the Local Channel is to tune into Channel 4 (UK) on the Seán O’Connell, Knocknagree multichannel service (should one already have this system in place) on Thursdays from 10.00 to 11.00p.m. with a repeat on Sundays from 8.00 to 9.00p.m.. The Local Channel just logs into the UK Channel 4 for those two hours weekly. Alternatively (but a more complicated approach) one may also get both LTV and LTV2 (Millstreet & Macroom) by arranging to automatically tune into the VHF (just above RTE 2) signal from Mushera or UHF (Channel 50) from Tullig but this is, however, dependent on correct direction of the aerial system in one’s home.
The present LTV2 service is being provided free of charge through the voluntary group of enthusiasts who believe in the tremendous potential of a Local Channel which is community based and non-commercial. While lots of necessary equipment has been voluntarily bought by members of the core group the cost of transmission aerials and broadcast equipment used on the mountains and in the studio is quite substantial and will need public financial support if the weekly broadcasts are to continue. In the near future ways by which the funding of such projects will be suggested.
MUSEUM NEWS
The famous “Irish Examiner” photograph taken by photographer Denis Minihan continues to reappear consistently in the newspaper in its promotion of its professional prints service of past pictures of the national paper. It was taken in Millstreet’s Carnegie Hall in the 1980s and features Rosemary Healy, daughter of Denis and Nora who lived in Church Street at the time. The child is seen reading a book in front of the beautiful stained-glass door at the entrance of the
Carnegie Hall.
We thank Maurice Walsh of Ickenham for much appreciated copies of the “Irish Post” which included an excellent photograph of Tony and Delia Barrett receiving a presentation in recognition of their splendid work for the London Cork Association.
To James O’Shea of Cork we also extend thanks for extra very interesting information relating to his remarkable research into the history of the O’Shea Family who originally came from Carrigacooleen, Millstreet. A splendid Clan Gathering took place at the Duhallow Park Hotel last Summer. Members of the Family were very much involved in the construction of some of Cork’s most famous buildings including the renowned Opera House.
One of the most significant presentations to Millstreet Museum took place recently when Seán & Catherine Buckley together with Nora Creedon arranged to donate the many historic Cups and a Shield associated with the very famous Kilcorney Feis. The important occasion was recorded by John Tarrant and has received much newspaper coverage. It will also be shown on LTV2 Millstreet. Míle buíochas to the Kilcorney Feis Committee for such a generous gesture. The valuable items will be on display for generations to come.
Millstreet Museum / Tourist Information Centre is open on Tuesdays from 10am to 3.30pm and on Wednesdays/Fridays from 10am to 5.00pm. Our e-mail address is <email> while our telephone number is 029-20844.
Our Faithful Departed
The very special tribute delivered in such a heartfelt manner at the funeral of the late Seán O’Riordan, Church Street, Millstreet by Jerry Doody appears under the GAA webpage on http://www.millstreet.ie/ . We also very especially remember the most memorable 40th Anniversary to the Priesthood of the late Fr. Michael Cashman of Tullig who recently went to his Eternal Reward in New Zealand where he has so dedicatedly ministered for many years. The late Timothy Duggan, West End was such a wonderful Barber who shared a wealth of fascinating stories and humorous tales in such a welcoming manner.
We also extend our sincere sympathy to the relatives of Mary Goggin, Priest Cross; Jim Fitzpatrick, Carrigaline, Rathmore; Christopher (Sonny) Byrne, Dublin & Rathcoole; Liam Miller’s two daughters who died in a road accident in France….Liam had directed Eurovision ’93 in Millstreet; Michael O’Connor, Coolikerane; Denis (Denny) Murphy, Shanaknuck; Denis Sheahan, Glenbeigh Village, Co. Kerry (father of Billy, Wallis Arms, Millstreet); Adrian Ryan, London & West End, Millstreet (brother of Marie, “Moyne Hill”, Station Road); Anne Lehane (mother of Michael of LTV Macroom); Helena Hegarty, Churchtown, Dublin (mother of Edel Fraser, Claraghatlea, Millstreet); Sr. Pius Singleton (Drishane Sister) of Cullen and the English Mission; Hannah McSweeney, Meenskehy East.
May they all rest in peace.
BRIEFLETS
We extend heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to John Kelleher, Aubane on his recent retirement following many years of wonderfully dedicated service to the Millstreet Branch of Cork Co. Council. As Martin Corcoran, B.E. who made one of the many presentations to John at a hugely attended special retirement function at the Duhallow Park Hotel, stated John’s utter commitment to such major projects as the construction of the new Keale Bridge, was of enormous importance. John recently presented very generous financial support for the work of LTV2 Millstreet.
We congratulate Eilish O’Rahilly, Killarney Road, Millstreet on her recent engagement to Brendan Breen, Beaufort, Co. Kerry.
When the ever-popular dog “Rooter”, at the age of fifteen, died recently it marked a very real change at the Square, Millstreet. Owned by the Manley Family, the black dog became a favourite pet not only to Anthony, Ursula and Family but became such a popular animal friend throughout the town. He used even win the local Lotto Draw! He used to recognise my car or even the sound of it when I lived at the Square and make his way over to patiently wait for his favourite biscuits.
Two excellent articles appeared in recent “Ireland’s Own” issues (January, 2005)…. one on the history of Kilcorney Feis beautifully written by Mary Gaffney, Killarney Road, Millstreet and featured a colour picture of Seán Buckley, Kilcorney. The other very interesting article related to the Showband series when the featured Band was “Pat Max and the Specialists” with its members from Ballydaly, Rathduane, Rathmore and Millstreet.
Thought for reflection: When considering the Country Code – Take nothing but photographs – Leave nothing but footprints!
AUBANE HISTORY
Aubane comes the Gaelic Abha Ban, white river, which indicates as townland names usually do, an essential topographical feature. The Aubane River flows through the countryside of Aubane. The white refers to the whiteness resulting from the shallowness as it is near its source and flowing over the rocks and stones. But no doubt a very regular feature and it was this flooding that provided the fertile soil for the valley. There is an inexhaustible supply of this soil to be had from its source in Mushera Mountain. The meandering part of the river has therefore in a real sense created Aubane. The Aubane River into a black river, the Blackwater. Aubane is situated three miles from Millstreet Town. The townland is very much a farming community.
The Townland of Aubane can boost many tourist attractions such as the following: -The Kerrymans’s table is a large flat rock situated on the Old Kerry Road or the Old Butter Road as it was previously known, four miles from Millstreet on the road to Rylane exactly mid-way between Killarney and Cork City, 25 miles on either side. It is also about 25 miles from Castleiland, a very important market town for the farmers of Kerry in bygone days. If one were to look at a map you will notice that Castleiland, Millstreet and the top of Blarney Street where the Butter Market wa situated, form a straight line “as the crow flies.”
Long ago people from Kerry travelled this route on their way to Cork with horse and cart taking firkins of butter to the Cork Butter Market. This rock is reported to be the place where they stopped and refreshed themselves and rested their horses. It was also a collection point where people who did not have adequate means of transport brought their living transporting the butter to Cork and returning with hardware for the shops in Millstreet, Rathmore etc.
Before 1736, Millstreet Town consisted only of an Inn, a Mill and five small Cabins. A hundred years later it had one long street with several smaller ones diverging from it and contained 312 houses, the majority of which were small but well built. Situated on the south side of the Blackwater, amidst the lofty mountains of Muskerry, Millstreet derived its principal support from being a great thoroughfare on the road form Cork to Killarney and Castleisland and on that form Mallow to Kenmare.
The advent of the Railway did much to halt the development of Millstreet as the landlords of the time. unsure of its impact, kept the line well north of the town. When roads were developed at the beginning of this century by the first native governments both the Cork-Kerry road and the Kerry-Dublin road bypassed the town and halted its growth as a commercial centre. In May 1998 Mr Michael Kelleher formerly of Aubane and New York unveiled a plaque at the Kerrymans Table during the Butter Road Commemoration Weekend.
St John’s Well Mushera
St John’s Well is 3km from Aubane
Like most holy wells, St John’s Well has a large amount of tradition and legend, which has been passed on from father to son. The well on top of Mushera has always been known as a well for cattle where herdowners prayed for the health and prosperity of their hers. The well on the Kilcorney side has little tradition that we know of except that it moved from one side of the road to the other at some stage in its history. The well on the Millstreet side has been and still is reputed for its cure of warts. These wells like many others are almost certainly of pagan origin and were Christianised over time. Pre-Christian man paid homage to water and in many places it was held sacred to the gods. The early saints in an effort to exorcise any evil forces believed to be active in the water blessed numerous springs and wells throughout Ireland thus consecrating them to the Christian God. However, the pagan rituals never Quite disappeared, instead they were absorbed into Christian practices, and a still evident example of this can be seen in the widespread practice of bringing gifts of offerings of cups, coins, medals etc. to the holy wells.
June 24th is of course Midsummers’s Day, the feast of the nativity of St. John the Baptist. Although it may seem strange that a saint on the Boggeragh Mountains should share the same name and feast day as John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus, it is necessary to remember that the concept of a calender year held little relevance for the pagan or early Christian Irish, and that Midsummers’s Day itself daters back to an era long before Christianity. Midsummer Day, the summer solstice marks the point where the sun turns and retraces its path in the sky, starting the decline, and in doing so beginning the gradual shortening of daylight. The awareness of what the solstice heralded must have filled the hearts of pagan man with fear and terror, and he may have believed that by lighting fires to honour the sun he might prevent its decline of daylight, keeping darkness at bay. Midsummer held a symbolic importance for primitive man, and Christianity absorbed this mystical quality in it’s celebration of the day, the result is a merging of the two beliefs, the ancient pagan ritual of the festival of light, and the Christian celebration of the nativity of St John, both observed on Midsummer’s Day.
In 1954, a mad who is long since dead, Michael Buckley of Aubane bought a picture of St. John and placed it on the grotto early on St John’s Day. The late Sonny Buckley, Tullig, Millstreet who called later in the day to pay his round decided to make a timber altar to protect the picture. Even this did not seem to be enough to provide permanent protection for such a delicate object in such a windswept site. A committee mainly of people from the Aubane area was formed and a few pounds put together for the purpose of building the centre grotto, completely by voluntary labour. The altar containing the picture of St John was placed inside this stone grotto and the picture lasted until quite recently.
In 1958, a statue of St John was purchased and placed in the centre grotto. Again with voluntary labour two side grottos were erected, one contained the altar with the original picture and the other an altar with a statue of the Infant of Prague. The statue of St John was blessed in 1958 by Canon Costello of Millstreet. The first Mass at the grotto was celebrated on 24th June 1974 and has been celebrated every year since.
The late Sonny Buckley had great faith in St John’s Well and often spoke of erecting Stations of the Cross in the vicinity of the Well. When he died in 1979, he left £500 in his will towards the erection.
Many of the old committee including Sonny Buckley were then dead so a new committee was formed with the task of carrying our Sonny’s wishes.
A fund was opened and it would be appropriate at this stage to pay tribute to the very large number of people who subscribed so generously, because without their help it would have been impossible to carry out the job intended. The Forestry Department was very helpful in many ways, indeed we had to have its permission to erect the Stations it the first place! The Stations were designed by Liam Cosgrove of Blackpool in Cork city, but before they could be erected a great deal of work had to be done. First fourteen concrete slabs were made in which the Stations were encased. Then the bulldozer made the ground ready and with limestone from Ballygiblin the work got under way. Voluntary labour again played a very large part with most of the building being done by John Kelleher and Brendan Kelleher. Completing the erection was no easy task because it had to be done in peoples’ spare time, however the stations were completed and all involved felt a great sense of achievement at the result.
Very many people come to the well throughout the year especially on Sundays. A Faith and Light group visited in 1985 and some of them acted out the Passion and Death of Our Lord. It was a very moving ceremony. At St John’s Well there is also a cure for warts, it is believed that warts disappear by cleansing your hand in the water.
