Carlow footballers bounce back with a 0-13 to 0-9 victory over London in round 5 of the Allianz League.

Report by kind permission of KCLR96FM

After last year’s defeat opening round defeat to London hurting Carlow’s promotion hopes from the off, Niall Carew’s men were keen to get the victory in McGovern Park, Ruislip.

London took an early advantage with Aidan McLoughlin securing the first point of the game for the UK-based team. London doubled their lead, however, needed to wait 10 minutes before they doubled their tally, as Carlow struggled to get going. It would take 13 minutes for Carlow to get their first score on the board, as London seemed quite content to keep men behind the ball. Darragh Foley stood on a free right in front of the post, with the captain getting his county off the mark.

Niall Carew’s men got the next two scores to put them in the lead after 21 minutes before either side traded scores to leave the game four points a piece. London’s fourth point would be their last though as The Barrowsiders grew into the game approaching the whistle. Colm Hulton and Darragh Foley put three over to bring Carlow into the dressing room three points ahead at 0-07 0-04.

After half-time, Carlow continued their ascension, scoring another two in the opening minutes of the second half. The struggling London side looked to be frustrated with Carlow keeping possession, the frustration compounded by the next two points going in the favour of the away side. James Gallagher broke the duct for London on 54 minutes before Carlow was once again reduced to 14 men when Shane Clarke received a black card.

The next score was vital, because of how the game changed so dramatically last year with Carlow giving up a ten-point lead when reduced to 14 men. Thankfully Darragh Foley made it double digits for his county. London was not going to give up, Noel Maher stopping a Jordon Morrissey goal-scoring opportunity before they hit a purple patch with James Gallagher adding another two to his tally, making it a one-score game.

Ross Dunphy put some breathing room between the sides adding another score, with just five minutes remaining and Shane Clarke coming back onto the pitch. Darragh Foley forced the board to read 0-12 to 0-07, with London very much needing a goal to keep any hopes alive of salvaging something from this game.

Nothing was to be salvaged though, with Carlow traveling back to the Emerald Isle with all the points after a 0-13 to 0-09 win

Shane O'Keeffe Words by Shane O’Keeffe

Calling all Carlovians across London and beyond to St Patrick’s Parade & Festival – Sunday 12th March

* CALLING ALL CARLOVIANS IN LONDON *

“Your County needs YOU”

follow-me-up-to-carlow-london-st-pats-parade6Its countdown to London’s 2023 St Patrick’s Celebrations on 12th March and the County Carlow Association in London plan to be out in force to celebrate the biggest National Day in the world’s calendar.

And we invite you all to be there in your ‘Red Yellow and Green’ Carlow Jersey or Irish Top waving your flags and banners.
🇬🇳 The parade forms up on Piccadilly (eastbound) between Hyde Park Corner & Clarges Street.
🇬🇳 Nearest tube stations are Green Park & Hyde Park Corner.  Carlow group is Slot D11 forming up adjacent to Down St from 11.00 onwards.

#FollowMeUpToCarlow 🇬🇳

You’ll be made very welcome.

Also see the wonderful floats from Irish County Associations, marching bands from across the UK, sports clubs and Irish Dancing schools.

Beigh fáilte romhat..

London St Patrick’s Day Parade has been in existence since the 1960s, when it was organised by the Council of Irish Counties Associations. It is now in its 20th year as a Mayor of London event.

Accessible to all audiences and attracting over 50,000 people onto the streets to watch, the parade aims to share a little of Irish culture with Londoners and visitors. This year includes 70 group entries consisting of floats (motorised and non-motorised) and walking groups, many with live musicians playing traditional Irish instruments, vocalists and contemporary Irish pop or jazz.

These entries consist of Irish associations, sports clubs, dance schools, community, church, union and interest groups and family contingents. The parade is also enlivened by several energetic international entries.

Be part of the colourful procession of Irish marching bands from the UK, US and Ireland, dance troupes and pageantry, including the Garda band from Dublin and the return of the popular Giant St Patrick.

The parade travels through Piccadilly, St James’s Street, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street and Whitehall.

The parade finishes in Trafalgar Square to a backdrop of Irish Culture with Music, Song, Dance and plenty of Craic on the Main Stage from noon till 6pm

The best of Irish arts, culture, food and music will be on show as Londoners and visitors join together to celebrate the significant contribution Irish people have made to London and the  surrounding area.

