We thank Pat Breen for providing the four archival pictures and the very interesting history of Millstreet Pitch & Putt Club as outlined by Maurice Linehan. Sincere congratulations on this very special 60th Anniversary of the Club being celebrated this weekend in August 2024. Tap on the images to enlarge. (S.R.)
Millstreet Pitch and Putt
The story began in November 1962 when a group went to far flung Cork to visit the famed Rock Lodge club in order to examine the layout and facilities. Shortly afterwards an enthusiastic band decided to commence work with the consent of Millstreet town park on part of the park close to what would have been the gardens of “the Great House”.
It was an absolutely mammoth endeavour to lay out the course, construct the greens and bunkers, often on stony Coomlogane ground. John O’Keeffe, Larry O’Riordan, Tom Langrell and Phelim Marron not only displayed extraordinary commitment to the project but carried out the hard physical work required to ensure that the course would be playable in 1964. The original clubhouse was a railway carriage acquired from CIE after it had been derailed at Millstreet station laden with chocolate crumb.
We have fond memories of those early days. Clubs, tees and golf balls were purchased from Andrew O Sullivan. Technical instruction was provided by John O’Keeffe, Larry O’Riordan, Frank Reen Snr., Fr. Jim McGrath and Fr. Liam Abernethy.
We had an extensive membership from the start. Over the years, talented lady members included Teresa Corcoran Murphy, Hannah M. Riordan, Maureen Linehan, Sue Dennehy, Julia Coleman, Joan Philips, Lelia Enright, Dolly Duggan, Geraldine Justice O’Mahony, Bridie Daly, Eileen Collins, Noreen Murphy, Mary Buckley Coleman, Gillian Burke McCarthy, Joan Casey and Joan Fitzgerald O’Connor.
Similarly Eamonn O’Connor, Dan Breen, Tadhg Kennnelly, Fr. Jim Kennelly, Michael Looney, Maurice Linehan, Terry O’Leary, John Sing O’ Sullivan, Dr. Frank O Connor, the Marron Family, Paddy Enright, James Twohig, John Cronin, Anthony Manley, Frank Reen Jnr., Denis Hickey, John Randles, Tommy O’Connor and family, Noel Collins, Chris Twomey, Barry Fraser and family, Tom O’Mahony, Colman Culhane and his late father, Pat Breen, Shane Browne, John B. Casey, Brendan Kiely and family, Jerry O Connor, Denis Hickey, Willie O’Keeffe and Tom Tucker all played a role in the development of the club.
We are immensely proud of the club’s achievements on this its sixtieth anniversary. We are deeply indebted to the founding fathers for their vision and foresight in providing such an amenity which has enabled many over the years to hone their skills under the shadow of J.J. Callanan’s beloved Clara. We are of course, especially proud of Cian O Connor’s wonderful achievement as the youngest winner of the President’s prize in the 130 year history of Killarney Golf and Fishing club. We are also very proud of Diarmuid Fraser who currently works as a professional golfer in Dubai. In the early years of the club Pat Breen won the All Ireland Junior Title in St. Anne’s Course in 1976.
We must of course, acknowledge the assistance of Denis Hickey and the FÁS and Community employment workers and Millstreet town park for their commitment over the years. Finally a sincere thank you to Joan Casey, Chris Twomey, Barry Fraser, Pat Breen, Shane Browne and Denis Twomey for their loyalty and support to the club.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
