Obituaries 23-04-2011

The death occurred on Wednesday last, after a short illness, of Mr Thomas Englishby, Bedfanstown, Drumree, aged 91 years. Mr Englishby, who passed away peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, led an active and busy life up until his recent sickness. Deceased was the eldest of the family of 13 of Eugene and Mary Englishby of Old Road, Dunsany, and was born in August 1919. The family later moved to Knockmark, Drumree, and in 1946, Mr Englishby married Nanch Ennis from Batterstown. They lived at Batterjohn until 1954, when they moved to Drumree. Mr Englishby participated in the sport of cycling as a young man, and took many prizes at road racing and at local sports meetings. His great love was music and drama, and during World War II, he was a member of the cast of a play produced by the Local Security Force to raise funds for their activities. 'Paddy Reilly from Ballyjamesduff' was staged in Dunshaughlin Workhouse, and the cast also included Sheila Ennis, Rosie Lynam, John Cullen, Paddy Kenny, Patsy Lynam, Tommy Reilly and John Collins. Lighting was provided by oil lamps supplied by Murrays. Then, in the late 1950s, a Dunshaughlin drama group was very successful at local drama festivals. In 1958, Tommy Englishby won a best actor award at the Asbourne Rural Drama Festival, the first ever all-rural drama festival to have been held in Ireland, judged by Thomas MacAnna. The cast was Mr Englishby, Wally Smith, John Cullen, Molly Everard, Benny Foley and Mary Mannering. Mr Englishby produced the following year's output, 'Autumn Fire', by TC Murray, at the Ashbourne and Meath drama festivals, with Molly Carty, Jean Kenny, Jean McCormack, Paddy Togher, Wally Smith, Benny Foley and Nanch Englishby in the cast. He was also a talented musician, with an organ taking pride of place in his home. For many years, he was organist in Dunshaughlin Parish Church, and Fr John Kerrane of Dunshaughlin recalled first meeting him at a function in Kentstown over 50 years ago, when he was curate in neighbouring Donore, and Mr Englishby was playing accordion. In the late 1930s, he had appeared on 'Beginners Please' a talent show on Radio Eireann, playing accordion. Mr Englishby had a great interest in drawing, photography, and local history. In 1996, he worked on the publication of 'Dunshaughlin Through The Years', a history of Dunshaughlin with local journalist John Donohoe, which was launched by Judge Hugh O'Flaherty. When Mary McAleese was elected President the following year, she was presented with a copy on her first visit to the village, and wrote to thank the writers. During the parish millennium celebrations for the year 2000 in Dunshaughlin and Drumree, he was very active in researching local places of significance, and when his old school, Dunsany NS, was hosting a reunion in recent years, he sketched from memory his recollections of the original school building, which no longer exists, for a commemorative booklet. For the Dunsany parish church centenary book in 1994, he supplied photographs as well as a copy of a poem written by his father, Eugene, while in on hunger strike in Mountjoy Jail in 1920, entitled 'The Prison Cell' and dedicated to his wife and eldest child. Eugene Englishby is one of the Old IRA men who features in photographs of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the 1798 battle of the Hill of Tara. Tommy Englishby's early working life was spent at Warrenstown College, Drumree, while the greater part of his career was with the Teagasc Research Centre at Grange. Very talented, he could turn his hand to making anything, and often did. The Englishbys celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2006, and Mrs Englishby passed way the following year. In August 2009, the local community gathered in Culmullen church and hall with the family to mark Mr Englishby's 90th birthday with a Mass and get together afterwards. He is survived by his son, Seamus, Drumree; daughters, Marie De Jong, Navan, and Anne Goddard, Scotland; daughters-in-law, Carol, Drumree, and Kathleen, Trim; Anne's partner, Alan Bowen; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; brothers, Colm, Daventry, England; Finian, Chapeland, Athboy; Kieran, Warrenpoint, Co Down; Cormac, Kilmogarry, Co Wicklow; sisters, Mary Walton, Shannon; Mona Ennis, Dunshaughlin; Una Ennis, Powis, Wales; nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours. Mr Englishby was predeceased by his son, Gene, and son-in-law, Kees De Jong. The funeral, celebrated by Fr John Kerrane, retired parish priest, took place from the Church of Ss Patrick and Seachnall, Dunshaughlin, to the local cemetery, on Friday last. __________________________________________________________ Edward Byrne, Dunboyne There was a poignancy surrounding the passing of Mr Edward (Ned) Byrne of Dunboyne on Sunday of last week as he had pinhooked (bought and sold on) John Smith's Grand National first and second Ballabriggs and Oscar Time. He was 54. Described