Tag: Tribute

Maurice’s Special Tribute to the late Ronnie Delaney

We extend sincere thanks to Maurice Linehan, West End, Millstreet for sharing the following superb tribute to the late great Ronnie Delaney. (S.R.)

Ronnie Delaney R. I. P:    A Childhood Memory

Ronnie winning Gold at the Olympic Games of 1956.  Tap on the image to enlarge.

1956 was a momentous year. The world was in a troubled state after the
crushed Hungarian revolution and the British and French invasion of the Suez
Canal. In terms of national catastrophes Cork were beaten in both all Ireland
finals and Millstreet lost the County final to the Barrs. In short, it was a time
where the world looked forward to the Olympic games in December as a
semblance of hope.
I was enthusiastic about Ronnie Delaney’s chances in Melbourne. He had
attended Villanova University on a scholarship following his success in
schoolboy athletics. His coach in the U.S. was the legendary Jumbo Elliott and
in June 1956 Delaney broke the 4 minute barrier for the mile.
The Melbourne games were an outstanding success culminating in his
epic win in the 1500 metres. A small band of Irish athletes competed with
Brendan O’Reilly in the high jump, Eamonn Kinsella in the high hurdles, Maeve
Kyle in the sprints, Gerry Martina, wrestling, boxers Fred Tiedt, Freddy Gilroy,
John Caldwell, Tony Byrne and Somers Payne sailing.
Arthur McWeeney of the Irish Independent covered the games which
were broadcast by the BBC Light Programme. The commentators were Rex
Alston and Harold Abrahams, of “Chariots of Fire” fame. Abrahams had won
the 100 metres in the 1924 Olympics. He was a barrister and sports columnist.
They of course concentrated on the British athletes Brian Hewson and Ken
Wood. However Ronnie Delaney finished like a train to take the Gold Medal
followed by Klaus Richtzenhain and the great John Landy. In an iconic moment
Ronnie Delaney fell to his knees on the track in prayer.
It was a great moment in my life and even though I had to go to school
(half day on Saturday) my joy was complete. He subsequently had success in
European competitions and remained undefeated in 40 races in the U.S. indoor
circuit. He finished third in Billy Morton’s Dream Mile in Santry in 1958 when
Herb Elliott broke the world mile record. Ronnie Delaney retired age 26 after a
wonderful career.
He was an inspiration to and had a profound influence on generations of
Irish athletes including Basil Clifford, Frank O’Mara, Tom O’Riordan, Eamonn

Coughlan and Sonia O’Sullivan. His victory in Melbourne brought immense joy
and pride to a small nation competing on the world stage. He had followed in
the footsteps of Gold Medalists Dr. Pat O’Callaghan of Derrygallon in 1928 and
1932 and Bob Tisdall also in 1932. May he rest in peace and may he Good Lord
comfort his wife and family.

Maurice Linehan.

Remembering Brother Dan Healy    1945 – 2024

We thank Denis Healy of Carrigtwohill for the following Tribute to his late brother, Brother Dan Healy (Brother Bonaventure).  The late Brother Dan Healy has a nephew and grandnephew living in Millstreet.

Remembering Brother Dan Healy    1945 – 2024

He embraced an Ecological Christianity

 Brother Dan took the name Bonaventure for his final profession.

 Chapter from Darwin Divinity and the Dance of the Cosmos.

(With kind permission of the author Bruce Sanguin Minister of Canadian Memorial Church and Centre for Peace in Vancouver.)

 Human Ones as Harvesters of Grace

Mark 4:26-28

Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is like someone who scatters seed on the ground, goes to bed, and wakes up to discover that the seed has sprouted, but he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full head.

But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes out with the sickle, because the harvest is ripe”. Jesus would have received top marks in any biology class today. In this parable, he describes what scientists call self-organisation. We have finally confirmed what farmers have known for 10,000 years; the planet knows what she’s doing, and so does a seed. Throw them together, add time, and presto, you’ve got wheat. In an emergent universe, there are no external forces causing an Organism to do its thing; the latent tendency of the wheat plant exists within the seed. The farmer in the parable of the Kingdom ‘does not know’ how this happens, and neither to our scientists. All the fancy names might give us some sense of control, but they don’t lessen the mystery. [read more …] “Remembering Brother Dan Healy    1945 – 2024”

Kevin’s Wonderful Poetic Tribute to Noreen

From Kevin McDermott from Co. Wexford we received the following much appreciated message followed by his magnificent Poem dedicated to Noreen:  “I wrote this love poem as a memory of a wonderful Millstreet girl Noreen Cronin from Murphy’s Terrace.  Noreen was my partner, wife and soul mate for 53 years until she passed away over four years ago.  I hope to turn the poem into a song and have already composed the music to fit the words. The attached photo shows Noreen on her wedding day.  I’m sure that a few people will remember her .  Kind Regards, Kevin McDermott.”

