Extracts taken from Souvenir Programme of the Blessing and Opening
of the new C.Y.M.S. Hall, Kildare on Sunday 2nd July, 1950

~ 1938 ~

The First Committee

Spiritual Director - Rev Fr Kennedy
President - Mr C J Bergin
Vice- President - Dr J J O'Driscoll
Secretary - Mr J Fitzpatrick
Treasurer - Mr C Holohan
Messrs. J J Conlon, M Corry, J Heffernan, W Gannon
J McGrath, J Jones, M Murphy, and P Hopkins.

Our thanks are due to the first Committee, for paving the way for the beautiful Hall we now have in Kildare and we are all indebted to the Rev Father Kennedy, who founded our C.Y.M.S. The Rev Fr Kinsella replaced Fr Kennedy (who left Kildare in 1943 to take up duty in Rathangan) as Spiritual Director.
A tribute is also due to him for his untiring work and service to the Society.
Fr Foynes was appointed parish priest to Kildare in 1947, following the death of Father Kane PP. He was delighted to find a fine C.Y.M.S. branch in Kildare and spoke with a deputation from the society, to discuss the possibility of erecting a Parochial Hall to cater for all the social, cultural and recreational needs of the people of the parish - the want of which had so long been felt and he saw no reason why a New Hall should not be built and he would give his whole-hearted support and co-operation in this and all other matters for the spiritual welfare and benefit of the C.Y.M.S.
Our branch, with the approbation of the Bishop and the Parish Priest, undertook the heavy burden of providing the present magnificent hall, which, we venture to say, will compare favourably, with any Provincial Hall in the country.
The foundation of the New Hall was blessed by the Very Rev. Fr Foynes in the summer of 1949. Under the competent supervision of the President, Mr J J Conlon, who was indefatigable in his labours on its behalf, the willing hands of the C.Y.M.S. soon raised it from ground to roof.
The interior fittings, decorations, maple floor, etc, all of the very best quality, soon followed and we thank God the Hall is fully completed in the Holy Year of 1950. A tribute is due to the previous Hon Sec, Mr H Swift, who did so much for the benefit of this Society.
Our thanks are due to the voluntary workers who so willingly gave so much of their time to the laying of the foundations and the building of the New Hall.

The present Committee is as follows
Spiritual Director - Ver Rev Fr Foynes PP
President - Mr J J Conlon
Vice-President - Mr J Canty
Secretary - Mr M Fleming
Treasurer - Mr P McCormack
Also Mr J Holohan (Chairman, Diocesan Council) and
Messrs W Gannon, M Butler, M Vaughan, J Dempsey, J McCollough,
R Byrne, P Hopkins, S Conlan and J Boland

~ The Juvenille Branch ~

There is a Boys Club attached to the C.Y.M.S. for boys from 14 - 16. This Juvenile Branch was founded by Mr C McNulty and tribute is due to him for the wonderful headway he made with the boys with lectures, entertainment and games. Mr McNulty, we regret to say has left Kildare, but the Juvenile Branch he founded still lives on and will ever remember him for the great work he has done for them. We are glad to say the Boys Branch is still going strong under the guidance of Fr Kinsella.

~ The Band ~

There is a first-class Piper's Band attached to the Branch and its members are a credit to the Society and the town of Kildare, with their neat uniforms and manly bearing. They attend all parades and processions; they also turn out on Feast Days, when they make the town ring with choice selections of beautiful marches and hymns to suit the occasion.

Extracts taken from Souvenir Programme of the Blessing and Opening
of the new C.Y.M.S. Hall, Kildare on Sunday 2nd July, 1950

WHO ARE ENTERTAINING US TONIGHT:
At the Piano is MISS JEANNIE REDDIN, of International Fame, who has interrupted her English Tour with Miss Joan Hammond (Australia) to come to Kildare tonight.
Compere of the Concert is JACK CRUISE - Ireland's great entertainer - of Stage and Radio fame.
The GIRLS OF THE PRESENTATION CONVENT are Co Kildare Feis Winners.
LEO MAGUIRE, Baritone, is one of Dublin's best known concert artistes.
PATRICIA DUNLEA, over and over again has amused Radio listeners with her humorous monologues and sketches.
NICK LEWIS, Tenor, has sung with distinction in all the Dublin theatres.
