In December 2024, The Quin Heritage Group sat with local resident Michael O’Rourke. Michael has had a fascinating life due to his involvement in the Pipe Band, Athletics, and the FCA. To add to that he is a great historian with a unique memory of the locality.
Michael describes his time growing up on the Family farm at Caherlohan and the Emergency years during the war when the Family had to sow compulsory tillage including sugarbeet. He describes joining the FCA and The Tulla Pipe Band and mentions all the County Hurling Finals they played at and the opportunity he got to visit The United Kingdom and America with them.
Michael describes Joining the Tulla Athletics Club in 1957 where he was also Secretary of the Club for some time. They took part in races all over the Country with great success. He also recalls his time working for Aer Lingus in Shannon for 26 years. He mentions his near neighbours The Vaughan and Hennessy Families who were very involved with Clare G.A.A. and he describes what it was like attending local fairs and markets in Tulla and Quin.
Michael remembers fondly the Fleadh Ceol which was held in Tulla in August 1958 in which The Tulla Pipe band paraded and was attended by very large crowds. He also recalls doing solo piping at Weddings and Funerals in his latter years.
