Yvonne had the pleasure of interviewing Tom O’Halloran about his life long memories of growing up and living in Quin.
Tom was born in the lodgehouse at the front of Quinville House. When he left school, he did odd jobs for many people around Quin, but mainly with Jim Bow Clune and Jim O’Scanlan of Rineen. Later in life he moved to Ballyhickey.
In this clip, Tom recounts the 39 years he spent working in Quinville during which time it had three owners, Major McAulton, John Burke and Dr. Chapin.
Quinville House had a beautiful market garden that time which provided much needed employment. It was a very modern house for its time and had 30 rooms serviced by a number of lifts.
In this clip Tom brings us through his early days hurling when there was four or five pitches in the parish. He later became chairman and led the team to many successes. Around 1965, they arranged a £5000 loan from the credit union to upgrade the pitch and facilities. The dressing rooms are still standing today. It wasn’t all hard work though, he fondly remembers outings to Salthill and Dublin.
What you may not know, is that Tom was a keen and accomplished badminton player and he founded a Badminton club in Quin with Bobby Clune. They used to play clubs in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and Newmarket.
He had great times and made lifelong friends including his old badminton partner, Mike Hassett (RIP).
Two short clips to finish – the first clip Tom tells us about a superstition around May Eve and the second one is a lovely tribute to his good wife Rita and the good times they shared dancing till the wee hours in the dance halls.
Quin Badminton Shannon Cup winners – 1959 to 1960. Pictured here are:
Front row left to Right: M.B Coughlan, Brid Hoey, Bobby Clune, Betty Slattery, Cathy Clune,
Back Row left to right : Frank McInerny, Tom O’Halloran, Mike Hassett, Mike Hoey
The Quin Heritage Group is very grateful for the time and support of Tom and his family in making this wonderful interview and sharingthose lovely memories. I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as we did.