Obituaries 28-04-2012

The funeral took place in his native Cork on Saturday last of Mr Peadar " Liatháin (Peadar Lehane), the former principal of St Brigid's National School, Boardsmill, who was a prominent figure in hurling administration both in Boardsmill and at Meath County Board for half a century. He was proud to count among his past pupils a future Government minister, Noel Dempsey, and a Ras Tailteann winner, Seamus Kennedy, and recalled how he had sometimes taught three generations of the one family. A native of Cúil-Aodha in west Cork, Peadar " Liatháin arrived in Boardsmill on 3rd November 1951 as principal, the youngest in Ireland at the time. He had previously spent a term in Roscommon. Five years later, he was invited to become secretary of Boardsmill Hurling club on the sudden death of then secretary Pat Fay. His appointment coincided with the club's second junior championship success, the first being in 1947. Then, in 1958, Boardsmill won the senior championship and O'Growney Cup double, an outstanding achievement for a club which had just been senior for two years. They beat Kiltale in the final of the senior championship and Trim in the O'Growney Cup decider at Navan. They won the O'Growney Cup again two years later and the championship in '64, '71, '73, '74 and '75. Mr Lehane recalled the club winning the senior and junior double in 1975 and being the first hurling club to receive the Meath Club of the Year award. "We also won several camogie championships and our Under 14 hurlers were Meath's first representatives in Feile na nGael," he said. "We also acquired a fine playing field and dressingrooms in Kilmurray." Mr " Liatháin himself was instrumental in the acquisition of that playing field in the 1970s, when he was club secretary and the late Paul Daly was chairman. The Land Commission was dividing up the Mason Estate and the club sought the lands from them. He would have loved to have been in Boardsmill for the opening of its second pitch in two weeks' time. He was secretary of the club for over two decades and also served a number of terms as chairman. With the late Tommy Murray, he was also responsible for nurturing the talented players on Boardsmill hurling teams of all levels over the years, developing an underage structure in the club which hadn't existed before, remaining involved until the 1990s. He was involved in Cumann na mBunscoil's contribution to underage football and hurling in the county, and became an honorary president of Cumann na mBunscoil on his retirement. Deceased was treasurer of Meath Hurling Board from the mid-1950s for around 27 years, and continued to carry out the role some years into his retirement, when he divided his time between Cork and Trim. He was also a member of the Co Board's Special Investigations Committee, and represented Meath at Leinster Council for many years. A proponent of the Irish language, he was often critical when it wasn't given due prominence, particularly in GAA publications and websites. In his youth, deceased attended Cúil Aodha NS and Coláiste Íosagáin Secondary School. There he became close friends with GAA commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh and their friendship continued at St Patrick's Training College. GAA legends such as Sean Purcell of Galway and Sean Murphy and Jerome O'Shea of Kerry were contemporaries at the training college. Naomh Ábán was his local club in Cork, and he was an honorary president of the club. His late brother, Donal, who played with the local club, was the holder of a Munster Colleges medal, which he won with Coláiste Íosagáin, and also garnered a Tipperary senior football medal with Fethard. Donal's son, also Donal, was centre half back on the Cork team which defeated Meath in the 1996 All-Ireland junior final. Cork-Meath games always provided mixed emotions for Mr " Liatháin. He retired as principal of Boardsmill NS in September 1994, having taught in three schools, the 'Old School' (1849), the 'New School' (1953) and the 'Very New School' (1986). In a Hogan Stand interview in 1999, he paid tribute to the people, parents and children of Boardsmill. "They gave me so many happy and satisfying years, putting up with numerous mistakes and inexperience. They all had a great pride in Boardsmill and would do anything for school and club." In 2004, the then Minister for Education, Noel Dempsey, returned to his former primary school in Boardsmill, to launch the book 'Ways of Knowing - A Celebration of Learning and Teaching', which he commissioned to mark the history of learning and teaching in Ireland, for Ireland's Presidency of the European Union. To mark the occasion, Mr Dempsey presented a copy of the book to his former primary school master. He said: "The strongest influence on my life, apart from my parents and family, was a teacher, and I think I share that experience with many people. Peadar O Liatháin from Cúil Aodha in County Cork has made his mark on the community in Boardsmill. He represents the thousands of other teachers, past and present, who shape the future of each generation." Mr " Liatháin never acquired a permanent residence in Meath, and stayed over the years at Fitzsimons of Boardsmill, at Gilsenan's of Mill House, Trim, and in later years, Flood's of Boardsmill. He was a founder member of Trim Credit Union, and was also deeply involved in the Legion of Mary and the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. He died peacefully, aged 81, in the Bons Secours Hospital, Cork, after a short illness. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Clare and Margaret, nephews and nieces; relatives; and many friends in his native Cúil Aodha and in Meath. He was predeceased by his brothers, Dónal, Pádraig, Colm and Concubhar; and sister, Máíre. The funeral took place from to Séipéal Chúil Aodha to Dún Dá Radharc Cemetery in Cill na Martra, where he was buried alongside his parents, Concubhar and Cáit Uí Liatháin. In a tribute at the funeral, TJ Reilly of Boardsmill spoke of the respect that Peader Lehane had in county Meath, which was as a result of the thousands of acts of kindness and generosity that he had carried out. He was a friend to everybody and able to relate to everybody at their level, Mr Reilly added, and he had left a great legacy across the parish of Boardsmill and the county of Meath. He was inducted into the Meath Hall of Fame in 1996, an honour not often given to a person from outside the county, Mr Reilly added. ___________________________________________________________ Mary Doran, Trim The death of one of Trim's best known characters, Ms Mary Doran of St Patrick's Park, occurred on Friday 16th March last. She was aged 63 and died unexpectedly at her home. Mary Doran was a well known face around the town, and lived with her late mother, also Mary ('Babby'), at St Patrick's Park. She had a great love of music and could be seen listening attentively to bands playing in the local pubs, with Na Fianna a particular favourite. She also had a great love of local history and always kept up with any publication of local history interest, or writings of local authors. She also kept in touch with current affairs. When the then President of Ireland Mary, Robinson visited Trim and St Patrick's Hall in the 1990s, she was the first out of the crowd to greet the new female president. She also met the Taoiseach Albert Reynolds when he was invited to Trim by the then Junior Minster at the Department of Public Works, Noel Dempsey, to review the 1992 St Patrick's Day Parade. Deceased is survived by her relatives, and neighbours and friends in St Patrick's Park. Her funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Margaret Quinn, Boardsmill There was widespread sadness in the Doolistown and Boardsmill communities at the passing of Mrs Margaret (Maggie) Quinn, on 1st December last, in her 86th year. Mrs Quinn (nee Rickard) was born in Doolistown and lived all her life there, marrying Jim Quinn who lived just a small way down the road from her. They were married for over 50 years with a family of eight before Mr Quinn's passing in 1999. Deceased was a member of Boardsmill ICA and Apostolic Works for many years and when her husband retired, both she and Mr Quinn became members of Trim Active Retirement Group, enjoying many outings and making many friends there. She loved her family and enjoyed neighbours calling, when she chatted and shared her delicious cooking, a hobby which she loved. Deceased also loved her grandchildren visiting and was delighted to see some of them have children of their own. She is sadly missed but leaves wonderful memories. She is survived by her family, Terry Dwyer, Trim; Joan Kelly, Summerhill; Tommy Quinn, Doolistown; Carmel Anderson, Clonbun; Seamus Quinn, Doolistown; Rita O'Donnell, Steeplestown; Luke Quinn, Doolistown and Patricia Greville, Enfield; sister, Nancy Darby, Roscommon; grandchildren, great grandchildren; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Brigid's Church, Boardsmill, to St Loman's Cemetery, Trim. ____________________________________________________________ Jane Plunkett, Kilmainhamwood There was widespread sadness and shock in Kilmainhamwood and its surrounding communities at the sudden passing of Mrs Jane Plunkett, Coole, Kilmainhamwood on 21st March last, aged 67 years. Deceased was a member of the Cassidy family of Dunroe, Nobber, one of six children of the late John and Kate Cassidy. She attended Carrickleck National School and worked for many years in McKenna's, Kilmainhamwood. She was married to her late husband, Stephen, for 40 years until he passed away in June 2005. Mrs Plunkett was always dedicated to the care of her five children and more recently her 15 grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. Her family, her home and her community were always very important to her and Fr John Cooney reflected this beautifully during the funeral Mass. She enjoyed listening to her local radio station and reading the local papers. Deceased will be remembered as a fun loving, kind-hearted and friendly person, who will be greatly missed. She was a great neighbour and friend to many and her