News headlines from The Guardian 100 years ago this week
June 13 1925
Well Done
After five years of strenuous work, the premier administrative body of North Tipperary - the County Council - is going out of office, and it is fitting to put on record a word of appreciation of its services. Members took up duty and carried on their work in dangerous times. They worked in years of revolution and change, when the life, liberty and property of every member were in serious jeopardy. The local government machine was perhaps the most effective weapon in breaking the British hold on the country; many members of the council were imprisoned for long periods; others had the very foundations of their ancestral homes blown to the countryside, and there was hardly one who had not his personal freedom and the sanctity of his home violated, or who did not receive harassing attentions in one shape or other. Notwithstanding all this, the work of the council was carried on uninterruptedly and with success. Its finances were always kept with scrupulous accuracy, and at the end of five years it is correct to say that not a penny has been unaccounted for. Take them all in all, they were men cast in a true mould. They had the reputation of being the best County Council in Ireland.
Killaloe Choral Festival
The annual Choral Festival for the Diocese of Killaloe was held on Friday last week, at 3pm, in St. Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe, and proved a very bright, impressive, and altogether successful fixture. There was a crowded congregation, all the seating accommodation being taxed to its utmost long before the service commenced. Choirs were present from Birr, Roscrea, Nenagh,Cloughjordan, Shinrone, Castletown, Ballingarry, Portumna, Lorrha, Killaloe, Ennis, Kilfinaghty and Corofin. The music which had been selected for the Festival Book, 1925, was sung with fine effect, tone and reverential expression, and reflected every credit on the training of the choirs by Rev Precentor Stanistreet, who for many years has undertaken this onerous duty.
Nenagh Teacher Weds
On Wednesday last at Limerick, Mr John O’ Gorman, the popular principal of the Nenagh National School, was married to Miss O’ Donoghue, of Mitchell Street, Nenagh, a member of a very well-known family and sister of Rev. J. O’ Donoghue, Tulla.
A Fine Trout
Since the dapping season opened some excellent trout fishing has been enjoyed on Lough Derg, and last week a well-known angler, in the person of Mr M. Hayes, Birdhill, was successful in landing a splendid trout weighing nine and a half pounds. This is about one of the many angling achievements Mr Hayes has to his credit. Indeed, his fishing expeditions to the lough have invariably been attended with much success. Last year his biggest catch is said to have weighed eight and a half pounds.
Nealon a candidate
Mr D. Nealon, in his principal nomination paper for the County Council elections, was proposed by Mr Philip Kennedy, Newtown, and seconded by Mr Denis O’ Brien, Newtown. In other papers he was proposed by Mr P. J. Gubbins and seconded by Mr J. McSweeney, Nenagh.
Killaloe Slate Quarries
To the Editor of the Nenagh Guardian: Dear Sir, Will you please note that the labour difficulties at these works are now terminated, and all work is being carried out under the usual 24-hour-day system.
The diamond saws have again come into their own, and for many miles around can be heard day and night, the ringing sounds of the massive blades as they pass through the slate blocks that are constantly and abundantly at hand, and at night the sky is illuminated for many miles around with the intense glare of the electric light. (For Killaloe Slate Quarry, Co. Ltd., B. Hogan).
June 12 1965
Nenagh’s First Senator
The people of Nenagh and district accorded a warm welcome on Wednesday evening to Mr Michael O’ Kennedy, M.A., Barrister-at-Law, the first native of the town to become a member of the Senate since the foundation of the State. Mr O’ Kennedy was elected to Seanad Éireann on the previous evening on the Cultural and Educational Panel (Oireachtas Sub-Panel), and the news of his return to the Upper House was received with much pleasure and rejoicing in Nenagh and District. On Wednesday afternoon friends and well-wishers arranged a public welcome for the new Senator on his return from Dublin, and when he arrived in a motorcade at 9.30pm he was given a very hearty ovation by a large gathering, and he shook hands with several well-wishers. Mr William Ryan, chairman Nenagh Fianna Fáil Cumann, who presided, said they were all very proud to welcome Senator O’ Kennedy home. It was a big occasion for Nenagh. Apart from his own merits, Mr O’ Kennedy deserved this high honour as he was nephew of the late Michael O’ Kennedy who lost his life in the attack on Borrisokane Barracks during the War of Independence when good men were rather scarce.
Outgoing North Tipperary Senators who were re-elected are: Mr J. J. Nash, solicitor, Templemore (cultural and educational panel), and Mr Patrick W. Ryan, Ashroe, Newport (agricultural panel).
Elected Auditor
Mr Sean Whelan, a third-year law student at UCD, has been elected Auditor of the University Law Society and will wear the chain of office for 12 months. Mr Whelan was also successful in the Society’s debate when he carried off the gold medal for oratory. Mr Whelan, who was educated at Nenagh Christian Brothers’ Schools and Rockwell College, is elder son of Mr John and Mrs S. Whelan, Summerhill, Nenagh. Their young son, Mr Donal Whelan, is also a student at UCD, having won a County Council University Scholarship last year. Mr S. Whelan, who is studying for the bar, is to be congratulated on the high honour attained in the Law Society.
Coolbawn Winner
Paddy Ryan, Ballyscanlan, Coolbawn, won the All-Ireland title for senior accordion playing at the Fleadh Ceoil in Thurles on Whit Monday. Paddy has been runner-up on a couple of previous occasions. This is his first All-Ireland win. His son won the juvenile accordion event in Munster. The congratulations of all go to this very talented Kilbarron family.