Subject	Mernagh
Message Source	Jane - [J.cullinane@yahoo.co.uk]
Date	15 July 2009 - 17:13:27
Message	Does anyone remember dolly and bab mernagh daughter jane

Subject	The Ryan Report
Message Source	Elizabeth Deegan Hynes - [e.hynes@ntlworld.com]
Date	08 July 2009 - 01:19:05
Message	I was priveledged to have known a priest from the parish of Askamore. His name was Father Dick Kavanagh. (I hope that was his name as I'm experiencing the menapause at present and my once clear memory is shot to bits} I first met Father Kavanagh when I was a student at the Technical College in Gorey 1964 and he attended once a week to give the Catholic Students religious instructions as he was the curate of the Parish of Gorey. Prior to Father Kavanagh, I only had the experience of priests from my parish, mainly Father Felix Byrne who appeared to me at the time to be someone in a higher authority and although I wish no disrespect to him now, he was then at an emotional level, completely distanced from me. When he entered Ballyellis NS on a weekly basis, he didnt seem to connect individually with any of us pupils. He once asked me to write 500 lines, stating "I will not write my name in public places". This was after he saw my name written on my desk. This entailed my mother having to purchase two copy books to comply. You didn't question a request made by a priest in those days, no matter how bizzare. Father Dick Kavanagh was the opposite to authoritarian, he was completely spiritual. When he entered our classroom, he would read stories from the bible and explain to us what they meant. As a young girl of 13, 14 years of age I felt his goodness and spiritualty in a profund way. A light entered the room when Father Kavanagh was present and the memory of that goodness has stayed with me ever since. In those days, I was meant to cycle to school every day which was nine miles each way but my sister Joan and I, un-be-known to our parents, some times decided, if the mood took us to park our bikes at the side of the ditch at the end of Ballyconran Lane and hitch a lift. (I cycle to work now and could never imagine leaving my bike unlocked anywhere in London), We were lucky in those days and got lifts from reliable and decent drivers. On a few ocassions Father Kavanagh picked me up on the way home. I can't even remember what we talked about but I remember us chatting away together and feeling safer and more secure than I have ever felt since. I was told by my sister Catherine a few years back that father Kavanagh had died young of heart failure. I know now that God blessed me by sending Father K on my path at a young age. Since then, my life has taken many diffirent turns and temtations, with many highs and low when one feels "What's the Point?" but I know what it feels like to be in the presence of goodness and I believe this has sustained me all my life. To all of you priests and nuns who are good, you will remain forever in our hearts. As a result of the Ryan Report, we know there were the evil ones out there which has has resulted in the deepest sadness and tragedy for the abused children and this will touch any human being who has a sense of decency with the deepest of shame, but for those of us who met the many good priests and nuns, we were truly blessed. Betty Deegan

Subject	Thanks
Message Source	Seamus Butler - [treltubmij@hotmail.co.uk]
Date	24 November 2008 - 01:15:41
Message	I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody in the community for their kind messages and support on the recent death of my mother Ciss Butler.Your kind words were greatly appreciated at this sad time so once again my heartfelt thanks

Subject	Thinking of home.
Message Source	Rose Monaghan - [meawex@telusplanet.net]
Date	06 November 2008 - 05:49:03
Message	It was a wonderful surprise to find Askamore on the internet a few months ago. I grew up in the area and all the family still live there . It really is a lovely area and full of wonderful people. I now live in Canada and visit home about every 2 years. The only thing I would say is that it would be nice if the site was updated a bit more often. Love the photos!

Subject	Lady at the well
Message Source	Seamus Butler - [treltubmij@hotmail.co.uk]
Date	16 March 2008 - 03:27:20
Message	On a visit home a few weeks ago to see my Mum and siblings I went to evening Mass on the Saturday night where I caught up with a few of my old school friends and relations.Whilst taking a walk to the cemetery to pay my respects to my Dad I noticed that the "Old Lady" by the well was not there.Could someone please enlighten me or perhaps she has taken the same route as myself and decided to emigrate.I would be delighted to hear from anybody from the area so feel free to e-mail me at any time

Subject	Ballyconran& the Askamore Graveyard
Message Source	William Conran - [BConran@aol.com]
Date	12 March 2008 - 14:31:51
Message	Hello from far off Reno.Delighted to see Ballyconran still exists.Would anyone be so kind as to look into the Askamore Cemetary for any Conrans..or under the earlier version of the name O`Conerain..as I understand that it served as the final resting place for Ballyconran.Thanking you in advance. Bill Conran.

Subject	school renunion
Message Source	kathleen tobin - [stephennolan@oceanfree.net]
Date	05 October 2007 - 23:33:02
Message	hello to everyone.my school term was from 1955 to 1961.would just like to say i had a wonderful time meeting all the old friends that i made in school.especially one friend Moll Mernagher.we had such great times together and i had not seen her in over forty years.well done to the organizers for putting on a great night.would definitly do it again.as the school days are the best time of your life!!!!!

