This article is from page 81 of the 2008-07-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 81 JPG
KILNAMONA locals and some of Ireland’s most notable public figures come together last Thursday to cel- ebrate the life of one of the small vil- lage’s illustrious sons.
Just over 100 years to the day since his birth, a plague in memory of Br Thomas Keane was unveiled in Kil- namona church last Thursday.
Family and friends were joined at the ceremony by former GAA President Paddy Buggy and Fr Eoin Haughey, brother to former Taoti- seach Charlie Haughey.
“It seemed like an appropriate time considering that it was the 100 year anniversary of his birth. I have met sO many people over the year who has spoken so warmly about him that
we felt that we had to do something,” said family member Thomas Keane.
‘He continued to teach until he was 64 and he brought a certain ethos to all of the schools which he went to. He encouraged great leadership within the students and had a knack of getting the best out of people.
“He had a different way of teach- ing. People might have looked into his class and thought it was chaos but it was just a different style. He loved group work, he loved working together and opening up peoples ho- rizons.
‘He always pushed them to do the best that they could. Even the weaker students, he would cycle around the town on his bike trying to get them jobs.”
Br Keane’s eulogy was delivered by
Paddy Buggy while the plaque was unveiled by Annraoi O Beollain.
While renowned in many secondary schools for his unique teaching skills and dedication to hurling, Brother Thomas never lost touch with his na- tive parish. For many years he was an honoured guest at the annual din- ner of the Kilnamona hurling club.
Educated in Ennistymon CBS, the Irish Christian Brothers, UCD and UCC – his first assignment as teach- er was to Portlaoise CBS primary school in 1926.
Over the years he served in many schools including Baldoyle Noviti- ate, Mount Sion in Waterford, St Josephs in Marino, Dungarvan CBS and Templemore.
In all his time away Br Keane would always return to Kilkee for
his annual holiday in July. He also liked visiting Kilnamona as often as the Order allowed in those strict pre- Vatican II years but quite frequently in later years.
The death in fairly quick succes- sion of his brothers, Miko and Mar- tin in the States in the late 1940’s and Andrew and Pat in Kilnamona in the early 1950’s in the prime of his voca- tional career challenged greatly his reserves of strength.