Stories making the headlines in The Nenagh Guardian a century ago

January 31 1925

Successful Man

We are glad to learn that at the examinations held in the medical faculty of the National University of Ireland recently, Mr John F. Kennedy, eldest son of Mr Thomas Kennedy, rate collector, Nenagh, passed the final examinations of his course and qualified as a medical doctor.

Dr Kennedy has had a distinguished academic career. As a student of the Christian Brothers Schools, Nenagh, he was an Exhibitioner in the Intermediate. Subsequently, he went to St Flannan’s, Ennis, and later secured his B.A. Degree in the National University. He got through his medical course in the minimum period of five years. We understand that he intends to take up a post in Jervis’ Street Hospital, Dublin. We congratulate Dr Kennedy on his achievement and wish him every success in his profession. He is a member of an old and very popular North Tipperary family and the achievements he has already to his credit are a guarantee that he will worthily uphold the traditions of his name and race.

Young Boy’s Death

The funeral of the late Mr James McCarthy, The Hermitage, Ballymackey, whose regretted death was recorded in our last issue, took place on Saturday last. The remains were removed to Ballinree R.C. Church, and on Saturday morning at 10 o’ clock, Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev Fr O’ Donohue, Toomevara, assisted by Rev Fr Fanning, CC, Rev P. O’ Halloran, CC, and Rev J. Roche, CC. The funeral took place afterwards  to the family burial ground at Ballymackey, and the extremely large attendance of relatives and of the general public testified to the general regret at his sad death.

Nenagh Literary Institute

Fr O’ Halloran, CC, presided at the annual general meeting of the members of the Institute on Sunday evening.

The balance sheet detailed the receipts and expenses for the year 1924 and showed that the institution was in a health financial condition.

The rev. chairman complimented the members on the splendid progress they had made during the past year. They had seen the terror at work in their rooms, and they had witnessed the senseless destruction by the alien forces that had gone from their country, and now they had emerged with their hall and club rooms in good repair. They had done what the nation must do to become strong and prosperous. They had built and re-constructed.

By earnest work they had not only removed all traces of the ravages of the Black and Tan destruction, but they had put their buildings into much better order than it had been for decades. When he needed help to accomplish that work he found it from the devoted members who stood by their Institute with the same loyalty in days of danger and darkness as in the periods of safety and prosperity. When the danger passed, he had the active assistance of the faithful band in re-building and beautifying the institution.

He had the young men of talent in the Nenagh Literary Institute Operatic Society coming forward to brighten and raise funds to help in the work of reconstruction. Foremost amongst them were Messrs J. Lynch, M. McGrath, J. Talbot, Edward Gardner, Michael and Julia Starr, Misses Kennedy, Mrs Dudley, Bernard O’ Callaghan, James Jones, C.H. Burchett, Nicholas Scroope, Miss C. Fogarty, Misses Holton, and many others too numerous to mention. The old and young were found together in comradeship helping to preserve the Institute.

The Institute survived the turmoil of recent years because it typified what was best and purest in the life of the people of Nenagh.

Death of T. Hogan

Sincere regret and sympathy was evoked by the news of the death of Master Thomas Hogan, only child of Wm Hogan, Darra, Eglish, Borrisokane, which occurred at Mount St. Joseph’s College, Roscrea, on Monday morning last from double pneumonia at the age of 14 years. He had only returned to college on the previous Saturday. He was very popular with his fellow-students, and the professors at Roscrea noted that his superior mental attainments already gave promise of a brilliant future. After High Mass was celebrated at Mount St. Joseph’s on Wednesday, the funeral took place to Eglish.

Match-Making in Killaloe

Up to the time of writing, no bargains have been clinched in Killaloe. There have been rumours in plenty of matches, suitable and unsuitable in the making, but these rumours have generally been found to be without foundation of any kind. The parish of Ogonnelloe tops the list as usual, but there is yet a month to run before Lent is upon us, and many matches could be made in that time.

Buck up, young people, and do you duty by Church and State. Any elderly folk, too - there are many of you who might well undertake the raising of a family, so bestir yourselves and fulfil your natural destiny.

January 30 1965

Ballot on Street Names

The street names of Nenagh have been legalised after a lapse of over forty years. At a meeting of Nenagh Urban Council on Wednesday night the result of the ballot was made known when it was declared by Mr John Murphy, Town Clerk.

The ratepayers in the following streets voted to retain the old names as follows: Ballalley Lane, Stafford St, New Line (Well Road), Dublin Road, Lewis Lane (off Silver St), Pound Road (off Sarsfield St), Silver Street, Summerhill, William Street.

The total number of ratepayers was 912; total that voted, 663; for changing the street names, 546; against, 89; spoiled votes, 28.

The Town Clerk pointed out that the new names were adopted except in the case of the streets already named, the ratepayers voting to retain the old names.

Éire Óg’s Golden Year

The year just passed can, without contradiction, be justly claimed as the ‘Golden Year’ in the history of the club, said the Secretary, Mr Gerry Quinlan, in his report to the annual general meeting of the Éire Óg club, held in the Town Hall, Nenagh, on Sunday last.

Speaking of their County Semi-Final clashes with Holycross, he said one of the most gratifying features was the support received from the people of Nenagh, to whom a fighting and fit team gave great value in two drawn matches and the final tragic half-hour. The record books will show that Éire Óg failed, but the memories of thousands will be full of Nenagh’s two most glorious hours.