Obituaries 26-03-2011

The death took place last week of Mr Kevin Maguire, a member of the well-known Kilmessan sporting family, who had many achievements to his name, particularly in cross-country running. Mr Maguire passed away in Kerry, where he had been living since the early 1970s, on Monday of last week. He was born in 1921 at Grangeboyne, near Bective, one of a family of nine of Jimmy and Kate Maguire. He attended Kilmessan National School and played minor hurling with Trim, winning two county championships. However, it was in the sport of athletics he excelled, initially with the Garristown Club and later when he joined the Army. Deceased and his brother, Paddy, were outstanding athletes who joined the Garristown Club as there was no club in Kilmessan at the time. Paddy was later to establish a club in Kilmessan. Kevin Maguire joined the Irish Army around the time of the outbreak of World War II, and was based at the Curragh for most of his service. By the end of his tenure, he was responsible for his battalion, the 24th Battalion of the National Army, receiving the Gibson Trophy, for the 'individual performances of Corporal Maguire during the national, provincial, Army and Command cross country championships during the past year'. The Curragh Bulletin listed his achievements from the period: Senior All Ireland Cross Country Individual Champion, 1944, runner-up, 1945; member of runner-up team, 1942, '43, '44, '45; All Army Cross Country Individual Champion, 1945; All Ireland 3 Mile Flat Champion, 1944; Leinster 4 Mile Flat Champion, 1944; Command 1 and 3 Mile Flat Champion, 1944; Command cross country title winner 1943, '44 and '45; Meath Senior Cross Country Champion, 1943, '44 and '45; winner, Kildare cross country title, 1942; Kildare 4 Mile Flat Champion, 1942. The Bulletin continues: 'Cpl Maguire is a sportsman to his fingertips. The honour of the Army and his command are always first on his mind and high above material consideration. No meeting is too small and no handicap to great to prevent him giving his best. The battalion is fortunate to have such a qualified runner who passes all he knows on about the game to likely youngsters and his team mates. That is the true test of sportsmanship.' Kevin Maguire represented Ireland internationally on five occasions, including in Belgium and Scotland. He also won a number of Dublin championships with Garristown. There was regular competition between him and his brother Paddy, and they often beat each other in events, with one memorable battle at Proudstown Racecourse when 'the others, a field of 40, were well behind.' The two brothers were reported to have led all the way in the Meath Cross Country Championship at the racecourse and in an exciting finish between the pair, Kevin won by feet. After leaving the Army, deceased played senior hurling with Kilmessan and was on the senior championship winning team of 1948, with his brothers Paddy and Finian. He married Kerry native Kate Lynch, whom he had met in the Teachers Club on Parnell Square, Dublin, and they lived at Ballygall Avenue in Finglas from the 1950s, while he worked at Guinness. In the early 1970s, the family moved to Kate's native Dingle Peninsula, were they lived close to the historic Gallarus Oratory. Mrs Maguire passed away in 2007. Mr Maguire's funeral Mass and burial took place in Dingle on Wednesday of last week. He is survived by his son, Michael; daughters, Catherine, Mary, Breda and Bernie; in-laws, grandchildren; brothers, Paddy, Swainstown, Dunsany, and Joe, Tribley, Kilmessan; sister, Kathleen Dunbar, England; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. _____________________________________________________________ Mary Hill, Navan and New York Mrs Mary (Pat) Hill, who died in New York on Saturday 12th March last, was born Mary Wallace on 16th July, 1929, in Navan, the fourth of seven children born to Peter and Margaret (Quinn) Wallace. Deceased grew up at Liscarton, Navan, and lived in Plattsburgh, New York, from 1953 until 2006. She lived with her daughter and family for the past five years. For 25 years she and her late husband, Al Hill, owned and operated Pat and Al's Bistro in Plattsburgh, where many Irish and non-Irish gathered. Mrs Hill retired in 1994 and enjoyed travelling and spending time with her family. In 1945, she left Ireland to go to London with her sisters and worked at the Conservative Club. She then travelled to Canada where she worked in the Laurenchians and bought a new Volkswagen before travelling to western Canada. In 1953, she arrived in Plattsburgh and became a United States citizen but never to forget her beloved Ireland. Mrs Hill was predeceased by her