Details from Michael Dawson with thanks:
MRS NANCY LAWLER
The death took place on Tuesday 27 December of Mrs Anne (Nancy) Lawler, Ballykealey Lodge, Ballon. Aged 81, she was formerly Nancy Egan from Rathoe. Nancy worked as a baker and confectioner in Carlow and Dublin before marrying her husband, James, in 1965. A quiet woman, her only interest outside her family and home was television. Her remains reposed in Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to St Patrick’s Church, Rathoe for Requiem Mass followed by interment in the local cemetery on Thursday 29 December. She is survived by her sons James (Cork) and Patrick (Ballykealey), brother Paddy (Rathoe), sisters Bridget (Kilcoole), Jane (Tullow), Carmel (Rathoe) and Peggy (Carlow), daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, James.
MRS PEG BOLGER
The death took place peacefully on Sunday 11 December in the loving care of the management and staff of Riverdale Nursing Home, Ballon of Mrs Peg Bolger, Ballon Village. She was formerly Peg Flynn and was aged 93 years. Peg lived in the village all her life and along with her late mother, Mary, were the church sacristans for a long number of years. Following the death of her mother Peg continued in that role for a further long number of years. Between them they gave over 75 years of service to the church.
A very religious woman Peg attended daily mass, was a member of the church choir and was known throughout the village for her kindness, good nature and cheerfulness. She loved her village and its people and in return Peg was well respected and highly thought of by all those that knew her.
Her remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Pater and Paul, Ballon on the evening following her death and burial took place in Ballon cemetery after Requiem Mass on Tuesday13 December. Peg is sadly missed by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and by her many neighbours and friends in Ballon village. She was predeceased by her husband Jim in 2002.
MRS PEG BARRY
The death took place peacefully on Wednesday 16 November at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny of Mrs Margaret (Peg) Barry, Ballinadrum, Ballon. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday on St Stephens Day. Formerly Peg Doyle from Ballon Hill she was one of four daughters and one son born to the late Martin and Nan Doyle. On finishing school Peg worked locally as a domestic in various houses in the locality. She married Rex Barry in 1946 and the couple had five sons. A quiet woman, Peg never got involved with any of the local organisations or clubs and preferred to spend her spare time knitting, reading, doing crosswords and watching television.
Her remains reposed at Kearnery’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Friday 18 November and burial took place in Ballon cemetery after Requiem Mass on the following morning. The late Mrs Barry is survived by her sons Liam (Bagenalstown), Marty (Ballon), David (Kilnock) and Richard (Carlow); her sister Kitty Crowe (Dublin); brother Sean Doyle (Ballon Hill), and by her daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Rex in 2009 and by her son John in 2015.She was also predeceased by her sisters Mary-Ellen Thompson and Betty Harris.
FR PADDY MOORE
Fr Paddy Moore, whose death occurred on Wednesday 9 November at St Patrick’s, Kiltegan was formerly from The Blind Road, Grangeford, Rathoe. Following the completion of his secondary education in 1941 Paddy joined St Patrick’s Missionary Society in Kiltegan and was ordained to the priesthood on Easter Sunday 1948 in Killamore Church by Bishop Moynagh. The newly ordained priest started his missionary journey later that year in the Old Calabar Diocese in Nigeria where he spent twenty years. When the Biafran civil war broke out in 1967 Fr Paddy had to leave Nigeria and return to Ireland and from 1967 to 1970 he was on loan to the Ardagh Diocese. From 1970 to ’75 he ministered in the Kiltegan part of the parish of Rathvilly and in 1975 he returned to Nigeria to the Archdiocese of Lagos where he ministered until retiring to St Patrick’s in 1995. Fr Paddy’s remains reposed at St Patrick’s, Kiltegan prior to burial in the Society Cemetery on Saturday 12 November. He is survived by his sister Sheila Brennan (Kill, Tullow), sister-in-law. Annie Moore and by his nephews and nieces and their families and by his Society family. He was predeceased by his sister, Anne (McDonald) and by his brothers, Billy, Tommy and Joe.
MS LILY NOLAN
The death took place in London on Thursday 22 September of Elizabeth (Lily) Nolan, formally from Altamont, Kilbride. Daughter of the late Jim and Maria Nolan she spent most of her life working as a theatre nurse in various hospitals in England. She also worked in Iran where she made many friends from all over the world. Cremation took place in London. Lily is survived by her brothers Dick (Altamont) and Tom (Castletown) and by her-sister-in-law, niece, nephews, great-niece and great-nephew. She was predeceased by her sister, Theresa.
