Con Houlihan was rightly honoured in his home town of Castle Island at the weekend, when over 250 people turned out for various events on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his passing.
By Michael John Kearney
Saturday evening kicked off with the arrival of Con’s old friend – Sam Maguire making a welcome return to the Town, accompanied by the Kerry captain, Joe O’Connor. Joe and Sam had a busy hour engaging with young and old in photographs and with much valued autographs.
Joe is a fine man with great interpersonal skills and we wish him well in his future career with Kerry.
Later we had a sizeable crowd to view the documentary on Con’s life – Waiting for Houlihan- and although we had some technical challenges, the patient crowd enjoyed the documentary, first shown in the town in 2004.
Memories Brought Back
The showing brought back many memories to a lot of people who knew Con and the many participants in the documentary, who have since passed on.
Helen Murphy of Glounsharoon, who appeared in the documentary had vivid memories of Con visiting their homestead over the years.
Jim Brassil of Ballylongford brought with him some great quality articles of Con’s from his collection, and they are available to anyone who wishes to copy them for their records.
Great Friends of Con
Thanks must go to the following, in no particular order, Frank Greally, Maurice Healy, Jimmy Deenihan, and Joe Daly of Currans, all great friends of Con and who are keeping his memory alive in both Dublin and Kerry and beyond.
I would also like to mention Sean Creedon, who could not make it on the night, but who produced a fantastic cover page article in the Ireland’s Own magazine.
We would also like to thank Harriet Duffin, Con’s friend girl for making a lot of Con’s works available to the Con’s Cottage Project and being a great friend of Castle Island over the years.
Dublin and Kerry Crews Entertainment
Later on in the evening there was a great session upstairs in the hotel where the Dublin crew of Frank, Maurice and Joe excelled at keeping the crowd entertained with some songs, verse and stories until late into the night. Thanks also to our great musicians on the night – led by Con Moynihan and Denis O’Connor.
Sunday morning started with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Mossie Brick and music provided by Celia Regan and Nicky McAuliffe.
Thanks to all three for wonderful words and music.
Tommy Martin Tour Insights
To wind up the celebration of Con’s life we gathered at the Latin Quarter after Mass and Tommy Martin gave a most interesting and engaging insight into Con’s life as we moved through the town and the places that Con loved and finally finishing at Con’s monument.
After the highs of the weekend and the insights into his person and writing style and output, one cannot stop wondering when this great man will be properly recognised as the literary genius from Castle Island, that he was, by his inclusion in academic curricula.
Place of Birth Secured
And be properly and extensively researched by students at home and abroad, in their pursuit of PHD qualifications for the impacts he has had, and the many legacies he has left.
How appropriate it would be if it was a Castle Islander who undertook the task. And that work and all of Con’s endeavours could be gathered under one roof in his home town.
Having secured Con’s place of birth on Limerick Road just recently, that must be our next objective to secure his memory for posterity. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis,
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