“Talent is an accident of genes – and a responsibility”.
Quote: Alan Rickman (Actor /Director 1946- 2016).
The Bowe family from Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, have held a unique place in Irish Athletics, down through the years. Out of a family of fifteen siblings, thirteen of them competed in Cross Country and Track & Field events, and all have won medals at different levels of competition. Their personal hauls include Gold, Silver and Bronze at All Ireland Championship level, with Gold, Silver and Bronze also awarded at Provincial and County level.
In more recent times, one female member of that family; Mrs Nuala Maher, [(nee Bowe), now residing at Boherlahan, Cashel, Co. Tipperary], represented Ireland on two occasions in International competition.
In contrast back in 1887, their grandfather Mr Ned Bowe, Leigh, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, won one of the first ever All Ireland medals in hurling, while their uncle Mr Tom Kennedy won an All Ireland Senior Hurling Medal back in 1937; again for the county of Tipperary.
June 2018: Ellie Bowe takes Gold in the National Indoor Arena Dublin, having competed in the Gymnastic Ireland Series Super Championship.
Mr Con Bowe, son of the late Jeremiah and Nora from Leigh, Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles was one of the best distance runners in the county during the 1960’s. He won two All Ireland youth medals, Munster Novice, Junior and Senior and Silver Medals at Junior and Senior levels. In 1965 he was second in the All Ireland junior Cross Country at Athenry, Co. Galway and won the County Senior Cross Country at Two-Mile-Borris. Con would later move to England in search of employment, and marry Miss Nancy Ryan (Bishop), a native of Kickham Street, Thurles. They went on to have two sons, Nial and Jason, together with a daughter Noreen. Their son Jason Bowe and his wife Karen; latter whose parents came from Longford and Kerry, were also involved in the athletics scene; with Irish dancing and Gaelic Football always foremost in their lives.
Currently Jason and Karen, reside in Buckinghamshire, England with their family. Their daughter Ms Ellie Bowe, has now begun to make more than just a significant impression in the field of Gymnastics.
Now a member of Douglas Gymnastics Club in Co. Cork, Ms Ellie Bowe, is set to make her mark in Irish Sport. Just fifteen year old, Ellie is currently balancing the demands of her favourite sport, with her General Certificate of Secondary Education exams (GCSEs), but to give you an indication of just how dedicated she is to the sport of Gymnastics; her home-town club at Wycombe Gymnastics Academy, is where she can be found during every spare minute, as she hones her passion for the sport.
Her aim, to represent Ireland, has been foremost in her mind from a very young age, and for the past two years she have represented Douglas Gymnastic Club in Cork, with a view to international selection. Her journeys back here to Ireland, around six times each year, is supported by coaches and other gymnasts.
In June this year Ellie won a Gold Medal in Dublin, competing in the Gymnastic Ireland Series Super Championship on Floor; she also won a Silver Medal on Beam.
This was Ellie’s first year competing as a Senior in the National Indoor Arena in Dublin, and was “an amazing feeling”, Ellie confides. Presently her performances are self-financed, however to kick onto the next level she may need to look at and secure sponsorship. Ellie wants to compete in Ireland more often, with the hope of representing Ireland. Her training takes up some 20 hours a week before school studies are taken into account.
Her grand-parents and extended family members wish to congratulate Ms Ellie Bowe on her major achievements to date, and wish her the very best with both her studies and her promising Gymnastics career, with the hope that the ‘Green and Gold’ will eventually shine.
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