Basque visitors in Nenagh this week

A group of 40 visitors from the Basque Country will be in Nenagh this week to enjoy an interesting itinerary that includes a charity rugby match on Friday evening.

The visit has been organised by Nenagh man Seamus Harty, former player and coach with Ormond RFC and with Munster. The idea goes back some 35 years to when Seamus’ family were hosting overseas students in Nenagh.

One year, they hosted a Basque student, Iraide, who developed a deep affinity for Ireland and made several return visits. After she got married, she came back to Nenagh again with her husband, Ramon. An avid sportsman, Ramon was encouraged to take up rugby by Seamus. He returned to his home town of Mungia and went on to become a formidable member of his local rugby club.

A few years ago, Ramon asked Seamus to come and visit them in Mungia and take a few training sessions there. The Nenagh man was only too happy to oblige, and so began a new chapter in this overseas relationship that has culminated in this week’s visit to Nenagh.

SHARED HERITAGE

Seamus spoke of the sense of solidarity the Basque people share with the Irish, with many historical and cultural similarities, especially where language and music are concerned. The visitors – who are staying in town at Andy Flynn’s and Williamsferry House – will be in Rohans pub on their first night in Nenagh to experience a local trad music session.

The following day, Thursday, they will embark on the Unravelling Shane MacGowan Tour before being treated to a traditional display from award-winning local musician Brian Morrissey at Nenagh Tourist Office.

Later that day, a presentation will be made to the visitors of a photograph of Fr Alec Reid in the Basque Country, where he received an honorary award for his role in brokering peace between ETA and the Spanish government. The presentation will be made at Nenagh Rugby Club by Joe MacGrath, former CEO of Tipperary Co Council, a cousin of the late Fr Reid.

The focal point of the visit is the match there on Friday night. Kicking off at 7.30pm, the Mungia rugby players will take on Limerick Leprechauns RFC, a side made up veteran players that tog out to raise money for charitable causes. This side will include several former players with Nenagh Ormond.

The game will be played in aid of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland. Seamus chose them as the beneficiary for his lifelong friend Jim Shanahan – with whom he ran his menswear store on Kenyon Street for many years – whose wife is battling Parkinson’s.

There will be no tickets sold for the match but there will be a bucket collection for people to leave a donation. A GoFundMe page has also been set up – ‘Mungia V Leprachauns: Tipperary Parkinson’s Fundraiser 2026’. All proceeds will go towards the local Parkinson’s Association branch to assist its members with the services they provide here in Tipperary.

Seamus took the opportunity to thank everyone who has already contributed to the cause, including those who supported the flag day held in Nenagh last Friday. He thanked the members of the committee that has organised this visit; Rosemary Joyce of Nenagh Municipal District for helping to organise the itinerary; Michael Molamphy for facilitating the Shane MacGowan Tour and a showcase of hurling for the Basque visitors; Tony Wells of Nenagh Ormond RFC and Dan O’Connor of Limerick Leprechauns for organising the rugby match.

Seamus hoped the people of Nenagh would afford their customary welcome to the visitors this week, and he hinted that the visit could lay the foundation for an even stronger relationship between Nenagh and Mungia in time to come. Watch this space…