Great Connell Churchyard

@

Connellmore Cross

Crosaire Chonaill Mhoir

Great Connell Graveyard Overgrown with Church in Background

As children living on Great Connell Road we often explored the two old graveyards adjacent to Connellmore Cross Roads – in those days one would enter these old overgrown graveyards with some feeling of interpretation, and often as a “dare” – those were different times in Ireland – there was a silent respect, nay even a niggling fear of what would or could be waiting in a graveyard.

Great Connell Graveyard

The more famous of these is located within the surviving (although crumbling) ruins of Great Connell Priory (established in 1202 and finally suppressed in 1541) and is a “protected structure” (KD 023/16) #1.

There is larger graveyard alongside the “main” road – Great Connell Road – surrounding what is termed “Great Connell Church”  which is somewhat more overgrown and difficult to navigate. #2

Great Connell Church Interior Doorway / Roof Damage

The official record published by Kildare County Council  (Ref: K208) states that the graveyard is in the townland of Great Connell [Grid ref 281924(E), 214216(N)], and the RC parish of Newbridge. I was somewhat surprised to note that this graveyard is still officially “open”. #2

Great Connell Church Interior Chancel Area / Roof Damage

The denomination of the graveyard is recorded as Roman Catholic #2, although I am not sure that this is totally correct, as there are a mixture of Catholic and Protestant headstones located in this graveyard, and in his study of Great Connell Priory Thomas A. Loughlin suggests that “A Church of Ireland Church was built north of the site” in 1780 #1. Despite the visual evidence provided by the headstones, some of which are obviously Church of Ireland / Protestant and some Roman Catholic, I am open to correction on my surmising that the church was not exclusively Roman Catholic in this instance.

Great Connell Church Interior Doorway

Great Connell Church Interior View of Window

Sadly, the church building itself is deteriorating at an exceptionally fast pace, the roof has now almost completely collapsed, the floor has been pulled up over the years, and only few of the floorboards remain, and the old inscriptions which once adorned the windows have faded considerably even in the few years since I last visited the graveyard.

Unfortunately, the County Council have not considered it prudent or necessary to include this old, although disused church, on the protected structures list for the county, and even now at this late stage the Council could rectify this and protect what remains of the structure, which could then be made safe and even restored.

Great Connell Church Interior Roof over Doorway

The graveyard is surrounded by a combination of an earthen bank and a rough coursed stone wall about three feet high (for younger readers that’s about one-metre-high), in my memory there was once a small pond just outside the walls on the Newbridge (eastern?) side of the cemetery – I remember collecting tadpoles there as a child – but it looks like the pond is long gone. The old gate is easily opened,  there is also a stone style nearby allowing relatively easy access to the graveyard – however it is fairly uneven and overgrown underfoot so some visitors may not be able to progress very far into the graveyard.

There are a couple of well-worn paths, one leading to what remains of the ivy covered entrance to the old church which is located in the centre of the graveyard site, and another which leads to some of the easily accessible graves and around the other (eastern?) side of the old church. Many of the roof slates lie on the ground beside this wall of the church.

Great Connell Church with Railed Graves in the foreground

Unfortunately, there is ample evidence of some unwelcome visitors to this peaceful place – evidenced by litter, drink containers, and persons dumping their household rubbish inside the wall or along the earthen bank. So much for our Irish reputation for respecting graveyards – those buried there, regardless of religion / or none, should at least expect that their last resting place would not be disrespected by the few.

Great Connell Graveyard Overgrown

The graveyard is a most secluded spot, there are many mature trees within and on the boundary of the graveyard, as I mentioned previously it is extremely overgrown – to the point of being relatively inaccessible in parts because of the brambles, saplings and dense undergrowth. Those graves and headstones which are readily accessible are in many cases partially covered with ivy, mosses and lichens.

Great Connell Church & Graveyard

The Kildare County Council record  states that the church and graveyard are clearly marked on the 1st edition OS 6″ map and the 1897-1913 OS 25″ map, and that most of the headstones are from the 19th and 20th century. #2

Great Connell Church Roof Collapsed

The graveyard although overgrown contains many old (and a few new) headstones which vary from single upright headstones set into the ground, cross-shaped memorials, with a selection of enclosed (kerbed) graves, some with attractive railings. Some “table” or bevelled stones set into the ground covering the whole grave some of which are inscribed. I wonder if there are any crypts or vaults in this graveyard – difficult to determine as it is considerably overgrown.

