17 minute read
History & Heritage
NICHOLAS (NICKY) FURLONG FRSAI
AUTHOR, HISTORIAN, NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST, JOURNALIST, BROADCASTER, PLAYWRIGHT AND WIT, 1929 – 2022
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We are very grateful to journalist, publisher and editor, Michael Freeman, for allowing us to share this piece he wrote.
The Wexford flag of Purple and Gold was at half-mast on the flagpole outside St Martin’s Catholic Church at Piercestown on Friday morning. There were comings and goings at the school and nearby St Martin’s GAA Club grounds and at Londis supermarket in the village. Modest cars and farmers’ jeeps lined up side by side outside the church and along the road leading to the village until there were no spaces left. The sky was blue and the sun was shining. It was a beautiful balmy morning at 11, just as Nicky would have planned it and wanted it.
Inside the church about 250 people, most of them the pillars, the cognoscenti and literati and glitterati of County Wexford, gathered. The celebrant, Fr Aodhán Marken, spoke of Nicky’s life and times and that of his late wife Mairead née Breslin who predeceased him by seven years. They were like peas in a pod, he said. The sun streamed in through the stained-glass windows onto Nicky’s coffin on the altar bedecked with beautiful fresh flowers and symbols of his life, and on a lectern at the head of the coffin lay a copy of his latest book, The Rebels’ Priest, a biography of his hero Fr John Murphy, the leader of the 1798 Rebellion in Co. Wexford.
In faraway Vancouver, Canada, his only sister Ina, aged 91, his nephew Patrick, and nieces Blaithín and Trudy, watched and participated in an online livestream of his funeral mass on a webcam from the church.
In the front pews at Piercestown Church, sat his cousins Patrick and Sean Kinsella, and first cousin Theresa McDonald, relations Dillons, his sisterin-law-in-law, Dr Ann Breslin, retired UCD, and his late wife Mairead’s nieces, Martina Kealy, Castleknock, Paula Panczenko who flew in from Wisconsin, USA, for his funeral, nephew Justin McCarthy, the film and television producer from Connemara, Galway, and Dr Jim Larkin-Breslin from Dublin, nephew.
NEAR THE 1798 PIKEMEN MONUMENT AT BARNTOWN Nicky Furlong, Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, author, historian, newspaper columnist, journalist, broadcaster, tour guide, playwright, and wit of Drinagh Lodge, Wexford town, had passed away peacefully with a smile on his face with a neighbour saying The Rosary at his bedside in Knockeen Nursing Home, across the way from the monument to the five 1798 Pikemen, at Barntown, on the morning of Monday 21st March. It was just three weeks after his 93rd birthday and just after the Spring Equinox.
He had lived a rich life and he left an enormous legacy of memories, hundreds of papers, radio and television interviews, nineteen books and six stage productions. He defined and promoted County Wexford, its history, heritage, culture and sport to the county, to the nation and to the world for most of sixty years. The People Newspapers, the Sunday Independent, Slaney News and South East Radio paid tribute to him for his contribution. Heavenly uplifting song and music in the church, where Nicky was once singer and organist, were provided by Tomás Whelan, soloist, Anthony Nolan on trumpet and Ger Lawlor of Wexford Festival Opera on organ. They performed Hail Queen of Heaven, Panis Angelicus, Abide with Me, How Great Thou Art, and as a trumpet solo, Hail Glorious St Patrick.
AT HIS FUNERAL MASS Among those present at his funeral mass at Piercestown Church were: Celestine Murphy, historian and genealogist, retired senior librarian, Wexford County Library, who was consultant to him for his book 'The Rebels’ Priest –the Battles of Fr. John Murphy of Bolavogue, 1753-1798'; Bernard Browne, of Old Ross and Environmental Protection Agency, fellow historian and friend; Willie Murphy, scientist, formerly Johnstown Castle, friend, Pro-
The late Nicholas (Nicky) Furlong in his study at Drinagh Lodge, Wexford town.
