Crowd gathers in Kiltarten to honour historian

More than 100 people turned out to witness the unveiling of a commemorative stone in memory of much-loved Gort historian, Tom Hannon, at Kiltartan last week.

 

The stone, commissioned by the O’Shaughnessy Society, was unveiled on Friday last at Kiltartan Gregory Museum as part of the weekend-long O’Shaughnessy Clan Gathering.

The biennial O’Shaughnessy gathering convened at Gort over the weekend with over 50 members of the ancient South Galway clan travelling from as far away as Seattle, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, New York, Boston, Canada, United Kindom and Australia, as well as Ireland.
Rally co-ordinator Rory O’Shaughnessy from Ardrahan expressed his delight at the success of the rally.

“This has been one of the most successful gatherings to date. The clan members who have travelled from far and wide have been overwhelmed with the reception and hospitality they have received in South Galway over the weekend and we would like to thank all who made it such a memorable couple of days,” he said.

The gathering programme was a busy one again this year with Burren walks, a bus tour of East Galway and medieval banquet. A major part of the gathering was the Tom Hannon commemoration. Sr De Lourdes Fahy, local historian, of the Kiltartan Gregory Museum welcomed all in attendance at the unveiling, making special reference to Tom Hannon’s wife, Anna and son, Tony.

Galway County Council and Gort man Gerry Finnerty spoke of Mr Hannon’s outstanding contribution to hislocal community and of his love of the heritage of South Galway.

“I think we didn’t appreciate how much history and culture and local knowledge that Tom had when he was about. He always willingly shared that experience with people. He came from the village at Roo outside Gort and on the day the memorial was unveiled, all his neighbours and friends turned up for the unveiling and that says a lot about the man himself,” Councillor Finnerty explained.

Deputy Mayor of County Galway Bridie Willers also attended the ceremony, welcoming the fitting commemoration by the O’Shaughnessy Clan and referred to how Tom enthusiastically shared his vast knowledge with locals and visitors alike.

“Tom Hannon was a legend in his time. He was before his time really. There is such interesting history and heritage but that time the only expert we had in the whole area was Tom Hannon. His contribution was immense and he is rightfully honoured for that,” the deputy mayor commented.

Jim O’Shaughnessy from Arizona, USA President of the O’Shaughnessy Society stated how the society thought it important to remember Tom, who had passed away in the time since the previous gathering.

He reminded the attendance of the warmth Tom had shown to clan members during their biennial rallies and his pivotal role in the founding of the society back in 1988. He also thanked Sr De Lourdes and Rena McAllen from the Kiltartan Gregory Museum for allowing the memorial stone to be erected in the museum grounds and spoke of his delight with the large attendance. Anna Hannon then unveiled the stone.

Tony Hannon, Tom’s son, thanked all those who had come to remember Tom and especially thanked the O’Shaughnessy Society on behalf of the Hannon family and his sister Mary in Philidelphia who was unable to attend.