Obituaries 27th July 2013
Eugene MacMahon, Kilmainhamwood
The regretted death occurred on 26th June last, of a popular Meath farmer, Eugene MacMahon. Gene, as he was fondly known, was the second eldest in the family and was one year and eight months younger than his brother, Sean. He started school in Kilmainhamwood at the age of four. In 1932 that was very young for a little boy who lived about a mile-and-a-half from the school. The reason for his early enrolment in junior infants was triggered by his brother. Sean entered school in early summer. After a few days in infant class he refused to continue unless his little brother accompanied him so Gene was sent along too.
At the end of nine years in national school and reckoning that his education was sufficient he decided not to pursue his studies through seventh class which was then on offer in all schools. His main interest lay in rural life and farming so he stayed at home to assist his parents on the family farm. Even though he did not proceed to second level education - and he was highly intelligent - he still amassed a vast amount of general and particular knowledge at what we term 'The University of Life'.
Rural Ireland of the early 1940s was a quiet place. Music, then, as now, created some considerable diversion. With the initiative of his two brothers, Sean and Patsy, his cousin Eugene Cassidy, and others from the locality, The Gleann na Smol Ceilidhe Band, was born. In fact, modern and classical music was also very much part of that band’s repertoire. Gene played the chromatic accordion. He had a lovely tenor voice but seldom sang in public. When he did the air fell silent. His ability to memorise poetry was amazing but only in his twilight years did he sometimes recite long stanzas for some of his sisters. The band was under the tuition and direction of Gene’s talented cousin, Joe Cassidy who was simply a musical genius. It performed at venues all over the north Meath area.
At the age of nineteen, Gene gained employment at Gypsum Industries, Kingscourt. Soon, he was assigned to the operation of the borer in speculating for Gypsum mineral locally in Cavan and Monaghan and further afield in such places as Northern Ireland, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Tipperary. He spoke a lot in recent times of the dance halls he frequented on those trips – the Arcadia in Bray and the Top Hat in Dunlaoighaire, to mention but a few. A good swimmer, Gene spent many summer evenings in Brakey Lake. His Sunday hobby was often in the open country with his dog and his gun. He had a keen interest in GAA matters and was a good footballer who played with the Kilmainhamwood team of yesteryear.
After many years he resigned from Gypsum to devote himself full-time to his land, his cattle, his sheep and his horses of an earlier period. Described by those who knew him as a true gentleman and a kindly neighbour he lived the quiet life in the home built in 1818 as a parochial house and purchased in 1888 by his great–grandfather, Michael MacMahon, from Raferagh, Carrickmacross.
From around 1800, he was the fifth Eugene in an unbroken line in the family. The sixth, Patsy’s son, is in New Jersey, USA.
In October 2012, in declining health, Gene took up residency in Millbury nursing facility in Navan. At the end of eight months of impeccable, generous care, he passed away quietly and peacefully minutes after his two sisters, Maureen and Julia bade him good-night. The large attendance at his funeral services in Millbury Nursing Home Chapel of Rest, Navan and in Kilmainhamwood was indicative of the popularity of this grand serene and courteous gentleman.
Chief mourners of his passing are his brothers, Sean MacMahon, North Carolina, USA, Patsy MacMahon, New Jersey, USA, Dolly McGuinness, Kells, Maureen Murchan, Moynalty, Agnes Curran, Wales, Kitty O’Connell, Ratoath, and Julia Murtagh, Kingsourt, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grandnephews. Gene MacMahon was laid to rest in St Mary’s cemetery, Moynalty alongside his father, John and his mother Agnes, grandparents, John and Elizabeth and uncles, Michael and Tom.
A month’s memory Mass will take place on Friday 2nd August at 7pm in Church of the Sacred Heart, Kilmainhamwood.
Frances Mary O’Connor, Castlebar & Trim
The regretted death occurred on 4th July last of Mrs Frances Mary O’Connor of Monageeraun, Glenisland, Castlebar, Co Mayo, a member of the well-known Griffith family from Trim.
Mrs O’Connor, who was 72, died at Mayo General Hospital.
She was originally from Haggard Street, Trim, a daughter of the late Adam and Julie Griffith.
The former Ms Griffith worked with the Trimproof company in Trim in the early 1960s. She married MB O’Connor in 1962 and moved to Westport, Co Mayo in 1979, and subsequently to Glenisland, Castlebar, in 1981.
She was a keen gardener and also liked to play cards.
Deceased is survived by her husband, MB, and family, Geraldine, Joseph, Julienne, Martin, Padraic and Angela; brothers, Joe and Robbie Griffith, Trim; sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The funeral Mass was celebrated on 8th July in Glenisland and interment took place afterwards at Glenisland Cemetery.
Anthony Reynolds, Kilmessan
There was widespread sadness following the death on 29th June last of Anthony Reynolds, Curtistown, Kilmessan, at Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Trim, aged 93.
A native of Galtrim, he was the last surviving member of his generation of the Reynolds family, and carried out a number of farming enterprises at Curtistown.
Anthony Reynolds will be remembered as an amazingly active and busy person, but never a man in a hurry, always stopping to chat with friends and neighbours. He made a lasting impression on everyone he worked for, and everyone at his reposing had a story to tell about his ploughing, rotavating, grinding corn, and work with animals over the years. He made such a lasting impression on everyone he worked with that they became lifelong friends.
