Headline news in the Nenagh Guardian this week 100 years ago and 50 years ago

March 21 1925

Nenagh Literary Institute

On St Patrick’s Day, 1924, the fine Hall of the Institute was formally opened after undergoing very extensive repairs and improvements. A splendid concert and dramatic sketch were brought off, in which Jack Lynch, Mick McGrath, Nicholas Scroope, Ed. Gardner, Miss C. Fogarty, and many others too numerous to mention figured to advantage. Fr. O’ Halloran explained that night that the moment the Truce between England and Ireland was arranged he set to work to rescue the Institute and its grand hall from the dire state of wreck and ruin in which the Black and Tans had left it. The people who were present at that memorable, inaugural entertainment were astonished at the immense improvements. During the year just past many first-class entertainments have been brought off in the Hall, many lectures have been given, and the performance of the grand opera, the ‘Lily of Killarney’, under the baton of Mr J. M. Bray, by a crowd of Nenagh boys and girls, has been an epoch-making event in our midst.

On Friday night of last week, the second annual St Patrick’s Concert was brought off. An account of it has already appeared in these columns. It will be interesting here to recall a few points about the history of the Institute and its Hall. The latter building was erected as a Temperance Hall in 1838, when the Father Matthew Total Abstinence Campaign was at its height. The awful horrors of the Famine arrested the progress of the Temperance Crusade, and in 1854 the Hall and Institute buildings were handed over to the Sisters of Mercy who used them as schools down to 1889, when they took over the old Gaol buildings and metamorphosed them into the present beautiful convent and schools.

From 1854 to 1889 the Sisters of Mercy had their convent in the present Post Office and adjoining house, now the premises of the Co-operative Society.

For the destruction wrought by the Black and Tans, compensation to the amount of £850 was allowed. Of this sum £70 went to the Nenagh Dramatic Class, compensation for the scenery destroyed by the aforesaid heroes, and the remainder, which when costs were deducted amounted only to about £750, was spent in repairing the damage done to the Institute. At least £750 more was spent in effectuating the extensive improvements that have made the Institute and Hall the joy and pride the people of the people of Nenagh. At present a full set of scenery is in the process of evolution. The beautiful proscenium, with its side wings, etc., constructed on lines solid and permanent as the old hall itself, is due to the consummate skill and energy of Mr Jack Lynch, who has always been a true and staunch friend of the Institute. Thank God we have many such. He carried out the work in a very short time and the audience at the last concert on Friday night week gave it well-deserved praise. The committee of the Institute owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr Lynch and the many kind friends who have placed their talents at their disposal.

Retreat In Nenagh

The Retreat, which opened in St. Mary’s of the Rosary, Nenagh, on Sunday last, was attended by large congregations at the morning and evening devotions during the past week. It was conducted by Rev. Fr. Jones and Rev. Fr. Hegarty, of the Vincentian Order, Cork. Their sermons were eloquent and impressive and were listened to with much attention by all. The Retreat will be brought off to a close on tomorrow (Sunday) night. The coming week will be devoted to the men of the parish. On St. Patrick’s Day an eloquent sermon on the life and labours of our National Apostle was preached by Rev. Fr Jones to a big congregation at the 12 o’ clock Mass, at the conclusion of which Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by Right Rev. Monsignor McMahon.

Shannon Electric Power

The Shannon Hydro Electric Scheme prepared by the great German Engineering Firm of Siemens-Schuckert, as approved with modifications by four leading European experts, has now been published. Briefly, it provides for utilisation of the water power of the Shannon between Killaloe and Limerick, and the transformation of the water into electrical power.

The engineering details have been worked out with great care, and the Irish people and its Government must depend on the expert opinion they have secured as to the soundness and feasibility of the scheme as a whole. That opinion has been distinctly favourable.

The great enterprise deserves to be received with favour and goodwill. If there is to be criticism let it be constructive; and let all men’s words be those of hope and courage, and not the murmurings of pessimism and jealousy.

March 21 1965

Terryglass Masses

Since the first Sunday of Lent, Mass has been celebrated in English in Terryglass and Kilbarron. This is in accordance with the recommendations of the Vatican Council. Both Rev. Canon O’ Donoghue and Rev Fr Comerford are very pleased with the response of the congregation to this innovation. The special leaflets were generally availed of and most people agree that it is indeed very impressive and beautiful.

Dramatic Class

The Dramatic Class in Kilbarron presented their play, ‘A Will and Woman’ to a great crowded hall in Kilbarron on Sunday night. It was very well done and everybody enjoyed it immensely. Tommy Slattery and Kevin Meara, as the two old bachelor brothers almost highjacked into matrimony, did their parts with great sincerity and skill. As they were on stage most of the time during the three acts, this must have been very difficult to sustain, but they never faltered, and the audience were led from hilarious laughter almost to tears as Christy (Kevin Meara) talked of hearing his dead mother’s voice in the poplars and the birds singing in the summer dawn. Josie Egan, as a servant girl, made a very successful debut with the Kilbarron Players. Jas Moore, as the solicitor, played the part to perfection; his acting is always very polished. Mary Flynn, as the chain-smoking flapper returned from a prohibition-ridden America, was also extremely good. Henery Donoghue as the strolling player gave the outstanding performance we have come to expect of him.