Clare Freeman, Wed 24 Jan 1877,
"Fr. Ned" was Father Shaughnessy.St Joseph's Temperance Society. From our correspondent. The usual weekly meeting of St. Joseph's Temperance Society was held in their Hall, Milltown Malbay, on Sunday last. The minutes having been read by the secretary, the chair was occupied by the vice-president, Mr T Molony. It was resolved that all members present, headed by the band, should march in procession to the residence of their highly esteemed and popular president, Michael Kenny, Esq.; the day was fine, the sun shone forth in splendour as the procession wended its way through the town, headed by the beautiful banner of the Society. The band struck up the soul-stirring national air of the 'Coulin.' On arriving at Freagh Castle Mr Kenny appeared and was received with tremendous cheers, and congratulated on his speedy recovery. Having spoken to the assemblage some time on the severity of his indisposition, and the many false rumours circulated regarding himself, Mr Kenny advised them to remember their pledges, and said that the day will come when each and every one of them would meet his reward both here and hereafter, and the seed planted by poor Father Ned would again blossom and bear bountiful fruit and bring peace and happiness to many homes.
Michael Kenny seems to have been a patron of the Temperance Band. This report is from the previous year:
Clare Freeman, Sat 2 Sep 1876:
SheilaMiltown Malbay Temperance Society. A monster pic-nic excursion of the Miltown Temperance Society was made to Kilkee on Sunday last, of a most enjoyable and recreative character, and the committee request us to return their best thanks to Michael Kenny, Esq., of Freigh Castle, their esteemed president, who manifested the interest he felt in contributing to the comforts and amusement of its members by a donation of £3 and a fat sheep. Mr Kenny, since he assumed the presidency, has acted most liberally in the interests of the society, and spared no exertion in raising it to the high position it holds as one of the first, not only in Clare, but in Ireland, a credit its officers, an example of morality, and a blessing to the district where it has been so successfully established. Mr Kenny is looked upon as father of the flock, and the members look up to him as children to a parent. The Rev. Father Whyte, P.P., also contributed liberally, as did also Mr T. Molony, the respected vice-president. The picnic was of the best, and the members who partook of it respectable and gentlemanly in their manner.