The late James Kilroy The late James Kilroy was born on January 11th, 1924 to Sabina and William Kilroy. His date of birth was registered erroneously, however, as March 11th of that year. He was brought up in Cloonkell, in the parish of Clonberne, Co. Galway and attended Mahanagh National School. James joined the Garda in 1946 and initially trained in the Training Depot in Phoenix Park, Dublin. He was stationed in Recess from 1946-1949. Then in Inverin from 1949-1951 and after that in Clifden from 1951-1954. Finally he was transferred to Galway city in 1954 where he worked in Eglinton Street and Mill Street until 1989. So he had a total of 43 years Garda service. Jimmy married Angela Connolly from Roundstone in 1956 and they came to live in Rockbarton in 1958. They were blessed with Evelyn in 1966. Jimmy was deeply interested and passionate about three things Irish. He loved the Irish language and became a fluent speaker. He had a great gra also for Irish traditional music and on the celebration of his 80th birthday on the11th March, 2006, he was overjoyed that his daughter Evelyn had succeeded in engaging Oliver Diviney to play the accordion. Jimmy loved to play the Box Accordion himself. Finally, Jimmy was totally committed to the GAA. From 1955-57 he played corner back for Fr. Griffins and remained with the club as an active member. Chairman in 1961-62 and again from 1963-68 and he was the club delegate to the Galway Football Board during that period. As a result he was a selector of the famous Galway three-in-a-row All-Ireland winning teams of 1964-1966. It was during this period also that Fr. Griffins won four County Senior Football Finals in 1967, 1970, 1972 and 1975. He continued as a corner stone of the club right until the end, helping with fundraising activities just a few days before his passing. Recently the Michael Brathnach's Club honoured the surviving members of their 1952 and 1954 title winning teams and Jimmy was a member of those sides. He was treasurer until his passing of the Galway Inter-Firms GAA Hurling and Football committees. Very actively involved in organising the running of both competitions in Galway. During his time both hurling and football teams for Galway had All-Ireland success. He managed the Inter-Firms All-Stars Hurling team that went to London in 1979. In addition he managed the Garda Inter-Firm's hurling and football teams. Jimmy was manager of the Galway West Garda Hurling team that won five Garda All-Ireland competitions in the 1970's and 1980's. Galway were the most successful team in that period. He was also involved in the Garda Football All-Ireland success of 1984. Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune 28 April 2006 Tweet

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