Death of popular Dunderry matchmaker, Tom Feeney

Famed matchmaker and popular Dunderry farmer, Tom Feeney, died on Wednesday in his 89th year.

He was well loved throughout the county as an old style matchmaker responsible for many successful marriages. He was also one of the founders of the famous Dunderry Fair, a long time member of the Scurlogstown Olympiad and had been a strong supporter of Navan Hospital, taking part in protests against possible downgrading.

Tom was a father of five, grandfather of sixteen and great grandfather of ten.

A native of Dunderry he had been a dairy farmer all his life. Sadly his wife, Kathleen died 20 years ago.

He has been a traditional matchmaker since the 1950s and indeed was responsible for his daughter, Olive's wedding to Gus.

He loved matchmaking, loved people and loved to talk.

Tom's father before him was a matchmaker and he became involved when still in his teens. He had spoken in the past about making his first match - back in the 1950s - and since then he had affected many successful matrimonial unions.

He always expressed his amazement at the number of people seeking his help in these modern times.

He was disappointed, but understood why Dunderry Fair could not go ahead during the pandemic and considered himself lucky to be alive having survived the virus very early in the pandemic.

In April 2020, there were joyful celebrations in Dunderry when Tom returned home from hospital after five weeks fighting Covid-19.

Family and neighbours gathered outside his home - at a social distance - clapping and blowing horns to welcome him home.

Then 86, Tom had also been clapped as he left Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, where he said he “couldn't have received better care.”

He said at the time; “The staff of the hospital were just wonderful. All of them - the cleaners, nurses, doctors, all the staff were so good to me. They did a fantastic job. Where would I be without them” .

Tom had always been a strong supporter of the Save Navan Hospital campaign and even travelled to Dail Eireann in support of the hospital.

Tom was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen, son, Dinny and his parents Denis and Kate. He is survived by his children, Anne (Callaghan), Olive (Martyn), PJ and Tommy, sons-in-law Oliver and Gus, daughters-in-law Niamh, Coryn and Jane, his 16 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great friends and neighbours.

His remains are reposing at his home (C15 HH90) this evening (Friday) until 8pm. His removal will take place tomorrow (Saturday) morning to the Church of the Assumption, Dunderry arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon and burial afterwards in the local cemetery. The house is private tomorrow morning.