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County Carlow
NEWS ROUND-UP 1960

NEWS ROUND-UP 1960

By Mary Smyth

Source: Carloviana Vol. 1. No. 9. Dec. 1960.

It is with much difference that your new commentator takes up the pen laid down by Hugh Clifton on his departure from Carlow.

You will agree that few could equal him in the manner and execution of his job and in the gleaning of “the unconsidered trifle” as well as the big outstanding item. However, here goes for 1960, and unskilled as these notes maybe I hope they will call to memory a few pleasant highlights of this damp and dismal year.

Probably the biggest change in the face of Carlow is the new look acquired by St. Joseph’s Road and Green Lane corner. The New Schools were opened and blessed on a June day of blazing sunshine by His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Keogh. Models of beauty and efficiency they stand witness to the unswerving ideals and hard work of our Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Coughlan, and his wonderful band of voluntary helpers.

A very effective start has been made too on the new by-pass road from Barrack Street to Burrin Street which will be completed in 1963, and if we are to judge by the look of the Burrin Street end it will enhance the town, to say nothing of relieving traffic problems in Tullow and Dublin Streets. May we hope however that long before it’s opening the sordid ruins that deface so many of our roads and streets will have been dealt with.

Have you begun to look at TV sets yet? You soon will. Since Mount Leinster has been selected as the site of the second transmitter, Carlovian; are expecting Grade A reception.

Opinions differ as to the effect on homework and outdoor sports.

HOME ECONOMICS

Visiting Carlow in April Miss Crowley, Home Economics Adviser to I.C.A., suggested that Home Economics might well become a university subject. Belated recognition for the most worthy of professions!

I suppose “Home Cooking” links up with Fishing. Our two Angling Associations are quietly doing a splendid job. Numbers of British fishermen visited Carlow during the season and were highly pleased. One husband and wife I spoke to said they were coming back here for good “when Dad retires." Among the Salmon Anglers Ken Tucker brought glory to the town by returning from Waterford with the Festival Cup,’ and Michael Aylmer and Mervyn Lewis by catching the two biggest fish during the festival.

Girls! Next year wear your smartest shoes when walking on “The Track," and bless the name of George Bernard Shaw. No more rocks and pot holes. The Council has decided to “esplanade” as far as Montgomery Street, with £300 of the Shaw gift fund. No mean gift!

A sombre note: Carlow Town Rate climbed to 46/6 in the £ this year “and we have still not reached the ceiling," says a Councillor.

GOLF CLUB FIRE

Secretary Charlie Gough’s feelings of “horror and shock" were shared by golfers and non-golfers alike at the loss by fire in August of the 40-year-old Club House. Lady members were the worst sufferers but it is good to know that no fixtures were affected.

The Open Meeting in September and the Midland Scratch Cup in October went on as planned and we look forward with all golfers to seeing in the near future a new Club House in keeping with the magnificent Oak Park Links.

Carlow was roused from its customary placidity in September by the realisation that its Junior Hurling Team were All-Ireland champions. We have to look back over a span of fifty-odd years for a similar famous victory -—and how fitting that the hero of that 1907 match, Paddy Coyne, should still be the guide and inspiration of the team.

You who were schoolboys here, 45 golden years ago will remember, with affection Rev. Brother J. C. McKenna. This year he completes his 70th as an Irish Christian Brother. He has seen his ideals flower and fruit in the formation of a truly Irish nationhood. Long may he be spared.

CONGO

Two Carlow men took up high executive positions in different types of emergencies during the year. In January, when severe flooding took place in the Shannon Valley, relief operations were in the hands of Lt.-Col. P. Crowe, formerly of Chaplestown and Maryboro’ Street, Graiguecullen. And in August Comdt. E. J. Quigley went to the Congo as Operations Officer to the 33rd Infantry Batt. With him there are a number of young men from Carlow, Graiguecullen and surrounding. districts.

Dutch stoves will probably glow with hot Irish coal from now on. Crettyard mines have secured a two-year contract to supply anthracite and the first consignment was shipped from Waterford in August. More power!

