Recent deaths 17-04-10

The death occurred on 18th February last of Mr Denis (Dinny) Farrell, Killester, Ratoath, who like many in the area, was immersed in the horseracing tradition and made headlines working for Dan Moore in the 1950s. Mr Farrell (85) worked at the stables of Daniel L Moore at Old Fairyhouse for many years, when he looked after many renowned horses. Among these was Royal Bridge who won in excess of 20 races, with many a pound won on him. In 1953, just a month after his marriage, he accompanied the first race horses to travel to England on board an airplane for a Cheltenham Festival, when the horses travelled on a Wayfarer 31 to Birmingham, arriving at Cheltenham three days before the racing. Mr Farrell and Joe Cannon were photographed in the national press of the day with their charges. Deceased was born in June 1924, the second in a family of four of Bridget (Walsh) and Joe Farrell, with Eileen, Joe and Bernie his siblings. After attending Ratoath National School, he went to work with the Royal Meath Dairy, from where he went on to Moores. After DL Moore moved from Fairyhouse, Mr Farrell worked for a time at Fairyhouse Stud, as well as building sites, Fairyhouse Racecourse and in later years, at Denis Coakley Ltd. In February 1953, he married Sheila McLoughlin at Holy Trinity Church, Ratoath. Racing and the Ratoath and Meath football teams were his great interests, and in his early years he enjoyed gardening and vegetable and potato growing, winning prizes for his cabbage plants. He was at one with nature, loved animals, especially horses, and could be seen buying feed for birds in winter. Deceased is survived by his wife, Sheila; daughter, Kay Fox, Woodbury Gardens, Dundalk; Anne McDonnell, Killester, Ratoath; son, Patrick, New York; grandchildren, Aisling Nugent, Anthony and Stephen Fox and Sean Farrell, in-laws, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from Holy Trinity Church, Ratoath, to the local cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Margaret McDonnell, Oristown Mrs Margaret (Margo) McDonnell, Oristown, Kells, who passed away on Tuesday 16th March, was a member of the Englishby family, of Oristown. Aged 88, she passed away at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, and was predeceased in 1991 by her husband, Tony. She is survived by her nephews and nieces, Matthew Englishby, Dublin; Kathleen Byrne, Navan; Patricia O'Cuinn, Dublin; Tom Englishby, Wales; and Rita Maguire, England; grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends. Her funeral took place from St Catherine's Church, Oristown, to Gibbstown Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Mhicil Chonraí, Rathcairn The death occurred on 12th March last of Mr Mhicil Chonraí, Rathcairn, Athboy, at the age of 90 years. Mr Chonraí, who was an attendant at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, for 30 years, had published his life story 'O Máimin go Rathcáirn' a decade ago, as a result of a thesis produced by Conchúr O Giollagáin, who edited the work. It told the story of his family's move from their native Máimin in Lettermore, Co Galway, to Rath Cairn in 1935, and their settlement in Meath. A French translation of the book is about to be published by Mr O Giollagáin. Mr Chonraí served in the Army, based at the Dun na Mhaoilisa barracks in Galway City. He was attendant at St Joseph's Hospital in Trim for thirty years, retiring in 1983. He was well known for community involvement in Rathcairn. His wife, Brid, passed way in April 1998. Deceased is survived by his sons, Padraic, Spain; Michael, Rathcairn; John, Navan; daughter, Ann Marie, Rathcairn; daughters-in-law, Ann Marie, Patricia; son-in-law, Raymond; seven grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; relatives, and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Rathcairn, to St James' Cemetery, Athboy. _____________________________________________________________ Christy Hannon, Ballivor The Killyon and Ballivor districts were deeply saddened by news of the death of Mr Christy Hannon, Batterstown, Ballivor, aged 79. In his youth, he had attended Killyon National School and St Finian's College, Mullingar, before moving to Dublin city. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Bridget, and brother, Joseph; and is survived by his brothers, James, Patrick, Simon, Bill, and Thomas; sisters, Eileen, Annie, Kathleen and Mary Agnes; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews and many friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Ranelagh, to Killyon, with Fr Patrick Kearney, PP, officiating. _____________________________________________________________ John O'Connor, Navan The death occurred suddenly on 10th March last of Mr John O'Connor, Navan, in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, aged 52. A native of Townspark, Navan, Mr O'Connor lived in England for a number of years and travelled worldwide before returning to Navan in recent years. Deceased is survived by his son, David; daughter, Emma; granddaughter, Liadh; parents, Anthony and Maureen; sisters, Bridget and Donna; brothers, Frankie, Anthony, Martin; grandmother, Masie Farrelly; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and other relatives. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross. _____________________________________________________________ Bridget Murphy, Dundalk The death has occurred of Mrs Bridget Murphy, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk, and formerly of Navan and Trim. Mrs Murphy, who passed away at her residence, would have been 92 years old next month and was the last surviving member of the Mulrennan family of Bekan, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo. Her husband, Tom, who predeceased her in 1986, was Garda sergeant in Navan from 1958 to 1964, and in Trim from 1964 to 1969, when he retired. Deceased is survived by three daughters and three sons: Mrs Mary Smith, Saint Johns, Trim; Pat (Cork), Helen (Dundalk), Anne (Forkhill, Co Armagh), Brendan and Ciaran (both Dundalk). The funeral took place from the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Dundalk, to Haggardstown Cemetery, Dundalk. _____________________________________________________________ Rose Sheehy, Hayestown Mrs Rose Sheehy (nee Ward), Hayestown, Navan, who died on 26th March last, was a native of Creewood, Slane. Aged 87, she passed away peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, after a brief illness. She was predeceased in 2006 by husband, Robert, and, in 1983 by her son, Jim. Mrs Sheehy will be remembered as a loving and generous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, with a great sense of humour and wonderful smile. Her joy, humour, courage and passion for what was good and right were infectious and her love for God, family and neighbour will not be forgotten. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Maureen Weldon and Emma Smith; sons, Robert, Sean, Desmond, Pat and Philip; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and relatives. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Beauparc, to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Nora Whelan, Bective Mrs Nora Whelan, Bective, Navan, who died on 12th March, aged 88, was wife of the late Paddy Whelan. A member of the Kelly family of Galtrim, Summerhill, she was also predeceased by son, Jim, in March 2008. Her late husband, Paddy, was a founder member of Bective GFC and following his death in 1994, Mrs Whelan was made an honorary president of the club. A guard of honour was provided by members of Kilmessan Hurling Club and Bective GFC at the funeral Mass in Kilmessan. Deceased is survived by family, Tony, Bective; Alacoque Williams, Summerhill; Cece Kelly, Kilmessan; Eamon, Trim; Noeleen Cox, Scurlogstown; Bernie Burke, Bective; Patsy Smyth, Bective; sons-in-law, daughter-in-law; 25 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, brother-in-law; nephews, nieces, relatives, friends and neighbours, as well as home carer Nuala O'Brien. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, Kilmessan, to the adjoining cemetery.