CLARA GREENE is leading Professor of the Violin in Dublin Municipal School of Music.
KATHLEEN UHLEMANN, also of the Dublin Municipal School, is well-known in Britain and Ireland for her deep rich Contralto voice.
JIM DUNNY AND HIS BAND need no introduction to a Kildare audience. He is a prime favourite wherever he goes.
CHARLES BYRNE is Ireland's most colourful Bass singer. His singing of Negro spirituals, songs of the road and Irish ballads has endeared him to thousands of listeners.
OLIVE KELLY - Soprano - has already won a warm place in the hearts of Kildare audiences.
~~~~~~~~~~~ PROGRAMME
PART 1
OVERTURE - JIM DUNNY'S BAND
1. SONGS - NIGHT HYMN AT SEA …………….. PRESENTATION CONVENT  THE FISHERMAN'S GOODNIGHT CHOIR
2. SONGS - LOVE THEE DEAREST ……..…..….LEO MAGUIRE, BARITONE SELECTED
3. MONOLOGUE …..PATRICIA DUNLEA, COMMEDIENNE
4. SONGS - IRELAND, MOTHER IRELAND .…………..NICK LEWIS, TENOR CATHRIE
5. VIOLIN - HEJRI KATI …………….CLARA GREENE THAIS
6. SONGS - THINK ON ME ………….KATHLEEN UHLEMANN WHEN THE HOUSE IS ASLEEP
7. SELECTIONS - ACCORDION ………………. JIM DUNNY
~~~~~~~~ INTERVAL COMPERE: JACK CRUISE
PROGRAMME PART 2
1. SONGS - BARCOLE …………….. PRESENTATION CONVENT CHOIR
2. SONGS - OLE MAN RIVER ………………....……CHARLES BYRNE THE IRISH ROVER
3. SONGS - I HAVE A BONNET TRIMMED WITH BLUE …………….OLIVE KELLY MY LITTLE GREY HOME IN THE WEST 
4. DUET - THE MOON HATH RAISED HER LAMP …NICK LEWIS & LEO MAGUIRE 
5. SONG WITH VIOLIN OBLIGATO ………LARGO - KATHLEEN UHLEMANN
6. SONGS - IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY ……………………....CHARLES BYRNE EILEEN OG
7. DUET - HOME TO OUR MOUNTAINS …KATHLEEN UHLEMANN & NICK LEWIS
~~~~~~~~ AT THE PIANO: JEANNIE REDDIN

Extracts taken from Souvenir Programme by Tadhg Hayden, to commemorate
Golden Jubilee Celebrations 1938 - 1988 Kildare C.Y.M.S. Branch.

The C.Y.M.S. buildings are part of a large public service complex in this area. As well as the C.Y.M.S. Hall there are two schools, the Day Care Centre, St Brigid's Parish Church, the Presentation Convent residence, the de la Salle residence, Aras Bhride and the dispensary. The area seems to merit a backward glance.
John Rocques's map of 1757 shows an empty space where the C.Y.M.S. Hall now stands. Here was a row of cabins across the road opposite the present main entrance to the Hall and there were more cabins on the space now a car park opposite the church. In 1817 the C.Y.M.S. site had no buildings on it.
By 1838 more small cabins had been built on the site across the road. A map of 1907 shows an electric power house - the ancestor of the Old Hall in the C.Y.M.S. buildings - on the site. The cabins across the road are gone. Kildare was ahead of many towns in having its own electricity generated from a local Power House.

When the town in due course was included in the ESB grid, the local station was no longer needed. A newly formed committee bought the building and site. Thus the Catholic Young Men's Society and the C.Y.M.S. Hall were born. Fifty years later the society can look backwards with pride and satisfaction on their record to date. Times changed, but the Society adapted and survived. A society's minutes if properly written and preserved give a researcher an accurate picture of its activities. The writer has examined the minutes of the C.Y.M.S. for the purposes of this article.

