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In memory of John Manning

John Manning was born in Manning's Bar, Bridge Street Athenry in November 1920 but his birth was not registered until January 1921, which became his official birthday.He was brought up in Manning's Bar with his sisters Mary, Betty, Grainne and Nodlaig.

Some of the older residents of Athenry will remember John and probably his publican dad, Joe Manning. They both spent many happy days working the bar at the Galway Races

John joined the Irish army in 1941 and served for five years.

On September 17th 1947 he married Julia Wynne from Corrundulla, Co Galway and together they raised their children; Elizabeth, Finula, Dermot, Kieran and Sean. They have nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren with another soon to arrive.

When John arrived in England he struggled to find suitable accommodation for himself, his wife and young child. This made him acutely aware of the needs of others in similar circumstances. He was a volunteer worker and founder member of the Luton Community Housing Association. In 2005 he received an award in recognition of 'his unique and exceptional contribution' to the association. Manning Place in Luton is named after him.

John was also a founder member of the Luton Irish Forum.

He was an avid squash player having played handball in Ireland. He played regularly and with great competitiveness for Luton Colleges Squash Club until he was eighty.

He loved reading and in his later years started writing poetry.

John spent most of his working life with Vauxhall Motors in Luton. He started as a store man and finished as a manager. He often said that his promotion at Vauxhall was due to his militancy as a shop steward rather than his work ability. They kept promoting him to try and shut him up!

Retiring in 1980 John decided to travel visiting Russia with Julia and back packing in Egypt. It was in Egypt that he developed his love for archaeology. This resulted in him joining the Bedfordshire Historic Society. Sundays were regularly spent metal detecting and some of his finds are currently on display in Luton Museum. This was an interest he maintained until his illness in December 2006.

He also continued his education taking courses in Irish history, Gaelic and computer studies often stating, 'He was the oldest student in town'He also liked to study philosophy.

He was always prepared to stand up against political injustice, not only for his native Ireland but in many countries. He went on marches and rallies and many of his letters were published in the local and national press.

His family remember that although John was not easy in social gatherings, his love of family gatherings meant that his welcome and `generosity were unfailing. His presence at such gatherings will be missed, especially as he always insisted on doing the washing up. 'Don't you worry about me,' he would quip 'Just carry on as if I wasn't here.'

Sean Jarleth Manning

The Town Of Kings

The blackbird sings In the town of Kings
And I am a very young boy
Getting up in the gloom of my own bedroom
In Bridge Street Athenry

On my way to school I would wait as a rule
for my pals to gather in the square
Play pitch and toss by the old Norman cross
Or our home work together we`d share

When our school day was done we`d go for a run
Round the Pound or by the river we`d play
Then up the Old Court we had plenty of sport
In it`s ruins we spent many a day

Then of down the hill to Taylors sawmill
Fish for trout in the fast running stream
Of then for a rally in our famous ball ally
For our days never ended t`would seem

The places we played as our footsteps strayed
On the walls of our ancient town
These halcyon days and fond boyhood ways
Too soon were a past history
For there came the day when I wandered away
But your still such a fond memory

To return how I long but my friends are all gone
To a place where its better to be
It has changed so they say but for ever twill stay
My beloved Baile Ata an Riogh

And when daylight ends my dream ever tends
Back to places and friends it would fly
And I`d see them I know like in the old long ago
In my home town of old Athenry

John Dermot Manning 1920 - 2007

© Kieran Glynn 2008