Obituaries 18-12-2010

The Funeral Service for the late Lieutenant Colonel Ronnie MacMahon, who died on Saturday, takes place today (Wednesday), in St Patrick's Cathedral, Trim. Lt Col MacMahon (69), of Lambertstown, Kilmessan, a former Officer in Command of the Army Equitation School and an international equestrian competitor for Ireland, passed away after a short illness. He represented Ireland in the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976, having spearheaded the Army's expansion into the sport of eventing. Born during the war years in Rathfarnham, Dublin, deceased grew up in a world surrounded by the horse. His father took great pride in showing young potential jumpers and eventers around the capital, and in the RDS, and Lt Col MacMahon once told equestrian journalist Michael Slavin of Tara that “as far back as he could remember, his greatest joy was to be on the back of a pony, riding to the end of the world across endless fields.†He was a seasoned rider with the South County Dublin Hunt. He was only 18 when he joined the Army Cadet Corps with the sole intention of entering the world famed School of Equitation at McKee Barracks in the Phoenix Park, to follow in the 'hoof prints' of great equestrian ambassadors for Ireland like Ged O'Dwyer, Fred Corry, Dan Ahern and Michael Tubridy. Before his two years of cadet school at the Curragh had finished, he was posted to McKee and was soon part of the international team along with riders like Billy Ringrose, Ned Campion and Larry Kiely. He had been a winner with Irish junior teams and his first major Dublin call-up was as part of an Army team competing against both a civilian side and a British side in a competition arranged domestically due to a ban on horse travel to the continent in 1966, as swamp fever had broken out. His first major trips abroad were to Nice, Rome and then New York, Washington and Toronto on the North American circuit. In 1971, with Ned Campion and Billy Ringrose, he won the Nations Cup in Fontainbleau, France, ahead of the Italians. Always a man of foresight and innovation, he saw that he newly evolving sport of three day eventing - international horse trials - was perfectly suited to the Irish horse, and convinced the powers at McKee to add it to the Army's agenda. The then Captain Ronnie MacMahon rode San Carlos to second place behind Olympic champions at Badminton in 1970; won the International Championship at Punchestown in 1971; and was selected for the Olympic Games at Munich in 1972. He again rode in the Games at Montreal in 1976 and in the 'alternative' equestrian Olympics at Fontainbleu in 1980. In addition, he had ridden to fourth place in the 1970 World Championships behind Mary Gordon Watson, Richard Meade and the great Jimmy Wofford of the USA and had also taken a team bronze medal for Ireland at the 1971 European Championships in Burghley. Deceased retired from active competitive riding in 1980, with the rank of Commandant, and was appointed trainer at McKee. He then took on the same role for the Irish International Team and was its chef d'equipe for seven years, including at the Olympic Games in Seoul and Barcelona. In 1999, having served as trainer and two years as Officer in Command at McKee Barracks, Lt Col MacMahon officially retired. In more recent years, he had been working in Dubai as adviser and head of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. In 1974, Comdt Ronnie McMahon married Judy Preston of Swainstown House, Kilmessan, also an accomplished rider, and the MacMahons developed a world class equestrian course at Lambertstown in Kilmessan, which has hosted many events and had visits from the late President Patrick Hillery and Princess Haya of Jordan. Their daughters, Clare and Emily, have also continued the family tradition in horse racing and equestrian games. He is survived by Judy and daughters, Clare and Emily; sister, Arlene; extended family and friends. The removal took place to St Patrick's Cathedral on Tuesday evening with the Funeral Service taking place there today (Wednesday) at 12 noon, followed by a private cremation. ____________________________________________________________ Mick Morris, Bective It is a term that is not often used these days, when describing somebody who dedicated a lifetime to the Gaelic Athletic Association. The annals of the Meath Chronicle over the years have often described somebody, particularly on their passing, as a 'great Gael'. It maybe a term which has gone out of fashion, but it is one which certainly can be applied to Mr Mick Morris of Bective, who passed away on Wednesday last, aged 74. Two of his great passions in life were the GAA and politics, and both Cumann Luthchleas Gael and the Fianna Fail party were prominent at his obsequies last week in Robinstown and Dunderry. Deceased was a founder of Bective GFC almost a half a century ago, and was a player, referee and administrator in the intervening years. A native of Martry, Mr Morris played his early football there and with De La Salle juvenile club in Navan. Prior to the setting up of the Bective club, he played with Dunderry. In 1998, when Bective was officially opening its newly developed grounds at Cannistown, he recalled the setting up of the club in 1964. He remembered himself and a few others were kicking a football around in a field. “We sat under a tree on the Cannistown Road to take a break from the sun,†he recalled. “The conversation turned to football and I said we should form our own club in the Bective area and the others all agreed. We used a field that belonged to Mickey Cassidy as our first pitch, and bought a new set of jerseys for 24. Our next pitch was in Bective village and was owned by Pat Lynch. We won our first championship in 1982 from Eddie McKeever's field, and were in another field owned by Seamus Tully before we bought in Cannistown from the Foley family.