The Last Millennium in Conahy Parish Recalled
On New Year’s Eve at the last lights ceremony in Jenkinstown Church, a recollection of the Millennium specifically relating to Conahy Parish was presented. The following is the text of the recollection presentation:
Conahy
The 11,000 acre Parish of Conahy was developed from cuttings from Ballyragget and Muckalee Parishes between 1832 and 1840. The word Conahy means ‘The Field of the Hound’. The Parish is richly endowed with relics of many laminated cultures ranging from the prehistoric dolmen that once stood at Swiftsheath and a prehistoric tumulus at Kilmacar to Bishop Peter Birch whose avant-garde thinking and action on social issues and whose slogan ‘Peace in Christ’ was nurtured in the quiet peace of the lands of Conahy.
The Parish of Conahy has three major rivers - the Nore, Dinan and Bracken - from which water was used in the eve of Millennium ceremony at Jenkinstown Church on Friday evening 31st December, 1999.
Normans
The beginning of the second Millennium saw the Normans descend on Ireland. It is recorded that the De La Frenes and Purcell families were prominent Normans who settled around what is now Conahy Parish. Foulksrath Castle was built by the Purcell’s in the first half of the 16th century. The building was purchased by An Oige as a Youth Hostel in 1946/’47 for £1,000. The official opening was performed by Erskine Childers, then Minister for Transport and Power.
The first guardians of the new An Oige Hostel were Joe and Sarah Whearty and to date many thousands of visitors from all over the world have stayed at the Hotel. The location is also used by organisations in Conahy Parish for meetings.
The research and findings of the Fr. William Healy, a native of Conahy and the Fr. William Carrigan, whose formative years were spent as a Curate in Conahy, document much of the Parish's richness in relics and geology over thousands of years. Canon Carrigan died in 1924 but left a wonderful library of books and notes for today’s historians.
Swiftsheath House
Swiftsheath House is another giant landmark on the Conahy map. The date 1656 is displayed on the front of the building. It’s most famous resident was Jonathan Swift, author and historian. Swift stayed in Jenkinstown between 1673 and 1681 and was known to have attended Kilkenny College during those years. The house is now the residence of Mrs. Lennon.
Jenkinstown House and Estate
Many of the Parish’s older residents can recall memories of the wonderful Jenkinstown Estate and Jenkinstown House. Different residents came and went to and from the house over the years and the best known were the Bryan and Bellew families. Locals were employed on the estate as gardeners and generally maintaining the elegant manor.
Lady Bellew started the Jenkinstown Fete around 1930 and this continued as a major attraction until the 1940’s. Proceeds went towards the Jubilee Nursing Association.
Part of Jenkinstown House was used as an Oratory for the residents. In 1940, Parishioners from the area wrote to Dr. Collier, then Bishop of Ossory, requesting that the Oratory be retained by the Parish.
At that time the Sunday collection was averaging 16 shillings per week and the bank balance stood at a healthy £100. Jenkinstown Oratory was the focal point of Catholic ceremonies for over 40 years until the present church was opened on March 17, 1983.
The lands of Jenkinstown Estate were given to local farmers but the evidence of a once great era still remains. The famous songThe Last Rose of Summerby Thomas Moore was composed in the peace and tranquillity of Jenkinstown Park. Coillte now maintain the remaining part of the Estate comprising Jenkinstown Wood, while the old Jenkinstown House is a private residence.
Odagh Church
Many can recall the religious ceremonies by the Church of Ireland parishioners at Odagh. The church was originally built by Ciarán of Cape Clear but closed for services in 1957.
Religious Roles
Religion has played a dominant role in the life of Conahy. Priests, nuns and Christian Brothers from the parish have served in many areas of the world spreading the gospel and helping the less fortunate to make a better life.
Modern modes of transport means a trip back home can now be achieved more easily than in the past when some were to leave home never to return.
The contribution of our fellow Parishioners to the improvements in Third World countries in particular has to be one of the major highlights of the past Millennium.
