My Jimdo Geocities Lifeboat
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Abbeyfeale Notes Nov 2022
RELAUNCH OF “A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF RE. WILLIAM CASEY P.P.:” The relaunch of a sketch of the life of Rev. William Casey P.P. took place on Friday night last in the Glórach Theatre in the presence of a large crowd and two of the late J.D. Harnett’s granddaughters Miriam Collins and Bridget Harnett Sheeran. The republished book is on sale in Batts and the Siopa Milsean at a very reasonable €8 per copy. . Chairman of the Abbeyfeale Community Council Maurice O’Connell welcomed everyone and explained how the process began when he was searching for information to enable him to make a six minute promo video on Abbeyfeale focusing on the life of Fr. Casey. At the same time the Castleisland Heritage Committee were working on re launching JD Harnett’s book and following on from a fact finding visit to their headquarters Maurice and the Castleisland group joined forces and last Friday nights event was the culmination of their efforts. After a viewing of the very interesting video Maurice introduced former Minister for Justice and MEP Gerard Collins who had been invited to launch the booklet. Former Minister Collins then spoke as follows; “ I wish to extend a warm welcome to the members of the Castleisland District Heritage Committee some of whose members - John Roche, John Downey, Janet Murphy and Noel Nash are with us this evening. I would like to thank them very much for the invitation extended to me to officiate at this re-launch. They are very welcome to this side of the river Feale!! As a historical committee, they have produced an extensive body of work which includes 7 journals, 3 catalogues and 200 articles, all of which can be found on their website. Their work also includes a successful petition for the presidential pardon of John Twiss, granted by President Michael D Higgins on the 16/12/21. Their campaign for similar
presidential pardons continues - for Sylvester Poff and James Barrett.
The book we are re-launching tonight is the work of the Castleisland History Committee in collaboration with interested parties in Abbeyfeale. The original book was written by James
D Harnett and published in 1908. JD Harnett was an accomplished and successful businessman and father in law of my school teacher, Andrew Downey.
I remember JD..........tall, dignified gentleman wearing gold rimmed glasses, grey haired and wearing the old fashioned stand up collar. His brother, Richard Harnett was Provincial of the Holy Ghost Order who spoke at the 50th anniversary commemoration of Fr. Casey’s death - more of which later. The work by JD Harnett was published well over 100 years ago. It is described by the author as a sketch of Rev. William Casey. It was in itself an unbelievable achievement given that there were no computers, tape recorders, copying machines or
Google Search!! He was totally reliant on his own memory, anecdotes from others and possibly occasional notes. The biography of Fr. Casey is well known. His birthplace -
Castlequarter, Kilbehenny - is in Co. Limerick and not in County Cork as has been claimed!
He was the son of a tenant farmer, reared in the shadows of the Galtee mountains.It is a part of the County I know well as I was their Representative in the Dail for many years.
He arrived in Abbeyfeale in 1871 and one of his first tasks was to build a much needed wall around the Convent for the Mercy Sisters. It was a magnificent wall but one which went well
beyond his budget and his family legacy. As the son of a tenant farmer he understood very well the struggle for survival of the labourers, the lack of rights of the tenants and the hardship of losing the small amount of land they had - through evictions. The plight of those people was easily understood by him but the same injustices visited on those people moved him to action. Interestingly enough, he also understood the role of women in
the struggle for their ownership of the land. During this time, he established a working relationship with Michael Davitt which was acknowledged by Davitt in a letter in1901 when he congratulated Fr. Casey on the settlement agreed on the O’Grady estate where the tenants were reinstated to their own holdings on favourable terms – thus leading his people to the final ownership of their land. During his time in A/feale, Fr. Casey formed a Brass Band
which used to meet in the Temperance Hall down near Anthony Greaney’s property at the end of New St. On the 18th November 1896, people became aware that it was the Silver Jubilee of his arrival in Abbeyfeale. The warmth of the appreciation and respect for Fr Casey was demonstrated when people proceeded to his house with flaming torches - in a
Celebratory procession, I hasten to add!!! Fr Casey, a modest man, was totally unprepared for such a demonstration but was greatly appreciative of the gesture. On the 50th anniversary of Fr Casey’s death, in 1957, a special commemorative ceremony was held in Abbeyfeale. A parade of over a mile long from the Vocational School to the newly specially floodlit statue of Fr Casey was led by the Buttevant Brass Band. The brother of JD Harnett, Rev Dr. Richard Harnett was given an enthusiastic welcome when he addressed the crowd. He
had been a witness to many of the evictions carried out locally and recalled many stories of Fr. Casey who “fought the landlords” and won for the tenants. Fr. Casey was, in fact,
described by a foreign journalist as “the supplicated ruffian” This commemoration was organised by the newly formed Abbeyfeale Development Association, led by Solicitor Richard Woulfe who presided at the ceremony in the presence of JJ Collins, TD, then Chairman of L C C, my father, and a number of the clergy. As a young man, I was also present at that commemoration. A Radharc Programme in 1963 included contributors who, at
that time, still remembered Fr Casey and his work. Unfortunately, 65 years later, the memory of Fr. Casey is now close to extinction. It is to be hoped that this relaunch will surely awaken new interest in Fr. Casey and his work. I have here a cane of Fr. Casey’s which was passed to the parents or grandparents of Richard (Dick) Woulfe. It was givento my wife and I by Elaine Woulfe, Richard’s widow, for safekeeping until such time as a suitable venue can be found for it in Abbeyfeale.” The evening then concluded with some light refreshments which were enjoyed by all.
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Templeglantine Comhaltas Band 30 April 2022
Templeglantine, officially Templeglentan, is a village in west County Limerick, Ireland between Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale on the N21 national primary route – the main road from Limerick to Tralee. The village is approximately 55 kilometres southwest Limerick City and roughly 45 kilometres east of Tralee. Wikipedia
Video link
https://youtu.be/23Cd-2HWUyw
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Abbeyfeale Church Music May Bank holiday 2022
Video link
https://youtu.be/dS6MUQWLpwE
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Wrenboys Abbeyfeale 29 April 2022.mp4
CONGRATULATIONS: Emma Begley, The Hill, Abbeyfeale recently composed a new anti-bullying slogan for use in Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Knocknasna.
“Bullies thrive when we hide, stand up, speak out”. The competition was organised by the student Council.
https://youtu.be/6uc9boxSVI8
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Abbeyfeale and Moloney Old Pic.wmv
Abbeyfeale Parish
http://www.abbeyfealeparish.ie/our-parish/parish-history/
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DEATH has occurred on 30th December 2020 of Siobhan Tobin of Main St., Abbeyfeale. Daughter of the late Danny and Mai Tobin and predeceased by her brothers Cyril and Richard. Deeply regretted by her sister Philomena Gillan (Isle of Wight) and brother Mattie (Dublin), nephews, nieces, brother in law Shaun, sisters in law, Traoine and Mona, extended Tobin families and Kennelly family, Knockanure.
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My sincerest sympathies on the sad passing of Siobhan to her sister Phjlomena brother Mattie and extended family.
Siobhan was in our care just 13 years and she was a real lady and an absolute pleasure to look after.Siobhan will be solely missed.
Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
MarieLeahy co Killeline Nursing Home NCW
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Rest In Peace Aunty Siobhan. Love to all my family.
Peggie, Michael, Alisha, Patrick and Emily-Therese
Auckland, New Zealand
Peggie Tobin Joines
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Our deepest sympathy to the Tobin family on the sad passing of Siobhan. May her gentle soul rest in peace. Have many fond memories of meeting her on the way into the cinema.
Maura, Dan O Donnell & family, The Hill
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Sincete condolences may she rest in peace.
Tim & Imelda Cusack Patrickswell
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With deepest sympathy to the Tobin Family on the death of Siobhan. May she rest In peace.
Matt Kennelly and family Cloth Hall Listowel
October 2020; Veronica Doyle ( Nee Reidy) Irelands first single Lung Transplant recipient ( 2005) sadly passed away on Sunday the 27th of September under the care of the staff of UHL. Raised in Basin View Tralee County Kerry. Veronica after a time in the UK returned to Abbeyfeale to raise her 3 children.