Millstreet Country Park is also an attraction situated about 3.5 km from Aubane Cross. Further information. Go to www.millstreetcountrypark.ie
There is also a song about Aubane, which is called The Lane of Sweet Aubane
The Lane of Sweet Aubane
Come all you loyal comrades, come listen for a while
Till I relate the praises of a spot in Erin’s Isle
It’s there I saw the daylights first when around me it did dawn
On the lovely little valley ‘round the lane of sweet Aubane
To leave that spot will break my heart and to cross o’er the raging main
And to leave behind, my parent’s kind whose tears will fall like rain
But when we land on the American shore there‘ll be cheers by each and all
For those young brave young rattling hero from the Lane of sweet Aubane
There’s many a handsome cailin around those pleasant glens
Their voices sweet and melodious you’d hear the valley ring
They will ring the valley from the dark until early dawn
Those handsome pretty colleens from the Lane of sweet Aubane
Tidy Towns 2004
| The Corkman THURSDAY, DECEMBER9, 2004 writes: |
Millstreet Tidy Town Tourism Association can look back on 2004 with a great deal of satisfaction, after many positive developments on the ground and winning several competition plaudits.
In the national tidy towns competition, a county award and a cash prize of €500 gave the committee “the impetus to carry on further in the knowledge that Millstreet is making progress and that all the years of dedicated work have not been in vain.”
Millstreet rose to the top ten best towns and villages in County Cork.
While Millstreet came second to Castletownroche in the North Cork Division, it came first among all the towns of the county in its own category (town with a population of under 1500)
The town picked up an additional nine marks this year, up an additional nine marks this year, making a total of 243. Over the past two years, Millstreet gained nineteen marks, which is quite remarkable.
At a more local level, Millstreet came first in the Muintir Na Tire “Litter Free Roadside” competition earning €380 and a framed certificate.
Apart from the annual flower planting, the maintenance of grassed areas and the pruning of trees and shrubs the Association erected a wildlife information board on the Drishane Road, prompted by the remarks of several judges over the years, in their annual reports on the town.
The number of planted tubs around the town was also reduced before the summer and painted with a new uniform colour scheme.
A successful meeting with officials in Cork County Council, recently, also brought the welcome news that two of the town’s eyesores were to be finally removed.
One one section of the site, the eagerly-anticipated civic amenity site is already taking shape and this will open to the public in May 2005.
Another part of the extensive site will provide a home for Millstreet’s proposed new fire station, while the Council is to use the remainder of the old mart property to house its vehicles, machinery and materials – with roadside landscaping.
Another exiting development in the town is the building of a footpath, “long overdue” on the Clara Road from the sheltered housing to the new home in Mountleader.
The Association’s members are grateful to the many business people who sponsored their fundraising efforts in the past year, and to those who contributed to our annual church gate collection.”
Without this support, much of the work undertaken in the last year could not have been accomplished.
Plans are afoot for next year’s activities, with the emphasis on maintaining litter free streets.
It is also hoped that an application for a grant under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme will prove successful and allow us run utility cables underground in the West End.
This would be the second stage in ridding the streetscape of these unsightly cables.
VAUGHAN INSPIRES THE MILLSTREET HEROES
Scoil Mhuire Millstreet 2-8
St Mary�s B.N.S.Carrigtwohill 0-4
The sun came out and the dark clouds lifted when the teams came out to contest the boy�s F4 final which was the second match on the Allianz Sciath na Scol football programme at P�irc Ui Rinn yesterday.
With wind advantage Millstreet built up a six point lead by half-time, which was to prove too much for a gallant Carrigtwohill side, whose failure to score from play when winning possession was to prove costly.
The East Cork school opened with a point from an Alan Goggin free in the first minute, but he was to prove their only scorer in the first half when adding two more frees. Millstreet�s best player on the day, midfielder Michael Vaughan scored three points from frees as well as playing outstanding football.
The only goal of the first half came to the North Cork school�s half forward Eric Hickey who beat the busy Carrigtwohill goalkeeper Kieran Baverstock after five minutes. Hickey kicked another good point from 25 metres, with Alan O Connor and half back John O Mahony also scoring to help their side into a 1-6 to 0-3 half-time lead.
St Mary�s made a positional change at the start of the second half, with full-back P�draig Hogan moving to midfield joining the hard-working Cian Buckley with Colm Cronin switching to full-back. These three players won an amount of ball, but the forwards failed to convert possession into scores.
After 11 minutes of close football that did not yield a score, the stylish Vaughan set up Kieran Fraser for a point and when Millstreet scored their second goal through Daniel Daly 13 minutes into the second half, it silenced the Carrig following.
When Shane Devlin scored his only score from play in stoppage time it was just a consolation as Scoil Mhuire Millstreet deserved their win.
Scorers
Millstreet; E Hickey 1-1, D Daly 1-0, M Vaughan 0-3 f, J O Mahony, A O Connor, K Fraser, M Buckley 0-1 each.
Carrigtwohill; A Goggin 0-3 f S Devlin 0-1
MILLSTREET; E Harmon, P Looney, S Cronin, M Desmond, J O Mahony, B O Reilly, K Sheahan, J Kelleher, M Vaughan, E Hickey, A O Connor, K Fraser, D Daly, M Buckley, D Tarrant. Subs S Cotter, P Murphy, E O Callaghan, M Fitzgerald.
CARRIGTWOHILL;K Baverstock, S Casey, P Hogan, C McCarthy, K Murphy, P Deane capt, S Keating, C Cronin, C Buckley, W McCarthy, J Hayes, A Barrett, J Buttimer, J Leahy, A Goggin, R Manley, K O Sullivan, P Ahern, S Devlin, J Kidney, C Keegan, J McCarthy, J Barden, S Rohan.
Referee; David Nolan Douglas.
Bridget (White) Horgan, NY & Tober (1908-2003)
Bridget (White) Horgan, 95, of Huntington, Long Island, NY, wife of the late Daniel Horgan, died Sunday (September 14, 2003). Born on April 9th 1908 in Tubber, Drishane, County Cork, Ireland one of 13 children, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Bridget (Keeffe) White. She immigrated to New York City at the age of 17 and later resided in both Florida and Long Island, New York. She volunteered at the local hospital in Hialeah, FL and was an active member in senior citizen organizations in Florida. She is survived by two sons, Daniel Horgan and his wife, Nancy of Barrington, RI, and Jeremiah Horgan of Miami, FL; two daughters, Margaret Aufenanger and her husband, Jack of Huntington, Long Island and Eileen McVicar and her husband, John of Rocky Hill; a brother, Joseph White of Tubber, Drishane, County Cork, Ireland; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 10:30 a.m. from the Giuliano-Sagarino Funeral Home at BROOKLAWN, 511 Brook St., Rocky Hill, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 280 Brook St., Rocky Hill. Internment will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Gifts in her memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. [legacy]
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Kilcorney Notes for the Clara News – June 2003
KILCORNEY NOTES FOR CLARA NEWS
Cloyne Pilgrimage-
Cloyne Pilgrimage- A coach, taking pilgrims from Banteer Parish left the locality on Sunday morning last to join the largely attended Pilgrimage from Diocese of Cloyne at Knock Shrine. There were several other pilgrimages at the shrine also on the day. The Cloyne Pilgrimage was led by Bishop John Magee, who was Chief Celebrant at the Concelebrated Mass and was joined by several Priests from Cloyne Diocese and others, throughout the country. The weather was mild and pleasant and most enjoyable. The local group were back home about 11. P.M.
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Holy Communion- Eleven children from Derrinagree National School received their First Holy Communion in the Church of the Presentation of Mary, Derrinagree recently. Mass was Celebrated by Fr. Sean Hanafin, who congratulated the children and complimented their parents and teachers. First Communicants were- Damien Buckley, Denise O’Riordan, James Murphy, Garoid O’Farrell, T.J. O’Keeffe, Darren O’Connor, Susan Guerin, Sean O’Callaghan, Kevin McSweeney, Sean Pigott and Rachel O’Brien.
First Communion- On Saturday last, children from Rathcoole and Dromagh National Schools received their first Holy Communion in St. John’s Church, Dromtariffe. Mass was Celebrated by Fr. Sean Hanafin, P.P. He congratulated the children and said he hoped that memories of this day will stay with them and strengthen them in the days ahead. He also paid tribute to their parents and teachers for their help in preparing the children for this day. He thanked the choir and organist- Hannah M. Tarrant and soloist- Ann Marie O’Riordan for enhancing the Celebration. First Communicants are-
Dromagh- Stephen Corbett, Diarmuid Keane, John Ed. Kiely, Tony O’Flynn and Becky Murphy.
Rathcoole- Siobhan Buckley, Anna Byrnes, Avril Dunlea, Rachel Keller-Sexton, Maura Murphy, Muireann O’Keeffe, Rachel O’Keeffe, Kathleen O’Leary, Sheila O’Riordan. Jason Collins, Luke Dennehy, Dan Drake, Danny Mullane, Conor O’Donoghue and Shane O’Riordan.
Macra Success- Congratulations to Neil Moylan, Banteer Macra Club in winning an All-Ireland title in Dublin City Talent competition in Solo-Instrumental section. Neil, who is son of Connie and Kathleen Moylan, Sally’s Cross, Kanturk, won the title at the National Concert Hall, Dublin on May 5th. last., playing the Piano, with his rendering of- The Green Fields of France and Promise Me. Neil defeated the three other finalists in the competition, with Michael Potterton from Athboy, Co. Meath, taking runner-up place, while playing The Button Accordion. Well done to Banteer Macra Club.
Wedding Bells- The Marriage took place in St. John’s Church, Dromagh of Kathleen O’Keeffe, Dromalour, Kanturk and Michael Breen, Kanturk. Fr. Sean Hanafin, P.P. Dromtariffe Officiated. The bride was attended by her sisters- Gobnait and Marie O’Keeffe, sisters of the Bride. Bestmen were Pat & Gerard Breen, brothers of the groom. The reception was held at Springfort Hall, Mallow and the honeymoon was spent in South Africa.
Wedding Bells. The Marriage took place at St. Nicholas’ Church, Kilcorney of Anne Desmond, daughter of Michael and Mary Desmond, Glenlea and Timmie O’Keeffe, son of Billy and Winifred O’Keeffe, Keale, Derrinagree. Fr. John Ryan, C.C. Kilcorney Officiated. Assistant Celebrant was Fr. Sean Hanafin, P.P. Dromtariffe. The bride was attended by her sister- Nora O’Keeffe and by Jayne Desmond and Yvonne Brosnan. The Best man was- Laurence O’Keeffe, brother of the Groom and groomsman was Gerald McCarthy. Flower-girls were- Susan O’Keeffe and Emma O’Keeffe and page-boys were- James Desmond and Daniel Desmond. The reception was held at Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney and the honeymoon was spent in Crete.
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Mass at Grotto- The Annual May Mass was Celebrated at Rathcoole Grotto on May 1st. and was Celebrated by Fr. Sean Hanafin. Dromtariffe. In his homily, he thanked all who had prepared the Grotto and surrounds and praised the congregation for their continued devotion to Our Lady and said it was always a wonderful part of the faith of the Irish people. He also thanked the school and Parish Choirs and Organist- Hannah. M. Tarrant for their wonderful contribution to the occasion. Despite the inclement weather on the day, the evening remained dry and mild for this annual occasion. During the month of May, the Rosary will be recited at the Grotto every evening at 8. P.M. and everybody is welcome.
Pilgrimage-On Apr.27th. A coach full of pilgrims travelled from Banteer, through Kanturk, Newmarket and Freemount to take part in the International Pilgrimage at Knock, in honour of Our Lady of all Nations. There was a huge attendance present and many had to endure the rain and high winds on the day, as the large Basilica there could only hold a portion of the large congregation present. The local group left about 7.A.M. and returned home about 11.P.M.
Wedding Bells- The Marriage took place in Cullen Church of Damien
Byrnes, youngest son of Michael and Catherine Byrnes, Knockcahill,
Rathcoole and Dolores Moynihan, daughter of Tony and Eileen Moynihan,
Moynihan, Coalpits, Cullen. Fr. Padraig Kennelly. C.C. Castleisland.
Assistant Celebrant – Fr. Thomas Gaine (friend of the family) The
bride was attended by her sisters- Gillian Kenny, (matron of Honour) and
Marcella Moynihan and (friend) Karen Kelly and by Mary O’Gorman
(sister of the Groom). Bestman was- Michael Bynes (brother of the groom)
Groomsmen were- Dominic and Martin Byrnes, (brothers of the Groom and
Kevin Murphy- (friend). Flower-girls were- Marie and Kate O’Gorman-
(nieces of the groom) and page-boy was Daniel Moynihan, (nephew of the
bride.) The Church-music was provided by The Forde Family, Millstreet
and the reception was held at The Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglanton.
Pilgrimage to Knock. Dromtariffe Pilgrimage to Knock shrine was held on
Sunday- May 19th. The group left at 7.A.M. and returned about 10.P.M.
