Norrie Kavanagh, Oldcastle

Mrs Norrie Kavanagh, Barrack Street, Oldcastle, who died peacefully at the home of her eldest daughter, Leonora, and son-in-law, Tom Lee, on Thursday 5th January, was a member of a well-known local family in the town. She was an inspiration to many in the manner that she lived her life and for the fortitude she displayed in her battle against illness over the last few years. Aged 82, Norrie was one of four children of the late Leo and Kathleen Herbstreit (nee Feeney), The Square, Oldcastle, and the wife of the late Padraic Kavanagh, who died in 1982. She was educated at The Gilson Endowed National School and the Secondary School, where she was taught through Irish. Following her education, Norrie had a varied working career. She was employed as a cashier in Porter's shop, from where she had many a tale to tell. Later, she carried on the tradition of the hairdressing business, along with her late sister, Mamie, handed down from their mother, a lady whose friendly and outgoing personality endeared her to many. A versatile and gifted hairdresser, Norrie was well-known for her expertise in perfecting hot and cold perms and her ability in creating waves with a comb on naturally straight hair. Her father, Leo, and late brother, Joe, both barbers by trade, ran the barbers part of the shop. Both men of character and quick wit were renowned far and wide for their storytelling, yarns and exciting card games. Along with running her hairdressing business, Norrie established the family's fancy goods and toy shop, which is still continued on today by her brother, Johnny. Here, Woodbines, broken chocolate, Peggy's legs, lucky bites, wafer ice creams, trays of hot chips, cork guns, bugles, gollywogs, crolly dolls and refunds on mineral bottles could be had. Irish Hospital Sweepstake tickets could also be bought there. This was a right old 'ceili house' where young and old gathered from near and far and local news was discussed. In the background could be heard the old jukebox, blasting out tunes like The Hucklebuck or Blue Suede Shoes. The shop window was a favourite spot for children to come to select their Santa toy and wait with anticipation. Other services this shop provided over the years were laundrette and bus and rail freight depot. During her wake and funeral, family and friends enjoyed reminiscing about Herbstreits, or 'The Barbers' as it was often called. Norrie lived life to the full. She loved Oldcastle town, the carnivals, fleadhs, hooleys and ceilies. She spoke with enthusiasm of the brass and reed band ringing out the old, and bringing in the new, under torchlight at The Square every new year. She loved taking part in variety shows and never missed the yearly pantomines. She danced in the Eldorado and the Farmers' Ballroom in Virginia to showbands and ceili bands like The Clipper Carlton or The Lynch Brothers ceili band. Dressing up for the hunt ball, bachelors ball and the garda dance were the highlights of the year. She was also a member of the local Agricultural Show Society. Bingo, lottos, blottos and a bet on the Grand National were her favourite flutter. In her youth, she played badminton and camogie and loved Irish dancing. Norrie's faith was very important to her. She was a devout Catholic and regular Mass-goer, as well as being a member of the Oldcastle Church Choir and the Altar Society. She had a great association with Kilnacrott Abbey and wore her gold Pioneer pin very proudly. She enjoyed spending time with her family, relatives and many friends and always had a warm welcome for everyone. She enjoyed nothing better than a chat and a bit of craic. She had a great outlook on life. A hardworking, determined, devoted and loving mother, Norrie took the responsibility of her family very seriously. Having reposed at her daughter and son-in-law's residence, Norrie's remains were taken to St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle, where they were received by Fr Ray Kelly, PP, and Fr Michael Walsh, PP. Requiem Mass was celebrated the following morning by the Lord Abbot of Kilnacrott, Fr Gerard P Cusack, who was assisted by Fr Kelly. The funeral Mass was a fitting tribute to Norrie's long and wonderful life, in which her family, relatives and friends participated. The readings were given by son-in-law, Seamus Walsh, and grandniece, Olivia Duffy. The prayers of the faithful were led by grandson, Tony Donnelly, followed by grandniece, Eimear McEnroe, and grandson, Padraig Kavanagh. The offertory gifts and the gifts that symbolised Norrie's life were presented by daughter-in-law, Geraldine Kavanagh; son, Patrick Kavanagh; granddaughter, Katelyn Kavanagh; niece, Mary O'Neill; grandson, Gerard Donnelly; daughter, Margaret Donnelly, and grand niece, Sinead Duffy. Beautiful music was provided by the choir and extended family members, Theresa McArdle, Jayne Graham and Helen McArdle. Fr Ray Kelly also sang 'The Old Rugged Cross'. A communion reflection was given by her daughter, Margaret. Norrie will be remembered in a special way for her outgoing personality and kindly deeds. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by her daughters and son, Leonora, Margaret, Anne and Patrick; her brother, Johnny; grandchildren, Padraig, Katelyn, Tony and Gerard; sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. The attendance at the requiem Mass and the burial afterwards in the nearby cemetery was a fitting testimony to Norrie's memory and the esteem by which her family is held. Her Month's Mind Mass will be held this Saturday, 4th February, in St Brigid's Church, Oldcastle, at 7pm. ___________________________________________________________ Peter Gibbons, Navan ONE of the country's most renowned and best-loved veterinary surgeons, Peter Gibbons, Skara Stud, Kilcarn, Navan, died on New Year's Day. He was 62. His untimely death took place following a short illness. The enormous turnout for his funeral Mass and burial was proof of the huge respect he was held in by his peers, his clients and the greater equine community. From a business family in Newry, Co Down, Peter qualified from University College, Dublin, in 1972 and started in the practice of Pat O'Hagan in Dundalk. A year later, in September 1973, he joined Joe Clarke at Dunderry and worked in the Navan area ever since. Originally a mixed veterinary practice, the partnership of Peter, Joe