Obituaries 09-04-2011

The sudden death on Sunday of last week of Paul Maguire, Donaghmore Lane, Navan, at the age of 22 years, came as an immense shock and caused widespread sadness in the town and beyond. Paul was one of the family of four of Eamon (Eddie) Maguire, and his wife Joan (nee Beggy). Renowned for his big smile and his friendly disposition, Paul had a wide range of interests, ranging from sport, in which he was very successful, to music, in which he was equally so, as well as literature, history and travel. He attended Beaufort College and St Patrick's Classical School, Navan, and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) in Galway where he studied business, computing, German and digital media. Paul was a very diligent employee and worked in telecommunications both for H20, Galway, and Europe Assist, Navan, where he was very popular and highly successful. Deceased was a member of The Chartered Insurance Institute. He was an avid reader and loved the writings of Dostoevsky, Nietsche, Plath, Yeats and Gerald Manley Hopkins. His interest in history and, in particular, the history of wars, transcended nearly everything else. Paul was widely travelled and had been to New York, Atlantic City and Florida a number of times. He had also been to Spain, Morroco, Majorca, the Canaries, and one of his most memorable trips when he went to a Wembley Cup Final with his father. He also travelled regularly to Douglas, on the Isle of Man, where he stayed with his brother Eddie and his wife Glenda. He played under-age football for Simonstown Gaels, and starred on teams that won Meath League titles at under 11, under 12, under 13 and under 14, and was chosen for the Meath under 14 panel. Paul was one of the star players on the Simonstown Gaels under 13 team that reached the 2002 All-Ireland Feile Final. Crossmaglen Rangers were the victors in the GAA final that went to three periods of extra time. Paul was a prolific scoring forward and was regularly one of the highest scorers in Meath under-age football, scoring three goals in a Meath under 16 league semi final. That Simonstown team went on regular tours including a trip to Glasgow which Paul and his friends enjoyed immensely. He played with three local teams in under-age soccer, Torro United, Parkvilla and Navan Town. He was awarded Player of the Year with Navan Town, and went on to represent GMIT Galway in colleges soccer. Even though he was only a first year student, Paul played in central defence for GMIT, in a team that contained a number of players who were attached to League of Ireland clubs. Sadly Paul's very promising football career was curtailed by a serious viral condition that affected his eyesight, although he hoped to resume playing after further medical treatment. Paul Maguire was an accomplished musician, adept at drums, guitar and piano. His favourite bands were Joy Division and The Smiths. He also sourced artists as diverse as Rush, Frank Zappa, The The, Metallica and Sonic Youth. He had written two albums worth of songs at the time of his untimely death, and was also a member of a group in Navan. In addition he regularly spent many hours in collaboration with his brother, who is in the process of completing some of the unfinished works which were interrupted by his death. Some of his songs can be found on the website soundcloud.com, in a search for Paul Maguire under the songs 'In The Garden', 'Sheena', 'Sound Of Silence' And 'Fame'. These were uploaded after his death and in the following day generated over 400 hits. These four songs are from his first album 'Absence' and were recorded on a four track with just an acoustic guitar and basic drums. Despite this, the quality of his song writing is evident from the demos and the loss of such a great talent at such an early age is tragic. In the short term, Paul's Facebook page will include links to his work. In the longer term it is planned that his demos and collaborative work will be rewritten, published, recorded using professional studios in Los Angeles USA and released in a similar manner to the process used for the Beatles release 'Free As A Bird', the demo of which was written by John Lennon and was then completed by the rest of the Beatles for the anthology album. Paul was born on 4th October 1988, and in addition to his parents is survived by his brother Edward; sisters, Susan and Alison; nephews, Conor Kennedy and Luke Maguire-Greevy (his Godson); nieces Blaithin and Orla Kennedy, Ciara Maguire and Ruby Maguire-Greevy; aunts, uncles, and cousins in Meath, Mayo (where his father comes from), Florida and New York; brothers-in-law, Matt Kennedy and Paul Greevy; sister-in-law, Glenda Maguire. He was predeceased by his son, Tiernan Maguire. Paul will also be greatly missed by a huge circle of friends, who loved his loyal nature, his kindness and his innate sense of fair play. A guard of honour was provided by Simonstown Gaels GFC and the huge attendance at the Maguire family home and funeral was a testament to the esteem in which Paul was held. