Mulchinock's Corner has long been a special place in the hearts and minds of Rock people, no matter where they travel to, near or far.
nd it was only fitting that one of the Rock's most famous sons, Jo Jo Barrett, should return there in glorious sunshine for the final time as friends and members of the Austin Stacks GAA Club - a club Jo Jo served as a player, mentor, and supporter - lined both sides of the street to give him the send-off he deserved.
Jo Jo, from Barrow Lodge, Sandy Lane in Barrow, and formally of Ballinasare in Tralee, died on Saturday last after a short illness.
He hails from one of Rock Street's famous families, one steeped in the history of the club dating back to 1917.
His father, Joe, was the first captain to bring the Sam Maguire Cup to Kerry in 1929.
Born in 1943, Jo Jo made his Senior Championship debut at 16 during lean years for the club in terms of success.
Jo Jo would go on to win two County Championships prior to his retirement in 1975, with the most memorable being the 1973 final, when the club won its first title in 37 years.
In 1964, Jo Jo won an All-Ireland U21 medal with Kerry. But it was two years earlier that he captured a senior All-Ireland medal as part of a Kerry team that beat Roscommon.
Jo Jo served as Chairman of the Austin Stacks Club in 1977, when it memorably won the All-Ireland Club title in Croke Park. He also managed the Wexford senior football team for a brief period.
Jo Jo was also an accomplished scribe, working in Dublin as a sports writer with the Evening Herald.
Among his famous work incldues, 'In the Name of the Game', which deals with Gaelic football's role in healing broken relationships in the wake of the Irish Civil War.
He also wrote 'Martin Ferris: Man of Kerry' charting the life and times of his friend and former Sinn Féin TD.
"Jo Jo was a larger-than- life character who lived life to the full. His was a life well lived," said Billy Ryle, Chairman of Austin Stacks GAA Club.
"He loved good conversation, reading, writing, current affairs and, of course, football. He had an avid interest in Irish history and was a committed republican," he added.
A minute's silence was held for Jo Jo before last Saturday's game between Stacks and John Mitchels. "On behalf of Austin Stacks, I extend sincere sympathy to his family," said Billy.
- Stats courtesy of Martin Collins, Austin Stacks PRO.