husband, Al, in 1991; brothers, Patrick, and William; and sister, Nancy Wallace. She is survived by three sisters, Kathryn, Margaret, Bernadett, London; and brother, Michael who resides in Navan. Deceased is mother of Kevin Hill of Plattsburgh (wife Gail and children, Amber, Cassie and Henry) and Dawn Hill Lantry of Poestenkill, NY (husband Terry and children Tarah, Eileen and Mary Grace). A Mass of Christian Burial took place in St John's Church, Plattsburgh, NY. Bridget Fagan, Dunderry Dunderry parish lost its most senior member with the passing on 17th February last of Mrs Bridget (Bridie) Fagan, Meadstown, in her 98th year, at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim. Mrs Fagan was a native of Coolronan, Ballivor, and was a daughter of the late Christy and Mary Vaughan. She was predeceased in 1977 by her husband, Patrick Fagan. She was also predeceased by son, PJ, London; daughters, Theresa D'Mello, London; and little Josie, aged two; sisters, Lilly and Mary Kate; daughter-in-law, Ann; and grand children, Raymond and Lorraine. She is survived by her sons, Raymond, Trim; Jack, Adelaide, Australia; Christy, Halifax; Tony, London; Des, Halltown, Dunderry; Martin, Cavan; daughters, Maureen Fitzgerald, London; Josie, Dublin; Rita O'Malley, Meadstown; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren and great great grandchild. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Dunderry, to Dunderry Cemetery. A month's memory Mass takes place on Saturday 26th March at 7.30pm in Dunderry. ___________________________________________________________ Brona Beggan, Dunshaughlin It was fitting that Mrs Brona Beggan was laid to rest in the middle of Cheltenham Festival Week, as horses and the racing industry were central to Beggan family life. There was appreciative laughter in the Church of Ss Patrick and Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, last week when her daughter, Avril, invited those attending the funeral Mass to join the family afterwards in a local eatery where food, refreshments, and the afternoon's racing from Cheltenham would be provided. Mrs Beggan (76), of Smithstown House, Drumree, passed away on Monday of last week. Wife of the late Paddy Beggan, she was a member of the prominent O'Reilly family of Kilbeg, one of a family of nine brothers and sisters. In her early years, she enjoyed country pursuits and sports such as hunting with the Meath Hounds, and playing tennis, and at school in Loreto Abbey in Rathfarnham, became an accomplished hockey player, gaining Leinster honours. In 1952, she married the Paddy Beggan, who had been a member of the Meath senior football team that appeared in the 1939 All Ireland final, the county's first appearance in a senior final, in which they lost to Kerry. Deceased worked at Brown Thomas and the couple lived at St Stephen's Green and later, Clontarf, before purchasing Smithstown House and farm, on the borders of Dunshaughlin and Dunsany, in 1954. Oldcastle native Mr Beggan was active in cattle farming and the motor business, and at Smithstown, the Beggans became involved in thoroughbred breeding, successfully producing horses which won at major meetings including Aintree. One of these successes was a double family celebration as jockey son, Ronnie, rode the family-bred horse to victory. Ponies and riding were a major feature of life at Smithstown, and the tradition lives on with the establishment of the Royal Meath Equestrian Centre at the farm by the family. Fr John Kerrane, retired PP, Dunshaughlin, who celebrated the funeral Mass, spoke of Brona Beggan's faith, and her strength and determination in all aspects of life, including recovering from illness three years ago. Her faith had endured in her recent illness, he added. Paddy Beggan passed away on Christmas Day 2004, and Mrs Beggan is survived by her daughter, Avril, sons, James, David and Ronnie; brother Brian; sisters, Una and Marie; son-in-law; daughters-in-law; nine grandchildren; relatives and friends. Mrs Beggan's remains were received at the Church of Ss Patrick and Seachnall by Fr Kerrane, Monsignor Edward Dunne, Skryne; and Fr O'Neill, a family friend. Fr Kerrane officiated at the funeral Mass and burial in Dunshaughlin Cemetery. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Una Shanley, Killyon

