Muintir na Tire Hall in Littleton has served the generations well

The Muintir na Tire hall has been a part of life in Littleton for centuries and still plays a central role in parish life. Local historian Ger McLoughney attended school on the premises and knows the history of the area well: “The first hall was built and finished on the first of May 1847.

“It was a school back then and that September a hundred pupils went into it. An extension was built here in the 1950s and I was in the school here when it last served that purpose.

“Mrs Josie Treacy was teaching here back in 1975 and we were the last pupils in fourth class that went here before we moved to a more modern school. Mass was said here in the 1970s but back in 1968 the bingo started here. The bingo has been going since,” Ger says.

The hall has been part of the community for as long as anyone can remember. A rock in the centre of the village, serving its people in any way possible. The uses have been manifold but the bingo has become the mainstay of the hall in 2023.

Speaking by the entrance to the hall last Friday night, local historian Ger McLouhney said he extensively researched the background to the hall and he shared some of his knowledge: “The first Muintir na Tire meeting at the hall was in 1952.

“Fr Conon Hayes set up the organisation in Tipperary to help people in many ways and it has been great for the community here. A new committee in 2012 has kickstarted the whole thing again. It is great to have it as we are glad to have it. There are only two shops now in the village.

“The hall is central to life here and I think it will keep going into the future as it is used every night all year round,” he says.

Matt Purcell plays an active role in the community and says that the hall is important to the people of Littleton in many capacities. He says that while there is a Community and Sports centre in the parish as well, both are needed and of huge importance:

“Some of the learning courses that were in the other centre have been transferred down here recently. Ukrainians are currently being housed in the other centre and it is driven by Thurles Lions Club and Civil Defence.

“The other centre was built in 2012 so you need the two halls and the GAA have their own hall now as well. It is great to see such great activity around.”