'A home from home in ‘The Big Smoke'
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Keelan McGrath, Leah Grealish and Jack McGrath went over to London to perform as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations with the London Tipperary Association.Image 2 of 4
Back, from left: Oisín Moroney (Assistant PRO), Áine Moroney, Lisa Moroney (Assistant Treasurer), Kevin Leahy, Declan Moroney (Vice Chair), Ned Fogarty (Chairperson), Donal Corbett (Treasurer), Michael Dower, Shaun Fennessey (Vice President), Adrian Fennessey (Secretary). Front, seated: Gus Casey (Life President), Tadhg Moroney, Sidney (dog) and Peter Power Hynes (President). Other committee members include Johnny O’Dwyer, Michael Walsh, Declan Ryan.Image 3 of 4
Vice Chairperson of the London Tipperary Association Declan Moroney, originally from Ardcroney, pictured with Chairperson Ned Fogarty (Templemore) at the St Patrick’s Day parade.Image 4 of 4
All smiles on the London Tipperary Association St Patrick’s Day float.Several local people travelled to London for St Patrick’s Day to celebrate our national day with members of the recently revived London Tipperary Association.
Established on March 23, 1953, the London Tipp Association was set up as a means of holding social get-togethers for the many Premier people that had moved to the city in search of work. “A home from home for those living in The Big Smoke,” the organisation flourished over the years, driven by Tipp natives from all corners of the county, among them the late Tom Milne of Lorrha.
The London Tipp Association was revived around the time of its 70th anniversary after a 15-year period of relative inactivity. It took part in the London St Patrick’s Day parade for the first time ever last year, entering a float decked out in blue and gold, and flags from the various Tipp parishes that its members hail from.
Among those on the float was Gus Casey from Templemore, a founding member and now life president of the association, who also celebrated his 90th birthday last year.
The group took part in the London parade again this year, again inviting all Tipp natives residing in London to come along and walk beside the float. They were joined by visitors to London from Tipperary, among them well-known local musicians Keelan McGrath, Leah Grealish and Jack McGrath.
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They were invited over by their cousin Declan Moroney, originally from Ardcroney, who was elected vice chairman of the association at its 2025 AGM. Also on the committee is Donal Corbett, originally from Coolbawn, who was elected treasurer at the AGM, which was held at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith.
Concerted efforts have been made to maintain the Premier link with those who have made London their home. One of these happened last year when 20 hurlers with their management team and some family members visited Templemore, where they took part in a series of activities over several days, including matches against local clubs. The successful visit was organised by Templemore man Eddie Fogarty, 2024 chairman of the association.
Among other events organised by an increasingly active London Tipperary Association last year was a Christmas dinner attended by over 100 guests at an Irish venue in Hendon. They also held a golf event in aid of the Dylan Quirke Foundation. Upcoming events this year include another fundraising golf day in July and a dinner dance in September, as well as a community Christmas dinner in December. All of the association’s fundraising goes towards community projects that need help, especially those in Tipperary.
To find out more about the London Tipperary Association, you can visit their recently established Facebook page. They are also on Instagram.