They had stop-over at Kilcolgan, Co. Galway for meals and refreshments on
Both journeys. The weather held dry and mild for the occasion.
The untimely death occurred recently of Jerome Kiely, Curraraigue and it brought great grief to his family and community. He was a popular young man in the locality and was an active farmer, mainly sheep-farming.
He was a keen bowling follower and was no mean bowler himself, taking part in many local scores and representing the club both at home and throughout Mid-Cork.
The removal took place from McCarthy funeral home to St.Fursey’s Church and following funeral Mass, the burial took place in Banteer cemetery. He’s deeply regretted by his mother- Kathleen, the Kiely and McSweeney families. Also his aunts, uncles, grand-aunt and a wide circle of relatives and friends. R.I.P.
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A.G.M.- The A.G.M. of Kilcorney Community Council was held in the community and was well attended. Chairman- Donie Howard welcomed the attendance and spoke of the many achievements of the past year, in particular, the outstanding success of the Kilcorney community Gymnasium. He thanked everyone, who helped to achieve such success especially the group of hard-working people, who helped to build and prepare the gymnasium. He also hoped that further success would be achieved in the years to come.
He paid special tribute to Marion Buckley, Millstreet, who has helped to compile the accounts of the community and produce balance sheet for their Annual General Meetings over the past twenty-one years. He said she had rendered a great service to this community and her work was much appreciated.
Secretary- Pat Golden gave a comprehensive report of all the activities at the centre over the past year and said it was the busiest year, since the hall was built. The treasurer’s report showed a healthy balance and it was adopted and signed. There were individual reports from all the nine groups, using the centre at the moment.
Donal Howard then chaired the election of officers, as he had decided to take a break from duties for a while. Committee elected were- President- Pat Sheehan, Chairman- Pat Golden, Vice-Chairman – Danny Sheehan. Hon. Sec.- Neil O’Shea, Treasurers- Mary Cotter & Peg Dennehy, P.R.O.- Donie Howard. Before the meeting ended, a vote of sympathy was extended to the families of Jerome Kiely and Michael Dennehy. Curraraigue, who had both passed to their reward in recent days. The proprietors of Bridge-Bar have long been associated with the community council and have made their premises available for fund-raising efforts on many occasions and were also very generous with sponsorship and fund-raising efforts. Sincere sympathy was extended to Breda and family on their great loss.
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Death- The death took place recently in Crewe, in England of Margaret Barwick, (nee Golden , Blackrock, Kilcorney.) Margaret left Blackrock at a young age and entered he career of nursing, where she met her future husband- Dr. Colin. She always kept in regular contact with Kilcorney and always expressed the wish to be laid to rest in Kilcorney. The burial took place in the family grave after Requiem Mass in St. Nicholas’ Church, Kilcorney. She’s survived by her husband- Colin, sons- Robert, Martin, Paul and daughter- Nicola, son-in-law, grandchildren , brother sisters. R.I.P.
First Communion- On Sunday last, four boys from Kilcorney National School received their First Holy Communion in St. Nicholas’ Church,
Kilcorney. They were- Cormac Sheehan, Christopoher Sheehan, Daniel Golden and Lukas Mirtschrink.
Sincere thanks to teachers- Frank O’Connor & Christine O’Shea
And also to Fr. John Ryan for putting a very meaningful ceremony in place. Also great credit is due to the Kilcorney National School Choir for the beautiful singing. Refreshments were served afterwards in the local National School
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Eucharistic Procession.- The Annual Eucharistic Procession took place in Dromtariffe on Sunday last, following the celebration of 11.A.M. Mass in St. John’s Church. The Monstrance was carried by Fr. Denis Quirke, former P.P. Dromtariffe, who was helping out with parish duties. The Procession continued from the Church to the Presbytery grounds, where the Solemn Blessing was imparted. The Rosary was recited and hymns were sung along he route. The ceremony ending with Benediction being held in the Church. The congregation was glad that the morning was dry and the weather was pleasant for the occasion.
Rosary Rally
On Saturday- June 1st. the 17th.annual All-Ireland Rosary Rally was held at Knock Shrine and as usual, a coach-full travelled from this locality and have done so, since the Rally commenced. The coach left from Cullen
village and picked up pilgrims in Ballydaly, Millstreet, Rathcoole and Banteer and was then full to capacity. Huge crowds again attended at Knock, as they have done over the years. The local group left about 6.30.A.M. and returned back to base about 11.P.M. Again, the weather obliged and the rain held off during the afternoon.
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Sympathy- Sincere sympathy is extended on the death of Clare Dennehy,
Clonmoyle, Coachford. To her husband Tim, sons, daughters, extended
family and relatives. Sincere sympathy is extended from the Parishioners of
Kilcorney, Lyre and Banteer to Fr. Michael Dennehy, on the death of his
mother- Clare. Fr. Michael was former C.C. Kilcorney, before taking up
his Clerical appointment in Portsmouth Diocese. He was very friendly and
well liked by all the community and for a short-time, he obliged the
community by taking the Hon. Secretary-ship of Kilcorney Community
Council. The community wishes his well in his future Ministry.
Mass for deceased members- The Annual Mass for deceased members of Dromtariffe G.A.A. Club was Celebrated in their club-rooms at Dromahoe by Fr. Sean Hanafin, Dromtariffe and former club player- Fr. Peter Cronin, now retired P.P. Liverpool. It was the final celebration of it’s kind in the old club-house, which was opened in 1984. Future Celebrations like this will be held at the new clubrooms in Rathcoole.
Club members took part in the Celebration. Prayers for the faithful were read by Eoin Dennehy, Dominic Byrnes, Laura Cronin, Sean Collins and Dan Joe O’Keeffe. The Offertory gifts were presented by Erica O’Connell, Eugene Healy, Jessica O’Connell and Vintie Collins and Altar-servers were- Shane Murphy and Leonard Leader.
Vice-Chairman- Brendan O’Riordan- thanked both Priests and said it was fitting that Fr. Peter should be present for this final Celebration in the old club-rooms as he was a staunch member of the club, during the 1940s. He thanked all who had helped down the years and said that many of them had gone to their reward but he hoped their spirits would be with them in their new playing grounds in Rathcoole.
Community Games- Congratulations to the Millstreet district community games Question-time teams, who competed in All-Ireland Finals at Mosney, last week-end and did very well. The group included pupils from Rathcoole and Derrinagree National Schools. Well done to both teams and to the teachers and parents involved.
Mass at Grotto-
The 29th. Annual Mass was held on May 13th. at Kilcorney Grotto. The
Chief Celebrant was Fr. Sean Hanafin , P.P. Dromtariffe. He was assisted
By Fr. Liam Ryan P.P. Banteer, Fr. John Ryan, C.C. Kilcorney and also
Visiting Priest- Fr.Con. Kelleher. U.S.A. and formerly of Laught,
Rathcoole. Organist was Hannah M. Tarrant, Rathcoole and the
Kilcorney/Rathcoole choir.
Denis Lane provided the amplification. Although the weather was bad,
The rain held up during the Mass and a good crowd attended.
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Sponsored walk- The ladies club held their first annual sponsored walk
on Sunday May 26th. Thankfully the weather was kind. We would like to
thank all who participated in the walk, especially the girls who came from
Millstreet and the families of the players, who also joined in. Also
A special thank-you to all who sponsored the girls.
Dromtariffe ladies football news—Summer camps- Cork ladies board are
holding their annual Summer Camp in Dromtariffe-Aug. 12th to 16th.
10.A.M to 1. P.M. Expert coaching from Cork senior trainers will be
provided as well as each girl receiving a ladies replica jersey and leather
football. Details from, all National Schools and from Sharon O’Keeffe
Phone-58306. It’s open to all; girls in Duhallow from 7-14 years.
21st. Birthday- Congratulations to Louise O’Sullivan, younger daughter of Dan and Margaret O’Sullivan, Dromahoe, Dromagh, who celebrated her 21st. birthday with a double celebration- for her family and relatives and again with her former school-friends from Boherbue Comprehensive School, who all celebrated their coming of age with a joint celebration in Boherbue. Louise is student-nurse in Cork and we wish her every success in the future of her career.
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Wedding Bells- The Marriage took place in St. Fursey’s Church, Banteer of Linda Ryan, only daughter of Paddy and Juliet Ryan, Knockbrack, Banteer and John Farrissey, Dromina. Fr. Liam Ryan Banteer Officiated. Assistant celebrant- Fr. Murphy, Dromina. The bride was attended by her cousins Carmel Ryan and Juliet Moynihan and her sisters-in-law- Mary Ryan and Catherine Ryan.. Bestman was Martin Farrissey, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were- John Ryan, brother of the Bride and David Noonan & Sean McCarthy,- friends of the groom. Flower-girls- Emma Ryan,(niece of the bride) and Clodagh Farrissey, (niece of the groom). Page boys were Davin and Padraig Ryan, nephews of the groom. Ring-bearer was Sean Ryan. The reception was held at Duhallow Park Hotel.
Lyre Quiz teams- tops again.
The above communities are very proud of the performance of Lyre National School Quiz Team members, who are tops again this year and have achieved tremendous success during the past year.
They commenced by winning the G.A.A. Quiz in Boherbue before last Christmas. They entered the Credit Union School Quiz, winning the local chapters outright and finishing in third place overall in the All-Ireland final, held at R.D.S. Dublin, last April.
Their recent major success was to win first place in the regional finals of the Credit Union ‘Sammy Stamps Quiz.’ The successful team members are- Marie Murphy, Fiona O’Riordan, Anthony Leahy and Daniel Murphy. The community wishes them every success in future competitions.
Annual Mass. The Annual Mass was Celebrated at Nadd Grotto on May
22nd. and was Celebrated by Fr. Liam Ryan, P.P. Banteer. In his homily, he thanked the committee and all who helped to prepare the Shrine. There was a good attendance and the rain held up during the Celebration. Amplification was provided by Dermot McCarthy as he had done, down the years. The village and surrounds were clean and neat and looked very well for the occasion.
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Thank-You- Kilcorney Community Graveyard would like to than everyone who supported their Church-gate collection. Anybody, who would still like to make a contribution can do so by contacting Fr. John Ryan, Pat Golden, Ned Thornton or Danny Sheehan.
Death- The death of Michael Dennehy, Curraraigue took place in Mallow General hospital, following a brief illness. Mickie of course, was well known as proprietor of Moll Carthy’s Bridge-bar, along with his wife- Breda and family. The family were popular, not alone to their many customers but to all who availed of the hospitality of The Bridge Bar, over the decades.
It has been home to the bowling fraternity, over several years, where their official meetings were held and where they celebrated their success and defeat. It has also been the venue for Blackwater Valley Gun Club for meetings, get-togethers and celebrations and Mickie has also supervised many a gripping card-game in these premises.
He spent many years in the employment of Kilcorney Co-Operative Creamery, where he was a diligent and well-liked member of the staff. He’ll be sorely missed by his many friends, neighbours and customers and all who had come to know him in the homely atmosphere of The Bridge Bar establishment.
The removal took place from Manley’s funeral home to St. John’s Church, Dromtariffe. Chief Celebrant at his funeral Mass was his relative-,Fr. John O’Shea. In his homily, he recalled many wonderful memories and stories relating to Mickie and his life and times. The burial took place in .Mary’s cemetery. Millstreet, May he rest in peace. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife- Breda, son – Joseph, daughter-in-law- Nora, grandchildren, sisters- Mary & Hannie, Brothers- Jerry & Maurice, nephews and n nieces, brother-in –law, sisters-in-law, neighbours, relatives and friends.
Sympathy- Sincere sympathy is extended on the untimely death of Mary McKnight, London and formerly of 21. Murphy’s Terrace, Millstreet- to her husband- Jim, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.
First Communion- The children of Banteer Primary School received their
First Holy Communion on May 11th. Mass was Celebrated by Fr. Liam
Ryan in St. Fursey’s Church, Banteer. First Communicants were-
Aisling Murphy, Helen Moore, Emma Ryan, Annie Sheehan, Nicole
Murphy, Ann-Marie Twomey, Clodagh Sexton, Emer Forde, Ellen Roche,
Debbie O’Neill, Bill Healy, Brian Cullinane, Brian Kearney, James
Morrisson and Stephen Kelleher. Banteer school choir were under the
baton of teacher Mary Corbett. First Communicants were prepared their
teacher- Bernie O’Connor.
