Memorial weekend to be held for soldier and Limerick hurler
Harry Wilson is Adare’s first winner of an All-Ireland hurling medal
A REMARKABLE Adare man who won an All-Ireland hurling medal before being killed in Germany during World War II will be honoured this weekend in his homeplace.
Harry Wilson is Adare’s first winner of an All-Ireland hurling medal after playing in goals for the victorious Limerick Junior team v Galway on September 21, 1941.
He died on April 11, 1944, aged just 22, while fighting for the Allies and is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
A plaque in memory of Mr Wilson will be unveiled at the old Wilson House, now Garvey’s Centra in Adare, at 5pm this Saturday, April 6.
It is the culmination of a number of events beginning on Friday night, April 5 with a talk by Professor Diarmaid Ferriter and guests on Ireland during Harry Wilson’s lifetime at 8pm in Adare Manor Golf Club.
Saturday dawns with a walking tour of Adare at 10am. It is followed by Adare Bord na n-Óg Exhibition Matches at 12.30 pm, a performance by Newcastle West Pipe Band and then Adare Legends taking on Patrickswell Legends at 1.30pm.
At 3pm in the village hall, attendees will get the chance to meet Adare hurlers who have won medals in all grades for Limerick.
The story behind the weekend is also a remarkable one. It is all thanks to the late Tom Healy, of Adare.
Mr Healy had a heart attack on his way to watch Limerick play in the Gaelic Grounds in April 2022.
By pure chance, the three men to come to his aid were a consultant paediatrician, a veterinary surgeon and a doctor. Professor
Barry Linnane and Dr Michael Shinkwin, both of North Circular Road, and Declan Gill, a Castleconnell-based vet, gave Mr Healy another year with his family and he got to see Limerick win another All-Ireland.
Professor Linnane, Dr Shinkwin and Mr Gill were named the April Limerick Persons of the Month in 2022 for their life-saving actions.
They got the chance to meet Mr Healy's family at the annual awards ceremony in 2023. His son, Tom Jr, said: “When we were saying our goodbyes to dad obviously we were heartbroken but because of those three men we just appreciated the time that was given to us and we could reflect on that at the end.”
A week before Mr Healy Sr passed away in April 2023, his son was with his uncle and aunt, Tommy and Catherine Reidy.
They told him that his dad had started to organise a commemorative plaque for Harry Wilson who Tom Jr had never heard of.
“I immediately promised my dad that I would get it completed. He was absolutely delighted to hear that and we had a couple of lovely chats about it before he got too unwell.
“However, my dad told me to talk to Michael Ryan, a friend of his, who had chronicled a detailed history of Adare. It was
Michael who first broached the subject of a plaque for Harry Wilson in a letter to my dad,” said Tom Jr, who lives in Portugal. He was as good as his word and has spearheaded the whole weekend in Mr Wilson’s memory but is quick to thank the “big team”.
“I hope that the Adare people can turn out in force as they did for the tremendous St Patrick’s Day parade celebrations. I hope there is something on offer for everyone: historical talk, hurling matches, meeting our hurling heroes or simply having a chat over a tea and sandwich. It will be an opportunity to meet old friends and to make new ones. Both Milford Hospice and Dillon Quirke Foundation are very worthy charities to support,” said Tom Jr.
He said his dad lived for the GAA.
“He devoted his life to it, both at club and county board level. But he had other passions as well including Adare Manor Golf Club and in recent years became involved in recovering and documenting headstones in old graveyards. He was well read on Irish history and had a keen interest in politics.
“In organising this event, it became very clear to me the thrill, pride and satisfaction that my dad got in serving the people of Adare. The goodwill shown to me has been unbelievable,” said Tom Jr.
He wished to thank James Cavanagh, Sean Scanlon, Mark Foley, Lee Harrington, Joey O’Brien, Jamie McNamara, Tony Dunne, Pat O'Brien, Cllr Bridie Collins, John Murphy, Tom Keane for all their help in putting the events together.
Tom Jr thanked the speakers, Diarmaid Ferriter, Gerry Humphries, Paul Anglim, Matthew Potter and MC Liam Aherne; Adare Manor Golf Club, Adare GAA and the village hall for use of their facilities and the numerous sponsors.