The Tipperary Star of June 1950 records the golden jubilee celebration of Very Rev. William Canon Fitzgerald P.P. Many older readers will remember the occasion and it is worth recording the main events of the celebrations. Canon Fitzgerald was a native of Tipperary town. One of his teachers in national school in the Glen of Aherlow was Mrs. Lee, mother of Rev. M. Lee who was later to become parish priest of Ballingarry. He worked initially in the diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise and on his return to Cashel and Emly he served in Cashel and Thurles. He was Adm. in Thurles when he was appointed to Ballingarry in 1942.

The celebrations began with a procession from the parochial house, through the village, to the church. The local pipers band led the procession which included school children, an F.C.A. unit (under the command of Lt. Richard Butler), members of the local G.A.A. club, Children of Mary group and the general public. Mass then commenced with Canon Fitzgerald being the chief celebrant and other celebrants were Rev. R. Mullally, Rev. M. Hickey C.SS.R., Rev. J. McGrath C.C. and Rev. T. Cassin C.SS.R. The choir was conducted by Mrs. Cashin, organist and during the Mass, Mr. E. Brown, Limerick, sang Schubert’s Ave Maria & Panis Angelicus.

After Mass Canon Fitzgerald addressed the parishioners from the steps. On behalf of the people Mr. T. Molloy, P.C. addressed the gathering. On behalf of the parishioners a presentation of a cheque of £600 was made to Canon Fitzgerald by Mr. J. J. Byran, chairman, Ballingarry Co-op Society. In thanking the people for their generosity, Canon Fitzgerald referred to the many greetings and gifts that he had received from Ballingarry people all over the world.

The article concludes with mention of congratulations being sent by local organisations including Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Tennis club.