In his homily, Fr. Ryan congratulated the children and thanked the teachers
and parents for their involvement.
Death of Eileen Walsh-
The untimely death of Eileen Walsh, Blackrock, Kilcorney came as a great shock to her family, relatives and neighbours. Eileen was well-known and popular member of this community. She was a capable manager of her farm in Blackrock and was ambitious in embracing new farming methods and techniques. She was a reliable, capable and caring neighbour and was very dependable, when help was required and often rendered help behind the scenes, unknown to many.
The removal took place from Manley’s funeral home to St. Nicholas’ Church, Kilcorney and following Concelebrated Funeral Mass, the burial took place in the local cemetery. She’s deeply regretted by her sister- Sheila Collins, brother-in-law- William, nephews, nieces and many relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.
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Sympathy- Sympathy is extended on the death of Fr. Dan O’Callaghan, retired P.P. Clifton Diocese, England and formerly of Banteer House, Sincere sympathy to the O’Callaghan family, Banteer House and to all his relatives and friends. R.I.P.
Sincere sympathy is extended on the death of Peggy Buckley, Dromskehy, Dromagh, who recently passed to her reward. May she rest in peace.
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death- The death took place at Mallow General Hospital of Paddy Kearney, Dromagh. Removal took place from McCarthy funeral home to St John’s Church, Dromtariffe. Following funeral Mass, the burial took place in St Fursey’s cemetery, Banteer. He’s regretted by his wife- Hannah, (nee Godsil), son- Jerry, daughter-in –law- Eileen, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.
Dromtariffe I.C.A. held their A.G.M. in Dromtariffe community hall with a good attendance. Breda O’Riordan C.D.A. was present and complimented the guild o a very successful year. She also chaired the election of officers.- President- Mary O’Sullivan, V. President- Mary Downey, Hon. Sec. Patricia O’Sullivan, Assist. Sec. Mary Greaney, Treasurer- Anna Pigott, Assist. Treas. Noreen Carver, P.R.O. Kitty Collins
New Arrivals- Congratulations to the following local parents of new arrivals- Jim and Eileen O’Neill, Killetra, Dromagh on the birth of a baby-girl- Orla, to John & Margaret Hartnett, Gurrane, Dromagh on the birth of a baby-boy- Daniel Timothy and to Jimmy and Colette O’Connell, Meenskehy, Derrinagree on the birth of a baby-boy- James Anthony.
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Kilcorney Feis- The 93rd.Annual Kilcorney Feis was held on May 26th. in Kilcorney centre, with a huge attendance of competitors. They had come from all over Munster and farther afield. Dancing competitions commenced at 10.30.A.M. and continued until 7.30.P,M, Other competitions continued in Kilcorney School from 1.30.P.M. The standard was high throughout and medals and trophies were well earned.
The Feis committee thanks Kilcorney Community Council for the use of the centre. They sincerely thank all the sponsors, who have contributed over the years. They are specially grateful to the group of helpers, who prepared the centre, erected the stage, helped out on the day and tidied up afterwards, without their help, the feis could not continue. As this feis has continued since 1910, it is in the interest of the local community to give it every attention, as it heads for it’s own centenary. The following are winners
Of the perpetual trophies- The Diarmuid O’Criodain memorial cup was won
By Eimear Arkins, Ruan, Co. Clare and the Aisling Cup went to Shane
O’Riordan, Rathcoole in the recitation section. In singing competitions, The
Healy Shield went to Mark Sheehan, Castletownroche and the Liam
O’Buachalla Memorial cup was won by Siobhan Moynihan Kilnamartyra for
traditional ballads. In Music competitions, the McCarthy T.V. & Elect. Cup
went to Alison O’Regan, Castledonovan, Drimaleague for tin- whistle.
There were five perpetual trophies for step-dancing- The Ann Murphy
Trophy went to Orla Horan of Rinnce na Riochta S.D. for reel- 7-9 yrs.
The Munster Joinery up won by Alison O’Regan, Cowhie-Ryan S.D. The
Kanturk Credit Union Cup for schools within the common bond was won
by Aileen Fehin, Murphy School of dancing. The Bennett memorial cup
went to Danny O’Sullivan, Cowhie-Ryan S.D. for hornpipe- 11-13.open and
the Jubilee shield was won by Rachel Murphy, O’Callaghan S.D. for open
reel and hornpipe.
School children from Derrinagree, Rathcoole and Banteer travelled to Cork
School Sports on June 7th. and brought several trophies, Derrinagee girls
Team of Elaine O’Connell, Chantel Cleary Lisa Kelleher and Laura Zenker
came 1st in U.14 relay and Elaine came 2nd in U.12 sprint. Their boys team
of John Crean, Cormac & Neil Galvin & Cormac O’Mahoney came 3rd. in
relay and Kevin Crowley, Cormac O’Mahoney & Ml. O’Brien also won
sprints. Banteer School children also did very well. Rathcoole brought a
record twenty-four trophies and the overall girls perpetual cup and last year
Rathcoole boys brought the overall cup. This year two boys relay teams
Came 2nd. and girls also came 2nd. in relay.
On the same day, Lyre school children had an outing to Fota Island and
despite the weather they enjoyed the day. On Thursday, Dromagh School
children travelled to Skibbereen and around West Cork. On the following
Saturday, Kilcorney older pupils also had an outing when they headed
for the Kingdom and visited Aqua-dome and Fenit.
Other school tours are presently being arranged before the holidays commence.
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A long life may not be good enough
But a good life is long enough.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak
But their echoes are endless.
Lost yesterday, sometime
Between sunrise and sunset
Two golden hours
Each set with sixty diamond minutes.
No reward is offered
For they are gone forever.
In Passing (2003)
IN PASSING
by
Seán Radley
FLOWER POWER
The recent project by Millstreet Tidy Town & Traders’ Associations in the promotion of flower-boxes and hanging-baskets throughout the area for the Summer is surely to be encouraged. A special arrangement has been worked out so that the boxes and baskets may be purchased at a cost of €13.00. Ivor Horton of Millstreet Traders’ Association has been accepting the completed application forms for the items. On St. Patrick’s Week Ivor placed not just one but three very fine Irish tricolours outside his Jewellery Shop at Main Street.
Extra floral displays would certainly enhance the beauty of Millstreet this Summer.
SIGNIFICANT 2003!
This year of 2003 is truly significantly historic. Let’s consider the numbers 400, 150, 100, 99, 70, 50, 30, 25, 21 and 10.
400 years since the O’Sullivan Beara March through Millstreet.
15th August 2003 Millstreet will recall this historic event.
150 years ago Banteer, Millstreet, Rathmore and Killarney Railway Stations came into being. This is to be officially marked by Irish Rail on Wednesday, 2nd July 2003 when a special train arrives that morning at Millstreet Station…the train will remain for some 30minutes with its many VIP’s alighting…the Pipe Band will be present…a special commemorative plaque will be unveiled…three young people will be awarded Art Competition prizes…speeches delivered and memories recalled…very especially paying tribute to the wonderful CIE/Irish Rail personnel who over the years have made our Nation Rail System so very special. Andrew Roche of Irish Rail is superbly co-ordinating Railway 150 supported by an enthusiastic Committee that meets fortnightly in Killarney. Andrew’s late aunt was wife of the late John Kelleher, Station Road.
100 years ago…1903…saw a very industrious Millstreet. Author Frank O’Connor was born that year in Cork. The wonderfully witty and superb lecturer John P. Cotter, Cork presented a splendid illustrated talk at the Carnegie Hall, Millstreet on the life and time of Frank O’Connor on Tuesday, 22nd April, thoroughly entertaining the large appreciative audience. Gifted Author, Jack Lane’s most recent publication “A Millstreet Miscellany” available locally at €10.00 gives some tremendous insights into Millstreet over the years.
99 years ago Walt Disney was born. Next year Disney-on-Ice should be really awe-inspiring following the hugely successful “Beauty and the Beast” Ice spectacular in April 2003 at Green Glens.
70 years ago John Joe Buckley of Toorbonia was born. Also receiving a Surprise Party on her 70th Birthday …Peggy Kelleher, Laught, Rathcoole. Heartfelt greetings to both very popular people.
50 years ago Millstreet Star Ballroom opened its famous doors at Church Street. Chick Smith and his Orchestra played on the first night…memories…memories! Kelly’s Furniture Centre has very gladly retained the overall look of this Ballroom of Romance both indoors and outdoors.
30 years ago..1973… Cork won the All-Ireland Football Championship having the famous four gifted players from Millstreet – John Coleman, Connie Hartnett, Humphrey Kelleher and Denis Long. In 1973 also the West End Cinema, Millstreet closed following many wonderful years of pictorial magic for Millstreet people and visitors from far beyond. “One Night of Love” starring Miss Grace Moore (we’ve a copy at the Museum) was the first film shown there in 1937. Similarly, the overall ambience of this wonderful “Theatre of Dreams” has been preserved in its change to Murphy’s Clara Furniture Centre. 1973 also saw the opening of Millstreet Community School…officially opened later by Richard Burke, T.D., Minister for Education in 1976.
25 years ago FLAME was founded. This splendid voluntary organisation was established by a wonderfully enthusiastic Committee guided very especially by the late Jerry Hickey, Pound Hill, Millstreet. It’s also 25 years since the formation of Millstreet Community Council which has achieved so much for our area in the last quarter of a century through the tremendous dedication, hard work and commitment of its members.
21 years ago the first Millstreet Parish Retreat to Ardfert took place.
Sunday, 23rd March 2003 marked the final such group Retreat to this Diocesan Haven of Peace. In future, smaller numbers in cars may wish to avail of appointed open days at the Centre. The late Peggy Twomey, the Bridge, Millstreet helped to co-ordinate the Retreat from Millstreet over many years. Margaret Moynihan and Sr. Christina have assisted in no small way for many years also.
10 years ago….15th May…Eurovision Song Contest from Millstreet’s Green Glens…a milestone in the history of Millstreet…let’s remember this unique international in a special way in 2003.
A KINDNESS REMEMBERED
Mary Gaffney, gifted writer of Killarney Road, Millstreet whose ever popular articles appear in such famous magazines as “Ireland’s Own” and “Ireland’s Eye” shares the following very special memory with us:
“Elvis Presley was singing Wooden Heart on the car radio and I joined the children in singing along with him. We were driving, in snow, from Sligo to Cork, to collect our sixth baby and singing with Elvis gave a rest to the constant question, ”Are we nearly there” , being asked almost since we left home.
I did not know then that this was the happiest day of my life. To-morrow and the day after, and even years later, I would wonder if this was the happiest day, because other days may have been equally happy – but it was. Other happy days included collecting the five older children, visiting friends, going on picnics, days at the seaside, the joy of Christmas, but this was definitely the happiest day of my life.
Arriving at the Adoption Society a social worker placed a baby in my arms. ”This is your little son”, she said. A tiny fist grabbed my finger, hazel eyes looked trustingly at me, and I loved him for all time.
The social worker asked us our plans and we told her that, because of the snow, we would stay overnight in Cork. ”In that case I will keep the baby until morning”, she said, taking him out of my arms.
We found a B&B and the seven of us booked in. The owner, a widow, welcomed us and showed us our room. I n our excitement we told her about the baby and she was delighted for us. There was no sleep for me that night. I was overcome with a sense of loss after having held the baby in my arms and then having him taken out of them.
The excitement the next morning was even more intense as I dressed and fed the children. We could not wait to get back to the baby.
Then came the gesture we have never forgotten. As my husband went to pay for our stay the proprietor said, ”There is no charge. This is my gift to the baby”.
More than 30 years have passed since that day. Yet I am still moved to tears by the kindness of that Cork widow whose sole income was her B&B business. She even accompanied us to the Adoption Society to see the new addition to our family. Her gesture was the greatest act of kindness ever shown to us and our appreciation of it has never been dimmed by the passing of years.
On the way home I began to make plans for the next day, getting the children ready for school, preparing the meals, cleaning the house but above all, keeping the baby’s presence a secret for just one day, a day to treasure, a day to add to my ”happiest day”.
All to soon the children grew to adulthood but through all the joys and sorrows of life I continue to think of that day as the happiest of my life.
Now widowed, it seemed natural to me to up stakes, leave my native county for the first time in my life and move to the county where I had experienced the greatest act of kindness I had ever known.”
MAURICE’S CASE
Over the years our good friend Maurice Walsh of Ickenham near London and formerly of Station Road/Dooneen, Millstreet has contributed so many very interesting historic items to Millstreet Museum for the people of Millstreet. The most recent presentation by Maurice is quite remarkable. Maurice & Eva’s son, Michael was visiting his home in Ickenham and was about to return to his Irish home when I received a phone call from Maurice indicating that he would be giving a case of historic books to Michael for delivery to Millstreet Museum. Gordon O’ Keeffe, Managing Director of K&L Deliveries very generously offered to arrange delivery (free of charge) of the full case to Millstreet when Michael would have left it at K&L’s Dublin Depot. The weight of the case was formidable as I collected it from K&L’s Millstreet H.Q. at Mount Leader. And what a treasury of fascinating books it contained (including a wonderfully rare egg-iron from Ickenham’s Kathleen Collins also). Most of the books were signed by Paddy Dillon Snr. (father of Paddy Dillon, great friend of Maurice & Eva Walsh, who now in his 90’s lives in Australia with his family). The pupils of Millstreet BNS who visited Legoland near Windsor, London, in 2001 will recall being photographed with Mauice, Eva and Paddy outside the main entrance.
Over the next few issues we’ll refer to the many different books so generously presented to the people of Millstreet through our local Museum by Maurice. The Cork and Killarney Guides of the 1915 period are most interesting while one of the most valuable books written by Eva of “the Nation” and actually signed by herself is a true gem. Originals from the time of An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire – “Seadhna”, “Mo Scéal Féin”…are truly most significant acquisitions for the Museum and, of course, for the people of Millstreet. Our heartfelt thanks to all who made this presentation possible.
IN FASHION
We thank Mary Randles, Minor Row and a Student at Millstreet Community School for alerting us to a very important forthcoming Fashion Show. Over the past six weeks the Transition Year Students of Millstreet Community School have been hard at work preparing for the Idol Fashion Show. Such preparations have included deportment classes, modelling classes, make-up classes, learning routines and selecting a Committee chaired by Tara Cremin and Mark Healy. The Committee envisages a quality Fashion Experience with the proceeds going to two very worthy causes – Millstreet Community Hospital and the 2003 Special Olympics World Games. The Fashion Show Spectacular will be held at Green Glens, Millstreet on Thursday, 8th May at 2.30pm and also at 8.00pm. Tickets at €5.00 and €10.00 are on sale at Millstreet Community School (029-70087) and are also available from Transition Year Students.
We also congratulate the Community School Students whose artistic entry has reached the final of the highly prestigious Form & Fusion National Competition which will be held at Green Glens in May.
DEIRDRE’S FIRST DAY
It was indeed a most memorable day for Deirdre Looney, Gortavehy when on St. Patrick’s Day 2003, a day when Millstreet Pipe Band was accorded the Best Band Award at the Killarney Parade, it was her first day, in official colourful Band uniform, to march in three parades on the day – Ballydaly, Killarney and Millstreet (twice). Our sincere congratulations to Deirdre.
RADIO TIMES
RTÉ’s very famous “Céilí House” Saturday night radio programme came from Boherbue’s “Rambling House” on 5th April having been recorded there on 29th March featuring many very fine musicians and excellent Millstreet set-dancers.
Con Tarrant of Banteer was recently heard on an hour-long interview on Radio Kerry’s “Kerry Lore” series broadcast on Sunday nights between 10 and 11 o’clock. In time, this series, presented by Maurice O’Keeffe (whose uncle, Fr. James O’Keeffe once ministered in Millstreet parish) will feature a recording made in Millstreet on March Fair Day 2003.
William McSweeney, Cobh and formerly of Killarney Road, Millstreet, featured on RTÉ’s “Mooney Goes Wild on One” in a special programme on Sunday 30/3/’03 (a reversible date!) in the Bird Watch theme. William has often featured over the years with his Class of schoolchildren reporting on the great enthusiasm witnessed in Nature Study projects.
Eily Buckley has now reached Report No. 669 in her ever-popular and all-important County Sound 103FM weekly regional report. One can log on live to this superb weekly update anywhere in the world and hear Eily’s voice on www.103fm.ie (10.30am Tuesdays in Ireland – time adjustments necessary for different continents) or read the actual written report weekly on www.millstreet.ie thanks to Hannelie O’Connor, Dooneen who has also placed many colourful photographs of St. Patrick’s Day parade 2003 in Millstreet on the same Millstreet website.
OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Over the past number of weeks many good people who have contributed greatly to Millstreet life over the years, who have uplifted the lives of many by their friendliness and whom it was a privilege to have known, have gone to their Eternal Reward – Elizabeth Hickey, Killarney Road, Millstreet; Nora Rea, Oldchapel Cross, Kilcorney; John Joe Brosnan, Meelin; Sheila Hickey, Dromsicane; Daniel O’Connor, Clonbanin; Katherine (Kit) Drake, Derrinagree; Peggy O’Sullivan, Rathduane; Patricia O’Neill (nee Kelleher, Tooreenbawn), Carrigaline; Jerome O’Keeffe, Curraraigue, Kilcorney; Joseph (Josie) O’Hanlon, East End, Rathmore; Mai O’Riordan (nee Mullane), Curraraigue; Edmond Hickey, Dooneen; Patrick Murphy, Cloghoulabeg; Victor O’Hare, Cloghoula.
May they all rest in peace.
MUSEUM NEWS
Millstreet Museum Society was honoured to welcome John P. Cotter to Millstreet to address on Tuesday 22nd April 2003 a wonderfully appreciative large audience on the life and time of the renowned Frank O’Connor (1903-1966). It was Jim Redmond of Cork who first introduced us to John. Such was the tremendous response to his illustrated lecture that an annual lecture from John on such people as Daniel Corkery and An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire could well become a reality. The audience were also pleased to see the actual rare historic books so kindly forwarded in that famous case by Maurice Walsh.
We thank the Reardon Family, Main Street/Drishane Road for a most important Register of Burials at Drishane Cemetery from May 1933 until May 1959…to be placed within our archives. Also kindly presented (anonymously) was a Post Office Savings Book dating from 1894 until 1907 owned by Frances Enright of West End, Millstreet (Patrick’s mother). Our Museum telephone no. is 029/70844 while our e-mail address is <email>
BRIEFLETS
1. We recently received a most interesting letter from Lyn Mayle in Scotland whose parents, John & Rita owned O’Leary’s Garage in Church Street, Millstreet (now the premises of Moynihan Electrical Centre). Lyn also e-mailed four historical photos including an excellent one of the Garage in the 1950’s. More about this in the next issue of “Clara News”.
2. We congratulate Abbie Moynihan, Lacca, Ballydesmond on the recent celebration of her 80th Birthday.
3. What a truly superb achievement by Michael Cremin, Cork and formerly of Flintfield, Millstreet to have recently reached the amazing climb up to the Base Camp of Mount Everest. Only very few reach this and fewer still continue to conquer Everest. Well done, Michael.
4. John O’Sullivan of Cloghoulabeg who is now an accomplished pilot with Ryanair once went to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and later presented Millstreet Museum with a stone from the summit … now treasured in the Museum Centre. Among the VIP’s John has in recent times had on his plane – many of the international soccer players and Michael O’Leary of Ryanair. He’s also been in the cockpit with the pilot who brought Pope John Paul11 to Ireland in 1979.
5. Situated directly over Fr. J. Tarrant’s confessional box in St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet is a very beautiful stained-glass window in honour of St. Patrick. We became aware of this through the Mass leaflet article by Mgr. M. Manning, P.P., V.G. on St.Patrick’s Day 2003.
6. An excellent article on the Spire of Dublin appears in the April issue of Intercom….kindly alerted to us by the Presentation and Drishane Sisters….more about this in our next “Clara News” issue.
7. Amongst the visitors attending John P. Cotter’s talk on Frank O’Connor were Kevin O’Byrne who had travelled from Skibbereen and renowned American Poet, Patrick Hammer, Jnr., New York who presented his annual sharing of wonderful poetry at Millstreet Library on Friday, 25th April 2003 while local poets read their own compositions. Patrick is related to Michael and Betty O’Rahilly & Family, Killarney Road, Millstreet.
8. The appearance of the friendly Easter Bunny at Millstreet Country Park featured in an excellent Richard Mills colour photograph in the front page of the “Evening Echo”of Easter Monday (21st April).
9. Sincere Congrats. to Donie and Geraldine O’Mahony, West End, Millstreet on the recent great success of “Mountleader Mate” at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, Tralee winning the final of the prestigious Donagh Hickey Motors/Mike Cronin Readymix Sweepstake.
10. Thought for reflection: The singer Donovan once said: “The softer you sing the louder you’re heard!”
GAA News – June 2003
GAA News
by
John Tarrant
Homepage
MILLSTREET LIFT DUHALLOW HURLING LEAGUE TITLE
Millstreet held their nerve to fashion a worthy 3-13 to 2-9 triumph over Kilbrin in the Duhallow Junior A Hurling League Final played in Meelin last Friday evening
Operating with fluency and confidence, Millstreet superior team work shone through for much of the hour though a brave comeback by the defending holders Kilbrin cut an eight point deficit to the minimum.
However Millstreet regained their earlier momentum and a productive finish yielded telling scores to allow team captain Donal Twomey accept the League trophy for the second time in three seasons.
Playing against the strong breeze in the opening half, Millstreet got off to a lightning start with Brendan Quirke goaling inside the opening min.
Millstreet proceeded to gain a commanding position and points to John Lehane and the McCarthys confirmed Millstreet’s sharpness and greater hunger andthey were well worth their interval advantage of 1-5 to 0-5.
And Millstreet set the trend upon the restart –a deflected goal by Tadgh Collins and three points from Kevin McCarthy and John Lehane extended their hand to lead 2-8 to 0-6.
Kilbrin rose to the challenge brillantly and the games complexion turned in dramatic fashion and a 2-1 tally without reply trimmed the arrears 2-8 to 2-7 at the three quarter mark.
And Millstreet were forced to weather further Kilbrin pressure before regaining their earlier composure with Brendan Quirke, Stephen Barrett and Kevin McCarthy adding points. Fittingly Millstreet finished on the ascendency and a finely struck goal by Kevin McCarthy sealed the destination of the league title.
Millstreet: Finbarr Corcoran, Donal Corcoran, John Moylan, Gerard McCarthy, Brian Sheehan, Donal Twomey, Donough McCarthy, Denis Kiely, Sean Barrett, D.onal Cashman, Stephen Barrett, Kevin McCarthy, John Lehane, Tadgh Collins, Brendan Quirke.
– from the old Millstreet Website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~millstreetupdate/gaa.html
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In Passing – June 2003
IN PASSING
by
Seán Radley
FLOWER POWER
The recent project by Millstreet Tidy Town & Traders’ Associations in the promotion of flower-boxes and hanging-baskets throughout the area for the Summer is surely to be encouraged. A special arrangement has been worked out so that the boxes and baskets may be purchased at a cost of €13.00. Ivor Horton of Millstreet Traders’ Association has been accepting the completed application forms for the items. On St. Patrick’s Week Ivor placed not just one but three very fine Irish tricolours outside his Jewellery Shop at Main Street.
Extra floral displays would certainly enhance the beauty of Millstreet this Summer.
SIGNIFICANT 2003!
This year of 2003 is truly significantly historic. Let’s consider the numbers 400, 150, 100, 99, 70, 50, 30, 25, 21 and 10.
400 years since the O’Sullivan Beara March through Millstreet.
15th August 2003 Millstreet will recall this historic event.
150 years ago Banteer, Millstreet, Rathmore and Killarney Railway Stations came into being. This is to be officially marked by Irish Rail on Wednesday, 2nd July 2003 when a special train arrives that morning at Millstreet Station…the train will remain for some 30minutes with its many VIP’s alighting…the Pipe Band will be present…a special commemorative plaque will be unveiled…three young people will be awarded Art Competition prizes…speeches delivered and memories recalled…very especially paying tribute to the wonderful CIE/Irish Rail personnel who over the years have made our Nation Rail System so very special. Andrew Roche of Irish Rail is superbly co-ordinating Railway 150 supported by an enthusiastic Committee that meets fortnightly in Killarney. Andrew’s late aunt was wife of the late John Kelleher, Station Road.
