Obituaries 14-08-2010

The funeral took place in Ratoath on Saturday last of Mr Liam McLoughlin, who had the distinction of being the jockey who rode the legendary racehorse Arkle to his first ever win. Mr McLoughlin, of Bodeen, Ratoath, worked with trainer Tom Dreaper and in Navan in 1962 rode the 20/1 outsider in the three-mile Bective Novice Hurdle, storming to a surprise success with the favourite and stable companion Kerforo well beaten. Kerforo was partnered that day by Pat Taaffe, who was in the saddle for all of Arkle's big race triumphs. Mr McLoughlin enjoyed his biggest success on Kerforo later in 1962 when guiding the mare to an Irish Grand National at his local track in Fairyhouse. He also rode the horse to win the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park, the Dan Moore Chase at Thurles and the Leopardstown Chase in that year, winning the four principal races in a year, a record which hasn't been equalled since. He also recorded a victory at the Cheltenham Festival in 1965 with Tom Dreaper's Arkloin in the Broadway Novices' Chase, later to become the Sun Alliance Novice Chase. Other big race winners included Crown Prince, on which he won the John Jameson Cup at Punchestown in 1966, while he also landed the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown in 1961 on Little Horse, owned by Colonel Newell of Dunshaughlin, and in the Price of Wales Hurdle, also over banks at Punchestown. Arkle, bred by the Bakers of Malahow House near Naul in County Dublin, was born at Ballymacoll Stud, then managed by Charlie Rogers for Dorothy Paget, in 1957, and present at the birth was the late Dan Daly of Dunshaughlin, the stud groom at the time. He made his racecourse debut in a two-mile bumper at Mullingar in 1961 under Mark Hely-Hutchison, finishing third. His next outing, also a bumper, was at Leopardstown in late '61, with Hely-Hutchison again the jockey, finishing fourth. The next outing for Arkle, owned by the Duchess of Westminster, was at Navan on 20th January 1962. The Bective Hurdle was worth £133, and the great Dreaper hope in the race was the top-class steeplechase mare, Kerforo, winner of her last three chases in succession. Liam McLoughlin was to later recall: "Mr Dreaper had two runners in the race that day, and Pat Taaffe had the choice. I was second jockey in the stable and I got the ride on Arkle. I remember there was a lot of runners in it and the boss told me to let him see the hurdles early on and win if I could. That's exactly what I did." Mr McLoughlin said he took his time early on, then put him into the race, and he won easily. Pat Taaffe finished third on his mount. Entering the last three-quarter mile Kerforo and Blunt's Cross began to emerge from the leading division, and four flights from home, Pat Taaffe pushed his mare's head in front and began to ride hard for home. Patrick Beresford on Blunt's Cross kept with him, drew up to him at the second last flight of hurdles, landed in front and began to draw away. To the commentator, and the crowd, it seemed that Blunt's Cross was about to win the race. And then Pat Taaffe, still plugging away on Kerforo, saw to his surprise, another horse 'absolutely cruising past me'. He was utterly astonished to see the mud-splotched yellow of the Duchess's colours and Liam McLoughlin's face, and then Arkle was by and racing after Blunt's Cross. Pat Taaffe was still bewildered in an interview four years later. "When he came past me, he was flying. We were at the end of the race. It was as if he'd just started." Arkle went on to become the greatest steeplechaser of all time, and was to be associated with Taaffe. His battles with Mill House were renowned. He won three Cheltenham Gold Cups (1964, 1965, 1966); the King George VI Chase (1965); and the Irish Grand National (1964), amongst other big races. Liam McLoughlin, who had started his career with the Rogers stable, worked with Dreaper for 15 years enjoying much success, retiring in 1967 after a bad fall at Baldoyle. He was one of the special guests at the opening of the Arkle Pavilion at Navan Racecourse in 2007. Among the others to work with Dreaper at the time were Mr McLoughlin's brother, Peter, the late Sean Barker, Paddy Woods, Nicky Connor, Joe Finglas, and Nicky Connor. Deceased was also a member of the Ward Union Hunt, riding out with it for many years, and keenly following it in later years. Mr McLoughlin, originally from Lagore, played hurling and football with Ratoath and was a member of the Ratoath hurling team that won the Meath minor championship in 1953. He also boxed with Ratoath boxing club and was a Meath and Leinster junior champion in the early 1950s. In latter years, card playing with family and friends was a great pastime, and he also enjoyed following the point-to-point fortunes of his son, Dermot, who just last week took out a restricted training licence. Mr McLoughlin was a dedicated family man with a great love and pride in his family, and a great faith. Mr McLoughlin (75) passed away at the Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. He had been ill for some time. He was predeceased by his wife Maura, in 1990; son Martin; and sister, Margo Lynch, Rathfeigh. He is survived by his family, Willie, Dunboyne; Thomas, Anne, and Dermot, all Ratoath; brothers, Peter and Michael, Dunshaughlin; sister, Betty Ennis, Suncroft, Co Kildare; eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren; daughters-in-law; brother-in-law; sister-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives and a large circle of friends. The funeral Mass on Saturday was celebrated by Fr Gerry Stewart, PP, Ratoath; assisted by Fr Tom O'Mahony, PP, Skryne, Fr Phil Gaffney, PP, Curraha and Fr PJ Niland, Warrenstown. The attendance included many different generations from the racing world including Willie Robinson, Frank Berry, Paddy and Frannie Woods, Jim Dreaper, Barry Geraghty, Paul Carberry and Martin Mooney. Ward Union huntsman Pat Coyle sounded the hunting horn as Mr McLoughlin was laid to rest in Ratoath Cemetery, and Peter McLoughlin, brother of the deceased, paid a graveside tribute. __________________________________________________________ Bridie Miller, Navan Great sadness was occasioned over a wide area by the recent death in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, at the age of 86, of Mrs Bridie Miller of St Mary's Park, Navan. A native of Navan, Mrs Miller was married to Denis Miller, who died in 1995, and she was a daughter of the late Philip and Mary Clarke, who were greengrocers in Watergate Street, Navan, for many years. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Tommy, James, Benny, Phil, Brother Paul, Reggie, Paddy, Billy and Christy, and sisters, Kitty and Anne. Deceased is survived by her sons, Denis, Evans, Philip and Paul; daughters, Annette Conlon, Dolores Tracey, Bernadette Mitchell and Majella Ludlow; sisters, May O'Connor, Navan, and Rita Ryan, Monaghan; sister-in-law, Eileen Clarke, Navan; brother-in-law, Patsy Nolan, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, sons- in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and other relatives. Her remains were removed to St Oliver's Church, Navan, and the funeral took place to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. A month's mind Mass will be held in St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, on Saturday 21st August at 7pm. _____________________________________________________________ Michael Monaghan, Tierworker There was great sadness over a wide area at the recent death of Michael Monaghan of Tierworker, Moynalty, Kells at the age of 78, at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan. A native of Tierworker, he was a farmer and also worked in Gypsum Industries, Kingscourt for many years. He is survived by his wife, Dot; brothers John, New Zealand, and Pakie, America; sisters, Anne, Kells, Mary, Limerick and Bridie, America; relatives and friends. His remains were removed to St Patrick's Church, Tierworker and the funeral took place to Moynalty Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Rose McCarthy, Ratoath There was widespread regret following the death of Mrs Rose McCarthy, Johnstown, Ratoath, on 20th July last, aged 92. Mrs McCarthy passed away at Heatherfield Nursing Home. Wife of the late John McCarthy, deceased was a member of the O'Shea family of Moore parish, Co Roscommon. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Dinneny, Johnstown, Ratoath; Rosaleen Nolan, Belshamstown, Drumree; sons-in-law, Thomas Dinneny and Thomas Nolan; grandchildren, Thomas J and Frances M Nolan, relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from Holy Trinity Church, Ratoath, to Dunshaughlin Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Maureen Geary, Kilmainhamwood and Dublin The death occurred on 26th July last of Mrs Maureen Geary, Sandymount, Dublin 4, and formerly of Ardamagh, Kilmainhamwood, Kells. Mrs Geary was aged 98 and resided at Kinvara House, Bray, where she had enjoyed good health prior to a short illness. Her late husband, Frank, was editor of the Irish Independent newspaper for over 25 years. Mrs Geary was one of a family of six of the late Tom and Bridget O'Reilly of Ardamagh. Her father had been a member of Meath County Council. As a nurse working in Jervis Street Hospital, the then Maureen O'Reilly met and married Frank Geary and they lived in Sandymount where they brought up their family of four. Mr Geary was editor of the Irish Independent from 1935 to 1961. Deceased is survived by her family, Frank, Paddy, Isabel and Tom; five grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister, Bridie Dunne, Streete, Co Westmeath, and formerly of Carnaross; sister-in-law, Ann O'Reilly, Newtown House, Nobber; nieces and nephews in the O'Reilly and Jackson families; other relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Putland Road, Bray, to Deans Grange Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Olive Lynch, Rathfeigh The regretted death occurred at her home on 19th July last of Mrs Olive Lynch (nee Duffy), Millbanks, Cushinstown, Rathfeigh. A native of Beauparc, Mrs Lynch (69) was predeceased by her husband, John, in 2004. Mrs Lynch was an Irish dancing champion in her youth and was a teacher before her marriage to John Lynch of Skyrne, whom she was married to for 41 years before he passed away in 2004. She enjoyed singing and was a member of Rathfeigh Choir. Mr and Mrs Lynch enjoyed many pastimes, including ballroom dancing and horse-racing. She was a member of the Pioneer and Total Abstinence Association and was very devoted to her family and enjoyed the company of her friends. Deceased is survived by sons, John, Fergus, Gavin and Gordon; daughter, Carol Renner; grandchildren, Roxy, Faith, Jay Jay and Jack; brother, sisters, daughters-in-law, Nora and Ann-Marie; son-in-law, Claus, and other relatives. Her remains were removed to Rathfeigh Church on 22nd July and the funeral took place to adjoining cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place this Sunday, 15th August, in Rathfeigh Church at 12 noon, which is also a memorial Mass for her late husband, John. ____________________________________________________________ Fintan Mooney, Hill of Down The regretted death occurred on 20th July last of Mr Fintan (Vinny) Mooney, Croboy, Hill of Down, Enfield, at Mullingar Regional Hospital. Mr Mooney (57) was a native of Hill of Down and worked with the Office of Public Works in Trim. He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Simon, Ian and John; daughters, Emma and Paula; daughter-in-law, Irene, and grandchildren, Zoe and Kara. The funeral took place from Clonard Church to the local cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 29th August at 10.30am in St Camillus Church, Killucan. ____________________________________________________________ Margaret Baker, Navan There was great sadness over a wide area at the recent death of Mrs Margaret (Maggie) Baker of Gainstown, Navan at the age of 77, at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Originally a member of the Smith family of Gainstown, she was married to Charlie Baker, who died in 1996. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Rosemary Callan, Claremont Estate, Navan, Sandra Baker O'Reilly, Borora Crescent, Carlanstown; brother, Tony Smith, Alexanderaide, Navan; sister-in-laws, Philomena and Mary; grandchildren, Paul, Derek, Michelle, Oisín and Cian, sons-in-law, Johnny and John, nieces, nephews and cousins. Her remains were removed to St Mary's Church, Navan and her funeral took place to Churchtown Cemetery. A months mind mass will take place in St Mary's Church at 6pm on 21st August. ____________________________________________________________ Phil Gilsenan, Crossakiel The recent death of Mr Phil Gilsenan of Gibbonstown, Crossakiel, Kells at his home, at the age of 86 caused deep sadness over a wide area. A native of Sarahstown, Crossakiel, he was a retired builder. Deceased was a prominent member of the Killalon Drama Group and, in his younger years, played football and hurling for his local clubs. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; son, Pauric; brothers, Paddy, Jimmy and Sean; nephews and nieces. His remains were removed to Killallon Church and the funeral took place to Killallon Cemetery.