I wonder if there are any accessible records for those buried here – they would be a fascinating resource, or indeed is there any prospect of the community of the area and the town would, with permission from the Council, consider clearing some of the scrub and opening up the graveyard to those who have family members buried there, or indeed for those who have an interest in researching their family tree……

So I had a look at some of the epitaphs and inscriptions on the headstones – then as now most record the name, places and dates of birth or death, some with rank or profession, but each one a lasting memorial to an individual or individuals who were loved and cherished in life and remembered after their death.

It is probable that some of the families of those interred here have “died out”, or left the area, but there is ample evidence that some of the people commemorated here have descendents still living in Newbridge and the surrounding area.

Great Connell Graveyard, Frederic William Lee Morier

TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF / FREDERIC WILLIAM LEE MORIER / LIEUTENANT ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY / ELDEST SON / OF VICE ADMIRAL MORIER / AND FRANCES LEE HIS WIFE / HE WAS BORN / ON THE 7^TH DAY OF AUGUST 1842 / AND DIED AT NEWBRIDGE / THE 7^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 1869 / “BEHOLD I TAKE AWAY THE DESIRE / OF THINE EYES WITH A STROKE” / EZ: XX1V.10 / I WAS DUMB AND OPENED NOT MY / MOUTH, BECAUSE THOU DIDS’T IT” / PS: XXX1X.9. / THIS STONE IS PLACED IN / REMEMBRANCE OF HER DEARLY / BELOVED SON BY HIS MOTHER.

Frederick was just 27 when he died in “Newbridge Barracks, Kildare, Ireland”, his father was (Admiral) William Robert Morier (1790 / 1864) and his mother was Frances (Fanny) Lee Bevan (1819 / 1903). It would appear that he had two sisters and two brothers, as far as I can determine he never married. #3

Great Connell Graveyard, Doctor Thomas Gethin Kerin Newbridge

ERECTED / IN / AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE / BY THE SORROWING / WIDOW OF / DOCTOR THOMAS GETHIN KERIN / IN NEWBRIDGE / WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE / 8^th DECEMBER 1888, AGED 71 YEARS / NOT LOST TO MEMORY, NOT LOST TO LOVE / BUT GONE TO HIS FATHERS HOME ABOVE / BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN THE LORD.

Could one assume that his wife Sarah was buried here as well, however there is no memorial to Sarah that I could find. Thomas Gethin Kerin’s Will is however available. “On the 5th February 1889, Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Thomas Gethin Kerin formerly of Tramore County Waterford but late of Newbridge County Kildare M.D. who died 8 December 1888 at latter place were granted at the Principal Registry to Sarah Kerin of Newbridge the Widow” The Effects amounted to £172. #4

Great Connell Graveyard, William Kingston Young / Mary Jane Young / Trophina Evelyn Young

IN / LOVING MEMORY / OF / WILLIAM KINGSTON YOUNG L.P.S.I NEWBRIDGE / WHO DIED 24^TH APRIL 1901 / AGED 41 YEARS / AND OF AN INFANT DAUGHTER / TROPHINA EVELYN WHO DIED 5^th MAY 1889 / AGED 8 MONTHS / AND OF / MARY JANE WIFE OF  / WILLIAM KINGSTON YOUNG / WHO DIED 15^TH DECEMBER 1920 / AGED 60 YEARS / “JUST AS I AM WITHOUT ONE PLEA”

According to the 1901 census both William Kingston Young and his wife Mary Jane were born in Co. Cork, William was a Pharmaceutical Chemist. They had three other daughters and one son. #5

Great Connell Graveyard Margaret Matilda Hoyle Fisher

TO THE MEMORY OF / MARGARET HOYLE / THE BELOVED WIFE OF / HUGH WOOLCOMBE-BOYCE / 19^th PRINCESS OF WALES OWN HUSSARS / WHO DIED MARCH 1887 / AGED 26 YEARS

This inscription led me to the following information – Margaret Matilda Hoyle Fisher (b. 1860 / d. March 1887 at Piercetown House, aged 26) married Captain Hugh Woollcombe-Boyce (b. 1861 / d. March 1890 at the age of 28) in May 1886. The couple had one daughter Margery Barbara Woollcombe-Boyce (b. Feb 1887 at Piercetown House, Newbridge) who was orphaned at the age of tree. #6

