Offaly area honours the late George Griffith with donations to two voluntary groups

The cheques were the proceeds from the sale of ‘’Down the Decades,’’ a book about the life of George Griffith from Clonshanny, that shone a light on life in rural Ireland since the formation of the Free State.

The book was written by Tom Minnock in conversation with George and with contributions from his wife Daphne and the Griffith family as well as access to his diaries.

Recalling that Tom himself and his wife Mary, “arrived in Clonshanny in the early 2000’s as neighbours of George on their own journey down the decades. This community that they joined has embraced and supported them since their arrival. It is a privilege to live here and to be blessed with such neighbours and an environment cared for by many volunteering groups. George was a great supporter of community and proud of his area. It is fitting that the two organisations here tonight reflect the community spirit he supported. He would be delighted with the reception that the book received and that the story of his life allows some practical support to be returned to the groups that care for the community he loved so much.”

Quoting Georges words from the book … “I know I am biased but I believe that Clonshanny is the best place to live and I could not ask for better neighbours” and “I had a great life.” Tom concluded that these were lovely words to be able to say after almost one hundred years in the same townland and thanked George for the memories.

Tom Griffith speaking on behalf of the family welcomed the groups and thanked them for their voluntary work in the community. He recalled the interaction that George had with his many friends especially those involved in farming. He recounted the work ethic that existed in the stories that George told, born out of necessity, but carried out with great humour.

George was delighted to recount the village events down the ages especially the famed frog-eating contest that became not only a national sensation but also went worldwide in an era long before the arrival of social media. Tom (Griffith) also welcomed the return to the village concept in the present time where people are now appreciating the sense of place and community interaction as part of their lifestyle.

This is being incorporated into policy and planning as a contribution to a less stressful lifestyle. George would have welcomed this and the family are delighted that they can make a contribution to the groups to show our support and give practical help to their work in improving our environment and remembering and respecting those who have gone before us.

Angela Kelly who co - ordinates the Boher/Liss Graveyard Maintenance Group thanked the Griffith family for thinking of them and making the generous contribution to their work. She recalled setting up the group and as Liss Graveyard has plots on either side of the church for Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland burials, calling on George to talk about getting volunteers from the Church of Ireland community to take part in the work.

Thanks to his influence there was a full complement of people within a week and the two communities have worked together year after year to maintain the plots that are a credit to everybody. George was ninety years of age at the time and was an enthusiastic worker down the years but also looked forward to the cup of tea and the chat at the end of the work.

Tony Ennis on behalf of the Tidy Towns Committee thanked the Griffiths family for their generous contribution which was a welcome surprise and they would use the money to support their work in maintaining the village and surrounding area. They would strive to ensure that Georges’ grandchildren would have an area that they would look on with pride.
Each group received a cheque for €850.

The evening concluded with refreshments and a song from his good neighbour Sean Kennedy that we know George would have enjoyed but above all he would have loved the chat which lasted into the night. May his gentle soul rest in peace.