Former very active young member of Old Carlow Society, Mary O’Hanlon now a medical student at U.C.D., spent some time this summer studying aspects of World Peace under Fr. Pire at Huy in Belgium. We look forward to hearing or reading about her work in the future.

Muintir na Tire pursued its busy way in its John St. Guild Hall during the year—-debates, meetings and chats and a visit to Rural Week at Rockwell College. Feverish activity I imagine too in the Scout Den, culminating in their camping holiday at Dunmore East.

NEW PREMISES

We all look forward to seeing the Rowing Club (our oldest off-spring) installed in new premises in time for next season. Wholehearted plunging in the “Barrow Pool” should ensure them the funds for their 2nd century!

Our river was enlivened during the summer by the arrival of the cabin cruiser “Cliche.” manned by Dr. Boland and family from Dublin. They had spent seven days afloat and voted it “terrific.” Mr. Early’s M.V. Thetis too, was a familiar and pleasant sight on the river but has deserted us for a new; anchorage.

“To fly through the air with the greatest of ease”—not my ambition, but it is the achievement of James and John O’Neill and Tom Jones who took an advanced course in gliding at Baldonnell this summer, soaring sometimes for up to 34 minutes. This is definitely do-it-yourself stuff.

Carlow Show was an innovation — an indoor affair - this year. It comprised all the exhibits usually shown under cover and was a great and colourful success.

The gallant efforts of the Swimming Club personnel to provide us with a swimming-pool are as yet unrewarded. But no such effort could be entirely in vain. This week it seems there is a possibility of obtaining sanction—and a grant for a pool on the River Burrin.

CULTURAL

Carlow Gaelic League Branch was much in evidence all the year. In addition to sponsoring a series of very interesting lectures they inaugurated a week-long Festival of Drama, with trophies presented by the Arts Council and Gael-Linn. (Incidentally the competition produced a budding dramatist from the Presentation Convent).

The Feis in June was blessed with sunshine—-a happy Irish day, so like the Feiseanna of one's childhood memories-—the thin sounds of the fiddle, the smell of oranges and crushed grass, and the bias on every side.

What are we to do about our Technical students, and what with our Public Library Books as they both overflow from totally inadequate premises? These are questions of the moment-and the solution of swapping “the Tech” for the old Union and transferring the library to the “Tech” does not seem to be the answer. At the moment both Library and Tech are orphans. Oh, for a rich Uncle to donate them about £30,000 and a couple of nice sites.

Carlow suffers from a shortage of Guinness’s and Olivier’s. (No pun). Where are the male Thespians lurking? Their modesty has deprived us of a Little Theatre play this Autumn, and our theatrical treats are all too few for that.

Carlow, by the way, was honoured by seeing Cyril Cusack in Macken’s new play “The Voices of Doolin” before its first night in Dublin’s Theatre Festival. Glad to say Carloviana’s crowded the Hall both nights and formed a very commendable audience.

The Opera

The talk of the town after Easter was “The Opera.” And what a lovely production “L’Elisir ” was — a painless introduction to Grand Opera, as I think Martin Dempsey suggested. Carlow voted a mighty thank-you to all concerned, particularly to the Director, Rev. Fr. Waldron. But for his tenacity and enthusiasm Carlow would still be operatically silent.

We look forward to “Traviata" it is good to hear the singing voices of our own people in these knob-controlled days.

Carlow was well represented at the Passion Play in Oberammergau. Some of our friends went on there after attending the Eucharistic Congress in Munich. A feast of colour, sound and fervour, they say. But we stay-at-homes had to be satisfied with their descriptions and their lovely postcards.

At the time of writing the C.Y.M.S. has announced a significant new feature-a series of Lectures in Social Ethics to be given under its auspices. The titles are stimulating and suggest a corrective for many of the grouses of our day and age.

And now--if you are still with me—accept my wonderful gratitude: and my apologies for all the errors and omissions. May 1961, when it comes, hold for you much that is good and interesting and exciting.

Author: MARY SMYTH,

11th October, 1960.

Carloviana. Vol. 1. No. 9. Dec. 1960. p.36-38.

Footnote: This was published 62 years ago