One day in July 2011 I met my neighbour, Larry McAuliffe and, as we were chatting, he mentioned that he had just received his Golden Pioneer Pin and it was a source of pride and satisfaction to him.
We talked about the day he was confirmed as a boy in 1961 in Brosna.
As we talked it dawned on me that I should record our chat and transcribe it for the following week’s issue of The Kerryman.
Larry spoke of the influence his parents, Larry and Eily, nee O’Rourke, and of his decision to stay away from drink for 50 years.
He also mentioned Jimmy Flynn in Brosna and, in Castleisland, Tom Horan and Jimmy Shanahan as men who influenced him along the path of temperance.
Only a short few weeks after our impromptu chat Larry was lost to us forever and suddenly on September 18th 2011.
May he rest in peace, on this, his 10th anniversary. – John Reidy.
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