Recent deaths 24-07-10

There was widespread shock across the music industry last week at the news of the sudden death on Thursday last of promoter Derek Nally, at the age of 59, at his home in Silverstream Avenue, Drogheda. Mr Nally was a son of the late Jack and Maura Nally of Warrenstown, Drumree, and displayed an interest in the music industry from an early age, well known as a DJ in local and Dublin discos before going into promotion and management. Tributes were paid to him from across the music world when news of his death became known. He had most recently been managing singer Juliet Turner and Kells band Ham Sandwich. Turner's album 'Burn The Black Suit' was released on Hear This, the label set up by Derek Nally for the purpose, and the record went multi-platinum in Ireland. Niall Stokes, editor of music magazine Hot Press, said Mr Nally was very proud of his success with Turner, and that they created something magical together. "She is a very different and individual kind of talent, who doesn't fit any of the accepted pop norms, but together they succeeded in crossing over into the mainstream in the most unpredictable way," he said. A tireless champion of new Irish talent, Mr Nally was also central to the success of rockers Ham Sandwich. Their debut album 'Carry The Meek', which debuted at 23 in the Irish album charts, was released on their own label, Route 109 Record. He was in the middle of plans to get the band back on track in 2010, with a new album lined up for the autumn. There was very little that Derek didn't know about early rock 'n'roll, country music and soul, and he loved the music of people like Guy Clark, Tony Joe White, James Burton and Townes Van Zandt, many of whom he promoted. He was especially proud of some of the shows he ran as a promoter, especially with the likes of James Burton, who had been Elvis Presley's guitar player, Niall Stokes said. Derek Nally was also, for a long time, booking agent for Whelan's and The Village and promoted his own shows around the country. In 1982, Hot Press and Mr Nally promoted a gig together at Punchestown, the first rock festival ever to take place on the Kildare race track, which now hosts Oxegen. The line-up was brilliant and it should have been a huge success but The Rolling Stones announced a gig in Slane Castle within a week of it, and - as was the case all over Europe that year - it was like a steamroller had started up, crushing everything else that was happening. "He was always interested in what was going on in the world," Niall Stokes said in a Hot Press tribute. "He was passionate about Ireland and was appalled at the way it had been brought to its knees. He had a conscience, which informed everything he did. And he was a great conversationalist. He believed that by discussion, argument and debate you could change things - or at least you could try." Tributes to Derek Nally have been flowing in on the Hot Press website. He is survived by his wife Dairín and their children Rachel, Sara and John; father and mother-in-law, Richard and Sarah Morgan; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephew; nieces; relatives and friends. His funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Drogheda, to Calvary Cemetery, on Monday of this week, where Fr Denis Nulty was the chief celebrant. The attendance included many figures from the music industry including Paddy Casey, David Kitt, Juliet Turner, who sang at the mass, and Luka Bloom. _____________________________________________________________ Francis Quinn, Robinstown and Navan There was widespread shock across the music industry last week at the news of the sudden death on Thursday last of promoter Derek Nally, at the age of 59, at his home in Silverstream Avenue, Drogheda. Mr Nally was a son of the late Jack and Maura Nally of Warrenstown, Drumree, and displayed an interest in the music industry from an early age, well known as a DJ in local and Dublin discos before going into promotion and management. Tributes were paid to him from across the music world when news of his death became known. He had most recently been managing singer Juliet Turner and Kells band Ham Sandwich. Turner's album 'Burn The Black Suit' was released on Hear This, the label set up by Derek Nally for the purpose, and the record went multi-platinum in Ireland. Niall Stokes, editor of music magazine Hot Press, said Mr Nally was very proud of his success with Turner, and that they created something magical together. "She is a very different and individual kind of talent, who doesn't fit any of the accepted pop norms, but together they succeeded in crossing over into the mainstream in the most unpredictable way," he said. A tireless champion of new Irish talent, Mr Nally was also central to the success of rockers Ham Sandwich. Their debut album 'Carry The Meek', which debuted at 23 in the Irish album charts, was released on their own label, Route 109 Record. He was in the middle of plans to get the band back on track in 2010, with a new album lined up for the autumn. There was very little that Derek didn't know about early rock 'n'roll, country music and soul, and he loved the music of people like Guy Clark, Tony Joe White, James Burton and Townes Van Zandt, many of whom he promoted. He was especially proud of some of the shows he ran as a promoter, especially with the likes of James Burton, who had been Elvis Presley's guitar player, Niall Stokes said. Derek Nally was also, for a long time, booking agent for Whelan's and The Village and promoted his own shows around the country. In 1982, Hot Press and Mr Nally promoted a gig together at Punchestown, the first rock festival ever to take place on the Kildare race track, which