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Jim Nolan, Graiguecullen's Favorite Son. The late and kindly remembered Jim Nolan of Graiguecullen deserves to be included in our Carlow IGP section of Carlow People. Jim was a great worker for Carlow, Laois and for his own parish of Graiguecullen. Over many years I canvassed with him and for him at election time, but regardless of what political affiliation one held Jim done his best to help all who came to him for assistance or advice and if he could "right a wrong" he did so. He worked hard at building a better community for all.
Graiguecullen Says Farewell To A Favourite Son. Graiguecullen is this week mourning the loss of one of its most lovable community workers and fund-raiser extraordinaire, Mr Jim Nolan of Henry Street, Graiguecullen, whose sudden death at the week-end caused sadness throughout the community. Mr. Nolan died suddenly after going for a drive on Saturday last. Jim Nolan was a larger than life character who was imbued with a dynamism which made him central to the community life of his beloved Graiguecullen. He packed it all into his 70 year life-span -- in his working life, community involvement and as a public representative. A born entrepreneur, Jim will be remembered for the many unique fund-raising ventures he initiated so that Graiguecullen could have its own Gaelic Athletic Association field and facilities, which came to fruition with the opening of Fr. Maher Park in 1960. Bullocks And Grounded Whales. Among the more notable money-raising schemes he initiated was "a bullock for a bob", one of the first raffles of a living animal ever held in this county, the holding of huge carnivals in The Bank Field and his never-to-be-forgotten transportation of a whale to Fr. Maher Park in the early 1960s -- the whale having been washed up at Fethard-on-Sea, County Wexford. A tidy sum was made by charging admission to see the giant mammal. Corcorans. Jim worked for fifty-one years with Corcoran and Company, the mineral water concern at Governey Square. He started work at the age of 14 and will be best remembered by those in the licenced trade in Carlow town as the popular town representative for the company - a job he held for about twenty years, up to his retirement about five years ago. It was not surprising that such a leading light in the local community became involved in politics. Jim first served as a Fianna Fail member of Carlow Councils. He later served on Carlow County Council and Carlow Town Council as an independent member and again up to 1985 as a FF representative. At Council level he fought hard on behalf of the people of Graiguecullen and Carlow in general and was well liked and respected by officials and people of all shades of political belief. Friend Of St. Fiacc's House. In latter years, Jim voluntarily transported elderly people from outlying areas, by minibus, to St. Fiacc's House. He also brought residents of St. Fiacc's House out to social functions. Jim Nolan's immense popularity was demonstrated in the huge turn-out for the removal of his remains on Monday evening to St. Clare's Church, Graiguecullen. The remains were received by Very Rev. P.J. Brophy, PP, who, in a tribute to Jim, spoke of his outstanding traits as a community man, his appreciation of nature, his willingness to oblige and his generosity with his time. Bishop At Obsequies. There was again an overflow congregation on Tuesday morning for the Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev. Sean Kelly, CC, and presided over by the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Most Rev. Patrick Lennon and was assisted in the celebration of the Requiem Mass by numerous other priests from the diocese. Burial took place immediately afterwards to St. Mary's Cemetery, Carlow. On both occasions the Graiguecullen GAA Club formed a guard of honour. The funeral was attended by officials of Carlow County Council and Carlow Town Council, as well as by former colleagues from both councils. A civic reception which was to have been held at noon on Tuesday for the German Ambassador, Horst Grabert was postponed for a time as a mark of respect to the late Mr. Nolan. Jim is survived by his wife Ellen, sons Ted (Henry Street ), Dinny (Crossneen ), Paddy (St. Fiacc's Terrace ), Seamus (Duggan Avenue), Maurice (Ballycrogue), daughters Mrs Helen Mayling (Killeshin Road), Mrs Margaret Cronin (London), Mrs Elizabeth Bolton (Duggan Avenue), Mrs Kathleen Doogue (Ballickmoyler Road), Mrs Mary Fleming (Oakley Park), Mrs Bernadette Keating (Oakley Park), Mrs Dympna O'Shea (Oakley Park) and Miss Ann Nolan (Henry Street), by his brother, Joe (Friarstown, Carlow), sisters, Mrs Breda Loughman (Sleaty Road), Mrs Kathleen Bostock (Liverpool), Mrs Elizabeth Stubbs (Stafford), and Mrs May Burke (Carlow). He is also survived by other relatives, grandchildren and a very large circle of friends. The above is a true and accurate transcript of the original document.
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