It was with sadness and regret that we heard the news of the death on 23 April 2024 of P.J. Hanlon, our most senior member. P.J. was a just a few months short of his 97th birthday. He was a member of the WWHS committee for many years and served as Chairman in 2004-05. The society presented P.J. with honorary membership in January 2023.
P.J. led a long and fruitful life and was possessed of a great memory and a wealth of information particularly about twentieth century matters such as farming, the local branch of Macra na Feirme (in which he had played a part), the ‘Battle of Baltinglass’ and rural electrification. You can access his interview in Bailey & Blake’s ‘Baltinglass: a portrait of an Irish town’ by clicking on the link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ5Sp-yo8n4
We extend our deepest sympathies to P.J.’s wife Kathleen and all of the Hanlon family.