Things down there in Conna
Dear Editor,
The older ones of us will know of the well known saying ‘How are things in Glocca Morra’ (or ‘Glocca Maura’ as we might say because of the pub near Caherdrinny on the way to Mitchelstown) from the lines of the musical Finian’s Rainbow but can you imagine Bing Crosby singing a slightly different chorus: “How are things down there in Conna / Is the pleasant Bride still running there / As it passes ‘neath the castle tall / So proud just like the charming people there”?
I see that village as a kind of Glocca Morra - a magical place full of wonderful people achieving wonderful things. It is home to many of the top jockeys and trainers - we have Richard Condon, Jonathan Burke, Jimmy Mangan and the stylish Jane (Mangan) who has gone on to excel as a racing pundit on RTE.
The hurlers are knocking on the door, but for me, the girls who make up the Catherine’s squad are tops. That said, I sincerely hope that both the lads and the lasses will shine even brighter this year. I know the girls are raring to go - ‘ when I go out walking, I hear people talking’!
In 1965, my family left Fermoy and moved down the road to Ballytrasna a few miles from Conna to concentrate on farming. Gradually, I lost all interest in sport until Christmas 2017 when I saw a picture of two great camogie ambassadors from the St Catherine’s club - Orla Cotter and Fiona Neville, being honoured at the Riordan’s SuperValu All-Star Awards ceremony. They won me over. From that Christmas to this very day, I have been a Catherine’s supporter - loyal to the backbone!
The Bride View Otter Hunt Club has kept the flag flying for a long time now. I don’t condone animal cruelty - I’ll go on defending country sports anyway as long as cruelty is kept to a minimum. In my youth, I spent many happy days out with the club.
I’ll always cherish
the memories of ‘the creamery’ and the craic that was had there with Paddy Hartnett & Co. Likewise, the craic and good company that was to be found in The Winners Enclosure - full of charm and atmosphere with Kay Moroney at the helm. Hopefully, Kay and the Twomey family at The Fisherman’s Rest, will be in a position to re-open soon again.
Tom and Kaye English do Trojan work and are ever helpful serving the public in their grocery store and newsagency. Mellerick’s shop was the heart of the village for many years and it’s great that Mike Mellerick took the baton from his parents, running the post office - another vital service for the people of the area. His parents Jerry and Margaret were hugely involved in the community.
The brilliant community there has not forgotten its elderly citizens - far from it. The local Community Council developed a cluster of twenty houses for older people with a top class social and daycare centre attached, welcoming visitors from all over TheAvondhu readership area. And for decades, the local community centre has been a hive of activity while the village boasts a very successful drama group that has travelled all over the country (God be with the late, great Tom Cotter).
My wish is to find my way back down to
Conna (and Ballytrasna) when this crippling pandemic is over and hopefully get to say a prayer in St Catherine’s Church and go on to renew a few old acquaintances!
I would like to extend greetings to Kevin Lane and Mike Mangan, Catherine Beausang (Ballyhampshire) and Mary, Josephine and Jenny (Mohera) - all Castlelyons; to my friend Eileen Keane (Chiropodist) and the Linehan sisters Kathleen (Ballymurphy) and Josephine (Smith) in Upper Ahern.
God be with the old folk.
Yours sincerely, Tom McAuliffe, Cluain Dara, Fermoy.