Recent Deaths 13-09-08

The funeral took place in Drumree yesterday (Tuesday) of Mr Ciaran Murray, who taught generations of local schoolchildren during a thirty-year period as principal of the local national school, and was one of the last surviving members of Meath senior county football teams from the 1930s. Mr Murray, who was 93, died peacefully at home on Sunday, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Louie (nee Geraghty). Deceased was a son of Peadar J and Margaret Murray, of Murray"s Pub in Dunshaughlin. His father was a well known nationalist figure, and established Conradh na Gaeilge in the area, and was a founder of the first hurling club in Dunshaughlin, as well as a local photographer and writer, and his mother was a member of the county council for a period. At the age of seven, young Ciaran Murray spent a period learning Irish in the Ring Gaeltacht. He later attended St Enda"s in Rathfarnham, where his teachers included the mother and sister of Padraig Pearse. With Colaiste Chaoimhin, he won an All-Ireland Colleges hurling medal. Mr Murray"s first posting as a teacher was a brief spell in Dillonsbridge National School at Garlow Cross, Navan (the predecessor to Lismullen NS), followed by a period in Mullagh, Co Cavan, and for most of the 1940s in Glasnevin in Dublin before being appointed principal in Culmullen in 1949-50. In the 1930s, he transferred from Erin"s Own in Dublin to Dunshaughlin, and was an invaluable acquisition to the Black and Ambers. He had previously helped out the club with an objection to the County Board following a controversial junior county championship semi-final, in which the referee overlooked a Dunshaughlin goal against Longwood. The Dunshaughlin club took advantage of the fact that Longwood had an error on its registered list of players, and Mr Murray was well able to argue against the Longwood case as it involved the translation into Irish of a certain player"s name. Dunshaughlin were re-instated. In 1936, when five Navan O"Mahonys players didn"t show for a Meath league game against Louth in Drogheda, they were suspended, and the players that took their places included Ciaran Murray, Paddy Beggan and Kevin Johnston. Mr Murray was to make numerous appearances in the league campaign of the following few years, culminating in the 1937 final in which Mayo, the reigning All-Ireland champions and winners of the National League six years in a row, inflicted a heavy defeat on the Royal County. Meath Chronicle reports of the time described Ciaran Murray as a 'magnificent centre half back, plucky and sure of his hands", with an 'uncanny sense of position". Back in Drumree, Mr Murray was one of the founder members of the St Martin"s Juvenile GAA Club catering for Dunshaughlin and Drumree, and was their chief adviser and organiser during a very successful period for the underage club. In 1960, Dunshaughlin were defeated by a Donaghmore team strengthened by players from outside the county. Mr Murray, who abided by the two steadfast principles during his period in charge of the juveniles of never playing an over age player or a player from outside parish boundaries, resigned, as the county board failed to take adequate disciplinary action against the team responsible. The same year, 1960, saw Mr Murray and Mattie Russell and Larry and Dick O"Brien travel to Rome by car for the 1960 Olympic Games. He retired from the post of principal of Culmullen National School in 1979. In 2000, a sprightly octogenarian Mr Murray took part in the Diocesan Jubilee Walk from the Hill of Skryne to the Hill of Slane. Deceased is survived by his sons, Tom and Ciaran; daughters, Deirdre, Sue, Blaíthín, and Aideen, brothers, Seachnall, Brendan and Fr Aidan, Salesian Fathers; sisters, Grainne and Ita, in-laws, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Martin"s Church, Culmullen, to Knockmark Cemetery yesterday (Tuesday). Mrs O Byrne, Navan Mrs Olive Byrne (62), 6 Waterville Crescent, Blackcastle, Navan, who died recently, was a member of the Hilliard family of Castlerea, Co Roscommon. A loving and caring housewife, she is survived by her husband, Mr Gavan Byrne; sons, Emmet and Ronan, Navan; mother, Mrs Pauline Hilliard; sisters, Dympna Fitzsimons, Navan, and Pauline Connell, Waterford; daughter-in-law, Bethan; Emmet"s fiancee, Nancy; grandsons, Dylan and Cian Byrne, Navan; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and extended family. The funeral took place from St Oliver"s Church, Blackcastle, Navan, to St Finian"s Cemetery, Navan. Mr C Lynch, Navan and Dublin The burial took place in his native Ardbraccan recently of Mr Christy Lynch, Clyde Lane, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Aged 86, deceased was a native of