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery. __________________________________________________________ Patrick Cassidy, Nobber There was widespread sadness following the passing of Mr Patrick (Paddy) Cassidy of Possextown House, Nobber, on Friday 25th March, aged 86, in the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, after a long illness. Deceased was a man who achieved lots and enjoyed his life and work to the full, and as a tribute to his life, extended family and friends travelled from all over Ireland to wish him farewell. He was brought up in Tavis, Kilmainhamwood, and always had a great affinity with that village. He moved to Possextown, Nobber, in 1956, and married Bridie Madigan from Dublin in 1958. As well as farming he was a well known and respected cattle and sheep dealer who travelled the length and breadth of the country. Mr Cassidy was a very sociable man and no matter where he travelled in Ireland or abroad he always seemed to meet somebody he knew. He was a member of the local Fine Gael branch, and his family includes local Fine Gael representative for the Kells electoral area, Cllr Eugene Cassidy. Deceased will be remembered as a great husband, father and friend, and is survived by his wife, Bridie; family, Edward, Margaret, Elaine, Eugene, Fiona, Orla, Brona; sister, Martha; brothers, Dominic and PJ; 13 grandchildren, extended family, friends and neighbours. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Seamus Houlihan, PP, who was so wonderful to him over his years of illness and much appreciated by the family, Fr Michael Meade, PP, Donore, and Fr Paddy Smith, SSC, Dalgan Park. The family also acknowledged all the carers and medical staff who cared for him at home over the last few years of his life. Guards of honour were provided by members of Nobber Football Club on the night of the removal and the Fine Gael members on the day of the funeral. The burial took place in Nobber Cemetery after funeral Mass in the Church of St John the Baptist on 28th March last, where the combined Nobber and Drumconrath choirs provided the music and hymns. A month's memory Mass will be celebrated in Nobber Church on Saturday 30th April at 10am. __________________________________________________________ Dorothy Robinson, Rathbeggan The death occurred on 21st March last of Mrs Dorothy Grace Robinson (nee Kennedy), of Rathbeggan, Dunshaughlin, at Marymount Care Centre, Westmanstown, Lucan. Age 78, she was a native of Halliday Road, Dublin 7, and was wife of the late Ronald Thomas Batey Robinson, who died in January 2007. Mrs Robinson was known across Ireland for her involvement in the Irish Countrywomen's Association and Country Markets Ltd. She was a member of Blanchardstown ICA Guild and served as president of Dublin Federation. As a committee member of National Country Markets, she travelled across Ireland ensuring the ideals of this co-operative organisation provided for its members at a high standard to its customers. Weeks at the ICA college, An Grianan at Termonfeckin, Co Louth were a regular part of her calendar as she tried her hand at all sorts of crafts and skills - sometimes as teacher. For over 25 years, deceased taught flower arranging in Coolmine Community College Adult Education programme and was honoured there after 25 years service as the longest serving teacher. Mrs Robinson was talented in her work with flowers: arranging fresh and dried flowers, pressing and display of pressed flowers, harvesting blooms from her garden or anyone else's! She organised flower festivals and did displays for weddings and demonstrations for fund raising. As a member of St Mary's Church of Ireland in Clonsilla since 1963, she continued her involvement there after moving to Co Meath in 1987, serving on the select vestry, singing and, of course, looking after the flower rota. She took an interest in all the developments at Rathbeggan Lakes - finding the visitors to the lakes much more her style than sheep farming. Even though she was a city girl at heart she fed many a lamb in the kitchen in spite of being thrust into rural life. Following the death of her husband of 50 years, she lost some of her spark and her health restricted her somewhat. She moved in to Marymount in July 2009 where she made new friends among the staff and received excellent care. She died of a sudden heart attack without further suffering. Mrs Robinson will be missed by her family and by friends far and near, leaving many rich memories. She is survived by her son, David Robinson and his wife Mary of Rathbeggan Lakes; daughter, Gwen Montgomery and her husband David of La Touche Park, Greystones; grandchildren Tim and Ellen; relatives and many friends. The funeral service took place at St Mary's Church, Clonsilla, followed by cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium. __________________________________________________________ Pádraig Páircéir (Patsy Parkes), Navan The death occurred on 17th December last of Mr Pádraig Páircéir (Patsy Parkes), of Canterbrook, and formerly Moatlands, Navan, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A native of Manorhamilton, Mr Páircéir was born in 1930 to Charles and Mary Parkes. He moved to Kells in 1959 to take up a position in Connolly Bros Hardware store, and to Navan in 1961 to manage their new hardware store on Market Square. He also spent a number of years managing the Shop Street branch in Drogheda. Deceased went on to work in the Navan Enterprise Co-op which was set up by Father Andrew Farrell in the late '80s. He also worked with Gael Linn, a job which gave him great fulfillment in later years. Mr Páircéir had many interests in life. In his youth he played hurling and was a member of the Cluainín team that won the Leitrim Championship in 1954. Patsy also enjoyed boxing, cycling, walking, badminton and tennis and he lived a very active life up to the time of his illness. Wherever he lived, he took part in plays produced by local drama groups and he had a great love for the stage. He always spoke fondly of his days with the Navan Pioneer Players where he made many friends. Ghlac sé páirt I ndrámaí I nGaeilge agus I mBéarla agus bhí craic, sport agus spraoi aige I gcónaí. Bhí ard-mheas ag Pádraig ar an nGaeilge agus ar gach a bhain léi go háirithe ceol traidisiúnta, amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós, rince céilí agus damhsa seite. Bhí Gaeilge ar a thoil aige agus is iomaí samhradh a chaith sé I nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill lena chairde go léir. Bhí bua aige mar fhear a'tí ag céilithe agus coirmeacha ceoil ar fud na tire agus is iomaí duine a spreag sé chun dul amach ag rince. Bhí ceangal láidir idir é féin agus muintir Bhaile Gib agus Ráth Chairn. Mr Páicéir had a passion for the Irish language and Irish culture. He was a fluent Gaelic speaker and spent many happy summers in the Donegal Gaeltacht learning Irish and playing practical jokes on others. He loved traditional music, sean-nós singing and Irish dancing in equal measure and he excelled as fear an tí at countless céilí's and concerts across the country. It was through his love of Irish that Mr Páircéir met his wife Déirdre in 1966 when both were actively involved in the local branch of Conradh na Gaeilge in Navan. They had three sons, Catha, Rónán and Pádraic, to whom they passed on their love of Irish and all things Gaelic. Deceased gave generously of his time to the community. He was involved in the setting up of Kells Credit Union in 1961 and joined the board of directors of Navan Credit Union shortly after its inception in 1963. He spent many nights in Bakery Lane working on a voluntary basis and took great pride in having been part of such a valuable service to the community. He was a member of the Knights of Columbanus and played a very active part in the organisation. He organised many church-gate collections for Meals on Wheels, Concern and other worthy causes. He is survived by his wife, Déirdre; sons, Cathal, Rónán and Pádraic; niece, Anne: cousin Fr Joseph P Parkes SJ; and a large circle of friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, and members of the Knights of Columbanus braved the elements to form a guard of honour through the town. He was buried in a snow covered St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. __________________________________________________________ Iris Kellett, Kildare The death occurred recently of Iris Kellett, whose name was associated with the glory days of Irish showjumping, from her own riding days through to her coaching of leading Irish Meath-based riders Paul Darragh and Eddie Macken. She was born in 1926 on Mespil Road, Dublin, where her father, Harry, a veterinary surgeon, had set up a riding school after the First World War. From the age of nine, she was in the rosettes, when she