Death of Anna McEnroe, Dunboyne

There is great sadness in the Dunboyne area at the death of Anna (Annie) McEnroe (née O’Reilly) of Cushinstown, Dunboyne and formerly of Rose Hill, Mullagh, Co Cavan yesterday (Thursday).

Anna, who was in her 106th year died at home surrounded by her family. Her late husband, John, died in May last year, just ten days short of his 99th birthday.

She celebrated her 105th birthday just before Christmas and was hale and hearty up until about three weeks ago.

She attended mass in Dunboyne on Easter Sunday with her son, Sean and his family and attended a friend's wake a few days later.

Anna, who lived in her own home with help from a full-time carer, received letters from President Michael D Higgins and Tanaiste, Micheal Martin to mark her 105th birthday. She also received a medal from President Higgins, presented to centenarians each year they mark another birthday.

At the time, she said she had no real recipe for long life, but she never smoked and just took an occasional glass of whiskey. She was a fantastic cook and used fresh vegetables from the garden.

For most of her life she walked into the village and back every day, a total of three miles.

Anna did great work for her local community over the years - which led to her receiving the Benemerenti medal from Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. It was presented to her by Monsignor Dermot Farrell (now Archbishop of Dublin) for her work with the church and community.

Anna O'Reilly was born 22nd December 1919 at Rosehill, Mullagh and was one of a large family, known as The Jontys of Mullagh.

As a young girl she worked at home on the family farm and went to school in Mullagh. She worked hard on the farm and in the bog.

Her brother, the late Tommy O'Reilly was the founder of the Mullagh and Navan co -ops.

Anna emigrated to England after World War II, and worked for a time in a doctors office. She met her husband John McEnroe, who is originally from Munterconnaught and they were married in 1960.

They moved back to Ireland in 1962 and settled in Dunboyne. Anna and John had one son, Sean, who is married to Mandy and they have two sons, Aaron and Darragh.

On moving to Dunboyne, Anna soon became very active in her adopted home - she joined the local branch of the ICA and later became president of the Dunboyne branch.

When Fr O’Reilly started the social services in Dunboyne, Anna, became involved in the Meals-on-Wheels where she continued cooking and coordinating until she was 90 years of age.

She was a member of the Dunboyne Flower Club and the Dunboyne Retirement Group and loved to spend time in the garden making sure the flowers are all doing well. In recent years, she switched on the Dunboyne Christmas lights along with John and the couple were Grand Marshals of the local St Patrick's Day parade.

Anna always had a positive outlook. She read the paper every day, watched the news. She knew what was going on in the world and loved to see people coming. “She was always been happy and jolly and loved talking to people.

Anna is survived by her son, Sean, her grandchildren Darragh and Aaron, sister, Ita, daughter-in-law Mandy, Kathleen, extended O’Reilly family, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Her remains will repose at her home on Sunday afternoon (May 25th) from 2pm. The removal will take place to SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Dunboyne on Monday morning (May 26th) arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in the New Rooske Cemetery.