Pioneer Total Abstinence Association

of the Sacred Heart
Kilmore Centre Established 1943

Spiritual Director: Father Kieran Mac Oscar
President Sheila Morgan
Secretary Eileen Smyth
Treasurer Jacinta McAloran

Council Members
 Anna McConville Charles McCullagh
Marie McGrane Michelle McGrane John McKeever

Kilmore Centre of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart came into being on 13 February 1943, application having been made following a meeting in the parish 5 days earlier. Father Kevin Mahon was the founding Spiritual Director of the Centre. John O’Neill of Kilmore was the first President, Francis McKeever of Lurgancot was Treasurer and James McKeever of Grange was Secretary. These together with Nine other “reliable total abstainers “made up the first Kilmore Pioneer Centre.
The promotion of Temperance through the PTAA has continued through the years. Spiritual Directors who succeeded Father Mahon included:
Father Malachy Coyle, Father Donal Sweeney, Father Sean Mc Manus,
An tAithair Pol Mac Sean, Bishop Francis Lenny – all now Deceased R.I.P.
Bishop Gerard Clifford, Canonach Tomas O Sabhaois, Father Gerard McGinnity and Father Kieran Mac Oscar have each shown admirable commitment to the Centre and its endeavours in the more recent years.
Notable lay members included the founding members followed by John O’Hagan, Jimmy McAtarsney R.I.P. Molly McKeever R.I.P.John McKeever and Ambrose McCann. The Council members of this first decade of the Twenty First Century continue to promote Temperance through prayer, abstinence from alcohol and making the Association’s aims known in the Parish of Kilmore