100 years ago…1903…saw a very industrious Millstreet. Author Frank O’Connor was born that year in Cork. The wonderfully witty and superb lecturer John P. Cotter, Cork presented a splendid illustrated talk at the Carnegie Hall, Millstreet on the life and time of Frank O’Connor on Tuesday, 22nd April, thoroughly entertaining the large appreciative audience. Gifted Author, Jack Lane’s most recent publication “A Millstreet Miscellany” available locally at €10.00 gives some tremendous insights into Millstreet over the years.
99 years ago Walt Disney was born. Next year Disney-on-Ice should be really awe-inspiring following the hugely successful “Beauty and the Beast” Ice spectacular in April 2003 at Green Glens.
70 years ago John Joe Buckley of Toorbonia was born. Also receiving a Surprise Party on her 70th Birthday …Peggy Kelleher, Laught, Rathcoole. Heartfelt greetings to both very popular people.
50 years ago Millstreet Star Ballroom opened its famous doors at Church Street. Chick Smith and his Orchestra played on the first night…memories…memories! Kelly’s Furniture Centre has very gladly retained the overall look of this Ballroom of Romance both indoors and outdoors.
30 years ago..1973… Cork won the All-Ireland Football Championship having the famous four gifted players from Millstreet – John Coleman, Connie Hartnett, Humphrey Kelleher and Denis Long. In 1973 also the West End Cinema, Millstreet closed following many wonderful years of pictorial magic for Millstreet people and visitors from far beyond. “One Night of Love” starring Miss Grace Moore (we’ve a copy at the Museum) was the first film shown there in 1937. Similarly, the overall ambience of this wonderful “Theatre of Dreams” has been preserved in its change to Murphy’s Clara Furniture Centre. 1973 also saw the opening of Millstreet Community School…officially opened later by Richard Burke, T.D., Minister for Education in 1976.
25 years ago FLAME was founded. This splendid voluntary organisation was established by a wonderfully enthusiastic Committee guided very especially by the late Jerry Hickey, Pound Hill, Millstreet. It’s also 25 years since the formation of Millstreet Community Council which has achieved so much for our area in the last quarter of a century through the tremendous dedication, hard work and commitment of its members.
21 years ago the first Millstreet Parish Retreat to Ardfert took place.
Sunday, 23rd March 2003 marked the final such group Retreat to this Diocesan Haven of Peace. In future, smaller numbers in cars may wish to avail of appointed open days at the Centre. The late Peggy Twomey, the Bridge, Millstreet helped to co-ordinate the Retreat from Millstreet over many years. Margaret Moynihan and Sr. Christina have assisted in no small way for many years also.
10 years ago….15th May…Eurovision Song Contest from Millstreet’s Green Glens…a milestone in the history of Millstreet…let’s remember this unique international in a special way in 2003.
A KINDNESS REMEMBERED
Mary Gaffney, gifted writer of Killarney Road, Millstreet whose ever popular articles appear in such famous magazines as “Ireland’s Own” and “Ireland’s Eye” shares the following very special memory with us:
“Elvis Presley was singing Wooden Heart on the car radio and I joined the children in singing along with him. We were driving, in snow, from Sligo to Cork, to collect our sixth baby and singing with Elvis gave a rest to the constant question, ”Are we nearly there” , being asked almost since we left home.
I did not know then that this was the happiest day of my life. To-morrow and the day after, and even years later, I would wonder if this was the happiest day, because other days may have been equally happy – but it was. Other happy days included collecting the five older children, visiting friends, going on picnics, days at the seaside, the joy of Christmas, but this was definitely the happiest day of my life.
Arriving at the Adoption Society a social worker placed a baby in my arms. ”This is your little son”, she said. A tiny fist grabbed my finger, hazel eyes looked trustingly at me, and I loved him for all time.
The social worker asked us our plans and we told her that, because of the snow, we would stay overnight in Cork. ”In that case I will keep the baby until morning”, she said, taking him out of my arms.
We found a B&B and the seven of us booked in. The owner, a widow, welcomed us and showed us our room. I n our excitement we told her about the baby and she was delighted for us. There was no sleep for me that night. I was overcome with a sense of loss after having held the baby in my arms and then having him taken out of them.
The excitement the next morning was even more intense as I dressed and fed the children. We could not wait to get back to the baby.
Then came the gesture we have never forgotten. As my husband went to pay for our stay the proprietor said, ”There is no charge. This is my gift to the baby”.
More than 30 years have passed since that day. Yet I am still moved to tears by the kindness of that Cork widow whose sole income was her B&B business. She even accompanied us to the Adoption Society to see the new addition to our family. Her gesture was the greatest act of kindness ever shown to us and our appreciation of it has never been dimmed by the passing of years.
On the way home I began to make plans for the next day, getting the children ready for school, preparing the meals, cleaning the house but above all, keeping the baby’s presence a secret for just one day, a day to treasure, a day to add to my ”happiest day”.
All to soon the children grew to adulthood but through all the joys and sorrows of life I continue to think of that day as the happiest of my life.
Now widowed, it seemed natural to me to up stakes, leave my native county for the first time in my life and move to the county where I had experienced the greatest act of kindness I had ever known.”
MAURICE’S CASE
Over the years our good friend Maurice Walsh of Ickenham near London and formerly of Station Road/Dooneen, Millstreet has contributed so many very interesting historic items to Millstreet Museum for the people of Millstreet. The most recent presentation by Maurice is quite remarkable. Maurice & Eva’s son, Michael was visiting his home in Ickenham and was about to return to his Irish home when I received a phone call from Maurice indicating that he would be giving a case of historic books to Michael for delivery to Millstreet Museum. Gordon O’ Keeffe, Managing Director of K&L Deliveries very generously offered to arrange delivery (free of charge) of the full case to Millstreet when Michael would have left it at K&L’s Dublin Depot. The weight of the case was formidable as I collected it from K&L’s Millstreet H.Q. at Mount Leader. And what a treasury of fascinating books it contained (including a wonderfully rare egg-iron from Ickenham’s Kathleen Collins also). Most of the books were signed by Paddy Dillon Snr. (father of Paddy Dillon, great friend of Maurice & Eva Walsh, who now in his 90’s lives in Australia with his family). The pupils of Millstreet BNS who visited Legoland near Windsor, London, in 2001 will recall being photographed with Mauice, Eva and Paddy outside the main entrance.
Over the next few issues we’ll refer to the many different books so generously presented to the people of Millstreet through our local Museum by Maurice. The Cork and Killarney Guides of the 1915 period are most interesting while one of the most valuable books written by Eva of “the Nation” and actually signed by herself is a true gem. Originals from the time of An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire – “Seadhna”, “Mo Scéal Féin”…are truly most significant acquisitions for the Museum and, of course, for the people of Millstreet. Our heartfelt thanks to all who made this presentation possible.
IN FASHION
We thank Mary Randles, Minor Row and a Student at Millstreet Community School for alerting us to a very important forthcoming Fashion Show. Over the past six weeks the Transition Year Students of Millstreet Community School have been hard at work preparing for the Idol Fashion Show. Such preparations have included deportment classes, modelling classes, make-up classes, learning routines and selecting a Committee chaired by Tara Cremin and Mark Healy. The Committee envisages a quality Fashion Experience with the proceeds going to two very worthy causes – Millstreet Community Hospital and the 2003 Special Olympics World Games. The Fashion Show Spectacular will be held at Green Glens, Millstreet on Thursday, 8th May at 2.30pm and also at 8.00pm. Tickets at €5.00 and €10.00 are on sale at Millstreet Community School (029-70087) and are also available from Transition Year Students.
We also congratulate the Community School Students whose artistic entry has reached the final of the highly prestigious Form & Fusion National Competition which will be held at Green Glens in May.
DEIRDRE’S FIRST DAY
It was indeed a most memorable day for Deirdre Looney, Gortavehy when on St. Patrick’s Day 2003, a day when Millstreet Pipe Band was accorded the Best Band Award at the Killarney Parade, it was her first day, in official colourful Band uniform, to march in three parades on the day – Ballydaly, Killarney and Millstreet (twice). Our sincere congratulations to Deirdre.
RADIO TIMES
RTÉ’s very famous “Céilí House” Saturday night radio programme came from Boherbue’s “Rambling House” on 5th April having been recorded there on 29th March featuring many very fine musicians and excellent Millstreet set-dancers.
Con Tarrant of Banteer was recently heard on an hour-long interview on Radio Kerry’s “Kerry Lore” series broadcast on Sunday nights between 10 and 11 o’clock. In time, this series, presented by Maurice O’Keeffe (whose uncle, Fr. James O’Keeffe once ministered in Millstreet parish) will feature a recording made in Millstreet on March Fair Day 2003.
William McSweeney, Cobh and formerly of Killarney Road, Millstreet, featured on RTÉ’s “Mooney Goes Wild on One” in a special programme on Sunday 30/3/’03 (a reversible date!) in the Bird Watch theme. William has often featured over the years with his Class of schoolchildren reporting on the great enthusiasm witnessed in Nature Study projects.
Eily Buckley has now reached Report No. 669 in her ever-popular and all-important County Sound 103FM weekly regional report. One can log on live to this superb weekly update anywhere in the world and hear Eily’s voice on www.103fm.ie (10.30am Tuesdays in Ireland – time adjustments necessary for different continents) or read the actual written report weekly on www.millstreet.ie thanks to Hannelie O’Connor, Dooneen who has also placed many colourful photographs of St. Patrick’s Day parade 2003 in Millstreet on the same Millstreet website.
OUR FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Over the past number of weeks many good people who have contributed greatly to Millstreet life over the years, who have uplifted the lives of many by their friendliness and whom it was a privilege to have known, have gone to their Eternal Reward – Elizabeth Hickey, Killarney Road, Millstreet; Nora Rea, Oldchapel Cross, Kilcorney; John Joe Brosnan, Meelin; Sheila Hickey, Dromsicane; Daniel O’Connor, Clonbanin; Katherine (Kit) Drake, Derrinagree; Peggy O’Sullivan, Rathduane; Patricia O’Neill (nee Kelleher, Tooreenbawn), Carrigaline; Jerome O’Keeffe, Curraraigue, Kilcorney; Joseph (Josie) O’Hanlon, East End, Rathmore; Mai O’Riordan (nee Mullane), Curraraigue; Edmond Hickey, Dooneen; Patrick Murphy, Cloghoulabeg; Victor O’Hare, Cloghoula.
May they all rest in peace.
MUSEUM NEWS
Millstreet Museum Society was honoured to welcome John P. Cotter to Millstreet to address on Tuesday 22nd April 2003 a wonderfully appreciative large audience on the life and time of the renowned Frank O’Connor (1903-1966). It was Jim Redmond of Cork who first introduced us to John. Such was the tremendous response to his illustrated lecture that an annual lecture from John on such people as Daniel Corkery and An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire could well become a reality. The audience were also pleased to see the actual rare historic books so kindly forwarded in that famous case by Maurice Walsh.
We thank the Reardon Family, Main Street/Drishane Road for a most important Register of Burials at Drishane Cemetery from May 1933 until May 1959…to be placed within our archives. Also kindly presented (anonymously) was a Post Office Savings Book dating from 1894 until 1907 owned by Frances Enright of West End, Millstreet (Patrick’s mother). Our Museum telephone no. is 029/70844 while our e-mail address is <email>
BRIEFLETS
1. We recently received a most interesting letter from Lyn Mayle in Scotland whose parents, John & Rita owned O’Leary’s Garage in Church Street, Millstreet (now the premises of Moynihan Electrical Centre). Lyn also e-mailed four historical photos including an excellent one of the Garage in the 1950’s. More about this in the next issue of “Clara News”.
2. We congratulate Abbie Moynihan, Lacca, Ballydesmond on the recent celebration of her 80th Birthday.
3. What a truly superb achievement by Michael Cremin, Cork and formerly of Flintfield, Millstreet to have recently reached the amazing climb up to the Base Camp of Mount Everest. Only very few reach this and fewer still continue to conquer Everest. Well done, Michael.
4. John O’Sullivan of Cloghoulabeg who is now an accomplished pilot with Ryanair once went to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and later presented Millstreet Museum with a stone from the summit … now treasured in the Museum Centre. Among the VIP’s John has in recent times had on his plane – many of the international soccer players and Michael O’Leary of Ryanair. He’s also been in the cockpit with the pilot who brought Pope John Paul11 to Ireland in 1979.
5. Situated directly over Fr. J. Tarrant’s confessional box in St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet is a very beautiful stained-glass window in honour of St. Patrick. We became aware of this through the Mass leaflet article by Mgr. M. Manning, P.P., V.G. on St.Patrick’s Day 2003.