as a "great horseman, sportsman and friend", Byrne spent the last 20 years as a yard manager at Darley's Woodpark Stud in Dunboyne, and worked with general manager John Brady to acquire Ballabriggs and Oscar Time as foals under The Flathouse Stud banner. Mr Brady last week told The Racing Post how his business partner and friend slipped into a coma in Bon Secours Hospital in Glasnevin, Dublin on Saturday, hours before the Grand National. He said: "He didn't see it, but I'm sure he heard it. We feel he may have been waiting for it. "We had been pinhooking together for 15 years and those two were the best National Hunt horses we found, but he also picked Queen Mary winner Flashy Wings and Gallagher, who was Group 1-class as a two-year-old but unfortunately didn't train on. "He'd such a good eye for a horse and enjoyed life to the full." Herecomesthetruth and Christie's Foxhunter winner Zemsky were others to come through their hands and the Flathouse Syndicate gave him his last winner in Cercle Des Amis, who won a point-to-point in January for Joseph Murphy. The trainer said: "He was a super horseman, a great sportsman and a longtime friend. We used to spot horses, together with Denis Cummins and John Brady, at the sales. "We'd always compare notes and many people would ask Ned's opinion of a horse before bidding on it. "He was widely respected and will be hugely missed." Hailing from Rathturtin, near Clonroche in County Wexford, Mr Byrne was a successful point-to-point rider before joining Brady, and his brother Tom believes Ned Byrne's style is mirrored by his nephew Tom O'Brien. Tom O'Brien said: "My uncle was always a great help to me, particularly when I was a youngster with my ponies. He'd had cancer for some while and put up a great fight. It's very sad he's no longer with us and he'll be greatly missed." Winner of three county hurling medals with Kildare club Ardclough he also hurled with Dunboyne St Peters GAA. Mr Byrne is survived by wife, Anne; daughters, Mairead and Sharon; son Diarmúid; granddaugher, Clodagh; son-in-law Neville; Sharon's partner John; mother Peggy; brothers; sisters; mother-in-law Bridget; father-in-law Johnny; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Dunboyne, to Rooske Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Rose Carolan, Kells The regretted death occurred peacefully of Mrs Rose Carolan, Gravelstown, Kells, at St Colmcille's Nursing Home, Kells, following a short illness. Mrs Carolan will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and wonderful neighbour. People from all walks of life gathered to pay their final respects at the family home and Staholmog Church, where the funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Micheal Cahill, PP, Kilbeg, and Fr Joe McEvoy, PP, Moynalty. Fr Cahill spoke of deceased's outstanding contribution to her family, to her parish and to the wider community. She was a lady who served her community in so many aspects, always willing to help and make herself available to those in need. She was there for the housebound, the sick, or the bereaved, and yet continued to care for a large family and in later years, her extended family of in-laws and grandchildren. And there was always a welcome in the Carolan home for the visitor. In recent times, Mrs Carolan had to carry the cross of ill health and was supported by the loving care of her devoted family which she appreciated greatly. During this time, she remained faithful to her prayer life. During the funeral Mass, the local church choir sang sacred songs as a tribute to a faithful member of their parish. Mrs Carolan had a particular love of gardening, dancing, going to weekly bingo and was involved in many social aspects of the parish and the wider community and will be sadly missed. Predeceased by her husband, John, and daughter, Rosmarie, she is survived by her daughters, Marion Blackburn, Moynalty, Ann Robertson, England, Maura Murphy, England; sons, Christy, Dublin, Sean, Beauparc, Joe, Dublin, Peter, Carlanstown; brother Ned, Kildare, in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and a very large circle of friends. ___________________________________________________________ Sgt Bryan McGlinn, Ratoath THE Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, last week paid tribute to Garda Sergeant Bryan McGlinn, who died unexpectedly at his home in Ratoath. Sgt McGlinn (32), who was based in the detective unit at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin, was described as a "very valued and trusted member" of the force. Commissioner Callinan said the death of Sgt McGlinn, who was one of the lead detectives in the high-profile Columbian jewel thief case, was "tragic". The garda was promoted to sergeant following his role as one of the lead detectives in the high-profile arrest of an international conman, Juan Carlos Guzman-Betancourt, who was wanted in several jurisdictions throughout the world. Gardai said he died from a medical condition. Colleagues reported