The clock was in storage in the General Post Office basement during the Rising,
The remarkable story of a clock that was delivered to Newbridge in the midst of the 1916 Easter Rising is being revisited.
The two-faced clock, which was made by a family of Dublin clock makers Hopkins and Hopkins in the early 20th century, was due to be sent to it's home in Kildare.
However, given the trials and tribulations of that time in the capital, and the relentless fighting during that week, the clock disappeared from it's expected route.
The clock was in storage in the General Post Office basement during the Rising, a central point of conflict during Easter 1916.
But remarkably, it survived the week and subsequent transit journey, eventually arriving in Newbridge the following year.
The Catholic Young Men's Society in Newbridge became the home for the clock, representing an historical artefact in the area.
However, there was to be a further twist to the tail, with the clock dramatically removed in the 1960s amid changes to the hall, slowly fading from the memory and it's whereabouts were largely forgotten.
Much to the relief of the society, the clock was rediscovered in the attic of Coffey’s by John Coffey, who recognised its importance and returned it to Newbridge CYMS.
With digital workings fitted to keep its hands moving, it was able to continue serving the club, with the inner workings within it maintained, a central part of it's craftmanship and history.
Speaking on Kildare Today, assistant treasurer and long-time member of CYMS Snooker Club in Newbridge Tony Thorpe said it's great to have it in "working order" more than 100 years on.
Hanging proudly in the billiard room at the club, he expressed his pride of having the historic piece in Newbridge.
"The clock is something we're extremely proud of, and the little bit of history attached to it is always a great story as well," Tony concluded.
The full interview can be heard below:
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