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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 30 July 2021
kilkennyobserver.ie
Feature
Representing Kilkenny County Council at The Closh: David Fitzgerald, Fideles Doherty (Chairperson), Pat Boyd (KKB) Eugene McGuinness, Maria Dollard, Mayor Andrew McGuinness , John Brennan, Pat Fitzpatrick.
War of Independence rem at The Closh as Garden of Remembrance is planned by: GERRY CODY Photos: PAT SHORTALL OVER 50 men marched through Friary Street and formed a guard of honour at St Rioch’s Graveyard, where prayers for loved ones were offered. Flags, banners and bunting decorated the surrounding houses and streets. Dancing continued until 11p.m, with a constant stream of people visiting the dancing board, erected specifically for the occasion. James Donnelly made a vociferous appeal to convert The Closh into a public space, to be named St Rioch’s Park. CALL MADE IN 1929 Before you start wondering how this gathering occurred, during a time of ‘Covid’ restrictions, let me assure you, that all is well. The call by James Donnelly to rename The Closh, and the attendant merriment, took place in 1929, at the revival of the annual Patron to St Rioch. Prior to this, the last Patron had taken place at the Walkin Street Graveyard in 1827. The local population greeted the call for a revival with enthusiastic delight. Embellishing the day, the iconic St Rioch’s Fife & Drum band marched around the city delighting the citizens with a collection of well -loved tunes.
The call was issued and the community rallied. For weeks, residents of Walkin Street worked diligently to ensure the occasion was a success. The area known as ‘The Closh’ witnessed hundreds of Kilkenny people, gather for a day of music, song and dance. How symbolic, that in 2021, another gathering took place in The Closh, replicating the hopes and aspirations of our forbearers. “The more things change the more they remain the same”
Bugler Charlie Parsons and Piper Finbar McCarthy who performed The Last Post, Reveille and The National Anthem
However, this time the community came together to commemorate all those that fought during both World Wars. Poignantly, also remembered on this occasion were the local heroes that had taken part in The War of Independence.
Fitzgerald, Sean Leahy, Peter Bluett, Pat and Mary Durkin. Calling for greater awareness on Climate change, Pat hoped that the Garden at the Closh would be “a commemoration of the past and a beacon for the future”
A BEACON FOR THE FUTURE Addressing the assembly Mr Pat Boyd, chair of the organising Keep Kilkenny Beautiful committee, said, that the long -term goal was to see The Closh transformed into a garden of remembrance. Mr Boyd praised KKB partners, Kilkenny County Council who had supported the concept from the beginning. During his speech, Mr Boyd, thanked the dreamers and visionaries that formed the KKB Committee. He paid tribute to all who worked for KKB and paid special mention to : Elaine Bradshaw, Kieran Crotty, David
WE MUST RECONCILE OLD FRACTURES The Keynote address was delivered by the noted historian, Commandant Larry Scallan (retired), who reflected on the fact that all Centenaries are a once in a life time occasion, giving us the opportunity to reflect and to remember events, of which few have a living memory. Speaking on the founding of the Irish National Volunteers in March 1914 Commandant Scallan insisted that the local volunteers, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, should be remembered fondly and with grateful appreciation.
“It is important that we recall their names: Jackie Brett, Tom Hennessy, Michael Dermody, Pat Walsh, Sean Quinn, Jack Hartley and Nicholas Mullins”. Larry went on to praise the often -forgotten heroes, the women of Kilkenny. He spoke, passionately, of Mrs Margaret Ryan, from Callan, who was mortally wounded by an Auxiliary RIC bullet at 5.30pm on the 21st of December 1920. “It is very important that we recall and reflect on the Kilkenny mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, who actively supported the cause of independence. The logistical support, intelligence gathering and the constant need to harbour the hundreds of men and women on active service by providing safe houses, for much needed rest and support, was enormous”. Reflecting, Commandant Scallan noted that The Closh is just 100m from where Sgt Edward O’Gorman
