Limerick man leading the charge for a new pathway in village
“IT IS my dying wish, I would be very happy to see it happen in my lifetime”.
The words of Limerick man Joe Meagher who is advocating for a footpath to be built between Oola Community Centre and St Anthony's Graveyard, Prospect, Oola.
Mr Meagher is a member of the original committee who pulled together to build the graveyard on a completely voluntary basis.
In 2003, Sr Anthony Hayes, a Sister of Mercy from Doon Convent and her brother Timmy Hayes, donated three acres of prime agricultural land in Prospect for the graveyard.
To recognise the brother and sister’s generosity, Mr Meagher and his fellow committee members commissioned a plaque unveiled in 2018 by Archbishop O’Reilly in the presence of Fr John Morris, parish priest, Canon Liam McNamara, Tipperary Town and Fr Thomas Breen, Ballylanders.
“Sr Anthony Hayes had a great veneration for the parish and the people of Oola.
“Her brother Timmy was a great farmer and a great GAA man.
“Their farm subsequently made over €900,000 and Sr Anthony Hayes gave one third to the parish of Oola, one third to the parish in Doon and one third to the convent in Doon. She was an incredible lady,” said Mr Meagher.
Mr Meagher along with Thomas Landers, Paddy Ryan, Michael Barragry, Michael O’Brien, Jimmy Ryan, Fr Morris and the late John Joe Dunne put their heart and soul into ensuring St Anthony’s will be there for future generations.
Mr Meagher, a former county councillor, is hoping that the next part of their legacy is to have a footpath constructed to the graveyard.
“Footpaths are being done presently throughout the county so we made an application to the council for the laying of a footpath.
“It would be a lovely walk for the people of Oola and it would widen the road as well. It would be very welcomed by all”.
Opened in 2008, over €140,000 has been spent on the graveyard so far with around €60,000 given from council and State funding.
“All the money we get from the sales of the graves goes in to paying off the debt.
“In a lot of places they won’t sell them until you die. We have 1,500 spaces”.
Mr Meagher, who was born and reared in Oola, said he would love to see the footpath be built in his lifetime and that it would be a great thing for the community.
“All the work on the graveyard was done by voluntary labour over the years.
“Paddy Ryan and Jimmy Ryan laid all the screeds for the foundations and the footpath and did all the bits and pieces.
“Michael Barragry and Michael O’Brien mixed all the concrete and all the mortar for the blocks for the wall. Thomas Landers did all the planning and laying out of the graveyard”.