he had complained of headaches since banging his head last week while attending a Leinster rugby match in a private capacity. The sergeant, who was originally from Glanmire, Co Cork, died on Monday of last week at his home in Ratoath, which he shared with his wife Noreen and two young children. It is the second tragedy to affect the Glanmire family in recent years after his younger brother Kieran McGlinn (21) died following a motorbike crash in Cyprus in 2005. He is mourned by his parents, Peter and Margaret, brother Gary and his wife of four years, Noreen, and their two children. Supt Frank Clerkin at Store Street station said he would be deeply missed by his colleagues and friends. Former Detective Superintendent PJ Browne, who worked with Sgt McGlinn at Harcourt Square on the Guzman Betancourt case described him as a very skilled detective. "One of the great traits I found in Brian as a young detective was his tenacity as an investigator," he said. "Once he got the scent of the criminal he would not let go until he was caught." Sgt McGlinn was buried in St Joseph's Cemetery, Little Island, Cork, following a state funeral at St Joseph's Church, Springhill, Glanmire, on Thursday last. ___________________________________________________________ Frances Quinn, Athboy There was widespread sadness following the passing on Mrs Frances Quinn (nee Carney), of Turry Meadows, Athboy, on 30th March last. Aged 43, Mrs Quinn died at St Frances Hospice, Raheny, Dublin, following an illness bravely borne. A native of Dublin, deceased was daughter of Frank Carney and the late Madeline Carney. She was originally from Dublin, where she worked in the HSE from 1998 to 2006. In 2006, Mrs Quinn and her family moved to Athboy where she quickly made very good friends with a lot of the locals while working in the Price Busters shops in the town. Deceased was very proud of her three children who integrated well into the community of Athboy and are involved in sporting activities at local and county level. Her family was overwhelmed by the expression of sympathy and support from the people of Athboy and wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the local community. Mrs Quinn is survived by her husband, David Quinn, Turry Meadows, Athboy; family, Kellie, Nathan and Cìan; grandchild, Peter; father, Frank Carney; brothers and sisters; mother-in-law Marie and father-in-law Eddie; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. The funeral took place from St James' Church, Athboy, to St James' Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place on Sunday 1st May at 11.30am in St James' Church. ___________________________________________________________ Miriam Duncan, Navan and USA Mrs Miriam Duncan, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, who died, was a member of the Brady family of Flower Hill, Navan. Born on 13th May 1944, deceased grew up on Flower Hill, where her father, James, founded a successful grocery business. She was educated at Loreto St Anne's and St Michael's, Navan, and was a keen tennis player and accomplished pianist. She worked at hotel reception in Berlin and London before leaving for America where she joined the US Air Force and received various postings worldwide, serving as a staff sergeant in intelligence operations in Texas, Lakenheath, Japan and the Philippines. She married initially, Stanley Morris, and secondly, Errol Duncan. On retiring, she settled in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and studied at the university there before becoming an Extraordinary Minister of Christ in the Catholic Church in nearby Washington County, a calling in which she found great contentment, serving up to, and during, her illness. Deceased was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota, and treated at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Fayetteville, where she passed peacefully on 1st November last. Her ashes were returned home to Navan and were interred in St Mary's Cemetery after funeral Mass in St Oliver's Church on 12th December, with liturgical music provided by Navan Male Voice Choir. Mrs Duncan never lost touch with her roots, and made frequent visits home, especially in her final years, and she remained close to the Loreto sisters, especially her old teacher, Sr Annunciata. Her popularity was noted by Robert Ellis of the Veterans hospital who kindly posted on RIP.IE website: "She was loved by all of us who had the honour of caring for her. I will truly miss her. She brightened up any room she entered." And Lydia Worden, church secretary of Fayetteville, who, with husband Steven, attended the burial, spoke in glowing terms at the funeral reception of her courage and stoicism in carrying out her duties right up to the end. Predeceased by parents, James and Josephine, and brothers Seamus and Hilary, deceased is survived by sons Michael (Cavan) and James (USA); daughter, Hilary (USA), brothers, Mark and Richard (Flower Hill); and sister-in-law Gay (Dunmoe) and family.