On 8 January 1939, the Society held its twentieth monthly meeting. War clouds were gathering in Europe but the Society, in fine fettle, concentrated with energy on local matters. It was decided at that meeting to organise a summer excursion, a boxing club, a football club, a dramatic club and - for good measure - to run a whist drive. M McStay, Jim Burke and Matthew Judge were to found the boxing club. W Gannon and M Jones were put in charge of football. Cards, it was pointed out were needed for the whist drive. To defray the cost of cards, a penny was to be collected from the winner at each table after each game. There appeared to be some dispute between the Society and the Wallpaper Factory. A January 1939 resolution reads: "that the Wallpaper Factory be asked to allow workers time off for Mass on Holy Days". What is not clear from the minutes is whether or not there was a Mass available to workers before opening time at the factory.

Prior to the February meeting, 1939, the Hall had been formally blessed by Fr Kane P.P. and Fr Kennedy C.C. At the meeting, the Society widened its activities by forming a study group to study sociology and theology. According to the rules members of the C.Y.M.S. were required to be members of a sodality. For obvious reasons an exception to this rule was made in the case of an esteemed member, Charlie Graham. A drama club was reported as having been formed since the previous meeting. And it was decided to build a swimming pool! At a meeting held in March 1939 the question of objectionable language in the Hall was raised.
It would not be tolerated, it was decided. Penalty - EXPULSION! A billiard match was arranged between P. Burke and J. Ayres. Admission - 6p per person. A proposal to build a ball alley was discussed. The project was postponed. Funds were the problem.

The Kildare district produced useful footballers down the years. At the September meeting, 1939, the Society passed a resolution of congratulations to Ellistown football club on winning the senior county championship. At the November meeting the matter of collecting members' subscriptions was on the agenda. The annual subscription was 10/- (50p). There were arrears. It was decided to accept the subscription in two instalments. But the second instalment had to be paid within three months! At the meeting held in February 1939, it had been decided to open classes in sociology and theology. In 1940 at the March meeting it was decided to close these classes. Attendance did not justify them. It was a good try! On a more positive note it was agreed to found a tennis club. The job of organising the club was given to members Hopkins, Swift, Fitzpatrick. It was also decided to found a choir. In charge of this project were members Talbot, McGrath, Kennedy, Scanlon, Nolan.

At a meeting held in July 1940, Fr Kennedy, Spiritual Director, delivered a rousing speech in favour of recruitment to the regular army and the L.D.F. - the forerunners of the present F.C.A. The war in Europe was threatening to engulf us. We had declared our neutrality. That in itself was not sufficient. The belligerents had to be convinced that the Irish would resolutely defend their neutrality. The Irish would resist in arms if attacked. The then Taoiseach, Eamon de Valera, had declared the national stand "whichever belligerent enters our territory uninvited for whatever reason is the enemy and will be resisted". The message was clear. The nation backed it. The Kildare C.Y.M.S. played their part in building up the nation's defence forces to the point where they had to be taken seriously. The C.Y.M.S. had their own platoon in the L.D.F. Volunteers, J. Mackey and T Graham won the District Shield in a marksmanship competition.

As the war progressed the importation of coal (among other things) virtually ceased. Turf was an alternative fuel. The C.Y.M.S. committee decided to embark on turf cutting to provide 100 tons of fuel for the Hall. They believed in self help. At a meeting in 1943, the committee turned its attention to card games in the Hall. Nap should be banned in future. In the case of poker, the maximum number of players in a game was to be seven and the maximum stake 4/- (20p).

At the April meeting the following year, the committee relented somewhat in the case of Nap. "Natural Nap" was to be allowed at 1/- (5p) per nap. The committee was unhappy about the way bicycles were parked around the Hall. And bicycle pumps were disappearing! And - changing the subject - member Boland urged that people should be asked to give potatoes to the Red Cross. By way of encouragement, donors would be presented with free sacks by the committee. And local folklore in Kildare should be gathered. J Jones and J Dunne were to organise this project. In 1947 the decision to extend the C.Y.M.S. premises by adding a new Hall was arrived at. A new parish priest had been appointed. He supported the decision. In that year, there appeared to have been some problem with the milk supply to the town. The committee decided to write to the local T.D.s - that was December 1947. In January 1948 the minutes cryptically record: milk discussions have taken a nasty turn. Politics must not be allowed to enter the society's discussions." How things ended and what exactly the problem was is not clear.

