By Barrie Henriques
Forty-seven years ago the ‘Coolagh boys’ decided that it would be a good idea to revive the dormant Pattern that had been so much a part of the Coolagh community for a very long time.
Local community activist, James Neill (pronounced Nail), was very much central to the idea. He was also the venue benefactor for a number of years afterwards. A committee, led by chairman Billy Maher, a well-respected garage proprietor in Callan town, initially held committee meetings in Margaret Fennelly’s pub in Callan, and in the chairman’s house on the Cross of Coolagh. Eventually a bold decision was made at one meeting that the committee should consider buying the old Coolagh National School which had gone to rack and ruin on the Coolaghflags – a limestone rock base
For the uninformed, the Parish of Callan embraces three Churches. Obviously, the Parish Church is in the middle of the town, but the Hamlets of Newtown and Coolagh also have their own Churches. Both Newtown and Coolagh are some three miles removed from the heart-beat of the Callan town. As such they are clearly defined, and branded.
Meeting
That is not to say that there is not a very strong collective when the parish needs and demands. The ‘Coolagh Boys’ is a collective of a unique band of people – men and women – who though small in number have developed a culture of doing things the Coolagh way. They are very focused, never take unnecessary gambles, and when consensus is reached they invariably go ‘gung ho’ to completion. For instance the development of the old school; it stood proud, but bent atop the Coolagh flags. With Billy Maher at the helm it was decided that it should be purchased and restored to its former glory, and some. Fundraising became the buzz word. James Neill suggested the revival of the traditional Coolagh Pattern. Chairman Billy Maher thought it would be a sterling idea. The pattern was kicked back into life. The crowd on the day packed the venue. Not unlike the traditional Country Fair, without the ‘hurdy-gurdys-’ but a programme of fun, challenges, stalls, a football game between husbands and wives, a donkey derby etc., had the crowds leaving ‘James Neill’s’ field salivating for a repeat asap!
A Public meeting was held to purchase the old school. Over 40 Coolagh residents were in attendance. The vote revealed that all but one doubting Thomas were in favour. The same ‘doubter’ eventually came on board to be one of its greatest assets. His final task was to connect a water supply and fit a brand-new timber floor to the entire building with his friends, Dixie Grace, Jack Lyons, Mick Saunders and of course Chairman Billy.
The same chairman, still at the helm, familiarised the membership with the game of cards – my dearly departed mother always referred to a deck of cards as the Devil’s Prayer Book. News of the ‘new kid’ on the Card-playing block spread to the four corners of the Coolagh Principality and further. Card players came from Dunnamaggin, Windgap, Piltown, Tullaroan, Kilmanagh, Kilmoganny, Callan town, nine-mile-house and more. They were treated royally by the newly formed Ladies Committee. The Coolagh movement flourished, augmented with different events that were loyally approved and attended. That’s the thing about the ‘Coolagh Boys’; there is a tremendous bond between all genders up there. Collectively they stand shoulder to shoulder when the need arises.
Large crowds
The Centenary Church celebrations of a week-long festival in August 1996 drew crowds from a wide catchment area. The occasion was graciously enhanced and honoured by the attendance of Úachtarán na hÉireann, Mary Robinson. Some coup for the progressive Hamlet on a cross road some three miles from the Mother ship of Callan.
The fundraising card was going apace in the meantime. Stories abound.
Phil Hogan TD, a very regular visitor to the flags happened to be playing against some “Oscar- winning” exponents. The last card was played around the table going into Jackie Shea. With a card in his fist, the much loved, dearly departed Jackie came down with a clenched fist (as imposing as the front loader of a JCB) that nearly split the table in two, followed by the memorable “Hogan, I’ll give you a vote but not a soft trick me boy.”
A great crowd gathered recently in the Bishop Freeman schoolhouse to honour Billy Maher and his un rewardable service to the School house that saw it develop from a pile of rubble to a superb Community building. Councillor Joe Lyons has been front and foremost in the development as his father and mother Mona and Jack had been. Incoming chairman, Joan O’Keeffe welcomed Billy and wife Eileen, lauding the commitment to the project from the very outset. She was later to make presentations to them both. Former Councillor Tommy Maher was loud in his admiration and appreciation for the determination and commitment that had over-seen the development of the club thus far. A message from Bishop Niall Coll was warmly applauded, while Councillor Joe took the gathered proud Community on a verbal History of the Development from an embryonic heap of broken- down rubble to what it had now become.
Card games
A new development that was very apparent was the numbers of teenagers present in the hall. In conversation with John Corrigan, the newly elected card games organiser made the point that the only way to keep the card games going would be to teach youngsters the game. “We have three tables of nine all endeavouring to learn the game,” said John. “We also have a seasoned card player ‘sitting in’ instructing, and there is no doubt that all the youngsters are showing very commendable interest,” said the former Secretary of the Kilkenny & District Soccer League. John also told me that he is organising a bumper Progressive 25-Drive in the hall on Good Friday. People like Billy Maher have made a humongous contribution to the ‘Coolagh Story’. It will not ever be forgotten. Those special people cannot go on for ever, but they can retire in the sure knowledge that their successors will not be found wanting if and when the chips are down.
