Plaque unveiled to 'Tottie' Foley
Over 100 people attended the unveiling of a plaque to
the late Tom (Tottie) Foley at John Street, on Sunday, August 6. 1995.
Described by UDC chairman, Joe McDonald, as "a man who was a giant in
his commitment to local community needs", Mr. Foley spent the best part
of 20 years cleaning up the old graveyard along the Barrow Track. The
plaque, which was unveiled by the recipient of the chairman's overseas
award, Mr Michael Dempsey, was erected by Carlow County Heritage Society
in association with Mrs. Patricia Miller, a member of the House of
Representatives for the State of Mississippi. The UDC chairman said
everyone in Carlow would identify with the tremendous work carried out
by Mr. Foley after he returned to Carlow following a lifetime working in
the US. "This plaque is a fitting tribute to Tom and I commend the
people responsible for erecting it. He also stated it was the UDC's
responsibility to ensure that Mr. Foley's work was continued and the old
graveyard did not fall back into ruin. "Anything less would be a
dishonour to the memory of this man who worked tirelessly for his
community," said Mr. McDonald.
-
- In Memory Of
- Tom "Tottie" Foley
- 1908 - 1984
-
Born in 2 John Street, Tom
emigrated to England in 1933, retired to his native
Town in 1964 and became actively involved in many
voluntarry organizations. We remember him especially
for his work at the old graves on the Barrow Track.
- "He thought of those who were
forgotten".
-
This plaque was erected
through the generosity of Patrica Miller, House of
Representatives Mississippi U.S.A.
- Patricia's Grand-mother Annie
Farrell Lived in 3 John Street.
- Unveiled 1995 by Michael
Dempsey, vice president Chase Manhattan Bank. U.S.A.
- Michael was born in 4 John
Street.
- Carlow County Heritage
Society.
|
The Foley family thanked all associated with the
unveiling of the plaque, especially the Carlow County Heritage Society,
Mrs Miller, the UDC and county council and Mr. Michael Dempsey who
unveiled the plaque. Mr. Liam O Ceallaigh, Secretary of Carlow County
Heritage Society, said Mr. Foley would be remembered especially for his
work on the old graves - but there was much more. In 1964, following
Tottie's retirement, then Co. Manager Matt Macken referred to the
patients of the Sacred Heart Home as "the living dead" whereupon Tottie
set about forming visiting committees and establishing lending libraries
for the patients. He was ably assisted by other Carlovians Alec Burns
and Liam O'Boyle. "That was the start of Tottie's involvement in the
local community - a commitment that was to see him become involved in
numerous voluntary organisations not alone in the town but throughout
the entire county," said Mr. O Ceallaigh. All of Tottie's achievements
have been preserved in his scrapbook, which, said Mr. O Ceallaigh,
showed Tottie to have been an excellent PR man "not for himself but to
draw attention to the various causes and projects he had become involved
with." The scrapbook has been copied by the Carlow County Heritage
Society and has been presented to Carlow County Library where it will
act as a valuable research utility for students and researchers.
-
- Co. Council chairman Fred Hunter
(left), UDC chairman Joe McDonald and Mrs. Ada Munnelly,
sister of the late Tottie Foley, pictured with Michael
Dempsey (right) who performed the unveiling. After the
unveiling, a reception was hosted by Tottie's grand
nephew, Kieran Foley, in Foleys pub, Kennedy Street.
|
Source: (The Nationalist. Friday, August 18th 1995
from the Nolan Newspaper cuttings provided by Mr. M Purcell.)
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