now hosts Oxegen. The line-up was brilliant and it should have been a huge success but The Rolling Stones announced a gig in Slane Castle within a week of it, and - as was the case all over Europe that year - it was like a steamroller had started up, crushing everything else that was happening. "He was always interested in what was going on in the world," Niall Stokes said in a Hot Press tribute. "He was passionate about Ireland and was appalled at the way it had been brought to its knees. He had a conscience, which informed everything he did. And he was a great conversationalist. He believed that by discussion, argument and debate you could change things - or at least you could try." Tributes to Derek Nally have been flowing in on the Hot Press website. He is survived by his wife Dairín and their children Rachel, Sara and John; father and mother-in-law, Richard and Sarah Morgan; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nephew; nieces; relatives and friends. His funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Drogheda, to Calvary Cemetery, on Monday of this week, where Fr Denis Nulty was the chief celebrant. The attendance included many figures from the music industry including Paddy Casey, David Kitt, Juliet Turner, who sang at the mass, and Luka Bloom. _____________________________________________________________ Elizabeth Bradley, Scurlogstown There was widespread regret following the death on 3rd July last of Elizabeth (May) Bradley, Scurlogstown, Trim, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, aged 73. A member of the Harte family, she was predeceased in 1970 by her husband, Jim, and in 1971 by her son Gerard. A native of Trim, she lived in Scurlogstown for some 70 years. Deceased is survived by her son, John; daughter-in-law, Miriam; grandchildren, John G and Andy; sister-in-law, Nuala Harte; brother-in-law, Sean Brogan; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Trim, to St Loman's Cemetery. A month's memory Mass will take place in St Patrick's Church on Sunday 8th August at 12.30pm. _____________________________________________________________ Joe Smith, Navan There was widespread sadness following the death on 28th June last of Mr Joe Smith, Gainstown, Navan, aged 82, at his residence. Mr Smith, who had been a farm labourer, was predeceased by his wife, Margaret, in 1996. He is survived by his son, Sean, Gainstown; brother, Tony, Alexanderaide, Navan; sister, Margaret Baker, Gainstown; sister-in-law, Phil, Alexanderaide; nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Mary's Cemetery.Edward Costello, Kiltale Mr Edward (Ned ) Costello, Kiltale, Dunsany, who died on 6th July last, was the last surviving member of his generation of the Costello family of Kilmessan. Aged 87, he passed away at Heatherfield Nursing Home, Dunshaughlin. Mr Costello was retired from the maintenance staff of Teagasc Grange and was still active in the community up until a couple of weeks before his death. He had a great interest in GAA affairs and was honorary president of Kiltale GAA club at the time of his passing, with the club forming a guard of honour at his funeral, along with the staff of Teagasc. Deceased had a great love of traditional music and singing and attended the weekly Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann sessions in Warrenstown, Dunsany and Moynalvey over the years. Mr Costello also went on many enjoyable holidays to England, Jersey and the Isle of Man with Comhaltas. He was also a member of Scurlogstown Olympiad. His other interests included gardening, and when his family was younger, he grew most of the vegetables needed. He also grew flowers and maintained his hedges and lawns right up to the time of his death. Predeceased by his wife, Vera, in 2003, Mr Costello is survived by his daughters, Maria Lyons, Bettystown; Christine Brennan, Kilmessan; Janet Lenehan, Trim; Helen Costello, England; sons, Ted, Kiltale; Joseph, Summerhill; Gabriel, Kiltale and Martin, Trim; 12 grandchildren; in-laws, relatives and friends. The funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Kiltale, to the adjoining cemetery. A month's memory takes place in Kiltale on Saturday 7th August at 6.30pm. _____________________________________________________________ Elizabeth McEvoy, Navan Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) McEvoy, Connolly Avenue, Navan, who has died, was a member of the Kane family of Trim Road, Navan. Aged 83, she passed away at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on 26th June last. She is survived by her husband, James; sons, Gabriel and John; daughters, Marie and Jacinta McEvoy and Rosario Bright; brothers, Benny and Sean; sisters, Bridie and Phyllis; extended family; neighbours and friends. The funeral took place from St Mary's Church, Navan, to St Finian's Cemetery. _____________________________________________________________ Kathleen O'Brien, Slane Mrs Kathleen O'Brien, Cruistown, Slane, whose regretted death occurred on 11th May last, was wife of the late Michael O'Brien, who died in 1997. Aged 83, she was daughter of the late Englebert and Elizabeth Kuss, formally of Brews Hill, Navan, and was educated at St Joseph's Convent of Mercy, Navan. Deceased was a keen piano player and won numerous prizes for music, and was also an Irish dancer. Mrs O'Brien was a past employee of Spicer's Bakery, Navan. She is survived by her sister, Alice Quinlan, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim; sisters-in-law, May Kells, Slane; Alice Gough, Slane; and Phyllis O'Brien, Slane; nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. The funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Slane, to St Erc's Cemetery.