After a period of serious illness, 56 year old Veronica, received the unexpected but welcome news on the 11th of May 2005 that a donor lung may be a match. The phone call received on that day to her home in Glenashrone, Abbeyfeale was the beginning of many years of a new lease of life for Veronica. Relieved of 24 hr oxygen, Veronica embraced her new beginning with both hands. Regular trips to Castlegregory and Tralee ensued. Adventures in her car with her sisters Eileen, Katie, Marie and brother Denis began.
Veronicas new lease of life allowed her to complete educational courses in Abbeyfeale, gave her the ability to do what she loved baking and cooking. Her home baked produce was always welcomed by her many friends who regularly visited Veronica. Not many people left her home without tasting her beautiful Quiches, tarts and scones or left without a photocopy of a recipe to try at home. Veronica’s favourite thing was discussing the perfect pastry, stuffing or sauce.
Veronica’s love of photographs leaves a lifetime of memories for her three children Geoffrey, Jeremy and Emma and her grandchildren. There is a photo on hand to reminisce from almost every excursion or event Veronica attended in the last 15 years.
Veronica never forgot her Donor, each Christmas she would write a letter of gratitude to the anonymous donor and family. This letter would include thanks and also stories of her adventures that she had undertaken that year and which would not that would not have been possible without the selfless act of Donor organ Donation.
Veronica remained under the excellent care of the Mater Hospital, Professor Jim Egan and his team until her death. The continued support and guidance and medical attention that she received from the team was always acknowledged by Veronica with the highest regard.
Veronica used her ability at public speaking to represent the Irish Lung Foundation and this was very much appreciated. Veronica always spoke from the heart and this came across in whatever radio programme, television or newspaper article that was published about Lung Organ donation and Veronica Doyle.
As her health began to deteriorate, the home support provided by the HSE was essential to support Veronica’s family in enabling her to stay in her own home. Her children and family will always be indebted for this support. Her GP Dr Mike O Donnell was a constant support and guidance for Veronica throughout and before her illness.
Veronica left a lasting impression on many people and will leave a huge gap in their lives.
RIP Veronica
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Jack Ryan’s: Abbeyfeale
The end of an era in Abbeyfeale, a true landmark closes its doors.
The time has come to say goodbye to a place that’s given us more.
More than mere nights out, a proper ‘local’ as long as I’ve known.
Jack Ryan’s has been my favourite haunt, no matter where I’ve roamed!
I remember going in there, for a first pint with some old friends.
A pub of many along the street - ‘Pat Macs’ we called it back then.
A pint of black, your only man, the best pint that you could get.
Then down to Little Nero’s, on Kebabs the change was spent!
Jack himself took over the bar, just over 20 years ago.
Many’s a night I spent down there with my dear old Uncle Joe.
Joe had his spot down by the bar, vacating only for a smoke.
A one-liner and a chat for all, he really was a charming bloke.
I remember Mag and the girls aiming to drink the top shelf dry.
Until a knock came to the door, you could hear the collective sigh.
But alas we stayed a little longer, leaving via the back door!
If my Nana could have seen me then, her jaw would hit the floor!
I was in there a month ago, a night for old time’s sake.
Met up with some great characters, the pints and craic were great.
It was good to see this place once more before they close forever.
And have a pint for old time sake, in my own small heaven.
And as I walked towards the door, for the final time,
I turned to see Joe stand once more, pint in hand with a big smile.
I nodded to a ghost and said goodbye to my old friend.
A place I’ll dearly miss and love until the bitter end!
Changing Times
by Domhnall de Barra
Rural Ireland, as we knew it, is dying; that is a fact. Our whole way of life is changing with everything becoming more centralised and people becoming more isolated. Once upon a time I knew who lived in every house in our locality. Doors were left open all the time and we wandered in and out without invitation. At night people would gather in a particular house to share the news, play cards or even learn to dance a step or two. There was always a place at the table at meal times for anyone who happened to be visiting at the time and neighbours looked out for each other. If somebody was in trouble all the neighbours got together to help out. There was a great sense of community and though there was the odd falling out, in general there was harmony. Local towns and villages flourished with every second house turned into a business premises. All trades were catered for with drapers, harness makers, furniture and hardware shops, blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, coopers, butchers and many more doing a lively trade. Everyone shopped in the local village, sometimes without money changing hands. A little “pass book” was carried by shoppers to keep an account of what was bought and the bill was settled at the end of the month, usually when the cheque from the creamery was cashed. At a time when there were few cars on the road there were several petrol pumps in villages because traders wanted to have as many goods as possible for their customers. That is why most of the shops had groceries and provisions in the front, a pub in the next room and a yard out the back that might have pieces of farm machinery or hardware. The life blood of the village was the creamery. Farms were smaller in those days and even people who had just a couple of acres kept a cow or two. The milk was brought to the creamery in the morning early and the shops were kept busy as papers, cigarettes, tobacco and grocery items were taken home. Hard to believe it now but a local pub with an early opening licence also did a lively trade. The creamery was a great place for social interaction. All the news of the parish and beyond was discussed and it was a great help to postmen who had letters for people who lived down long passages in remote areas. They delivered the post by bicycle at the time. It wasn’t a bad way of life but “progress” took over and farmers were coaxed by the promise of higher rewards to join the Kerry Co-op group. For a while the creamery stayed open but eventually it closed altogether and that was the first nail in the coffin for village business. There was now no need for people to come to the village on a daily basis and more and more shopping was done in nearby towns where big supermarkets opened up and could afford to sell goods much cheaper than local shops who did not have the same buying power. One by one the shops closed down as profits were not enough to make a living. Though cars and other motor vehicles got more plentiful the pumps disappeared because the petrol companies did not want to keep on supplying small outlets and safety regulation meant they could not be on the side of the street anymore. Out the country, smaller farms also went by the wayside. Where once upon a time a farmer could make a living and raise a family on land for 15 to 20 cows it was now necessary to have at least twice that much and pretty soon the amount of cows necessary to survive had risen to three times the original amount. People no longer kept a “cow for the house” as milk was cheap in the shops. The day is coming when there will be only a few big farmers in the parish. As we watch the years go by we can see the changes. We are now down to one shop in Athea and even though we still have a few pubs, most of those will close in the future as people are not going out as they used to at weekends due to home entertainment and the cost of hiring babysitters and taxis. There is now also the problem of driving to work the following morning with the blood alcohol limit being so low and the penalties for being just over that being so severe. The loss of the post office has been another blow. Pensions and social welfare payments are now collected in nearby towns. Some of these are located in supermarkets so the money will be spent there; money that would normally be spent in the village. It is difficult to see how businesses will survive into the future. We are lucky in Athea to have the doctor’s surgery and the chemist. At least they bring footfall to the village. Other places are not so lucky. There are no shops at all now in Mountcollins or Tournafulla. Locals in those areas depend on the rural busses to bring them to Abbeyfeale for their shopping. I know I am painting a gloomy picture but that is the reality and we are going to have to change some of our ways if we are not to become a place just for sleeping. We can do at least some of our shopping at home and use the local services that are available. We might even be able to create some new ones with a bit of help. Getting back to my own neighbourhood, I do not now know who is living over the road from me and I would not dare call to any house without an appointment. Is this really “progress” or were we better off with the old way of life. We could embrace all the modern technology with the changes it brings and still keep the values that were handed down to us from our forefathers. Country life can be good.
Ad in lonely hearts column: “Man in late forties who likes playing golf, going to race meetings, and attending Fleadh Cheoils would like to meet a lady whose hobbies include saving hay, footing turf and looking after cattle with a view to marriage”.
Abbeyfeale News July 2018
‘MOLADH GO DEO LE DIA’ (Praise be God forever). The publication of this book on Abbeyfeale Church marks the passage of fifty years since the opening and consecration of our parish church on the 23rd June 1968. It is a colourful and well-designed publication. We are indebted to the editorial committee for their time, their commitment and their interest. The book is on sale this weekend and it is available here in the church and also at Ann Lyons the square, O’Donoghues convent street , Moss Harnett Spar shop Killarney road, Margarettes Bakery, Main Street.
