The late Joe Bollard The death took place on May 13, 2006, of Joe Bollard the last of nine children born to Daniel and Mary Bollard of St Kieran St, a licensed premises which was for many years the unofficial headquarters of Kilkenny hurling. As a result the family were dedicated supporters of Tullaroan and the Dicksboro clubs. Described by his nephew, Paddy, as the quintessential Kilkenny man, Joe spent his long life living and working in the city. As a teenager, with his siblings and friends, the Market Yard was their Croke Park, and Joe had a fund of stories about the Butter Market and various commodities such as eggs, fowl, potatoes and turnips, which were offered for sale each Saturday by the farming community. As a student in St Kieran's College, Joe was well known for his athletic prowess, winning the 100 yards and relay championships at the annual sports. No mean hurler, he played for St Fiacre, a club which won the intermediate championship in 1934. Joe took up employment in the Monster House in 1945 and the late Jack Duggan quickly recognised him as a talented employee, appointing him as a secretary in the huge task of reviving the long-defunct Gowran Park race meeting. Each Thursday and Saturday afternoon Harry Kealy drove them there and notes were made of all that was required to reclaim the old racecourse. Trees had to be removed, dykes opened, drainage pipes laid, jumps built, as well as the various offices, tea rooms and weigh rooms. Joe was on first name terms with all the trainers of the time, Tom Taffe, Vincent O'Brien and Joe Osborne. A very good friend was Michael O'Hehir, who did a running commentary on the races. The culmination of all the hard work arrived when the first meeting was held on June 1, 1949. To this day it is one of the leading race meetings and Joe was associated with its success for more than 50 years. St Canice's Credit Union was another great interest of his. In his capacity as voluntary supervisor he displayed his talent for figures and worked diligently checking members' lodgements. In the early days older people were sceptical of the Credit Union idea, but when they saw the upright people involved they quickly became members. Each morning Joe would visit the Friary and would be seen waiting for the Credit Union office to be opened and when inside had a welcome word for the staff and their welfare. His wife, Dolores, to whom he was very much attached, died on February 27, 2001, and Joe continued to live on his own at New Road and as well looked after by wonderful neighbours, relatives and friends. Later Joe went to live in Troy's Court and was given his every wish by the sister and staff. Mary, his daughter, and her family, Nicholas, Gemma and Catherine, travelled regularly from Birmingham, where they live, to visit Joe. As his health deteriorated, he was transferred to Drakelands Nursing Home, where he died after a short illness. At the funeral Mass in St Canice's, his nephew Fr. Dan spoke about Joe's long life, living through World War I, the Rebellion of 1916, the Civil War and World War II. He witnessed enormous changes, in religious, social, political and sporting events and he continued to have a very strong faith. To his daughter Mary, grandchildren, Nicholas, Gemma and Catherine, his many nieces, nephews and a large number of friends, we tender our sincere sympathy. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Courtesy of Kilkenny People 02 June 2006 Tweet

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