The Legion of Mary carried out wonderful work in the Parish and many other areas, even outside Ireland, for many years. It ceased to exist in the late 1980’s. The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and the St. Vincent De Paul continue to this day.
Bishop Birch
Bishop Peter Birch was undoubtedly one of the Parish’s most famous sons. His care and compassion for the less well-off established social services in Ireland at a time when poverty was rife with no end to the hardship in sight.
Bishop Birch was born on September 4, 1911 in Tullowglass and replaced the late Bishop Collier as Bishop of Ossory on June 4, 1964. It was a joyous day for the entire Parish of Conahy to see one of its own elevated to such a high ministry in the Church. Bishop Birch died on the 7th March, 1981.
Changes in Education
The last Millennium has seen immense changes in education. We can only guess from our own history lessons how education progressed from the home to the hedge schools and on to the classroom for much of this period.
The early part of this century saw the commencement of the formal education process, as we know it today. The old school at Gragara was given to the Parish by the Bryan family in the 19th century. The present school at Lisnafunchion was opened in 1922 and became the first of its kind to be opened under the new Irish Free State.
The present Conahy School opened in 1938 while the present Clinstown School opened in 1962. Native Parishioners owe a huge debt of gratitude to the teachers of all schools for their tremendous dedication and loyalty to all pupils. Throughout the world Conahy people have excelled in many walks of life, due no doubt to the great start they made in the national schools of the Parish.
Buses and cars now transport children to the schools of the Parish, but not all that long ago getting to school meant walking by road or through the field.
I am sure many will recall heading home from Clinstown, reaching Bride Griffith’s for a slice of hot bread just delivered by Ryan’s of Ballyragget. Eaten without butter, it was scrumptious. Or perhaps bringing a farthing for the Black Babies of Africa and getting a half an apple from Mrs. Horgan. How times have changed!
Farming
The decline in the number of full time farmers in Conahy Parish is perhaps the saddest issue to face us as we approach the new millennium. Changes in farming practices throughout the world and a more expectant9 and demanding consumer is placing our primary source of employment at great risk. Major developments took place in the last century with the building of creameries at Ballyragget, Freshford and Castlecomer, all helped by many Conahy Parishioners contributing the necessary share capital funds to support the projects. Churns have now been replaced by refrigerated bulk tanks. The weekly task of making the butter at home in now long gone. One of the most significant events in any farm house during this century in particular, was the day of the threshing, sadly now gone also. Often 30 to 40 people would descent on to the farm at 8.00 a.m. to commence the threshing.
The Brennan’s, Butler’s, Downey’s or O’Hara’s invariably supplied the threshing engine. Once bagged, the rich corn was sent to either Carey’s in Ballyragget or Walsh’s in Kilkenny.
The threshing meant a day off school for the children of the house and perhaps even some of the neighbouring children also. A pig was often killed to feed the masses, plenty of drink was consumed and the day ended with a ‘hooley’. A day or so later it was off to the next farm.
If farming provided the main bulk of employment with many people often passing through to thin beet or attend the threshing, other services provided either locally or in neighbouring areas were blacksmith, saddler, nailor, miller, slater, thatcher, plasterer, dress maker, stone worker (builder), carpenter, shoemaker, tailor, saw miller and road worker.
In 1947, Conahy Macra na Feirme was established. The primary focus of this new group was to help educate the farmers of the parish in new skills and techniques to improve efficiency at farm level. 1957 saw the setting up of the Conahy Irish Farmers Association with the main aim of improving services to all farmers. Many will recall the famous farmers walk on the Dáil in 1966 when many Conahy farmers participated.
Emigration
Sadly the past two centuries in particular, saw many parishioners forced to emigrate due to lack of work at home. Some have since returned while others have set up homes in many parts of the world becoming what is now described as the Irish diaspora. For them, memories of our Parish are now provided by annual or bi-annual visits home or by theKilkenny Peoplenewspaper.