fessor Kevin Whelan of Notre Dame (“He is the last of the great Irish conversationalists”); Liam Griffin, manager of the 1996 All Ireland Hurling team (‘Honestly, his likes shall not be seen again’); Paul Kehoe T.D. former Government Minister and former chief whip, whose mother was a cousin of his; Ray Doyle, former chief news editor, Irish Independent and former managing director People Newspapers Group; Declan McPartlin, former Wexford County Councillor, journalist and public relations executive; Anna Skrine Brunton, author, Butlerstown Castle; Avril Doyle, former TD and MEP; Eddie Breen, retired county manager and wife Pauline; Gráinne Doran, Wexford County Council archives; Eamonn Buttle, managing director, South East Radio; Tom Mooney, former editor of the Echo Group; Phil Murphy, editor, Ireland’s Own Anthology, and his wife Nuala; Pat O’Connor, press photographer, his colleague on his assignments for his features on the Villages of County Wexford; John Hayes, his colleague on the production of his volumes of County Wexford in the Rare Oul Times; Jarlath Glynn, Wexford Historical Society; Pat Hackett, Wexford Historical Society; Ger Lawlor, Wexford Festival Opera; Peter McDonald of New Ross and his wife Theresa, a first cousin of Nicky; Patrick and Eileen Kinsella, cousin; Greg Walsh, Coolchull, author and historian; Dr David Curtis, his family doctor; Helen Doyle of Latimerstown; Nicola Doran, Knockeen Nursing Home; Dan Walsh, historian and journalist; Dominic Williams, author, The Wexford GAA Bible; and officers of The Rotary Club, Wexford, and farming and rural organisation and community leaders.
MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCES Messages of condolences came from friends and colleagues including: Dr Martin Mansergh, former Government minister, adviser to An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a negotiator of the Good Friday Agreement (‘Nicky was so knowledgeable and so entertaining’); Anne Doyle, Wexford ambassador, journalist, former RTÉ newsreader (‘What a man!’); Declan Lyons, editor, BCT Communications, Arthurstown and Glenageary (‘He was a gentleman and a scholar’); Ken Hemingway, Kiland former chief executive of Johnstown Castle; James W. Corcoran, sound director on films, television and radio documentaries, producer The Rosslare Podcast and producer of his audiobook Young Farmer Seeks Wife (‘He was a man blessed with intellect, wit and integrity’); Helen Ashdown, sub-editor, formerly The Echo Group, his proof-reader; John Gibney, design consultant; Brendan Cahill Flynn who indexed his recent book; Ray Codd, Clonmines, an old friend; Paddy Whelan, Ballinruane, Ballycullane, author; Verona Murphy, T.D. (‘A genuine gentleman’); Michael G. Kilbride of Waterford and Carlow; Valerie Boggan, Rosslare (‘Nicky will be a great loss to historians’); Breda Cahill, President of County Wexford ICA; Val and Alice Stone, Bob and Eleanor Quilty, Paul and Angela Hennessy, Sean Whelan, Journalist, Enniscorthy; John G. Murphy, solicitor; Michael Bance, journalist, Waterford; Helen McInerney, RTÉ Television Nationwide; Frank Corcoran, Slaney News; Deaglán de Breadún, Sunday Independent, Willie Kealy, former news editor, Sunday Independent, a colleague and friend; J and H Sassmannshausen; Seamus and Joan Codd; Elizabeth Whyte, Wexford Arts Centre; Dr Pat Wallace, former director of the National Museum of Ireland; Brian Ó Cléirigh, Oulart; Barry Lacey, Historian in Residence, Wexford County Council; Pat Sills, Johnstown Castle; David Mahon, architect and illustrator; Jim Campbell, press photographer; Dr Paddy McKiernan, Ray and Roisin Corish, Phil and Maura Kennedy of Shielbaggan, Declan Furlong, retired Garda, of Cluain Aoibhinn, Rosslare; Sharon Clancy, London West-end actor, neighbour and friend at Drinagh, Eileen Cloney, Dungulph, Fethard on Sea; Lorcan and Rosaleen O’Shea, caretakers of the Furlong estate at Drinagh and numerous other friends and colleagues from Ireland, England, France, Germany and USA.
Among one of the more evocative of his life in more than 100 messages in the Condolences section on the website www.RIP.ie was the following: “‘Rest In Peace Mr Furlong. Thank you for the memories. Whilst living abroad for years, I so looked forward to receiving the paper and I always saved your page for last because after the doom and gloom, tucked in there somewhere would always be something that would make me roar with laughter, and that was so, so welcome. You were a friend to many but you were a friend from afar for so many others too. God bless, rest easy, for your like will not be seen again. Condolences to all who will miss you.’ –Paula Wexford.”
Nicholas (Nicky) Furlong was laid to rest beside his wife Mairead in Piercestown cemetery, a kilometre from Piercestown village. Ar dheis lámh Dé, go raibh siad uile. n
tealy, historian; Paddy Murphy, photographer, Enniscorthy; Rita Doyle, Wexford town, close friend of his late wife Mairead; Jimmy O’Connor Snr and Sylvia, retired lawyers, Wexford town; Senan O’Reilly, Wexford ‘What’s On’ Guide’; Liam Mulcahy, former group photographic manager, Independent News and Media (‘He had a wealth of knowledge. The pikemen of 1798 will be there at the Gates to welcome him in.’); Maria Pepper, journalist, People Newspapers (‘He was truly unique’); Tony O’Brien of Tony O’Brien Communications (‘A great friend and mentor. Irreplaceable’); Áine McCarthy aka Orna Ross, publisher, London, his cousin who is a native of Murrintown; Dr Noel Culleton, scientist and author
Nicky Furlong (centre) and Dr Daire Keogh present their book 'The Women of 1798' to Nicky’s and Mairead’s close friend President of Ireland Mary Robinson at Áras an Uachtaráin in 1996.
Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society
Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society AGM and Dinner in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, 8th March, 2022.
Top left: Maura Kavanagh and Sally Deacon. Top centre: Marie Dunne and Mary Booth. Top right: Secretary, Kitty O’Reilly. Left: Tommy O’Sullivan and Ken Hemmingway. Above: Rosemary and Aidan Quirke and Jim O’Connor. Right: Pat Brennan. Left: Kay Murphy and Marieanne Kenny. Bottom left: Mary Joyce and Jan O’Brien. Bottom centre: Margaret McDonald and Mary Kinsella. Bottom right: Tom McDonald and Pat Kinsella.
Top left: Stacia Walsh and Anne Murphy. Top right: Tom Heaney and Tom Hammond. Above left: Chris Fox, May Doyle and Theresa Moran. Above right: Josie Kavanagh and Una Murphy. Left: Chrissey Ivers. Right: Jean Murphy, Marie Quigley and Breda Kennedy. Below: The Treasurer Sean Doyle gives his report. Below right: Fr Jim Hammell, Chairman.
Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society at Kilkenny Castle with American tourists.
Re-enactors attend unique event on Vinegar Hill: On Monday 7th March, members of Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society (EHRS), in the garb of Fenians, had the privilege of attending a unique event on Vinegar Hill, organised by Chairman Cathal Byrne and Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
On a bitterly cold and windy hill, the Tricolour was raised by 2nd Lieutenant Zara Bolger and Sergeant John Cooney of the Irish Defence Forces to commemorate the 174th Anniversary of the first time the Irish Tricolour was flown from the historic landmark.
The ceremony was MC’d by Bernie Quigley, Acting District Manager, who called on Cathaoirleach Cathal Byrne to welcome those attending this unique occasion.
‘Waterford claims the first unfurling of the Tricolour on 7th March 1848 but there is documented evidence that it was unfurled in Enniscorthy, on Vinegar Hill, on the same day.’ Cathaoirleach Byrne went on to tell the gathering that the French Ambassador had been invited to attend, but unfortunately wasn’t able to make it, but in-
Raising the Tricolour on Vinegar Hill, Enniscorthy.
Right: Donal Croghan, Maria Nolan and John Joe Cullen in Kilkenny. tends to be here at Enniscorthy for next year’s event to mark the 175th anniversary. Local historian Brian Cleary said that Europe was a hotbed of revolution in the 1840s, with tricolours of various combinations appearing in several countries. Thomas Francis Meagher and William Smith O`Brien were in Paris at the time to observe the strategies of the revolutionaries and were presented with a tricolour by a group of French ladies advocating peace between the religious persuasions in Ireland, white for peace between the Orange and the Green.
‘We have solid recorded evidence to substantiate our claim,’ Brian emphatically told his enthralled audience ‘as the flag featured in a public parade in the town on the same evening as it was unfurled in Waterford – Tuesday 7th March 1848. The Enniscorthy occasion was recorded in at least three newspapers including the Young Ireland paper The Nation.’ So, it seems the Tricolour may well have been unfurled first in Waterford, but it was paraded on the self-same day in Enniscorthy. I think it’s safe to say – that makes it a draw between ourselves and the Deise!
Kilkenny Parade: On St. Patrick’s Day, EHRS were invited by Kilkenny County Council to march in the Kilkenny Parade in the guise of our Norman ancestors to highlight the influence of the Normans on Kilkenny Castle and its legacy. EHRS were happy to depict, among others, Strongbow and his bride Aoife, William Marshal and his bride Isobelle, and Diarmuid MacMurrough father of Aoife, all of whom made the Six One News on RTE TV that evening, excellent coverage for the group and Enniscorthy. Prior to the parade, EHRS performed a pageant in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle for a group of American tourists organised by tour guide extraordinaire Cathy Keane.
Trip to Tipp: On Saturday 19th March, EHRS were once again on their travels bringing Enniscorthy to an ever-expanding audience as they participated in the unveiling of a monument at Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first armed march of the 3rd Battalion, North Tipperary, under the command of Sean Hogan and Dan Breen.
Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society – bringing history alive and promoting Enniscorthy at home and around the country.
EHRS members on Vinegar Hill with local historian Brian Cleary (third from right).
– Words & Pics by Maria Nolan
Three photos (above, left and right) show Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society (EHRS) members at the unveiling of a new monument at Ballylooby, Co. Tipperary.
