Tribute to Willie takes pride of place
MEMBERS OF the community in Clonegal gathered recently to celebrate the life of legendary local figure William ( Willie) White by unveiling a special commemorative stone in his honour.
A historian and writer of some repute, Willie was also well known for his voluntary work and dedication to community life in the village throughout his life. A great character, Willie served as PRO and secretary for practically every organisation in the area at one stage or another, among them Clonegal Development Association and Clonegal Village Fair Committee and he also served as Chairman of the 1798 Bicentenary Committee and the Clonegal Heritage Committee.
The special commemorative stone was unveiled on the soil where he was born and reared, presently known as the Wicklow Way Park. John McCabe got the ceremony under way and invited Chairman of Clonegal Tidy Village Committee Johnny Dunne to officially unveil the stone. Fr Joseph Fleming then gave a blessing before members of the 1798 bicentenary stood guard of honour to the sound of bagpipes being played by Eugene Murphy.
Dan Murphy paid tribute to his old friend, quoting a poem ‘My Native Land’, by Walter Scott, which Willie often used. He said that perhaps Willie’s greatest talent was to ‘inspire others to believe that this community was worth investing time and money in’.
Willie’s son Frank also paid tribute to his father, telling stories from days gone by and how it was Willie’s dream for Clonegal to win the National Tidy Towns competition.
The family were blown away by the gesture and thanks were expressed to the Tidy Village Committee, Phil Rooney and all those involved in putting the wheels in motion.