News making the headlines in Nenagh 100 years ago this month

MARCH 7 1925

The Power of Prayer

The Clare Champion is responsible for the following story of the power of prayer in a rather impious connection: A somewhat unscrupulous, if not impious, trick is reported from a remote district in the county. According to the correspondent who furnishes the information, a party were regaling themselves in a public house after legal hours when the approach of the Guards was signalled. All paths of escape were barred, so the publican directed all present to kneel down and say the Rosary. This they were doing in a loud voice, when the official knock came. Pretending not to recognise it, the publican shouted out: “You can’t come in, we’re saying our prayers.” Accepting the excuse without suspicion, the Guard replied: “Say one for me” and walked quietly away.

Shannon Scheme

The Limerick Leader states in its issue of 28th February that Mr McGilligar in a public speech has confirmed beyond question the reliable authority on which they stated the Shannon scheme was to go ahead. They say they are now able to announce that the Government intends to have the scheme under way in July. Its intention is to go on with all sections of the work, together, which, of course, will be a great relief for unemployment.

The Haunted Black Gate

About seven miles from Limerick, on the main road between Limerick and Nenagh, in the parish of Birdhill, is a place called the “Black Gate”. In former times it was haunted by a spirit in the form of a Turkey Cock. Between the hours of eleven and three in the night and morning respectively, nobody could pass that way without meeting it and being killed by it. Many a person was found dead on the road on the morning after the spirit. The corpses would be torn and bruised and coloured black and blue all over. This went on for a long time until one night a poor tramp was passing the spot armed with a stout hazel stick, when he was attacked by the spirit. They say no ghost can harm you if you carry a hazel stick. So, not a bit daunted, he attacked his opponent and fought till the cock crew, the spirit then disappeared and left a big piece of substance like jelly on the road, and was seen no more.

The man was greatly exhausted by the long fight, but unharmed. His hazel stick saved him. He called at the first house he met and told the story. Up to that no one knew what used to kill people at that place, then they knew ‘twas a spirit. But after that night the spirit never was seen again; people said the tramp and the hazel stick banished it, or killed it. The tramp lived the remainder of his days in Birdhill, kept up by the people, and thankful to him they were for banishing a wicked spirit from their midst – Article by John Ownes, Corbally, Portroe, Nenagh as published in “Ireland’s Own” magazine.

MARCH 6 1965

Nenagh Olympic Win

Nenagh Olympic AC had their biggest win ever in Indoor Competition when they defeated Thurles by 84 points to 60 points. Despite Nenagh’s clear win there were some very closely contested events. Olympic had good individual winners in John McLoughlin, Tom Holmes, Jim O’ Gorman, Tom Meagher, Billy Morgan and a combined total of 37 points scored by Billy Gaffney (13), Ger Hayes (12) and Michael Kelly (12) set a firm foundation in Nenagh’s great win.

Borrisokane Creamery

The intake of the Creamery goes from strength to strength, and in 1964, no less than 2,88,000 gallons of milk were handled there as compared to 3,400,000 gallons handled by the other four creameries of the group, so Borrisokane has far away the largest intake of the group. Reckoning on the average price of £1.10d per gallon, it means that something over £260,000 was paid to Borrisokane suppliers in 1964, less, of course cartage costs.

We are also glad to report that the Manager of the creamery, Mr Jimmy O’ Sullivan, has resumed duty after his recent illness.

Borrisokane Marriage

The marriage took place on Wednesday, February 17, at St. Paul’s Church, Borrisokane, of Mr Patrick Molloy, son of Mr and the late Mrs Edward Molloy, St Bridgid’s Avenue, Borrisokane, to Miss Eileen Kennedy, daughter of Mr and Mrs Denis Kennedy, Ballycasey, Borrisokane. The ceremony, with Nuptial Mass and Papal Blessing, was performed by Very Rev, P. Canon Cahill, P.P. The best man was Mr John Molloy (brother of the groom), and Miss May Kennedy (sister of the bride) was bridesmaid. The reception was held at O’ Meara’s Hotel, Nenagh.

Toomevara Marriage

The marriage took place at St. Mary’s of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, on

February 10, of Michael, son of Mr and Mrs Patrick Brislane, Ashgrove, Toomevara, and Sadie, eldest daughter of Mr Rody Ryan and the late Mrs Kathleen Ryan, Benedine, Nenagh. Rev. T. Mullaly, C.C., Nenagh performed the ceremony, assisted by Monsignor Hamilton, Fr Nelson, Fr O’ Donoghue and Fr O’ Brien, Toomevara.

The best man was James Brislane (brother of the groom) and Miss Anne Ryan (sister of the bride) was bridesmaid. The bride was given away by her father. The reception was in O’ Meara’s Hotel. The honeymoon was spent in London.

Tribute to Casement

Business premises and offices in Nenagh closed from noon to 2pm on Monday as a tribute to Sir Roger Casement whose remains were being re-interred in Glasnevin cemetery, having been repatriated from Pentonville Prison, London, where they had lain since his execution for ‘High Treason’ in 1916.

Kilruane Players

The Kilruane Players will travel to The Silvermines on Friday night next in preparation for festival entries with their two one-act plays, “The Travelling Man” by Lady Gregory and “There Is No Glory”, by Joe Corrie. The group will give the proceeds to V. Rev. E. Murphy towards the Church Building Fund.