News from Nenagh and surrounds from a century ago this week

NEWS FROM APRIL 18 1925

Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday last an anniversary celebration of all the men of Tipperary No. 1 Brigade, who fell in the struggle for Irish Independence since Easter Week, was held in Nenagh. At 3 o’ clock a large gathering assembled on the Courthouse Square, and having lined up, marched through the principal streets of the town, headed by the Birr Pipers Band, playing the “Dead March”.

Having returned to the Square, an oration was delivered by Mr E. P. O’ Keeffe, Chairman of the Blackrock Urban Council.

On the proposition of Mr Michael Bergin, U.C., Nenagh, Mr P. McGrath, solicitor, was called on to preside.

Mr Bergin said he was asked  before the oration was delivered to recite a decade of the Rosary for the repose of the souls of the men who died in Ireland’s cause, and having done so in Irish, the Chairman, in introducing Mr E. P. O’ Keeffe, Chairman of the Blackrock Urban Council, said he regretted to have to announce that Mr Sean Lemass was unable to be present with them that day.

Killaloe Monument Unveiled

At Killaloe on Sunday last, a large number of people marched through the principal streets of the town to the monument on the bridge erected to the memory of Messrs Ml. McMahon, A. Rodgers, M. Kildea and Ml. Egan, four Scariff young men who were killed there by Crown forces in 1920. The monument, which was draped with the tri-colour, was guarded by volunteers. Assembled on the bridge, a mass meeting was held at the foot of the monument.

Mr Jas. O’ B. Scanlan, who presided, said that this was a sad, yet glorious day for Ireland. Sad, because of the loss to the nation of those heroic sons whom they came that day to honour and mourn, yet glorious on reflection that at all periods in Irish history Irish men were found willing to die for the freedom of Ireland and the emancipation of the Gael.

The monument which they are about to unveil would be an inspiration to them all, and to future generations to follow the true national path, till Ireland would be Irish, ‘til her four green fields would be in the entire possession of Caithlin Ni Uallachin without any interference by any foreign king.

Gaelic Day In Nenagh

A VERY large crowd was present at the Show Grounds, Nenagh, on Sunday last when Tipperary and Offaly met in an inter-county hurling match. Large crowds travelled by special train from Birr and Roscrea districts and great numbers of motors also brought contingents from Birr and several other Offaly centres. The day was beautifully fine, but the playing pitch following the rains of the previous days was on the heavy side. The field arrangements were good and the gate receipts - nearly £80 - exceeded anything obtained at a similar fixture in Nenagh for some time.

The game itself was disappointing. It lacked the fire and enthusiasm, the tense moments of anxiety, the fierce struggle for supremacy that always mark Ireland’s national game at its best. Tipperary, though playing against the wind and fall of ground, held the lead at half time and in the concluding half added still further to their score. Offaly were weak in mid-field and in the back division, while their scoring line lacked cohesion and that knack of swooping down and holding the ball in their opponents’ territory, which is characteristic of the great hurling struggles.

Mick Darcy played an outstanding game for the home county. The match was fought out in a clean, manly spirit. The referee was Mr J. Gleeson, Templemore.

NEWS FROM APRIL 17 1965

General Election

The three outgoing candidates for North Tipperary were again returned to Dáil Éireann as a result of the poll in the North Tipperary Constituency – J. Fanning, FF, outgoing; T. Dunne, FG, outgoing; P. Tierney, Lab, outgoing.

While the Fianna Fáil vote went down by 50 votes, Fine Gael increased their poll by 2,428 over the figure for 1961. Labour’s vote was also down by 176.

Michael O’ Kennedy and Donie Nealon, the youthful candidates, polled strongly. When the first preferences were announced there was only 55 votes between Michael O’ Kennedy and the Labour candidate, Patrick Tierney. After the elimination of Donie Nealon and his papers were distributed, Thos. Dunne exceeded the quota and was elected, and the transfer of his surplus votes elected Patrick Tierney.

John Fanning filled the third seat without reaching the quota.

Late Mr McCabe

It is with regret that the death is announced of Mr Michael McCabe, Moneygall, a native of Newport, and formerly of Bank Place, Nenagh, which occurred at Tullamore Hospital on Monday, April 5. Deceased was a member of the old Nenagh Dramatic Class and was on stage with the Newport class many years ago. His funeral took place in Castleconnell after Requiem Mass at Moneygall on Wednesday. To his brothers and siters sympathy is extended.

Templemore Family’s Plight

Townspeople whose fire brigade could not go the four miles to an outbreak of a fire, which left a family homeless, are now rallying to the aid of the family that was left homeless.

Mr and Mrs William Fitzpatirck and their four young children lost all their possessions when fire destroyed their home on the night of March 8, at Dareens, Clonmore, Templemore.

When the fire was detected in the thatched farmhouse, Templemore fire brigade was alerted but because they have no mobile fire unit, the Templemore brigade was unable to respond to the alarm and called in the fire brigade from Thurles, a further nine miles away.

By the time crews got to the scene there was nothing that could be done to save the house. A fundraising campaign was launched on the Fitzpatrick’s behalf at a meeting in the Town Hall, Templemore.

Newport National School

Work will soon be completed on the seven room national school at Limerick Road, Newport, on a site given by the Sisters of Mercy. The new school will allow the present building to be used solely for secondary education. At the moment the Convent buildings have become overcrowded, catering for primary and secondary education. The school at Birdhill is also nearing completion, but it will be some time before Lackamore school will be opened.