Great Connell Graveyard Eyre Powell’s railed grave

TO EYRE POWELL Esq. / BORN 10^th AUG 1810 DIED 29^th DEC 1871 AGED 61 YEARS / ALSO / TO THE MEMORY OF / GEORGE EYRE POWELL / MAJOR ROYAL DUBLIN MALITIA / BORN 15^th MARCH 1813 DIED 4^th JAN 1870 AGED 56 / AT LUGANO SWITZERLAND / AND TO THEIR SISTER / CHARLOTTE POWELL / WHO DIED 26 JUNE 1895.

The Leinster Express on 6^th January 1872 reported that “On Monday morning last the remains of the late Eyre Powell arrived at Newbridge, from Dublin, by the eleven o’clock train for interment in the family burying place at Great Connell…… The coffin, which was of highly polished Irish oak, mounted with massive brass fittings, and bore upon it the inscription “Eyre Powell, died 29th December, 1871, aged 61 years,” was carried by the tenantry of the deceased gentleman.” #7

Eyre Powell, was selected to occupy the first chair of the Town Commission formed in 1865.

Great Connell Graveyard the Goff Family

IN / LOVING MEMORY / OF / ADA GOFF / WHO DIED 3^RD JULY 1893 / AND OF ANNE JOHNSTON GOFF / WHO DIED 13^TH JULY 1894 / DAUGHTERS OF / ROBERT J GOFF JP / PIERCETOWN HOUSE, NEWBRIDGE, / ALSO HIS SON / ALEXANDER GEORGE GOFF / WHO DIED 17^TH NOVEMBER 1898 / ALSO THEIR BELOVED FATHER ROBERT JOHNSTON GOFF  / WHO DIED 16^TH APRIL 1907 / ALSO IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS SON / ROBERT WILLIAM GOFF / WHO DIED ON THE 13^TH OF DECEMBER 1916 / AT FOLKESTONE KENT AND WAS BURIED THERE  / THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I SHALL NOT WANT.

HIM THAT COMETH ONTO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT / “NEARER MY GOD TO THEE”

The name Goff has been synonymous with Irish bloodstock sales and was founded by Robert J. Goff after he was appointed official auctioneer to the Turf Club in 1866. This site states that Robert died in 1907. #8

Ada Goff’s Will “On the 31^st October 1893, Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Ada Goff late of Piercetown County Kildare Spinster who died 13 July 1883 at same place were granted at the Principal Registry to Robert Johnston Goff of Piercetown Esquire the Father” The Effects amounted to £1,346 10s. 3d. #9

Sources:

#1 Full title “The Priory of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at Great Connell” from a study by Mr. Thomas A. Loughlin and available at Desk Study Great Connell Priory

#2 Kildare County Council – Graveyard Details

#3 A Parcel of ribbons Frederic William Lee Morier

#4 National Archives Will Calenders (Pdf)

#5 National Archives 1901 Census

#5 National Archives 1911 Census

#6 The Peerage .com

#7 Kildare .ie History

#8 Goff’s History

#9 National Archives Will Calenders (Pdf) Goff

Photographs ©dwdepaor

A Ramble along some Local Bog roads

The turf fire was the main source of heating and cooking in this part of Ireland prior to the introduction of oil and electricity, and many families either owned turf banks or had traditional “turbary rights” in relation to certain areas of bog land – and thus held a right to cut / harvest turf from the bog land.

A view across the Bog

A view across the Bog

The bogs in this area around County Kildare probably took 10,000 or more years to form and have a wide variety and diverse range of plants including colourful wildflowers, bog cottons, heather’s, orchids, reeds and many more. Birdsong coming from the trees and the undergrowth on the Hawkfield Bog signified a healthy bird population, and a few frogs were observed hopping through the undergrowth.

The Poppy Blooms on the Bog

Clusters of reeds abound.

What surprised me was the lack of butterflies, and other than the occasional bumble bee among the heather’s and visiting the flowers along the roadside there was however little evidence of bees in the area. Birds of prey hovered overhead.