Main Stage Line Up

The Main Stage at Trafalgar Square boasts a world-class line-up of Irish culture and music, in partnership with the London Irish Centre with…

  • MC/Host – Riyadh Khalaf
  • Biblecode Sunday’s
  • Celtic Youth Orchestra
  • Celaviedmai
  • Junk Kouture
  • Craic Heads
  • Leon Dunne -Spoken Word artist
  • AIS X I Am Irish
  • Roxanna Nic Liam
  • Maguire O’Shea School of Dance
  • Sharon Shannon & Band
  • Sing-a-long with London Irish Community Voices Choir
  • Irish Film London Screen programme

Come out on Sunday and help paint the town GREEN (with a touch of RED and YELLOW also).  The parade leaves the top of Piccadilly at NOON forming up from 11.00 from outside Green Park Station.
following-carlow9-300x225It sets off at a jig and parades its way up Piccadilly, along Lower Regent, the Mall and Cockspur Street, rounding Trafalgar Square and finishing up in Whitehall.

Come along and join the craic in following the ‘Follow me up to Carlow’ and ‘County Carlow London Association’ banners.

Make it the event where all Carlovians in London can experience that ‘Special Gathering’ outside of the County of Carlow and Ireland.

* Have a fantastic St Patrick’s Day * 

* Lá Fhéile Phádraig Shona Daoibh *

* Sláinte *

Carlow Footballers celebrate a great win in London..

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There was a sea of Red Yellow and Green in Mc Govern Park as Carlow got their National Football League season off to a flying start in Ruislip on Saturday 27th Jan with a 2-14 to 2-9 win over London.

It was a tight and exciting game all the way but Carlow’s commitment to build on last year’s Championship campaign showed through.

A goal from Eoghan Ruth in the first half and a follow up one by Man of the Match Jordan Morrissey in the second was enough to secure a 5 point victory.

London was a hard team to break down and Turlough O Brian admitted it was a difficult task at certain points in the game.

“We are short of a few of our backs through injury today and that showed against London’s attacking style.”

London is a strong side and I can see them having a good campaign this season and taking points from teams on route.

It was a hard fought for 2 points but a win is a win and today’s match has tought us some important lessons.

We had great support from the stand today and I’d like to thank all the Carlovians that travelled over as well as our emigrant friend’s here. It meant alot to see so many sporting our county colours.”

Former Carlow Association London man Niall Sheehan from Kilcoltrim is All-Ireland Cross Country Champion.

It was celebrations all round when Kilcoltrim native Niall Sheehan and former committee member of the Carlow Association London running in the colours of Gowran AC claimed gold in winning the All- Ireland Intermediate Cross Country Championships in Tuam on Sunday last 22nd January.

Niall Sheehan raises his arms to an emotional All-Ireland win bringing the gold home to the County for the first time ever.

Niall Sheehan raises his arms to an emotional All-Ireland win bringing the gold home to the County for the first time ever.

He felt confident and good the week prior and trained and prepared well in the later part of that week with rest and massage for a few days beforehand.  The course was tough given it was set on undulating parkland. There were a number of steep hills, particularly one towards the end. The underfoot conditions added to the difficulty of the course as the ground was wet in some places. The weather was dry and bright with little or no wind – ideal conditions for Irish cross country.

Sheehan was well in contention over the early stages of the 8,000 meter course of 2 short 1km laps and 4 long 1.5km laps with the lead changing hands at different stages between himself Ian Guiden of Dublin, Toss Hayes of Kilkenny and  Tim O’Connor of Meath.

With about 2 km to go he made made his break and stretched the lead bit by bit on the last lap kicking for home with approximately 250m to go and keeping the gap between Colin Maher and himself at just over 20m.

After an emotional finish, Niall said “Winning the race was an unbelievable feeling. My emotions prior to the race were one of cautious expectation, however on crossing the line were a strange mix of relief, delirium and disbelief. I won it for Gowran and for Carlow.”

Niall  Sheehan (Gowran) All-Ireland Intermediate Cross-Country Champion with Colin Maher (Ballyfin) and Ian Guiden (Clonliffe Harriers).

Niall Sheehan (Gowran) All-Ireland Intermediate Cross-Country Champion with Colin Maher (Ballyfin) and Ian Guiden (Clonliffe Harriers).

Niall loves his sport and has been running some 13 years after playing GAA and soccer. He started in Secondary school with his first race in Knockbeg in the Carlow Interschools  “The best thing I like about running is that you can shape your training and racing around your life and also the buck stops with you. What I like most about racing is the big cross country and track races.”

His favourite place to train is the Nine Stones and Mount Leinster and along the Barrow Line and is totally against ‘The Blueway’ planned for it saying it’ll ruin the whole aspect of the area.

On the win Niall said afterwards…

“I haven’t won a race of this importance previously. I had no national titles at adult level to my name before Sunday, hence this makes the victory extra sweet. Unfortunately, my parents or my brother weren’t able to make it as it’s a busy season at home on the farm”

This was the first individual win in the event for a Carlow born athlete. Mick Kelly a neighbour of Sheehan from Ballymurphy lead for most of the race in 2005 and was still in the lead with 50m to go but was. outkicked to finish 3rd. It is noteworthy that Mick and Niall both run for Gowran as there are no athletics clubs in South Carlow. Tommy Payne the legend of Carlow Athletics finished 2nd in the snow in Navan in 1986 having finished 3rd the previous year. Denis Shannon was 8th in Naas some years earlier to Ray McBride.