SHOW Abbeyfeale: Scoil Mháthair Dé Performing Arts Society Show Our show ‘Musical Magic’ takes place in Coláiste Íde agus Iosef on Wednesday 27th June at 7 .00 p.m.
It promises to be an evening of fun, talent and great entertainment.
THANK YOU
A sincere thank you to everyone who helped and assisted in our Church Jubilee celebrations.
It was a wonderful celebration of faith and community. Your presence at the Mass and the celebrations afterwards made all the difference. Thank you for taking the time to be part of the event. I want to especially thank the Pastoral Council and so many others who gave of their time so generously in preparing for the celebrations. During the Mass our choirs sang so beautifully and added greatly to the celebration. We appreciate the time they put into rehearsing for the liturgy. We acknowledge all who read the scripture readings, prayers of the faithful, introduced the symbols and welcomed the large congregation. Thanks to all our stewards and car park assistants. It was good to have so many young people involved and we thank them for their help. Thanks to all who prepared the church and sanctuary. We are indebted to Ann and Maurice our sacristans and their team of workers for all the time and work put in for this celebration. Thanks to Ann Murphy and her team for the catering. (A miracle twelve baskets left over!). In preparation for this jubilee celebration significant work was carried out on the exterior of the building and the grounds, lighting and landscaping. Thanks to all our contractors. This Jubilee celebration has helped us to appreciate even more the place of faith in our lives and what a gift that faith is to us. It has also helped us to appreciate the importance of community and the blessing that is for all of us. As we reflect on the Jubilee, we are invited to build on the rich heritage of faith of the people who have gone before us. As people of faith, we are challenged to be witnesses to the values of the Gospel in today’s world. In his homily last weekend, Bishop Leahy called on us to “rediscover our mission to go out in service of others” with the Good Samaritan as our model and inspiration. As we move on from the Jubilee celebrations, may Mary Assumed into Heaven be a model to inspire us as we set out on the next phase of this parish’s journey.
Fr Tony Mullins
Bletchley Park during WW2. Richard Hayes helped British Intelligence here to break the Nazi codes.
RICHARD HAYES from http://abbeyfealeonline.blogspot.ie/
RTE Radio broadcast a very interesting documentary recently describing the exploits of an Abbeyfeale man who helped break the German intelligence codes during World War Two.
Richard Hayes was born in Abbeyfeale in 1902. His father, who was originally from County Clare, was manager of the National Bank in The Square and the family lived above the premises.
Back then, Abbeyfeale was a busy and bustling market town. If the young Richard had chanced to look out the window from his high vantage point he would have witnessed a colourful cacophony of sights and sounds down below which would all have been very different from the leafy suburbs of Ballsbridge in Dublin where he would later live.
Richard would have seen cattle been driven through the streets and deals made with spits on palms and rough handshakes. Horses and ponies clip-clopped along pulling common cars laden with hay and turf. Street vendors sold turkeys and chickens and fresh eggs to local women dressed in shawls. Donkeys brayed and galloped off in all directions. Men in cloth caps smoked pipes and gathered by the parish pump to talk about the weather and the state of the country. Sheepdogs barked and snarled at each other, while travelling salesmen displayed their trinkets from makeshift stalls. Barefoot children raced around excitedly, causing mischief and getting in the way. Everyone was engaged in some activity or other.
There was no monument to Father Casey in The Square back then, but the man himself could probably be seen going about his parochial duties while men stepped out of his path and tipped their hats respectfully to him.
Young Richard might have watched all of this chaos and confusion going on below and wished for a more orderly existence. Perhaps this imbued in him the mental discipline that he would later use to such good effect when cracking the German codes.
We do not know how long the Hayes Family remained in Abbeyfeale but by 1911 they had transferred to Claremorris in County Mayo.
Richard attended Clongowes Wood College in Kildare and later gained entry to Trinity where he excelled and gained three degrees, including one in languages, before joining the National Library of Ireland in 1923. He was appointed Director in 1940, a post that he held until he retired in 1967. He then became Director of the Chester Beatty Library.
The RTE documentary describes how, at the outbreak of WW2, Hayes was recruited by the head of Irish Military Intelligence and given an office and three staff members to decode wireless messages being secretly transmitted by Morse code from a house in north Dublin owned by the German Embassy. These coded messages posed a huge threat to Irish neutrality and also to the wider war effort.
The team worked for months to solve the infamous Görtz Cipher, a Nazi code that had fooled some of the greatest minds of British Intelligence in Bletchley Park.
It was a code used by German spy, Dr Herman Görtz, who had been captured and held in Arbour Hill prison after parachuting into Meath a year earlier.
Gortz had health problems and Hayes tricked him into having a medical check-up so he could find the cipher in his trouser pockets without the German’s knowledge and went on to crack the code.
Hayes and his team then began intercepting messages from the spy and systematically sending their own messages back to him to fool him into revealing more information which was quickly passed on to M15 in Bletchley Park.
Hollywood movie “The Imitation Game” brought the work of code breakers in Bletchley Park to the big screen. Hayes was not mentioned in the film although he had been referred to by MI5 as Ireland’s "greatest unsung hero" while the American Office of Strategic Services described him as "a colossus of a man". Yet, due to the secret nature of his work and his involvement with British Military Intelligence he was virtually unheard of in his own country.
Mark Hull, a serving member of the US army and military historian, told the documentary that the prolific code breaker was widely recognised for his brilliance in international intelligence circles. “The tragedy here is he was lost in terms of the Irish public. People in the intelligence services, Irish American, British, and certainly Allied intelligence Services, understood and recognised his contribution for being as significant as it was”
Hayes continued to share his information with British mathematicians in Bletchley Park and, in the aftermath of the war, he quietly accepted a medal in recognition of his efforts from Winston Churchill.
Richard Hayes died in 1976 and most of his secrets died with him. It is not known if he ever revisited his birthplace in Abbeyfeale.
GERARD LOOKS BACK
GERARD COLLINS LOOKS BACK.
Written by Norma Prendiville, and published in the Limerick Leader, 19th November 2017
FIFTY years ago this week, Gerard Collins took his Dáil seat for the first time, the seat he won in the by-election following the death of his father James.
But the new Fianna Fail TD was no rookie. He had cut his political teeth on his father’s campaigns and in UCD where he had won his stripes as an organiser and debater.
Then, in 1965, came the first of the many “calls” that peppered his long political career, when the Taoiseach of the day and party leader, Seán Lemass asked him to step into the role of assistant general secretary as the general secretary was out of action.
It put the young Abbeyfeale man, still in his 20s, right at the heart of what was then the most powerful political force in the country and at a time of immense change.
Change came calling again two years later with the death of his father James who had been a TD for Limerick West since 1948. The by-election was called for ten weeks after, Gerard recalled at his home in Abbeyfeale this week.
“We were into it straight away,” he said, naming the two men who proposed him at the selection convention and remembering too the novelty of canvassing with one of the first-ever coloured canvassing card.
“And with a photograph on it!”
Ranged against him were Willie Madden for Fine Gael and Ned O’Dwyer for Labour. But Gerard topped the poll with over 14,000 votes a feat which he was to repeat in general election after general election for the next 30 years.
And he smiled remembering the night of the count, November 10, 1967, a night which saw big rallies in Adare, Rathkeale, Newcastle West and finally in Abbeyfeale, where there were flaming torches and pipe bands to hail the victor.
Just four days later, Gerard found himself in Dáil Eireann, and within a few weeks, he was making his maiden speech.
“I was of the newer generation coming in,” he recalled. “I used to be referred to as Young Collins.”
The late Liam Cosgrave continued to call him Young Collins, even when he, Gerard, was a member of government.
Promotion followed quickly, first to parliamentary secretary,(today’s equivalent of a junior minister) to George Colley and then in 1970, he was made Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
“I didn’t expect it,” he said this week.
“It was the time of the Arms Trial when ministers were dismissed. Blaney, Haughey and O’Móráin were dismissed and Kevin Boland resigned,” he recalled.