Knockumber, Navan, and passed away at St Vincent"s Hospital, Dublin. Mr Lynch lived most of his life in Dublin, having moved there to work in the licensed trade at the age of 15. Later, he bought his own pub and successfully ran it for many years, before diversifying into the property business, in which he continued until retirement. Always interested in current affairs, Mr Lynch enjoyed nothing better than a healthy debate on a topical subject. He was predeceased by his sisters, May and Kathleen, both members of religious orders, and brother, Joseph. He is survived by his nephews and nieces. The funeral took place from Haddington Road Church, Dublin, to Mount Jerome Crematorium, and burial of ashes took place in Ardbraccan. Mr G Tully, Navan THERE was much sadness in Navan in mid-August at the news of the death of Mr Gary Tully (21), of 140 Silverlawns. The construction worker is survived by his parents David and Ruth (nee Costello); sister Rachel, girlfriend Ailbhe and daughter Hannah; nephew Jake, relatives and friends. His remains were removed to St Oliver"s Church, Blackcastle, where funeral Mass was celebrated prior to interment in Boyerstown Cemetery. His Month"s Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Oliver"s Church on Saturday, 20th September at 7pm. Mrs M McKenna, Moynalty The recent death at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, of Mrs Marcella (Massie) McKenna, Walterstown, Moynalty, occasioned great sadness throughout the district, where she was a very popular and respected member of the local community. She was in her 92nd year. A member of the O"Reilly family of Clonfinnon, Carnaross, the late Mrs McKenna was predeceased by her husband, John F, in 1981 and by her infant sons, Justin and Brendan. She was a sister of the late Fr Farrell O"Reilly, former PP, Clonmellon, and an aunt of the late Fr Patrick O"Reilly, former PP, Moynalty. A founder member of Moynalty ICA guild, deceased took an active part in the Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival in previous years. Later on and while still mobile, she always enjoyed visiting the Day Care Centre in Kells. In latter years, she received great care and attention from the Home Help support team. Deceased is survived by her family, Patricia, John, Margaret Farrelly, TP and Joseph; son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great granddaughter and other relatives. Her remains were removed from her residence to St Mary"s Church, Moynalty, where the funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Joseph McEvoy, PP, Moynalty; Fr Ronan Drury, Fr Peter Farrelly and Fr Seamus Houlihan. Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Mr P Donnellan, Stackallen A link to the founding days of Stackallen tennis and pitch and putt clubs was lost in late August, with the passing at St Joseph"s Hospital, Trim of Mr Patrick (Paddy) Donnellan (77) of French Lane, Stackallen. He had been farm manager at Stackallen Stud for 30 years. A keen sportsman in his youth, he played GAA and soccer with local clubs before becoming a founding member of the tennis and pitch and putt clubs, helping to develop the former into one of the country"s finest. He served as its chairman for many years before being elected to the Leinster branch of the Irish Lawn Tennis Association in 1970. He went on to be elected national president in 1982 and his other sporting interests included his long-standing membership of Royal Tara Golf Club. Predeceased last year by his son, Norman, he is survived by his wife, Christine (Crissie); sons, Brendan, Declan and Maurice; daughter, Mary; brother, Brendan; sister, Gertrude; son and daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. His remains were removed to Rathkenny Church, where Requiem Mass was celebrated prior to interment in St Erc"s Cemetery, Slane. The Month"s Memory Mass will be celebrated at Rushwee Church on Saturday, 27th September at 7.30pm. Mrs A Murrin, Dublin & Summerhill Mrs Anne Murrin, Philipsburgh Avenue, Fairview, Dublin, whose recent death occurred at the Bons Secours Hospital, Dublin, was a member of the Ryan family of Dangan, Summerhill. She was predeceased by her husband, Tom, in 1978. Aged 84 years, the late Mrs Murrin was, up to her retirement, very involved in the family catering business, With Taste Catering, along with her son, Larry, and daughters, Maree and the late Fran. She will be sadly missed by her family, relatives, neighbours and many friends in Dublin and Meath. Deceased is survived by her son, Larry; daughter, Maree; daughter-in-law, Nora; sisters-in-law, Philo and Jo; grandsons, Lee, Peter and David, and granddaughters, Alana and Lisa. The funeral took place from Coole Church, Summerhill, to the adjoining cemetery.