And whats next for the champ.  “Although I finished up working in London prior to Christmas, I hope to travel across to Nottingham for the English Cross Country on the 24th of February to run for my club in England, Newham and Essex Beagles. There may be a local or low key race in the interim.

My training is going well at the moment I train 7 days a week, with two days Wednesday and Friday being a little bit easier. I undertake sessions with a group on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In addition to running either individually or as part of a group, I also undertake gym sessions individually about 3 or 4 times a week. My mileage totals approximately 60 miles a week, with some weeks towards the earlier part of the season being heavier, and towards the business end being lighter.

While I don’t play any other sport, I am a keen GAA and soccer follower. I am an ardent Carlow and Mount Leinster Rangers fan, and always attended Carlow’s annual trip to Ruislip. In soccer I follow the Irish national side with Manchester United and Hibernian (having previously lived in Edinburgh) being my club sides.”

Niall made another big move in his life after Christmas by taking up an appointment as a Quantity Surveyor in Dublin after 8 years in the UK, 4 them in London. We in the Carlow Association London wish him the very best and look forward to hearing more great news from this talented sportsman.

 

 

Have you filled in the #CARLOWCONNECTS survey…

Our home county is reaching out to #Carlow Connections across the World!

15894546_10154905767522264_673257930605484423_nCarlow County Council is developing a Diaspora and Twinning Strategy that seeks to identify and develop opportunities to harness County pride and engage with Carlow’s national and international citizens and communities across the globe and are asking all to complete this simple survey https://t.co/GwQ7oOkZNY

All part of the #CARLOW CONNECTS project.

It’s to be completed by 8th January and can we ask you to spread the word via your network of Carlovians here and abroad

Carlowman in London explains why the Irish in Britain should vote to remain in the EU in the forthcoming referendum.

The article below was in the Carlow Nationalist on 26 April.  It was written by Tom Nolan, a native of Tullow, who has lived in London for the past 10 years.  It sets out why it is important for Ireland that the UK votes to remain in the EU in the forthcoming referendum.  More information on the referendum can be found on www.irishforeurope.org

TOM NOLAN-2Irish vote may be key in Brexit referendum

On June 23rd voters in the UK will be asked if they believe the country should remain in, or leave the European Union. According to recent opinion polls, the leave option, or Brexit as it has become commonly known, is gaining momentum and there is a real possibility that the UK and Northern Ireland may very well leave the EU.

Despite the overwhelming evidence showing a vote to leave would damage the UK economy and reduce its global influence, many British people, encouraged by a press that is largely Eurosceptic, are seriously considering a Brexit. If it was to happen, its impact will be profound and felt far beyond the shores of the UK. And its closest neighbour, Ireland, would suffer the consequences more than most.

Ireland is the only country to share a land border with the UK. Trade between us is estimated to be worth €1.2bn every week. The UK accounts for over 40% of our food and drink exports. Thousands of Irish people have moved there in search of work and many make use of the ease of travel between the two countries to visit home as often as they can throughout the year.

If the UK votes to leave, the impact on Ireland will be dramatic. Considering immigration is featuring so prominently in the debate, a Brexit will almost certainly see border controls introduced between the Republic and Northern Ireland. The right of Irish people to move to the UK to live and work could no longer be taken for granted. Affordable flights to London, Manchester, Edinburgh and every other destination in the UK could become a thing of the past.

Credible independent research by organisations such as the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimated that a Brexit could reduce trade flows between Ireland and the UK by at least 20 percent. The ESRI has also ruled out suggestions that Ireland could benefit from more inward investment as a result of a Brexit. Bigger countries such as Germany and France are more likely to attract the foreign direct investment that would by-pass the UK if they vote to leave.

Irish 4 europeA Brexit would also weaken Ireland’s position within the EU, as we are natural allies with the UK on key issues such as taxation and the internal market. Our equal membership of the EU has helped to ensure relations between us have never been better. It is no surprise that the Irish government have been vocal in their hope that the UK votes to remain.

While German, French, Italian and other European nationals who have been living in the UK for many years and are directly affected by the referendum are not allowed to vote, the situation is different for people from Ireland. Any Irish person living in the UK can vote in the referendum as long as they are registered. British people who are living in Ireland are also entitled to register as overseas voters.

The Irish vote is significant. There are an estimated 600,000 Irish people resident in the UK and over a million second generation Irish. No doubt many readers of The Nationalist will have family and friends living there. If you believe it is in Ireland’s interest for the UK to remain a member of the EU it is important to get in contact with people you know who have moved to the UK to ensure they are registered to vote – particularly young Irish people who have emigrated over the last few years – and encourage them to vote remain. In this referendum every vote will count. And as things stand only a small number of votes will decide the outcome.

