Caroline Kennedy to visit Bruff

To find out why visit 
www.bruffhistory.blogspot.com

Commemoration Ceremony at Grange, Co . Limerick on Sunday 18th December

Commemoration Ceremony at Grange, Co . Limerick on Sunday last

Despite the very treacherous road conditions around Grange, Co. Limerick a large group of people made their way to the the Church in Grange last Sunday morning. A Mass of Commemoration was celebrated to commemorate the memory of those who were killed at Caherguillamore on Sunday 27^th December 1920.

After Mass a ceremony was held at the Republican plot in the adjoining graveyard. Many County Councillors joined invited guests as wreath was laid.  Fr. Joseph Foley C.C Bruff, recited a decade of the Rosary. The Last Post sounded and the National Anthem was sung as the National Flag was raised. 

The wreath was laid and the oration delivered by Patrick O’Donovan T.D. In a thoughtful and inspiring oration the T.D spoke about the events at Caherguillamore and placed them in the context of our present state of affairs.

He pointed out that we are approaching a time when many significant centenary celebrations or memorials will take place. These include  the birth of the Irish Labour movement in Clonmel , the outbreak of the First World War, the 1916 Rising, the end of the Great War in 1918, The War of Independence 1920. The most significant centenary will be  in 2016

T.D. . O’Donovan said  “ ...  we need to ask ourselves  as we approach Easter  1916, what kind of Ireland do we want for future generations, and do we ensure that the legacy of Caherguillamore is properly lived out . I firmly believe that an essential part of that legacy building must be the pursuit  by political leaders , of common goals on behalf of the Irish people.”

“Just like Robert Frost in the poem, “The Road not Taken,” Ireland is now at a junction. We have been presented with a choice, to take a road of looking backwards, of seeking recriminations. Of apportioning blame or we can take a road of looking forward , of building hope, of confronting  problems of working together. The second road while it sounds the most positive, is the most difficult, especially for political leaderss, and is like Robert Frost said, the road less travelled. Now more than ever Ireland’s political leaders need to be brave, and to show the same courageas those at Caherguillamore. And while the modern challenge is not one of armed struggle, it is still one of adversity, of conquering economic problems rather than roblemsof occupation, and in doing so winning again our national sovereignity, our ability to make our own decisions and the right of the people again to self-determination”

On the recent visit of the Queen of England, he said “  I am certain that those that gathered (in Caherguillamore) on that faithful night to raise funds for the pursuit of freedom, would never have imagined that the grandaughter of the then King George V would, two short generations later, would vist the Garden of Rememberance in Dublin and bow her head as a mark of respect to thos who lost their lives fighting for Ireland”

Mr. O’Donovan finished by thanking those reponsible for organising such ceremonies saying that woithout the commitment of local volunteers  other generations would lose a vitally important part of our heritage which is such a critical part of our identity.

The Sean Wall Memorial Committee at Sunday's Ceremony

Event on Sunday 13^th November at Lower Grange, Co. Limerick

A Plaque is to be unveiled to commemorate an important military action in the War of Independence.  The incident was known as “The Ambush at Grange” and took place on the 8^th November 1920

The Plaque will be unveiled by historian Tom Toomey. Mr. Toomey’s book “The War of Independence in Limerick, 1919-1921” was published recently.

The ceremony starts at 2.00 pm on Sunday 13^th November and will take place at Lower Grange, on the Limerick Rd, on the city side of the Hamlet pub.

The event is organised by the Sean Wall Memorial Committee, originally founded to plan the construction of the Sean Wall Monument in Main Street, Bruff.

All  members of the public who are interested are most welcome.

The ceremony will include a short talk by Thomas Twomey, the raising of the National Flag, the playing of the National Anthem and the Last Post. Prayers will be led by Canon James Costello from Bruff and  Fr. Michael Cussen from Fedamore.

