Lorrha Notes

Bealtaine Festival.

St. Ruadhan’s Active Retirement Association hosted a play entitled ‘Fruitcake’ which starred Mary McEvoy on Wed.18th May in Lorrha Hall as part of their participation in the Bealtaine Festivals. ‘Fruitcake’ which was written by Alice Barry is both funny and poignant and has something for everyone. It starts off as a cookery demonstration but is in fact an account of one woman’s life and how each ingredient reminds her of past memories and decisions made which ultimately changed the course of her life. Pictured above is members of the group with Mary McEvoy and Melanie Scott Arts Officer North Tipperary Co. Council.

                                                                                                                                                                                            

The peaceful death occurred on Easter Sunday April 24th. 2011 of Sister Lawrence Guinan Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Hanswell London after a long illness.
Nora Guinan was born in Redwood in 1931 the youngest of nine children to Lawrence and Mary Brigid Guinan. She entered the religious life in England at 17 was Professed in 1954 and spent the remainder of her life ministering in England as a SRN working and caring for people with acute medical and long term illness where her quiet and gentle manner endered her to all. Visiting home every summer and keeping in touch with everyone she knew Sr. Lawrence also loved to have friends and family calling to visit her and made them most welcome when they did. She enjoyed the simple things in life like walking the garden knitting sewing and music. Sr. Lawrence was laid to rest after funeral Mass in Sacred Heart Convent Cemetery Reansby Leicestershire on Saturday April 30th.
She will be sadly missed by all but in particular by her family. Sympathy is extended to her sister Kathleen Cleary (Fortal Birr) brothers Fr. Michael Guinan (Montana U.S.A.) Paddy (Lorrha) nieces nephews sisters in-law Dympna and Mai Guinan (Redwood) grand nieces grand nephews and the Sisters of the Community of St. Joseph of Peace on their great loss. May she rest in peace.

Late Michael O’Meara.

The parish of Lorrha lost one its most faithful sons with the passing after a short illness in St. Kieran’s Nursing home Rathcabbin on Saturday May 7th. of Michael O’Meara Blakefield Lorrha. The news of his death was received with a lot of sadness in the parish of Lorrha. Born on January 15th. 1924 he was the second oldest of a family of three Mary Jo his sister married Martin Kennedy Lisduff Aglish and his brother Bill sadly died in 1971 at the young age of 45. Mick was a highly respected member of the community and farmed in Blakefield all his life. He played hurling for Lorrha for many years and won two North Senior Championship medals 1948 and 1956. A very skilful hurler he played at wing forward and in corner forward on occasions. A great and accurate free taker he was given the title ‘Blakefield’ from the townsland where he was born so as to disguingish him from the other O’Meara families in the community. Mick was a wealth of knowledge on Tipperary and Lorrha hurling from the early 1940’s up to recently. He would love to chat about all the games he played in Borrisokane in particular against Kilruane Roscrea etc.and if any Lorrha player got injured and who was responsible for same. When he retired from playing he was a selector on many Lorrha teams and gave a huge amount of his time to the club. He umpired with the late Hubie Hogan for many years and also with his great friend Sean O’Meara. Later in life both their path’s were to cross as they took up residency in St. Kieran’s Nursing home where they were joined every Sunday evening by a visitor Len Gaynor and what followed was a better programme than The Sunday Game on RTE as Sean Mick and Len would discuss every game that was played on that day. Whenever Lorrha played a game the results were quickly relayed to Mick as it was an important part of his life. His visits to Egans and the great chats he enjoyed with the late John Joe and Eva which often went long into the night will be fondly remembered. He became known at that particular time as ‘Hickey’ after the well known GAA reporter J.D. Hickey who worked for the Irish Inpendent. No matter what conversation you had with Mick he would invariably revert back to talk about Lorrha hurling winter or summer. It was a pleasure to have known Mick a gentleman on and off the field and we know he will be keeping a close eye on Lorrha to see if we can win that elusive County final as it would make him so proud. He will indeed be missed by all who knew and came in contact with him.
His remained were removed from his home and escorted by members of Lorrha GAA club who formed a guard of honor as they arrived at St. Ruadhan’s Church Lorrha on Monday May 9th. and after funeral Mass there the following day burial took place in the adjoining cemetery where Mick’s friend Paddy O’Meara gave the graveside oration.
Sympathy is extended to his nieces Olive Barry and family Peg Barbara nephews Pat Martin Michael grand-nieces grandnephews great-grand-nieces great-grand-nephews relatives neighbours and friends on their great loss. May he rest in peace.

Annual Novena.

Our Lady of Clonfert annual novena for the month of May commenced on Sunday last and will continue each evening at 8.00p.m. until the end of the month.

Prayer Vigil.

You are invited to join a prayer vigil that takes place on the third Friday of each month in Cluain Chiarain Clonmacnois. The prayer intention is for the renewal of the gift of faith and the evangelization of Ireland. The vigil begins with Mass at 10.00p.m. leading to adoration until 3.15am Saturday. Accommodation available if needed just bring a sleeping bag. Please contact Dave on (085) 7746763 or Sean on (087) 8175227. Next vigil is on the 20th. May.

Tidy Towns.

Work evenings are planned for every Tuesday evening during the month’s of May and June. Meet outside the hall at 6.30p.m. and bring garden fork spade etc. If the time is too early for you do come along at whatever time suits. Alternatively if the evening is not suitable another evening can be arranged if you call (086) 8647166. A work day took place on Saturday last and despite some heavy showers a lot of planting was completed. Many thanks to all who came out to help and to Lil for providing the refreshments.

St. Ruadhan’s Active Retirement Association.

At the recently held Annual General meeting of St. Ruadhan’s Active Retirement Association the following officers were elected. Chairman Eamon Mannion Vice chair. John Craig Secretary Nancy White Assistant Secretary Betty Houlihan P.R.O. Mary Darcy Treasurer Tom Dagg Assistant Treasurer Tim Kelly. Committee: Gay Needham Lily Darcy Nora O’Hara Betty Reddish.

Tracing Relations.

Gordon Clarke is looking for information on his great grandfather William Clarke and would welcome any information he can get. William was a farmer born in 1845 into a Church of Ireland family in Annagh Lorrha. He married Rebecca ?? and they had ten children Robert Elizabeth George John Thomas Annie Willie Debra Fanny and the youngest James who sold the farm in Lorrha in 1932 moved to Ettagh outside Birr and later to Ballaghmore Castle and farm outside Roscrea. Gordon is wondering who was Rebecca and what was her maiden name? If there is anyone out there who can help Gordon he can be contacted at Drom Athlone Co. Westmeath or on (086) 8300607 or by email at cmcmusic@eircom.net. Gordon has left his request for help on the parish web site www.lorrhadorrha.ie