I have lived and worked in the UK for many years and in common with most other Irish people I have always found it to be a welcoming place to live. That openness to the rest of the world will be put at risk if there is a vote to leave on 23rd June. The result of the referendum is uncertain; a lot will depend on whether groups such as the Irish cast their ballot on the day. Irish people in the UK will be doing their adopted country, and their family and friends back home, a huge favour if they turn out and vote to remain in the EU.

Carlow Footballers just manage to hold on against London after a great start.

Carlow Senior Footballers travelled to London on Saturday 6th February for their Round 2. Division 4 clash in an effort to salvage something from their 1-12 to 0-10 defeat to Antrim at home the previous week.  Although they put in a winning performance at Ruislip and were well in control they eased off in the final quarter with a lackluster finish to it all.
Carlow man in London Niall Sheehan caught up with the action.

LONDON 1-11
CARLOW 4-4

Carlow Senior Football squad who were triumphant against London.

Carlow Senior Football squad who were triumphant against London.

THE GAME
Carlow started swiftly out of the blocks and played some very good football in the first half playing against a stiff breeze with difficult underfoot conditions. They dominated the half lines and midfield, with some impressive fielding and used the ball intelligently thereafter, patiently working themselves into scoring positions. Scott Conroy, (Ballyroan and Laois) opened the scoring for London with a well taken free and that was the only time London lead. Sean Gannon altered the scoreboard after 4 minutes with a goal and again at 12 minutes JJ Smith hit the net leaving the score at London 0-1 to Carlow 2-1
Brendan Murphy added a fine point soon afterwards with London responding through two frees from Scott Conroy, separated in between by a good point from play from the same player. That left a goal between the sides, however JJ Smith won a penalty in the 21st minute following some good build up play. John Murphy duly converted, sending the London keeper the wrong way. Brendan Murphy added two more points (one free) before half time, separated in between by an Adrian Moyles point from play for London. Carlow were well in control at half time, the scoreline reading Carlow 3-03 to London’s 0-5.

The second half started with London showing more urgency and opened with another Scott Conroy free, however soon after Carlow breezed through the London defence with Sean Gannon palming to the net from a great JJ Smith pass. At 41 minutes on the clock, this should have been the point at which the result was put beyond doubt, however to London’s credit they never gave up and upped their performance levels significantly from here on in. Carlow and London traded points (Murphy and Conroy (free)), before London took the game to Carlow for the final quarter. The ever impressive Conroy kicked all scoreable frees presented his way providing London with a foothold. The amount of frees which came Conroy’s way may be somewhat attributable to Carlow’s tactics of putting large numbers of players behind the ball in a blanket defence coupled with more intelligent London play of engineering such opportunities. Liam Gavaghan could have brought closer in the 48th minute earlier, however he blazed over for a point when a goal opportunity presented itself. Some credit however must go to the Carlow full back line who put him under significant pressure. That said, Carlow should have converted two very scoreable opportunities before and after, when John Murphy put the ball wide from the right and Hughie Gahan afterwards from the left. This would have abated any nerves in the last few minutes. Conroy continued to add frees, with one Adrian Hanlon point from play brining the gap to six points before a long high ball from the half forward line into the 14 yard line was well fielded and subsequently finished by half time substitute Senan O’Grady ensuring a frantic finale in the three additional minutes of stoppage time. London won another free with 90 seconds left, which Conroy duly pointed from 23 yards out, leaving two between the sides. To their credit Carlow defended well thereafter and their blanket defence repelled London’s efforts. Tempers frayed in the dying seconds when Daniel St.Ledger was black carded for getting involved in a scuffle following some untidy London tackling which left Brendan Murphy injured temporarily. All of the aforementioned subsequently ran the clock down and the referee blew the full time whistle to the relief of all the Carlow players, management and supporters alike.

Carlow V London ScoreboardCONCLUSION
Overall Carlow’s fitness levels were superior and skills sharper, both of which were essentially the difference. In addition to all of the aforementioned, they were more ruthless in their execution in the first half which provided the platform to win the game. Although a largely positive effort; worrying from a Carlow point of view was the manner in which they let London back into the game in the last 10 minutes when victory seemed assured. Part of this can be attributed to London’s good play, however they won a number of soft frees, and, also Carlow could have used the wind to their advantage. As aforementioned Carlow also had a number of opportunities to put clear daylight between the teams in the final quarter that would ultimately have prevented a frantic finale. In addition to this they were unnecessarily involved in a scuffle towards the end. Both are lessons that will need to be learned going forward if Carlow are to progress, where no doubt sterner challenges await.

