Obituaries 11th october 2014

Maura O’Malley, Stackallen

Maura O'Malley of Stackallen, Slane, who died on Wednesday last, was an entertainer and performer who achieved fame in her later life with roles in movies ‘The Commitments’ and ‘Waking Ned’.

Proprietor of the Travellers Joy House guesthouse business at Stackallen, she passed away peacefully at Kilmainhamwood Nursing Home, six weeks short of her 95th birthday.

Maura O’Malley had a colourful life, and was still active in her early nineties, when she received a diploma in social studies after studying with the International Foundation for Adult Education.

Born in November 1919, she was daughter of the late Mary and Matthew Thomas O’Malley, Skehanagh, Ballintubber, Claremorris, Co Mayo. Her granduncle, Canon Thomas O’Malley was well known as parish priest of Partry, Claremorris.

Her first husband, Michael O Cathain, was headmaster of Ballyvourney Vocational School, and they were only married a short time when he passed away following an illness.

She worked as a PE teacher for six years after studying physical education in Scotland, gaining her degree, and was said to be Ireland’s first PE teacher.

With her second husband, Cork native Pat O’Brien, they ran ‘Keep Fit’ sessions across the country, working in colleges and clubs.

They visited almost every county in Ireland giving public classes as well as classes for primary and secondary schools. These included gymnastics, all grades of dancing, volleyball, tennis and basketball.

Besides being an accomplished PE teacher, Maura was also a very talented trad entertainer, combining singing and Irish dancing to her own accompaniment on the fiddle.

In summer of 1973, she represented Ireland at many folk festivals in the USA and Canada, including the Smithsonian Festival in Washington, and appeared with the famous ‘King of Blue Grass’, Bill Munroe, in Nashville, Tennessee.

On her 1973 tour, she also took part in folk festivals in Central Park and the Rockefeller Centre, New York, and was featured in the New York Times as the ‘Dancing Fiddler and Folk Entertainer’ from Ireland, alongside singer Margaret Barry.

She also got publicity in the New York Post and Daily News. Maura toured a lot with Margaret Barry.

As Maire Ni Cathain, she boasted to be Ireland’s only DJ for ceili and old time dancing in the early 1970s.

She sent her press clippings highlighting her cabaret and entertainment career to Alan Parker when he was casting for ‘The Commitments’ based on Roddy Doyle’s book, telling him that she once read he could see the magic in people and he hoped she would see the magic in her.

Parker is said to have developed the role of Joey the Lips’ mother for her in the 1991 movie, which is now a successful stage show on London’s West End.

In 1999, the film casting agents, Ros and John Hubbard, cast Maura in another Irish movie, ‘Waking Ned’, which starred David Kelly, husband of Athboy’s Laurie Morton; Ian Bannen; and Fionnuala Flanagan.

She played shopkeeper, Mrs Kennedy, in the movie set in the fictitious Irish village of Tullymore.

Filmed on the Isle of Man by Kirk Jones, the comedy centres on two old-timers, played by Kelly and Bennen, who endeavour to pull off a National Lottery scam with the help of other villagers, following the death of the real ticket holder, Ned Devine. Speculation that Maura’s character is the lottery winner gathers momentum when it is rumoured she was spotted drinking champagne in the shop.

Maura met Kirk Jones at the Hubbards’ office in Dublin, proving an immediate hit when she sang one of her own songs.

She was delighted one day, while waiting for a bus at Bus Aras, to be approached by a German tourist who had seen her perform in ‘The Commitments’, looking for her autograph.

Originally from a family of eight, Maura O’Malley is survived by her sisters, Annie, Margaret and Grainne, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A Mass was celebrated at St Patrick’s Church, Slane, on Friday last, with removal afterwards to her nephew Brian O’Malley’s residence, Skehanagh, Ballintubber, Co Mayo.

Following a wake there, Maura’s remains were removed to Ballintubber Abbey for funeral Mass followed by burial in adjoining cemetery, on Saturday.

Matt Donoghue, Navan

The regretted sudden death occurred on 26th September last of Matt (Maitias) Donoghue, Blackcastle Estate, Navan, at his home, aged 65.

A native of Derroe, Baile na hAbhainn, Co Galway, he was a devoted teacher, working for three decades in Dunshaughlin Community College, and was a great promoter of the Irish language. He had a leading role in the foundation of Scoil Eanna in Navan.

Matt had much involvement in the GAA, both playing and coaching. He was very active with the Blackcastle Residents Association, and the daily upkeep of the estate.

Following his retirement from teaching, he remained active, adjudicating at debates at second level schools around the country, and overseeing mock and oral examinations. He was very proud of his native Galway and was a fluent Irish speaker, and enjoyed spending time with his family there.

Matt was a devoted father to his four children, and granddaughter, and the word ‘no’ was never in his vocabulary. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, a gentle soul with a pleasant smile for all.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen; family, Cliona, Caoimhe, Eanna and Cillian; granddaughter, Naoise, sister, Mairin, brother, Padraig, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The funeral took place from St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle, to Mount Jerome Crematorium.

Dolores Collins, Navan

The regretted death occurred on 21st September last of Dolores Collins, Connolly Avenue, Navan, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. A native of Navan, she was a member of the Moyles family, and was predeceased by her husband, Seamus Collins.

A popular figure in Navan, Dolores was at the hub of family life, taking great pleasure in baking, cooking and gardening.

She loved and was loved by all her extended family, especially her brothers, nieces, nephews, grand nephews and grand nieces, her dear friends, Rosie and Mary, and a special mention for Fr Kevin Heery and Fr Dwayne Gavin, as well as all her friends and neighbours in Connolly Avenue.

Dolores was a woman of great faith, who had a special devotion to Our Lady from childhood.

She is survived by her brothers, Michael Moyles, Connolly Avenue and Patsy Moyles, Emmet Terrace, brother-in-law, Pat Collins, Mullingar, and extended family members and friends.

The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church, Navan, to Glasnevin Crematorium.

 

Susan Craigie, Kildare

A memorial service of thanksgiving for the life of Susan (Sue) Craigie took place on Saturday last at Laobhíns Church, Killeevan, Clones, Co Monaghan. Deceased, of Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, was wife of the late property developer and banker, Patrick Gallagher, and they lived at Hollywood Rath near Kilbride, Mulhuddart for many years, and later at Straffan.

Daughter of the late master of the Ward Union Hunt, Eric Craigie, and his wife, Tina, she herself was a long time member of the Ward Union Hunt.

She died peacefully on 30th September, after a short illness.

Aged 64, she is survived by her sons, Matthew, London, and Patrick, New York; daughter-in-law, Heather, and grand daughter, Chloe; brother, Ramor, sisters, Virginia and Miriam; and wide circle of friends.

 

Johnny McInerney, Kells

There was widespread regret following the passing on 14th September last, at Beaufort House, Navan, of Johnny McInerney, Gardenrath Road, Kells, at the age of 79.

He was a native of Carnaross.

Deceased is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, John, Kells, Des, Kells, Kevin, New York, USA, daughter, Lorraine, Kells; nine grandchildren; great grandchild; sisters, Molly, Carnaross, Patricia, Kells; brothers, Patsy, Drumconrath and Des, Chicago, USA; brother-in-law; sisters-in-law; cousins and many friends.

The funeral took place from St Colmcille’s Church, Kells, to St Colmcille’s Cemetery.