Secretary of the Sean Wall Memorial Committee, Mr. Michael J. Noonan said  “we believe it is important to have some tangible reminder of these actions, honouring the bravery of the people involved. We must never forget that the birth of our nation was not gained easily”

The Grange Ambush

Information had been gathered in the Bruff Battalion area about a convoy of one or maybe two lorrys of RIC and Black and Tans that travelled between Limerick and Bruff. It was decided to ambush the convoy at Grange Bridge, a point about eight miles from Limerick and about four miles from Bruff. The ambush was set for Monday 8 November 1920. Because the ambush site was on the border between the 3rd Battalion East Limerick Brigade and the 4th Battalion Mid Limerick Brigade it was decided that the action would be a joint action involving the flying columns of both brigades.They would be supported by men from the local companies of Bruff,Grange and Holy Cross in the East Limerick Brigade and from the Fedamore and Ballybricken Companies of the Mid Limerick Brigade. Donnchadha O'Hannigan had overall command of the combined columns and most of the ambushers were placed in houses and behind walls on both sides of the road.”

Page 453  “The War of Independence in Limerick 1912-1921 by Thomas Toomey

Quoted with permission from Thomas Twomey

Further information from Michael J Noonan : Sec : Sean Wall Memorial Committee 086 8116270 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            086 8116270      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Sean Wall Committee

The project to renovate Bruff Church of Ireland is nearing completion.  The final phase, the repair of the tower will begin next week.

Bruff Community Meeting

The meeting held last evening, was well attended. The meeting had an informal structure, with much positive discussion about the future of Bruff. A website for the community is planned and a process has begun to design a logo for Bruff

Community Meeting this evening!

An open meeting will be held this evening to look at ways for different groups to work together for the betterment of Bruff. The meting starts at 8.00pm and will take place in the Protestant Church Building, Main Street, Bruff. All are welcome!

Bruff Summer Festival Launch 2011

Bruff Summer Festival starts this evening with a great parade promising plenty of surprises. It is followed by the first stage of the Morning Star Rose Competition and a full weekend of fun. Don't miss it !

Tickets for Bloomsday went quickly!

Bloomsday 2011  was a great success. Check out reports here www.bloomsdayireland.com

Bloomsday in Bruff 16th June 2011

For the latest information and ticket info visit
 Bloomsday in Bruff  at www.bloomsdayireland.com

Bruff Heritage Group

Bruff Heritage Group is a recently formed group working hard to preserve several aspects of local heritage. Recent projects have included the publication of a book of photographs (recently re-published) and two well attended photographic exhibitions. Visit their website by clicking here

Bloomsday was great success!

Today, 13th January is the 70th anniversary of the death of James Joyce. Bloomsday in Bruff was a great success in 2010 (and hopefully will be in 2011) with every event sold out and the good weather too! Click on the link below to check out some of the images recorded on the day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sghimages/sets/72157624166376803/show/with/4706975627/ A DVD recording of the day is also available!

Bruff to launch Bloomsday

Bloomsday Breakfast with Michael Quinlan reading

Bloomsday is just 30 days away.... we are celebrating in Bruff again this year. Hopefully the day will be even better than last year. We are hoping to have a Tea Dance on the 15th June and a Pre Bloomsday Concert that evening. Tickets are very limited so contact any of the committee to book yours as soon as possible or email us at bloomsdayinbruff@gmail.com.

Recent Posts and news to come!

Scroll down to see photo from Morning Star Music Festival and news about the upcoming Bluegrass Festival. Bruff details appear on the Bruff History site; click here to visit the site. The community cafe had it's official opening last week.. more details about opening times and more soon. Opera live from the New York Met.... a live broadcast direct to University Concert Hall (possible coach from Bruff), the BRUFF POINT TO POINT is this coming Sunday 27th October.

The Lough Gur and District Historical Society will
host a talk on Robert Emmet by Dr. Ruan O'Donnell
of the University of Limerick in the HoneyFitz Theatre
on Thursday 24th September at 8.30 pm.

