The ‘Fair Green’ and general area in Knocknagree, probably, never looked better than on Friday evening and for a very good reason and on a very special occasion.
Aided and abetted by pleasant weather that showed no signs of the promised heavy rain-fall, the unveiling of the musical seat to the memory of Julia Clifford has added to the sense of revitalisation that’s quite evident in the village.
Julia’s sons Billy and John and Billy’s wife Catherine, with relatives and friends, were joined by musicians from throughout the Cork / Kerry / Sliabh Luachra area and indeed from across the Irish Sea. They alighted on the village and celebrated the occasion with their shared gift.
Advances by Tidy Towns
The villagers involved in the renewal point to the advances made by the local Tidy Towns committee and to the sensory garden and new fountain / waterfall brought about by their efforts.
Along with the dedicated seat to Julia Clifford, the committee also officially opened the village playground and sensory garden.
The unveiling of the seat has been a successful partnership between her family and a group of her friends here in Ireland and in England. Among those is Katie Howson who travelled from the UK to be in the village on this special summer’s evening.
Knocknagree was chosen as the place for the permanent memorial as it was a place where Julia spent many happy hours playing her fiddle.
QR Code Scan
Visitors to the bench can use their mobile phone to scan a QR code which will enable them to listen to Julia Clifford playing a traditional polka named for her sister: Bridgie Con Matt’s.
Julia was born in 1914 to Bill and Mainie Murphy in Lisheen, where Julia’s oldest sister Bridgie Kelleher continued to live all her life. Their late brother Denis Murphy was a regular musician in Dan O’Connell’s Bar in Knocknagree alongside accordion player Johnny O’Leary, and Julia herself had close links with the village throughout her life.
Set Back to Music in 2007
The area’s long established association with its native music suffered a set-back with the sale and eventual closure of its flag-ship base at Dan O’Connell’s Bar in 2007.
However, now that the rest of the village is in good hands and showing all the signs of it, the attention of the village committee is turning to ‘The Hall’ next door to O’Connell’s and the revitalisation of the ceol áitiúil through classes and promotion.
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