A couple of familiar faces surfaced somewhat unexpectedly in Abbeyfeale during the week. (See pics in MSN Gallery, LATEST PHOTOS)

Dave Mahon and John Heslin were part of the garda escort assigned to local politician, Gerard Collins, during his tenure as Minister for Justice and Minister for Foreign Affairs between 1987 and 1992.

Gerard was first appointed as Minister for Posts and Telegraphs under Jack Lynch in 1970, and one of his earliest drivers at that time was Bernie Quinn.

Following the election of Charles Haughey as Taoiseach in 1987, Gerard was given the Justice portfolio and his security detail was strengthened. Ken Gunning teamed up with Dave Mahon and John Heslin to form one team, while Pat Deasy, Pat Flannery and Jack Fitzgerald made up the other.

There was some initial despondency among the lads when they discovered that they were being sent down to the wilds of West Limerick. Some of them had never been further south than Newbridge, and their only encounter with the southern natives would have been when Kerry went up to Dublin each year to collect yet another All Ireland title.

Anyway, the first team arrived, somewhat nervously, in Abbeyfeale one Friday evening early in 1987 and, having made sure that the Minister was tucked up safely in bed, they repaired to their accommodation in Leen’s Hotel for a much-needed cup of coffee.

At that time, Leen’s Hotel was a far different establishment to what it is today. The bar was small and cosy – and there were no discos. The clientele was mostly made up of doctors, teachers, solicitors, bankers, creamery managers, gentlemen farmers plus a few assorted rogues and rascals.

The local bridge club held their weekly card game there every Thursday night and competition was intense. The late Paddy Breen, who ran a successful hairdressing business in The Square, was an exceptional player, while his late wife, Patsy, was also very much involved. Mrs O’Mahony always provided tough opposition, and Monsignor Gallagher was another who proved a most affable bridge partner.

There was also a designated Cocktail Hour in the bar once a week where drinks of all the colours of the rainbow were served in tall tumblers with little umbrellas sticking out of the top. Mine host, Dan Murphy, gave a passable imitation of Tom Cruise, expertly mixing and matching the various liquors with ice and vermouth, and shaking the whole concoction vigorously and theatrically in a cocktail shaker before carefully dispensing it into the appropriate glasses.

There was a piano bar on Saturday nights, when a young whippersnapper called David Browne enthusiastically tickled the ivories and played anything from Sinatra to Tchaikovsky with a dash of John B Keane thrown in for good measure. It was all very sophisticated and refined.

And the Roses stopped off there annually, on their way to Tralee for the festival. A crowd always gathered to cheer and applaud, as these delectable creatures, dressed in all their finery, stepped daintily down from the bus and made their way demurely into the hotel lobby to partake of a small glass of sweet sherry (and a fag) before continuing their journey across the Feale and on in to Kerry. It was better than the Hollywood Oscars!

Dan Murphy, of course, was an accomplished golfer. He was captain of Ballybunion Golf Club and played off a ridiculously low handicap.

He was also an avid rugby fan, and the story is often told of the morning when Ireland played New Zealand in far away Auckland. The Irish played well, but were narrowly beaten. RTE were due to broadcast a delayed showing of the game at 10 o’clock that morning. (this was the era before Sky Sport and they had to wait for the satellite to rise above the horizon before they could receive the signal)

Anyway, in common with most people in Abbeyfeale, Dan didn’t know the result and hoped to keep it that way. The hotel normally opened early, and he spent an anxious couple of hours trying to avoid anyone who might inadvertently spill the beans and blurt out the score.

With ten minutes to go to showtime, he glanced into the public bar where the television was situated and saw that the place was empty, apart from a small farmer from Grogeen who was sitting up by the fire, quietly sipping a glass of stout. Dan knew the man slightly and figured that he would have little interest in anything that did not pertain to either land or cattle. He came in and busied himself behind the counter while waiting impatiently for the programme to begin.

