Obituaries 18th May 2013

Michael Kenny, Dunshaughlin

When Noeleen McManus, an Irish Times writer, visited 'Dunshaughlin’s local butcher by trade and historian by nature' in 1990, she had heard stories so vivid that 'I hardly knew whether I’d meet a 20th century shopkeeper there or a local from centuries before' when she walked out onto the street.

She had been despatched from the newspaper to write a feature article about Dunshaughlin, and her first - and only - port of call was Mickey Kenny, in his butcher’s shop at the Old Toll House.

McManus wrote: 'He is a man who has made the study of local history a lifetime’s passion, and who talks about crannogs and Parnell the way most people talk about detached houses and the local elections.'

Mickey Kenny had told her: 'The place is reeking with history - the locality, never mind the county' before bringing her on a journey from St Seachnall to Lagore Crannog and its Dunshaughlin Brooch, Trevit graveyard, through 1798 to the Famine and the workhouse, Parnell, 1916 and local involvement in the troubles of the 1920s.

It was a journey he brought many on over the years, and he made his own final journey through Dunshaughlin on Saturday last, before being laid to rest with his wife, Regina, in St Seachnall’s Cemetery. The colourful cortege from Dunshaughlin Church at the top of the village, to the old cemetery, was led by his 1936 Austin 10, his Irish wolfhound, Seachnall, and the old Green Hibernian Harp Flag of the Croppies.

Born in July 1926, Michael Kenny was the youngest of the family of nine of Peter Kenny, the local postman, and his wife, Roseanne, of Main Street. Over the years, he gathered an oral history and a written collection of historical documents, and delighted in sharing his wealth of knowledge with those working on local history books.

Oliver Coogan, in his 1989 ‘History of Dunshaughlin, Culmullen and Knockmark’ wrote than an ’invaluable source was the vast store of knowledge possessed by Mickey Kenny, a man with a great sense of both heritage and environment’. In 1997, John Donohoe said that Mickey Kenny’s ‘in-depth knowledge of Dunshaughlin’ was the main source of information for ’Dunshaughlin Through the Years’. And in 2007, to mark the 25th anniversary of Dunshaughlin’s Church of St Patrick and St Sechnall, Mickey Kenny himself was commissioned to produce a book on the history of the parish by the Pastoral Council.

In his introduction to this, he wrote that 'this is not so much an in-depth history of our parish as snippets of information that may help newcomers (and maybe not such newcomers!) know a little more about their adoptive parish.'

Despite the fact that he was in his 82nd year, he had happily set about his task - meeting with colleagues and submitting articles, proof-reading, collecting and taking photographs and driving to the printer in his vintage Austin.

He was involved in Meath Archaeological and Historical Society; Rathfeigh Historical Society, and in 2008, instigated the establishment of the Dunshaughlin and District Historical Society. Mickey Kenny led many historical walks around the village and area for local historical societies and schools, and anybody seeking their family roots in the area called to him for assistance, as well as many newspaper and television production companies.

Deceased, along with John Holland and Jim Gilligan, established the Dunshaughlin Heritage Trail, and he did a huge amount of work on the Meath Fieldnames Project. Mr Kenny financed the restoration of the Famine graveyard at Ballinlough Workhouse, and was also very involved in plans to house a heritage centre at the old courthouse.

But history was just one facet to a life of 87 years, and the many others were caught by his daughter, Rosemary, in a graveside eulogy on Saturday. She said that hers was an ordinary family, with an extraordinary father.

'There are many words to describe him,' she said. 'He was the historian, the farmer, the businessman, the hunt enthusiast, the boxer, the dancer and the athlete.'

But mostly, she said, he was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and to many, young and old, simply a dear friend.

She said that as one of his dear friends grieved, she was struck by the wonderful knowledge that he did not belong just to his family, 'but to all of you, the people who made up part of his everyday life'.

She recalled how he fought his way through his butcher’s apprenticeship, often pedalling his delivery bike furiously to avoid a confrontation with a particular housekeeper who would criticise the quality of the meat delivery.

'If he got to Oberstown Cross on time, he could intercept and hand off the delivery to a returning estate worker,' she said.

'He fought to acquire the business and having been refused by the bank, turned to a friend instead for the finance, promising to return the money with interest in two years.

'She urged him not to make any rash promises, but being a man with a plan, he proudly returned it within five months.'

Although not directly from farming stock, he had an affinity with the land. It was his grounding resource in every respect, to walk twice daily to count the cattle, register the seasons of pick primroses for Regina, Rosemary recalled.

'He loved his land, his cattle, and the friends who helped him work it - Paddy Troy and Dinny McCarthy, to name a few. Many a discussion took place in Seamus Flynn’s or Hughie McCarthy’s.'

