The late Christy Bollard Publicans from the region paid a fitting farewell to a respected colleague. Fellow vintners walked in silent tribute as Christy Bollard, a former Chairman of the Kilkenny Vintners was laid to rest. Mr Bollard (85) died at Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny. He had been ill for some time. He suffered a broken hip following a fall while on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in his birthday month of May. He spent almost a month in hospital in France and on his return home was to become a patient at Aut Even. Christy Bollard was an old-style publican. The word entrepreneur was not in his vocabulary. He was kind and caring and always had a listening ear. Christy Bollard's, became my host at D.W. Bollard's, St Kieran's Street, Kilkenny in 1940. He took over from his father, Dan Bollard. And with his wife, Joan Kenny, a member of a pubowning family business from Castlecomer, he ran the city centre family business until recent years when it was taken over by his son, Kieran. Christy's father, Dan Bollard orginally from Crowbally, Tullaherin, worked at Clohosey's Parliament Street, Kilkenny for some years. He married city woman, Mary Morrissey, whose family owned the premises that was later to become Bollard's Pub. The Kenny family pub in 'Comer is now run by another of Christy's sons, Jim. His family, his business and Gaelic gmaes, in that order, were Christy's priorities in life. He was a man of simple tastes and for years the social highlight of his week was a Thursday trip to Tramore with his children. In his younger years hurling was his great love. He played minor with the now defunct Eire Og and was a sub on a Kilkenny minor team in the mid 'Thirities. He won a Leinster Colleges medal with Kilkenny CBS in 1935. His pub became a favourite meeting place for many GAA clubs, including Dicksboro GAA Club. Up to his final days he followed Gaelic games and enjoyed the banter surrounding the local or provinical clashes. He was educated at Loreto convent National School and Kilkenny CBS Secondary School. He was proud of the fact that he recieved the Hall of Fame award, along with Irishtown motor dealer, Paddy Treacy, from the Kilkenny CBS Past Pupils' Union in 1993. He was a champion of the Licensed Vinters' Federation and was Kilkenny chairman in the late 'Seventies. His remains were removed to St Mary's Cathedral and burial was at Foulkstown Cememtery, after Requiem Mass, celebrated by his son, Fr Dan Bollard PP, Tullaroan. He is survived by his wife Joan; sons Fr Dan PP, Tullaroan, Jim, Castlecomer, Paddy, Kilkenny, Kieran, Dunningstown Road; daughter Miriam Healy, Dublin; brother Joe, New Road, kilkenny; inlaws, grandchldren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Courtesy of Kilkenny People 25 July 2003 Tweet

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