Noreen O’Connor (née O’Leary), West End, Millstreet and Catskills, New York, U.S.A.

Nora O’Connor, age 90, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020 with her family at her side. She was born and raised in Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland. She later went to school in England, and trained to be a nurse before moving to New York to live with her aunt, where she continued with her nursing career in Jamaica, Queens. Nora married Daniel O’Connor on January 19, 1960 and moved to the Catskills, where they bought Elsie’s Brass Rail. They ran the bar during the 1960s and 1970s as “O’Connor’s Brass Rail”. Nora’s kitchen was always open for a cup of tea or one of her famous hamburgers at lunchtime. Her summers were spent caring for the many families that came to spend their vacations at the resort. After selling the Brass Rail in 1980, Nora went back into nursing. She worked at the Holy Name Academy, cared for retired Mercy Care Nuns, and later worked at Mercy Care – St. Peter’s in Albany. Nora retired from nursing in 1995 to enjoy her pride and joy-her grandchildren. There was always a cookie after school at Nana’s. Nora always enjoyed traveling “back home” every other Christmas to Ireland with her children, and in later years traveling to weddings of her nieces and nephews. Upon retirement, Nora enjoyed many bus trips sponsored by St. John’s with her good friends, Mary Fitzgerald, Marylyn Mahoney, Francis Reinhardt, and Ann Kiefer. Nora had great faith and a caring nature. She was predeceased by her husband Daniel in 1992; and by her brothers, Jerry (Dermy), Daniel, and William. Nora is survived by her sister, Kitty and her brother, James, both of Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland; by her daughter, Cathy (Neil) Salisbury, and her son, Jerry (Doreen) O’Connor; her grandchildren, Connor and Danielle Salisbury, and Logan, Liam, and Aidan O’Connor; and her many nieces, Ellen O’Leary Collins, and nephews. A special thanks to her caretaker, Maria Corrado, for the past 6 months and to St. Peter’s Hospice. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 15th from 9am to 10:30am at the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. A Funeral Mass will be offered on the 15th at 11am at St. John the Baptist Church, 4987 State Route 81, Greenville, followed by burial in Greenville Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Nora in a special way, can make memorial donations to either St. John the Baptist Church, PO Box 340, Greenville, NY 12083 or to the Community Hospice, 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208. Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.

USA Champions

Congratulations to Olivia & Justyna who became USA CHAMPIONS in YOUTH GIRLS DUO NOVICE category at the USA Acrobatic Rock-n-Roll Dance Championships in Boston. Anastazja & Filip also finished a very high 2nd place in YOUTH COUPLS INTERMEDIATE category!
The Empire Rock’n’Roll Dance School brought home 7 golds, 5 silvers and 5 bronze medals from the USA Championships. Anastazja Baksalary with Filip Turek from Millstreet and Oliwier Witkowski and Nikola Zdrzalik from Mallow will go represent Ireland in SOCHI Word Cup, 29 June 2019. They are best couples in Ireland. Congratulations every one

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Newspaper of 1967 Relevant to Millstreet and Drishane

As Patrick W. O’Leary of Louisville, Kentucky has returned to the USA following his recent holiday in Ireland he continues to maintain important links with his favourite Millstreet ancestral home.   During his research he has come across a wonderfully relevant newspaper cutting from “The Press Democrat” of Monday, 4th Sept. 1967.  Here he shares the cutting with us.  Click on the images to enlarge…The text in the article will be enhanced when enlarged.  (S.R.)

Patrick W. O’Leary of Louisville, Kentucky bids farewell to Millstreet on Monday, 17th Sept. 2018 following a most enjoyable Irish Visit. Patrick maintains strong links with his Adrivale ancestral roots.
Newscutting from “The Press Democrat” of Mon. 4th Sept. 1967.

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“Radio Treasures” on Thursday This Week 9:30 – 11:00 pm

We thank Michael O’Leary and Elwood from Louisville, Kentucky, USA for the presentation of this truly magnificent book outlining in brilliant colour the history of the world famous race which takes place annually on the first Sat. in May – So this year it’s on Sat. 5th May 2018. This beautiful book plus a very fine Tee Shirt will be displayed in Millstreet Museum.

“Radio Treasures” this week is being broadcast on Thursday, 3rd May 2018 from 9:30 to 11:00 pm.  We feature our usual mixture of cheerful songs, music and musings.   And, of course, being the start of Summer (!) we include Canon Sydney McEwan’s “Bring Flowers of the Fairest” plus some special Showband Favourites.   We hope also to feature the official launch recordings of Killarney’s “Nathan’s Walk” supporting Darkness into Light for Pieta House….This special item will be transmitted at 10pm.  And we chat about the background to the pictures below.  Click on the images to enlarge. We invite you to tune into our weekly broadcast this week on Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 pm on www.corkmusicstation.com   

Banteer’s Glen Theatre Drama Group will present their magnificent production of “It Runs in the Family” at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on Thurs. 3rd May 2018 and at the Market Place Theatre in Armagh City on Sat. 5th May. Every success to the superbly talented Drama Group.

Nora Murphy’s Class from Presentation N.S. presents a €600.00 cheque to Matron Margaret Collins at Millstreet Community Hospital resulting from a recent Bake and Cake Sale in the School.
Dr. Michael with his wife, Maria accepts a presentation from Matron Margaret Collins on his recent retirement in his role as Resident Doctor to the Community Hospital….And below Mary Fitzgerald also makes a presentation.

 

What a pleasant surprise in the post this morning! “Comhnasc” is the national Journal of the Retired Teachers of Ireland. The Photographer with a powerful telephoto lens captured us as we attened the recent Annual Convention in Dublin’s Gresham Hotel. The response has been quite uplifting!

[read more …] ““Radio Treasures” on Thursday This Week 9:30 – 11:00 pm”