He and his new wife, Hilary, had gone to watch a Hitchcock film when the “call” came.
“Half way through, I got a call out from a member of the Garda Siochana, that the Taoiseach (Jack Lynch) wanted me straight away.”
“I knew his difficulty,” Gerard said. But his answer was yes.
It was a baptism of fire in a decade dominated by the Troubles; a time when he and his wife came under threat and where Gerard found himself caught up in a political whirlwind over Section 31 of the Broadcasting Act and his decision to sack the RTE authority.
He now describes the 1970s as a “sad time” but a time when political stability was maintained and subversion contained.
The 1980s opened with three general elections within 18 months, something which, Gerard says, required peak physical fitness and peak mental stability.
“It was physical crucifixion,” he recalls now.
In government, he took on, first, the role of Minister for Justice then later Minister for Foreign Affairs “which I enjoyed immensely”.
"It was exceptionally challenging and very demanding but there was a great sense of fulfillment,” he observed. “If I were young and involved again, it is a department I would very much like.”
But by the early 1990s, tensions within Fianna Fail between Taoiseach Charlie Haughey and future leader Albert Reynolds came to a head. In a bid to maintain unity, Gerard Collins appeared on RTE News appealing to Reynolds to desist and not “burst” the party.
Asked about that now, he says: “I said what I said. If I were to do it again I might do it differently. I became emotional.”
When Albert Reynolds finally became Taoiseach, Gerard Collins and many others lost their cabinet seats.
“With a new leadership coming in that didn’t have a place for me, I felt I should consider my options which I did.”
A new direction brought Gerard to the European parliament as MEP, where he was later to became its vice-president as well as being leader of the Fianna Fail group.
At his third European Parliament hustings in 2004, however, Gerard failed to retain his seat in the reduced three-seat Munster constituency.
“I had the second highest vote of anyone in the country but didn’t get the seat,” he recalled of the only election he failed to succeed in.
But, he continued, his reaction was not one of feeling rejected.
“There was a certain feeling of relief for me.”
By now in his late 60s, the job, from a physical point of view, had become physically onerous. But now, from a vantage of 50 years, would he do it all again?
“I probably would. I was never afraid of a challenge,” he replied.
He does however feel that politics today is very different.
“What I can’t get to grips with is the effect social media has. It is difficult to measure the effect that has on the political issues or difficulties that have to be dealt with,” he mused.
The advent of fake news has given him cause for concern. And he finds the “tweeting efforts” of US President Trump “extremely disturbing.”
“His continuing attacks on media that dare to challenge him is equally extremely disturbing,” Gerard added. “The truth must always be known. The people must be informed of the truth on all issues.”
“Public service, public representation exacts a toll, more so now than in my time,” he continued.
Unlike others, Gerard Collins, has resisted efforts to “tell all” from his own political career. The man who was close to and at the heart of many of the most tumultuous events of the late 20th century prefers, like many before him, to “let sleeping dogs lie.”
A number of high-profile journalists have pressured him to consider a book but he still hasn’t said yes.
“There are areas I don’t wish to talk about,” he said.
“It may be the best thing. We came through very very difficult times in the life of the nation. We came through difficult political times,” he said.
He is, he told the Limerick Leader, thoroughly enjoying his retirement. Now, half a century on, he says: “My fondest memories now are of the very pleasant times representing the people of Co Limerick.”
(C* Norma Prendeville, Limerick Leader.) LIMERICK LEADER
http://abbeyfealeonline.blogspot.ie/2017/11/gerard-looks-back.html
Religious Vocations in Abbeyfeale Parish.
Priests from Abbeyfeale Parish who ministered in the Diocese of Limerick.
Rev. Danial Murphy Church St.; Rev. Dermot McCarthy The Square. ; Rev. John Browne
The Square.; Rev. John Moloney West End.; Rev. John J. O’ Donnell The Hill.; Rev Michael Lane
Killarney Rd.; Rev. Cornelius Collins Main St.
Priests from Abbeyfeale parish who ministered in the U.S.A.
Rev. Michael Galvin Ballybehy.; Rev. John Galvin Ballybehy.; Rev. Maurice Galvin Ballybehy.;
Rev. Timothy Galvin Ballybehy.; Rev. Garret Galvin Ballybehy.; Rev. Maurice Woulfe
Ballybehy.; Rev. Thomas o Rourke Clash.; Rev. Daniel McEnery Dromtrasna.; Rev. Thomas McEnery
Dromtrasna.; Rev. Patrick McEnery Dromtrasna.; Rev. Peter Harnett Dromtrasna.; Rev. Daniel Harnett Dromtrasna.; Rev Humphrey Moynihan Main St.; Rev. Patrick Collins Main St.; Rev. Denis McEnery Main St.; Rev. Michael Enright Church St.; Rev. Patrick Enright Church St.; Rev. John Enright
Church St. ;Rev. William Lane New St.; Rev. Richard Harnett New St.; Rev. Thomas Greaney New St.;
Rev. John Harnett Clash.; Rev. John J. Healy The Hill.; Rev. William O Donnell The Hill.; Rev. Denis Lyons Purt.; Rev. Daniel Collins Purt.; Rev. Michael Collins Purt.; Rev. Patrick O Carroll Purt.;
Rev. Daniel O’Sullivan Main Street ;Rev. Thomas O Donoghue Meenahela.; Rev. Michael Curtin
Meenahela.; Rev. Patrick Leahy Banard.;Rev. John O Sullivan Mountmahon; Rev. Thomas Lane
Kilconlea.
Spiritan Order (formerly called Holy Ghost Order)
Rev. Patrick Harnett C.S.Sp New St.; Rev. Michael Woulfe C.S.Sp New St; Rev. Risteard Woulfe C.S.Sp
New St.; Rev. Cornelius Woulfe C.S.Sp New St.; Rev. William O Neill C.S.Sp New St.; Rev. Cornelius Daly C.S.Sp The Square.; Rev. Vincent O Rourke C.S.Sp The Square.; Rev. John Joe Hackett C.S.Sp Church St. Rev. Richard Harnett C.S.Sp Main St.;Rev. Daniel Leen C.S.Sp Main St.; Rev. Edward Leen C.S.Sp Main St (a student who died, 21 years); Archbishop James Leen C.S.Sp Main St.; Rev. William Moriarty C.S.Sp Railway Hse.
Australia
Rev. Morgan O Connor Islandboy.; Rev. John O Connor Islandboy.;Rev. Jeremiah Downey New St.;
Rev. Timothy J Murphy New St.; Rev. Sean Murphy New St.; Rev. John O Callaghan Main St.; Rev. Thomas O Callaghan Main St.; Rev Dan Murphy Mountcollins; Rev. Michael O Connell Purt.;
Rev. James O Connell Meenkilly.
England, Scotland and Wales.
Rev. Daniel Harnett Kilconlea.;Rev. Sean Danaher Church St. ;Rev. James K. O Donoghue
Convent st.; Rev. John O Donoghue Meenahela.; Rev. Cornelius Greaney New St.
Religious Orders of Priests.
Jesuit Order Rev. Michael J. Moloney Church St.
Columban Order Rev. Cornelius O Connell Kilconlea.
Augustinian Order
Bishop Timothy Cotter Dromtrasna.
Mill Hill Fathers.Rev. Michael Murphy Ballybehy.
Salesian Order.
Rev. Timothy Leahy Millstream.
Redemptorist Order.
Rev. Thomas Roche Church St.
Sacred Heart Missionaries. Rev. Daniel Daly Cahir, and Rev. John Moloney St. Ita’s Tce.
Brothers. Presentation Brothers.
Br. Clement Mccarthy Purt.;Br. Hilarion Cahill Ballaugh.;Br. Justin Cahill Ballaugh.;Br. Fintan McAuliffe Ballaugh.;Br. Edwin Collins Ballaugh.
Brothers of Charity. Br. Daniel O Riordan Ballybehy.;Br. Peter Lyons Main St.