Wildlife on the Bog

Butterfly on the Bog

In the 1930’s the Turf Development Board (Bord um Forbairt Móna) commenced work developing the bogs, this development board eventually became Bord na Mona – who are now involved in conservation of some bog lands as well as developing modern sustainable method of generating energy such as harvesting the power of wind.¹

Railway Bord na Móna Bog

Barnaran Bog

The Bogs have yielded more than a turf harvest over the years, and because the bog has the conditions required for excellent preservation of once living tissue – containers of butter, hidden valuables, an old dug-out canoe (which I remember seeing in the then museum in Bord na Móna many years ago) have been found in bogs around the country.

Wildflowers on the Bog

Wildflowers on the Bog

Of particular interest to anthropologists and historians – a number of ancient human remains have also been found – examples in the National Museum include Old Croghan Man dated to between around 400 BC and 200 BC ² and Cashel Man who died in the Early Bronze Age around 2000BC.³

Turf Footings on the Bog

The nearby Bog of Allen is the largest raised peat bog in Ireland stretching over an area of 950 Sq. KM, ⁴ the bog we visited is located between Newbridge and Milltown, and can be accessed from a number of roads – which loop around the bog and provide vantage points from which the bog with its wonderful flora and fauna can be viewed. We followed local road L7039 off the “Milltown Road” (R416) in Hawkfield which leads to a bog land bordered by the townlands of Hawkfield, Baronstown, Clongownagh, Grangehiggin, Clongorey, Barrettstown, Tankardsgarden and Roseberry and can be followed all the way around back to the R416⁵.

Bog Cotton Fields Halkfield Bog

Bog Cotton Fields Halkfield Bog

The bogs can be severely damaged by fire, and this can have irreparable damage to the wildlife on the bogs – birds and larger animals such as the Fox can probably out-run fire, but smaller animals and insects such as frogs could succumb to the smoke and flames – therefore it is inadvisable to smoke or use exposed flame on or near the bog lands.

Fire on Roseberry / Mouds Bog

It was disappointing to see some evidence of dumping in the area, why would someone travel so far off the “beaten track” to dump an item like a battery which can be easily (and safely) recycled in your local hardware store….

Some dumping is evident

Remnants of Metal Drums

There is a wide variety of plants and wildlife visible along the sides of the road / path which loops around the bog.

Hedgerow Wildflowers

Wildflowers on the Bog

Wildflowers on the Bog

Bumble Bee on Halkfield Bog

Bumble Bee on Halkfield Bog

Useful Websites and Sources

¹ Bord na Móna Website

² The National Museum of Ireland Website

³ The National Museum of Ireland Website

⁴ Irish Peatland Conservation Council Website

⁵ Ordnance Survey Ireland Mapping Website

AskAboutIreland & ENFO Website

Collecting Stamps

Stamp Collecting or as it is formally known – Philately is a nice hobby, it does not have to be terribly expensive – unless of course you want to purchase very rare stamps – and the vault needed to store them in!

I don’t know when I actually started collecting Postage Stamps – but I must have been very young. In the 1960’s “Stamp Collecting” was a very popular pastime and many young boys (and it was nearly always boy’s) seemed to be collecting stamps of one sort or another, there were stamp clubs – I remember such a club in Newbridge College when I was there – so that was in the mid 1970’s.

Some used stamps issued by Ireland / Éire 1922-1923

In recent years however it would appear that the numbers of young people collecting stamps has decreased phenomenally, indeed I do not think I know if any of my sons friends collect stamps these days – probably the impact of Email has had  a detrimental effect on the hobby.

Stamps from Poland

While a child I collected many stamps from all over the world – somewhat neglecting the great selection of Irish Stamps which were available – I suppose the allure of stamps from foreign lands was more attractive than the stamps you saw every day.  However since the 1980’s I have taken a different tack, and concentrate on Irish stamps  – specifically unmounted mint stamps and I generally attend the annual Stampa Exhibition, (usually in the RDS) –  it provides me with an opportunity to “fill in a few gaps” in my collection.

The first postage stamp (1840) showed the head of Britain’s (and indeed in those days Ireland’s) Queen Victoria – and was known as the “Penny Black” – and introduced the concept of paying for postage at the time of posting – as up to this time it was the person receiving the letter who had to pay the Postman.