Man of the Match was Brendan Murphy (Rathvilly) who kicked all of Carlow’s points, fielded some excellent ball and consistently distributed effectively. Also very impressive were his midfield partner Sean Gannon, and the entire half backline of Gary Kelly, Derek Hayden, the ever reliable Benny Kavanagh and full forward JJ Smith. London’s best player was Scott Conroy with Patrick O’Hara also impressive in the second half.

TEAMS
London: 1. Gavin Mc Evoy; 2. Philip Butler, 3. David McCreevey, 4. Darragh Quinn, 5. Caomhin Carty, 6. Danny Ryan, 7. Colin Dunne, 8. James Moran, 9. Mark Gottsche, 10. James Moran, 11. Patrick O’Hara, 12. Adrian Hanlon, 13. Scott Conroy, 20. Alan Dunne for 14.Lorcan Mulvey – did not start inj., 15. Sean Hickey.

Substitutes: 1st Half: 19. John Lynch for 7. Colin Dunne; H/T: 22. Senan O’Grady for 15.Sean Hickey; 2nd Half: 21. Dualtach Molloy, 23. Cathal Og Greene, 26 Liam Gavaghan

Carlow: 1. Craig Kearney, (Palatine), 2. Barry John Molloy(Rathvilly), 3. Daniel St.Ledger (Kildavin/Clonegal), 4. Kieran Nolan (Fighting Cocks), 5. Gary Kelly (Mount Leinster Rangers), 6. Derek Hayden (Eire Og), 7. Benny Kavanagh (Eire Og), 8. Brendan Murphy(Rathvilly), 9. Sean Gannon (Eire Og), 10. Alan Kelly (Rathvilly), 11. John Murphy (Grange), 12.Darragh Foley, (Kilbride), 13. Brian Murphy (Rathvilly), 14. JJ Smith (Rathvilly), 20. Ed Finnegan (Rathvilly)

Substitutes(all second half): Darragh O’Brien(Eire Og) for Brian Murphy, Chris Blake (Eire Og) for John Murphy; Hughie Gahan(Old Leighlin) for Darragh Foley, Danny Moran(Tinryland) for Alan Kelly

Also on panel: Robbie Molloy, Henry Hegarty, Graham Power, Jack Kennedy, Mark Fitzgerald, Paul Broderick inj., Andy O’Brien.

Management: Turlough O’Brien; Selectors: Darren Leonard, Tommy Wogan.

ROUND UP
The game and occasion afterwards was reasonably attended with a good helping of Carlow emigrants making the trip to the Emerald GAA Grounds, and, relatives of players travelling over for the weekend. Hopefully the Carlow hurlers will ensure the double over London is completed in a few weeks time on home turf in Netwatch Cullen Park.

***********************************************

Niall Scheehan (L) with clubman Gary Kelly (MLR)

Niall Sheehan (L) with his clubman Gary Kelly (MLR).  Also in picture is Man of the Match Brendan Murphy standing with Benny Kavanagh sitting down.

About the Author:
Niall Sheehan, (30), proud Borris and Co.Carlow man in London.
Niall works as a surveyor for Stockdale, having previously worked as a Planner for Wandsworth and Camden Councils. More importantly Niall runs for Newham and Essex Beagles in cross country, track and road. Of greatest importance Niall is a ardent Mount Leinster Rangers and Carlow GAA supporter. 

 

The Made in Heaven creator serves up a real Devilish Christmas Feast in South Carlow.

A great friend of the Carlow Association London is London born  (Harringay) man in South Carlow John Whelan.  We asked John about his favourite Christmas dish and what he’ll be cooking for the big day.  He sees Christmas as a special time for family and friends.  John runs the The Devils Menu in St Mullins Rd in Tinnahinch where he creates the exquisite ‘Made in Heaven’ marshmallows now being sold the world over.   He loves cooking saying he ” was born to inspire, teach and share the esoteric magic of food. Join my cult and worship the kitchen!!!”  In July 2014 he opened the Boutique Cookery School to friends and guests from home and abroad to celebrate and share his passion for good food and great company.
This is what John will be preparing for the guests this Christmas.
Over to you John….

John WhelanA Devilishly Good Christmas

Here at the Devils Menu Boutique Cookery School we love good local produce and use as much of it as possible in our chef’s table dinners.
We are amazingly lucky to be located just outside Tinnahinch with wonderful ingredients on our doorstep. Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford have an abundance of great vegetables, free range livestock and stunning fish & shellfish.

This year we are having a fantastic Christmas dinner that will take a few days preparation but is worth every minute of work. I never expect my guests to cook exactly what I do when they go home, but they all get some great tips that improves their cooking. And to date for the last 16 months we have never had one complaint or less than a 5 star customer review on tripadvisor.

