EILY SLATTERY (nee CASEY).
Eily Slattery (nee Casey), who died 20 years ago on this day (Thurs 7th Sept 2000), was one of the great Rock supporters and personalities.
She was born, and lived for many years, right in the heart of The Street of Champions at No. 4 Urban Terrace, Rock Street. Her brother Paddy served as Club Secretary for a number of years as did her husband Seán, who also served as Club Chairman for two consecutive seasons (1963-1964).
Eily followed the fortunes of the Club through good times and bad but she really came to the fore when the ‘Second Golden Era’ of the Club began in 1973 and the winning of that first Co. Championship after a long 37 years wait. Many is the victory procession she led up the Rock, none more so than the one after our All Ireland Club triumph in March 1977.
But it was her association with that famous poem by Ned Drummond (great grandfather of Club Secretary, Elma Nix) – The Boys from the Top of the Rock – that Eily will also be remembered for. No matter what function or party she attended she always recited that poem with gusto. And her delivery and presentation was second to none.
‘’If you want to be happy the rest of your life, come up to the Top of the Rock,
It’s the grandest spot in Ireland and it’s full of the rare auld stock,
No matter what your past may be, if you haven’t the price of a block,
They’ll never see you down and out above at the Top of the Rock.’’
(See poem in full on Page 17 of Centenary Book and a tribute to Eily on pg 185).
