Remembering Kildorrery’s Eugene Kennedy
Eugene Kennedy lived a simple but fulfilled life. He was not a person who sought the limelight but in his own quiet way his achievements and legacy to Kildorrery village and the surrounding area are a testament to his genius and foresight.
Eugene was an enterprising and industrious individual who got the most out of his relatively small farm in Oldcastletown during the tough times of the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s. He had a herd of cows and supplied milk to the local creamery and also grew grain and held a yearly threshing. He utilised every square foot of his land, including a couple of acres of a quarry where he grew vegetables and in particular, his carrots and cabbage plants were top quality and very much in demand.
Another successful venture for Eugene transpired when he purchased a new Ford Thames 800 pick-up truck in 1958. Apart for its use for domestic purposes, the truck was used to transport his own merchandise and as a general utility service to the public with regard to the transport of livestock, hay, straw etc. Many times his truck was used to bring people to a GAA match, sports events and indeed to funerals outside the area. People then were happy to sit on the floor of the truck and they appreciated the lift.
Eugene Kennedy was a very devout and religious person, totally honest and highly respected and trusted by all who knew him. He was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association.
Eugene had a great love of the Irish language and during the 1950/60s, attended weekly Gaelic League classes conducted by Padraig Ó Braoin in Kildorrery Town Hall, together with his good friend Denis Bowman and others. He also loved drama and had leading roles in the Lenten plays held in Kildorrery during the ‘50s and ‘60s. When Eugene committed himself to something, he gave it his all.
DEVOTED COMMUNITY MAN
It was Eugene’s idea and hard work that led to a very successful reunion of the past pupils of Graigue National School on 29th September 2001 and the unveiling of a plaque on the same day at Cullinagh in remembrance of the old school where Eugene started his formal education and that served the area up to 1942. Many past pupils travelled from all over Ireland and further afield to mark the occasion.
The research and subsequent renovation of the site at the Mass rock in Farrahy was another of Eugene’s accomplishments. A hitherto relatively unknown historic monument and environs were transformed to what is now a place of worship. Up to recent times (before Covid) Eugene was part of the organising group for the annual Mass celebrated at the site during the month of July. He was always proud to read some of the prayers and hopefully he will be remembered, especially this year.
For many years Eugene was an active member of Kildorrery Historical Society and he had a vast and accurate knowledge and recollection of events at local level and in surrounding areas. He was one of the instigators of the annual Christmas Newsletter and contributed several articles over the years. Up to recent times he was frequently consulted by people trying to trace their roots and ancestors.
Eugene was also an active member of Kildorrery Community Development Association and through his involvement, he became a founder member of the Tidy Towns group. He entered Kildorrery for the first time in the National Tidy Towns competition in 1994 and was the major driving force behind Tidy Towns in Kildorrery for several years. The erection of the Grotto on the Fermoy Road in the village was one of his many achievements. This shrine was dedicated by Canon Patrick Twomey in August 2010.
ONE OF LIFE’S TRUE GENTLEMEN
He was also one of the founder members of the local Community Employment Scheme (Rockmills Group Ltd.) which was set up in Kildorrery in 1997 and amalgamated with Glanworth and Ballindangan shortly afterwards. Eugene served as treasurer until he retired in 2015, but remained on as a director and continued to have a great interest in the success of the scheme and its participants.
Eugene was one of life’s true gentlemen and will be sadly missed by the entire community of Kildorrery, but his legacy will live on for future generations. Soilse na bhFlaitheas da anam uasal.