Fuel seemed to be an on-going problem. The committee decided to switch from turf to timber. They examined costs. Blocks for fuel could be purchased from Mr Medlicott at £3 a ton. Amount - 100 tons. Carriage by Mr Kelly would cost 4/6 (22 1/2p) per ton. The committee considered the cost too high. Would Mr Medlicott reduce his price, they asked. He would not - but he was willing to five them 10 tons at cost price! But the committee needed 100 tons. To make up the balance the committee got three trees from Mrs Moore and paid 10/6 (52 1/2p) per ton to a man for sawing the trees into logs.

The committee got their blocks. The other parties to the transactions seem to have got out of it all nothing much, but the satisfaction of aiding a good cause! Still thinking in terms of weights and measures, the committee next wrote to the County Council requesting a weigh-bridge capable of weighing twenty tons. A weigh-bridge was needed to weigh turf and fodder, the committee held. At a subsequent meeting, the committee felt that the speed of vehicles through the town was too high. It was decided to hold a meeting with the local Superintendent. He pointed out the he had not got a garda to spare for permanent traffic control, but he would arrange for spot checks.

As mentioned above, Kildare C.Y.M.S. had a Pipe Band. In 1942, the C.Y.M.S. Athletic Club was formed. The proposed site for the swimming pool, already referred to, was the Mill Stream, Tully. Kildare town, built on a ridge, has no running water.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS DOWN THE YEARS

1938 - 43 Rev T Kennedy
1944 - 52 Rev W Kinsella
1953 - 70 Very Rev P Mac Suibhne PP
1971 - Very Rev R Prendergast PP, VF
Very Rev M Kelly PP
Very Rev A Carberry

PAST HONORARY SECRETARIES

1938 - 39 J Fitzpatrick
1940 - 41 M Ryan
1942 - 43 H.D. Swift
1944 - 45 J Holohan
1946 - 48 M Fleming
1949 - 53 H.D. Swift
1954 - 57 E Treacy
1958 - 59 M Halpin
1960 - 67 A Monaghan
1968 - Present E Hennessy

PAST PRESIDENTS

1938 - 46 C J Bergin
1947 - 48 J Boland
1949 - 56 J J Conlon
1957 - 63 J Holohan
1964 - 65 P McCormack
1966 - 67 H.D. Swift
1968 - 91 J Mackey
1992 - Present J Morrissey

PAST HONORARY TREASURERS

1938 - 39 C Holohan
1940 - 42 P McCormack
1943 - 44 J Boland
1945 - 46 J Scanlon
1947 - 49 P McCormack
1950 - 54 J Heffernan
1955 - 61 P McCormack
1962 - 63 C Holloway/W Gannon
1964 - 67 J Heffernan
1968 - 2000 C Murtagh
2001 - Present Esther Brady

Extracts taken from Souvenir Programme, to commemorate
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 1938 - 1998 Kildare C.Y.M.S. Branch

BILLIARDS AND SNOOKER Billiards and Snooker has been a part of the C.Y.M.S. activities in Kildare town since it's foundation in 1938. In those early years of the C.Y.M.S., the hall was the meeting place in the town and even though only males could join the club and play billiards and snooker and card games, the main hall which was used for dancing, both ceili and modern, provided a very valuable social outlet. Kildare C.Y.M.S. teams playing in team competitions proved very successful. Their record of ten wins in successive years, in the famous Borroughs and Watts Shield is a record that will never be beaten. The first C.Y.M.S. team to win the Burroughs and Watts Shield in the 1947 - 48 season still has connections in the club. Michael Kinsella was a very young member of that team and everyone in Kildare knows the contribution he has made in the past fifty years. The format then was two billiards and two snooker with Michael Murphy and Frank Ryan (both deceased) playing the billiards and Jimmy Murray (now in England) and Michael Kinsella, playing snooker. It is also worth pointing out that a nephew of the late Frank Ryan, Stephen Murphy, played on the Irish Snooker team in 1998 in the World Cup with Ken Doherty and Fergal O'Brien. They finished runners-up to Scotland after a great match. Down the years great players have played in the C.Y.M.S. and the C.Y.M.S. Hall has hosted great
Matches. When Alex Higgins played Jack Rea in the Irish professional championship, Kildare C.Y.M.S. hosted the first match, which was packed to the roof and Alex proved too good for him. Paddy Morgan who was one of the best dual players this country produced, played an exhibition of both billiards and snooker to a packed house before he emigrated to Australia. Terry Griffiths of Wales also played a snooker exhibition to a packed house after winning the World Title and he proved very popular as he is a world trick shot champion. He provided great entertainment.
The semi-final and final of the Irish Billiards Championship was played in Kildare C.Y.M.S. The title was won by Tommy Martin who was the first member to win an Irish Championship and altogether has played in five finals, winning two. He has represented Ireland both as a player and manager in both billiards and snooker and played in the World Billiards Championship in Belfast in 1987. He is also one of six qualified coaches in the country, having qualified under Terry Griffiths who is director of Coaching for the world professional body. Tommy was elected president of the Republic or Ireland Billiards and Snooker Association in 1998. Flan Hayes, another member of the C.Y.M.S. to win an Irish championship, performed a magnificent feat only held by Ken Doherty, when he won both under 18 and under 19 titles in the one year. He reached the last eight in both the Irish senior championships and world under 21 championships in Brunei. A young player who has not yet won an Irish championship, but has been runner up on a lot of occasions, Martin McCrudden, has packed a lot of snooker and billiards since he came to Kildare in 1990. He was a junior international for three years, being on the Irish team that was successful in 1994. He played in the 1997 World under 21 championship in Carlow and played well in his group.
Martin qualified for the final stages of the last two Irish senior championships (1997 & 1998). The snooker team representing Kildare C.Y.M.S. have won the national cup, which is a 32 county competition, for the past two years. This is no surprise, with players like Flan Hayes, Martin McCrudden and Kevin McConville (who has also represented Ireland in both billiards and snooker at b-levels) Paul Byrne, Barry Whelan and Ollie Flynn. Billiards has a great tradition in Kildare, with Burke's billiards hall housing the first know table in Kildare, in Bride Street. They also had a betting shop and their telephone number, four with a telegraph address of "Billiards Kildare". Frank Burke won the Irish Billiards Championship in 1928, the same year as the footballers won the Sam.

C.Y.M.S. BADMINTON 1973 - 1998 (Article by Kathleen Kelly, Chairperson, taken from Diamond Jubilee Souvenir Programme) The C.Y.M.S. Badminton Club was formed on 27th November 1973. For the first few years we had huge membership with as many as sixty players of various ages and grades. Even though we have only one court we are fortunate to have the use of the hall on four nights a week. The club entered a junior B team for the first time in 1973 in the South West Leinster League and in 1973 won the S.W.LL in the Junior B. Over the years we have entered teams in every grade from two to seven in the Cup & League and in the Carlow League we have had many successes. The most successful team won the grade 5 cup, Kildare League and the Leinster Intercounties and reached the All Ireland Final in Whitehall Road, Badminton Centre in Dublin in 1984. Many of our players play in various tournaments including the Leinster Close, the Carlow Championships and the Teachers All Ireland Tournaments. Doubles partners Esther Brady and Kathleen Kelly have won many Leinster titles. It is a great honour to have as one of our members, Esther Brady, who played on the County Team for a number of years. Every year we remember one of our past members who coached at the club for many years, in our Mick Gannon Tournament. This is always a very competitive competition and is an important part of our badminton year. Every member wants to win the Mick Gannon Cup! Carmel Hester was secretary of the S.W.L.L. for many years and was a most competent and efficient secretary. Carmel is no Treasurer of our club, while Esther is Secretary and Kathleen is Chairperson. Our selectors this year are Cora Waters, Irene Cullen and Tommy Kinane. We have a very strong juvenile section in our club. Over the years many members helped out with coaching, including Carmel, Esther, Kathleen, Aidan, Noel, Sinead, Jim and Mary Scahill. Our under 12 boys reached the Leinster Schools seme-final in 1997, we also hold junior tournaments, yearly and always have a very high standard of badminton. Kildare C.Y.M.S. Badminton Club celebrated 21 years in 1994, with a most successful function in the Silken Thomas, Kildare, with over 250 people present. A night that will be remembered by everyone. Jim Mackery, R.I.P. our oldest member of the C.Y.M.S. blew out the candles on the cake. We hope to continue Badminton in the C.Y.M.S. for many years to come. Even though the game seems to be declining in many areas, we're happy to point out that we have many new members this year. The future looks good for us.
Congratulations on sixty great years to Kildare C.Y.M.S.

