Obituaries 22nd June 2013
Larry Daly, Trim
Last Friday’s Braveheart Run organised by Trim Athletic Club was a poignant one for the club as earlier in the day, it had laid to rest one of its founder members, Mr Larry Daly from Kilmurray. Last year, to mark the fortieth anniversary of the club, he was among those gathered to be honoured at the very same event.
During his lifetime, Mr Daly, who died on Tuesday of last week, aged 93, achieved notable sporting success in athletics and Gaelic sports, and was very involved in many other community organisations.
He was a dedicated and extensive farmer for most of his life, except for six or seven years when he worked in the building trade in Birmingham, where he married Betty, a member of the Keegan family from Carberstown, Trim.
When he was afforded a Testimonial by Scurlogstown Olympiad in 2008, the programme writer wrote that 'to say that Larry Daly’s entrance into this world was an explosive event would be true...
'Larry was born in 1921 on the very night that the IRA decided to blow up the bridge at Kilnagross, an event which impeded the journey of the nurse from Trim from attending the birth.'
Educated in Boardsmill NS, Larry Daly left school at the age of 14 years or according to himself, 'maybe a little bit before it.'
Deceased joined Kilmurray Cricket Club at the age of 15 and quickly made his name as a fielder. Not content with making it as a cricketer, he with his brother Paul and a few neighbours that included Pat Morgan, Pat Fay and Joe Darby founded Boardsmill Hurling Club.
During his sporting years, Larry won many medals and cups including a Junior Hurling Championship medal in 1947. Among the other medals were no fewer than nine for athletics. He was also the proud possessor of medal for Platoon Drilling which he received during his days in the LDF, while later during his time in the FCA he won a medal for cross country running.
However, Larry Daly’s most treasured possession is a runner up medal team which he got in an All-Ireland cross-country race. This was with the Stoneyford Club and the winning team that day included the great JJ Barry or the ‘Ballinacurry Hare’ as he became known. Barry went on to do a mile in four minutes and two seconds later.
Larry Daly formed the Trim AC BLE in 1972 and acted as treasurer for 15 years. He was also founder of the Community Games in Trim and Boardsmill. President of the Meath County Board AC BLE for a further 15 years, he also received a Sean Gael Award from the Meath GAA Board. Today, the Larry Daly Cup is awarded to the winners of the Meath Senior Cross-Country Championships.
There was a minute’s silence at the start of last Friday’s event in Trim in memory of Mr Daly. Trim official Ciaran Tobin paid tribute to him and there was a generous round of applause from competitors and spectators afterwards.
Mr Daly was an honorary chairman of the Royal Meath Show, Trim.
He passed away at the home of his daughter, Louise, on Tuesday of last week. Predeceased by his wife, Betty, he is survived by his family, Larry, Anne, John, Bernie, Angie and Louise; grandchildren; great grandchildren; brother Paddy; sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Patrick’s Church, Trim, followed by burial in St Loman’s Cemetery. Athletics Leinster, the Meath Athletics Board and local athletics clubs paid tribute to the deceased.
Fr Owen O’Leary, Dalgan Park
Fr Owen O’Leary ssc, St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, died in the Hermitage Medical Clinic on Sunday 12th May. He was a native of Readrinagh, Headford, Killarney, Co Kerry and ministered in Burma (Myanmar), Britain and in many parishes in Ireland.
Fr Owen endeared himself to many people and made life long friends wherever he worked. This was very evident by the large numbers who attended his removal in Dalgan and his funeral Mass and burial in the Community Cemetery. Many people travelled from Kerry and Cork, from the parishes where he worked and from many other places including his many friends in Co Meath.
He was a big man in every sense of the word and was very solicitous of others who were sick. He was a very familiar figure around the walks in Dalgan where many people come to walk and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the place. There was nothing he liked more than having a chat with the many people he met on the Dalgan walks.
