Plaques unveiled in Slieve Blooms in memory of 'wonderful community people'

TWO plaques were unveiled on Sunday afternoon in memory of two former members of the Slieve Bloom Association, who were remembered as being “wonderful community people”.
Over a hundred people turned out for the unveiling on the Ridge of Capard. The gathering proceeded up a laneway, led by a Piper, to the large block of stone onto which the plaques had been installed. There were a number of Councillors from Offaly and Laois County Councils present and a big turnout of members of the Lynch and Culliton families.
The late Mary Lynch, from the Ridge of Capard, and the late Mary B. Culliton, from Mountmellick, were both members of the Association for over 40 years with the former serving as Secretary for nine years.
The weather was beautiful on Sunday and the location a magnificent one. Kathleen Culliton, daughter of Mary B, thanked the Association for honouring her mother in this way. “Mam was very interested in the environment,” she remarked. “She was recycling before everyone else started doing it. She was a botanist by training. She was also very interested in history. And she also knew how important the youth were, because they are the future and it's through them that we hope our good legacies will carry on. She loved being a member of the Association and gave it a lot of her time and energy during her many years, over forty, of membership. In the Culliton family we are really proud of Mam and we are very grateful to you all for joining us on this day, for what is a very big event for us.”
Danny Lynch, Mary Lynch's husband, warmly thanked everyone for turning out on what was a special day for him.
The two plaques were placed beside another plaque which had been installed some years ago, in memory of Tomás Culliton. Tomás was the husband of Mary B. A member of the Association for over 25 years, he served as its Chairman from 1992 to 2002.
Sunday's event was also a celebration of the Association's 50th birthday and after the plaque unveiling everyone drove to the Community Centre in Rosenallis for lunch. The Centre was packed with over a hundred people and after the excellent meal several speeches were given, each one introduced by Johnny Rigney, the Chairman of the Association.
Cllr Padraig Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, said this was a lovely occasion with a strong sense of community. He said it was also a “hugely important occasion” as they were recognising those people who had been strongly devoted to their communities and areas.
He pointed out that the Association has been involved with a huge number of public events during its 50 years, including guided walks, festivals and social gatherings. “Over the 50 years successive committees frequently sought and secured funding for many projects, including trails, heritage sites and improving public amenities. All involved with the Association should be very proud of the hard work you have done and continue to do. It is a massive achievement."
He congratulated the Culliton and Lynch families for their immense contributions to their local areas.
Cllr Fleming commented that even though he lives in the far south-east of Laois at a considerable distance from the Slieve Blooms, he often visits the hills. “I know these hills very well and visit them many times every year. I love walking here. The Ridge of Capard is a favourite spot.”
He praised the Association for reviving the four Pagan festivals over a decade ago. “This has led to memorable events every year, including the milking of the goat during Imbolc, the decoration of the May Bush during Bealtaine, walking up Ard Erin on Fraughan Sunday, and holding a Rambling House during Samhain.
“It is great to see so many young people here today, because they are the future. Today is a marvellous day for the community and I wish you another 50 years.”
The Chairman of the Association Johnny Rigney said Mary Lynch and Mary Culliton were “fantastic women who always gave 100%. Their energy, drive and commitment was special and you don't often come across it. We saw it in people like Paddy Lowry and Paddy Heaney who we have also previously honoured. I had the privilege of working with all these people on the committee for many years. It is a great pleasure to honour them today with the unveiling of the plaques.”
Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, pointed out that since the Association was founded in 1975 its members “have worked tirelessly in promoting the hills, in maintaining the facilities that are there, on both sides of the hills, in Laois and Offaly. Over the 50 years they frequently worked with Coillte to improve the accessibility to the hills, beginning many years ago with improving access to Glenbarrow, a place which is now thriving.
“In Offaly County Council we are proud to support this beautiful region through our grant system. While this funding support is crucial, none of it could be done without the work and good will of the local people, including the members of the Association. Future generations will thank you for all your good work, for your good will, for your determination to make the hills as accessible as possible.”
Cllr Seamus McDonald, a former Chairman of the Association, pointed out that 50 years is of course a very long time and it is quite an achievement for any organisation to keep going that long. He said they were all united by a deep love of the hills and he was “very proud” to be a member. He warmly thanked the Midland Tribune and Tullamore Tribune for covering the many events held by the Association over its five decades. “This coverage is very important,” he remarked, “and we are deeply grateful to the Tribune for it.” He added that the Association meets monthly, except for August, and would warmly welcome new members. “I would strongly urge you to join this excellent organisation and contribute to your community.”
Cllr Peter Ormond said there were people “present today from Coolderry and Aghancon, and it's great to see them. When I was growing up in Shinrone the Slieve Blooms were known as the Kinnitty Mountains. Of course they are about a much wider area than just Kinnitty!
"The Slieve Blooms are not only about beautiful landscapes but also about the people of the villages and the valleys. The Association gives those people a chance to communicate with everyone.”
Cllr Ormond said he is contacted from time to time by Johnny Rigney and Mary Doyle (an Association member from Kinnitty) about issues to do with the hills and he is always happy to receive their calls.
Derek Fanning, President of the Association, said his grandfather, James Fanning, was one of the founders of the organisation in 1975 and would be “thrilled” to see it continuing so strongly today. "When it was founded in 1975 the possibility of the potentiality of the Slieve Bloom Mountains wasn't fully appreciated by the general public. My grandfather loved the beauty of the Slieve Blooms and he envisaged a time when that beauty would be appreciated by a lot more people, locals and visitors alike. In his weekly newspaper The Midland Tribune he wrote regular articles about the various glens of these hills - their loveliness, history and heritage. He spent a lot of the time walking in the hills with his camera and his dog. I think he would be very happy to see the major progress that has been made since then - in 1975 there were no waymarked trails; now there's a big number of them. In 1975 the road network was considerably poorer - now it is much better, enabling people to access the hills. He would also be happy to see in 2025 that the local villages - Kinnitty, Cadamstown, Clonaslee, Rosenallis, Camross, are all looking well presented and well looked after; however, he wouldn't be happy to see that many shops and pubs have closed in the villages and general region - he would like to see more shops, more pubs, more life." Derek pointed out that throughout its 50 years of existence the SBA has regularly lobbied local and central government, and regional tourism organisations, pointing out the enormous potential of the Slieve Blooms and their potential for the economy of Laois and Offaly. He said the Association is a voluntary organisation and has been involved in promoting a huge range of projects, including new signposts, creating picnic areas, etc, throughout the range. The Association is as well supported and vibrant as it ever has been and continues to play a strong role in working for the welfare of the hills.

Derek added that one of the organisation's biggest achievements was the development of the Skyline Drive linking Glendine East and Glendine West via the Fanning Pass / Glendine Gap, which is near Ard Erin. The Skyline Drive was officially opened in 1994. "Another big achievement has been reviving the four ancient Pagan festivals of Imbolc, Bealtaine, Lughnasa and Samhain; something which captured the imagination of many. 

"I feel privileged to be the Association's President and it's always been a great pleasure to be associated with it. For me it's an organisation where good memories, beautiful landscapes and a strong sense of community all interact. I strongly hope that it survives for many more years because it's a hugely important part of this precious mountain range."

Johnny Rigney thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the 50th birthday a great day.
Association member Christy Conroy praised the Chairman for his hard work. “This wouldn't have happened without Johnny.” He also praised the Vice Chair Danny Lynch for “his trojan work.”
A raffle was also held and musical entertainment was provided by singer and guitarist Martin Delaney.