6. An excellent article on the Spire of Dublin appears in the April issue of Intercom….kindly alerted to us by the Presentation and Drishane Sisters….more about this in our next “Clara News” issue.
7. Amongst the visitors attending John P. Cotter’s talk on Frank O’Connor were Kevin O’Byrne who had travelled from Skibbereen and renowned American Poet, Patrick Hammer, Jnr., New York who presented his annual sharing of wonderful poetry at Millstreet Library on Friday, 25th April 2003 while local poets read their own compositions. Patrick is related to Michael and Betty O’Rahilly & Family, Killarney Road, Millstreet.
8. The appearance of the friendly Easter Bunny at Millstreet Country Park featured in an excellent Richard Mills colour photograph in the front page of the “Evening Echo”of Easter Monday (21st April).
9. Sincere Congrats. to Donie and Geraldine O’Mahony, West End, Millstreet on the recent great success of “Mountleader Mate” at the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium, Tralee winning the final of the prestigious Donagh Hickey Motors/Mike Cronin Readymix Sweepstake.
10. Thought for reflection: The singer Donovan once said: “The softer you sing the louder you’re heard!”
– from the old Millstreet website http://homepage.eircom.net/~millstreetupdate/inpassing.html
Regional Report – 24th June 2003
County Sound 103fm Report
by
Eily Buckley
Fondest greetings dear listeners and I wish you all the very best on this lovely sunny Tuesday morning.
Here are the results of this weeks parish lotto draw which was held at reardons Bar on Sun. night. Numbers drawn were 2, 8, 22, 25, and the Jackpot was not won. € 100 went to Mary Gaffney, 5 Westside Lodge, Killarney Rd, the seller was me fein and I got € 50 sellers prize,€ 50 went to Delia Murphy, Ballydaly, € 20 each to Louise Perrie c/o Corkerys Bar, Dr. Feeley & Kathryn c/o Lals Bar. Elaine Reardon, of Reardons Bar, Seanie Cronin, Mallow, Kitty McCarthy, Aubane, Kerry OLeary. Rathmore, Sheila Linehan, Dooneen & Charles Cooper, Killarney Rd. Jackpot for next week is € 3,600 the draw at the Farmers Bar on Sunday night.
The concert in aid of the Belarusian Children’s Project which was held at the Wallis Arms on Sunday night was an outstanding success, with throngs of young people turning up to laud their idols of Your’e a Star fame, Ml. Leonard & Brian Ormond. Present on the night was that super fund- raising lady herself Nellie Healy of Kilcorney. Some months ago Nellie used her unique talent to write a beautiful song, a Song for Sasha, a special Belarusian little boy , The song is called Thru My Tears and she put it on CD. Following the launch it was played on County Sound and proved very popular. With the help of Family and friends she then went literally from door to door selling her CD and the result was that she had a cheque for the unbelievable sum of € 4,471. 95 to hand over at Sun. night’s function. In the near future Maria McCarthy, Ballydaly & and Joanne Carroll, Coolinairna will make a return visit to Belarus to replace some more Millstreet girls who are already out there. The money raised will be used wisely to make life a little easier for the children of that troubled land. Also at Sun. nights function Nellie’s daughter Jackalene and her cousins Aoife & Tracy Buckley, presented gifts of toys for the Belarusian children.
Finally Mrs. Healy asked me to thank all those who helped in any way to make her fundraising efforts the great success that it was. The CD at € 6 is still on sale.
The Celebration Day to mark the 150th anniversary of our Railways will be held on July 2nd. Please tune into Jimmy Reidy s Round the Fire program on Co. Sound on Mon. night next for an hour of wonderful songs, and stories, about the history of the railways as told by people from Rathcoole, Mst, Rathmore & Killarney.
It is hoped that a large crowd will come to our Railway on July 2nd at 1pm. where the chairperson of the Community Council will address the dignitaries on the executive train, a special plaque will be unveiled and the local winners of the art Competition will be presented with their awards. Our winners are Donal Twomey, Minor Row, Alison Buiche, St. Rd. and Caro Murphy Clara. Annmarie Buckley ,Rathcoole who is one of the overall winners will get a personal award as well as a prize for her class at school.
A few weeks ago wheelchair bound Barty Keating passed away just before his 30th birthday. Though stricken with spine bifida all his life he was a very popular figure in our community and as a mark of respect to him a sponsored walk will be held in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association& Casa ,the Caring & Sharing Association It will leave town at 11am for Kilmeedy ,Curacahil , Bealac , Ballydaly , and return to Millstreet. The walk will be held on July 27th and sponsorship cards are available from the Malpaso Bar.
Sheila Lucey held an Ice-Cream afternoon at her home in Keale in aid of Downs Syndrome a few weeks ago and raised over
€ 2,000 she would like to say a sincere word of thanks to all who supported her venture.
Minister for Health Micheal Martin officially opened the extension to Dromagh National School and the refurbishment of the school grounds yesterday in brilliant sunshine. We wish the parents and pupils of the school many happy years in their now lovely building.
The Macroom Faith “n Light group who work with the mentally handicapped will have their annual Mass at Tubrid Well on July 5th. followed by refreshments and a social evening at the GAA Hall. All are welcome to attend the Mass.
The lovely Annmarie ORiordan will launch her CD entitled Harmony Handed Down at the Duhallow Park Hotel on Friday. night next June 27th . An evening extravaganza of music is assured. Read posters for details. Adm. € 5. Good Luck Annmarie.
A very exciting archaeological site has been unearthed at the Co. Council building site at Liscahane where the Co. are about to construct 16 three bedroomed at 6 two bedroomed houses.
An undergound cavity with flagstone covering was found and on first investigations by the archaeologists from UCC it is deemed to date back to before the time of St. Patrick. We await further news
The Children and parents of Cloghoula went on a very novel school tour on Fridaylast when they visited the Lighthouse at Dungarvan, and were lavishly entertained by Kilmeedy man John Kelleher who has the rather unusual dwelling house. They were treated to a variety of refreshment before being taken on a tour of the building from bottom to top. A child’s dream come true. And they want to say a big thank you to Johnnie for a lovely time.
Its the 24th of June and the annual Mass will be said at St Johns well to-night starting at 8.30. Be prepared to out do the midges.
Pilgrimage to Medagori Aug.3–10th All in Cost€ 525 for adults € 475 for young people .Book right away. For more details contact 026 40007.
Bus going to Knock on July 24th Contact Tadg ODriscoll or Sheila Dineen Cullen.
The death has taken place in Dublin of Peggy Casey, the former Peggy O Deer. Now in her sixties she went to school here when she was young and still well known to many people here. Peggy arranged for French students to come to Ireland and over the years many of them came to Millstreet. Alas this year it didn’t happen. May she RIP.
Millstreetin Bloom Fest. in Aug .Will people who ordered Hanging baskets and window boxes please contact the Garden Centre Killarney Rd right away and arrange collection of same. Please keep our town clean and tidy
Cullen Vintage Day July 20th.
New Millstreet website address www. millstreet .20m.com.
Slán
(page added in August 2015 by mdc)
St Patrick’s Day Parade 2002
– from an original Millstreet website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~millstreetupdate/st%20patricks%20day.html
Mushera Christmas Charity Climb 2002
The Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation – Helping the forgotten children of Ireland.
Christmas Morning 2002 sponsored climb to the top of Mushera Mountain – half of the amount collected went to The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation
What does the foundation do?
The Jack and Jill Children’s foundation helps to alleviate the very
distressful suffering experienced by the tiny babies born with severe
development delay until they reach the age of four years. Today the sad
reality in Ireland is that succour for children under four years of age and
their family is at best underdeveloped and at worst non-existent. Most
people are not aware of this distressing “age gap” in healthcare services.
These tiny babies and their parents could be the forgotten people of Irish
society. So the Jack and Jill Children’s foundation was set up to help these
babies and their families.
The Jack and Jill foundation helps these tiny babies and their families by
providing them with early intervention and home respite care. At present
they have over 200 children and their families under their wing all over
Ireland.
Aubane Social Club raise money for the Jack and Jill foundation.
On Christmas day 2002 at 10.30 a.m seventy people climbed Mushera mountain
in aid of the Jack and Jill foundation. It was the largest turnout of people
ever to participate in the annual mountain climb. The duration of the climb
was 2 hours. On the day sponsor card were given to each climber. On January
2003 the total sum of 3,500 euro was presented two charities. 1750 euros was
presented to Hannah Crowley representing the Jack and Jill foundation and
1750 to the Daniel Brosnan Desmond Fund.
– from an old Millstreet website: http://homepage.eircom.net/~millstreetupdate/parish%20news.html
Obituary of Daniel Dennehy
Daniel J. Dennehy, age 74 of Yonkers, NY, died after a brief illness, Thursday, August 22, 2002 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers.
Mr. Dennehy was born March 21, 1928 in New York City, a son of the late Edward and the late Albina (Casey) Dennehy of Millstreet, Co. Cork, Ireland. He was a graduate of Mt. St. Michael High School, Bronx, NY and New York University in New York City. He served meritoriously in the Korean War and later worked for Zep Manufacturing for over 30 years. At the time of his illness, he was actively employed with Zep as an Area Supervisor.
He was a dedicated member of VFW Post 271, American Legion Bajart Post, Cork Association and Past President of Ancient Order of Hibernians Bronx County Board. He also served as an usher at St. Barnabas Church.
He was the dear husband of Mary “Dora” (nee McGowan) and the beloved father of Daniel E. (and Siobhan) and Mary (and Kevin) Hansen. Cherished grandfather of Ashling and Cara and loving brother of Sean, Bob and Mary. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, August 26, 2002 at 9:45 a.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 409 East 241st Street, Bronx. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
Calling hours for family and friends will be Saturday and Sunday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. at F. RUGGIERO & SONS, Inc., 732 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY.
– from: ruggieroandsonsfh.com
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(added 2015-04-17 for the sake of Completeness & Genealogy)
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Some basic background:
Baptism of DYONISUS (DENIS) DENAHY of MILLSTREET on 13 April 1871 (see notes on the Dennehys of Church Street)
Marriage of Daniel Dennehy and Ellen Crowley on May 3rd 1898 by Fr. Charles O’Sullivan. He a labourer of Coomlogane, son of Edward Dennehy (deceased), a baker. She of Mill Lane, daughter of Cornelius Crowley, a Labourer. In the presence of John Crowley and Timothy Murphy.
Birth of EDMOND DENNEHY on 26 August 1900 to Daniel Dennehy and Ellen Crowley
1901 census: Dennehys at Lower Mill Lane –
Birth of Abina (Abigail) Casey of Gortavehy on July 15th 1902 to John Casey and Maria Murphy
1911 census: Abina is the second of 8 Casey children at Gortavehy
1911 census: Edward is the oldest of 6 Dennehy children living at 1 Mill Lane
1920 Edward emigrates to America [a]
1922 Abina emigrates to America [a]
Edward and Abina married about 1926 and had 4 children Daniel, Edward (Bob), Seán, and Mary, living in Queens and the Bronx NY.
(Related to the Caseys on the Keim side of Cloghoula School)
Sean Patrick Tallon
Sean Patrick Tallon, 26 years old, of Yonkers, NY died bravely on September 11, 2001 in the line of duty at the North Tower of the World Trade Center as a NYC Firefighter and a U.S. Marine. Sean was born on September 27, 1974 in the Bronx to Patrick Tallon of Clane, Co. Kildare and Eileen Tallon (nee Dennehy) of Tullig, Millstreet, Co. Cork, Ireland. Sean attended St. Brendan’s and St. Barnabas grammer schools and Fordham Prep High School. After graduating from Iona College, he joined the U.S. Marine Reserve. He worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for the FDNY out of Jacobi Hospital at Battalion 20, Station 23. Sean later became a Fireman at Ladder #10 in Manhattan. He enjoyed cheering on the Mets, Rangers, Jets and Notre Dame football teams. He loved Irish music and played his favorite tunes on the button accordion. He was a sincere young man who could lighten a difficult situation with a simple humorous phrase. His strong, kind presence is very much missed by his mother, father, sister, Rosaleen and her husband, Robert DaRos. Sean will be dearly missed by his loving grandmother, Rose Tallon, in Ireland, aunts, uncles and cousins, both here in America and in Ireland and England. Sean will also be sadly missed by all of his friends. Visiting hours Thursday, 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the David J. Hodder & Son Funeral Home, 899 McLean Ave. (near Kimball Ave.), Yonkers, NY Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at St. Barnabas R.C. Church 9:45 am, 409 East 241 Street, Bronx, NY. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers. [legacy.com]
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AWAITING FRESH CHALLENGES
Sean Patrick Tallon, 26, was a reservist in the United States Marine Corps, a former emergency medical technician and a probationary firefighter with Ladder Company 10 just a few weeks away from the end of his training. He was tough, but he always wondered whether he measured up. “That’s the way he was,” said his older sister, Rosaleen DaRos. “He always thought everybody else was capable, but he was just as capable.”
