Congratulations are extended to The Kerryman newspaper which this year (2024) celebrates 120 years since its first issue was printed in Tralee on 20 August 1904. It remains a valuable resource for local news and a goldmine for local history.
Its founders were Thomas Nolan, his cousin Daniel Nolan and Maurice Griffin.[1]
Also on record from this time is Tralee native, Cornelius O’Donoghue who in 1904 was an apprentice draughtsman in the building firm of John B Healy when it went out of business with Mr Healy’s death.[2] He joined Maurice Griffin and Tom Nolan, who had been officials in the firm, to work on the new newspaper. Cornelius worked there until its suppression in 1916 and suggested the establishment of The Liberator (Tralee) which became famous for its ‘scoops’ during the 1914-18 period. In 1917 he joined the Drogheda Independent Company Ltd, becoming its MD in 1940. He was president of the Irish Master Printers’ Association and a member of the Associated Irish Newspapers.[3]
In 1954, The Kerryman celebrated its Golden Jubilee and carried a feature about Kerry people who left the county and achieved distinction. The selection included individuals from Castleisland and district such as Most Rev Dr Redmond G Prendiville, Archbishop of Perth and T C O’Mahony, Dublin City Manager and Town Clerk. Men noted from the Brosna district were Clerys founder Denis Guiney; builder Bartholomew ‘Batt’ O’Connor who gave shelter to Michael Collins, and Most Rev Dr John William Heffernan (1883-1966), Bishop of Zanzibar, who received Edel Quinn in Africa in 1932.
John Joe Sheehy of Lyreacrompane who rose to become principal keeper of Sing Sing Prison in America was given space as were two Ballymacelligott men, Paddy McEllistrim, Wimbledon’s first and greatest greyhound trainer, and Robert Hoffman, industrial developer who trained in South Africa with his uncle, Ronald Chute, agent to some of the largest firms and combines in the world. Mention was also made of Farranfore farming authority Professor Michael Murphy of the Agricultural Credit Corporation.
Long life to the newspapers! Further reference to the local press in Kerry is given on this website in Stop Press: Michael O’Donohoe and the Kerry Newspapers.[4]
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[1] Tribute to Maurice Griffin in the Kerry News, 5 April 1928, who died aged 53. Daniel Nolan died on 20 April 1938, and Thomas Nolan died on 3 April 1939. Nationalist Bryan Devane of Tylough who died aged 85 in 1916, was an uncle of Thomas Nolan. Bryan was laid to rest in O’Brennan Churchyard. [2] The Census of Ireland 1901 suggests that Cornelius may have been the son of Geoffrey and Debby O’Donoghue of McEnnery’s Lane, Tralee. [3] Cornelius F O’Donoghue, Managing Director of Drohgeda Independent Co Ltd, died on 26 April 1959 aged 70 at his residence, 1 Church View Terrace, Drogheda. He was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. Obituary in the Drogheda Independent, 2 May 1959. [4] http://www.odonohoearchive.com/stop-press-michael-odonohoe-and-the-kerry-newspapers/