€126,400 in funding for Co. Wexford’s heritage buildings Barntown Castle to receive Following the launch last month by Minister Noonan of €4,500. Heritage Ireland 2030, a new national heritage plan which seeks to strengthen protection for our heritage in all its forms and provide supports to those responsible for its care, comes news of €4m in funding for individual heritage structures nationwide, including twelve in Co. Wexford. Through grants of up to €15,000, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) assists owners of heritage structures – including those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties. The funding can be used to undertake repair work, contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of heritage structures. Examples include roof, wall and joinery repair, draught-proofing windows, lime rendering and the repair of stained-glass windows. Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has confirmed that €126,400 will be allocated to County Wexford heritage buildings under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme.
“My Government colleagues and I are keen to ensure that the Built Heritage Investment Scheme preserves 12 of County Wexford’s historic structures. The investment relates to roof repairs, structural repairs, thatching, external wall repairs, mitigation of damp, loft insulation, lime rendering and historic window glass conservation.” The investment will also provide employment to small businesses, skilled conservation specialists and tradespeople, ensuring a continued focus on the traditional crafts – all of which help deliver on Heritage Ireland 2030. The projects allocated funding through the scheme include Old Boyle House, Barntown (€15,000), Yoletown Cottage, Yoletown, Broadway (€15,000), The Old Deanery, Ferns (€15,000), Ballystraw, Duncannon (€15,000), Waddingtown, Cleariestown (€14,437), An Teach Bán, Crossfarnogue, Kilmore Quay (€14,250), Ballyteige, Kilmore Quay (€11,945.86), Teach Dearg, Crossfarnogue, Kilmore Quay (€9,500), Barntown Castle, Barntown (€4,500), Misterin House, Adamstown (€3,835), Galbally Church (€3,750), and Carrigbyrne House, Adamstown (€3,234.75). n
€50,000 in funding for Duncannon Fort
Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne has confirmed that Duncannon Fort is to receive €50,000 in rural regeneration funding. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding will support the development of a masterplan examining the use of immersive technologies to enhance Duncannon Fort’s potential as a tourism destination. Welcoming the announcement, Minister Browne explained that “the investment, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, aims to breathe new life into rural communities. I am delighted that this funding has been approved to scope out how we can further tap into the tourism potential of Duncannon Fort. “Located along the Hook Peninsula, Duncannon Fort is a historic bastioned fort with a history spanning 450 years. My Government colleagues and I are eager to see the development of Duncannon Fort to further strengthen the offering of tourism in County Wexford and Ireland’s Ancient East,” Minister Browne concluded. n
Medieval Ferns Experience –new and very different
Want to try something new and very different? Well, Wexford's newest visitor attraction is now open in Ferns – located at Ferns Community Centre in a specially refurbished area.
The Experience tells the fascinating story of Ferns medieval history in an interactive and fun way. Using audiovisual sensory and virtual reality it really gives a great insight into power shifts in the Ancient Capital of Leinster. The Experience is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm. For enquiries email: medievalfernsexperience@fernsvillage.ie or phone: 089-4946972. Entry fee is €6. Seniors/Students €5. Children under 12 are free. n Historian-in-Residence Barry Lacey will discuss County Wexford in the context of the months following the ratification of the Anglo Irish Treaty in January 1922, the transfer of power and the lead up to the Irish Civil War. This talk will take place in Enniscorthy Library on Thursday, 7th of April, at 7pm. Booking is required: https://wexfordcoco.libcal.com/event/3877052
Wexford Libraries launched “County Wexford War of Independence and Civil War: an educational resource” in Wexford town library on 1st April 2022. The launch was followed by a talk from the Historian-in-Residence Barry Lacey to classes from two local schools.
This information booklet, researched and written by historian Monica Crofton, assisted by local studies at Wexford libraries, gives a concise account of events in County Wexford. It tells of the persons involved and plots the timeline for the War of Independence and the Civil War in the county. It refers to minutes from council meetings and uses reports from local newspapers to illustrate how the War of Independence and Civil War progressed in County Wexford from 1919-1923. This is an educational and interpretative resource for children and young people. It is aimed at children from 4th to 6th class in primary school and from 1st to 3rd year in secondary school. The booklet will be distributed to all schools in County Wexford in the coming weeks. It will be available in County Wexford libraries for reference. Following the launch the electronic leaflet will be accessible from the library website and schools can book a talk with the Historian-in-Residence.
An Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Barbara-Anne Murphy, said, “This is a wonderful learning resource for our schoolchildren to assist them engage with the history of their area from a hundred years ago.” For further information, contact Wexford library branch at wexfordlib@wexfordcoco.ie or 053 919 6760, or Local Studies Librarian at 053 919 6330 or libraryhq@wexfordcoco.ie n