For many collectors possession of this “Penny Black” stamp is akin to achieving the “holy grail” of stamp collecting. Not surprising then that these little pieces of coloured paper are worth some considerable amounts of money – even more so if they are in exceptionally good condition.

In that time a person purchased a sheet of stamps, and carefully cut the stamp from the sheet and glued it to the envelope, later a Dubliner called Henry Archer developed a method of perforating stamps – which even today allows people to easily remove one or more stamps as were needed for postage. Modern stamps can also be of the self-adhesive variety – you don’t even have to lick them anymore!

Stamps issued to commemorate The International Festival of Youth Moscow 1985

Nowadays there are many specialist collectors – people who ONLY collect stamps with birds or trees or EUROPA stamps, others who only collect used stamps (with a nice cantered franking mark), or those who only collect MINT stamps – ones which have never been used for postage and have their glue intact on the back. Some collectors only collect First Day of Issue Stamps (and/or covers). There are as many types of collector as there are themes on stamps, types of stamp or countries which issue them.

Some of the more sentimental stamps in my old collection hail from South Africa and Gibraltar – in the 1970’s my paternal uncle Nicholas was a Christian Brother teaching in South Africa and from that far off land sent me an envelope of various used stamps to “enhance my collection”, these stamps were all issued in the Apartheid Era in that country.

Examples of South African Stamps

Examples of South African Stamps

Examples of South African Stamps

My uncle Martin –  also a Christian Brother – in those days teaching in Gibraltar also sent stamps home from time to time – mainly from Gibraltar and adjoining Spain.

Stamps from Gibraltar

Not unusually many Countries celebrate their independence (or in some cases “self-government”), with stamps.  In Ireland we over-printed British stamps in 1922 with the phrase “Rialtas Sealadach na hÉireann 1922” on stamps issued from the 17th February 1922, and this practice continued for some years. We also commenced issuing our first “Irish” Stamps in 1922 – what a simple way to let everybody on the planet know we had arrived so to speak.

Maltese Stamp over-printed “Self Government” 1947

To celebrate the millenium An Post and indeed most countries worldwide issued special stamps to celebrate the event – in all thousands of stamps were issued by many countries to celebrate the entry into the 2,000’s. In Ireland there were six themes – People of the 20th Century, Irish Historic Events, Discoveries, The Arts, World Events and Epic Journeys – and each theme had six different stamps.

An Post issued many commemorative stamps to celebrate the millenium

So what makes a stamp valuable – with stamps, their condition is critical, rarity is probably what makes a stamp most valuable – like any commodity the fewer there are the more expensive they tend to be – while this may be because the stamp is old (although this is not always an indicator of value), or there were very few issued originally (hence more rare), in many cases it is stamps with errors that are most coveted – i.e. where some stamps were issued with the image inverted, or with the incorrect value, colour scheme or even with some minor flaws which are only visible under a magnifying glass.

Mind you collectors collect stamps for the enjoyment not for the monetary gain, even a good complete collection will not provide a great investment return – it’s a hobby not an investment strategy.

New York World’s Fair (1964/1965), The Devils Tower (1956), Fort Ticonderoga (1955)

So no great inheritance there Lads – Sorry about that!

 

Some Thoughts on St. Patricks Day

I suppose that Saint Patrick is one of the most well-known saints worldwide, and his feast day is celebrated both here and abroad – many people will go to Mass or to a Religious Service on St. Patrick’s day and either participate in or be a spectator at St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Ocala (Florida) Colour Party, Newbridge Scouts – Flag Bearers

Modern St. Patrick’s day is celebrated in the form of festivals, parades, parties on every continent and many of those events are not limited to St. Patrick’s Day but commence a week or fortnight prior to the 17th March. The largest parade is said to be in New York, but there are other significant parades organised by the Irish Diaspora worldwide. The only other Saints who readily come to mind as being as well-known as St. Patrick would be St. Nicholas (aka Santa), St. Valentine (he of 14th February fame), and St. Brigid – a contemporary of St. Conleth patron of our own parish.

