A Tale of Two Brothers
Ray and Pappy O'Donoghue
Ray O'Donoghue
Pappy O'Donohghue
Ray and Pappy O'Donoghue are two of their American cousins' favorite Irishmen, due in part to their tremendous work on pulling together the 2002 O'Donoghue Family Reunion, held in Liscannor, County Clare. Brothers Ray and Pappy are also very deeply involved in improving their communities- Ray in Oranmore, Galway and Pappy in Kilfenora, Clare.
(Click pictures to see larger image.)
Exterior of the decommissioned church that Ray and other Oranmore citizens persuaded town council to convert to a library and community center.
Ray points out features of the loft meeting area. The entire center gives the impression that every possible use is squeezed from it.
Looking into the library area from the front entrance. The loft area pictured above is to the left in this picture.
Looking down into the main library seating area from the meeting room / loft.
Pappy stands outside the community center that he and other citizens worked to bring to Kilfenora.
Parents and children work inside the center, setting up for an art show. The President of Ireland traveled to Kilfenora for the center's dedication.
Pappy at the front gate of the Deanery Playing Fields project, an effort he actively supports.
The after-Mass crowd in Kilfenora looks at the bed which hardy volunteers will push to another town as a fund-raiser.
The crowd gathers around the bed to make donations to the Deanery effort. Lovely picture of Pappy from the rear.
(Click pictures to see larger image.)
They're off! The mob pushing the bed heads out of town, led by this SUV
One of the six playing fields is already in use in the Deanery Fields effort.
The front of the Deanery building- the former bishop's residence. The residence is much larger than can be seen from this view.
The rear of the deanery, showing various wings and outbuildings. Also planned is the restoration of the Deanery buildings as a museum.
Ray and Frances look over another beauty- this mint-condition 1962 Jag, which enjoys the same superb condition of its 1932 sibling shown below.
ern Veteran and
Vintage Motor Club, Ltd
Galway, Ireland
A real prize is this 1932 Jaguar, which Ray has painstakingly restored. Every feature of the car, including windshield wipers, works flawlessly.
Other duties that occupy Ray's time include serving as a committee member of the O'Donoghue Society and as vice-president of the Western Veteran and Vintage Motor Club.
Most important, though, is probably Ray's work in establishing and developing traditional Irish language schools in the Galway region. I hope to soon have more information to share on this remarkable project.