LONG SERVICE Over the lifetime of the C.Y.M.S. there have been many members who have given a lifetime of service, either in some of the many activities which have taken place in the C.Y.M.S. over the years. Some have been members for 40 years, which is an amazing contribution and deserves the utmost appreciation, for without them the C.Y.M.S. would not be what it is today. There has been a variety of activities in the hall over the years, the dances at the week-end was highly popular for years. The Bingo has been the mainstay of the C.Y.M.S. for some years now. Another institution is the Whist which also has been held regularly for countless years. The Pioneer Association has also used the C.Y.M.S. for a good number of years. A variety of dancing classes have been and are still there on a regular basis. Without doubt the C.Y.M.S. is the most used building in the town and it's importance cannot be underestimated.

THE LAY APOSTOLATE
Every year the local branch of the C.Y.M.S. organised their annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady's Shrine at Knock. Approximately 60 people travel and over half would be members. The branch also sponsor one or two invalids to travel to Lourdes on an annual Parish Pilgrimage. Once a month various members of the C.Y.M.S. travel to St Vincent's Hospital, Athy to visit the sick. One or two members also visit the Jockey Hospital and the Lourdesville Nursing Home. A Christmas Party is also organised and paid for in Athy each year. Some members also help the Church with the ministry of the Eucharist and the liturgy and Pastoral Council work and also with Church collections. Many years ago through the "Little Way Association"the C.Y. adopted Bishop Gasparini of Ethopia and his foreign Mission and send him a donation twice a year. Extracts taken from the Songs and Poems of Patrick McCormack, Kildare 1974. The author of this little volume has been writing verse since he was 25. His themes are mainly historical but he also writes to commemorate local events. Two of his verses - "The Kildare Exile" (air, "Teddy O'Neill") and "The Old Homestead" (air, "Terence's Farewell") - were recorded by Decca Record Co in U.S.A. Patrick McCormack came from the farming community, being the third son of the late Patrick McCormack, Lackaghmore, Kildare, where his brother, Edward carried on the farming at "the old homestead", the title of one of the songs. Patrick went to business early in life and lived in The Square, Kildare, where he started his own business in 1930. He was the co-author, with Peadar Mac Suibhne, M.A. OF "St Brigid and the Shrines of Kildare".

ST BRIGID OF KILDARE
O dear St Brigid hear our call,
And guard our native isle,
In olden days you spread the light
Of God's love o'er the soil.
Your mission full of ardent love,
With pleadings did not fail,
And ever shall your memory live,
As Mary of the Gael. How oft you prayed with fervent hope
To save our native land,
The fire of faith you kindled here,
By heavenly breeze was fanned.
Your earthly life our guiding star,
A beacon light to all,
Fond patroness of Erin's Isle,
You heard our plaintive call. Tho' years have flown, O glorious Saint,
Since you trod our Emerald Isle,
The hills and pleasant valleys
Seem calling all the while.
Come dwell again, O Brigid true,
Amidst the scenes so fair,
Where first your virtues shone so bright
From your convent of Kildare. The Irish race, o faithful Queen,
Shall ever breathe your name,
With Patrick's aid, apostle true,
Our land you raised to fame.
And when all earthly things shall end,
We pray when trials are o'er,
To meet our Brigid of Kildare,
Yes, meet to part no more.

THE KILDARE EXILE
I'm longing tonight for one glimpse of my homeland,
Yes, longing for Erin away o'er the sea.
'Tis years since I left it in search of a living
And work for my loved ones so dear unto me.
In dreams I am back with the friends of my boyhood,
The home in the plains I can see over there.
I cannot forget, sure 'tis haunting me ever,
The home that I left in the County Kildare. I had to forsake you and wander in exile,
From home and my country I had to go.
But now there is freedom once more in old Erin
And peace takes the place of dissension and woe.
No more will I rove by the Barrow's fair waters
Or stroll by the banks of the Liffey so fair,
I'll never again see the haunts of my childhood
I left long ago in the County Kildare. Could I only go back when springtime is calling
And wander again where the skies are so blue,
See the hills and the streams in my own lovely Erin
And meet the old friends that are faithful and true.