St. Patrick’s Ribbon, Liffey Linear Park, Newbridge

In school we were always told that Patrick was born possibly in France or maybe Wales…but nowadays I understand there is some consensus that he was born in Scotland to Roman parents around 387 ad, and died 461 ad. He was captured and brought to Ireland as a slave to tend sheep circa 401 ad; he soon escaped from slavery and went home to Britain. He was ordained a priest, later a Bishop and came back to Ireland around 433 ad (all open to correction) and began the task of converting the Irish to Catholicism, and legend has it that he banished the snakes from Ireland (not really true that though – some would say there are still a few of them around). This was back in the days of the Druids, and the many Kings of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Parade Newbridge

In years past the tradition of wearing Shamrock was commonplace, and there was always a frantic search of the garden or local hedgerow to find a sprig of shamrock prior to heading off to Mass, boys in their “Sunday best”, girls were often dressed in a green(ish) dress, and sporting a green ribbon or hairband. Nowadays St. Patrick’s Day is a marketing phenomenon, generally anything that can be manufactured or sold in the colour green is fair game…we have green greeting cards (have to confess I sent one to “da brother” in the USA), floppy hats, T-shirts, balloons and more. Today most people will buy their shamrock or Patrick’s Day “badge” in the local retail outlet.

Moorefield GAA, Newbridge

Indeed the marketing trend has even stretched to the food on offer – green milk-shakes, green beer…hell even the Google Doodles have a St. Patrick’s Day version – dancing shamrocks this year I believe…and of course the more recent phenomenon of “lighting up” easily recognisable world buildings and features in Green… Sydney Opera House, Rome’s Colosseum, Niagara Falls in Canada, The Great Wall of China, Rio’s Christ the Redeemer Statue, the London Eye….many rivers will also be dyed green……

Flag Patricks Festival, Newbridge

I lament the trend of calling the day “Paddy’s Day, (or in one US city Patty’s Day), and how sometimes it’s associated with a corny “Irish-ness” the “begobs and begorra” brigade, let’s show some respect and call our national holiday Saint Patrick’s Day, Lá Fhéile Pádraig or Lá ‘le Pádraig.

Sarsfields GAA, Newbridge

Ireland is a modern country with a modern outlook, happily we tend to hold on to some of our traditions which is to the benefit of the Irish people both at home and abroad, in our local parade many who have immigrated into Ireland participate in the parade and display their culture, music and dance.

Kildare Filipino Community

Traditional Irish Dance, St. Patrick’s Day Parade

There is an opportunity to hear Irish traditional music at “sessions” throughout the country….Part of that culture and tradition is celebrated through Seachtain na Gaeilge agus tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ar twitter @SnaGaeilge leis an haischlib #SnaG2015 agus ar Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SnaGaeilge?fref=ts tá imeachtaí eagraithe timpeall an tire ar nós scéalaíocht, ceol, damhsa agus araile.

So what if your Irish a bit on the rusty side – haven’t spoken it since school? Take the opportunity Seachtain na Gaeilge provides to try out your cúpla focail again, agus ansin lean ar aghaidh leis –

Twinning Bad Lippspringe

On a positive note St. Patrick’s Day provides an opportunity for our political and business / commercial leaders and critically our SME’s to promote Ireland abroad, highlighting its industry, its commerce, its food and produce and indeed its people throughout the world…St. Patrick’s Day can open many doors in many countries – not least the door to the Oval Office where An Taoiseach (of the day) presents a bowl of Shamrock to the US President. In the UK a (senior) member of the Royal Family does the honours by presenting Shamrock to the Irish Guards – a tradition I understand which was inaugurated in 1901 by Queen Alexandra, the wife of the Edward VII.

Sbandieratori E Musici, Besnate

Some may bemoan the fact that many of our politicians both local and national (generally accompanied by civil servants & diplomats) have what some of the more cynical media outlets refer to as “the annual exodus” over the St. Patrick’s Weekend – but I firmly believe that these visits do create some goodwill towards Ireland – and somewhere down the line some benefit will accrue to this country in the form of business opportunities or employment. I remember being told many years ago “you’ve got to speculate to accumulate”.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Newbridge, APC

So, wherever you may be on St. Patrick’s Day – at home or abroad – enjoy the day, the religious service, the parade (later keep your eye fixed to the late TV News to see were you spotted by TV Cameras), the GAA Club Final.

Wear your Shamrock, Fly your National Flag, put up a little suitable bunting outside your house or in your shop window decorations, and participate in some of the many activities which are organised to celebrate the day.

Flags Flying at Newbridge Silverware…

Photos © dwdepaor