Sisters born in Abbeyfeale Parish
Sr. Teresa Broderick Main St.; Sr. Gregory Dillon Main St.; Sr.Teresita Dunne Main St.;
Sr. Bridie Collins Main St. ; Sr. Ann Collins Main St.;Benedict O Riordan Main st.; Sr. Celine Enright Church St.;Sr. Peter Enright Church St.; Sr. Berchmans Murphy Church St.; Sr. Consilio Moloney
Church St.; Sr. Claver Moloney Church St.; Sr. Elfrida Downey Church St.; Sr. De Pazzi Lane
New St.; Sr. Mary A Harnett New St.; Sr. Agatha Woulfe New St.; Sr. Ide Woulfe New St.; Sr. Vianney O Connor New St.; Sr. Marcella McCarthy Colbert Tce.; Sr. Margaret Colbert
The Square.; Sr. Madeleine Moloney Bridge St.; Sr. Mary of the Angels Begley Bridge St.;
Sr. Marguerite McEnery Bridge St.; Sr. Teresa Harnett Purt.; Sr. Immaculata Harnett Purt.;
Sr. Kieran Harnett Purt.; Sr. Elizabeth Lyons Knocknasna.; Sr. Margaret Fitzgerald
Meenahela.; Sr. Mary Harnett Meenahela.; Sr. Borgia Curtin Meenahela.; Sr. Mary Curtin
Meenahela.; Sr. Esther Curtin Meenahela.; Sr Serafina Leahy, Ballybehy; Sr. Anthony Leahy
Ballybehy.; Sr. Paschal Leahy Ballybehy.; Sr. Josephine Leahy Ballybehy.; Sr. Rita White, Ballybehy.; Sr. Bridie Harnett Ballybehy.; Sr. Eileen White Ballybehy.; Sr. Gonzaga Curtin
Ballybehy.; Sr. Magdalen Curtin Ballybehy.; Sr. Brendan Curtin Ballybehy.; Sr. Joseph Curtin
Ballybehy.; Sr. De Pazzi Curtin Ballybehy.; Sr. Augustine Curtin Ballybehy.; Sr. Mary O Riordan
Ballybehy.; Sr. Mary Cahill Ballybehy.; Sr. Mary McEnery Dromtrasna.; Sr. Amabilis Fitzgerald
Dromtrasna.; Sr. Peter Curtin Dromtrasna.; Sr. Columba Curtin Dromtrasna.; Sr. Delia Curtin
Dromtrasna.; Sr. Ita Mulcahy Dromtrasna.; Sr. Tereas Josephine Cotter Dromtrasna.; Sr. Augustine Cotter Dromtrasna.; Sr. Mary of the Rosary McEnery Dromtrasna. Sr. Magdalen Flynn The Hill.;Sr. Noreen O Sullivan The Hill.; Sr. Ann O Sullivan The Hill.; Sr. Carmel O Donnell The Hill.; Sr. Mary Doody The Hill.; Sr. Maurice Doody The Hill.; Sr. Martina Cotter Kilconlea; Sr. Denise Cotter
Kilconlea ; Sr. Nalasco McEnery Kilconlea.; Sr. Fintan McEnery Kilconlea.; Sr. Eileen Fitzgerald
Glenashrone.; Sr. Madeleine O Rourke Clash.; Sr. Marie Fitzgerald Clash.; Sr. Mgt Angela O Rourke
Clash.; Sr. Magdalen Harnett Inch.; Sr. Agnes Harnett Inch.;Sr. Nora Harnett Inch.; Sr. Gerardine Harnett Knockbrack.; Sr. Lorenzo Harnett Knockbrack.; Sr. Mary Murphy Sheskin.; Sr. Ita Leahy
Millstream.; Sr. Nolasco Wrenn Banard.; Sr. Benita Leahy Banard.;Sr. Aquin Ward Banard.; Sr. Baptista Ward Banard.;Sr. Elsie Woulfe Ballaugh.; Sr. Ita Broderick Ballaugh.; Sr. Esther McAuliffe
Ballaugh.; Sr. Berchmans McAuliffe Ballaugh.; Sr. Rachael Joseph Sheehy Ballaugh.; Sr. Lydia Harnett
Ballaugh.; Sr. Mary Harnett Ballaugh.;Sr. Hanora M. Moriarty Station Hse.; Sr.M. Brendan O Connor
Cahirlane.; Sr. M.Beniti O Connor Cahirlane; Sr. Joachim Casey Cahirlane.; Sr. Ignatius O Connor
Cahirlane.; Sr. Esther McCarthy Cahirlane.; Sr. Consilio Lane Cahirlane.; Sr. Noreen O Connor
Cahirhayes.; Sr. Kate O Connor Caherhayes.; Sr. Cornelius Lane Caherhayes.
Collected by Sr. Delia Curtin.
Echoes of Abbeyfeale
http://www.abbeyfealeparish.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Echoes-of-Abbeyfeale.pdf
The Sacred Heart Review, Volume 45, Number 5, 21 January 1911
" From all parts of Limerick and many parts of Kerry an immense crowd forgathered at Abbeyfeale, recently, to take part in the ceremony of unveiling a statue in memory of the late Rev. William Casey, who was pastor of Abbeyfeale for a long number of years prior to his death. At the exercises of unveiling, one of the speakers called attention to Father Casey's work in fighting the evil of drink. The speaker said: — '' He had to face the two demons that had kept their people down. He had to face the two demons whose course of sovereignty was traced in streams of blood and in abysses of destruction for their race—the demon of landlordism and the still greater and more destructive demon of alcohol. Father Casey set himself to fight these two demons and he conquered them as much as a man could hope to conquer them in his lifetime."
http://newspapers.bc.edu/cgi-bin/bostonsh?a=q&hs=1&r=1&results=1&txq=casey+kerry&txf=txIN&ssnip=txt&o=20&dafdq=&dafmq=&dafyq=&datdq=&datmq=&datyq=&puq=&e=-------en-20--81--txt-txIN-+blind------
ABBEYFEALE IS THE PLACE TO BE: How many towns are a gateway to the South West with Killarney, Dingle, Listowel and Tralee on its doorstep? Where would you find a park like the Abbeyfeale Town Park with such facilities available all year round and free to all, be able to access the Southern Trail a short few minutes away at the end of New St. ,.or take a stroll along the Sli na Slainte 6.8 km marked walk. How many towns are on a main route with a choice of buses every hour, have a hotel, a hostel, several bed and breakfasts, restaurants, coffee and tea shops all on or close to the Main St. and within walking distance of the bus stop. We have an airport half an hour away and a second one with international flights just over an hour away and access to a train service from Farranfore, Tralee, Charlville or Limerick. Abbeyfeale has a theatre, several vibrant drama groups for adults and children alike, three youth clubs, an adult education campus with an active Men Shed on the grounds. That list is by no means comprehensive and should also include a horse riding school,, GAA, Rugby, Soccer pitches all with their own clubhouses, a sport and leisure hall, karate classes, set and social dance classes, bridge and badminton, a handball alley, a vibrant fishing club, a boxing club and St. Ita’s Hall with billiards and snooker and a Youth Café. We have an athletics club, a newly established cycling club, basketball. We have historical sites too like the Cillins, Killenagh Holy Well, Port Castle, The Railway House, Fr. Casey’s Monument, The Abbey Graveyard and more. We cannot forget too, how close we are to Ballybunion with its world class golf links as well as an unspoiled blue flag beach, with Beale and Banna Strands just a short hop away. Since the Tidy Towns committee reformed, the town looks resplendent with red roses blooming in the Square, pots of flowers on the street, shopfronts painted and hanging baskets everywhere so let us all be proud of where we live and lose no opportunity to sing its praises and invite visitors to sample all we have to offer.
ABBEYFEALE’S SINGING CLUB: West Limerick singing club monthly singing session take place on the first Friday of every month in the Ramble Inn Bar, Abbeyfeale. The next session will take place on Friday, August 5- 2016 at 9.30pm. All are welcome to come along and join in the singing, tell a story, or just listen to the performers.