Take the button accordion that Mr. Tallon loved to play. He would bring out his instrument and play Irish favorites for relatives at family gatherings, with his sister on the piano accordion. But he rarely played for friends; some of them didn’t even know he could play an instrument.
When he left for work from his home in Yonkers on Sept. 11, headed for the fire station that was among the first to respond to the trade center attack, he seemed in a buoyant mood. His probationary period was almost over and a new challenge lay ahead.
“He wanted to find Mrs. Right,” Mrs. DaRos said. “That is what he said was his next mission. He said his probie year was almost finished and he wanted to start with the rest of his life. Everything was just all ready. He had just blossomed.” [New York Times, November 17, 2001]
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TenHouse Bravest
“Ten House Bravest” – 9/11 Memorial which is just inside the door of Firehouse 10. [3][4],. Sean’s picture and plaque (below) are on the middle-right.
===============
When aircraft crashed into the World Trade Center’s twin towers, it was New York City’s Bravest that did what they did best – head directly in to danger, in order to save lives. Firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs – side by side – as was the case so many times before.
Together with members of that city’s Finest, they made their way to the heart of the tragedy. Grabbing their gear, the firefighters began rushing into the gigantic structures to assist with their safe evacuation, while the paramedics and EMT’s began tending to the injured below.
It was while doing those jobs – in the kind of rescue that they had performed so well, so many times – that their lives were taken from us. (Taken from here)
Sean Patrick “Charger” Tallon was one of those such men. At 26, he had only a month or so left of being a “probie” (a probationary firefighter). Sean was one of the first responders, along with the other members of Ten House. Their station was right across the street from the World Trade Center. On the way up the stairs of Tower One, Sean helped a fellow firefighter that was having a heart attack, then he continued up with two more of his fellow firemen. They were trapped when Tower One collapsed.
Sean led an active and varied life. He was a Marine Corps Reservist. He also loved Irish music and playing the button accordion. He would practice for an hour or more on many evenings. The steady, easy flow of sweet hornpipes, tasty reels, and lively jigs would fill the house. [Find a Grave]
==========================
Donanee Memorial
Sean’s father was originally from Donadea, County Kildare, where the locals erected this 9-11 memorial in the Donadea Forest Park in 2003 [1][2]
https://twitter.com/apfsharriers/status/1171791376423497729/
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Fire House 10
On Sept. 11, Ladder Company 10 and Engine Company 10, the fire units stationed closest to the World Trade Center (just 80m from the South Tower), were among the first to respond to the attack on it. By day’s end, Ladder 10 had lost two men, and three from Engine 10 were dead. All but gone, too, was 10 House, their Liberty Street firehouse. The surviving men of the two companies, devastated by the loss of their colleagues, were separated as well by the loss of their station as they were assigned to new posts. Firehouse 10 was rebuilt in the years after 9-11 and is a location of pilgrimage for people.
This firefighter from firehouse 10 was working with Sean on that day:
“… as I was approaching the front of the firehouse, I could see people cowering at our doorway, looking up with fear, I had no idea of what was going on, I assumed it was a small airplane … with that we were ready to respond out, Sean Tallon who was a probationary firefighter, he had only 11 months on the job, 27 years old, former FDNY EMT, and also a US Marine,… he was our youngesy guy working with us that day, I said Sean stay close to me, we’re going to see a lot of really bad things today, but we’re going to be alright …”
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Links:
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation – Memorial Wall for Sean Tallon
Email Address Stub
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Resources Links
Upcoming Events
Wednesday 31st January
Grandparents Day in the Presentation NS, 10am
Saturday 3rd February
Systematic Kinesiology Course, starts 3rd February
Cullen GAA Social in the East Avenue Hotel, Killarney
Tuesday February 6th
Crime Prevention Meeting, 8pm in the Wallis Arms Hotel
[read more …] “Upcoming Events”
Gobnait O’Connell
Appreciation: Gobnait O’Connell
If one is very lucky in life you will meet and have as a friend, and colleague,
someone like Gobnait OConnell. She was simply one of a kind and this is why the whole of the Irish Nurses Organisation remains in mourning at her loss.
Wherever she went or whatever she did Gobnait had the ability to touch everyone she met. Her infectious good humour together with her razor sharp Cork wit was only matched by her determination, integrity and absolute commitment to her work,her friends and her colleagues.
Since her passing, the INO Head Office has been inundated with calls from
members whom she knew through her work as a nurse representative and as a fulltime official. In parallel with this I have spoken with countless people from other trade unions, government departments and the world of politics who, without exception, speak of her good humour, honesty and effectiveness in finding a solution to whatever issue confronted her.
From her earliest days as an INO representative in the South Infirmary, Gobnait was wholly committed to protecting and enhancing the environment within which nurses work. Playing second fiddle to anyone or
anything was not acceptable to Gobnait but she always pursued her objectives in a manner which never made enemies or soured personal relationships. This was truly a remarkable gift.
Many of us can vividly recall seeing Gobnait at the microphone, at successive Annual Conferences, fearlessly stating that the Organisation must never stop seeking positive changes which would fully recognise the nursing/midwifery contribution to healthcare. It is ironic that in her last year she spent every working moment realising these changes with total
commitment.
The warmth and esteem in which she was personally and professionally held by everyone in this Organisation was perfectly demonstrated at our Annual Conference last May, when she received a standing ovation from all of the delegates. This followed my introduction of the Minister as the man who was accompanying Ms Gobnait OConnell on her tour of the Western counties. I think this really pleased her but it was only what she deserved.
There are so many stories and tales involving Gobnait that a humorous book could well be written so that many more people could learn of and appreciate the beautiful person we have lost. On a personal level I have so many memories but, perhaps, the most vivid now is meeting with her on Friday, September 8 in her office in the Department of Health (I did refer to it as the royal summons), and, during the conversation, she told me how she loved the job and was very busy but very happy.
In my mind there is no doubt that the last eight months as adviser to the Minister for Health, Michel Martin, had been the most satisfying period of her life. She loved the job, meeting the people and main players and moving the health and nursing agenda forward. In this role she was a bundle of energy, bundle of trouble and bundle of solutions all at once and our working world will never be the same again.
Gobnaits removal and funeral mass, which was attended by the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, cabinet ministers, TDs, county councillors, fellow nurses and friends from all around Ireland, was graphic testimony to her full, dynamic, successful and rewarding life. On a humorous note, as recalled by her brother Michael at her funeral, one of Gobnaits career highlights, as viewed by herself, was escorting the Taoiseach to the podium at the last Fianna Fail Ard Fheis. As she said herself: If I never get another man down the aisle I am a happy woman. This sharp wit made it a pure joy to be in her company.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Gobnaits mother Christina, her sister Bernie, brothers Donal and Michael, and all her family as they struggle to cope with their terrible loss. As for the rest of us, all I know is that our world is the poorer and darker as we approach the bleak winter. Never again will my mobile phone ring and I hear the bright voice saying How are we doing and are we winning?
Mrs OConnell has lost her daughter, nursing has lost one of its best and we have lost our Gobnait. May she rest in peace.
Liam Doran
General Secretary Irish Nurses Organisation
Memorial Mass
The INO will hold a memorial mass for Gobnait on Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 7pm at the Avila Spirituality Centre, Morehampton Road, Dublin 4 (Next door to the Royal Hospital, Donnybrook). All colleagues welcome to
celebrate the life of our loved friend.
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Adviser was `a personal friend of Minister’
By EILISH O’REGAN
GOBNAIT O’ Connell who tragically died in yesterday’s horrific road smash was the personal adviser to Health Minister Micheal Martin, since he took over the office earlier this year.
Last night the Minister was said to be devested and deeply shocked by the untimely death of one of his closest political confidants.
“She was a personal friend of the Minister and his family as well as being a special advisor,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Health.
“Gobnait was a deeply committed public servant and everyone who knew and worked with her is numbed by her death,” he added.
The energetic and talented Cork-born former nurse had already made her mark in health politics which is rarely free of controversy.
Gobnait (35), from Cullen, Millstreet, left her nursing post in Cork to become an industrial relations officer with the Irish Nurses Organisation.
She loved the cut and thrust of being part of the the largest nurses’ union and achieved success in intervening and solving disputes.
Her love of politics and Fianna Fail saw her take her annual leave three years ago to canvass for Michael Moynihan, who was elected to Cork North West.
Gobnait’s campaign contribution was seen a key role in his election and she decided to take a career break to work in the Fianna Fail head office in Dublin. She became membership secretary and was in charge of womens’ organisation.
TIPPED
She was tipped as a future general secretary of the party and when the current Health Minister took over last January he asked her to become his adviser.
Ms O’Connell was involved in the negotiations on the issue of legal fees for the Irish Haemophilia Society which threatened to delay the Lindsay Tribunal.
Her strengths were a warm personality and having worked in the frontline of the health service she knew the pressures faced by those caring for patients.
Yesterday she was at the Minister’s side when he addressed unions in Tullamore and a key adviser on his speech.
Liam Doran of the Irish Nurses Organisation said last night: “The whole of the INO is in mourning at the tragic loss of Gobnait. She was our Gobnait.”
**********
Taoiseach mourns at adviser Gobnait’s funeral
September 23 2000 12:11 AM
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was among the many hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Government adviser Gobnait O’Connell (38).
Mr Ahern joined with Tanaiste Mary Harney and Government Ministers Micheal Martin and Noel Dempsey to pay their last respects.
Hundreds of mourners sympathised with Ms O’Connell’s mother, Christina, sister Bernadette and brothers, Michael and Donal.
Ms O’Connell from Derrinagree in North Cork was killed in a road accident near Kinnegad in Co Westmeath on Wednesday.
Yesterday mourners heard local Derrinagree priest Father Sean Hannafin urge people to remember the good she had done.
“Her tragic death should not be allowed to wipe out the wonderful memories of Gobnait’s life,” said Fr Hannafin.
Ms O’Connell was buried at St Mary’s cemetery, Millstreet, following the funeral Mass at Derrinagree parish church.
******
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/two-die-38-injured-in-major-crash-on-dublin-galway-road-1.1123312
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Each year, the Gobnait O’Connell Award for best Fianna Fáil Ógra unit
https://twitter.com/MacSuibhne01/status/1196530333979684865
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Gobnait was from Millstreet. She played a big role with getting Michael Moynihan elected. It was a shock result in that election. She later went on to work as Micheál Martin’s adviser. She tragically died in a car crash in 2000.
— Fionnan Sheahan (@fionnansheahan) July 1, 2020
Tubrid Holy Well 2000 – Pictures
Tubrid Holy Well – a haven of peace – is situated 2km west of Millstreet Town. The picturesque spring well, reputed to be Ireland’s largest Holy Well, is visited annually – especially in the month of May – by thousands of people.
One of the many groups of people who visit Tubrid
– Presentation Sisters from the South Western Province
A section of the large crowd attending one of the Masses celebrated at the Holy Well with Clara Mountain in the background.
Mgr. Manning, Fr. Buckley and Fr. Tarrant concelebrate Mass on the last Friday night in May, 2000 at the permanent altar near the Grotto at the Holy Well.
Fr. Kevin Mulcahy (5th from left) with friends following his annual Mass (in June, 2000) for Students who were about to begin the Leaving and Junior Cert. examinations.
Fr. Paddy O’Byrne accepts a copy of “Picture Millstreet” from Eily Buckley following his celebration of Mass for his many local friends and for a group of Americans with whom he was travelling. Fr. Paddy ministers in America.
Jerry Doody sings superbly at the celebration of Mass at the Holy Well while (on right) John Anthony O’Sullivan, Ballydaly provides the excellent public address system.
Note: You can read the history and significance of Tubrid if you click on this link: http://www.millstreet.ie/blog/information/tubrid-well/
Global Gathering 1997 – 31 May
Some photos of The Chieftains, Brian Kennedy, and The Corrs at the Global Gathering 31 may 1997
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