Had I all the treasures of earth for the taking,
The silver, the gold and a kingdom so fair,
I'd gladly give all for my own lovely valley,
The home by the plains in the County Kildare. Oh! Give me the years that are gone past recalling,
The old Tully stream by the meadow to stray,
Or give me the sound of the light-hearted laughter,
It rings through the years from that long by-gone day.
Many years are now gone and death's shadows are stealing,
There's no hope for me only sad and despair,
But sure while I live I shall dream of thee only,
My home by the plains in the County Kildare.

EXILED
Will I sere again see the homestead I knew,
Or cross native plains when skies they are blue;
Meet the faithful companions of youth,
Gay and true,
In Erin my home o'er the sea. Tho' miles may divide us, my heart it is there,
With the rivers, the lakes and the sweet mountain air,
Where the woodlands and valleys are
Verdant and fair,
In Erin my home o'er the sea. In dreams I oft stray down a shady boreen
To the home of my boyhood where joys I have seen,
And I'll cherish the memory of days
That have been,
In Erin my home o'er the sea. There's Wicklow so grand, Killarney so fair,
The old Curragh plains in the County Kildare;
Oh, that I could roam once again
Over there,
In Erin my home o'er the sea.

MY NURNEY HOME
I left my homeland to better my fortune,
Now I'm exiled from the land of my birth,
My home, it's in Erin, in County Kildare,
A dear spot called Nurney, the fairest on earth. Now friends, remember, take heed of my warning,
Don't leave like me for to sail far away,
There's no place like Ireland, you own native sireland,
Oh, that I was back and I'd never more stray. Chorus Oh, why did I part from my dear land, my own land?
Why did I leave you to wander away?
I seem to hear voices a-calling me homeward,
They seem to be saying, "Oh come back today". I'll come back to Nurney before I'm much older,
Yes, back to old Nurney, there's no place more fair;
I'll see the old Curragh and lovely Kildangan
And home of St Brigid in my own Kildare. Soon may the day come when home I'm returning.
God speed the ship that will sail o'er the foam;
Where is the school-house, the church and the woodland?
I'd give all the world for my old Nurney home. Chorus

TULLY WATERS
I'm going back to Ireland,
My wanderings are o'er,
To meet the happy friends I know
On Erin's lovely shore.
God rest the many passed away
Since I left long ago,
But one dear spot I long to see
Where Tully Waters flow. My native town again I'll see,
Home of St Brigid true,
Historic Abbeys are still there,
And Tully Gardens too.
Again I'll hear the blackbird sing
And see the flowers grow,
Adown the lane to Brigid's Well
Where Tully Waters flow. The beauty of old Erin's Isle,
The Curragh Plains so green,
Its equal not in any land
Was ever, ever seen.
To see again the setting sun
As homeward I will go,
And cherish always in my heart
Where Tully Waters flow. I'll climb once more the old Red Hills,
I'll cross the Barrow too;
There is no place on earth so fair
Than where my young heart knew.
To the woodlands by the meadow
See the purple heather grow
And live again the boyhood days
Where Tully Waters flow.

THE EXILE
Oh, why did I leave the home of my boyhood
To seek for a fortune on this foreign strand,
While I long for the valleys, the mountains and wildwood
That surround the old home in my dear native land.
In dreams sure I see you, my own Lackaghmore,
There is no place in Erin more fair,
Where I sported and played in the dear days of yore,
Round the beautiful plains of Kildare. '
Tis often I sigh when I think of the past,
And regret that I ever did roam
From the home and the friends that are now fading fast,
That I left long ago o'er the foam.
No more will I rove on a bright summer's morn
By the groves of Kildangan so fair,
Or list to the lark, as he sings o'er the corn,
As in days that were precious and rare.
No more will I rove on a bright summer's morn
By the groves of Kindangan so fair,
Or list to the lark, as he sings o'er the corn,
As in days that were precious and rare.
No more the Round Tower of Kildare will I view,
As it stands there a sentinel grand,
The historic castles, the Curragh plains too,
Oh, could I behold you my land.
An exile for ever I am destined to be,
I know I shall ne'er see thee more,
But sure while I live I'll be dreaming of thee,
Old Erin and home Lackaghmore.

THE PLAINS OF SWEET KILDARE
God bless the hills of Ireland,
I could not love them more,
The valleys of our sireland
Around our native shore.
One hallowed spot that beats the lot,
A gem of beauty rare,
That lovely soil of Erin's Isle,
The plains of sweet Kildare.
