By Frank Taaffe
TWO of my brothers who have been away from Athy for many years returned last week for a funeral. Their comments on Athy as ‘shabby and run down’ quite frankly shocked me, but made me reflect on whether or not there was any substance in what was said.
By Frank Taaffe
UP to recent years Mary Phillips, known to all as Dolly, was regularly to be seen cycling from her home in Smallford into Athy to do her weekly shopping.
By Frank Taaffe
A GROUP of 45 national and regional tourist guides arrived in Athy on Thursday last to visit the local heritage centre and I took the opportunity of briefly outlining the town’s history to them.
EYE ON THE PAST
Frank Taafe
History of the World in One Hundred Objects was the title of a recent bestselling book which enlivened the retelling of history in an interesting and novel way.
By Frank Taaffe
Christmas times past are for all of us well remembered times. The memories may not always be pleasant ones, but nevertheless the festive season is forever linked in our minds with thoughts of our younger days.
By Frank Taaffe
‘They have done us proud’. The words of an 85-year old, soon after news reached him of the defeat of Athy’s senior team in last week’s Leinster Championship semi final.
ATHY Lions Club, a member of the world’s largest charitable organisation, celebrated its 40th anniversary last week.
By Frank Taaffe
ST Vincent’s Hospital is in the news again. It’s the Damocles sword of closure hanging over it which brings it to our attention.
By Frank Taaffe
ATHY'S community library is no longer open over the weekends. Keeping the doors closed on the Sabbath day can be justified, if for no other reason than to keep the Sabbath day movement off the streets.
By Frank Taaffe
“WHAT was it’, I asked, ‘that drew publicans to greyhound racing?” It was a question that puzzled me ever since my young days when local publicans, most prominently Louis O’Mara, Barney Dunne, Michael Noonan and his younger brother Des, were involved in the sport.