Sundial a focal point for 20 years

The 20th anniversary of the unveiling of the village’s sun dial fell on Tuesday last. The official opening ceremony of the monument took place on November 10 2000 and was performed by the then Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs Mr Dermot Ahern TD.

The centrepiece of the village was built to mark the advent of the new millennium and took three years to complete, with the initial meeting in regard to the project taking place in 1997.

A committee led by Larry Magnier, with members Jack McGahon, Brendan Watters, Chris Fingleton and John Horan was formed. A competition for the design was held which was won by local sculptor, Tanya Nygaard.

Funds were provided by the Peace and Reconciliation Programme, the National Millennium Committee as well as local sponsorship from the ESB, Nicholas Lynch Supermarket, Brendan Watters Insurances and BHK Credit Union.

The architect for the project was John F. McGahon and Sons, and the building contractor was Padraig Moneley.

The monument has become ‘a symbol for Blackrock as well as a focal point in the village and a very positive addition to the community,’ commented chairman, John Horan of the Tidy Towns Committee that was to the forefront in ensuring the project was completed.

A time capsule containing photographs of the village and the people and an account of life in the village was inserted in the monument for future generations to learn what life was about at the turn of the 21st century.

This photograph will evoke some nostalgia and bring back happy memories. It is of the victorious Gerladines team that beat Mattock Rangers to win the McArdle Cup in 1961. The locals won on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-2. The line-up comprised: Back Row L/R Phil Lynch, Joe Gogarty, James Campbell, Paddy McDonnell, Jim Watters, John McKenna, Joe Lynch, Kieran Taaffe. Front Row L/R Christy Watters, T Brennan, Roger Lynch, Frank Lynch, Tony Duggan, Gerry Byrne, Kevin ‘Whitey’ Lynch

Dullaghan/Newspics Photos: Aidan Above, Norman McDonnell and Naomi O’Donoghue, Connect Credit Union, with Mary Rowley, John Horan, Marie McCallion and Pat Rafferty, Blackrock Tidy Towns. Below, Norman McDonnell, CEO, Connect Credit Union makes a presentation to John Horan, Blackrock Tidy Towns.