Limerick Leader 26 Oct 1916
IRISH-AUSTRALIAN WOUNDED—Private T. O'Neill Lane, son of the Irish. Lexicographer-of that-name, has-been on a-visit, to his friends at Abbeyfeale. He volunteered with the Australian contingent, and was wounded in France.
Story By T. O'NEILL-IANE
Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld. : 1926 – 1954) Sunday 10 October 1943
How Did Phil Smith Die?
Sunday 5 December 1943, Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (Qld
T. O'NEILL-LANE tells this story of the Army captain, they all thought was soft because he gave the man leave. But the captain was a good psychologist.
ABBEYFEALE
The death has occurred on 29th March 2015 of Sr. Mary Annunciata Harnett, retired matron of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Midleton. Late of Summerhill, Mallow and New Street, Abbeyfeale, sister of the late Tadgh, Fr. Pat CSSP, Fr. Dick, Michael, Bill & Breda. Sympathy is extended to her loving community, brothers Tony and Joseph, sister-in-law Clare, nieces, nephews.
MOLONEY
John’s Relationship to the Moloneys of Ireland
Jeremiah Moloney (may have died in Ireland, enroute to US, or shortly after arriving – no records for him). He was probably a brother to John Moloney who inherited the farm at Sluice Quarter.
Sp. Ellen Herbert (b. c. 1825) Ellen first shown in 1860 Census in Chicago.
Known children, all born in Ireland:
Thomas P. Moloney (b. 1847)
Sp: Ellen (b. c. 1852)
Johanna “Josephine” Moloney (b. 1848)
Sp: John Shea (b. c. 1842) Gortnagullah, Co. Kerry
Mary Alice Moloney (b. 1851)
Sp: Michael Lane (b. 1840)
John H. Moloney (b. 1853)
Sp: Emma Love (b. 1861)
Johanna Moloney and John Shea had:
Helen "Nellie" Gertrude Shea b: 31 Jul 1868
+Edward John Sankey b: Aug 1869
Marion F. Shea b: 28 Jan 1871
+Thomas F. Dee b: Jun 1864
Matilda Shea b: 27 May 1872
John Jefry "Herbert" Shea b: 25 Aug 1877
+Ella R. Little b: 17 Jan 1878 (son, Raymond had son, Dick Shea)
Mabel Florentine Shea b: 22 May 1880
+James Joseph Enright b: 27 Sep 1871
Thomas Joseph Shea b: 28 Feb 1883
+Claire Dillon b: 1886
Alice Lillian "Abbie" Shea b: 02 Dec 1885
+William M. Lardner b: 07 Jul 1876
James Benedict Shea b: 23 Apr 1889
Mabel Florentine Shea & James Joseph Enright had eight children, one of whom was:
Alice Rose Enright (1909-1988) who married Lowell McCarthy (1902-1979), they had two children:
Ann Elizabeth McCarthy
James Lowell McCarthy (b. 1935), married Margaret Rowe. They had four children:
John, Margaret “Meg,” Patrick, Brian
John is the sixth generation of known Moloney descendents, fifth born in
Homily by Sr. Elizabeth Behan at the Requiem Mass for Sr Berchmans Murphy R.I.P. on the 20th February, 2015, at Christ King Church, Turners Cross, Cork.
“Think of the Love the Father has lavished on us by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are.” These beautiful opening lines in today’s second Reading of the Mass express a language of hope for all of us. The hope for our future is rooted in the here and now. It is now that God has lavished great love on us : his children. We are reminded that we need not wait for life beyond death to live as children of God and certainly Sr Berchmans Murphy whose Requiem Mass we are celebrating today, did not wait for life beyond death to live as a child of God.
Sr Berchmans, Bridget Murphy, was born on the 23rd of September, 1916, in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. Her arrival was heralded by sunshine, I believe, and all through life she managed to radiate some of that sunshine, light and hope. Her Mother, Helen and Father, Cornelius had nine children and Bridie was number five. She had six brothers Pat, Tim, Tommy, Nelius, Dan and Sean, and two sisters Peigi and Mary. Tim, Dan and Sean became priests. All Sr Berchmans’ siblings have pre-deceased her. Her parents ran a business in the town. Sr Berchmans attended the local Mercy Convent Primary School and her talents and creativity began to emerge even at that early stage. In second class when asked the meaning of the word “shiver” she said she couldn’t explain it but that she would do it and she duly set about giving her display of ‘shivering’ ! She continued her education on to seventh, eighth and ninth class in what was known then as the Secondary Top of the school. To complete her secondary education she was sent as a boarder in 1933 to St Michael’s, Loreto Convent, Navan. With guidance from her cousin, Sr Ita who was a Presentation Sister in Kerry, Bridie decided to enter in South Presentation Convent, Cork in 1935. She was professed in 1938, and the following year she was sent to UCC to begin her BA studies. English and Irish were her degree subjects and some of her lecturers’ names like Daniel Corkery, Bob Walsh and Seamus O Caomhanach were familiar to all of us several years later as she recounted some interesting episodes during those heady College years! Berchmans began her teaching career in South Presentation Secondary School in 1943. With her ever active brain she had lots of side industries on the go as well as teaching, embroidery and painting being some of them.
Almost twenty years later, the Rev Mother of the day thought Sr Berchmans could do with another academic challenge and having consulted her, the wheels were set in motion for her to start an MA in English, in 1962. She chose the work of Henry James for her Research Thesis – no small challenge considering she was Principal of South Presentation Secondary School at the time. But Berchmans was undaunted and she had a whole infrastructure in place including some loyal friends and taxis taking her to and from UCC. Berchmans had Professor B. G. McCarthy guiding her during her MA studies and even though I never met this lady I feel I know her personally from Berchmans regaling us about her over the years!
Sr Berchmans was transferred to Christ King Convent, Turners Cross in 1966, the year after Christ King Secondary School opened in Sunview House in the South Douglas Road. Berchmans became part of the teaching staff there. In 1967 she was ready for another academic challenge, this time in the Italian Language and she completed her BA in Italian in 1970. We’re all aware of the wonderful contribution she made in teaching and promoting the Italian language and culture. This did not go un-noticed by the Dante Society in Cork and soon afterwards the high honour of Stella Della Solidarieta was bestowed on her by the Italian Government. Teaching Italian opened up even still more unexplored areas of her life. As is always necessary when studying and teaching a foreign language visits to the mother country is a must. This was manna from Heaven for Sr Berchmans because she loved art, culture and everything about Italy. Her mode of transport during all these trips abroad was wide and varied ranging from over-night trains to articulated trucks taking her and her friend Sr Teresa through the continent. It is certainly testament to the negotiating skills of Liam Tarrant’s driver of the day that he managed the intricacies of the customs while having two nuns on board the truck!
As principal of Christ King Secondary School in the 1970s her wonderful capacity for friendship and conversation was always evident. She even managed to break down the business-like composure of the Civil Servants and Inspectors in the Department of Education. Her trips to Marlborough Street in Dublin to negotiate funding for the school extension, nearly always proved successful and she would never board the train home without first rewarding her travelling companion and herself with a nice meal in the Capital. She had many friends in Dublin including Charles Mitchell, the News Reader and she even had the unique opportunity of visiting him in the News Room.
