This article is from page 16 of the 2012-05-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
WHEN Taoiseach Enda Kenny stopped on the road from Kilrush to Ennis for a cup of tea on Saturday last, his host was one of Clare’s oldest citizens.
A life-long supporter of Fine Gael, Timmy Ryan was happy to welcome the leader of the country into his home in Knockalough.
And so good was the welcome, that the man from Mayo was in no hurry to leave the home of the 102-year-old and continue his journey on to Ennis.
He stayed for over an hour, enjoying the hospitality and entertainment.
In this area of West Clare, Timmy Ryan is as well known as any Taoiseach or world leader and 50 to 60 of his family, friends and neighbours were also happy to drop in on the visit.
While the crowd enjoyed a cup of tea, and maybe something a little stronger, Deputy Joe Carey (FG) began the festivities with a song.
Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) was then happy to represent the west with his own song, followed by Timmy’s grandson Keenan Ryan and neighbour Mary O’Connor who welcomed the Taoiseach with a song about Mayo.
Not to be outdone in his own home, Timmy recited ‘The Village Blacksmith’. The recital came as easy as walking to Knockalough’s oldest resident.
The former champion athlete still goes for regular walks and enjoys the odd drink in local watering holes The Crossroads, Murty Brown’s and even in Ballynacally.
It was Ballynacally native and Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen (FG) that organised the visit to the home of what is likely to be one of the longest supporters of Fine Gael today.