Recent deaths 31-07-10

The death occurred on Thursday last of Mr Jimmy Dargan, Ballivor, who was chairman of the Ballivor Horse Show for 40 years. Mr Dargan passed away unexpectedly at his home. The long-serving chairman was instrumental in making and maintaining Ballivor as one of the finest horse shows in Ireland. It was a bold and ambitious step to start up a show of such scale and with such a well endowed prize fund in a small village like Ballivor where most of the committee had little knowledge and even less interest in horses. Mr Dargan helped create a sense of pride and a feel-good factor that a local parish could hold such an event and the enthusiasm took off. That the great and the good competed there only stoked these emotions. During difficult times, he refused to comprise on the quality of the show and the status of the Grand Prix was sacrosanct. He was immensely proud that his son, Peter, joined him as chairman. Not only did he guide the show over those 40 years, but, for the last 12 years he hosted the show on his own land. Last year, a total of 63 acres was taken over to stage all the different activities. Mr Dargan was also a keen horse breeder and producer with many of his horses going on to become international showjumpers. Pride of place in Jimmy Dargan's heart was the great Coolronan. Ridden by Captain Con Power, he was a member of two winning Aga Khan teams, one of which was the great three-in-a-row team of Eddie Macken, Paul Darragh and James Kienan. Known by many as the 'Voice of Ballivor', equestrian journalist and broadcaster Michael Slevin says of Jimmy: "He really was the heart and soul of the show and always showed great courage, particularly in later years dealing with failing eye-sight, still out and about around the showgrounds. When Jimmy came into the judge's box, you knew the boss was there!" From a well-known local farming family, Mr Dargan was involved in other community activities in Ballivor. He was predeceased by his wife, Cepta; son, James and brother, Michael J; and is survived by his family, Peter, Andrée, Joseph, Michael; grandchildren Aisling, Ruth, Joshua, Evan, Christopher and Matthew; sisters Lily Tierney, Bridget Carty, Rita O'Siocrú, Dina Williams; brother Peter; son-in-law; daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends. The removal took place from his home to the Church of St Columbanus, Ballivor, where the Funeral Mass took place on Saturday, followed by burial in the local cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Kevin Halpin, Oldcastle Great sadness was occasioned over a wide area by the recent death of Mr Kevin Halpin, Fennor Upper, Oldcastle, which occurred at the Sheelin Nursing Home, Mountnugent. He was aged 88. A native of Denn, Ballyjamesduff, Mr Halpin was a retired factory worker and spent the last 12 years of his working life in Kellett's factory, Oldcastle, retiring from there in 1983. He was also a lifelong member of Oldcastle GFC and was a regular on the panel from 1938 until 1948. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him. Deceased is survived by his wife, Mrs Cissie Halpin; son, Brian, Fennor Upper; daughter, Sheila Boylan, Milltown, Oldcastle; brother, Patrick, Fennor Upper; grandchildren, Siobhán and Ciarán; son-in-law, Gerry; nieces and nephews. His remains were removed to St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle, and the funeral took place following the funeral Mass there to Oldcastle Cemetery. A month's mind Mass will be held for Mr Halpin on 21st August in St Brigid's Church at 7pm. _____________________________________________________________ Rose Donegan, Lobinstown The recent death of Mrs Rose Donegan, Polecastle, Lobinstown, at her home at the age of 63, caused deep sadness over a wide area. Originally a member of the Lennon family of Polecastle, she worked as a barmaid. She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick Donegan, in 2001. Deceased is survived by her mother, Mrs Mary Kate Lennon; son, Eugene; daughters, Deirdre and Mary; son-in-law, daughter-in law, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Her remains were removed to the Church of the Holy Cross and the funeral took place following Mass there to the adjoining cemetery. A month's mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 15th August at 10.30am in the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown. _____________________________________________________________ Mary Bradley, Trim The sudden death occurred recently at Tallaght Hospital of Mrs Mary Bradley, Tullaghanogue, Trim. Mrs Bradley was predeceased by her husband, Michael, some 12 years ago. She was a member of the Molloy family, Normanstown, Carlanstown, Kells. Deceased had been a member of the local Kilbride branch of the Irish Countrywomen's Association where she enjoyed many evenings and loved their outings, be it to stately homes, concerts or to the races. Mrs Bradley was a keen knitter and for many years knitted only the traditional Aran sweaters. She is survived by her family Betty Gantley; Sean; Margo Cooke; Rose Molloy; Michael Jr; and Catherine Gordon; sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, Simon, Aimee, Karen, Coady, Kevin, Mikey, Tebogo, Ben and Charlotte, her sister Kathleen Devlin, brother Andy Molloy, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Kilbride to the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Richard Ball, Navan Mr Richard (Dick) Ball, St Brigid's Villas, Navan, passed away at his residence on 14th June last, causing widespread sadness. He was aged 85 and was predeceased in 2001 by his wife, Ann. He was a native of Navan. Deceased is survived by his daughters, Audrey Carroll and Terry Ball; son, Richard; brother, Stephen; son-in-law, Sean Carroll; daughter-in-law, Mary Ball; grandchildren, Susan, Debbie, Richard, Miriam, John, Stephen, Eoghan, Ariara; great-grandchildren; Hailey, Kerrie; Erica, Lucy and Tia; nephews, nieces, relatives, friends and neighbours. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Paddy O'Loughlin, Rath Chairn The sad death recently occurred, at the age of 87, of Mr Paddy O'Loughlin, Rath Chairn, Athboy. Deceased was son of the late Michael and Mary O'Loughlin of Lettermullen, Connemara, Co Galway. He spent a large part of his life living in Camden Town, London, before returning to his homeland. Mr O'Loughlin was resident for the last eight years at St Joseph's Nursing Home, Trim, where he was very happy. Deceased is survived by his brother, Michael; sister, Mary Duffy; sister-in-law, Bridge O'Loughlin; nephews and nieces, Michael Duffy, Maureen McCann, Kathleen White and Margaret Smith; Michael and Martin O'Loughlin and their families; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Rath Chairn, to St James' Cemetery, Athboy. _____________________________________________________________ Nora Byrne, Kilmessan A Kilmessan family is in mourning again following the death of Mrs Nora Byrne, Kilcarty, Curtistown, just three months after her husband, Pat, passed away. Mrs Byrne died peacefully at home on Monday of last week, 19th July. Her husband, a founder of Tara and District Credit Union and local farmer, died on 18th April. A member of the O'Connell family of Tooreens, Waterville, Co Kerry, she is survived by her family, Aine, Deirdre, Roisin, Fiona, Niamh and Cormac; brothers, Paddy, Ger and Mick; sisters, Breda and Cait, grandchildren; in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Her funeral took place in Kilmessan on Wednesday last, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Margaret Baker, Navan The recent death of Mrs Margaret (Maggie) Baker of Gainstown, Navan, at the age of 77 at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, was a source of great regret to her many friends in the locality. Originally a member of the Smith family from Gainstown, she was predeceased by her husband, Charlie, in 1996. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Mrs Rosemary Callan, Claremont Estate, Navan, and Mrs Sandra Baker, Borora Crescent, Carlanstown; brother, Tony Smith, Alexander Reid, Navan; sisters-in-law, Philomena and Mary; grandchildren, Paul, Derek, Michelle, Oisin and Cian; sons-in-law, Johnny and John; nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to Churchtown Cemetery, Navan. A month's mind Mass will take place on Saturday 21st August in St Mary's Church at 6pm. _____________________________________________________________ Paul Monks, Dunshaughlin and Mullingar The funeral took place in Dunshaughlin on Thursday last of Paul Monks, who died in a road traffic collision in Newcastle, Co Dublin, on Monday evening of last week. Aged 33, Paul, who was originally from Huntstown House, Cloghran, Co Dublin, was laid to rest with his grandparents, the late John and May Duffy of Ballinlough, Dunshaughlin. He had lived at Ballinlough for a period. Paul had been living in Mullingar, for the past five years, most recently at Ballynegal, where his passion for all things French often led to his home being referred to as a 'Piece of Provence'. Son of Margaret and Gerard Monks, deceased attended the O'Connell Schools in Dublin before becoming involved in the Duffy family's antique business in Dublin, quickly displaying an eye for spotting a piece. Always the entrepreneur, he set up his own company, Rustique, supplying natural stone flooring such as marble, and providing consultancy on home interiors. His own preference was for shabby chic, and he had a natural ability and taste when it came to intertior design. Paul also enjoyed cooking, entertaining and painting, as well as travelling abroad. He had a great sense of style with a black tie party for his 30th birthday in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar. He also had a great sense of humour and could see the light side of many situations. Deceased had a great love for his family, and had moved to live with his grandmother at Dunshaughlin for some years after the death of his grandfather. His family and large circle of friends whose lives he touched will cherish the memories that he has left, remembering him as someone who lived life to its fullest. He is survived by his parents, Margaret and Gerard; brother, Dwayne; sister, Caroline; partner, Shane O'Neill; aunts; uncles, nephews Jack and Brian; cousins including the Duffy, Carter and Farrelly families; relatives, and many friends. The funeral took place from the Church of St Patrick and Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, followed by burial in Dunshaughlin Cemetery with his grandparents and aunt, Anne.