Hurling was the popular sport. Playing with Inniscarra overshadowed everything else.  Training took place in Ryan’s Inch at Dripsey Bridge. Lower Dripsey produced fine hurlers such as Fr. Timmy and Danny Murphy, two of the most skillful to play with Inniscarra. Both were on the 1947 team that won the Mid-Cork Championship. Danny later played with Ballincollig senior team and finished a long career playing with Eire Og. He won an All- Ireland cross-country with Kildinan in 1943. Tadhg and Billy O Connell of Magoola are remembered- Bill for his long puckouts and fine clearances.

The Twohig brothers Padraig, Chris and Sean were fine hurlers. Seán went on to play minor hurling with Cork. Patsy O Connell won an All-Ireland minor medal with Cork. Henry O Sullivan was an All-Ireland under 21 and county senior with University College Cork. Two other great men from Faha, Con O Sullivan and Tim O Mahony could always be depended upon to give sterling performances when the going got tough. Con O Sullivan had a distinguished career on the rugby field winning eight senior cup medals with Cork Con. Jerome O Leary, running in the Blarney colours had many successes, capped by a personal best when representing Ireland at White City, London in 1967.

Irish classes began in the local school in the early forties. Micheal Ó Riabhaigh father of well known piper was the first teacher followed later by Micheal Ó Murchú. His pen name was ‘An Gabha Gaelach’ (the Irish blacksmith). Dripsey Gaelic Players, a dramatic society, was formed and presented plays in many halls during lent. Knocknagow, Arra na Pogue and Autumn Fire were among the outstanding plays, presented with full period costume hired from Burkes of Dublin.

The expertise of the stage was put to good use in 1950 when Dripsey entered the Fancy Dress at Coachford Fete, organised to raise funds for the new Vocational School. A ‘Circus Wedding’ based on a wedding photograph of a member of the famous Duffy family on the Cork Examiner provided the inspiration. An open air carriage, borrowed from Fordes Undertakers Barrack St. Cork City drawn by four grey horses and accompanied by many riders on horseback paraded through Coachford. Clowns joined in, led by Jimmy Murphy of the Model Village, doing spectacular cartwheels to the amazement of the large crowd. In 1951 another photograph in the Cork Examiner of the SS America then the fastest liner crossing the Atlantic was used. A tractor trailer fitted out by Dick Carroll in O Mahony’s farmyard at Faha resulting in a most convincing liner. Again paraded through Coachford, towed by Noel O’ Mahony driving his span-new Fordson Major tractor. Puck Fair was the theme in 1952.

To be continued…
Sincere thanks to the many people from Lower Dripsey who contributed to this article.

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