Kilkenny Golf Club commemorated National Remembrance Day with the unveiling of several heritage plaques at its golf course and pavilion.Kilkenny Golf Club commemorated National Remembrance Day with the unveiling of several heritage plaques at its golf course and pavilion. Attending the event were dignitaries such as Michael McCarthy (Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council), Andrew McGuinness (Mayor of Kilkenny), Emma Raughter (Principal of Kilkenny College), and Jim Fennelly (Vice Chairman of Kilkenny GAA County Board). A military color party led by Lt. Col. Rob Kearney of 3rd Infantry Battalion provided support. Councilor David Fitzgerald and other military veterans were also present. The plaques honored the following: * Soldiers from Kilkenny Military Barracks who prepared for trench warfare in World War I. * Club officials Major Dermot McCalmont, CJ Shankey, and Rt Rev GE Day, who opened the new pavilion and golf course in 1924. * Kilkenny GAA’s donation of a former stand from Nowlan Park GAA grounds to the club, along with the role of Tommy “TC” O’Connell, course fitter and former Kilkenny hurler. * The various locations of Kilkenny Golf before its establishment at Newtown in 1923. * Professionals who have worked at the club since 1910. The plaques were sculpted by Molloy’s of Callan. Fr Pat Duggan, the club chaplain, said a prayer of remembrance and blessed the memorials.
Kilkenny Golf Club celebrated National Remembrance Day by unveiling a number of heritage plaques at the golf course and pavilion. celebrated National Remembrance Day by unveiling a number of heritage plaques at its golf course and pavilion.
Guests of honour included Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Michael McCarthy, Mayor of Kilkenny Andrew McGuinness, Principal of Kilkenny College Emma Raughter and Vice Chairman of Kilkenny GAA County Board Jim Fennelly.
A military colour party was provided by Lt. Col. Rob Kearney C/O 3rd Infantry Battalion James Stephen’s Barracks and led by 2nd Lt Liam Hennessy. Councillor David Fitzgerald was also present.
Also represented on the day were a compliment of UN veterans led by retired CQMS Liam Barry, Kevin McGarry, Ger Barry, Andy Melay, Ollie Cullen and the War Memorial Committee led by chairman Donal Croghan, John Joe Cullen and Paddy Horohan. The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by UN veteran Fran O’Neill and Piper Finbarr McCarthy played Amhran na bFhiann. The heritage group from Kilkenny Golf Club were represented by Mary Browne, Mary Prendergast, Michael Grant, Dom Murphy and chairman Donie Butler.
On the 12th two plaques were unveilede tee near where soldiers from Kilkenny Military Barracks prepared for trench warfare before being sent to the front in the First World War. Some 3,271 people from Kilkenny signed up for service in the Great War of 1914-1918. More than 800 of them made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Their names are recorded on the Great War Memorial in the Peace Park, John’s Quay, Kilkenny.
The second plaque on the 12e tee was dedicated to the officials of Kilkenny Golf Club Major Dermot McCalmont, CJ Shankey and Rt Rev GE Day who had opened the new pavilion on Fair Hill and
The second plaque on the 12e tee was dedicated to the officials of Kilkenny Golf Club Major Dermot McCalmont, CJ Shankey and Rt Rev GE Day who had opened the new pavilion at Fair Hill and the new golf course at Newtown on 20th May 1924. The current club presidents Paula Bradbury and John King unveiled the Fair Hill Plaque and laid a wreath. The current captains Helen Butler and Fergal Cantwell unveiled the Great War Plaque and laid a wreath. Fr Pat Duggan Club Chaplain said a prayer of remembrance and blessed the memorials. READ MORE: Golf club celebrates centenary
. Current club presidents Paula Bradbury and John King unveiled the Fair Hill Plaque and laid a wreath. Current captains Helen Butler and Fergal Cantwell unveiled the Great War Plaque and laid a wreath. Fr Pat Duggan Club Chaplain said a prayer of remembrance and blessed the memorials.
The third plaque commemorates the magnanimous gesture of Kilkenny GAA in donating the former stand at Nowlan Park GAA grounds to Kilkenny Golf Club after 1966. This stand has since served as the club’s engine shed. The plaque also commemorates the role of Tommy ‘TC’ O’Connell, the course fitter, for over four decades. TC was himself a gifted hurler, having scored three goals for Kilkenny against Waterford in the 1959 All-Ireland final tie. Members of the O’Connell family were represented by Eddie, Mary and Noreen Fortune. Fr Duggan said a prayer of remembrance and blessed the memorial.
Earlier this year, a foundation plaque was unveiled at the Glendine Pavilion to mark the various locations of Kilkenny Golf: Barrett’s Hill/Bishop’s Demesne 1896, Richview 1901, Garrangnacreen 1905 and Kilcreene 1908 before it arrived at Newtown in 1923 and incorporated Glendine in 1936. The Newtown Manor Pavilion opened in 1947. The Glendine Pavilion opened in 1962. The final plaque to be unveiled was dedicated to all the professionals who have worked at Kilkenny Golf Club since 1910.
The plaques were sculpted by Molloy’s of Callan. Rob Kearney, Hilda Richardson, Carol Cantwell, Pat Murphy, Murty Kennedy and the Dermody children were also present. After the ceremony the party went to the pavilion for canapés and light refreshments.