STARTER
My starter this year will be a slow cooked duck egg yolk with a slice of white pudding that I make myself. Served with a lightly pickled onion and freshly baked sourdough baguette.
The duck egg is from a farm on Brandon Hill just opposite our kitchen window and it’s cooked in its shell for 1 hour at 63C. The shell and white are then removed and the yolk that still looks raw but is fully cooked is kept warm whilst the pudding is cooked.
The white pudding is a secret recipe of mine using free range pork from the Hills of Mount Leinster and takes 3 days to prepare but is delicious.
The onions (my Dad grows them) are thinly sliced then pickled in equal quantities of port and white wine vinegar and a tablespoon of brown sugar and sea salt. The liquid is brought to the boil then add the sugar & salt, dissolve this and then add the onions and boil for about 10 mins until the liquid nearly cooks off. Chill and serve at room temp

MAIN MEAL
We will be having a Free Range Organic Turkey that comes from about 10 mins away near Mount Loftus bred by our friends Sian & Howard. The turkey will be immersed in a salt and sugar solution brine for 3 days before cooking to give it a better flavour. Dried thoroughly rubbed with butter and then cooked on a high temp 240C for 30 mins and then 180C for 1 hour. Then basted every 10 mins for 45mins. Check the turkey to see if it done by sticking a skewer into the thickest part of the bird and see if the juices run clear. Rest for about 30 – 40 mins lightly covered in foil.
I make a stuffing using minced free range pork belly, finely minced organic chicken breast, smoked local bacon finely chopped, finely chopped onion, fresh sage and rosemary from our garden, some of our breadcrumbs, lightly blanched rooster potatoes diced, fresh double cream and seasoned with mace, sea salt, black and white pepper and a touch of nutmeg.
This gets all mixed together then rolled in cling film into large sausages. They will be chilled then before lunch poached in lightly boiling water, and then finished in the oven brushed with the juices of the roasting turkey.
Gravy made from the reduced juices, a local ale that is reduced in half and redcurrant jelly.
Our vegetables will be kept simple and seasonal.
Roast & puree of Jerusalem artichoke grown in our garden. Roasted onion mash potato. Confit carrots (grown by my dad) they are just cooked in their own juices and a touch of olive oil. And Brussels sprouts with Serrano ham in a lemon butter.
Taste and season the vegetables with sea salt & pepper. Get them ready the day before I will roast my onions the day before, the carrots are also cooked the day before and reheated

DESSERT
Dessert is going to be a warm chocolate ganache sauce with homemade Madagascan Vanilla ice cream and our luxury marshmallows.
To make a delicious ganache sauce warm 250ml of double cream and teaspoon of brown sugar in a pan then add 200g of very good quality milk chocolate drops. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the sauce is rich and shiny.

I can’t wait to eat this and lie down in front of a good movie and a roaring fire.

Thanks John… And a Happy Christmas to you and all at The Devils Menu.

Carlow and London share a strong connection with the Easter Rising leading to Parliamentary Questions asked in the Houses of Parliament in 1916

A fatal occurrence during the Easter Rising links Carlow and London in a strange way.  Carlow historian Prof Paul Horan explains why parliamentary questions were raised in the House of Commons on the tragic death of a Leighlinbridge nurse killed by enemy fire during the historic week.

Nurse Margaret Keogh

Nurse Margaret Keogh

Nurse Margaret Keogh died from gunshot wounds sustained in the doorway of The Acute Hospital or Hospital 3 of The South Dublin Union at around lunchtime on April 24th 1916.  It is likely that she was mistakenly shot by soldiers of The Royal Irish Regiment who were clearing the hospital grounds of insurgents identified later as Jim Kenny and Dan McCarthy.  Nurse Keogh sustained stomach wounds and shot through the heart also. It is understood she died instantly.  Her body was placed on a table in the ground floor of Hospital 3 by soldiers of The Royal Irish Regiment at the request of one of her nursing colleagues beside the wounded Volunteer Dan McCarthy.

Some accounts suggest that Nurse Keogh was attending to a wounded volunteer who could possibly have been Dan McCarthy. Other accounts suggest that Nurse Keogh had descended the stairs from the second floor of the Hospital 3 building where she and another nursing colleague had been taken cover from the gunfire and that as she reached the last step of the stairs she was shot through a glass door.

She was the niece of Captain Myles Keogh of Custer’s Last Stand and was also daughter of the Coroner for County Carlow the late Patrick Keogh of Orchard, Leighlinbridge according to her Nationalist and Leinster Times Death Notice of 1916

Whatever actually occurred the fact remains that a nurse in full uniform was shot by soldiers of an Irish Regiment of the British Army at complete odds with the rules of the conduct of War.

County Carlow’s Heroine of 1916 Nurse Margaret Kehoe was called the ‘first martyr of 1916’ by Commandant Eamonn Ceannt the executed 1916 during hostilities at The South Dublin Union now the site of St.James Hospital and The Trinity Centre for Health Sciences on James Street in Dublin.