She described how her father loved the hunt, and followed it for years in his red van, and how he remained active right to the end, receiving delivery of 29 cattle only in the last few days, intending to continue his farming, as he always did.

Mickey Kenny first established a butcher’s business in Dunshaughlin, at the Arch Bar, in the 1950s, while his wife Regina ran a grocery and sweetshop there. Later, he moved to the Old Toll House, where a succession of butchers had operated over the years, following a tradition set by Jim Reynolds of Trim, who visited with a stall once a week early in the last century. In 1961, he also took over the butcher’s shop at Oberstown, which remained in business until the end of the 1990s. Frank Naughton operated the Skryne business, while Pat Crosbie worked in the Dunshaughlin shop, which closed on Mr Kenny’s retirement in May 2001.

Boxing, athletics and football were all popular sports in Dunshaughlin in the 1940s and 1950s when Michael Kenny was a young man, and he was successful in many competitions. He dedicated more of his time to athletics but won a junior football championship with Dunshaughlin in 1950 and served as treasurer and chairman of the football club. He usually lined out in attack or centre-field.

He won several county championships as a sprinter and long jumper, and also boxing competitions at welterweight level. He was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association.

In October 1956, Michael Kenny married Regina Fowler from Ashbourne. She passed away in 1999. Mr Kenny was awarded Community Person of the Year in Dunshaughlin in 2010 in recognition of his contribution to the community.

Mr Kenny died peacefully, and at peace, on Thursday morning last.

At his funeral Mass on Saturday, Fr Joe Clavin, PP, paid tribute to Mickey Kenny’s contribution to the parish and community of Dunshaughlin over his lifetime.

He was assisted by Fr John Kerrane, Culmullen, and Fr John Moorhead, PP, Eglish, Co Westmeath. Family members took part in the ceremony and the church choir provided the musical accompaniment.

Mickey Kenny is survived by his family, Bob, Cork, Brendan, Dublin, Rosemary, Slane and Cathy, Dublin; sons-in-law, Padraic and Karl; daughters-in-law, Máire and Lauren; grandchildren, Alex, Sam, Sadbh, Orlaith and Sean; brother-in-law, John Fowler; nieces; Derek and nephews; relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Last Sunday’s scheduled Famine commemoration at Dunshaughlin Workhouse was postponed as a mark or respect to Mr Kenny, and is now expected to take place later in summer.

 

Christy Reilly, Laytown

 

The death of Mr Christy Reilly, Alverno Heights, Laytown, on 20th March last, was the source of widespread regret. Aged 93, he was a native of Laytown and was predeceased in 1988 by his wife, Margaret.

He is survived by his family, David, Teresa Durnin, Ann Floody, Rita Connolly, Mary Martin, Tony, Chris, and Gabriel; their families; relatives and friends. Deceased worked the land all his life. He played hurling, and traditional music. The funeral Mass took place from Laytown Church to Reilig Mhuire, Piltown.

 

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Mary O’Brien, Tierworker

The regretted death occurred on 26th April last of Mrs Mary O’Brien, Carnaville, Tierworker, Kells, at St Oliver Plunkett Hospital, Dundalk, aged 88. Deceased was a member of the Smith family, Coolnahinch, Moynalty, and was predeceased by her husband, Michael, in 1992.

She is survived by her son, John, Carnaville; daughter, Deirdre; daughter-in-law, Martina; grandchildren, Katie and Shane O’Brien; sister-in-law, Annie Smith, Coolnahinch, Moynalty; nephew, Noel Smith, his wife, Clare and family, Ballybofey, Co Donegal; and niece, Clare Fanthom, her husband Mark and family, Killucan, Co Westmeath.

The funeral took place from the Church of the Assumption, Moynalty, to the adjoining cemetery. A month’s memory Mass will be held on Sunday 26th May at 11.15 am in Moynalty Church.

 

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Eveline Tevlin, Kilskyre

There was widespread sadness following the passing of Mrs Eveline Tevlin, Boltown, Kilskyre, Kells, on 6th April last, aged 81, at her home.

Deceased was a member of the McIntyre family of Peru, Moynalty, and was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Matthew, in 2011.

Deceased is remembered as a simple family woman who was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was proud supported of the Meath football team.

Mrs Tevlin is survived by her sons, Paul and Noel; Drumbaragh; daughter, Elizabeth Vallis, USA; daughters-in-law, Tina and Patricia; son-in-law, Bob; and grandchildren, David, Matthew, Mark, Chloe and Emily; relatives and friends.

The funeral took place from the Church of St Alphonsus Ligouri, Kilskyre, to the adjoining cemetery.