Barrowhouse GAA will launch a book to celebrate 100 years in existence at a Dinner Dance in The Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow on Saturday night next, November 16.
The book is the culmination of much work by a club Centenary Book Committee, and besides the recording of the club’s highs and lows over 100 years, it also captures a timeline in photographs, of a community where the GAA club continues to be the most important social organisation in the community.
Barrowhouse is a tiny enclave in the south-east corner of Laois and is nestled on the Kildare border.
Indeed because of its postal address of ‘Athy, Co. Kildare’, many in Laois mistakenly consider it a part of Kildare.
The area is mostly in the parish of Athy and is the only part of Laois in the catholic diocese of Dublin.
From a football club perspective, this confines it to a tiny rural area from which to draw its membership.
Perhaps it is this sense of being the ‘small fish’ that reinforces the commitment of the community to the club.
There were times in the past that all the reserves of commitment and dedication needed to be drawn on as the club faltered in times of emigration, but the community was never found wanting, and now they gather to celebrate 100 years since the club was founded in 1919 in the troubled political times of early 20th century Ireland.
It is a milestone of which the founding fathers of the club would have been manifestly proud.
Barrowhouse GAA is now, and has always been, a community organisation as well as a football club.
It might never have the numbers to compete with the bigger clubs in Laois but that has never diminished its importance in the area. Many times over the years the club has progressed to senior ranks, but could never maintain the numbers capable of competing at this level.
It has had its successes of which its members and supporters can be justifiably proud, and indeed produced players well capable of performing at the highest level.
Mick Phelan in the 1950/60’s was one such players for Laois, and indeed there were many more over the years who contributed to Laois teams at all levels. The club has won many championship titles at various levels.
Perhaps most memorable of them has come at juvenile level when they succeeded in winning the Laois U-14 and U-16 ‘A’ championships in 1971 and 1972 respectively. However, a small rural area can never retain such players, as they inevitably become part of the Irish diaspora.
Yet the club has survived against all odds. Now it is time to celebrate the efforts of all who helped the club reach its 100th birthday.
On Saturday night next that celebration takes place in the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow. The launch of a History Book in words and photographs that captures the essence of the club’s part in tiny Barrowhouse community will surely engender fresh optimism that it has the reserves to take on the next century.
We can be sure it has! Only this year did the GAA President, John Horan, officially opened the first phase of playing fields and other community developments which are on a par with the best in the country.
Plans are well advanced on the second phase of the development which will see a state-of-the-art clubhouse/sports complex built on the playing fields at Shanganamore. It appears that the future of this community-based club is in safe hands.
If anyone would like to join in the celebrations, tickets for the event can still be purchased from club officials.
You can book tickets by calling Shay Phelan 087 7985195, Billy Burke 087 9064714, or Pat Whelan 086 8597051.
But hurry, the deadline is fast approaching, and numbers are limited. A wonderful night of celebration is assured.