In essence an innocent nurse was murdered by gun shots to the abdomen fired by soldiers of The Royal Irish Regiment when she was rushing to attend patients or to the aid of a casualty of the conflict in the vicinity of The Acute Hospital/Hospital 3 of the South Dublin Union in the course of her nursing duty. Volunteer Dan McCarthy was also wounded in the melee by gunshots. Dan McCarthy went on to become a significant Sinn Fein party organiser, a TD and Junior Minister in the first Free State government and President of The GAA from 1921 – 1924.

There is another Carlow link to the story recounted in a revelation by Dan McCarthy in his Bureau of Military Archives witness statement, he himself states that his injuries were initially attended to in the South Dublin Union and later in the week he was transferred to the Red Cross Field Hospital in Dublin Castle into the care Surgeon William Steele Haughton. Surgeon Haughton the son of the Carlow born Rev.Dr. Samuel Haughton the Trinity College Dublin polymath who developed the infamous formula for a more efficient form of Hanging offered to the world in his 1866 paper simply entitled ‘On Hanging’. Surgeon Samuel Steele Haughton would go on to become Professor of Orthopaedics at Trinity College Dublin and is reputed was being the man who introduced X-Rays to Ireland.

There are three bureau of military archive witness statements which give some insight into the events surrounding what happened to Nurse Keogh on that fateful day in 1916 . The witness statements are those of
Dan McCarthy, an Irish Volunteer of ‘D’ Company 4th Battalion, Dublin Brigade Irish Volunteers on Active Service Easter Week 1916 at the South Dublin Union.
Patrick Smyth a Ward Master, South Dublin Union.
Annie Mannion The Assistant Matron of the South Dublin Union.

Patrick Smyth in his statement briefly suggests that.. About 1.30 p. m. He heard from a member of the Staff that Nurse Keogh had been shot while rushing down stairs to take in her patients who were out in the yard. he I was also informed that she had been shot through a glass door by British forces.

Annie Mannion The Assistant Matron of the Dublin Union at the time suggested in her statement.. The one building she did remember definitely that the Volunteers occupied was what is now known as the Acute Hospital, that is the building opposite the Convent where Nurse Keogh was shot by the British military.

Former Junior Minister and rank and file Irish Volunteer of the 4th Battalion in Easter Week 1916 Dan McCarthy recounts the circumstances which lead to Nurse Keogh’s fatal shooting at lunchtime on the 24th April 1916 at the South Dublin Union.  “The front of the building that we occupied was defended by two Volunteers – Jim Kenny and myself – and the back, which faced the canal side, was not defended by any men from the South Dublin Union garrison as it was felt that the Marrowbone Lane garrison could cover that. To our surprise, a British military party appeared in the corridor and we opened fire on them. How they got there without being attacked from the Marrowbone Lane garrison, I can’t say. There were only two of us there. We opened the door and fired. Since there were only two of us in it, having fired on the military party, we decided to get out of the building. Kenny went one way – to the right – and I went to the left. Kenny was fortunate to reach the Nurses Home where the defence was, but I was wounded. Evidently the British party were taken by surprise when we fired on them, and they seemed to have lost their heads momentarily because a nurse in full uniform opened the door and came down the stairs. They fired on her and killed her”

The Nationalist and Leinster Times in May 1916 carried Nurse Keogh’s death notice clearly stating that Nurse Keogh died embarking on her duties, another report in the paper states that nature of Margaret’s injuries were extensive and that she was ‘blown to pieces’. The Nationalist and Leinster Times also provided coverage of County Council Vote of Condolence on Nurse Kehoe’s Death on May 13th 1916. In many ways my ancestor my great grand uncle James Reddy who was the Managing Director of The Nationalist and Leinster Times and his staff have left a remarkable social history of what occurred during and and in the aftermath of the Rising.

The circumstances of Nurse Kehoe’s death were inquired about in a Parliamentary Question at the Houses of Parliament on June 22nd by Mr.Ginnell MP of The Irish Parliamentary Party to Prime Minister Asquith MP.

In replying for the Prime Minister The Under Secretary of State for War Mr.Tennant MP saying the incident was an unfortunate accident. The Parliamentary Question concerning Nurse Keogh and its reply are presented as they appear in the House of Commons Record HANSARD of the 22nd June 1916
HANSARD 22 June 1916 House of Commons Sitting addressing matters concerning DISTURBANCES IN IRELAND.
PERSONS SHOT BY MILITARY.

Mr. GINNELL MP The Irish Parliamentary Party

Mr. GINNELL MP The Irish Parliamentary Party

Mr. GINNELL MP The Irish Parliamentary Party
68. Mr. GINNELL asked the Prime Minister whether the officer who gave the order to shoot any person entering a certain corridor of the South Dublin Union, or the soldier who in obedience to that order shot Nurse Kehoe through the heart, has yet been tried by any Court, civil or military; whether any notice was given to the nursing staff to avoid the corridor in 304 question; whether Nurse Kehoe was when shot wearing her nursing uniform; whether there was any reason for thinking she was acting in any other capacity than that of a nurse; whether the King’s Regulations empower any officer to order the shooting of, or any soldier to shoot through the heart, a nurse wearing her uniform and practising her profession; and what the intention of the Government is with regard to this case?
Replying for the Prime Minister The Under Secretary of State for War Mr.Tennant MP

Mr.Tennant MP The Under Secretary of State for War

Mr.Tennant MP The Under Secretary of State for War

Mr. TENNANT
The circumstances connected with this case have been very carefully and exhaustively inquired into, the evidence of military and also civilian witnesses having been taken. It has been definitely ascertained that this most regrettable incident was a pure accident. The remaining portions of the question do not therefore arise.

This article set out to throw greater light on the tragic death of a Carlow nurse as a result being shot whilst in full uniform during hostilities at South Dublin Union at lunchtime on the 24th of April 1916 during the Easter Rising. The archival sources at least now tell us more clearly what happened who the key players were and what transpired. We now know that a soldier of the Royal Irish Regiment shot a nurse in full inform whilst clearing the grounds and hospital buildings of The South Dublin Union on James Street in Dublin. Previously unpublished witness statements cast a light on the fraught circumstances of Nurse Keogh’s senseless killing. Nurse Keogh’s mortal remains were hurriedly buried in the Master’s Garden of the South Dublin Union in the immediate aftermath of the Rebellion. Sometime later Nurse Keogh’s body was exhumed and re-interred in the graveyard in Ballinabranna, Co.Carlow where she rest in her native county to this day. Nurse Keogh will forever truly be what the executed 1916 Leader of The 4th Battalion of the Irish Volunteers Commandant Eamonn Ceannt referred to her as ‘The First True Martyr of the 1916 Rising’
About the Author
Paul Horan MA MA RNID RNT PGDipHSE is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Trinity College a proud Carlovian who trained to be a nurse in Epsom, Surrey and worked in many different nursing capacities in London for 10 years where he completed a Masters Degree at the Univesity of Westminster before returning to Ireland to take up a Director of Nursing position in Kilkenny.  He progressed to Trinity College Dublin as a lecturer and now assistant professor.  A keen local historian and was instrumental in bringing ‘Old Carlow Photos – The Book’ to fruition with Dermot O’Brien which he collaboratively launched and wrote the foreword for.  Paul is currently heavily engaged in researching the Nurses of The 1916 Rising which has a very strong Carlow story and he is also researching Carlow Characters of The Uprising with a particular interest in two Carlow connected nurses and The O’Hanrahan family – Paul’s research on the 1916 Rising Nurses and Families has been published locally in Carlow, Nationally in The Irish Mirror, The Irish Times, The Irish Examiner, in The USA at Irishcentral.com and aired on RTE Radio’s flagship breakfast show’s ‘Morning Ireland’ popular newspaper slot ‘It says in the papers’

Caroline Cunningham part of the ‘Pure Thinking’ Carlow Post Office Inspires Project

As the curtain rises on the Carlow Arts Festival 2015 visitors to Deighton Hall have a treat in store for them on Friday 29th May at 8.30pm when Carlow’s Inspirational People Portrait Exhibition in conjuction with Carlow Post Office show the works of some 28 local talented artists.

Ed O'Connell completed project

Ed O’Connell completed project

‘Art feeds the soul’ they say. But this year in Carlow town ‘Art’ aims to connect and inspire its community through the collaboration of a group of artists who came together under the banner of ‘Pure Thinking’ community for a project with a very special theme with the Carlow Post Office building featuring portraits of inspirational Carlow people.
Caroline Conningham the Rathvilly native who created the now famous ‘MIND THE GAP’ painting that was presented to the County Carlow Association of New York on St Patrick’s Day 2015 by the Carlow Association of London is part of this Group.
This group ‘Pure Thinking’ was founded in 2007 by local hairdresser Connie Byrne saying “I have always been fascinated by people, teams and artistic projects”, says Connie, “a successful common goal is only achieved through team work and allowing all talents to shine through.
The portraits of the group have been prepared for the panels of the Post Office building reflect a vibrant Carlow community with a special Olympian, actor, artist, historical figures, loved one’s who passed away perhaps through illness and kindred spirits showing others how to enjoy life to the full.
Caroline chose a local artist and neighbour who according to himself is now an ‘octo-geranium’ (pun intended). Ed O’Connell retired from a teaching career in Carlow Regional College (now Carlow IT) having taught and introduced the course on ‘Industrial Instrumentation’. He is a light-hearted individual who enjoys singing, playing music, fishing, gardening and painting despite the difficulties of arthritis of the hands and feet upon other ailments. He continues to enjoy life and has many friends in his community.

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