walked her pony, Little Sparket, to the nearby RDS and was awarded a prize as best girl rider. By the age of 12, she was teaching at her father's riding centre, and in the late 1940s, began a partnership with a 12 year-old rehabilitated hunter and plough horse, Rusty, dominating national and international competitions. By 1947, she had reached a phenomenal total of 150 victories to her name, and was named as the youngest member of the first combined north/south civilian team along with Jim Bryson, Joan Uprichard and Noel Hayes. Ms Kellett won the Princess Elizabeth Cup, named after and presented by the now Queen Elizabeth, on a number of occasions. Michael Slavin recalls in his book on 'Irish Showjumping Legends' how, during the presentation to Ms Kellett by Queen Elizabeth, Rusty became restive and pushed his rider forward with his head, almost making her bump into the Queen. Later, at a reception, one of those present commented: "What could you expect of a republican horse?" Out of action for the best part of a decade in the 1950s due to a bad injury while schooling a horse, she did not return to full competitive form until the early sixties, topping her career when she won the Ladies Individual European Championship in Dublin in 1969. Diana Connolly-Carew, now Diana Wrangel and living in Skryne, rode on Nations Cup teams with Iris Kellett, and says she had nothing only admiration for her. Describing her as a wonderful person, who competed excellently and loved her horses, Baroness Wrangel said that Iris Kellett hated to lose. Two Meath-based riders, Tara's Paul Darragh, and Longford native Eddie Macken who made his home in Kells, owed much of their jumping careers to Iris Kellett who turned to training after her retirement. David Darragh, brother of the late Paul, told the Irish Field: "We all went to Mespil Road for lessons at one point, but it was Paul who stood out. We had great times there and will remember them fondly. Iris did so much for Paul, and indeed, he had much success while riding for her. She could be proud to say that she was behind two of Ireland's greatest international riders." In 1969, Eddie Macken joined Ms Kellett as a working rider. She had seen him ride a pony, Granard Boy, in Dublin a few years earlier, and was willing to take him on when asked by Ann and Brian Gormley. He was on the Aga Khan team within 18 months, in August 1970, and for the next ten years. Both Darragh and Macken enjoyed success on Ms Kellett's Pele. In 1972, Ms Kellett moved her training operation from southside Dublin to Kill in County Kildare. Twice married, she was aged 85 when she passed away on Friday, 11th March. The funeral took place from St John's Church of Ireland, Kill, to Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold's Cross, Dublin. __________________________________________________________ Gertrude Rennicks, Navan The passing of Mrs Gertrude Rennicks, Dean Cogan Place, Navan, on 11th March last, was the source of widespread regret. Aged 80, she was a member of the Dunphy family and a native of Navan. She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony, in 2007. Deceased was well-known in Navan, and her hobbies were knitting and bingo. She loved to travel, especially to Blackpool and Lourdes. In recent years, she was very involved in the Friendship Club, and the Loreto Day Care Centre, Athlumney and loved colouring and art. Mrs Rennicks is survived by her sons, Arthur and Dermot, Navan; Raymond, Kells; daughters, Eileen, Navan; Sandra, Carlanstown; and Betty and Joan, Navan; daughters-in-law; sons-in-law; sisters, Pauline and Phyllis; brother, Francie, grandchildren; great grandchildren, relatives and friends. The funeral took place on Monday 14th March from St Mary's Church to St Mary's Cemetery, Navan. A month's memory Mass will take place on 10th April at St Mary's Church at 1pm, which is also a 33rd anniversary Mass for her daughter, Olive. __________________________________________________________ Michael Farrell, Rathmolyon The death occurred in January of Rathmolyon native, Mr Michael (Mick) Farrell. In his youth, Mr Farrell was an amateur boxer and spent six years in the Irish Army. He also played football for Trim in the 1950s. His first love was cross-country running and he won lots of Leinster and National titles. Deceased was known to his family and friends as the 'Razor' Farrell because of his speed and sharpness on and off the football field, and in running. In the late 1950s, Mr Farrell moved to London to work, and there he continued to play football for various clubs. He is survived by a wide range of family and friends.