Nenagh Guardian local news from this week a century ago and 60 years ago

Emigration in Killaloe

The chiming of the bells on New Year’s Eve marked the passing of 1924, a year of discord and disappointments, of unemployment and unrest, and marked also the great exodus of emigrants from our poverty-stricken country.

Where are many of our young boys and girls who on New Year’s Eve, 1923, listened eagerly for the chiming of the bells? Gone to seek a livelihood in the land of the stranger, many of them never to see old Ireland again. And very many, too, who joined them gaily in the old refrain “the old year out and the New Year in,” will ere 1925 is far advanced bid farewell to “the land of saints and sorrows,” and seek for that which is denied them here. Farewell 1924. Farewell also brave boys and girls who nobly stood by the motherland in her hour of need. May 1925 bring peace and prosperity to the land they love so dearly, and the chiming of the bells herald a better year than the one which has just taken flight.

Storm in Killaloe

The passing of the old year and the birth of the new witnessed a storm not equalled in our country for 33 years. Not since 1891 was there such floods or the Shannon so high at Killaloe. In the teeth of the gale which raged on Friday morning, three canal motor boats attempted the return journey from Killaloe to Dublin, each carrying at the time about 20 tons, and battled bravely with the Shannon floods. At Derrybawn, on Lough Derg, one of them succumbed to the attack and drifted into Castletown. The other two were tossed like corks and were eventually driven into the wall at Derrypark. The crew took shelter in Derrypark Wood but were later discovered by Mr Parker Hutchinson, Castlelough, who took them to his house and provided them with food and shelter for the night. One of the boats subsequently sunk, and the other two rescued on Saturday and Sunday.

Death of John Ryan

The death occurred with tragic suddenness of Mr John Ryan, Silver Street, Nenagh, on Monday morning last. He was brother of the late Mr William Ryan, Kenyon Street, Nenagh, who also died suddenly on the previous Friday, and the double bereavement sustained by his family evoked widespread sympathy.

Deceased carried on an extensive posting and undertaking business in Nenagh for many years. He belonged to a well-known and respected Templederry family, and he leaves a wife and five sons and two daughters to mourn his loss. The funeral on Tuesday to Kilnaneave graveyard was, like that of his brother, of very large dimensions and testified to the great esteem in which he and his family were held.

Dr A. D. Courtney, Deputy Coroner, held an inquest into the death on Monday. The coroner, addressing the Jury, said the death of Mr Ryan was a tragic coincidence, when they considered that he was the principal witness at the inquest into his brother, the late Mr Wm. Ryan on Friday last.

Mrs Catherine Ryan, widow, identified the remains. Her husband was 70 years of age, and an undertaker by trade.

The coroner said a couple of months ago Mr Ryan had complained to him that his legs were failing, and said he was considering whether or not to go into hospital. The evidence given of the swollen state of the man’s legs pointed to his heart and kidneys being affected. There was no suggestion or evidence of foul play, and a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence would be a proper one in the circumstances.

January 11 1965

Nenagh Athletics

Two Nenagh Olympic athletes were successful in the Tipperary cross-country trials, which were held in Ballynonty on Sunday last. John McLoughlin was selected on the novice team, while John Mitchell ran a very good race to win his place on the Under 14 team. Both athletes will travel to Dungarvan on Sunday week for the Munster Championships.

At the Nenagh Olympic Club’s AGM held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, January 5, the following officers were elected: Chairman, W. J. Gaffney; Vice-Chairman, P. Conneran; Secretary, John McLoughlin; Assistant Secretary, Seamus Flannery; Treasurer, Thos. Meagher; Captain, W. J. Gaffney; Vice Captain, Michael Hogan. Committee: M. Kelly, Patrick Fagan, Wm. Morgan, S. Gleeson.

Late Miss B. Bruce

A TRIBUTE to the late Bruce sisters by “E. P.” appears on the “Irish Times” on Monday, and was as follows:

Miss Bertha M. Bruce, M.B.E., passed peacefully away in her home, Leserragh, Coolbawn, on December 6th.

In this home the Bruce sisters kept open house and dispensed hospitality to countless friends for a great number of years. Each and all the family seemed permanent and ageless, living well beyond the allotted span – even up to four-score years and ten.

In early years the Bruce sisters were brilliant sportswomen at hockey, tennis and, of course, fishing on Lough Derg. These sisters were equally skilled in housecraft, even mechanics.

There are many today who owe much to their guidance, and teaching these subjects. In the first years of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, many meetings of instruction were held in Leserragh and the village of Kilbarron.

Borrisokane St. John’s Ambulance Nursing Division was founded in 1915, and on the enrolment record the names of five Bruces appear – Lady Superintendent, Miss Bertie Bruce, 1st Officer, Miss Eva Bruce, with Mrs Dease as Commandant, where the first appointments.

During the 1914-18 War from Nenagh and Borrisokane Nursing Divisions, came exceptional and inspired leadership. With the Marchioness of Waterford and Mrs Higgnett, O.B.E., Bertie took an active share in promoting the Irish Hospitals’ Supply Depot, starting sub-depots and sphagnum-moss dressing stations throughout Ireland.

Later Miss Bruce was, with Mrs Dease, a supervisor in England of thousands of munition workers, where her tact and sympathy and power of leadership enabled her to keep in close touch with the problems and needs of literally thousands of girl workers, and to get the best from them. It would be difficult to record the extent of her practical interest in, and work for ex-servicemen over 40 years. Holding the rank of District Officer and as Serving Sister of the Order of St. John, Bertie Bruce passed away in her 92nd year - died “as peacefully and naturally as leaves falling off a tree.” A beautiful end to a beautiful life. Requiescat in pace.