Joan receives Benemerenti medal

THE Benemerenti Medal is an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established as an award to soldiers in the Papal Army, the medal was later extended to the clergy and the laity for service to the church.

Last Sunday, an auspicious occasion took place at Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Knightstown with the presentation of such a medal to Joan Gallagher by Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne.

It was presented in Papal recognition of services rendered for over 63 years as organist in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Derarca and Teresa, Chapeltown.

Bishop Browne was assisted at Mass by Fr Larry Kelly, PP of Cahirsiveen and Fr Gerard Finucane, PP of Waterville. Choir colleague Michael Egan spoke in Joan’s honour.

Having completed her primary teacher training in Carysfort College, Dublin, Joan (nee Burke) began teaching in Ballyhearney NS at 19 in 1953, being also it’s principal. She credits her Music teacher at Knightstown NS Bessie Condon, with instilling an abiding interest and love of music. She also attributes her teacher in Carysfort, Oliver O’Brien, who was known nationwide.

The commencement of Joan’s teaching days in Ballyhearney also coincided with the commencement of her days as an Organist and in 1953 she took over the role from Mrs Duane of Knightstown. “Those were the days of the Latin Mass,” she states.

Joan also says that her days as an organist and choir singing teacher were very much facilitated by an abiding and traditional interest among Valentia Islanders in church music. S he would also like to thank Michael Egan, Bishop Ray Browne, Fr Larry Kelly, Fr Gerard Finucane, the altar servers, Sacristan Eileen Shanahan, the Parish Council and various church workers who contributed so much to the day.

Joan Gallagher contributed in a big way to the childhood happiness of those of us who were her pupils in the old Ballyhearney NS and all good future wishes are extended to her. Go maire si’ le fada agus at súil again go mbainfidh si’ taitneamh agus sonas as a saol roimpi amach.

Back,L-R: Josephine Brennan, Dominic Burke, Betty Casey, Des Burke, Frank Burke. Joan Gallagher, Bishop of Kerry, Raymond Browne. Joan Gallagher with her brothers and sisters pictured in the grounds of the church of the Immaculate Conception at the occasion of her Papal Medal Presentation. Front: