Poverty in Athy and the Work of Athy Lions Club

The population of Athy has increased substantially over the last 20 years or so. For over one hundred years previously the local community numbers were always around 4,000 and generally somewhat lower than that. Athy, we were told, was a prosperous market town with more than 40 pubs/grocery shops and was often described as the leading market town in Leinster. Hidden behind the main streets of the town however were many two roomed cottages let by private landlords who in the absence of any local authority housing schemes controlled the availability of housing in the town. In the census of 1901 Athy returned a population of 3,599. The majority of the local people lived in the most primitive conditions. A report prepared by the local medical officer claimed that little effort was made to keep the laneways in the town in a sanitary condition. His report continued: ‘the state of the back yards is also a danger to health ….. large accumulations of manure heaps and other refuse matters are in proximity to the houses ….. and the back yards where these accumulations exist are very small and confined and undrained and in many instances pigs are kept in them. A considerable number of houses have no back yard accommodation whatsoever.’ What part did these poor living conditions and the poverty which they indicated play in encouraging so many young Athy men to enlist in the British Army during World War I? A report in the Nationalist and Leinster Times on 9th June 1917 claimed: ‘In Ireland workers when deprived of employment have only one recourse – to join the army, a mild form of conscription is accordingly enforced in this country at the present time.’ True to tell there was widespread poverty in Athy at that time. Employment opportunities were limited to the local brickyards and seasonal work on neighbouring farms. The merchants of the town were by all accounts well off, but amongst them were a number of kind hearted individuals who came together every week to further the work of the local St. Vincent de Paul Society in helping local families in need. This generosity of spirit, which in the early years of 1900 was found in the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was many generations later to witness a resurgence with the foundation of Athy’s Lions Club. Today the Lions Club and the St. Vincent de Paul Society continued to work voluntarily for the betterment of those individuals and families who find themselves experiencing financial difficulties. The Lions Club, which is a member of the largest worldwide charitable organisation, was founded following a meeting in the Leinster Arms Hotel in June 1971. The first President of the Lions Club was the late Des McHugh, a pharmacist from Duke Street and with him at that first meeting was a large number of businesspeople and professionals. It was then an all-male organisation, which in recent years has welcomed female members. Indeed, the current membership of Athy Lions Club shows a majority of female members who have brought a refreshing vigour and enthusiasm to the work of the club. Over the years Athy Lions Club has been involved in many fundraising projects where all the funds collected are used for local charitable purposes. Cycle rallies, family walks, St. Stephen’s Day run, charity auctions, concerts and not to forget the annual Christmas Food Appeal are but some of the many events organised by the Lions Club. Amongst the many unique projects undertaken by the Lions Club there are two which stand out. In 1982 the Club in conjunction with St. Michael’s Parish, then led by the Parish Priest Canon Owen Sweeney, jointly purchased Dreamland Ballroom for use as a community facility. Now known as A.R.C.H. (Athy Recreational Community Hall), the parish interest in the hall has in recent times been transferred to the Lions Club and the A.R.C.H. continues to be managed by a voluntary committee on behalf of the Lions Club. The other major project undertaken by the Lions Club was the development of a sheltered housing scheme in the grounds of St. Vincent’s Hospital. The Lions Club initiated this housing project in consultation with the Eastern Health Board, which resulted in the construction of ten houses which were made available for elderly persons. The work of the Lions Club, like that of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, seldom receives publicity as their work is done quietly and discreetly. It would be remiss of me however not to pay tribute to two of the founder members of the Lions Club who with 52 years as members continue to attend the monthly meetings of the club and participate in Lions events. Michael Dwyer and Gerry Cleary are the members in question, who a few years ago were recipients of the Melvin Jones award for services to their community. Membership of the Lions Club is open to any person wishing to serve the people of Athy in a voluntary capacity. If you would like to offer your help to the Lions Club, whether as a member attending monthly meetings or as a volunteer for organised events, can I invite you to contact the current Lions Club President Brian Dooley on Ph: (086)137-8612. Don’t forget the lecture tonight [Tuesday] in the Arts Centre, Woodstock Street. David Walsh’s illustrated talk on ‘Athy and the Great War in Twenty Objects’.