OTD: Fire leaves widow and daughter homeless in Kilkenny

A fire which gutted a County Kilkenny farmhouse left a widow and her young daughter without a home.

The blaze destroyed the farmhouse of Mrs Bridget McCormack, Cappahayden, Callan and her 13-year-old daughter Catherine.

The fire began in a thatched roof which was covered with galvanised iron over ten years ago.

The outbreak was discovered by Mrs McCormack about 11pm on Wednesday night of last week. She altered Callan fire brigade.

The brigade found that the flames had got a firm grip on the thatch and there was little they could do because of the galvanised covering.

They contacted Kilkenny brigade and both units stripped several sheets of the covering. However, they were unable to prevent the inferno from spreading through the entire two storied building.

Most of the furniture was salvaged by the brigades who also prevented the fire from reaching adjacent outoffices.

Mrs McCormack, widow of the late Mr Peter McCormack, and her daughter are being accommodated by relatives.

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ST PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

Flags fluttered from house and shop windows. The army party marched smartly in step. Bands, brass reed and ceili, played traditional airs. Gaily decorated floats passed slowly by.

It was the most colourful St Patrick’s Day parade Kilkenny had seen for years. Even the bitter cold didn’t keep the crowds away as thousands lined the parade route.

The march-off from Kilkenny Military Barracks was led by St Patrick’s brass and reed band and high-stepping majorettes. Then came the FCA colour party.

The parade emphasis was on industry with many decorated floats. Marching groups included schools of dancing, sports representatives, Trade Unionists, Youth Organisations, Girl Guides, schools. Pipe and ceili bands played at intervals.

A touch of humour was added by Mr Jerry Dunne and donkey drawn mini menagerie. A threshing set and steam engine got plenty of interest. Later, a threshing exhibition was given at the Market Yard.

The parade was reviewed by Mayor Tom Martin and members of Kilkenny Corporation from a specially erected platform at City Hall.

The parade included a big contingent of Order of Malta members, including junior members, from Kilkenny and surrounding counties.

An Order of Malta Guard of Honour was inspected at the Courthouse by Mayor Martin. The National Anthem was played by St Patrick’s Band.

In the evening there was a special mass in Irish at the Capuchin Friary and the Kilkenny branch of Conradh na Gaeilge had a ceili at Ostan Metropole.

There was also a special St Patrick’s Day concert at the Friary Hall.

FENIANS FAIL IN FINAL FLURRY

So near and yet so far! That was the cry of The Fenians supporters after seeing their side lose the All-Ireland club final at Croke Park on Sunday.

In a nine minute lapse the Kilkenny county champions saw that All-Ireland crown taken from their grasp and brought for the fourth successive year to a Munster county. The hoodoo has yet to be broken.

But in fairness to St Finbarr’s, their all purposeful approach just about deserved its rewards in a 3-8 to 1-6 win.

Jimmy Barry Murphy, who figured on the Cork minor team beaten by Kilkenny in the 1971 All-Ireland final, was the master scourge to the dimming of the Noresiders’ hopes.

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