Conahy parishioners have seen service during some of the most tragic wars of the past century in particular, World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. To this day, Parishioners serve with the United Nations Peace-Keeping Forces in the Lebanon.
Sport
Sport has played a prominent role in the life of the Parish for many years. The first game involving Conahy played under G.A.A. rules was held on March 24, 1886 between Conahy and Firoda in football.
The game lasted one and a half-hours and resulted in a victory for Conahy. 1888 saw Matty Downey from Conahy win the All-Ireland long kick competition. Conahy had two representatives, R.D. O’Shea and J. Downey, at the formation of the Kilkenny G.A.A. County board on January 30, 1887 at the Working Men’s Club in Walkin Street, Kilkenny.
The first game played in the newly purchased Nowlan Park on June 17, 1928 was the Junior football county final between Conahy and Cotterstown, which the locals lost, 2-4 to 1-2.
Conahy’s Michael Maher go the first score of the game, a point to become the first person to score at the main county G.A.A. grounds. However, some Conahy people claim it was his brother Nicholas.
The Conahy club was formally established in Mulhall’s house in Suttonsrath in 1926. Success in the early 1930’s gave way to many years of despair. Glory days at hurling and football finally returned in the 1970’s and up to the present day the G.A.A. club has enjoyed many wonderful moments with adults and underage teams.
The Polo Grounds has been the home of the G.A.A. Club for many years, initially at Ardaloo from the 1920’s and at its present location in Jenkinstown from the 1940’s. The purchase price was £80. Expenditure of over £100,000 in the past twenty-five years has made the Polo Ground as fine a venue for Gaelic Games as can be found in any Parish in Ireland.
Two great men who played a huge role in keeping the G.A.A. club going over many years during the most difficult period for the club. They were Joe Dowling a local National Teacher who served as Secretary for many years and Joe Phelan (better known as Suggins) who taught this writer and many others the game of hurling at a young age.
Camogie was played for many years in the parish with players now involved with local Parishes. Soccer came in the seventies and went in the eighties. A vibrant Athletics Club once operated in Conahy and an equally successful Cycling Club with Dinny Molloy to the fore brought huge crowds to the Polo Grounds.
The most famous cyclist of the time John Joe Barry (the Ballinacurry Hare) appeared many times in competitions in the Polo Grounds. Conahy is also well known for its famous greyhounds with the interest continuing to the present day. Conahy men took many All-Ireland titles at ploughing in the past thirty years.
Entertainment
Most of the era we are covering did not have television, but radio was starting to make an impact. Entertainment was provided either at home or at a crossroads, the most notable being either at Kilmacar or Threecastles.
The local drama group put on plays and concerts for many years. In addition, visiting groups presented shows in the Parish and adjoining halls. The seventies saw many of our Parishioners achieve All-Ireland fame at Céilí dancing.
In more recent years, the establishing of the local youth club provided many hours of enjoyment for the youth with much success being achieved at various events.
The Conahy Irish Country Women’s Association founded in 1959 provided an immense range of activities in the Parish for many years and in more recent times much of these activities have been taken on by the Conahy Ladies Club.
The Gun Clubs at Jenkinstown and Rathkyle continue a great rural tradition in Conahy Parish. Other active organisations in the parish at present are the Bridge Club, St. Colman’s Heritage Association and Conahy Community Alert.
The restoration of Conahy Hall in recent years has seen an almost derelict building developed into a warm attractive building which is regularly used by organisations from the Parish on a weekly basis.
The development cost over £75,000 and is a wonderful testimony to the skill and craft of the tradesmen and the vision of the parishioners who managed the re-development project.
Distant Memories
Finally, a couple of other brief recollections, which are now almost a distant memory:
Ø America’s most notorious post-Revolution outlaw was an Irishman named Michael Martin. Martin was born in the Parish of Conahy on April 9, 1775 and was known as Captain Lightfoot. He was probably the last man hanged for highway robbery in Massachusetts Prison in the USA in October 1821.