The Milltown Gaelic Football Team 1930, as featured in “Milltown: Memories of Other Days”.THE first ever publication to explore the history of Milltown is to be republished on the fortieth anniversary of the death of its author.
“Milltown: Memories of Other Days” was written and published by Denis Sugrue who died in 1986. His book, which has been out of print for many years, is being reproduced by the Milltown History and Heritage Society.
The newly updated and revised fortieth anniversary edition will be launched at Milltown Community Hall on Saturday, August 22 to coincide with National Heritage Week.
Continued below…
Denis Sugrue was a well-known auctioneer, librarian, photographer and historian whose book contained a wide range of stories and anecdotes about the history and heritage of Milltown. He was also the author of the weekly “Milltown Notes” in The Kerryman newspaper for nearly forty years and the organisers of the launch have included a selection of his ‘Notes’ in the new book.
The new expanded 132-page edition, which is edited by Dr John Knightly and Dr Owen O’Shea, features the original text of ‘Memories of Other Days’ along with some new and colourised images from Sugrue’s vast collection of photographs.
Dedication of the new grotto at the Sacred Heart Church Milltown in 1954.“Denis Sugrue was a pioneering author and historian who had the foresight to commit much of the rich history of Milltown to paper in the 1980s,” said Owen O’Shea. “It is a unique and remarkable social history of a Kerry village in the early and middle twentieth century which we are so pleased to bring to a new audience.”
“At the book launch, we will be displaying a selection of Denis’ Milltown Notes which were a fascinating and entertaining weekly account of life in his home place. The evening will feature music, songs and stories which celebrate the life of this very special local figure,” said Owen.
The new book, which will be on sale on the night, includes a foreword from Denis Sugrue’s daughter, Maria and grandson, Paul. It also includes a selection of images which were not published in the original book in the 1980s.
The book launch will take place at 8.00pm on Saturday, 22 August in the old Community Hall in Milltown and everyone is welcome. Copies of the new book will be available on the night. The event is supported by Kerry County Council under the Community Support Fund 2026.
Enquiries to milltownhistoryheritage@gmail.com
