Then & Now: Parish journal is going strong

THIS WEEK I take a look at the 23rd edition of the Ballybrown Parish Journal which has been in the shops since its launch last December. It is available to buy in the shops in Tervoe, and Clarina, for just €10, which is great value for its presentation, contents and size. It includes all the events that took place there over the past year, and recalls past people, places, and events.

The journal printed in bright glossy paper contains 224 pages with many in full colour, including the front and back cover. The front cover features another delightful painting of Carrigogunnell Castle Clarina, by Jim O'Farrell whose artistic talents have enhanced the cover of each magazine since 2001. A photo of Aidan O'Connor and Colin Coughlan, members of the historic Limerick All-Ireland senior hurling panel that won the title for the fourth year in a row, is on the back cover.

In the Céad Mile Failte the late President of Ballybrown PTAA. Pat Gallagher is remembered for his work as one of the main organisers of the publication of the journal each year. A Derry native he made his home in Corcamore following his marriage to Marie Holland. His impact on the locality was far reaching including 16 years service as Sacristan at Ballybrown Church. Fr Mike Cussen in his message also pays tribute. Pat Gallagher Mr President (1936-2023) is a poetic tribute, and the opening verse goes as follows.

On the twenty fourth of June, twenty twenty-three
Sad news to relate in our parish you'll agree
Our Sacristan Pat Gallagher, in his eighty sixth year
Was called from this life that he cherished so dear.

The following is a sample of the articles included: Willie Ryan interviews Kay (Doran) Dowling about her life and times over four pages with photographs included. My journey from Odessa to Ballybrown is Yana's story following the Russian aggression on her home country. It was a difficult time for such a young person to experience and at present she is working and happy with her life in Ballybrown. Tara Foley discusses her role as an environmental scientist within Irish Water, which makes interesting reading.

Rosaria (Sr Assumpta) King recalls her life in the religious order of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Warren mount Dublin. An Ode to Rosaria -My sister, the sister is also included. The life of Fr Michael Irwin (1936-2022) is recalled having served for two years in the parish and his funeral homily is published.

Ballybrown GAA club review 2023 is very comprehensive, and it includes tributes to John Gavin and Paddy McCarthy. Willie Ryan goes back in time as he recalls Ballybrown GAA 50 years ago. It features verses written by John Hartnett from Abbeyfeale titled Ballybrown Hurlers 1973. It is based on a Limerick City Senior Hurling Championship game played at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday July 15, in which Ballybrown defeated Claughaun by 1-10 to 1-9.

God prosper the men from Clarina
The seniors who swing the caman
They caused the upset of the season
By beating the boys from Claughaun.
Claughaun with its huge population
Was rocked by the brave Ballybrown
Tom Ryan was our captain and hero
A hurler of national renown.

Ollie O'Connor's goal and the £20,000 1980 National Hurling League Final draw is recalled. His equalising goal saw the replay being played at the Gaelic Grounds and a financial bonanza for Limerick County Board. The All Blacks AFC club which was very successful in the 1960s/70s features some memorabilia from that time. Local heroes Gary O'Halloran, Colum McGrath, Edmond Power, Nigel Mann, Gemma Cusack Sexton and Noel, Eithne, Kieran, Catriona Ryan, Louise Curtin, Néamh Curtin and Mikaela Keyes all feature.

Clarina Tidy Towns committee set up in 2009 are retiring and they issue a farewell message and the Senior Citizen's committee have now disbanded after 25 years. It is a little sad to read that after all their time and efforts both groups have made this decision due to lack of new volunteers joining up. New people are vital to the future of all groups but are slow in coming forward to take up the challenge. The community council have been busy, and they have a list of their work done and members included.

Photographs are very prominent in the journal with all events included this year. Every photo tells a story and for this alone the journal is a real winner, capturing past and present people and events. Pages of wedding photographs, past and present graduations, family celebrations, new arrivals, out and about, bygone days, down memory lane, are all included. Old gates around Clarina remind the reader of past times before the introduction of the modern electronic gates that need an invitation to pass through.

The financial success of a journal often depends on the generosity of the advertisers, and with over 100 included in this edition; the committee are to be congratulated for their efforts. They play a major role in every local journal and should be supported wherever possible, especially this year. I liked the two pages of mortuary cards, from 1913 to 1993 which is a lovely way of recalling absent friends in a parish. All who passed on in the last year are remembered with their photographs included.
There are many more articles, sport and parish reports to browse through as well which readers can look forward to reading.

Survey ranks Limerick as the most ‘littered’ city centre in the entire country

The Ballybrown Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, and the editorial committee of Tom Donovan, Mary Kelly, Michael McNamara, Carl Musgrave, Des Fitzgerald, Martin Hayes, and Willie Ryan, have compiled another fine parish journal which is highly recommended. The Ballybrown Pioneer Association committee members are Kieran and Lena McCarthy, Donie Burke, Ann O'Brien, Willie Ryan, and John Michael Cosgrave.

The proceeds from the sales go entirely to the Lourdes fund, which assists people from the parish to visit Lourdes, which they do each year with the Limerick Diocesan pilgrimage. A journal is a great way of keeping in contact with overseas readers, who always like to keep the home link alive. The journal is great value at €10 and copies may be still available to purchase in the area.

In Corcamore and Clarina, Newtown Carrig and Tervoe
All your friends and neighbours, admire and salute you
Pat you were a man, that always had your say
We are all the richer that you passed this way.