†While success was slow at coming for the club, Mr Morris was a member of the fledgling club that unsuccessfully contested a Junior B final against Skryne in 1967, putting over a point for the Bective side. He played at full back, and the Number 3 jersey was placed on his coffin last week. He recalled the club being less expensive to run then as it is now. Fundraising dances were held in Kilmessan Hall, making a profit of about £23 per dance, often with just two dances needed in a year to keep the club going. At the very start of the club, the members had to contribute a few shillings a week to buy footballs and the like, he recalled. Bective won the old Division 3 FC twice and Mick Morris was very proud of Ruairi Russell and the team that was crowned Meath JFC champions in 1997. Tom Keating he regarded as the best Bective player he had seen. Mr Morris served for decades as club secretary and later became chairman, and was country board delegate for almost 40 years. He served as secretary of the Juvenile Football Board, and after his playing days refereed a great deal, becoming a major influence on fellow clubman Joey Geraghty who followed in his whistling footsteps. He was dedicated to the Bective club, and was a constant figure to be seen collecting at the gate or maintaining the grounds. In 2001 he was presented with the Meath Co Board Hall of Fame award at an event in Kells which saw Ollie Murphy win player of the year for his Leinster and All-Ireland performances of that year. He also received the Bective GFC Hall of Fame award and was honorary president of the club at the time of his passing. In 2006, he was the recipient of a Meath Gaa Sean Gael award, and in 2008 received a Meath County Board special merit award from Cathal Seoighe at the Bective GAA dinner dance. In 2002, along with jockey Adrian Maguire, he was installed on the 'Wall of Fame' at Bective Bar and Lounge, joining writer Mary Lavin. Deceased was also a dedicated soldier of destiny, supporting the Fianna Fail party and was secretary of the Robinstown Cumann for many years. He was also a keen party activist and canvasser. Mr Morris worked in the construction industry, with Kilmessan builder Cormac Murray and later with Hugh O'Neill contractor of Inchicore in Dublin. He was predeceased in 1987 by his wife, Dympna (nee Doyle, Balsoon); and is survived by his family, Noel, Bective, John, Kildare; Shay, Navan; Ada Doyle, Kilmessan; Mikie, Robinstown; and Colin, Bective; grandchildren; great-grandsons; daughters-in-law; son-in-law; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nephews, nieces, extended family and a large circle of friends. Guards of honour were provided by the Bective and Dunderry GAA clubs, as well as members of the Defence Forces, colleagues of his son, Sergeant Major John Morris, who is based at the Curragh. The funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr Noel Horneck, PP, Dunderry, and Fr Terry Toner, PP, Kilmessan, took place from Robinstown Church to Dunderry Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ John Coloe, Clonard and Celbridge The death occurred on 4th December last of Mr John Coloe, Celbridge, Co Kildare and formely of Tycroghan, Clonard, Enfield. He passed away peacefully, aged 49, at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Deceased is survived by his partner, Eleanor; stepchildren; mother, Roseline; brothers, Dominic, Paul, Robert, Kevin; sisters, Veronica, Dolores and Georgina; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Prayers took place at Glenashling Nursing Home, Celbridge, with removal to St Finian's Church, Clonard for Requiem Mass, which was followed by burial in adjoining cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Catherine Maguire, Robinstown There was widespread sadness following the death on 17th November last of Mrs Catherine Maguire (85), Robinstown, at Knightsbridge Care Centre, Trim. A native of Longwood, she was a member of the Murtagh family and wife of the late Thomas Maguire, who died in March 2002. Mrs Maguire was a long time member of Bective ICA, and her interests were handcrafts and flower arranging. Deceased took a great interest in the local parish activities and was a daily Mass goer, involved in earlier years in the Church Altar Society. She enjoyed the friendship and support of her wonderful neighbours in Robinstown. The removal took place to the Church of the Assumption, Robinstown, with burial in Dunderry Cemetery following Funeral Mass. A month's memory Mass takes place on Sunday next, 19th December, at 9:30am in Robinstown Church. ____________________________________________________________ Hugh Olwill, Tierworker Great sadness was occasioned over a wide area by the recent death at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, of Mr Hugh (Hughie) Olwill, Carnaville, Tierworker, Kells, at the age of 87. Mr Olwill farmed all his life on the family farm at Tierworker, and worked closely with his late brothers, Tommy and Peter, on their farms. He was a noted ploughman with horses in his younger days, working with and helping out his neighbours. He loved playing cards and followed Meath's footballing exploits with great interest. Predeceased by his brothers, Peter and Tommy, and sisters, Nan, Katie and Ellie, deceased is survived by his sister, Betty Cooney, USA; sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins in Ireland and the USA. The funeral took place from Newcastle Church to Moynalty cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Anne Quigley, Cannistown The peaceful death at her residence of Mrs Anne Quigley, Cannistown, Navan, at the age of 91, occasioned much sadness in the Navan area and further afield. Deceased had worked in the Department of Education and later taught at Loreto Secondary School, Navan, and St Michael's Primary School, Trim. She was wife of the late Patrick Quigley NT, who passed away in 1988. Mrs Quigley is survived by her sons, Paul, Rory and Conor; grandchildren, Aran, David, Robert, and Caroline; extended family, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery, on Saturday 4th December.