Book on Clara's famed Nolan clan to be launched

Billy Browne is preparing to launch his book entitled ‘The Nolans, Football Royalty across Clara, Offaly, Leinster, New York’ tomorrow night (Saturday), November 27 in the Clara GAA Centre at 8pm.

The Moate man's book tells the story of the Nolan family - Peter, Johnny, Paddy, Willie, Margaret and Nanto - who became a sporting dynasty in Clara and indeed far beyond.

Peter senior football for Clara, Offaly, Leinster, the Offaly team in New York and New York. He also played on an Ireland team picked from the best players in the country in 1958. Willie did the same with the exception of Ireland.

Johnny played for Clara, Offaly and New York, and he captained the Clara team that won the club’s first ever Offaly senior championship in 1960 (defeating Tullamore in the final).

Paddy played minor football and hurling for Offaly, and was on the Clara team that won their first senior football title in 1960.

Their sister Nanto played badminton for Leinster, whilst Margaret passed away at a relatively young age.

Nanto married Billy Reynolds from Tubber, and their four children all played inter-county football for Offaly - David, Willie, John and Anne Marie.

The mother of the Nolan siblings was Nannie Henson, who hailed from Lurgan, between Moate and Tinnamuck. Nannie’s sister Kathleen was the mother of the book’s author, Billy Browne.

Sadly, Nannie passed away at 34 years of age, leaving the Nolan family to be reared by their father Pete Nolan and his extended family.

Peter Nolan lives in New York; Willie is at home in Raheen, Clara, as is Nanto; while Paddy is in London. Johnny Nolan died when home on a holiday from New York some years ago.

Married to Margaret, Billy is a well known figure in Moate, and is still active on the golf course with Moate Golf Club.

Billy served for many years on the Moate All Whites GAA committee, and his son Dermot won a Westmeath senior football medal with Moate in 1997.

Billy formerly worked in the advertising department of the Offaly Independent and the Westmeath Independent.