*A Lovely Old Waltz*

Our hearts were young and life was fun

When we met in a bright city street

Her smiling face in that lonely place

Caught my eye and my heart skipped a beat.

I was beguiled by her lovely smile

Alone and far from her home

That Irish colleen who would be my queen

My dearest, my darling Noreen.

An accordion played, to the music we swayed,

Our hearts were at one with the beat

I looked in her eyes they told me no lies,

 I loved her, there was no retreat.

She said she loved me, how I hoped it would be

I prayed that her words were not false

In London town true love we found

As we danced to a lovely old waltz.

Those days are long gone but the memories live on

Of a life that was loving and blessed

Our love it stayed strong as the years moved along

For our children we both did our best.

But the good Lord He came and He called her by name

To his heavenly home up above.

My darling is gone, yet the music lives on

And the tune is a lovely old waltz.

A Tribute to Humphrey Hickey by Brian O’Leary

A Tribute to Humphrey Hickey

by Brian O’Leary

Oct 4th with a spin up town,
I heard the awful news,
I could not believe my ears,
It’s like I didn’t have a clue.

To my local I did go
for my usaul 3 or 4,
Couldn’t even concentrate,
The news shocked me to my core.

Met a friend out the back,
I straight out asked him was it true?
With a saddened face and tearful eyes,
He couldn’t believe it too.

Humphrey was a gentleman
And always had the craic,
Followed every sport,
A proud Cork man that’s a fact.

From New York to the
Boeing,
And Duhallow to the Stráid.
Humphrey was a brilliant man,
and deeply loved by all.

He always gave a helping hand,
Be it Christmas lights or GAA,
All local clubs around the place,
Especially on athletics day.

The stories of Humf,
will go on forever more.
Inside Heaven with a cheeky smile,
He’d say “now barrs, ceart go leor”!
A Close Friend

One of Many Special Tributes to Jerry Corkery, Ballydaly Upper

We thank Brian Lynch for alerting us to a magnificent tribute on Facebook which his brother, Patrick who lives in Indiana, USA, has paid to the late Jerry Corkery, Ballydaly Upper.   Here we share the heartfelt tribute:

“Jerry Corkery passed earlier this week and it felt like a large part of my earliest memories had also left.
He was my Dad’s best friend, and living only two fields away, a regular visitor to our home.
Always immaculately dressed, he would pop in to say a quick ‘hello’ or engage in some intellectual sparring with my dad on politics or some current affair.
Jerry was my Godfather, and a frequent contributor on birthdays, communion, confirmation, and other big events. He helped fund my ‘communion’ bike (a high nelly from Jerry Horgan), and my ‘confirmation bike’ (10 speed Raleigh Medale). For the annual Millstreet Horse Show, he found a way to get me a few pound notes to ‘get some sweets’ as the show was a high-dollar event for my young wallet.
Of course Jerry loved horses, so this was a big event for him too.
Some of my earliest and warmest memories are traveling to Cork or Killarney for a football match, seemingly always between Cork and Kerry. Traveling in a green Land Cruiser with bench seats in the back, Andrew and I would be on one side, John and Thomas on the other, all of us draped in Cork red and white. Jerry and my Dad would occupy the front seats, happily chatting the drive away.
Eurovision is another strong memory, a lot of Lynch kids with a lot of Corkery kids in the living room, drinking tea and watching Johnny Logan make history with ‘What’s Another Year?’
I was often to be found at the Corkery house, hanging around with John, annoying Willie O’ Sullivan, borrowing tools, occasionally a tractor, (and on one memorable occasion with my dad, we borrowed a bull). Despite my too-frequent presence, I only ever saw Jerry angry once: given I had just hit his wall backwards whilst practicing my rally driving in an old Mk2 Escort, I had surely earned it.
For the past 30 years or so I have been an infrequent visitor to Ballydaly, but would see Jerry from time to time. I expect he must have missed my dad, and one reflects on them together again, probably discussing politics.
I last saw Jerry in February, and though the years were evident, he was still Jerry Corkery. On my wall, here in Indiana, I have a framed photo of 1957 Ballydaly Duhallow Championship team, and along with other warriors of the time It is easy to identify Jerry and my dad, both in their prime. Sadly, many of their fellow players have also passed.
On social media, as the sad news broke, ‘Gentleman’ was a consistent comment. Jerry was indeed a gentleman, and a kind man. I was desperately sorry to hear of his passing, and know he will be missed by Mary, his family and grandkids.
RIP, Jerry. You were a big part of our lives.”

