John Bourke - Poet and Storyteller This week (week 21) we feature a book article by Pa O'Connell of Lower Grange on the well-known and highly regarded poet and storyteller of times long past from the New Line, Grange - John Bourke was his name. John lived on the New Line in Lower Grange for many years, in the house that is now occupied by Denis O’Brien-May and family. Many years ago, the celebrated author, playwright and columnist, John B Keane, wrote about John Bourke in his much-read weekly column Out In The Open in the Limerick Leader edition of July 10th, 1971. This particular John B column reappeared in the Limerick Leader edition of July 11th, 2015. Literary praise of anybody by John B
A Window to the Past through The Vale Star This week (week 20) the suggested article from the Grange Parish Book is a compilation by Seamus Hourigan of 'Grange News' items from the archives of The Vale Star. Having trawled through archived issues of the newspaper held in Newcastle West, Seamus selected a number of extracts for his compendium. The selected pieces bring back memories of people, places and events and, of course, remind us of two great Grange contributors to the newspaper who are deceased - Michael Lombard and Nora Hourigan. The lives of Michael and Nora are celebrated in specific articles in the book - these articles will be suggested for reading in due course. The selectio
Tony Barry - In My Father's Time This week's (week 19) article from the Grange Book was written by Mike (Michael) Barry - a tribute to his parents, Tony and Patricia (Addie) Barry. Tony, aged 95, passed away in March 2018. The first anniversary of his passing occurs around this time. Patricia continues to live at the family home in Lower Grange. Mike penned his tribute with great affection and detail with a humorous vein running all-through his story. Consequently, the article is not only informative but entertaining as well. Tony acquired his farm in Lower Grange in 1958 and he and Patricia were married in 1960. Tony had a huge passion for farming and spent many years improving and developi
John Donworth Grew Up in Cahirguillamore before embarking on his Priestly Journey. This week (week 18) we feature two book articles as they are very closely related. Both were written by Father John Donworth, Parish Priest of Kildimo at the present time. John grew up in Caherguillamore, and he vividly described his recollections of those growing up years in his article, Growing Up in Caherguillamore. In his second article, My Priestly Journey, John provided great insights, at times laced with humour, into his life as a seminarian in Ireland and subsequently as a priest appointed to a number of parishes in the USA. The articles are captivating. The following are extracts from Father John's ar