Then, just as the first flickering pictures from Auckland appeared on the screen, the Grogeen man finished his stout, deposited his glass on the counter, bid good morning to Dan, and headed for the door. He was half way out the door when he suddenly paused and looked back, as if he had forgotten something. And, nodding towards the television he said; “God, Dan, but Ireland were in fierce hard luck this morning!”

The laws of libel prohibit us from publishing Dan’s reply.

This then was where Ken, Dave and John (the A team) first pitched their tent on that fateful Friday evening in 1987. And, as they sipped their coffee and prepared to have an early night, they noticed that a discreet birthday celebration seemed to be taking place nearby. A very nice woman approached them and introduced herself as Mrs O’Mahony and asked them if they would accept a drink to mark the birthday of her husband, Dr George. They agreed, as it would have been churlish to refuse. And Ken enquired as to whom among the assembled gathering was Dr George, so that he might congratulate the birthday boy in person.

“Oh, Dr George has been dead for several years,” he was informed. “but we still like to remember his birthday.”

Ken afterwards admitted that it was at that moment that he suddenly realized that he had arrived at a very special and unique part of the world

The lads always spoke highly of Leen‘s Hotel and appreciated the warm welcome and excellent service afforded them by Dan and Madeline Murphy and all the members of staff. Many deep and lasting friendships were forged back then that have endured to the present day.

Sergeant Muldoon was in charge of law enforcement at the time, although crime was not exactly rampant on the streets of Abbeyfeale. He was a popular policeman who always seemed to know more than he let on. “Firm but fair” would aptly describe him.

Legend has it that as he strolled up a deserted Main Street one Christmas night, checking that the licensing laws were being strictly observed, the good sergeant discerned a rather forlorn figure shuffling slowly towards him..

They exchanged seasonal greetings and Sergeant Muldoon explained that he was carrying out a spot check of the local bars.

“I can save you the trouble, Sergeant” replied the miscreant. “because I have spent the last hour trying them all - and every fecking one of them is closed!”

(You couldn’t make this stuff up.)

As the weeks went by, the new ministerial security teams became more acquainted with their surrounding. They realized that the natives were friendly, and they began to venture further afield until, inevitably, they arrived at Jack O’Rourke’s bar in The Square.

Anyone who has ever stayed in Abbeyfeale for any length of time, will eventually find their way to Jack O’Rourke’s. The place is now regarded more as a local institution rather than a modern licensed premises. What it lacks in contemporary style, it more than makes up for with its distinctive character and old style tradition. The only thing that ever really changes there is the wallpaper – although, somewhat reluctantly, they now allow occasional discos and karaoke nights.

It is the meeting place for sportsmen of all codes, from cricket to coursing. Politicians drop in hoping to pick up a stray vote or two. Visiting businessmen conclude complex financial deals over the best pint of Guinness in town. Farmers argue over the price of cattle and land. But most arrive just to sit and sip, and soak up the unique and historic atmosphere while listening to the stories and the yarns.

The security detail were soon on first name terms with all of the regulars at Jack O’Rourke’s, and were treated with the same irreverence and total lack of respect as everyone else. (nobody was ever allowed to lose the run of themselves in O‘Rourke‘s)

Someone mentioned that Dave Mahon could play the guitar. A likely story. It was decided to call his bluff. A guitar was produced and a snap audition held. Someone suggested that Noreen Connell be called to adjudicate. Someone else said that a secret ballet might be more appropriate. The little man from Grogeen enquired did the lad with the banjo know Brosna Town? One caffler even wanted to send the reluctant musician busking out on the street for a few hours to see how much he might make!

Despite the many obstacles placed in his path, Dave finally passed the audition and was given honorary possession of the old rocking chair and allowed to warble away to his heart’s content. Soon the unforgettable music of Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, etc. was soothing the savage breasts of the natives and converting many of them into lifelong country music fans.

Disco was still almost twenty years away – but it was coming.