Fr Owen was born on 8th January 1932, and was ordained priest in Dalgan on 21st December 1955. After ordination he was sent to study agriculture at Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. In 1957 he was appointed to Burma, and while awaiting his visa did promotion and mission appeal work in the USA over the next two years.
Deceased spent seven years in Burma and after language studies in the Bhamo area, he worked in Bhamo city as assistant, and later as pastor in Kajihtu. The conditions and climate were very difficult and even in those early years his health gave cause for concern. The Burmese Government had long restricted the admission of new missionaries. In 1965 they decreed that all foreigners with temporary stay permits could not have those permits renewed and would have to leave the country before the end of 1966. Sadly, Fr Owen had to leave in 1966, but he continued to support the diocese financially down the years. He had the joy of visiting Burma again 30 years later. In 2012 it gave him great pleasure that Aung San Suu Kyi was able to visit Ireland after so many years under house arrest.
After Burma there followed 10 years on promotion and mission appeal work for the Columbans in Britain and Ireland. This was followed by 12 years of pastoral work in various parishes in Limerick, Clare and Galway. He then served as Director of St Columban’s Nursing and Retirement Home, Dalgan Park from 1988 to 1996 before returning to pastoral work once again in Lahinch, Co Clare. He retired to St Columban’s in 2002 where he resided until his most recent illness.
Fr Owen was very proud of his Kerry roots and of Dr Crokes GAA Club in Killarney, for whom he had played, and whose jersey was placed on his coffin. Fr Owen’s sister, Phyllis O’Connor, Cullen, Millstreet, Co Cork, died on Monday of last week, having suffered a stroke the previous Thursday.
Fr Owen is survived by his brother Micheal, Readrinagh, Headford; brother-in-law, Padraig O’Connor; sisters-in-law, Peig and Evelyn; nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, friends in Burma, Britain, Ireland and his Columban Confreres.
The removal service in Dalgan was led by Fr Malachy Hanratty. The main celebrant at his funeral Mass was Fr Alo Connaughton. The homilist was Fr Charlie Meagher, and the final commendation at the end of Mass was by Bishop Bill Murphy, Bishop of Kerry. Graveside prayers were recited by Fr Colm Murphy. Annabelle O’Sullivan followed with a rendition of ‘Roisin Dubh’.
Kathleen Norris, Navan
The regretted death occurred of Mrs Kathleen Norris, Farganstown, Boyne Road, Navan in the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, on 8th June last, aged 74.
A native of Fennor, Slane, and formerly Kathleen Morgan, she moved to Lobinstown in 1968 when she married the late Joe Norris. In 1994 the family moved to Navan. She was predeceased by her husband, of the well-known car dealership, on 30th May 1994.
She is survived by her family, Gerry, Paul and John; sister, May Smith; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; relatives and friends.
The funeral Mass took place on Tuesday of last week from the Holy Cross Church, Lobinstown, followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. A months memory Mass will be held in the Holy Cross Church, Lobinstown on Saturday 6th July, at 7.30pm.
Christina Kerrigan, Boyerstown
There was great sadness over a wide area following the death on 8th May last of Mrs Christina Kerrigan, Boyerstown, Navan. She passed away peacefully at her residence, aged 80.
A member of the Lawlor family of The Lotts, Brownstown, Navan, she was a dedicated homemaker and an expert hand knitter. Deceased was involved in the church altar society in St Cuthbert’s, Boyerstown, for many years, and was also involved in the Beauparc Active Retirement Group until ill health prevented her from attending. Mrs Kerrigan took great delight in her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Noel; daughters, Marian, Anne, Noeleen, Caroline, and Brigid,; sons, Peter and Patrick; 12 grandchildren; sisters, Patricia, Skryne, and Bridget, London; sisters-in-law; brothers-in-law; nieces; nephews; relatives; friends and neighbours.
The funeral took place from St Cuthbert’s Church, Boyerstown, to the local cemetery.
