News from The Nenagh Guardian a centrury ago this week and highlights from 1965

FEBRUARY 7 1925

Shots Fired Over Man’s Head

On Friday evening last as Mr John Kennedy, of Killeen, about six miles from Nenagh, was going to Killeen to the Nenagh creamery with tankards of cream he was ‘held up’ by six armed and masked men, who fired shots over his head. Having seized a tankard and spilled its contents on the road, the men compelled Mr Kennedy to return to Killeen.

It appears that Mr Kennedy, who is a farmer and a publican, was a contractor for the carriage of the milk from Killeen to the Nenagh creamery, and this, it is alleged, created some ill-feeling amongst a portion of the people of the locality.

The Civic Guards in Nenagh were notified of the occurrence, but so far no arrests have been made.

Nenagh Barracks

On Thursday last the chief engineer of the Board of Works inspected Nenagh military barracks. In conservation afterwards with Messrs. S. T. O’ Neill, town clerk, and D. Morrissey, TD, he expressed the view that the barracks would comfortably house between 30 and 40 families and that the first step in the procedure by the Urban Council will be to obtain a lease on the barracks for housing and appoint an engineer to prepare plans and estimate for the alteration of the building there.

Boxing in Nenagh

An interesting boxing contest was brought off on last Thursday night in the Town Hall, Nenagh, between Battling Brannigan (Waterford) and Matt Coates (Cork). The referee, Alderman Casey, Limerick, amidst applause, declared Brannigan the winner.

Mr M. Hassey, Kenyon Street, Nenagh, acted as timekeeper.

In minor contests E. Heeney (Nenagh) was declared the victor in a four-round bout with G. Maher (Nenagh) and a similar contest between J. Dermody (Nenagh) and F. Hassett (Nenagh) ended in a draw.

In a set-to between A. Hassey (Nenagh) and J. Dwyer (Nenagh) the decision was also a draw.

Nenagh Clay Pigeon Club

At a largely attended meeting of the above club held in O’Meara’s Hotel on Wednesday, arrangements were made to hold a practice shoot on Sunday, February 8th, at Lisboney Cross, commencing at 2.30. The field, which is an ideal one for the purpose, has been kindly given by Frank Ryan. It was also decided to hold alternative shoots on Wednesdays and Sundays. Mr Frank McGrath was appointed Honourary Treasurer and Mr Joe Ryan, Queen Street, Honourary Secretary.

The committee of the club hope to be able to arrange with the local dealer to supply the members of the club with cartridges at greatly reduced rates.

Killaloe Plays

The Killaloe Irish Class Dramatic Troup will shortly present two of the most fascinating, humourous and educational plays yet produced in town or district. On Sunday, 1st March, two plays, three acts each, will be presented at the Boys’ School, Killaloe, where the public will again have an opportunity of seeing this energetic Irish Ireland troupe on the stage. The proceeds of the entertainment will go to the Gaelic League.

Accident

When a young boy named Cleary was playing around a hayrick at Knigh, Puckane, a few days ago, a large hay knife fell on him inflicting very severe injuries to his arm. He was attended by Dr Courtney and removed to Nenagh Hospital where he is progressing favourably.

FEBRUARY 6 1965

Public Park Mooted

That the land adjoining the Swimming Pool in Nenagh should be utilised in the Town Planning as a public park for the young and people of the town, was put forward at Nenagh Urban Council.

The Town Surveyor wrote recommending that a sum of £20 would be included in the estimates for maintenance of grass areas.

Mr Lewis, referring to the Council’s plan for future development, said there was one place omitted and that was the site adjacent to the Swimming Pool.

This was one of the last open spaces they had in the town and he thought they should preserve this. It was not suitable for industry. He would ask the Council to consider this location seriously as an open space for the people of the town.

The suggestion was noted by the Manager.

Encouraging Marriage

In order to encourage marriage among its club members, Nenagh Macra Na Feirme Club amended its rule, to provide wedding presents for those of its members who get married in the future.

The amendment of the rule became necessary when two weddings within the club took place during the year.

This was disclosed in the annual report of the joint secretaries, Misses Sally Gleeson and Noreen Ryan, to the annual meeting of the club held in the Literary Institute, Nenagh, on Tuesday night, with Mr E. Quigley, President, in the chair, and there were over forty members present, including many lady members.

The joint secretaries added that it was a great pleasure to mention that the branch had two weddings since their last annual meeting: Mr Tim Quigley and Miss Peggy Seymour, and Mr Pat O’ Dwyer and Miss Maura Cooney, all of whom are members of the committee.

The secretaries mentioned that a presentation was given to Mr and Mrs Quigley on the occasion of their wedding.

The rule regarding the giving of wedding presents to club members was amended to read: “That on the occasion of officers and ex-officers of the club marrying each other, they should receive a presentation.”

Coursing

The three Nenagh hopes in the Irish Oaks at the National Coursing Meeting at Clonmel this week went out in the second day. All three, Patricia’s Princess owned by Mr P. Looby, Ballywilliam; Spoiled Child, the property of Mr J. Spain, Kilruane, and Ballythomas Cross, belonging to Mr E. Moloughney, Ardcroney, won their first round courses.

Patricia’s Princess and Ballythomas Cross went out in the second round, but Spoiled Child reached the quarter finals before being ousted by Goodish, owned by Mr Dick Ryan, Gold’s Cross.

Died in Scotland

The last member of her generation of an old and respected Nenagh family, Mrs Elizabeth Hodgson, passed to her reward in Dumfries, Scotland, last week.

The late Mrs Hodgson (née O’ Hara), who had reached an advanced age, was mother of Rev. Reginald Hodgson, Dumfries; sister of the late James and William O’ Hara, Nenagh, and aunt of Mr James O’ Hara, Tyone Mills and Kenyon Street; Mrs Margaret D’Arcy, Ballinwear, and Mrs Sheila Kennedy, Silver View, Nenagh. To her relatives, sympathy is extended in their bereavement.