SCARTAGLEN

WALKING ROUTES

With restrictions still in force to curb the COVID-19, many people are now out walking and the recent fine sunny weather has certainly got people out to take the fresh air and get some essential exercise. In this locality some of the more popular walking routes are Mount, Mullen, Adriville, Direen Road and the Mount Pigeon road circuit.

NEW ARRIVAL

Congratulations and all best wishes are extended to Daniel and Julie Murphy of Ballahantourig, Scartaglen on the birth of their baby boy Daniel who was born in Kerry University Hospital Tralee recently. Daniel weighed 8lb 1 1/2ozs and is a little baby brother for Fionn.

SEVERE WEATHER

I recently came across an article which stated that in 1882 a big wind arose in Co Kerry and was so powerful that it knocked the belfry and parts of the front of the old church in Scartaglen and mass had to be celebrated in Mrs. Kerin’s house that morning. In 1896 Hugh O Connor who had been a teacher in Scartaglen National School died and that night a huge snowstorm hit the locality. The corpse had to remain in the house for five days before Mr O Connor could be buried and men had to go with spades and shovels to clear a way to the burial ground. These happenings are probably true, but one thing is certain, there is no one living now from these times to confirm that such events happened.

LOOKING BACK

Some events and happenings in this locality around this time of year 41 years ago (1979) were: Children attending the old Scartaglen NS were withdrawn as a form of protest over the continuing delay in re-commencing the work of building a new school for the parish. Twenty two young people from Scartaglen Parish were confirmed in Castleisland Church by the late Mast. Rev Dr Kevin McNamara, Bishop of Kerry.

A large crowd turned out for the annual open-air mass in Kilsarcon Cemetery which was celebrated by the late Fr. Flavin PP Killeentierna.

A marriage was that of Catherine Horan of Knockeenahone and Mr McGurk of Kenmare. Deaths were those of Humphrey Fleming of Barna and John Leane of Desmonds Ave, Castleisland and formerly of Scartaglen. At a Conradh na Gaeilge concert in Castleisland, music was provided by “Na Filí” as well as by local musicians, the late Mikey Duggan and the late Johnny O Leary.

FAMILIAR FACES

Since the start of the Public Health Emergency, we have become very familiar with medical personnel who appear on our TV screens on a regular basis, some even on each evening viz Dr. Tony Holohan (the Chief Medical Officer) who gives an update on a daily basis on Covid-19. Others include Dr. Paul Reid (CEO of HSE), Dr. Cillian De Gascun, Dr Colm Henry, Sam McConkey, Kingston Mills, Luke O Neill etc. These men have almost become as well known as Ryan Tubridy, Miriam O Callaghan, Bryan Dobson or Matt Cooper in a short space of time.