Recent deaths 18-07-09

Figures from the hunting fraternity from across the country joined family, friends and neighbours to bid farewell to Eamonn Dunphy, Greenpark, Dunshaughlin, following his death last Wednesday. Mr Dunphy was huntsman with the Ward Union Hounds for a quarter of a century at the hunt kennels at Greenpark, where he was caretaker since handing over the hunting horn to Pat Coyle, nephew of his wife, Leila. Mr Coyle paid tribute to Mr Dunphy by sounding the hunting horn after his burial in St Colmcille"s Cemetery, Skryne, on Saturday morning last, while hunt member Hugh Leonard recalled Mr Dunphy"s hunting life in words and verse. A native of near Durrow in Co Laois, Mr Dunphy"s love of horses came from his father who was a supervisor in forestry and drew timber with Cyldesdales and Irish draught horses, and his grandfather who treated animals with natural medicines. His first job as a 14 year-old was with the nearby Laois Foxhounds, and after gaining his initial experience, he was appointed whipper-in to the Kildare foxhounds under the well-known huntsman Jack Hartigan, a renowned breeder of hounds. In 1966, deceased got the opportunity to hunt the Ward Union Staghounds, a position he was to occupy for 25 seasons, ending when he had a serious fall from a horse. With the help of Andy Lynch, who joined Mr Dunphy as honorary whip, as well as helping in the kennels, they looked after horses, hounds and over 100 deer, always having 40 to 50 stags fit to hunt. Many memorable hunts took place during this era across the Meath and North County Dublin territories. Unfortunately, Mr Dunphy"s hunting career came to an end as a result of an accident when hunting outliers in Dunsany when the season was over, when his horse rolled over on him following a fall. He continued to look after the kennels at Greenpark, between Skryne and Ratoath. Mr Dunphy had been in ill-health in recent years, and passed away on Wednesday last at James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. He is survived by his wife, Leila; brothers, Padraig, Liam and Sean; sisters Celia and Ann; in-laws, nieces, nephews, niece Tara Kelly, nephew Pat Coyle, relatives,friends and co-workers. Fr Joe Gleeson celebrated the Funeral Mass in St Colmcille"s Church, Skryne, on Saturday, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Christine McNally, Ardcath Mrs Christine McNally, Balgeeth, Ardcath, Garristown, who has died age 62, was a native of England, and was aged 62. She passed away at St James" Hospital, Dublin, on 28th June last. Mrs McNally (nee Golding) is survived by her husband, John; sons, Dessie, Dunshaughlin, Ronald, Ardcath, Sean Cardiff, Gerry, Australia; daughters, Tina, Ardcath, Teresa, Wicklow, Catherine, Dunboyne; sisters, Jennifer and Diane, England, and sisters-in-law, Mary, Marcella, Joey and Betty. The funeral took place from St Mary"s Church, Ardcath, to Ardcath Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Nancy Brennan, Beauparc The death occurred on 29th May last of Mrs Nancy Brennan (nee Cusack) at her residence in Yellow Furze, Beauparc, at the age of 81. Deceased, who was a native of Dublin, was a homemaker and enjoyed her garden. She was a strong, reliable, and loving figure to family and friends alike. Mrs Brennan is recalled as having an unwavering sense of humour and was a popular figure with neighbours, whether on her regular bingo trips, at the local Active Retirement Group or on her weekly journeys to Navan on the Flexibus. She was also very close to her sister, Mary, who passed away less than 36 hours before her. Mrs Brennan was predeceased by her husband, Conor, in October 2005, and is survived by her sons, Eamon, Florida, USA, and Terry, Navan; daughters Patti Croghan, Beauparc and Colette Brennan, Navan; brother, Noel Cusack; extended family, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Yellow Furze, to the adjoining cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ William Cogavin, Ballivor Mr William (Liam) Cogavin, Woodfield, Ballivor, whose death occurred on 28th June last, was a native of Dublin and a staff officer with Dublin Corporation. Aged 84, he passed away at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan. Deceased was the holder of a BA in Public Administration and spent all his working life in Dublin Corporation. He was also an accomplished musician and artist, and loved travelling around Europe. Mr Cogavin is survived by his wife, Aileen; sons, Fr Brendan CSSp, Ethiopia, and Philip, Ballivor; daughter, Una, San Francisco; daughter-in-law, Pauline, grandchildren, Niamh and Timothy; sister, Kathleen Gilson, Dublin, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor, to Ballivor Cemetery. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Marie Harmon, Kildalkey The regretted death occurred on 2nd July last of Mrs Marie Harmon (nee Gallagher), Pubblestown, Kildalkey, at Roselodge Nursing Home, Killucan. A native of Carnisle, Kildalkey, Mrs Harmon (73) was predeceased by her husband, Tommy, in May 2007. Deceased played camagie for Boardsmill in her youth. Mrs Harmon was a member of Kildalkey and Trim Active Retirement Clubs and travelled on many weekends away. A well known figure on the whist circuit, Mrs Harmon travelled several times a year to different parts of the country for whist weekends, and played five nights a week. Deceased is survived by sons, Brendan and Seamus, Kildalkey, and Aidan, Birmingham; daughter, Roma Walsh, Enfield; son-in-law Michael; grandchildren, Ronan, Donna and Blair Walsh, Enfield, Rebecca Harmon, Kildalkey, Tom Harmon, Kildalkey; sister-in-law Ettie Gallagher, Manchester. Her remains we removed to St Dympna"s Church, Kildalkey, and burial took place in Kildalkey Cemetery following Funeral Mass. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Kathleen Curran, Carlanstown The regretted death occurred recently of Mrs Kathleen (Perlie) Curran, Drakerath, Carlanstown, Kells, at Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, after a long illness. Mrs Curran, who died on 11th June last, was wife of the late Henry Curran, who died in 2000, and was a member of the Moore family of Horath, Carlanstown. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Deceased is survived by her son, Peter, Troytown Heights, Navan; daughters, Maureen McCormack, Ard na Greinne, Kells and Geraldine Griffin, Drakerath, Carlanstown; daughter-in-law, Annette; sons-in-law, Jim McCormack and Patsy Griffin; sisters; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. The funeral took place from St Patrick"s Church, Kilbeg, to Stahalmog Cemetery.