MOUNTAIN LOG GALTYMORE CROSSES In 1954, a wooden cross was erected by the Galtee Climbing Club. This cross was Celtic in design and was the inspiration for the cross that stands on Galtymore today. It was built by the Galtee Climbing Club, which was formed in 1952 after a group of friends climbed Galtymore. The group included Con Breen, John Kett (who proposed the founding of the club), John Vaughan, the late Mattie Kennedy, Jimmy Costello (now a priest), Conny Carroll, Paddy Kelly and others from Tipperary town area. It was John Kett who came up with the idea that a cross be put up to mark the Marian Year of 1954 (the first in Roman Catholic history), and it was the same John Kett who made the cross; he was a cabinetmaker. Con Breen told me more of the story: “On the day of the climb to erect the cross, we cycled out of town and, with permission, went through the grounds of Moore’s Castle near Kilshane. We wore berets with a white tape around the rim. Further materials were collected from O’Brien’s farm in Glencushnabinnia. Two brothers from the CBS, Br Carr and Br Tracey, carried the main shaft of the cross to the top and the cross was assembled and erected on site. The event was photographed and was also captured on 16mm film. An engraved plaque was placed on the cross.” "The timber cross didn’t last very long,” he continued. In 1977, I found some rusty bolts, but the plaque that was designed and made by John Kean from Tipperary town was gone. I wonder who has it now?” When Con told me this story and mentioned the plaque, I was happy to report I was given the plaque for safe keeping – a story for another day. Pictured this page: Cross erected on Galtymore in 1954. Photo: Kavanagh family collection 44
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzcyMDA=