Churchtown Remembers Seán Clárach MacDómhnaill
5th Annual Commemoration | Booney House | Churchtown | 27th January 2012

Some seventy people attended the annual Seán Clárach evening at the Booney House in Churchtown on 27th January 2012. Seán Clárach was born in High Rath in Churchtown in 1691 and in later life - after his parents died - he moved to Kiltohig near Charleville. His parents were flax millers in Churchtown. A Gaelic speaker he was also fluent in Latin and Greek and English. His most famous poem is probably Mo Ghile Mear.

Seán Clárach was leader of the Maigue poets first in Croom and later in Adare. Apart from honouring Seán Clárach the night also honoured Denis Hickey with the unveiling of a bronze bust of Denis. A bust of Noel Linehan was unveiled some years previously.

[Pictured right is Denis addressing the gathering with his bust in the foreground].

Events were set in train with a Ballyhoura Mulled Apple Juice Reception, presented by Maurice Gilbert. Fear an Tighe, Noel Linehan, introduced host, Gerry Murphy, who welcomed all to the Fifth Annual Sean Clárach Commemoration. Denis Hickey then presented a paper on the poet who he described as, 'Churchtown's Poet and Churchtown's Pride'. Denis gave a brief - chronology of the Clan MacDómhnaill , culminating in the tragic loss of Alisdar MacDómhnaill, post-Knocknanuss (13 November 1647), before presenting a comprehensive account of the life and times of Sean Clárach.

Special Guest Performer, John Spillane, led the audience down memory lane with a repertoire that included 'Báidín Fhelimí', An Poc ar Buille', 'Séamuisin', Óro, Sé do Bheatha Abhaile and 'An Maidrín Rua, but it was his rendition of Churchtown's Anthem, 'Mo Giolla Mear', that provoked the liveliest audience reaction and they responded to each chorus with an unbridled enthusiasm.

Following a break for refreshments, Piper, Philip Cotter - ever a most welcome guest to the Booney House - gave a second performance during which he played 'Flower of Scotland' in honour of Denis Hickey's 83-year-old sister, Dora, who had travelled from Lanark for the occasion. At the conclusion of his second performance, John Spillane was presented with a copy of 'The Boss Murphy Musical Legacy', by Gerry Murphy. Denis Hickey's grand-niece, Molly Hickey, gave a virtuoso performance on the violin and she was followed by her cousin Kathryn (Denis's granddaughter), who delighted all with a reel and a jig, to the music of Philip Cotter. Noel Linehan followed with an informative talk on '2012, The UN International Year of the Cooperative and encouraged his audience to do whatever they could to fulfil its aims.

Gerry Murphy spoke on the need for positivity, not only during the present economic downturn, but at all times. Gerry went on to outline the story of Churchtown's development and set out the background to the production of the 'The Annals of Churchtown', the 767-page history of the parish, prior to unveiling a bronze bust of its compiler, Denis J. Hickey. In reply Denis paid tribute to his wife Anna, their family and extended families. 'My love and knowledge of Churchtown parish' said Denis, 'was gained during the times we hunted rabbits throughout the parish with a motley collection of dogs' He went on to say that he never tired of listening to the old folks as they recounted parish history, and concluded with the words:' There is a little bit of each of them on every page of 'The Annals of Churchtown'.

Blarney-based Fiona Hickey held the audience spellbound with a beautiful rendition of 'The Rose'. Poet, Dónal Ó Siodhacháin in his inimitable style, brought the evening to a close as he reminded the audience of the role of culture in past and present-day Ireland. The National Anthem was sung by P J O'Driscoll.

Noel Linehan is to be congratulated in once again hosting an event worthy of the name of Sean Clárach. Several videos of the night are available by searching for Bruhenny TV on www.youtube.com.

Ends