He was a many of varying talents - local children remember lining up on a Saturday for a haircut from Anthony in the 1950s and ‘60s, when hairdressers were only in the large towns and cities. Many of them are still known by the pet names he called them. He made all his own furniture for his modest home in Knocktown, where he lived and worked for a while, and many locals were lucky to get a wedding present of a dresser or table made by him at night classes in Trim. His flower garden was admired by all and he grew all his own vegetables. He was proud to win many prizes at the Royal Meath Agricultural Show in Trim.
Deceased had a great love of all animals, especially dogs and horses, and Meath Hounds huntsman Kenny Henry paid him a wonderful tribute at his graveside by playing ‘Gone to Ground’ on the hunting horn. Anthony Reynolds always took a day off when the Meath Hunt or Ward Union hunts were near by.
He retired after a hip replacement in 2005, but still loved people to call for a chat and advice about farming.
When he was not able to live alone after a mild stroke, he moved to live in Knightsbridge Nursing Home in 2010, where he was cared for and was very popular with all the staff. He had a constant stream of visitors, his neighbours from Curtistown Road, and many friends from Kilmessan, Kiltale and further afield.
Mr Reynolds was predeceased by his wife, Annie, in 2003, and son, Johnnie, in 1994. He is survived by his family, Noel, Kilmessan; Jim, Dunshaughlin; daughters, Anne, Tallaght, Mary, Moynalvey, Colette, Curtistown; sons-in-law, Philip, Jude and Francis; daughters-in-law, Maura, Marie and Carmel; grandchildren, great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; relatives and friends.
The funeral Mass took place from the Church of the Nativity, Kilmessan, to the adjoining cemetery, celebrated by Fr Denis Sandham, Order of St Camillus, and Fr David Brennan, ADM, Moynalvey-Kiltale. A month’s memory Mass takes place on Sunday 4th August in Kilmessan Church at 11am.
Larry Wright, Kells and Liverpool
The death has occurred peacefully following a short illness of Larry Wright, St Colmcille’s Villas, Kells, and Liverpool, in Our Ladys Hospital, Navan, aged 57.
Larry will be remembered as a very colourful character and personality around Kells and Liverpool. At the young age of 24, He left his home town and set up a new life in Liverpool where he remained until recent weeks when he returned home to spend his final days with his mother and extended family.
He was cared for with great love and attention, and had the opportunity during this short time of his illness to meet family and friends.
His untimely death shocked the entire community and was expressed at the large number of people who attended his wake, removal, funeral Mass and burial. The funeral Mass in St Colmcille’s Church, Kells, was concelebrated by Fr John Byrne, PP, Kells, and Fr Dwayne Gavin CC, Navan, a nephew of the deceased.
Fr Gavin, delivering a homily, spoke of how Larry loved his family and loved to keep in contact with his Irish roots, and the many acts of kindness he carried in his adopted city of Liverpool.
Deceased was a close friend of Charlie Landsborough whose music was played during the funeral Mass and a personal tribute was received by the family from the singer. The burial took place in St Colmcille’s Cemetery.
Mr Wright was predeceased by his father, Patrick; and wife, Joan, and is survived by his mother, Angela; daughters, Nathalie and Pamela; brothers, Francis, Anthony, Thomas, Gerard; sisters Marie, Rita, Patricia, Catherina, Martina, Joan, Angela; granddaughter, Abigail; nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts and a large circle of family and friends.
Sarah Nugent, Carnaross
The passing of Sarah Nugent, Carnaross, Kells, on 16th June last, was the source of considerable sadness across the area. Aged 74, she died at her home following a short illness.
Deceased was a member of the Murtagh family, Proudstown, Navan, and dedicated her life to creating a loving and happy home for her husband, Peter, and family, and caring for her extended family. She enjoyed cooking, arts and crafts and took huge pride in her garden. Her positivity and courage during her illness were an inspiration, and she received great support from Meath Palliative Care and Irish Cancer Society.
Mrs Nugent is survived by her husband, Peter; daughters, Mary and Jane; sons, Thomas, Peter and Patrick; grandchildren, Emily and James, Laura and Peter; sisters, Kitty Murtagh, Proudstown, Navan, Josie Sheehan, Drimnagh, Dublin, Clare Duffy, Boyerstown, Navan; brothers, Jimmy, Freddy, John and Patrick Murtagh, all Navan; sons-in-law; daughters-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; relatives, neighbours and friends.
The funeral took place from St Ciaran’s Church, to the Holy Family Cemetery, Carnaross.
Frank Moran, Trim
Sadness over a wide area was aroused by the recent death of Mr Frank Moran of Mornington Close, Trim, which occurred at his home. He was aged 63.
A native of Kildare, he was a talented blocklayer and among his interests were football, dancing and singing.
Predeceased by his daughters, Rosemary in 2007, and Tracy in 2009, deceased is survived by his wife, Theresa; son, Patrick; grandchildren, Leela and Cal; sisters, Brigid, Mary and Martina; daughter-in-law, Pauline; nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.
His remains were removed to St Patrick’s Church, Trim, and the funeral took place afterwards to St Loman’s Cemetery, Trim.
A month’s mind Mass will take place in St Patrick’s Church on Sunday 11th August at 12.30pm