What attracted people to Sr Berchmans? I think when people encountered Berchmans they were somehow encountering her God. In today’s Gospel we see that the purpose of Jesus’ mission and revelation is that the Father’s love for Christ the Son may dwell in the disciples. Berchmans had that love in abundance. In her life she also portrayed great forgiveness, compassion and hope. The will of God was very important for her. When she retired in Christ King Secondary School in 1983 Pakistan beckoned with a letter from the Provincial inviting her to teach English in their school. Berchmans unhesitatingly set off even though it was a difficult mission. Unfortunately, the conditions there took their toll on her health and she had to come home having spent just two years there. But even in that short time she made an impact and still received letters from friends there. On her return home in 1985, even though retired, she went back to Christ King Secondary School and taught Italian there right up to a few years ago. She was a great presence in the school during those years and every June during the State Examinations she would go around to all the Exam Centres in the school to pray with the students for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Berchmans embodied her spirituality and always expressed it in a practical way. In later years I had a sense of Sr Berchmans becoming more reflective and spending long sessions in the Convent Chapel gallery. Of course the Mass was always central in her life. She was a wonderful role model for all of us who had the privilege of living with her. She knew how to love herself and love others. And of course in that precious space in her loving heart was her great love for family and extended family, no matter what part of the world they were in. She rejoiced with and enjoyed every family celebration. In her conversations whether in the staff room in school or around the dining room table in the convent, the words Abbeyfeale, Tournafulla and Lime Tree, Limerick were never far from her lips. As well as her great gift of love, Berchmans knew how to forgive herself and forgive others. She had the ability to embrace life with a great sense of bigness, compassion and generosity. This manifested itself in a myriad of ways. She communicated easy empathy to young and old. She always had the welfare of pupils at heart and as gentle as Sr Berchmans was, she was nonetheless, no pushover when it came to advising them about study and good manners. She was very confidential, a trait she learned, no doubt, from a young age in the security of her own family. She would tell the story that as a youngster in the kitchen at home in Abbeyfeale when her mother would be discussing business with her father, that her mother would say to her: “Anything you hear in this kitchen, Bridie, is not to go outside that door.” Berchmans certainly lived by that principle.
Sr Berchmans, you had a great trust in the power of God’s spirit at work in you. You were deeply aware of the beautiful time of harvesting that old age made possible for you and you thanked God daily for it. As one of the Sisters said to me a few days ago, ‘death for Berchmans was part of the process of living.’
To all of you, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, in-laws and cousins, you were blessed to have Sr Berchmans as your mentor, companion and friend. To all the rest of us, her Presentation family, carers and all the staff at Christ King Convent, her former teaching colleagues and students and her many friends, you were a gift from God to us, Berchmans and we are grateful for that gift.
From all of us we say:
May your gentle soul rest in peace forever.
ABBEYFEALE CHURCH
The Church was constructed in 1968 after the Vatican Council to replace St Mary’s Church in New street where St Mary’s Boys Schools now resides. The land was kindly donated by the Broderick family and the Sisters of Mercy Abbeyfeale. It provides valuable parking for these entering the town of Abbeyfeale today.
The present day church, the Church of the Assumption was built during the years 1966 – 1968 under the leadership of Philip Canon Enright, who is buried in the grounds.
In the grounds of the church, there is a statue to the memory of James Joseph Sheehy who died in 1948 in Chicago. Mr. Sheehy was a native of the area and it was erected by Fr. Vincent J. Sheehy in 1985 who was a priest in Miami. The holy water font in the grounds is believed to come from the abbey. A grotto has been erected to the right of the church.
To the left of the church, there is a small plot where priests who served in the area or came from the area are buried. Three members of the McEnery family are buried here. Thomas, Patrick and Denis were all priests in the Diocese of Duluth in Minnesota. Also, two brothers of the Murphy family, Seán and T. J. were priests in Rockhampton, Australia. Two other priests who preached the Gospels in far-flung places were J. Downey in Canberra, Australia and Monsignor Daniel P. Collins in Los Angeles. Two local priests are also buried here, Monsignor Dan Gallagher and Canon O’Donoghue.
There is a stained glass window of Mary at the back of the church. In the left transept, there is a stained glass window depicting Jesus healing the sick. There is also a crucifix in this transept. The adjoining plaque states that the crucifix is to Denis Bailey of Rockchapel, who contributed to the Sheltered Housing Scheme.
An interesting feature of this church is the small chapel to Jesus attached to the left transept. To the left of the altar in this chapel, there is a statue of the Sacred Heart, while to the right is a statue of Mary. Stained glass windows in this chapel depict the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles, the Crucifixion, and the bread and wine of Mass. These stained glass windows are donated in memory of Denis and Mary Lyons of Port, Abbeyfeale, Dick and Mary Hartnett of Port, Sr. Theresa, Joe and Eily, Connie, Sr. Immaculata, and Bridie Hartnett of Port, and James and Julia Quirke respectively. The chapel was opened in June 1991 by Bishop Newman.
In the main church, there is a stained glass window of the Good Samaritan on the left behind the altar, while the stained glass window on the right depicts Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. There is a shrine to Mary Immaculate to the left of the main altar. In the right transept of the church there are two shrines, on to St Joseph, and one to Mary. The stained glass window in the right transept depicts the healing of the lepers.
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OLD RAIL LINE
n Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 11:40 AM, gearoid pierse <gmpierse@gmail.com> wrote:
Kerry County Council County Manager Tom Curran has agreed to meet a delegation of Public Representatives and residents after this weekend's door-to-door survey and public meeting confirmed the massive public support for the 9km extension of the Great Southern Trail from the Limerick border at Kilmorna into Listowel. The cross-party delegation is to be lead by Jimmy Moloney (FF) Mayor of Listowel.
On Saturday 19th of September, teams of volunteers including residents, walker groups, parents of young families and public representatives from all political parties surveyed each house along the 9km route from Listowel to the Limerick border. 80% of of the 150 households surveyed expressed their unqualified support for the trail, and a further 10% were supportive provided their privacy concerns were addressed. A further 10% of residents / landowners (a total of 15) chose not to express an opinion to the survey team but said that they wished to speak directly with either the owner of the line CIE or Kerry County Council so that their concerns could be addressed also.
At the public meeting held in the Listowel Family Resource centre at 6pm on Saturday 19th of October, Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Arthur Spring TD and Brendan Griffin TD spoke strongly in support of the trail, as did Mayor of Listowel Jimmy Moloney, Cllr Maria Gorman and Cllr Tim O'Leary. Cllr O'Leary, who was a guard in Listowel for over 30 years explained that he had been in contact with an Garda Siochana in both Newcastle West and Westport who confirmed that the Trails there do not attract anti-social behaviour, crime or trespass.
The Chairman of CIE has confirmed CIE's Ownership and support of the trail in a response to Brendan Griffin TD who is on the Oireachtas Transport Committee (attached).
Given that the North Kerry Abandoned Rail Line Action Group (NKARLAG) have written to CIE to confirm that they will not be proceeding with an Adverse Possession Claim (Contact Niall Grogan of CIE Property Management 01 7032921), the onus is now firmly on the 5 Listowel local area councillors: John Brassil (FF), Pat Leahy (Lab), Robert Beasley (SF), Tim Buckley (FG) & Liam Purtill (FG) to speak with the 15 remaining landowners to address their concerns. This is a democratic imperative given the overwhelming support of the people of Listowel (2000 signatures collected) plus of residents along the route of the proposed 9km Great Southern Trail extension. None of the 5 Local Area Councillors attended the public meeting or door-to-door survey. Some of the 5 councillors have admitted to have been subject to "intense personal lobbying" by the NKARLAG so it is imperative that these councillors use this communication channel with the NKARLAG to find out what their concerns are so that they can be addressed.
Furthermore, Kerry County Council is being urged to apply for the approximately € 400,000 in funding that would be required to complete the 9km trail in the upcoming November round of Greenway funding. The November round of funding is €6.5m in total but there will be intense competition from other Greenway projects around the country.
For Queries contact:
Jimmy Moloney Mayor of Listowel 087 9026066
Cllr Tim O'Leary 0860647923
Michael Guerin, Great Southern Trail Convenor North Kerry 0871221234
Gearoid Pierse, Great Southern Trail Activist North Kerry 0867228470
Sept 2013
ABBEYFEALE ARTS ASSEMBLY: Erin Sugrue says “The Abbeyfeale Arts Assembly weekend is being organised by a few interested individuals who have come together on a voluntary and not for profit basis, to celebrate the arts in Abbeyfeale through music, drama and other mediums. We are an ad-hoc grouping that has formed specifically for the purpose of organising this event. It is our intention that all activities are open to the public and provided free of charge - where possible. A cover charge will have to operate for the music and drama nights but any proceeds made from the weekend will be given to local charities after basic costs have been covered. The working group who are putting together this programme are: Merce Hobson, Marian Harnett, Erin Sugrue and Denis Hobson. A growing team of event volunteers are also committing their time, skills and baked goods to this community venture!
