Tribute Mrs Mary Gallagher (nee Monckton), RIP Kilmoreen, Kildimo. Sept 3 1918 – Sept 15 2011.

Mrs Mary Gallagher,RIP,Kilmoreen Kildimo,Co Limerick

The late Mary Gallagher (nee Monkton) was the first and longest-lived of the five children born to Michael and Margaret Monckton (nee Nash) who came from the Garrison. She pursued her education at the National School in Shountrade under the guidance of Master Neville and Miss Collins where she gained a lifelong love for her native tongue.  The latter teacher saw the potential in Mary for secretarial work and groomed her for such a position in Park Gate Street, Dublin.  The young Mary found difficulty in adjusting to city life and pined for home as she demonstrated in all her letters to her parents.  Eventually her father relented and she returned to Kilmoreen, from which she never moved.  Having a strong caring nature, she nursed her grandmother Ann Monckton until her death in 1938.  These early years saw her also assisting her father in laying out deceased neighbours in the era before funeral undertakers developed their art and later their funeral parlours.  Her close relationship with her father also ensured that she imbibed from him his love of politics.  Her first of many votes was cast in 1938 and regularly thereafter over the next seventy four years, exercising her latest franchise in 2011.  During all those years, Mary took a keen interest in electoral events and constantly acted as ‘Personating Agent’ for her favourite party.  
Mary’s marriage to Stephen Gallagher of Ballysteen took place in 1946, when they both took on the running of the family farm in Kilmoreen.  One of their shared interests was the breeding of greyhounds and their expertise produced many a promising hound whose sale helped to supplement the farm income during the post-war years.  During this time they produced six children and Mary presided over her extending family alone following Stephen’s death.  
For her relaxation Mary loved a game of Whist, at which she was adept and no distance deterred her from that pleasure.  When the popularity of that game receeded, she transferred her interest to Bingo and she joined the bus to Rathkeale up to recent times.  
Due to the Gallagher family’s penchant for Gaelic football, the late Mary was a regular follower of both hurling and football and in early times travelled by horse and flat cart to games in Adare and Croom.  With the participation of her own children, Mary could be counted on to lend her vocal support when the team togged out in blue and white.
Mrs Gallagher enjoyed a relatively healthy life until the last, surrounded by her family and visited daily by Rose McKeogh.  She had the comfort of her family around her as she reached her last hurdle and she passed away in the home she loved among the family she cherished.  She is sadly missed by her grieving family, her sons Gerard, Vincent, Seamus and Brendan and her daughters Margaret (nee Hoffman) in Scotland and Concepta (nee Kennelly) in Kilcolman.

‘ Táimse im chodhladh ‘s ná dúistear mé ’ 

KILDIMO COMMUNITY NOTES W/E October 8 2011

This is a reconstruction in pen & ink of what the old Church of Ireland, Kildimo, might have looked like, before demolition in the early 20th century.  Two stones in the old graveyard allow this reconstruction and hearsay permits of a bellcote and bell.  Other chiselled stones in the graveyard would have come from the corners and window and door surrounds. The door features in an early ordinance survey map of 1840, which shows it as west-facing, the window therefore is in the traditional position facing eastwards.  We know that the window glazing had diamond patterns, as demonstrated in a metal frame still held locally.  This is the church where Nicholas Peacock worshipped on occasion and for which he held a position of authority. He mentions, for example, having the glazing done in one of his Diary entries.

KILDIMO YOUTH CLUB:  The local Youth Club has got off to a great start with the registration of twenty eight new members and five junior leaders. There is always a need for adult helpers who might offer even a limited time to help and supervise.  Contact Dermot Mullane for further information.  

KENRY HISTORICAL SOCIETY:  Tom Toomey, M.A. in local history, presented a talk on ‘The War of Independence in West Limerick’ to members and friends of the Kenry Historical Society at Pallaskenry Community Centre on Wednesday, October 28.  Of special interest to those present was his outline of activities in the Pallaskenry/Kildimo area.  Three men from the area were particularly active, one of whom commanded the local volunteers.  A jail diary in local ownership was kept by James Halpin during his incarceration in various jails and this was drawn upon by Tom in producing his monumental work on the subject.  The resultant book is regarded by scholars as the definitive publication to date covering the topic.  The author has trawled through official sources as well as personal anecdotal information in his compilation.  Of special interest are the photographs shown on the evening, many of which have never been seen in public before.  These portray the houses of combatants, the men themselves, members of the British forces and memorials to those who died in the conflicts. Altogether an inspirational lecture by a man steeped in his subject.  Look out for future talks sponsored by this historical group. 

