Mountain-top procession celebrates 50 years of the Sliabh Bloom Association
A sectionj of the people who attended the plaque unveiling gathering pictured before setting off to the location near the Ridge of Capard
THE Sliabh Bloom Association celebrated its golden anniversary recently with the unveiling of two commemorative plaques near the Ridge of Capard. The voluntary organisation protects and promotes the beautiful mountain range between Laois and Offaly.
To mark the auspicious occasion, a procession took place on Sunday 27 April beginning at founding member Dan Lynch’s yard near the Ridge of Capard. Led by piper Brian Meacle and SBA members Christy Conroy and Michael Gleeson, the parade continued up the mountain to a site where locals used to stop for a rest on their way to Mass. Dan Lynch unveiled a plaque for his late wife Mary, while secretary Kathleen Culliton did likewise in memory of her mother Mary B Culliton. Both past members died in 2022 and the plaques are located alongside one that commemorates Kathleen’s father Tomás Culliton. The ceremony was led by founding member and chairperson John Rigney.
Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Padraig Fleming and his Offaly counterpart Audrey Hennessey Kennedy both attended the unveiling of the plaques, as did Laois councillor Seamus McDonald.
Following the unveiling ceremony, everyone gathered in Rosenallis Community Hall, where they were joined by more people for a meal and were entertained by Borris-in-Ossory musician Martin Delaney. A 50th anniversary cake was cut by Dan and Kathleen to mark the occasion.
The SBA protects tourist attractions in the scenic Sliabh Blooms and undertakes projects to maintain them, along with taking care of the many hidden gems in the mountain’s protected reserves.
Speaking to the , SBA secretary Kathleen Culliton said: “We were delighted to celebrate our 50th anniversary and to honour two former members who are now deceased. My mother Mary B Culliton and Dan Lynch's wife Mary Ann Lynch both served the association very well for over 40 years.
“The SBA’s aim is to promote the Sliabh Blooms to tourists while protecting the natural environment. We voluntarily maintain the ancient wells, such as those near Rosenallis and elsewhere on the Slieve Blooms. Our association also looks after the Giant’s Grave, where one of Finn mac Cumhaill’s warriors named Blad was buried. This is what gave the mountains the name Sliabh Bladhma.
“We have also revived four of the 44 ancient festivals which were traditionally held in the Sliabh Blooms, including Imbolc at the beginning of February, when a goat is milked above Cadamstown at the Bracket Stones; Bealtaine, when we set up and decorate a May Bush for the month of May; Fraughan Sunday, where we climb Arderin; and Samhan, where we embark on a ramble and include music, dance and song in a local pub.” The SBA will hold its next meeting in the school in Camross on Thursday 22 May. The group is also looking for new members to protect the many wells and clear the various sites. For more information, contact Kathleen Culliton on 085 7376745.
