Toast to Timmy

A 102-year-old West Clare cross-country champion provided a rousing rendition of the poem the Village Blacksmith when Taoiseach Enda Kenny called to his home on Saturday last.

Timmy Ryan, Knockalough, Kilmihil, was the toast of his large extended family, neighbours and friends after entertaining Deputy Kenny with witty remarks and old stories about events stretching back over 80 years.

Deputy Kenny described Timmy as a “remarkable man”. “He is 102 yet his mind is clear as a bell. He is articulate and recited his poetry for me and was able to recall items from decades gone by. He should be the subject of an analysis by the world’s medical experts as to how a person of that age can be in such wonderful condition,” he said.

Timmy, who can still recite his school poetry, was in flying form during the Taoiseach’s visit. “I am delighted to meet the Taoiseach. It is the first time that the Taoiseach came to visit Kilmihil. I don’t remember any other Taoiseach coming here,” he said.

About five years ago, he helped a cow deliver a calf on the family farm. “I still have an interest in cattle even today. I love to see the calves and the cattle,” he added.

Paddy’s mother was 103 when she died and his grandmother lived until she was 104. The Ryan family are in Knockalough since 1691. Unfortunately, his beloved Jack Russell Tiny was a bit camera shy on the day. His late wife, Susan Neylon, was a more passionate Fine Gael supporter and used to iron the Blueshirts for his brothers.

He attributes his longevity to hard work on the farm, completing tasks such as ploughing and cutting hay and wholesome food. He had a mixed farm and sowed wheat, oats and barley, turnips and other vegetables in a bid to be self-sufficent. He still goes out for a bottle of stout mainly to the Crossroads Bar to meet neighbours and friends at the weekends.

A lifelong Fine Gael supporter, his father was very impressed by former taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Liam Cosgrave and Timmy recalled former Clare deputies Paddy Kelly and Frank Taylor used to visit their house canvassing.

His father bought the first haycar for putting haystacks in the parish in 1927 for the princely sum of Ir£12, which was a lot of money at the time. Timmy won All-Ireland cross-country in the ’30s and his son, Fergus followed in his footsteps by winning the same title about 30 years ago.

His wife, Susan Neylon from Kilmurry McMahon, died when she was 90. Blessed with a great memory, Timmy recalls soldiers returning from the First World War leaving Kilrush town shell shocked, wounded and in an awful state. His son-in-law Michael Sheehan said Timmy loved the land.

“He loved the work so much he couldn’t sleep the night before he was going ploughing with horses. He is fabulous. He still looks at the cattle every day. He doesn’t want to come out on a Sunday with us in case something might happen on the farm. He doesn’t want to go to the senior citizens’ party in the village at Christmas because he says it is only for ‘auld lads’. His mind is still very alert. He told me Africa is one of the most fertile countries in the world. He said it has all the minerals and natural resources and yet they are doing nothing with it,” he said.

Timmy won a Cusack Cup with Kilmihil and is pictured with his two grandsons who have also won the Clare intermediate title in his sitting room. Centrefield was his position and he still enjoys watching Clare GAA games. He cherished Clare footballer’s Munster SFC championship in 1992.

While Timmy didn’t think he would live to see Clare winning the Liam McCarthy Cup back in the ’90s he felt the great teams moulded by Ger Loughnane had great potential because they were largely a young, physically strong side. Despite difficult times during the economic war when cattle prices plummeted, he never thought about giving up farming as he felt he had no choice.

He was one of 12, 10 boys and two girls. He jokes the boys “would not keep back from the table”. He told his grandchildren that he often fought with his brothers over a crust of bread when they were a bit reluctant to eat their dinner.