The parish of Killyon and surrounding areas were deeply saddened by the recent death of Mrs Una Shanley in the County Hospital, Mullingar. Mrs Shanley (nee Smullen) was predeceased by her husband, William, in 1982 and her stepson, Patrick, in 2009. She is survived by her sons, Anthony and John; daughter, Doreen Greville; stepsons, Liam and Tommy; stepdaughter, Marie; grandchildren, Amanda, David, Billy, Micheal, Joanne, Sarah and Keith; daughters-in-law, Mary and Jennifer; son-in-law, Mattie Joe; sister; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends. The removal took place from St Camillus Nursing Centre's Chapel of Rest, Killucan, to the Church of the Assumption, Killyon, for funeral Mass, with burial afterwards in the local cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Kevin Reilly, Stamullen There was great sadness over a wide area at the recent death of Mr Kevin Reilly of Mountain View, Stamullen, at the age of 63, at Beaumont Hospital. Mr Reilly, who was known as 'Timmons' to his friends, was a native of Stamullen and was a son of the late Patrick and Mary Reilly. He worked for most of his life, until the latter end of last summer, as a heavy machine driver. He loved his foreign holidays with his family every summer, but unfortunately had to miss out last year as he became ill around that time. He didn't give up, but got an allotment to spend some time doing a bit of gardening, as it was his favourite hobby. He took great pride in the upkeep of the estate he lived in. Deceased played with St Patrick's Football Club, Stamullen for a number of years, winning a junior championship medal in 1975, and the club formed a guard of honour at his funeral. Mr Reilly will be sadly missed by his wife, Marie; son, Kevin Junior; daughters, Sylvia and Selena; granddaughter, Shauna; grandson, Séan; son-in-law, Paddy; brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. There was a huge crowd at the removal of his remains to St Patrick's Church, Stamullen, his funeral in Stamullen and cremation at Glasnevin Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Ned Keelan, Skryne and Cairo The funeral has taken place in Cairo of Mr Ned Keelan, a native of Skryne, who had been working in Egypt for over 30 years. In 1978, Mr Keelan went to work on a two-year contract in Cairo, and remained working there. Aged 72, Mr Keelan, son of the late James and Sarah Keelan, passed away on 29th January last. When he left the Technical School, deceased worked in Frank Murray's Navan Steel Products for a number of years, before working at steel erecting on building sites in Dublin. Around this time he followed in his father, James' footsteps, and joined Kentstown Cycling Club where he competed for a couple of years and made some very good friends. He left Ireland in April 1961 for the UK to pursue a career in the steel industry. He first worked on a new suspension bridge in Newport, Wales. He later moved to Sheffield where he met and married an English girl, Dorothy, and went on to have five children.With two work colleagues they formed a steel company business in Warrington, but in the late seventies with the recession and the demise of the steel industry in the UK, they wound up the company. In 1978, Mr Keelan went to Cairo, Egypt on a two year contract with a company to build the tunnel under the Suez Canal. However, he remained working there for the same company, Carillon Plc, for 33 years until he suffered a heart attack and passed away on 29th January last. His funeral took place in Cairo. He is survived by his daughters, Lorraine, Stella, Deborah, Vanessa; son, Basil; brother, Patsy Keelan, Navan; sisters, Sheila McCluskey, Navan and Joan Gallagher, Skryne, Tara; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. A memorial Mass was held in St Colmcille's Church, Skryne on the 26th February last. ___________________________________________________________ Phyllis Lynch, Balrath There was widespread regret following the death of Mrs Phyllis Lynch (81), of Dublin Road, Balrath, Navan, at her son, Pat's, residence, on 20th February last. Predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 2008, she was a member of the Smith family from Cavan, and is survived by her son, Pat; daughters, Susan Meehan, Lismullen, Theresa Gargan, Kentstown; daughter-in-law, Ann; sons-in-law, Pat and Seamus; granddaughter, Chloe Meehan; grandsons, Mark, Andrew and Colin Lynch; Ian Meehan; Shane, Adam and John Gargan; relatives, neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Kentstown, to Ballymagarvey Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Teresa Guerin, Navan Mrs Teresa (Tiny) Guerin, Athlumney Abbey, Navan, who died on 26th January last, was a member of the Tobin family, Skryne. Aged 80, she passed away at The Mowlam Nursing Home, Sligo. She was predeceased in February 1996 by her husband, Mr Eric Guerin. Deceased is survived by her family, Carmel, Angela, Sheila, Paula and Damian; brother; sisters; in-laws; nephews; nieces; grandchildren; relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery.