by Pat Brosnan

Kerry – Limerick Autumn Weddings

There was a happy coincidence during the past couple of weeks when three people from the Athea locality were married to three Kerry people.

The marriage took place during the past week of Seamus Fitzgerald, son of Mary and late Jim Fitzgerald, Granafulla, Waterville, Co Kerry at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin, Co Limerick. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass was performed  by Fr. Tom Crawford PP Glin and assisted by Fr. Kearns. Bridesmaids were Niamh Brouder, sister of the bride, Aine Brouder, Glenbawn, Carrigkerry, Athea her other bridesmaid was Catherine Lacey. The best man was Paddy Fitzgerald and the groomsmen were Martin O’Shea. The page boy was Luke Fitzgerald and the flower girl was Cliona O’Sullivan.

The reception was held at Heights Hotel, Killarney where an enjoyable day was had by the families and guests. Best wishes to the young couple for their happiness in married life.

Autumn Weddings

The marriage took place on Friday September 27th at St Marys Cathedral, Killarney, Co Kerry of Declan White son of Tommy & Nora White, Upper Athea to Mary Kelly, daughter of Sean and Mary, Killarney. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass was performed by Fr Tom Looney assisted by Fr Paddy Bowen. The bride was assisted by Fiona Madden, Matron of Honour. Bridesmaids were Leonie Hilliard, Frances Henderson, and Paula Kelly. Best man was Padraig Sweeney and groomsmen were Gary O’Keeffe, Roger Ryan and James Scanlon. Flower girl was Rebecca Kelly and Pageboy was Cormac Sweeney. The Usher was Daniel Kelly and the readers were Elaine White and Mary Sweeney. Prayers of the Faithful were read by John Kelly, Bobby Kelly, Richard Kelly, William Kelly, Brian Kelly and Kevin White. The reflection was read by Jacinta White and music was supplied by Lorraine Galvin (Soprano) and Sean Treacy (Piano). The reception was held in the Killarney Oaks Hotel where a very enjoyable night was had by the families and guests. Best wishes to the bride and groom for their happiness in married life. The honeymoon is being spent in Australia.

The wedding took place at St. Mary’s Church, Tarbert of Christopher O’Mahony son of Seanie and Nora O’Mahony, Markievcz Park, to Martina Sweeney, Tarmons, Tarbert, daughter of Jimmy & Mary. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass was performed by Fr Danny Broderick. The Chief Bridesmaid was Elaine Sweeney and the bridesmaid was Kate Woulfe. Best man was Patrick Flynn and the groomsman was Michael McCarthy. The flower girl was Leona Flynn and the page boy was Callum O’Mahony. Shane Lavery did the first reading and Fiona Flaherty did the second reading. Prayers of the faithful were well recited by Orla Lane, Jamie O’Mahony and Jimmy Sweeney. Communion reflection was read by Janine Reilly Mc Parkland and the music was by Cadenza. The reception was held in The Ballyroe Hotel, Tralee where all the family and guests had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Wishing the young couple every happiness and success in their married life.

CD of John Hunt, Chicago

During the past week a very interesting CD was presented to me featuring John Hunt who is a native of Dromada, Athea but has lived for most of his life in Chicago.

The interview for the CD was conducted by Willie O’Reagan of West Limerick Radio when John Hunt was on holiday last month in Ballybunion.

John Hunt who is aged 93 gave a very comprehensive run-down on the story of his life which began in Athea. In the CD he describes his early years during the War of Independence and later the Civil War in which he became an active member of the Republican movement. He describes in detail his great interest in his hopes for a United Ireland and of the part he himself played in his efforts to accomplish that ideal. He tells about the time he was interned in the Curragh prison camp with more of his comrades in the years after the De Valera Government came to power having used the IRA and the Republican movement to help them get into Government. He describes the very poor conditions in which the Republican prisoners were held in the camp and how on one occasion he and some of his comrades burned one of the internment huts and how they were ruthlessly punished for doing so.

John Hunt at the age of 93 speaks very clearly of those days and has some vivid memories of those happenings. He speaks about his disappointment at seeing the various political parties accept the partition of the country for which so many of his comrades had died and he still thoroughly believes that there will be no permanent peace in the country until it is united. He maintains that his Republican ideal is as firm as ever and that he would never be happy until the country is united.

During his time in Chicago John has continued to support Irish organisations and has played a prominent part in American GAA circles. At one stage of his life he was a candidate in a Chicago Mayoral election.

John comes home every year for a months holiday which he usually spends in Ballybunion. During his holiday he usually visits Athea and links up with some of his friends and relations there which he enjoys very much.

It is very likely that anybody who would like to require the CD that these would be available from Willie O’Reagan, Ardagh, and West Limerick Radio. They will surely find it very interesting.