Laurence Geraghty, Dunshaughlin
There was considerable sadness following the death on 26th April last of Mr Laurence (Sonny) Geraghty, Black Bush Farm, Powderlough, Dunshaughlin, at Heatherfield Nursing Home, Raynestown, Dunshaughlin, aged 96.
A native of Culmullen, he was predeceased by his wife, Maureen, in January 2009. Deceased spent most of his life farming, originally in Culmullen and from 1952, at Black Bush Farm. He was an accomplished sportsman, with his first win a junior football medal while in St Finian’s College, Mullingar, in 1931. He was the last surviving member of the Donaghmore team that won the 1942 Meath Senior Football Championship. Mr Geraghty was the Meath champion long jumper in 1944, and went on to achieve many more medals and titles for running and the high jump.
He is survived by his sons, Patrick and Enda, both Powderlough; daughter, Audrey, Blackrock; sister, Oliver Murphy, Quarryland, Dunboyne; brother-in-law, George Downes, USA; daughters-in-law, Brenda and Fiona; grandchildren, Patrick, Andrew, Rebecca, Karen, Matthew and Lauren; relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Martin’s Church, Culmullen, to the adjoining cemetery, celebrated by Fr Colm Browne, CC, Dunshaughlin.
Patricia McLoughlin, Kells
Mrs Patricia McLoughlin, O’Growney Terrace, Kells, who died on 14th May last, was the youngest daughter of Frank and Julia Farrelly of Kells. She was aged 80 and died at Beaufort Nursing Home, Navan.
Deceased enjoyed gardening and dressmaking and spending time with her grandchildren and friends.
Predeceased by her husband, William, in 2002, she is survived by her family, Mary McQuaid, Kells, Majella McGovern, Kells, and Billy McLoughlin, Virginia; brother, Alfie Farrelly, Kells; son-in-law, daughter-in-law; grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and extended family and friends.
The funeral took place from St Colmcille’s Church, Kells, to St Colmcille’s Cemetery. A month’s memory Mass will be held in Kells Church on Sunday 23rd June.
Veronica Richards, Kilmessan
The regretted death occurred on 29th May last of Mrs Veronica Richards, Skeine Abbey, Kilmessan, at the age of 45, at her residence.
A member of the Carty family of Waynestown, Dunboyne, she was daughter of the late Michael and Una Carty. She was a carer with the Irish Wheelchair Association in the general area over the past 10 years.
She is survived by her husband, Edward; brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives and friends.
She reposed at Kilmessan and Waynestown before a funeral Mass in St Oliver Plunkett’s Church, Kilcloon, and burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Eileen Casey, Julianstown
The death on 8th June last of Mrs Eileen Casey, Cooperhill, Julianstown, at the age of 92, occurred at her residence on 8th June last. She was formerly Eileen Walsh and a native of Tullamore, County Offaly, and also lived in London. She will be remembered as ever happy, smiling, gentle and kind.
Deceased is survived by her husband, Kit; son, Andrew, London; daughter, Debbie Carroll, Drogheda; grandchildren, Michelle Brent and Andrew Casey, London; great grandchildren, Amelie, Lucas, and Che; sister, Hannah, England and brother, Andy, Tullamore; daughter-in-law, son-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral took place from St Mary’s Church, Julianstown, to Moorechurch Cemetery.
Mary Craven, Enfield
The death of Mrs Mary Craven, Station Yard, Enfield, took place at St Joseph’s Community Care Unit, Trim, on 18th May last, aged 94. Formerly Mary Enright of Listowel, Co Kerry, she was predeceased by her husband, James Craven, in 1985.
Deceased had a great love of the Irish language, Irish music and gardening.
She is survived by her daughter, Eileen Payne, and sons, Eddie and James, all Enfield; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; relatives, neighbours and friends.
The funeral took place from The Church of the Assumption, Jordanstown, to the adjoining cemetery.