Memorial garden recalls deceased young members of Skryne GFC
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Jim Hayes and Packie Mooney planting the GAA centenary oak tree at Skryne GFC in 1984, with club members. PicasaImage 2 of 8
Dermot Carty (left) in conversation with current Skryne chairperson, Stephen Naughton.Image 3 of 8
Joe O’Brien with Stephen Naughton.Image 4 of 8
The new stones erected at Skryne GFC’s memorial garden.Image 5 of 8
A section of the attendance at the Skryne event.Image 6 of 8
The memorial garden is underneath the oak tree planted in 1984.Image 7 of 8
Fr Thomas O’Mahony leading prayers at the ceremony.Image 8 of 8
Skryne GFC has unveiled a memorial garden to remember all those associated with the club who had gone before their time, passed away under the age of 40 over the years.
The garden was spearheaded by former chairperson, Dermot Carty, with Joe O'Brien helping to ensure that the project was competed.
Current chairperson, Stephen Naughton, said: “This garden is dedicated to all the people we lost over the years at a young age - some of them at a very young age. The caption on the plaque says - “Dedicated to those who left us far too soon” and is our way of remembering them respectfully. It also emphasises what they could have achieved for our club had they been given the opportunity. I would like to thank all the people who made this possible particularly Dermot Carty and Joseph O’Brien and their committee who eventually got this project completed. I hope you enjoy the day and all are welcome to visit this Memorial Garden at any time in the future.”
Dermot Carty explained that the idea of a Garden of Remembrance came about after the club lost one of its star young players in 2010.
“That incident affected everybody connected with the club and reminded me - as chairperson of Skryne GFC at that time (2009 to 2012) - that we need to remember all our young people taken from us way too early.
“It was brought to my attention that Ashbourne Community School had a little Garden of Remembrance within their grounds. So I paid a visit to the school and was given a lot of sound advice as to how to go about creating the same in Skryne.
“Before all that the trees had to be removed and the groundwork completed. All the above takes time followed by getting the smaller plaques designed and made up including a new sign for our ‘Lá Na gClub’ oak tree which is now 40 years old. So we now have a fitting monument here today to remind us of the young people we lost.”
Meath County Board GAA was represented by Gene Smith, and Fr Thomas O'Mahony, PP, performed a blessing of the new garden at the oak tree planted 40 years ago.
Those remembered were: Patrick Crocock (1961, 33); Jack Gordon (1962, 23); Finian Maguire (1968, 19); Brian Bennett (1978, 20); James Hughes (1979, 29); Mary Whyte (1980, 34); Sean Rodgers (1982, 18); John Reilly (1982, 27); Thomas Tobin (1983, 38); Thomas Curran (1983, 20); Gerard Hayes (1983, 24); Margaret Phillips (1983, 35); Anthony Bennett (1984, 21); Peter Byrne (1985, 30); Mary Byrne (1985, 26); Niamh Swan (1986, 19); Dolores O’Brien (1988, 34); Carmel Ruane (1989, 29); Johnny Munnelly (1990, 20); Noel Neville (1992, 29); Ger Critchley (1993, 28); Niamh Curry, (1996, 37); Paddy Browne (1998, 36); Aoife Begley (1999, 21); Geraldine McAvinney (2000, 20); Colin McCann (2002, 25); Shane Whyte (2002, 19); Ciaran McSorley (2004, 34); Matthew Hoban (2005, 27); Daire Maxwell (2007, 16); Sarah McGoldrick (2008, 21); Liam Tolan (2010, 18); Noreen O'Reilly (2011, 34); Isobel Rooney (2012, 6); Oliver McDonnell (2013, 37); Sean Lynch (2019, 34); Rosemary O'Reilly (2022, 35 ).
Skryne GFC - Dedicated to those who left us far too soon.