Obituaries 07-01-2012

Mr Lawrence (Larry) Dunne of Gormanston, who died on Wednesday 28th December last, was a prominent cyclist in the days when the sport enjoyed a high profile in Meath and the county produced many successful teams and individuals in such events as the Rás Tailteann, now the An Post Rás. Mr Dunne, who was a member of St Patrick's Cycling Club in Stamullen, was one of those riders who enjoyed success with a stage win in a Rás, a particularly tough stage in 1960. He won the stage from Killarney to Kilkenny, a distance of some 209 kilometres, over a time of five hours and 40 minutes, on day seven of the eight day Rás in 1960, beating cycling's 'Iron Man', Mick Murphy of Kerry, the 1958 Ras winner, into second place. A founder member of the Stamullen cycling club, he took up cycling in the 1950s, and rode in the 1959, '60 and '61 Rás Tailteanns. He was on the Meath team when fellow clubman Ben McKenna won the Rás in 1959, and also achieved success in many inter-county races and Meath championships, as well as at official sports meetings across the country. He rode grass track as well as road racing. Mr Dunne won the Lanco Cup on one occasion, a 100-mile race organised by the National CC of Dublin. When he retired from the bicycle saddle, Mr Dunne followed the Rás for many years on motorbike, as part of the services team. In 'The Rás - The Story of Ireland's unique bike race' by Tom Daly, Larry Dunne is to be seen on motorbike in a photograph of Frank Reilly winning a stage in his home town of Navan in 1964. Deceased was driving Reilly's support motorcycle, with passenger Jimmy Gough. A highly regarded, unassuming and quiet man, Mr Dunne farmed at Gormanston, where he was well known for his supply of local farm produce. He was also a keen GAA fan and followed the local St Patrick's club and the Meath team. His son, Noel played at all grades for St Patrick's, and Larry and his wife, Ann, would always be there to cheer the team on. Aged 70, Mr Dunne died at his residence, following a three-month illness. He is survived by his wife Ann; son, Noel; daughter, Helen; grandchildren, Neala and Nisha; son-in-law, Eoin; daughter-in-law, Ingrid; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. His funeral took place from St Patrick's Church, Stamullen, to Balscadden Church Cemetery. Donations in his memory, if desired, can be made to Meath Specialist Palliative Care Service. ___________________________________________________________ Marie Mitchell, Johnstown The regretted death of Mrs Marie Mitchell, Johnstown, Navan, took place at the Mater Private Hospital on 2nd August last. Aged 68, she was a member of the Duffy family that originated in Nobber and came to Johnstown in 1937 with Bernard McEntaggart Building Contractor. Deceased kept a watchful eye on all members of the McEntaggart-Malone children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and Sr Valerie Malone FMM was very close to her to the very end. Mrs Mitchell was employed by Navan Carpets all her working life. She was a member of the local Johnstown Drama Group and took part in many productions, and excelled at singing. She was a talented camogie player with Johnstown in her younger days and always showed great skill on the field. She will be fondly remembered by her team mates, friends, and all who knew her. Deceased had a keen interest in sport and followed the Meath senior football team wherever and whenever they played. Mrs Mitchell is survived by her husband, Jim: brother, Phil Duffy, Navan; sisters-in-law, Lorelie and Maralin; nephews; nieces; relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, George and Rose Duffy, and brothers, Seamus and George. The was a large attendance at the funeral which took place from Johnstown Church to Old Kilcarn Cemetery. ____________________________________________________________ Molly Devany, Athboy There was considerable sadness following the passing of Mrs Molly Devany, Barnes Avenue, Athboy, on 8th December last, at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. A native of Frayne, Athboy, Mrs Devany (nee Gaffney), was predeceased by her husband, Tim, in 1988. She is survived by her sister, Sheila; nephews and nieces. The funeral took place from St James' Church to St James' Cemetery, Athboy. ____________________________________________________________ Brigid Donnelly, Tara The burial took place on the Hill of Tara on Monday of this week of Mrs Brigid Donnelly, Hill House, Tara, who died peacefully at her residence on New Year's Eve. Mrs Donnelly was wife of the late Pat 'Red' Donnelly, a prominent Meath footballer and hurler in the 1930s and 1940s. A member of the Dixon family, Longwod, she was in her 93rd and was a district nurse prior to her marriage to Pat Donnelly. She is survived by her son, Joe; daughter, Ursula McKeown; grandchildren, Richard, Sally, Louis and Liam; sisters, brother, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and friends. Following a reposing in St Joseph's Chapel of Rest, Johnstown, her remains were removed to St Colmcille's Church, Skyrne, for Monday's funeral Mass celebrated by Fr Thomas O'Mahony, PP, Skryne. Burial afterwards took place at the Hill of Tara Cemetery. ___________________________________________________________ Mary Rowland, Kilmessan There was great sadness at the recent death of Mrs May Rowland of Grange Boyne, Kilmessan at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, at the age of 86. Originally a member of the Corley family of Clogher, Breaffy, Castlebar, she was predeceased by her husband, Tom Rowland in 1993. Deceased arrived up to Meath on her wedding day in 1954, but was always proud of Mayo and was a frequent visitor there. She kept in touch by reading the Connaught Telegraph every week, loved keeping in touch with friends near and far and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She was a great cook, loved animals, knitting, sewing, and gardening and was a very hard worker. She loved her bicycle and rode it up to her 80th year. She cycled to Trim most week days and on the way would call in on neighbours and friends to see if they were OK, needed anything done and to get whatever messages they needed. Mrs Rowland took driving lessons but decided she would rather cycle than drive. She was a member of the Trim Active Retirement Club for over 25 years and loved it. Thanks to Ann and Ted Murtagh she got to see a lot of the country with her friends and had a great old time. Deceased is survived by her daughters, Mary Murray, The Rath, Kilmore, Breda Fortune, Cootehill, Teresa Buggle, Leixlip, Kathleen Towland, Trim and Imelda O'Toole Rathmolyon; son, Thomas Rowland, Grange Boyne; sister, Kitty Durcan; brother, Ben Corley, Turlough, Castlebar, grandchildren and in-laws. Her funeral took place from the Church of the Nativity, Kilmessan to the adjoining cemetery.