door was always open for a cup of tea and the 'craic'. She bore her illness with great strength and courage and even on the toughest of days she still had a laugh and a smile for everyone. Mrs Plunkett is survived by her family, Tommy Plunkett, Kilmainhamwood, Carmel Plunkett, Kilmainhamwood, Josephine McCabe, Dunaree, Kingscourt, Siobhan Burns, Magheracloone, and Niamh Farrelly, Cornavan, Kingscourt; daughter-in-law, Susan; sons-in-law; grandchildren; brother, Sean Cassidy, Blackrock, Dundalk; sister, Mary Finnegan, Lobinstown; and extended family. The funeral Mass took place in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Kilmainhamwood, with burial in the adjoining cemetery, concelebrated by Fr John Cooney, PP, and Fr Tom Finnegan, Magheracloone. A month's memory Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 29th April in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Kilmainhamwood. _____________________________________________________________ Tommy Butler, Longwood The unexpected death of Mr Tommy Butler, Clongiffen, Longwood, at the age of 59, was the source of widespread shock and sadness. He died on 13th March last at Mullingar Regional Hospital and would have celebrated his 60th birthday this week, on 27th April. A native of Moystown, Shannonharbour, Co Offaly, he and his wife, Mary (Coughlan), were childhood sweethearts who were married 35 years ago this summer. Having served his time as a carpenter in Bantile, Banagher, he moved to Dublin in the early 1970s, where he and Mary were married. Their first home was in Leixlip, Co Kildare. Mr Butler set up his own company and built many homes, pubs and other properties all over Dublin and Leinster, giving employment to many over the years, and always on hand to take on and teach young apprentices. Deceased was a hard worker and anyone who worked with him would know he took great pride in his work and was a real perfectionist. He never sat still or took a break, hating being idle. Following a period living in Celbridge, the Butlers moved to Longwood in 2004, where they built their home and stable yard. Horses were his favourite hobby. Mr Butler started off with 'the leg of a horse' in a syndicate and loved it so much he ended up with a stable full. He made many friends in Longwood and had recently renovated Stoney's Pub with his son, Danny, who is doing a carpentry apprenticeship and plays hurling with Kildare. Mr Butler enjoyed playing cards and a few pints with the locals, loved going to the races and having a laugh and a joke. Deceased also enjoyed pheasant shooting with his friends in Cloghan, Co Offaly, one of the few times he would relax and have a break. His friends in Cloghan Gun Club paid their respects at the funeral. He was waked at home in Clongiffin, when his family and neighbours were joined by his friends from Leixlip, Celbridge and Cloghan, and from the building industry, horse racing and the GAA, all paying their respects. Mr Butler is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters, Trish and Karen; son, Danny; son-in-law, Sherif, and grandson, Conor, London; brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass took place on 15th March from St Mary's Church, Cloghan, Co Offaly, to Killourney Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place in Cloghan on Saturday 28th April at 11am. _____________________________________________________________ Bridget O'Malley, Allenstown The regretted death occurred on St Patrick's Day, 17th March last, of Mrs Bridget O'Malley, Allenstown, Kells, at her daughter Mary's residence, Allenstown, aged 95 years. Wife of the late Paddy O'Malley, who died in October 1997, she was born in Jarrow in the North of England in 1916 as Bridget Kerrigan. Her family moved to Cloughbrack in Co Galway in 1929, where she spent many happy years. They moved to Meath in 1940, and she spent the war years in London with her sister, Marie. She returned to Ireland and then went to Minnesota, USA in 1949, and spent six years with her sister, Ellen, working at Minnesota Mining Ltd. Deceased returned to Ireland, and on Easter Monday 1956, married Paddy O'Malley. She will be remembered as a great neighbour and friend to many, and enjoyed life to the full, loving to travel. Mrs O'Malley was enthusiastic about everything she did. She was a member of the Bohermeen Apostolic Class and the Legion of Mary, and a committed Pioneer Total Abstinence Association member. In her later years, she enjoyed attending the various day care centres, most recently the Alzheimers Day Care Centre at Whistlemount, Navan, where the staff was wonderful to her. She is survived by her daughters, Mary O'Malley and Brigid Mackin; sons-in-law, Kevin Costello and Johnny Mackin; brother, Mark Kerrigan; sisters, Ellen Kenny and Marie Boyle, both America; grandchildren, Darren, Conor, Emmett, Ronan and Sean Costello, and Mary, Fiona, Sarah and Grainne Mackin; sister-in-law, Maggie Mulroe; brother-in-law, Johnny O'Malley; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Ultan's Church, Bohermeen, to the adjoining cemetery.