Sensory Garden
can be explained in that post the Truce in 1921, the local IRA took over the R.I.C. Barracks in November and utilised it during the Civil War until they evacuated in the summer of 1923. Prior to retreating, the IRA burned the barracks before the Free State army could utilise it. In doing so, it appears that the adjoining Griffith’s premises was also burned, as it was felt that could also be commandeered as it was vacant at that time.
BATTY BRENNAN’S FUNERAL
O’Brien’s developed the Church Street premises into a large hardware business which has been in constant use up to today, as one of Billy Hale’s importing business properties. Whilst the business premises itself was burnt and remained a shell of a building for almost a century, O’Brien’s did utilise the outhouses and one in particular was used for storing coffins on the upper level and the hearse on the lower. Tom O’Brien who inherited the site, ran and expanded the hardware business which resulted in the various properties being combined to form one large business yard for the various businesses operated by the O’Briens, hence the site now acquired the name Brien’s.
In 1974 Con Donovan M.C.C., a local shopkeeper on Main Street, purchased the property from Tom O’Brien. Just a year later, Tom bought back the rear portion of the site (today, part of Hale’s yard) and Con Donovan retained the front portion (Main Street side) which is today the site of the new sensory garden. The pub ruins had diminished by this time to an arch on Main Street and the gable end adjoining the hall and this area proved a good hunting ground for young fellas up to harmless mischief for a good number of years, myself included.
One interesting footnote, is that while the hearse moved on, the coffins remained, along with the shed. However what was left were bits and bobs, one such coffin made its way to Araglen and was part of a successful entrant in the annual carnival fancy dress, being centre stage on the back of a trailer in Batty Brennan’s funeral (from The Riordans TV show). Seizing the opportunity, Con Donovan sold on the remaining coffins to drama societies far and wide in Munster.
For a number of years it was used to store grass seeds for which Con was the Townsend-Flahavans agent. During the 1980s and 1990s, it was also used as a storage area, but primarily for large items associated with the community council and the homecoming festival. John Donovan, now resident in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford inherited the property from his father, Con, in 2006 and he in turn sold it on to the community council in June 2018.
ALICE RYAN
For many people, the site will be known for where the Cork to Kilkenny bus stopped every evening and it’s only right we remember one of its most ardent users down the years and indeed up to recent times, Alice Ryan who passed away recently. I can’t think of anyone who would have passed this site as much as Alice, be it using the bus stop, going about her daily business and indeed her community involvement locally in the community council and ICA and for many the years, she was guardian of the adjoining parochial hall itself. It’s only fitting that Alice got to see the site rejuvenated as a sensory garden and I’ve no doubt she would have kept an eye on it.
As I end this bit of local history, I realise it’s really only beginning for this small spot of our village, and who knows with the well-crafted garden beds, water feature, seating area, sculpture, hiking and stage area, it may spawn another famous ballad. It may even host another wedding or two in time to come!