Ballycumber Remembers.

The Commemoration Ceremony to mark the end of World War 1 attracted a capacity attendance to the Barracks Ballycumber on Sunday morning.

The names and regiments of all 77 soldiers from Ballycumber and surrounding areas were readout by M.C. Eamonn Larkin and were also displayed on a big screen courtesy of Tom Minnock. Images of their final resting places or memorial walls where the 21 soldiers who lost their lives are remembered with honour were also displayed on the screen.

The men who are known to have been killed in action were John Brett, Cuthbert Clibborn, Cecil Clibborn, Michael Cornally, Patrick Cornally, Joe Cornally, Patrick Clavin,Denis Geraghty, Samuel Grennan, Eric Hackett, Learo Hackett, John Hayes, Patrick Kenny, Patrick Flannery, John Moran, Edward Mulock, Henry Mulock, Francis Patrick Moran, John Sweeney, James Young and one woman Venice Clementine Hackett.

Suitable music was supplied by Sile Morgan and a number of poems were recited.

Paschal Sweeney a grand nephew of Denis Geraghty who was killed in action on the 13th April 1918 and is buried in Meteren Cemetery in France, read the poem “  Home” by the Irish World War 1 poet Francis Ledwidge.

Tom Minnock, a family member of David Tormey who served with the Royal Army Medical Corp in The Great War and returned to live in Leabeg, Ballycumber, read a wonderful poem by Ballycumber poet Patrick Flanagan entitled “ Where are the Glories of War “

The Hackett family from Castlearmstrong or Castletown Park lost two sons Learo and Eric and daughter Venice Clementine in the War. A short account of the family of Edward Augustus and Emily Elliott Hackett was read by Sile Morgan including details of their work related travels to South Africa, Scotland and later settling in Clonmel before returning to Castletown Park. Edward had the sad experience of being predeceased by his wife and all six children. Four of the children are buried with their parents in Liss Cemetery, Ballycumber and Learo and Eric have memorial inscriptions of the family vault in Liss. The grave of Venice, one of the very few women to be listed on the “Record of Officers” to have died in WW1, is marked by a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. This is one of two similar headstones in Liss with the other one marking the burial place of Francis Patrick Moran from Orchard House, Ballycumber who died on 29th September 1919.

The Mulock family from Bellair and Kilnagarna were represented in the War by George, Edward and Henry with Edward and Henry making the ultimate sacrifice. Family member, Peter Mooney of The Doon, read a poem which was written in May 1915 by John McCrae entitled “ In Flanders Field”.

The Ceremony concluded with the M.C. Reading the words of the well known song “ The Green Fields of France “ with musical accompaniment.

After the ceremony the gathering were treated to light refreshments and were invited to view the information on soldiers already collected by Ballycumber History Group. The group are confident of unearthing some information on all soldiers but are appealing for help. When all information has been found and verified the group intend publishing a book on Ballycumber’s involvement in the 1914 -1918 War.

Offaly and the Great War.

Members of Ballycumber History Group attended the launch of the book “ Offaly and the Great War “ in Tullamore Central Library on Sunday afternoon. The book which is a collection of essays by seventeen authors including one about Ballycumber’s involvement in the War is edited by Michael Byrne of Offaly History.

Leinster Championship.

Congratulations to Shamrocks and St Brigids who have progressed in their Leinster campaigns. Unfortunately it was not to be for Rhode who bowed out to the Longford Champions on Sunday.

Best of luck to Ballinamere and Coolderry hurlers as they seek to progress next weekend.

GAA National Club Draw 2019.

Tickets are now on sale for the GAA National Club Draw 2019 with prizes ranging from a Renault Clio, Shopping and Travel Vouchers, to All Ireland Finals packages including match tickets, overnight accommodation and dinner for two in the Croke Park Hotel.

Ballycumber Dance Class.

Learn how to Jive, Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot and Line dance. Dance Classes every Monday night from 8pm in Ballycumber Community Centre.  Beginners class 8 - 9, Improvers from 9 - 10 and dancing for all from 10 - 11pm.  Great exercise and good fun, no partners required.

Lotto.

The numbers drawn this week were 3,16,24,28. No jackpot winner, two match three winners. Next week’s draw will be held in The Gav Inn on Monday night at 10 o’clock for a jackpot of 10,600 euros.

Play lotto on line at https://www.locallotto.ie/localhome.asp?LL_ID=415 until 8pm on Monday or buy tickets from local shops, pubs and from usual lotto sellers.

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