Renowned Irish Harpist Kathleen Loughnane graces the stage of the Honeyfitz Theatre at Lough Gur on Friday, October 9th (further information call 087 2852022 or email honeyfitz@loughgur.com.)

Roses at the Summer Music on the Morning Star Festival

Mr. Dennis Barrett, Chairman of the Sean Wall Committee, welcomes the first Morning Star Rose, Edel McEniry and Marie Kirby, the current Morning Star Rose to the Morning Star Music Festival.

Classical Music Concert great success!

The Concert last night was a great success. The quality of the musicians produced a standing ovation. The atmosphere in the Church was fantastic. Morning Star Rose Marie Kirby attended in her first official outing as the new Morning Star Rose and delighted everyone with her stunning appearance and graceful charm.

My apologies to Tom Walsh who was omitted from the list of thank you's on the concert programme. The special atmosphere in the Church was contibuted to in a major way by the lighting supplied by Tom Walsh of Hear it Sound and Lighting. You can access Tom's company website by clicking here. Many thanks Tom.

Summer Music On The Shannon 2009
FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
Click below to see the SMS Finale Concert LIVE from UCH on Sunday 16/08 at 1.30pm!
http://flashhost.heanet.ie/sms/live.html

Summer Music on the Morning Star

An Evening of Classical Music, an evening not to be missed!

Thursday 13 th August at 8.00 pm

in the Church of Ireland, Bruff

"Mozart Plus"

International Artists perform two of Mozart's greatest solo works for winds and strings

Plus

An Introduction to Midsummer Night's Music with the SMS International Wind Quintet

Limited number of tickets available from Nagle's Eurospar, The Post Office, and The Bakehouse Restaurant, all in Main Street, Bruff.

Tickes are €15 (inclusive of interval refreshments)

A limited number of tickets are now available

(Sponsored by Shannon Development)

Festival News

Full news and all results from Bruff Summer Festival tomorrow!

Next event .... classical music evening on August 13th... more

details tomorrow.. very limited number of tickets available

Photography Competition... all the info!

Photography Competition
in association with
Sean Wall Committee
Bruff Summer Festival
Bruff Cultural and Arts Society

Details and Rules of Competition

The competition will have four Sections, two of which are age restricted.
The open Competition is without restriction on topic or style.
The other section has the theme or topic of “Bruff, People, Places and Buildings.”
Therefore there are four separate competitions.
Open Theme, for over 16 ‘s
Open Theme for under 16’s
Bruff, People, Places and Buildings for over 16’s
Bruff, People, Places and Buildings for under 16’s

Size of photographs submitted: The only restriction is that photos are no larger than A4. ie. means that any size up to and including A4 is acceptable..
A maximum of five photographs may be submitted. An entry fee of €5 covers the entry of any number of photographs from 1 to 5. One photograph submitted costs €5 and up to 5 photographs submitted costs €5 ie. The total fee per
competitor is €5!
Entrants must mount their photographs in a manner suitable for display. This may range from the professional style mounting to a
photograph attached to backing with blu-tack, however there must be some mounting of photographs so that they can be
displayed. Un-mounted prints will not be accepted for competition..

Photographs/entries and fees may be left at the Post Office in Main Street, Bruff.
Please attach the following information to each entry.
Name, Section (eg. Open/Bruff Theme/ under or over 16 as is appropriate)
The photograph must be the entrants own work,
including any editing following the original picture capture.
Please be sure to include a telephone contact number and the entry fee.

The final date for entries is Tuesday 28th July
Further enquiries about any aspect of the competition from Mr. Billy Murphy at 086 1272251
Or by email ba.murphy@oceanfree.net

Judging Panel
The judging panel will consist of four judges including professionals with experience
in photography, the arts and one representative from the local community.
There will be a cash prize for each section and a Trophy for overall best of competition.

Major Photographic Competition

The Bruff Cultural and Arts Society are delighted to announce a major annual Photography Competition. More details soon on this site!