A Heron's View: The Rising

Tuesday, 2 January 2018

Our First Adventure of the New Year

The day was bright, the sun low in the sky and the road surface was wet, making driving conditions difficult for our first adventure of the year. Despite passing over my peak cap to give some extra shade, Mrs H was dazzled but keen to be on our way!

We journeyed at a safe speed, allowing for sunlight conditions, passing the looming remains of O’Moore’s Castle on the Rock of Dunamaise.

The Rock of Dunamaise, a site of many battles, was an important fortification throughout Ireland's history. It was plundered by the Vikings in the 9th century, became a Norman stronghold in the 13th, was rebuilt by the O'Moore's in the 15th and was finally destroyed by Cromwell's guns from the east in the 17th century.

We stopped in Carlow for some freshly made sandwiches and coffee as break-fast had only been a single banana each, insufficient to travel on for long.

Our destination was to visit to Clonegal, an attractive village that sits on the boundary of Counties Carlow and Wexford. Our last visit was in 2013, so it was good to see the changes that had taken place since then.

OSBORNE'S

Where I was disappointed by not having my thirst pint of the year!

I had hopes of having a glass of stout in Osborne’s but unfortunately it was closed, probably for them to rest up after the previous nights New Year’s Eve celebrations. My thirst was quenched by Adam’s Ale (water) instead.

The smallest building in Clonegal known as The Weigh House

The 1916 Memorial

The Derry River which always attracts me and so good to see the new railings.

Looking up The Derry river and the garden with the protective stone bank.

Number one is one of the three stone pigs that sit next

the Weigh House.

Number two is the sleepy pig who ate too much perhaps over Christmas ?

And number three

is missing because he got away !

We shall return in May when the blossom is out to visit the gardens of Huntington Castle, a place where I spent many a happy hour in the company of Olivia Durdin Robertson and her associates in the Fellowship of Isis. https://www.huntingtoncastle.com

This shop is in the small town of Stradbally in Co. Laoise,

we often pass it on our journeys. It is the large ice cream cone that attracts me.

This time we stopped because Mrs H wanted a mineral drink and I an ice cream,

The message that she returned with made me laugh.

For she said that the man in the shop said that there was no ice cream to be had and

that there was only a cone on the roof because he was unable to take it down...

So I had a pipe of baccy instead.

Finally, I wish you all a very happy New Year and the courage to face up to the many changes that may come your way.

Tuesday, 5 April 2016

A Monumental Day

The Grand Parade to Derrycloney

On Sunday, I and hundreds of others, attended what can best be described as a monumental occasion in Mountmellick, the unveiling of the 1916-2016 centenary monument situated on the outskirts of this town at the Derrycloney cross roads. Historically, Mountmellick used to be considered as the Manchester of the Irish midlands. It was the industrial centre of Ireland, with a wide range of manufacturing processes being carried out in the town and serviced by both a canal and a railway. Sadly nothing of it’s industrial past remains apart from a ruined mill on it’s southern end. The canal was filled in to become a road, the railway station is now a private home complete with a platform and a signal board.

Civic pride in it’s past history still exists, the erection of the new monument is a witness to that and the part which it’s citizens played in freeing twenty-six of the thirty-two counties from under British rule. The momentum was generated by the actions of the fearless men and women of 1916 in Dublin. Those brave souls descended upon Dublin from all parts of Ireland and more than a few also came by boat from across the Irish Sea.

The monument project, part of the Laois 1916 centenary celebrations, was part-funded by Laois County Council through the Ireland 2016 funding. A small committee was formed in the town to raise further funds and they were assisted by many other organisations and individuals from the town, as well as people from other areas.

The central stone is a piece of South Kilkenny Blue Limestone weighing 1.45 tonne and has a crystalline structure. This is the type of stone that the ancient Irish used as standing stones and in stone circles, so this new monument links in very neatly with Ireland’s prehistory.

Cumann na mBan (Women's League) was formed in April 1913.
In 1913, a number of women decided to hold a meeting in Wynne's Hotel for the purpose of discussing the possibility of forming an organization for women who would work in conjunction with the recently formed Irish Volunteers. On April 4, 1914 Cumann na mBan was launched at a meeting held in the Pillar Room in the Mansion House. The first branch was named the Ard Chraobh, which held their meetings in Brunswick Street, before and after the 1916 Easter Rising.

In 1926 the Cumann Na mBan introduced the Easter Lily as symbol of remembrance for those who died during or were executed after the Easter Rising.

The Easter Lily

IUNVA Post 27 Portlaoise a site for all Veterans of the United Nations.

The Irish United Nations Veterans Association(IUNVA) was formed at a meeting in Dublin on February 10th 1990, when an interim committee was formed. The Association has the approval of the Minister of Defence, and is non-denominational, non-political and non-sectarian. Membership is available to any Irish resident who has successfully completed a tour of duty with a UN Force or Organisation, whether he or she is serving or retired.

As veterans of U.N. operations world-wide IUNVA will continue to support our soldiers, Gardai and civilian personnel who serve in often dangerous and difficult circumstances. We hope that our country will also keep our traditions of service to peace in being.

We have contributed to over 50 years of peacekeeping with courage and tenacity. Our casualties have been many. Our dead are commemorated at Arbour Hill, and at other locations; but we must also remember the many who have been scarred, both physically and psychologically by their service overseas. We must continue to help these veterans and their families. That is why we were formed - let us not forget them.

Yours in peace,
________________________
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) V.F. Savino © with reference to http://iunvapost27.ie

We were very fortunate with weather and it was an occasion that will remain in the hearts and minds of all who attended. For myself, I would like to thank the Chair Mountmellick Monument Committee Brian Furlong for his kindness in reserving a chair for me in the marquee.