‘WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER CON’
THE CON HOULIHAN COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE RESPONDS TO LAST WEEK’S KERRYMAN ARTICLE BY STEPHEN FERNANE WHICH HIGHLIGHTED HOW THE CELEBRATED JOURNALIST’S BIRTHPLACE IS IN WRACK AND RUIN.
IREFER to your interesting article by Stephen Fernane in The Kerryman of Wednesday June 21 on the house where the famous Con Houlihan was born. Irish Times journalist, Ian O’Riordan also referred to the present decaying condition of the house which is overgrown and neglected as no one has come forward to live in it for several years.
The sportsman, writer and folk hero, Con Houlihan died in August, 2012. He lived in Dublin since 1970 and is laid to rest in Kilbannivane Cemetery, outside his native Castleisland.
On Saturday May 4, 2013 a small but energetic committee headed up by Cllr Bobby O’Connell and under the umbrella of Minister at the time, Jimmy Deenihan, held the first Seminar and Folk School in the Rugby Club, Castleisland - Con’s old stamping ground.
The Mayor of Kerry Terry O’Brien got the Seminar off to a great start and some excellent speakers such as Billy Keane, Listowel, Michael O’Regan, Frank Grealy, Aiden Murphy and Cllr Bobby O’Connell contributed and recalled the life and times of the great Con.
In December 2016 Dan Casey staged a concert in remembrance of Con in the River Island Hotel with guest artists including the famous John Sheehan of the Dubliners and Kerry’s own Dan O’Mahony, together with back up dancers and singers. This was a most enjoyable and high class performance playing to a full house.
I have discussed plans for a commemoration programme with Dan Casey and also with Con’s great friend from Listowel, Billy Keane and I’m pleased to say that plans are underway for a suitable function, seminar, traditional music, refreshments and entertainment event which will be held at the Rugby Club in Castleisland. No doubt Con himself would approve and in looking down from his seat in heaven would probably utter “What’s all the fuss about, did somebody die?”
The dilapidated house - the birth place of Con - is now an eyesore and is hidden away off the main road. It is steeped in history and tradition and is referred to in several of his books as he loved his native place. However, it would cost a small fortune to restore and for many visitors it is off the beaten track.
On discussing the matter highlighted in your paper with friends and relations it has been proposed that a small traditional building be erected at the viewing area on the main road near the house overlooking the Gleannsarune River and the Castleisland countryside where Con enjoyed his youthful years. The hundreds of visitors that stop here every day to view the most excellent scenery would appreciate this. Such a building would become an Interpretive Centre, stocked with Con’s writings, videos, and other mementos to his time as a cultural writer, sports journalist, folklore historian, athlete and sportsman.
As a close friend of Con’s for many years during my time as a publican in Castleisland, I firmly believe the time has come to consider this option. From a commercial point of view the name ‘Con Houlihan’ is a top brand name, one held in great esteem and the annual ‘Con Houlihan Seminar’ would one day equal the Merriman School in Clare, the McGill Gathering in Donegal and the Willie Clancy annual music session in Milltown, Malbay. There is no reason why the local, energetic committee cannot rise to this challenge and provide a home for all his works for Ireland and the world to cherish. Where there’s a will there’s a way as the saying goes.
I will be contacting our new Minister Brendan Griffin and I have no doubt that Brendan will carry on where Jimmy Deenihan left off. Jimmy was always available when seeking new ventures, especially when it concerned his personal friend Con Houlihan.
The government funding and encouragement for this site may be one of the first tourism related projects to land on the new Minister’s desk and I also take this opportunity to congratulate Brendan on my own behalf, and on behalf of the Con Houlihan Commemoration Committee. The support of the Castleisland Alliance Chamber under Jeremy Burke and the Rugby Club under Dan Casey will be vital to achieve the desired conclusion and they are working together to draw up plans for 2017.
The family of the late Con have also supported commemorations down through years, some of them travelling from Dublin and south Kerry to attend. Con Houlihan will always be remembered in his home town and throughout Sliabh Luachra.
As the great Kerry poet Sigerson Clifford once said: “We are left to speak his name and praise him while we can.”
Donal P. Murphy - Honorary President, Con Houlihan Commemoration Committee Castleisland.