The recent passing of John Delaney 'marked the end of an era' in South Kilkenny

The recent passing of John Delaney of Baunreigh marked the end of an era and ignited personal memories for so many people that ever met him or visited his unique home known worldwide as Delaneys of the Slatequarries.

John was a quiet gentleman, that unassumingly played such a huge was part in local and Irish life through his contribution to business, history, culture, and through music, song and dance.

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Located at the main crossing point inland from the Suir Valley and its location on the banks of the Lingaun River meant that Delaneys was an ongoing hive of activity for generations.

Opposite the junction to the Slatequarries, it was just across the road from where the RIC Barracks and the very first handball alley stood, with the provincial border with Tipperary at one end of the garden, the Mill at the other and the site of Kilmacoliver Castle on the cliff top behind the house.

Having seen many changes in lifestyle before it closed just a couple of years ago, its traditional country shop format remained untouched, with a counter on three sides that sold hardware, drinks and grocery provisions, with fuel and a petrol pump outside and the hidden gems of the music and Tap rooms located through the door at the grocery end.

As a result it witnessed life to the full, through passing traffic, was a meeting place for the hunt, vintage days, handball and hurling games, pitch and toss, duck derbies, cards, dog racing, floods, fishing, Slatequarries workings and later the

Slatequarries arts and culture festival events and to mull over daily life and discuss inter-county hurling games.

However it was best known for its traditional music sessions and the céad míle fáilte on Thursday and Sunday nights, when it was a must visit from afar for singers in every language and form, connoisseurs, dancers and story tellers, just as the funeral notice simply read: ‘All musicians were welcome’.

After John a multi-talented musician on piano, sax and accordion in the family tradition arrived home for his last few hours, he was laid outside the bar facing the door surrounded by white flowers, candles, a St Brigid’s Cross, with soft music on the counter all overlooked by the remaining shops contents on shelves and hanging from the ceiling.

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They were joined with photos, posters and notices for Vintage days, defibrillators and Ireland’s game with Switzerland in Dalymount in 1948, while the assembled musicians played and sang in his honour for the last time in the Tap room.

For such a quiet man with an interest in his youth of playing handball, travelling, filming and photography and later, in local history, tracing and quietly whispered thoughtful gems that were uttered mildly and almost apologetically similar to his very rare end of the night reminder: ‘Have you no homes to go to?’.

Then it was up his traditional route by the Mill Hill, the quarry, waterfall, old road network, Avenue and the Long Pavement to the church in Tullahought where he played the organ for the choir since memories recall.

His arrival to the village where he long sold the Sunday papers from the boot of his car, was greeted by a guard of honour by the Eucharistic Adoration group and an Sagart Paróiste Fergal Ó Fearghail.

Inside two keyboards, one for the choir and the other for a lively parting set from his brother James were sited in his corner in the rear of the Church.

They were complemented by the many visiting musicians and singers with slow airs and The Coolin being played at his graveside.

John was preceded his parents Jimmy and Bridie from whom he took over the mantle of running Delaney’s and will be sadly missed by his brother James, sisters Margot, Noreen and Anne, sister in-law Margaret, brothers-in-law Michael and Paddy, nieces, nephews, godnieces, relatives, neighbours and so many friends who will no longer hear the haunting sounds of the Marino Waltz and his many other party pieces on the piano.