A Thousand Thanks to Kennedy’s Bar & Shop from Rearcross FC 

The end of an era is a term often used in many different guises, but this weekend is certainly the end of an era for Rearcross FC and indeed the whole community in Rea, when the Kennedy family hand over their iconic shop and pub to new owners after some 67 years of service to the local community. Tom & Breda Kennedy purchased the premises in 1957 and built a thriving business over the subsequent years. Over such a long tenure of ownership, there are not too many citizens remaining in the locality who have memories of Hackett’s as the previous owners, so for the very vast majority of us, Kennedy’s in Rea has been part and parcel of our lives since our childhood days and indeed we all have our own nostalgic recollections from calling in to transact our business, whether that be sweets, newspapers, messages or indeed the licensed side of the business over many years. The Kennedy family have been central to Rearcross FC from the very outset, Bridget, Mary and the late Kathleen all played with distinction for Rea in the early years while the late Ann was an evergreen supporter of Rearcross FC. Denis & Thomas are stalwart members of our Club and continue in that vein week in week out. The late Rody also played for Rea during our earliest seasons in the NT&DL. Rody & Ann (nee O’Sullivan) sponsored their first set of jerseys for the Club in 1987 and remained as loyal and staunch sponsors over the intervening 37 years. Ann was also a mainstay behind a Rearcross Ladies team which played in the Limerick league in the mid-nineties. The Club reached a major milestone in 1997 when we purchased land and commenced development of our facilities. The late Breda was a strong backer and always had words of encouragement for our efforts and of course Rody & Ann were always there in the background to support and sponsor our many different fundraisers over the years including the Ann Kennedy Tournament. Rody & Ann sponsored Rearcross ‘A’ team with distinction with our most recent kit sponsored in 2021. Ironically, their final sponsorship was a kit for Rearcross U-13 girls which was ordered before Rody’s passing and presented by Ann subsequently. The memories of comradeship and friendship are endless whether that be on the field of play, fundraising activities, social occasions & Club excursions, so we would like to say a thousand thanks to the Kennedy family at the end of such a long era in Rea. We also think of our own past family members and the many local characters who created a vibrant atmosphere in Kennedy’s over the years. Ann, Tommy & Darragh are wished all the very best for the future. We would also like to wish new proprietors Grainne Harte Maher and James Maher the very best of luck and success going forward.