The Winners’ Circle on Bridge Street also proved a popular venue with the guys, and the pool table often saw some lively action and some questionable snooker shots. Tom and Mary O’Connor were the proprietors and always made the visitors feel very much at home.

Mary was slight of stature but had a heart as big as her beloved Donegal Hills. A native Irish speaker, and generous to a fault, she loved all things Gaelic, and the Gathering Night on the eve of Fleadh by the Feale, was always an unforgettable evening of traditional music, song and dance. She also organized some memorable Race Nights and Quiz Nights in the bar, with the proceeds going to various local charities.

Mary is still sadly missed by all who knew her.

The minister owned a holiday home in Caherciveen and the lads spent an occasional weekend down in south Kerry during the summer months. They stayed at Keating’s Corner House where Ma Keating, now a hale and hearty 92 years of age, made sure that they were well catered for. She was ably assisted by daughter, Josephine, and the guys retained many fond memories of their time down there.

Charles Haughey was replaced by Albert Reynolds in 1992. Reynolds immediately shafted Gerard Collins and banished him to the back benches. Shortly afterwards the security detail was withdrawn, and the Ministerial Merc left Abbeyfeale for the last time. The lads were scattered to the four corners of the land.

Ken and Dave continued to visit Abbeyfeale occasionally. They liked to come down for the Listowel Races, and Dave would occupy his usual position on the old rocking chair and give us a selection from his repertoire which had now been expanded to include George Jones and (whisper it) Daniel O’Donnell. Ken would look on benevolently and perhaps give a gentle dig if he thought his protégé was singing a tad off- key.

Pat Flannery passed away in 2005. He was a quiet, reserved man who was well liked and respected by all who came in contact with him, and his passing was widely regretted.

Ken Gunning died in 2006. Ken was the acknowledged leader of the security detail. He was a man of huge charisma and infinite charm. He made friends effortlessly, was at ease in any company and was held in high esteem by all of his colleagues and associates. A large contingent from Abbeyfeale travelled to his funeral in Naas, and many warm and personal tributes were paid to him.

Ken was a remarkable man, and his death signalled the end of a brief but remarkable period in Abbeyfeale.

And so it was that last week Dave Mahon and John Heslin paid one of their now infrequent visits to the town to retrace their footsteps and look up old friends and acquaintances. They made the obligatory visit to Jack O’Rourke’s bar and Dave tried out the rocking chair which, like the rest of us, must now be regarded as something of an antique.

The guitar was once more produced and the years seemed to roll back as the familiar strains of Hank Williams and Buddy Holly once again wafted up to the rafters – and it seemed for a while as if we had never been away.

We said a fond farewell to Dave and John on Friday morning and they departed with a firm commitment to return again in the not too distant future.

So. Did all of this really happen back then?

To answer that question, you really needed to have been there – and, luckily, some of us were!

 

HARVEST

The recent spell of dry weather has enabled local farmers to harvest much needed crops of hay and silage.

DEATH

There was a great sense of shock and sadness in the community last week following the tragic death of seventeen year old Mathew O’Connor from Dromtrasna. Mathew was very much involved in most of the sporting and cultural activities in the area and will be greatly missed by all of his friends and acquaintances. Sincere sympathy is extended to his bereaved family.

OUTING:

A parish outing to Newbridge Cutlery Shopping Centre takes place on this Wednesday 30^th July. Further details from Peg at 068-31232.

CEOL.

Local musician, Pat Mulcahy, a member of CCE Teampall an Ghleanntain, won the senior drumming section at Fleadh na Mumhan at Kenmare recently.

KNOCK:

The annual Novena to Knock takes place on Thursday 31^st August.

CONCERT;

Many Abbeyfeale fans travelled to Limerick University last week for the Daniel O’Donnell Concert, and a most enjoyable time was had by all.

GAA;

Local football fans travelled to the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening but were disappointed as Limerick failed narrowly to Kildare in the All Ireland qualifiers. Fr Casey’s player, Padraig Browne, made the starting line-up but was forced to retire after half an hour due to injury.