HOME WALK. 29TH JANUARY 2011
‘Home’ Walk 29th January 2011
James Durney
On Friday 28 January Luka Bloom played to a sell-out crowd at Ryston Social Club, which kicked off a weekend of related activity organised by Mary Linihan and Noel Heavey. On Saturday morning at 11.00 members of the Moore family, friends and fans of Luka Bloom – some who had travelled from all parts of the globe – and local residents congregated at St. Patrick’s Church for a short session, which included Brigid’s blessing, a poetry reading by Julie Duane, and songs by Paul McCormack, before heading off on a Moore family related walk of Newbridge. Tour guides James Durney and Mario Corrigan, of County Kildare Library and Arts Services, ably assisted by local historians Colm Feeney and Damien Molyneux, brought over 100 people, in two groups, on a tour of the town’s historical sights. First stop was at Gandogue Lane, where a turnpike road existed as part of the old stagecoach road which continued on by Standhouse Road and on to Milltown.
The next stop was at the ‘Chicken America’ building, which was a national school up until the 1960s, while the building beside it was once the Moorefield GAA clubhouse. It was also here where Con Sullivan taught the Moores, and many others, elocution lessons. The two groups then went to the rear of the old family home at No. 3 Moorefield Terrace, where there was a reading from Lauri Murray’s book, Newbridge. The town I love so well, and some reminiscing by Andy Moore and Noel Heavey, and a song by Anne Moore. The two groups headed down Henry Street, stopping at Sheehan’s, Limerick Lane; Charlotte House, birthplace of Kathleen Lonsdale, nee Yardley, the world famous crystallographer; Market Square, where more music was provided; and the Masonic Hall, before converging on the old garrison church, where Liam Kett gave a musical history of the building which was at one time the town hall and where such luminaries as Phil Lynott and Gary Moore played. Here musician Pud Barrett gave a rendition of ‘Whiskey in the Jar.’
A walk through the old barracks followed until the groups exited at the watering gates and made their way along the scenic route up to the St. Conleth’s Bridge amidst musical and drama entertainment. The much-enjoyed walk ended with Mario Corrigan mentioning that the Library and bridge this year celebrates its 75th anniversary and pointing out the late Nancy Moore’s dedicated community service and connections with Newbridge Library.
A Moore-family related historical walk of Newbridge to celebrate Luka Bloom’s ‘Home’ concert in Ryston.
