Dedicated librarian involved in sports clubs and community

Andy Bennett

The burial took place in Ardbraccan Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon last of Andy Bennett, of Neilstown, Bohermeen, who died peacefully at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, on Monday of last week, having resided in St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy, in recent years. The old graveyard with its ruined tower was a very apt setting for the burial of a man who had so much interest in the history and culture of county Meath through his work in the County Library in Navan.

Andy, also known as Sonny, was aged 77. He worked in the Local Studies Department of Meath County Library, and was always very helpful to anybody researching local or family history.

Meath County Council chief executive, Jackie Maguire, described him as "a gentle soul with a great mind and knowledge of many things which he imparted during his long career in the library service."

Those who had worked with him described him as "a kind and knowledgeable former colleague who wore his learning lightly" and as "generous and kind, with exceptional knowledge; a dedicated librarian who was always ready to go above and beyond the call of duty to serve the public."

As part of his work in the library, and before the advent of computerisation, Andy Bennett created an index to the Meath Chronicle archive, with over 5,000 entries at the time.

He was secretary of Bohermeen Athletic Club for most of the 1970s, and the club paid tribute to him, saying: "As a community man, he was always first to the organising table, and he left his hand and mark in many local clubs and organisations over many years. "When Bohermeen Athletic Club was formed in October 1969 in the backroom of Michael McLoughlin’s house, Sonny was one of those in attendance and he filled the role as secretary of the club for most of the 1970s, a role he also held with the Meath NACAI Co Board for a similar length of time, and was known and revered as an excellent officiator. "As an athlete with Bohermeen AC, he ran road and cross country races all over Ireland for more than a decade, featuring on many winning teams, and wore the Meath jersey on numerous occasions. He was a member of the Bohermeen winning team in the very first Meath half marathon championship in Bohermeen in April 1973 along with Colm and Vincent Rennicks.

“He was a member of the Bohermeen Meath NACA senior cross country winning teams of 1971 and 1974. "With the reformation of Bohermeen Cycling club about 1983, he also put his organising shoulder to the wheel as it were to help the club grow and was one of the main Waller Cup organisers for many years.

“In the 1980s, he was a familiar sight on the Newline and Bog Road as he was preparing to run the Dublin City Marathon, which he ran on a number of occasions, in aid of the senior citizens party locally.”

Andy was also involved with Bohermeen GFC in the 1960s and in 1970 as secretary, while this brother Christy was treasurer. He took part in many table quiz competitions, and oversaw many more.

He stood as a local candidate in the Bohermeen community Lord Mayor campaigns of the 1980s, raising funds for a parish project. He always had a very welcoming and friendly demeanor to everyone. Like many of his generation or his class in Bohermeen National School, one of their very first bus trips or excursions, or indeed their first time out of the parish would have been to Salthill or Bray on a local Pioneer excursion, which he often would recall with great fun years later.

He attended the old St Patrick's Classical School in Navan.

Predeceased by his parents, Patsy and Kate; brothers, Pat, Terry, Christy and Tom; and sisters, Nan and Dolly; Andy is survived by his brother, Seán; sisters, Venie, Cathy and Breege; sister-in-law, Mary; brother-in-law, Danny; nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.

A funeral took place from St Ultan's Church, Bohermeen, to Ardbraccan Cemetery, celebrated by Fr Andy Doyle, PP, Bohermeen.