Proud day for Borrisoleigh

Official opening of Gairdín na Saoirse

After almost two months in which rarely a day passed without some rain falling, the Gods looked benignly on the good citizens of Rathmoy, Borrisoleigh, on Saturday, September 2. That afternoon saw the official opening of Gairdín na Saoirse and the unveiling of an information board that gives a brief history of the locality and accounts of deeds and individuals of note from the area.

The focal point of the garden is 16 silver birch trees, representing the executed leaders of the 1916 Easter Rebellion. In 1941, to mark the silver jubilee of that event, a local committee planted 16 trees along Pallas Street. The passage of time saw the destruction and removal of half of those trees. But for the interest of a few local historians, the story surrounding the original planting of the trees would have been lost to the mists of time.

An Gairdín is located on what was a piece of disused ground on the Thurles road out of the village. This was kindly donated by the Coffey family, formerly of Lower Street. A huge voluntary effort by a number of local individuals, saw this once derelict patch of ground transformed into a site that is worthy of our patriot dead and our forefathers who commemorated them 82 years ago.

POIGNANT AND DIGNIFIED CEREMONY

All of the hard work involved came to fruition on September 2. At a poignant and dignified ceremony, ably chaired by Liam Donnelly, over 100 people came to partake in what would be a memorable and special day. Timmy Delaney introduced the event and related the background to the project, exclusively in the Irish language. Doreen and Pauline Bourke, grand-daughters of Thomas Bourke who was chair of the committee back in 1941, were on hand to unveil the information board as was their sister Catherine, to raise the tricolour. A rendition of ‘The Foggy Dew’ was delivered by Timmy Delaney and local man, Paddy Dolan, sang our national anthem. A poem, composed and recited by Derry Bourke also featured in the programme of the day.

Local historian, John Connors, spoke briefly on the content of what is displayed on the board. The locality plays host to history both old and new, from the Liberator, O’Connell passing with his entourage, in 1842, on his way to a monster repeal meeting in Nenagh - right up until the present day and the local connection to the Ukrainian crisis. In between, such sporting achievements as Borrisoleigh’s All Ireland victory of 1987, the deeds of horse groom extraordinaire, Sergeant Patrick Dunne - Jimmy Finn, the youthful Tipperary captain of 1951, all bear strong ties to the area.

In his address, John Connors reserved special mention for the “exoneration of Harry Gleeson group”, that emanated from Rathmoy. Under the initiative and stewardship of Séan Delaney, this group achieved what once seemed impossible - the declaration of innocence by the state, of a man wrongly convicted and executed. Connors then spoke about the challenge that this set for all of us in the pursuit of justice and fairness, drawing parallels with events in today’s wider world and especially with Ukraine. This segment was simultaneously translated into Ukrainian by Natalia Chsplyina. The flag of Ukraine was then raised by Yuliia Kozerava from Mariupol, a city, the scene of one of the greatest war crimes that mankind has ever witnessed. Yuliia, along with her husband Andriy, were to the day, celebrating one year living in our community. The national flag of Ukraine was then raised to the singing of their national anthem and to the patriotic song, Chervona Kalyna.

To complete the ceremony, well-known Borrisoleigh singer, Paudie Bourke, sang a song composed by his father, Derry Bourke, - and the maroon and white of the parish was raised. To properly conclude the day, master chef, Corey Ryan performed the “miracle of the loaves and fishes” and with his barbeque, somehow managed to feed the 104 people present!