Looking back over the years it appears we've always loved a good 'aul march or procession in Nenagh. Whether it be in protest, support, in celebration or devotion, how many times has the traffic been stopped and diverted as the citizens make their feelings heard. It would appear it doesn't take much to get the Nayna Folk out on the streets. There is also the fear of missing out on what might happen and the sense of righteous indignation and a feeling of belonging. Here are some shots down through the years that capture the spirit and diversity as the people of Nenagh take to the streets.

A group of cyclists pause for their picture in Banba Square

The removal of the Cormack Brothers remains from Nenagh Gaol for re-interment at Loughmore Cemetery - 11/05/1910

Marching up Bank Place

Volunteers in Courthouse Square - July 1914

A group of ex-servicemen march past the Steps and the Munster & Leinster Bank and wheel right into Banba Square

On 15/05/1981, The North Tipperary H-Blocks Committee and 2000 workers and people downed tools and took to the streets marching to Banba Square. They were marching in protest after the death of Bobby Sands. 50 sympathisers from North Tipperary would travel to the funeral in Belfast. In the second photo you can see a steward making sure the protesters maintain dignified order and discipline as they marched in file. At Banba Square they said a decade of the Rosary and listened to an oration by Dan Gleeson.

Another protest....this time the perennial issue of Nenagh Hospital and removal of facilities....and what you'd call a good turnout.

Religious Gatherings

Every year brought the Corpus Christi Procession. Traffic would be stopped and diverted as the march varied it's route around town, ultimately ending up in Peter St. Most shops were closed with their windows highly decorated with statues, some obscure, some familiar or bolts of blue or white cloth. The new communicants, who had made their First Communion were attired in virginal white dresses and Mantillas or new suits with short trousers which were supposed to last them for years (don't go kicking football in your new shoes!).   The procession were led by priests with an Army guard of honour to Banba Square where mass would be said. Each group had their allotted space marked in chalk on the road.

Prayer Meeting at Grange Hill. Notice all the umbrella's in the crowds. This is also where a mass meeting of 350,000 took place on 27/04/1843 to listen to Daniel O'Connell (The Liberator)

A procession coming up Barrack St. When a funeral cortege passed enroute from the Hospital to St Mary's RC, it was customary to switch off all the lights in shops and houses and to draw the blinds as a mark of respect

Corpus Christi procession in Castle St....notice O'Meara's porch on RHS

Procession at Old Post Office

First Communion girls at Market Cross and Queen St - Brother Williams leading

Corpus Christi in Banba Square. If you look closely you can see that the onlookers are kneeling on the concrete ground.....ouch!

Procession of the Host and Monstrance around St Joseph's Park. Brothers Cass & Casey in front holding the canopy

More from St Josephs Park. Looks like Boyscouts following this time

Reviewing the Guard of Honour when the Parochial House was in Summerhill

you've gotta have music....!

No procession would be complete without the music of Bagpipes or maybe the beat of a snare drum or Bass Drum as it beat out the rhythm of the march. In times past there was the Fife and Drum band based at the ex-servicemens "Hut", later years would see the re-emergence of Nenagh Brass Band

C.B.S. Pipe Band at the corner of Church Road & Summerhill

Photo taken by Rob Toohey 

The Moycarkey Pipe Band with the Order of Malta following at the junction of Peter St & Castle St

Order of Malta - always present in the background whether it be a sporting fixture, an event or taking part themselves in a procession