Tommy Keogh is Clondalkin’s Grand Marshal

Three years on from the last parade Clondalkin St Patrick’s Day parade is set to return to the village this year.

And the Parade Committee has just announced that well known local man Tommy Keogh has been selected by the public to be the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade.

Making the announcement, Councillor Francis Timmons, who is Parade Chair, said:

“Clondalkin Patricks Day Parade Committee is very happy to announce that the public have voted and they have decided that Tommy Keogh will be the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade.

“Tommy Keogh has been at the heart of the Clondalkin community as an unselfish volunteer for most of his life.

“For over 60 years he has been very active in mary areas and has contributed an exceptional amount to the Clondalkin area.

“Since starting out as a juvenile player with Round Towers during the 50’s Tommy has served the club as player, team manager, club officer, and Club President (2014-2016), and he was also honoured with a Hall of Fame award from the Club in 2002.

“While along the way he has  photographed hundreds of teams, games and club events.

“Similarly as a volunteer photographer with both the former Clondalkin People newspaper with Editor Mary Brady and the Parish Newsletter he has filmed many  local people and visiting VIPs and events.

“He has also recorded the demolition of several Clondalkin landmark buildings, among them Clondalkin Paper Mills, The Church at Mount Saint Joseph, The Stores Pub in Main Street and  the local Post Office and just recently O’Byrnes Site on Boot road.’’

“As well as being a member to many groups over the years, Tommy has also helped to establish several other voluntary groups in the village viz. Clondalkin Camera Club (1988), Clondalkin Tidy Towns (2012), Clondalkin Round Tower Heritage Group (2012), Friends of the Camac (2017).

“All vibrant, successful and active clubs which help to make Clondalkin a great place to live in. Each being very successful and making Clondalkin better‘’

‘’In the recent past few years Tommy, with the team of Clondalkin Mens Shed Volunteers, have worked tirelessly in maintaining the upkeep and enhancement of St Brigid’s Well on Boot Road, their work was very evident at the recent Brigid’s Day Festival.

“Tommy worked in Clondalkin Paper Mills for over 25 years until its closure in 1982 and his knowledge and photos were the mainstay of an Oral History project in 2014 by www.irishlifeandlore.com and South Dublin County Libraries.

“Earlier in 2013 Tommy was co author with Gerry Flanagan and Malachy Mc Veigh of a Bicentennial History St Josephs BNS entitled “From the Monastery to the Boot”

‘’In recent years Tommy Keoghs Voluntary contribution was acknowledged and he has received several awards in recognition of his great work serving Clondalkin in several  voluntary organisations for over sixty years.’’

2007 Lord Mayor of Dublin Award ,for Outstanding Volunteering to the Young People of Clondalkin.

2012 Chamber of Commerce, Longtime Outstanding Community Service.

2018 LAMA All Ireland Community Volunteer of the Year, Silver Award.

2018 South Dublin County Volunteer of the year

“We have had excellent Grand Marshals over the years including Mary Kennedy, Colm Gavin, Philip and Gemma Carr, Mary Dardis and now Tommy Keogh.

“Clondalkin is so much richer because of Tommy’s tireless work for his community.

“I hope Tommy being chosen as Grand Marshal lets him know how much he is appreciated and acknowledges his huge contribution.’’