Matt’s Memories

Stroke Victims
Since I had my stroke I find I am continually losing things but then finding them unexpectedly – the finding is nice but the searching is not! Two other locals that I know had strokes were Ned Deegan and Jimmy Turner. Recently, I was pleased to see Ned, near Gerry Blake’s Pharmacy, heading uptown without the aid of a stick. Jimmy I met at St Mary’s Cemetery as he and his wife were over here from England on holidays. Four years beforehand, Jimmy had suffered a stroke.

The Singer
On September 7, Mick Foster was featured in a Sunday Independent article by Jerome Reilly. Seemingly, he has a great interest in Native American history and culture. Mick is one half of the Foster and Allen Team. In times past, Mick spent his formative years here in Ballymore Eustace before moving to Mullingar. His aunt, Bridget Cooke (nee Foster), still lives in Dowdenstown. I often met Bridget and her husband John at St Mary’s Cemetery as they lovingly cared for the grave of Bridget’s parents.

Poland
By the time you read this Mary Carroll, wife of the late Guard Tom Carroll, formerly of Ballymore Eustace and now of Ballylinan, will have returned from her latest tour - to Poland.

Show Blessed and Dbest.
Show Blessed ran fourth over hurdles at Bellewstown on July 28 and was also fourth in a chase at Listowel on September 19. Dbest meanwhile won on the flat at Dundalk on September 15 at 4/1 and was also down the field there on September 26.

Good Operator
Sean Mulryan’s Good Operator was down the field at the Curragh on September 28 in the feature race won by Soul City for Richard Hannon who trains in England. Richard Hughes, son of Irish trainer - Dessie Hughes, rode the winner.

Liam’s View
I was pleased to read Liam Evans enjoys my Memories Articles even though they are, as I know, sometimes imperfect. Sorry to see in the September Bugle that Anne Evans died in an accident on September 7. Joe Evans is a brother of Liam, Tony and the late Kathleen Daniels.

Institution of the Reverend Leonard Ruddock
In the September Bugle, it was great to see the lovely photo of Bobbie Grattan and Maria Wolfe at the institution of the Reverend Leonard Ruddock at the Church of St Mary’s, Blessington. The Bugle also contained photos of other people at the institution that I recognised.

Departed
The death occurred of Mary (May) Dennison(nee Jackson) of Bridge View, Ballymore Eustace, Naas, Co. Kildare R.I.P. May died on September 6, 2008 and was the wife of the late Christy and mother of Anne, Christopher, David, Paul and Catherine. She was the sister of Kay, daughters-in-law Máire and Geraldine, son-in-law Stan, grandchildren David, Sarah, Ceara, Katrina, Abigail, Chloe and Emily, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May was buried beside her husband Christy at St Mary's Cemetery, Ballymore Eustace. In days gone by, our family visited the Dennison household to watch the English Grand National on TV. The Dennisons were one of the first in Ballymore Eustace to have TV whereas our family was one of the last. Our father did not approve of TV but made exceptions for important races!
I was sorry to see from the September Bugle that Dora O’Brien’s brother John Creighton of Kill died R.I.P. John died on August 26 and is buried at Eadestown Cemetery.
The death occurred of Geraldine McCarthy (nee Burke) of The Elms, Punchestown on August 27, 2008 R.I.P. Her husband Denis, children Helga, Naomi, Aubrey and Fergal, grandchildren Richard, Laura and Emma, daughter-in-law Esther, John and Richard survive Geraldine. Geraldine is buried in Eadestown Cemetery. I did not know Geraldine but her husband Denis was our auctioneer when we ran a number of auctions to raise money to build the 40 by 20 alley and community centre. On such occasions, Michael Dowling was Denis’s right hand man and both of them did Trojan work for the handball and community centre causes. During my UCD days, Geraldine’s late brother Tony was a good friend to me and gave me notes on several legal subjects.
The death occurred of Frank Flynn. Frank lived at Hallahoise, Castledermot Co. Kildare and was formerly of Donard, Co. Wicklow. He died on August 5, 2008. His wife Mary, sons David, Raymond and John, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughter-in-law June, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends survive Frank R.I.P. Frank was buried at Coltstown Cemetery. In his younger days, Frank was a good handball player who represented Wicklow. I knew his brother Eddie best and had a good chat with him at the Tallagh County Hall before I retired from work.
My former workmate Maurice McDonough of Artane, Dublin died on August 21, 2008 R.I.P. Maurice worked most recently with Fingal County Council. When we both worked for Dublin County Council I often dealt with Maurice.
Thomas McCormack died at Tallaght Hospital on September 13, 2008 R.I.P. Tom was one of my Dublin neighbours. Tom is buried at Bohernabreena Cemetery.
Christy Dodd of Chasefield, Cloonloo, Boyle, Co. Sligo died on September 17, 2008 at Sligo General Hospital R.I.P. Christy was the father of my former work colleague Geraldine Condon who now works with the Law Department, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council.
© Matt Purcell (September 28, 2008)
Village Green Garden Club

The Club welcomed all the new and old members back to its first club night on Sept 25th. Maura Greene from Dunlavin got us off to a great start with a night dedicated to roses. She is a keen rose enthusiast and shared with the club members her vast knowledge on the subject of rose growing.
This month’s club night is on October 30th and the guest speaker is Kay Hartigan. Kay will be discussing all aspects of garden design and will be doing a workshop for club members. Members who have an area of the garden they have a problem with should bring photo of the area and Kay will give members her advice and suggestions. Club night commences at 7.30 and new members are welcome.
It was ten years ago this month…………..
Ballymore was in a depression as well as the rest of the county when Kildare were beatn by Galway in the All Ireland Final. “Lily left at the Altar” headed Rose’s piece atop a photo of “Sam & Lily” The planning controversy rumbled on. “The Man from Ballydallagh” was oded to by yours truly. Rose wrote a personal Lenten memoir. Michael had a piece about Barrister & Eileen Cassidy.
Vivo had wines from 3.99, Weetabix at 1.09 Tea Bags at 1.25 ( all pounds of course) The Tidy Towns Committee were awarded 205 out of a possible 300 marks. The Carthy ladies were busy with the arrival of Dylan & Conor. Ballymore U-14’s beat Rathangan starring some names to conjure up memories,whilst Vincent kavanagh was presented with an award for his work with underage GAA by Karl O’Dwyer. And sadly Maisie Deegan passed on in her 85th year.