Tonight’s “Radio Treasures” Programme on CMS Deferred Until Next Week

As a special tribute in memory of the late Con O’Leary of Carriganima tonight’s “Radio Treasures” on www.corkmusicstation.com is deferred until 9.30pm next Tuesday, 31st Aug. 2021.   Con was my First Cousin and I had the great privilege of being Best Man at the wedding of Peggy and Con in the 1970s.   May the gentle Soul of Con rest in peace.   We extend heartfelt sympathy  and prayers to Peggy and also to Anthony and Marie as well as to Con’s sister, Sheila and to all the extended Family.   Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.  (S.R.)

Millstreet Community Council in Tribute to Dr. Pat Casey

Chairman Noel Buckley and the Members of Millstreet Community Council wish to extend sincere sympathy to Mrs. Casey and the Casey Family on the recent sad departure of Dr. Pat to his Eternal Reward.  R.I.P..  Dr. Pat was the very first Chairman of Millstreet Community Council and was a most inspiring Leader over many years involving numerous praiseworthy projects which were of enormous benefit to the entire community and greatly helped to enhance the status of Millstreet in so many creative ways.  Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

Wonderful Tribute from John O’Keeffe’s Nephews

At the Funeral Mass of the late John O’Keeffe today (5th Feb. 2021) his nephew, John O’Keeffe paid a wonderful tribute at the end of the very special Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet.   We have also received a further superb tribute from another nephew, Arthur O’Neill which reads:   

“As a nephew of John O’Keeffe, who has been unable to attend his funeral and celebrate his life in the usual way, I have found great solace reading the fantastic remarks, which are, in his case well deserved, on this site. I thank you for this facility and wish Millstreet all the very best for the future. He was not good, or great but a fantastic Uncle, and is sorely missed, but our faith says he is now with all he has loved and held dear who have gone before him.”

A memory from the Past  when the Mill View Mural was completed.  Artist Supreme from Tipperary, Neil O’Dwyer (on left) being congratulated by wonderfully dedicated Millstreet Tidy Towns Committee members John O’Keeffe and Colman Culhane at the completion of the truly exquisite Mural at the entrance to Mill Lane (Mill View). Great credit is due to the O’Regan Family for the use of the excellent gable wall, to Tidy Towns for initiating the superb idea and to the Artist on bringing to reality the magnificent Mural which is already being hugely admired by countless people. A fuller feature to follow in later days. See Neil’s excellent website www.murals.ie to view his very wide-ranging masterpieces already achieved. (S.R.)

Book of Condolence Open in Tribute to Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Millstreet Garda Station Daily from 10am to 1pm

Millstreet Gardaí extend an invitation to sign at Millstreet Garda Station anytime daily from 10am to 1pm the special Book of Condolence in tribute to the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan, R.I.P..

Detective Garda Colm Horkan
RIP – 17th June 2020.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Tribute to the late Dan Cronin, Aunaskirtane, Rathmore

We thank Joan Cronin, niece of the late Dan Cronin for this very special Tribute to Dan, R.I.P.. 

 Joan is seated in centre of this “Crede” Group pictured at a recent meeting.   “Crede” – the Sliabh Luachra Heritage Group helped to coordinate the publication of Dan’s superb book “In the Shadow of the Paps” in Oct. 2001.

Some of the Members of “Crede” pictured in Killarney at a recent meeting. Joan Cronin is in centre. Click on the images to enlarge. (S.R.)

Remembering the late Matron Eileen (Nellie) Barrett of Kanturk


We wish to extend our sincere sympathy to the Relatives of the late Matron Eileen (Nellie) Barrett of Kanturk who was laid to rest today (Sunday, 10th Feb. 2019).  R.I.P..  Her wonderful dedication as Matron of St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in Millstreet for many years was truly inspirational.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.  (S.R.)
[RIP]

Remembering the late Con O’Sullivan of Carriganima

During the recent Funeral Mass of the late Con O’Sullivan of Carriganima Village who was known far and wide as a true gentleman, a wonderfully dedicated Postman supreme and one who fulfilled many hugely impressive roles – a magnificent tribute was delivered by members of Con’s Family.   Here we share the beautiful feature which appeared in last week’s “Corkman” in the Clondrohid Notes.   We thank Con’s Daughter, Mary (who so superbly supported Con especially in his later years within a very welcoming home setting) for also sharing a number of images showing Con in his renowned Postman’s role and also his great love and care of pet dogs.   We extend our sincere sympathy to the entire O’Sullivan Family on the sad departure of Con to his Eternal Reward.  R.I.P..  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.   Click on the images to enlarge.  (S.R.)

Mary and her father Con

[read more …] “Remembering the late Con O’Sullivan of Carriganima”