Go travel the wide world over,
It's equal can't be found,
That green clad sod of nature's own,
St Brigid's hold ground.
The pleasant people, good and true,
You will meet always there,
To greet you on the cherished spot,
The plains of sweet Kildare. T
he men that fell at Gibbet Rath
The Curragh Plains still hold,
Brave Father Farrell rests there too,
With Kildare heroes bold.
Their memory we will cherish
With an ever fervent prayer
When crossing that historic spot.
The plains of sweet Kildare.
When you call there is a welcome
From lads so gay and bright,
Where the girls are true and charming,
They'd fill you with delight.
This is my hope and fervent wish,
My never ending prayer,
God bless all people that will pass
The plains of sweet Kildare.

MEMORIES OF THE DROGHEDA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
'Twas in nineteen sixty-seven
And the season was mid-spring,
The flowers were just a-peeping
And the birds did sweetly sing.
I relaxed my weary body
And met happy people there
At the Drogheda Memorial
On the Curragh of Kildare.
I loved to watch the sunrise
From my cosy corner bed,
A pleasant nurse would enter
And relieve my aching head.
Oh charming people, good and true,
That I met over there
At the Drogheda Memorial
On the Curragh of Kildare. '
Twas pleasant there beneath the trees
To view the verdant sod,
That lovely plain of nature's own,
A tribute to her God.
The string of horses passing,
I've watched that vision rare
At the Drogheda Memorial
On the Curragh of Kildare.
How beautiful the Curragh Church,
The Water Tower nearby;
I see again that lovely scene
Against the southern sky.
This is my wish, my fond request,
God bless all over there
At the Drogheda Memorial
On the Curragh of Kildare.

THE LILY WHITES LEINSTER CHAMPIONS 1956
Well done, Kildare, the game is won
With victory once more,
The Lily Whites have conquered,
As in the days of yore.
The Gaelic spirit shines again,
The county rings with joy,
As up we raise the dear old flag
To its rightful place on high.
 
The first to fall, brave County Louth,
The game was fast and rare;
The boys from Longford then went down
By the Gaels from old Kildare.
Offaly next their best did field,
And it was a treat to see
The Lily Whites proved superior
And brought home victory. The final test in dear Croke Park,
It was a grand display
Against the boys of Wexford,
Who led early in the play.
A shout of joy went to the sky
As the ball sailed through the air,
The Leinster Crown once more is won
By the Gaels from old Kildare. God bless our Leinster Champions,
The boys to do and dare,
The Gaelic flag is raised again
O'er the County of Kildare,
So on, Kildare, to higher fame,
Bring back the old renown,
March with the spirit of the Gael
And win all Ireland's Crown.

St BRIGIDS C.Y.M.S.
CHAIRPERSON :JOHN MORRISSEY
SECRETARY EAMONN HENNESSY
TREASURER ESTHER BRADY.

Present day additions to the club were the addition of a state of the art new hall which was built by paddy carroll in the year 2001 and was opened by his lordship Dr. L. RYAN,BISHOP of KILDARE & LEIGHLIN( who is sadly no longer with us.) This new hall has been the rejuvenation of the club.There are so many people using the facilities that people & groups have to book months in advance.
The new hall hosted the derby festival opening and it hosted the biggest poker blitz held any where in the county.
We are the only club / organisation to have a thriving ladies only gym. We have the longest running bingo in Ireland north or south.The bingo pays out the biggest prises in the country.At Christmas 2003 the jackpot paid out the biggest ever for a weekly jackpot, Euro 12000.we have upgraded all the amenities in the old hall.
It would not be fair to continue without mentioning the marvellous work done in the last seven or eight years by the FAS COMMUNITY WORKERS. The work they have done and continue to do is first class.
To talk about the different groups would be too boring as they all have their own inclusion elsewhere on this website.
Every time one of the volunteers retires we say that it will be impossible to get someone to fill their position, but we always do.
The people who retire will always have given years of faithful voluntary help to the club, but we have been lucky over the years, one leaves and another one steps in and continues the tradition.
We believe that over the years that this club has helped to shape the lives of a lot of people and also give young people a place that they can go to from an early age and still be involved when have grown up and are sending their own children/grandchildren to the C.Y.M.S club.