The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A KILLALOE tenor, who performed for some of the best-known American politicians and Pope Pious XII, has been awarded the Benemerenti medal for 40 years of service to the church. It was a joyous occasion in the Church of St Paul’s, Ayrfield, Dublin 13, when John was awarded the papal medal by moderator Gerry Corcoran, on behalf of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. The event was followed by John’s 80th birthday party, which was held in Ayrfield Community Centre, across the road from the church. It was attended by 180 people, including relatives and friends who travelled from the United States of America, Canada and Germany. John was born at home in Thomas Street, Killaloe. John’s mother, Madge, a native of Ennis, was a schoolteacher at Ballina National School and his father, Tommy, was a farmer from Loughrea. The youngest child of four, John attended Limerick CBS and was a keen hurler. He played in the Killaloe juvenile hurling team in 1948 and …
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