Subject	School Renunion
Message Source	Molly Murphy nee Mernagh - [pbrady.brady@btconnect.com]
Date	16 September 2007 - 23:20:50
Message	Just cannott express how enjoyable the evening was and many thanks to everyone involved for making this such a success Please dedicate 1 day each year for a parish reunion ie dinner dance or buffet good reason to get together Best wishes to all

Subject	BEST WISHES
Message Source	ANNE KAVANAGH - [annegillen@eircom.net]
Date	20 August 2007 - 11:36:46
Message	Just found the website--------Congratulations and best wishes to all involved.

Subject	happy memories
Message Source	bernadette folley - [sheba83@yahoo.ie]
Date	24 June 2007 - 22:16:14
Message	i lived in castlewhite for a while with my nan ciss, then i lived in askamore then limerick before finally settling in co waterford. but i alway love going to see my nan and grandad when he was alive. everyone is so friendly.

Subject	More childhood memories
Message Source	Alan Gilbert - [alan.gilbert@roh.org.uk]
Date	11 January 2007 - 11:54:09
Message	Having been told of this site by my sister Sharon I thought I would add to the fond memories we shared in a little place called Askamore. Like my sister all my fond memories come from this beautiful little place. It always amazed me when I was a child how when walking down the road everyone would wave at you even when they didnt know who you were. I remember large family get togethers in the summer and how all the cousins would be lead up into the forest covered hills by my Father for walks that seemed to go on for ever but we didnt care because we loved the views we would see when we reached our destinations. Also as we walked we would listen to his stories about the area like the Ballyellis ambush during the '98 rising and no matter how many times we heard these stories it was like hearing them for the first time. We even went on ghost walks in the dead of night during Halloween to Bradshaws where an old manor house once stood or the famine graveyard. I remember my Grandfather "Pop" Gilbert who when I was young looked like a gaint to me and the smell of his pipe and my Granny who would bake the most amazing fairy cakes and brown bread. As I grew up I would come to Askamore on my own to spend time with the great friends I made. I even kissed my first girl at a local school disco in the local town of Carnew. Askamore will always have a place in my heart and as I grow older and memories fade my thoughts of this wonderful place always remain. No where will ever compare to the Askamore of my childhood and as the years pass, time for me stands still there. The shop Dorans where I spent any money I had on sweets and fizzy drinks, the church were we attended happy times and sad like the passing of my Grandfather and Grandmother, the strawberry festivals and the Community centre were even last year we held my Fathers Birthday party where I sung in front of a crowd for the first time. For breathtaking countryside and for friendly athmosphere no where compares to that small village in County Wexford called Askamore.

Subject	Childhood Memories of Askamore.
Message Source	Sharon Gilbert - [sharon.gilbert@publicjobs.ie]
Date	09 January 2007 - 10:00:21
Message	The happiest memories of my childhood are the two weeks every summer I spent in Askamore! My Dad is from there, 2nd child to James and Statia Gilbert. As we drove up the yard Granny would be at the door to greet us with smiles and hugs for all, Pop would be in his usual spot , the chair by the fire, pipe and hand! The summers when I was a child always seemed to be warm and filled with blue skies every day, it hardly ever seemed to rain! My days would be filled with fun, sometimes it was just me and my brother Alan, but many times my cousins from Dublin or London would be on holidays in Askamore too. Our days were filled and we were never bored, no such things as X Boxes or Playstations in the 1970's! We would often head off up the road towords Carnew and find a stream for catching Pinkeens, buckets and nets in tow! An when it was strawberry picking time we would all help Pop to pick his, although as many that went into the buckets went into our mouths! One of my favourite things to do was when my Dad brought us up to the top of Hendersons Rocks, it was tough to get there, but so worth it , the views are amazing, country side for miles, Mount Leinster and Sliabh Bui, and on a very clear day you could see the Ocean. In the evenings we would often head off to Taylors in Shilelagh, Fanta orange for me of course! And sometimes to a dance in Askamore Hall where I would try to waltz with my Dad or Granny, without much success! But had such fun learning. On a Sunday, after Mass,I would always go into Dorans shop and battle my way through the queue for sweets, and when I came outside all the old men of the parish, Pop included would be all together, having very meaningful converstions, and no doubt putting the world to right! If i had a favourite memory it would be this.. many an evening myself and Granny would go for a stroll up the road , towards the shop, the sun warm on our faces, the only sound the bee's in the hedges, feasting on the blackberries that grew there, the wood pigeons cooing in the trees, and we would chat about everything, how we were feeling, what was happening in the world, what she was like when she was my age, they were the best stories, because she was a little divil!! So now I finish my story, and would just like to say, that Askamore always has and always will have a very special place in my heart. Sharon Gilbert, January, 2007.