Obituaries 6th september

Joe O'Rorke, Kells

(Written by Noel Shine for Meathtoday.com)

When news filtered through on Wednesday 9th July of the passing of Joe O’Rorke, there was a huge sigh of collective sadness from those who had been privileged enough to know him. However tenuous the connection, all knew instinctively that the market town of Kells had just been deprived of a part of itself.

‘Smokey’, as he was affectionately known, was one of those rare individuals who lives long enough to be regarded as a bit of a legend in his own lifetime. As a long-time publican, he had become a tangible part of the character of the town. For, it is primarily the people who populate an area who make up a town. The impassive bricks and mortar serve merely as the back-lot from where our dreams are woven.

As a teenager, I first met Joe while waiting for the bus to Dublin. The bus stop was then outside the door of his premises. I would duck into his pub out of the rain or to use the ‘Gents’. I would buy a glass of Coke so as not to come across as a complete scab. I liked the pub and himself because they both seemed tied to another era. An era when pubs bustled with free-flowing banter, fireside fiddles, card-playing, pool and unforgettable nights. An era which was infused with the smell of briquettes, Sweet Afton, porter and Brylcreem. The type of pub where farmers probed one another for information and townies exercised their minds about cars and girls. A place where never a sorry word was spoken, unless in jest. Back then the pub was the place to go, not somewhere you ended up.

In latter years, I frequented his establishment because even if I had changed in the intervening years, Smokey’s had not. Some see change as progress. Sameness however affords one a sense of permanence, tradition even. Smokey’s effortlessly achieved what a thousand more ‘Irish’ pubs strained to replicate. And all this without having to resort to hanging a bicycle from the ceiling or pepper the walls with stolen road signs or brewery ephemera.

The colour TV remained as Smokey’s only passing nod to modernity. Even then it was turned down unless the news, the Angelus or the Sunday Game was on. Smokeys was that rare place where a friend could have a conversation with another and not have to compete with the din emanating from a prolifery of sub-woofer speakers. Further, Smokey and his good lady wife, Ann, still held court to a loyal band of customers they called friends. Especially on Saturday night, when the ‘silence’ would be broken by the sudden dispersal of disgruntled card players (and presumably one happy one!) This was the cue for all remaining to finish up and for Smokey to steal out on to the street and give his old buddy, Joe Dunne safe passage to the other side of the road. When he returned, we definitely had to leave and bid ‘Goodnight’.

I brought my camera in one Saturday night in May 2013 for the sole purpose of recording this disparate group and their ring leader for posterity.

I had thought that Smokey would have been wary of it and any implied intrusion and so I gave him forewarning many times. In any event he not only acquiesced but offered to open up the old Bar which had been out of use for over two decades and gave me the grand tour of the house. The fact that he took me into his trust in this fashion was at once humbling and an honour. I will not forget this soft-spoken gentleman for his wit, his kindness, his generosity of spirit or for never changing, but always remaining Smokey. God bless and 'same again' Joe. - NS.

Joe O’Rorke is survived by is wife, Ann; sons, Gerard and Joseph; daughters, Adrienne, Catherine and Anna; sisters, Mary Teresa and Agnes; grandchildren, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, relatives and friends.

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

Elsie Mitchell, Navan

The death occurred peacefully on Monday 4th August last of Elsie Mitchell (nee Toner), Woodlands, Navan, at Beaufort House Nursing Home, Navan.

She was predeceased by her husband, Dick, in 2003, her brother, Fred and sister, Kay.

Elsie and Dick were married in 1954 and had five children. She lived most of her life in Navan and also resided in Kentstown for a number of years.

Deceased was a hard-working and dedicated mother who loved to bake for her growing family. She was involved in fundraising for Rehab and other mental health organisations in Meath and once ran for Admiral of the Boyne in the eighties to raise funds for Rehab.

Elsie liked to read and listen to music enjoying musicals and dramas, she had a great sense of humour and enjoyed a good laugh.

She is survived by her family, Rita, Jim, Trevor, Audrey and Margaret; daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy; brothers, Kevin and Austin; nieces and nephews and a large circle of friends.

The funeral mass was celebrated by Fr Kevin Heery at St Mary’s Church, Navan, on 8th August, with burial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Navan.

Martin Keane, Bohermeen

There was great sadness following the death of Martin Keane, Newline, Bohermeen, Navan, in Our Lady’s Hospital, on 16th August last, aged 70.

Deceased worked as a carpenter and civil engineer in England and Ireland, he was an avid fan of Leinster rugby, Mayo and Meath Gaelic football, and Irish music. He also was a fluent Irish speaker and had a keen interest in history.

A native of Faulmore, Blacksod, Mayo, Martin is survived by his wife, Julie; daughters, Maria and Debra; son, Martin Jnr; grandchildren, Cíara, Lúcia, Amy, Martin and Joseph; son-in-law, Michael, daughter-in-law, Rhona; brothers, Joe, Stephen and Tony; sisters, Mary, Bridie, Nora and Sarah; nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass was held in St Ultan’s Church, Bohermeen on Monday 18th August followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Frances Hickey, Kingscourt

There was widespread sadness following the death of Frances Hickey, (nee Clarke), Rolagh, Kingscourt, at her home on 25th August last, aged 77.

Deceased, a native of Rolagh, was a devoted housewife and loving mother and is survived by her husband, Philip; sons, Philip, John, Paul, Kieran and Martin; daughters, Bernadette, Margaret, Jackie, Caroline and Fiona; sisters, Bridie, Mary, Jenny and Martha; along with a large extended family including 15 grandchildren.

The funeral Mass took place on 27th August in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kingscourt followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.