SALE OF WORK:  The annual major fundraiser for the maintenance of Pallaskenry Community Centre takes place on Sunday October 9, from 2.30 pm.  More than just a sale of work, this is a popular social event with lots of things to entertain and treasures to take away.  Apart from all the various stalls selling wares from ‘Bric-a-Brac’, Books, Cakes, Jams and Chutneys, Toys and treasures, there will be a barbeque with teas and coffees.  A special attraction is the Irish Coffee with taxis available for the over-indulgent!  Your support for this fundraiser is necessary to continue to subsidise the work of the Community Centre committee who ensure the daily availability of the centre for its varied use at very acceptable rates.

TREE TALK:  If you’d like inspiration on the topic of trees, you’ll find none better than Ted Cooke.  Ted has been very involved in promoting his love of flora in the Broadford area of Co. Limerick for years.  The development of the village arboretum on lands donated by Lord Muskerry has been a project of his.  He is of the opinion that such a development can be replicated in any other village.  We all know areas that might benefit from planting and such an area may be in our own back yard.  One solitary oak for example can sustain within its environment many hundreds of lesser species of flora and fauna.  Ted will be on hand to conduct a tour of the Broadford Arboretum on Sunday, October 9, from 2.00 – 5.00 pm.  All twenty seven of our native species of trees will be pointed out.  Knowing Ted, his enthusiasm for the subject will well overflow these time constraints.  The event is free and part of a local Féile.


BANTRACHT NA TUAITHE: Its all systems go as members involve themselves in the various courses organised by the guild including art, computers and health matters. All these classes are now fully booked
and are up and running. Kildimo was well represented at the recent Autumn Federation meeting and extend congratulations to Maura Hallam whose crochet tea cosy was a winner.

DORIS ON TOUR:  Our own home-produced songstress Doris (Costello) Shire, is off again on tour of Britain from October 20.  Doris is part of the ‘Rambling House’ troupe whose annual tour overseas brings joy to Irish emigrants and their family and friends.  You can enjoy the ‘Mungret Nightingale’ on U-tube and Rambling House DVD’s on sale from their headquarters and from Doris herself you can receive her own compilations of ballads which include the only commercial recording of Kildimo’s own anthem, ‘The Boys of the Line’.

SALESIAN COLLEGE NEWS:  October 12 is the opening night for incoming students for the coming year when parents and students in fifth and sixth classes are available.  The school office will supply application forms.  Lifesaving classes are being organized for students with swimming skills and successful participants will receive certification following their ten week course. Mr Lavan, Darragh Dunne and Dave Downes won €100 each in the ‘Guess the Score’ competition.  Congratulations to the Under 18 hurlers who recently overcame Abbeyfeale.

COMMUNITY LOTTO:  The draw on September 27 produced numbers 3,5, 15 & 24 as the winning combination for a Jackpot of € 9,500.  No member predicted this sequence and in consequence Lucky Dips of €20 each were drawn by Michael Coughlan, Court ; Caroline O’Connell, Church View, Askeaton; Alice Healy, Shanagolden; Jamie & Liz Hickey, Old Kildimo and Margaret O’Reilly, Ferrybridge.  You can now have three shots at the Jackpot for €5 at any of the ticket sales venues or from a member of the Community Council


COPSWOOD GAELS: The club travelled to Asbourne Co. Meath for a national U10 Blitz.
In lashing rain we went into our first game against Ballnahinch losing out to a last minute try, the final score being 20 – 15. Our second match was a very close affair also but the lads ended up on the wrong end of a 30 - 10 scoreline to Ballyclare.  The team proved equal to their next challenge having a very good 15 - 5 win against Kildara, just deserts for their hard fought efforts. This was a very good team building exercise and considering the terrible weather our lads kept their spirits up all day.  Scorers were Padraig Hartigan, Colin Griffin, Aaron O'Donovan, Ben Fleming and Luke Guinane. The squad as a whole played brilliantly while others to shine were
Christopher Bourke, Ciaran Barry, Thomas Kelly Kiely, Jack O'Hollaran Hanifin, Adam Collins, Geoffrey Brodrick, Liam McLoughlin, Daniel Fitzgerald, Shay Kelly and Eoin Mulvihill. “Well done” to all the lads who in their first season they are catching on very fast. Training continues on Sunday Mornings from 10 to 11am.  All are welcome and Registration remains open.