Clarke and Jimmy McCartan ran a very successful equine veterinary practice since 1990. Following the retirement from clinical work of Joe and Jimmy in 1999, Peter became the practice principal and built Lissadel Equine Hospital in 2004. His advice was much sought-after and he was a member of the veterinary and endoscopy panels at Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland for many years, and had also been on the Goresbridge panel. Peter was also a member of the British Equine Veterinary Association and a former committee member. He was a member of Veterinary Ireland and was current chairman and the driving force behind the Association of Irish Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons. Peter served as a racecourse veterinary surgeon at his local tracks in Navan and Fairyhouse. The quality of his clientele said all that needed to be said about his expertise. About 1980 Peter and his wife, Ann, bought Skara Stud and they have lived there ever since. Peter had much success as a breeder and sales consignor and was the recipient of an ITBA breeder's award. Peter contributed much to the many aspects of the industry in which he was involved. His first interest as a young man was in showjumping, and he was secretary of the equestrian club while in college. The only one of its kind at the time attached to a university, Peter, the chairman, Dermot Ford,e and others made many trips abroad competing for their country and college. Friends since they met in college in 1968, Dermot Forde tells stories of many exciting expeditions overseas, notably when 10 students piled into two Fiat 124s to drive to Sweden and Switzerland and ended up sleeping upright in the two cars on the eve of the 1972 Prix de Arc de Triomphe. Peter became an active member of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and held the position of chairman of the Meath/Louth/Westmeath region on two separate occasions. His friendship with Dermot Forde continued long after college and, about 25 years ago, they started to invest in mares as partners, enjoying a lot of good days on the racecourse and at the sales. In December 2010, they sold their good mare Snow Peak, dam of the Group 1-placed Asset, but retained the filly foal born that year by Singspiel. She is in pre-training and heading to be trained by Ger Lyons. Days before his death, Peter, Dermot and Peter's wife Ann spoke about naming her and provisionally agreed on Snow Scene. Fellow veterinary surgeon Des Barnwell paid tributeto his colleague: "Peter was very accomplished in his chosen profession, was passionate about his work and kept himself well-informed on all advances in equine veterinary science. He was a 'giver' and a 'doer' whose opinion was balanced and well thought through. His advice was sought and willingly given on many different topics." In recent years, he was the first person in Ireland to purchase a dynamic endoscope and he was rightly proud of the improvement in diagnosis and treatment of upper airway problems in racehorses which this technology afforded. Above all else, Peter was a family man and completely devoted to his wife Ann, son Derek, daughter Lynda and his adored granddaughter, Sophie. The family closeness was further strengthened as his son Derek ran the breeding operation at Skara Stud, while Lynda's husband, Liam Sharp,e was in practice with his father-in-law. The international rider Rich Fellers, rider of Flexible, summed Peter Gibbons up perfectly on learning of his death: "A class professional and a very nice man." Peter had vetted the world-class Flexible for Fellers. Dermot Forde recounted that Professor John O'Connor addressed his students on graduating from the veterinary college, reminding them "that the verb vet denoted quality and that was the standard they were expected to live up to - Peter not only did that, but he exceeded it too." The funeral took place from the Church of Nativity, Johnstown, Navan, to Old Kilcarn Cemetery, Navan. Leo Powell of the Irish Field penned this tribute to the late veterinary surgeon. ____________________________________________________________ Eamon Vesey, Navan The sad death recently occurred of Mr Eamon Vesey, 49 St Mary's Park, Navan. Mr Vesey died on 22nd January last at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, following a short illness, having just reached his 45th birthday on New Year's Day. He was predeceased by his mother, Kathleen, in 2006 and father, John, in 2010, and will be sadly missed by his sisters, Deirdre Booty, UK, and Brianán McAuley, Navan; brothers, Noel and Sean, UK, and Brian and Aidan, Navan; sisters-in-law, Rosemary, UK, and Cora, Navan; brother-in-law, Stephen, UK; nieces and nephews, Barry, Sarah and Kenny McAuley, John Vesey, Navan; Laura and Jonathan Booty, Jennifer and James Vesey, UK, and very close friends. The funeral took place in St Oliver's Church, Blackcastle, Navan, and was celebrated by Fr Declan Hurley, Adm, Navan. Burial took place afterwards in St Finian's Cemetery, Athboy Road, where Eamon was interred beside his parents. ____________________________________________________________ Josephine Reilly, Kildalkey The passing of Mrs Josephine Reilly, Moyrath, Kildalkey, at the age of 82, at St Joseph's Hospital, Trim, was the source of widespread sadness. A native of Rathkeenan, Ballivor, she was a member of the Browne family and was predeceased by her husband, Tommy Reilly, in September 2003. Mrs Reilly was a homemaker who looked after her family. Deceased is survived by her sons, PJ, Thomas, Charile, Brendan and Paul; daughters, Dinah, Angela, Ann and Maggie, as well as extended family and relatives, neighbours and friends. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Jane Sherlock, in 2008. The funeral took place from St Dympna's Church, Kildalkey, to St Dympna's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Peter Cahill, Mullagh Widespread sadness was occasioned following the recent death of Mr Peter Cahill, Tullyattin, Mullagh, Kells, at Sheelin Nursing Home, Mountnugent. Aged 60, he was son of the late Joseph and Kathleen Cahill, and passed away following a long illness. Deceased is survived by his wife, Catherine; sons, Conor and Sean; daughters, Ursula Dennehy and Sinead Cahill; brother, Stephen, and grandchildren. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Newcastle, to Moynalty Cemetery.