‘Comma’ butterfly resting on the Rudbeckia Goldstrum flower in the Wexford garden of Mick O’Callaghan who took the photo in August 2024.
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In Kildare Town
When visiting the Kildare branch of the family, I took a few photos in the town.
Cill Dara means the church of the oak. Oaks and acorn symbols abound in the town.
Kildare people are pretty proud of this fellow too. The statue of Bill “Squires” Gannon, the first person to hold “Sam Maguire”, stands in the Square.
“Regarded as one of Kildare’s greatest-ever players, Gannon was a regular member of the starting fifteen during the team’s golden age of the 1920s. During that time he won two All-Ireland medals and four Leinster medals. An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Gannon captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1928.” (Source; Facebook)
Recent mural of St. Brigid
The community mosaic is on the wall of the Heritage Centre
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Poem
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Music in The Square
Clíona Cogan in The Square on Saturday August 10 2024. Clíona was enjoying the music.
There will be music in Listowel Town Square on the next three Saturdays. Last Saturday the musicians were Ian O’Shea and friends. I don’t know if next Saturday’s musicians will be different. If they are, be warned, lads, you have a very hard act to follow. Last Saturday’s music was top class. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Some Olympics Lore
(research by Jer Kennelly)
Edward Barrett of Rahela, Ballyduff:
Edward Barrett was born in Rahela, Ballyduff in 1882 to father Thomas and mother Bridget Whelan. He joined the City of London Police. In 1901 he won an All Ireland Hurling medal as a member of the London Irish Hurling team that beat Cork in the All-ireland final. At the 1908 Olympic Games held in London he won an Olympic Gold medal as a member of the City of London Police Tug- of -War team, he also won an Olympic Bronze medal in the heavyweight freestyle wrestling. He married Julia McCarthy in 1910 in Middlesex. They are on the 1911 Census in High Holborn and I can trace them both in Electoral rolls until 1926 in St Pancras area – Chalk Farm, Regents Street and Kentish Town Road. He died c 1930s.
John James Barrett:
John James was born 1879, represented Britain at the 1908 Olympics and was a brother of Edward Barrett.
Tim Ahearne and his brother, Dan Ahearne from Dirreen, Athea.
They emigrated to the United States, Tim Ahearne had won the 1909 AAA long jump championship, in America Dan Ahearn set the first IAAF-recognized triple jump with 50-11 (15.52) in May 1911. He won the AAU triple jump in 1911 and 1913-1918, mostly defeating Tim, who was runner-up in 1911, 1913-14, and 1916. Tim Ahearne born August 18, 1885 died December 1968. Tim Ahearne won the gold medal in the triple jump at 1908 Olympics held in London. Dan came 6th in the Olympics in 1920 triple jump, he was born in 1888 and died 1942.
LEAHY Family of Creggane
Seven brothers Leahy all atheletes. Pat and Con were the first brothers to win Olympic medals. First brothers to two Olympic medals each. The first family to win olympic medals in all three jumping events.
Martin Sheridan won a total of nine Olympic medals.
Michael Collins of Currans competed in the free style discus at the 1908 London Olympics games.
1900 High Jump Pat Leahy of Creggane won SILVER 1.78m
1900 Long Jump Pat Leahy BRONZE 6.95m
1900 Hammer John Flanagan GOLD 51.01m
1904 3,000m S/C John Daly SILVER 7.40.61
1904 Hammer John Flanagan GOLD 51.23m
1904 Decathlon Tom Kiely GOLD 6,036 pt
1908 High Jump Con Leahy of Creggane won SILVER 1.88m
1908 Triple Jump Tim Ahearne of Athea won GOLD 14.92m
1908 Shot Putt Denis Horgan SILVER 13.62m
1908 Hammer John Flanagan GOLD 51.92m
Jer. tells me that the Ahernes and the Leahys had cousins in Knockanure.
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A Fact
Fidel Castro estimated that he saved 10 working days a year by not bothering to shave,
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