What better way to crown a highly successful ‘Gathering’ year for Abbeyfeale, then a celebration of the best of Abbeyfeale on stage and on screen! It is proposed that the Abbeyfeale Arts Assembly will be held from Thursday, October 17 -20.
The idea for this event started with the proposed screening of the film ‘Back Home’, 21 years after it was developed as part of a summer youth project. Generous local sponsorship provided the funding for this initiative and nearly 220 people were involved either directly or indirectly in the production. Featuring many familiar faces and locations, it is fascinating to see how the town has developed in the intervening years!
Rather than curtailing the fun to one night, it has been proposed to extend the celebrations to feature a range of local dramatic, artistic, visual and musical talent from the Abbeyfeale area on 4 successive nights.
To kick off the proceedings, an exhibition of art, crafts and photography will officially launch the programme on the Thursday night. This will be followed on Friday night with a jazz and musical evening. The ‘Back home’ film will be shown to the public on Saturday night and the weekend will draw to a close with a night of drama, poetry and prose on Sunday. A food and craft fair will operate in the square for the farmers market on Friday morning and a repeat reunion will be held in Mrs Woulfe's old school – back by popular demand!
Further events may be announced in due course as the ideas and offers of help are now flooding in!
Knocknasna National School, called Scoil Naomh Padraig is located roughly 3 miles north of Abbeyfeale. The original school was built in 1894. The first Principal of the boy’s school was Denis Fitzgibbon. After Denis, Paud McCarthy was appointed. Paud came from Caher. He lived in the main street in Abbeyfeale. His son Eddie was later Principal of the Boys Junior National School in Abbeyfeale. Davy O’Connor, better known as Davy the Master, replaced Paud. Davy came from Meenkilly and married a local girl Daisy Fitzgerald. They lived adjacent to the school. He retired to Tower in the County Cork. The assistant teacher at the time was Mrs Nora O’Connor (Nora McCarthy). Nora was a sister of Paud McCarthy and married a local farmer. They lived in Rahoran. When Liam O’Callaghan was appointed principal, Miss Noreen Flynn from Convent Street was assistant teacher.
The first principal of the Girls’ School was Nora Hanley who was married to Thomas D. O’Connor, a butcher and a brother of W.D. O’Connor. Next principal was Julia Fitzgibbon, a daughter of Denis Fitzgibbon. She was married to the chemist Humphrey O’Donoghue. They lived in West Street, Abbeyfeale. Julia was an aunt of John Fitzgibbon who later became Principal of Dromtrasna. Her assistant was Mrs Leahy. Mrs Leahy was originally from Meenkilly and she had two brothers, Tom and Pat, both of whom were teachers – Tom was in Meenkilly and Pat taught in Dromtrasna. Mrs Leahy lived near Gorteen Bridge and was married to a local farmer, Mr Johnny Leahy. When Julia Fitzgibbon retired Mrs Leahy became Principal.
A short time later the school was amalgamated and Davy the Master became principal of the whole school. The staff consisted then of David O’Connor (Principal), Mrs Leahy (privileged assistant) and Mrs Nora O’Connor (second assistant). The school for the first time became a mixed school. When Mrs Leahy retired, Miss Bridie Harnett was appointed. Bridie’s family came from Purt. Later the numbers in the school increased and the school became a four teacher school and again a Boys’ and Girls’ school. The principal of the Girls’ school was Bridie Harnett and her assistant was Mary Joe Flynn. The principal of the Boys’ school was Liam O’Callaghan and the assistant was Miss Noreen Flynn.
In 1966 the new school was built on land owned by Tom Murphy and was adjacent to the site of the old school. A substantial donation was made by Sean Harnett, a past pupil from Lower Purt, towards the building of the new school. The school again became a mixed school but the staff remained the same. In 1979 Pat O’Callaghan was appointed Principal. Caroline Griffin was appointed to replace Miss Noreen Flynn when she retired. In 2007 Miss Dolores Keane from Knocknagoshel replaced Miss Caroline Griffin.
SCHOOL: Ballyloughane National School opened its doors to pupils, on the 11th May 1863 which is now 150 years ago. It was closed by the Government at the end of June 1969 and the pupils were transferred to Ardagh N.S. and Carrigkerry N.S. As part of ‘’The Gathering’’ it would be nice to remember bygone days, and mark the occasion. People interested are asked to contact Tom Dillane, Rooskagh Davy Dillane, Rooskagh or John O’Sullivan, Old Mill.
Askeaton the Medieval Town A Visitors Guide will be launched by Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan at Askeaton Tourist Office on Friday 31st May at 9pm. The author is Gerard Curtin from Ballyhahill.
RUGBY Abbeyfeale side
Everyone remembers Munster’s famous win over New Zealand in 1978, but five years earlier they drew with them in Musgrave Park. It’s a game that Seamus Dennison Abbeyfeale can vividly recall, as he told Limerick Leader reporter, Daniel Tighe.
Forty years on, the Abbeyfeale man fondly remembers 1973. As well as being a key member of the Munster team that heroically drew with the All Blacks, it was also the year of his first Irish cap.
Dennison, currently enjoying his first year of retirement from a career in teaching in Roscrea, is amazed people are still interested in his playing days all these years later. His tackle on Kiwi flier, Stu Wilson, in the historic 1978 victory has ensured his place in rugby folklore. But a return of three international caps were scant reward for his stellar club career.
While still in school, a young Dennison went to see his heroes take on the All Blacks at Thomond Park in 1963: “I would have been in (school in) Mungret at the time and we were all taken in to see the match. There would have been a number of players that I would have watched and admired, like Tom Kiernan and Jerry Walsh.
Small of stature but big of heart, Walsh made a big impression on the similarly slight Dennison: “I remember him in Cork in ‘67, where Munster played and beat Australia. He was absolutely brilliant. He wasn’t one of these big mountains of men but he could tackle like a demon.”
Six years later he was in the thick of it himself as Munster played New Zealand in Musgrave Park.
“I remember we were very much in the game. It was only the last couple of minutes that they kicked a penalty to draw it. We were actually winning 3-0 with a very small amount of time left,” recalls Dennison of that 1973 encounter.
Trevor Morris, the man who denied the Munster team of 1973, was an unlikely villain. The Kiwi full-back who missed all seven kicks at goal just two weeks previously in a tour match in England was not expected to convert a difficult penalty. But he did and with it extinguished that particular Munster vintage shot at sporting immortality.
It was not Dennison’s last shot at the All Blacks, however, and he believes the drawn match was instrumental to their victory five years later: “Well it [the experience] certainly helped me. We would have been very fearful playing them in ‘73. However, most of the team was still there in ‘78 and it certainly helped.”
Having performed well in a seven-a-side tournament in Scotland, he lined out against France the next week for his first Irish cap: “It was the culmination of all my dreams, something you don’t forget.
“It was more difficult for a Munster back to get on an Irish team at that time than it is now. There is no doubt that there was [bias] for a back anyway, I would have felt.”
When asked if this bias in any way soured Munster players towards representing their country, Dennison was adamant in his response: “Oh God no! You still wanted to get on, no definitely not, you just got on with it, you kept trying. The pinnacle of anybody’s rugby career is to play for your country.”
He admits as a supporter, however, that the lure of his beloved Munster is stronger than the national team: “I must admit, I would find more enjoyment going to watch Munster, more excitement going to Thomond Park than going to Lansdowne Road. I rarely miss a Heineken Cup match.”
And given that he juggled his rugby commitments with work and study, would he like to have played in the professional era himself?
“It would have been exciting and it’s great for the young fellas now days but having said that, it’s a job for them. I’d still like to think the game is played like we played; from the heart but it’s a different game nowadays.”
Even for the trappings of the modern professional game, Dennison is unlikely to trade his 40 plus years as a teacher.
“I enjoyed it [teaching] immensely, I always looked forward to going to work, to going back in September.”
“Rugby was only a pastime.”
But what a great way to pass the time!
(Limerick Leader 16th Feb. 2013)