PICTURES: World War II hero and All-Ireland winner honoured

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“SWEETEST memories are all that is left of a brave young son. One of the best”.

This is the inscription on the tombstone of Adare man Harry Wilson in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.

Exactly 80 years ago this Thursday, April 11, the aircraft that Sergeant Wilson, an air gunner, was in was hit by flak at 13,000 feet over Aachen and crashed during World War II.

Three years earlier in 1941, Mr Wilson became 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.

The late Tom Healy, of Adare, had started to organise a commemorative plaque for Mr Wilson. His wishes were carried out by his son, also Tom, at the weekend.

The plaque unveiling at Garvey’s Centra, the old Wilson abode, was the culmination of a number of events.

Pictured above are Tom Healy Jr and Noeline Murtagh with James Cavanagh, Harry Langford, Michael Brennan, Jack Kenna, James Daly, Donnacha and Finn Murtagh, at the plaque unveiling ceremony in honour of Harry Wilson, Adare's inaugural All-Ireland medal recipient in 1941.

The events included a talk by Professor Diarmaid Ferriter and guests, a walking tour of Adare, underage and legends GAA matches and a chance to meet Adare hurlers who have won medals in all grades for Limerick.

Mr Healy Jr reflected on the weekend on his return to Portugal where he resides and organised the events from, with the help of many others.

“I am in awe of the goodwill of Irish people. It is incredible to think that a simple guy in Portugal, with a computer and a phone, can attract the top historian in the country to perform at his talk. That the curator at Limerick’s main museum came to share his knowledge. That a former leader of a RAF squadron came to relate his expertise.

“That a Limerick GAA historian reminded us of our heritage. And that Limerick’s leading GAA media figure was on hand to be MC to unite us all speaks volumes for the people of our country.

“But of course, the goodwill of family, friends and the Adare community created the magic. They helped out with the venues, the logistics and the spreading of the word so everyone and anyone could be there. A huge credit to them,” said Mr Healy Jr.

As an organiser of an event like this, he said you normally have all the concerns and worries about it going as well as possible and avoiding blunders.

"I have to say that Diarmaid Ferriter made a huge first impression on me when we spoke prior to the event. He absolutely loves what he does. My mindset shifted. Not only was I organising the event, I was also there to enjoy it. And I enjoyed every minute of it. And I enjoyed looking at the faces in the audience and seeing them enjoying it. If I had been overly concerned about trying to make everything perfect, I might have missed out on the event myself," said Mr Healy Jr.

It was a tremendous occasion for the community to be together for a good reason, he said.

"The support my family got at dad’s funeral was incredible, but my interaction with most people there was a short handshake and a kind word. This event was a coming together to celebrate. It was lovely to see people chat, laugh and hug. And one other thing, the mobile phone stayed in the pockets and bags throughout the weekend, because people interacted as they did in the ‘old days’.

"The effort people made to be there was also extraordinary. They came from all around the country, and abroad, to share in the experience. It was so special to me that my midfield partner when we won our first County Senior Hurling title (v Patrickswell in 2001), Jack Foley, came especially from Madrid to be there. It demonstrates the bond that the GAA creates and it is something to be cherished," said Mr Healy Jr.

He said a massive amount of information about Adare GAA was unearthed and he would love to see a group of people get together to create a book on the history of Adare GAA as a legacy to future generations.

Mr Healy Jr would wholeheartedly encourage other clubs to celebrate their GAA heritage with similar events.

"I hear lots of comments about ‘grassroots’ in the GAA. This is grassroots at its core. But it does need volunteers and time and effort to make it work. If clubs do take this initiative on, I guarantee them that they will not regret it," he concluded.