An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 29 I met with several members of the branch to get some background. Branch Chairman Kevin Carton, originally from Wicklow, spent his career with the Transport Corps in the Curragh. Branch Secretary John Roche, an Athy native who comes from a large military family, served with the Ord- nance Corps, also in the Curragh. Other branch members at the meeting were Anthony Davis, formerly Medical Corps; Pat Roche (John's brother and the father of Clem, the local historian who had been my guide in Heritage Centre) formerly Artillery Corps; John Lawlor, from Athy, formerly of the Engineer Corps; William Lawlor, who served in the Curragh and Dublin; Liam Foley, from Athy, who served in the Military College; and John Roche's wife Kathleen and his other brother, Michael, who are associate members. At the start of our meeting the branch members paid tribute to Raymond Clarke, one of their founding members, who sadly passed away three years ago. Raymond had served with An Slua Muirí and Civil Defence. John recalls the meeting held in 2013 in Fingleton Auctioneers in the town to see if there was sufficient interest and ONE CEO Ollie O'Connor came along and spoke to those present. There was great interest and Kevin says: "Starting off it looked good with numbers." Of course, though, starting off any venture like this provides many challenges and obstacles to overcome so it was by no means easy but all agree it was worth the effort. The branch has an excellent Facebook page that lets people know what they are about and to share photos of events/projects they are involved in. One of those projects, cleaning and reno- vating the grotto on the Monasterevin Road, has earned great acknowledgement for the branch. Due to the branch's efforts the grotto, originally built in 1954 by the Lower St Joseph's Residents' Association, now includes a roll of honour for the 87 members of the Defence Forces who died on overseas service, and has won numerous awards, including the Athy Tidy Towns Award in 2016 and again in 2018, jointly with another location. Among the branch's many activities last year, they took part in the town's St Patrick's Day parade and provided a guard of honour for the visit of the Rose of Tralee. The branch does a fair amount of annual fundraising, including holding a number of raffles, collecting for ONE's Fuchsia Appeal and lotto draw. Their local charitable work includes donating large, framed pictures to St Michael's Parish Church, and plaques in the old and new graveyards. As a result of all of the above, this young branch has already made an impact locally. John said the branch receives very positive feedback in the town for their charitable work. In recognition of its community spirit, St Michael's Branch became the first ONE branch to get a civic reception when they were given one by Kildare County Council in March 2018, at which the branch gave a presentation on the Fuchsia Appeal to the councillors to make them aware of the plight of veterans. Looking to the future they would like to increase their member- ship numbers over the coming year, and have been in discussions with their local councillors for assistance for a suitable building they could turn into a Veterans Support Centre (VSC), along the lines of those that ONE has opened up around the country. Kevin says: "If we had our own VSC in the town we would have a place to meet veterans that might need help." I was very impressed with the comradery within the branch and by the respect in which they are held locally. It was also good to meet the members in person after having come across them at many veterans' events over the years. Drawing of the attack led by Lt Holland VC Lt John Vincent Holland VC St Michael's Branch members The grotto in Athy St Michaels Branch accepting their joint Tidy Towns Award for 2018. Photo: St Michael's Branch, ONE

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