Athy O.N.E. host concert and Famine walk

THE Athy branch of the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen (ONE) was involved in two events around the town recently, a fund-raising concert (12 May), and a Famine Memorial walk (18 May).

“The concert was organized by Rob Chanders, as an appreciation for O.N.E.,” said Chair Kevin Carton.

“He’s a very well-known musician around the town, and he organised the same thing for us two years ago, which was a fantastic night.

“So when he came to us and offered, we weren’t going to turn down a few bob.

“He knows a good few veterans and appreciates what we do around the community.

“Most of his friends are musicians, and so it was held in the GAA Hall.

“The other musicians were Kevin Morrin, the Athy branch of CCE, Tom Casey, and Athy Sing and Sign.

“It was an enjoyable night for the people that were there, we had a raffle with lots of prizes from local businesses, and a nice tidy sum was raised,” he said most politically.

“Then last Sunday we had the Famine Walk, organized by myself and Richard Daly (head of Athy Community College) because it was National Famine Day,” said Kevin.

“The national organization walked from Strokestown House in Co Roscommon to the Famine statue outside Custom House in Dublin between 12-18 May.

“For us in Athy ONE, there are really only two places in the county to do with the Famine — St Vincent’s Hospital (the old Workhouse) and St Mary’s Graveyard (sic) across from the Hospital.

“We had walkers come up the canal from the Old Shebeen pub to the cemetery where they met with our colour party who had paraded over from the hospital.

“I laid a wreath in honour of the Famine dead in the cemetery,” he concluded.