MRS KATHLEEN PERCY
The neighbouring communities of Ballon, Clonegal and Kildavin were plunged into shock and sorrow following the sudden death of Kathleen Percy, Ballykealey, Ballon on Wednesday 24 August. Aged 72, she was formerly Kathleen Coleman, one of ten children of Ned and Kathleen Coleman, Craan, Clonegal.
On leaving school Kathleen went to work in St Patrick’s Missionaries in Kiltegan before moving to Dublin as a shop assistant. While there she met Ivan Percy whom she married in 1965 in England and the couple had two children, Monica and Sean. They remained in England until 1978 and on return lived in Ballymore Eustace for a time before purchasing The Fighting Cocks Bar and Lounge in 1981. Tragically Ivan was killed in a traffic accident in 1985 and Kathleen sold the premises and retired to Ballon.
However, retirement for Kathleen didn’t mean putting her feet up and she soon got involved in the community, initially with Ballon Improvement Group and then with its chief fund-raiser, Siopa Glas, as a volunteer. She juggled her time there with taking care of her two grandchildren, Tadhg and Shauna. Kathleen loved her home and her garden both of which were maintained immaculately and she still found time to read, listen to country music and watch sport on television but a walk with her friends in the evening was something that she treasured above all.
Kathleen was a jovial person who loved the craic but was also kind and generous and a great friend and neighbour. Her 15 minutes of fame, she claimed, was her interview on television when Monica participated in Operation Transformation.
Her remains reposed at Lennon’s Funeral Home in Bunclody before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Friday 25 August and she was laid to rest in Kildavin Cemetery after Requiem Mass on the following day. The huge crowds that attended both the removal and funeral were a true indication of Kathleen’s standing in the neighbouring parishes.
Kathleen is survived by her daughter Monica (Forge Meadow); son Sean (Brighton); grandchildren Tadhg and Shauna; brothers George (Craans), Paddy (Kildavin), Eamon (Dublin), Sean (Harpenden, England) Gerard (Ardattin), and Seamus (Luton); sisters Ann (Lismore), Breda (Ballykealey) and Mary (St Albans) and by her brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
DEATH OF WILLIAM BAYLEY
The death took place on Tuesday 16 August at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny of William (Willie) Bayley, Bendenstown, Rathoe. He was aged 91 years. A farmer from the age of fourteen, Willie was a man of quiet disposition who loved nothing better than for his neighbours and friends to drop in for a chat. One of his early interests was the cinema which was, in turn, was replaced by television. He also like to read and The Farmers Journal was a particular favourite. Ploughing matches were also high on his lists of interest and while sport didn’t figure much in his life he did dabble in rugby in his early years.
His remains reposed at his home before being removed to All Saints Church, Aghade on Thursday 18 August for Funeral Service followed by committal in the adjoining churchyard. Willie is mourned by his sister Edie Hatton (Bendenstown) and nephews Alan and Ivan Hatton, other nephews and nieces, extended family members, kind neighbours and friends. He was predeceased by his sister, Rosie (Elmes) and brothers Sam, John and Ben.
MRS MAUREEN BROPHY
A great sadness fell on the Rathoe area and far beyond on Wednesday 3 August following the untimely death at St Luke’s Hospital Kilkenny of Maureen (Mary) Brophy (nee Rogers), Kilcool, Rathoe. An active woman, Maureen took great care of her health and it was a huge shock that, at 64 years of age, she suddenly fell seriously ill on Sunday 31 July.
Maureen was born in 1952 and was the youngest of four children of the late Thomas and Mary Rogers. She spent all her life in Kilcool, the original Rogers family home. She met her husband Mick (Michael) Brophy nearly 50 years ago and they would
have celebrated 45 years of marriage in September. The couple have four children, three boys and a girl.
Maureen worked all her life, her places of employment included Kellistown Chickens, Braun, Fighting Cocks Pub and various cleaning jobs as well as rearing her own family and minding her grandchildren. Her main interests were various sports especially rugby, she also enjoyed her walk, and was a great fan of the TV soaps. She had great faith and regularly attended Sunday morning mass in Rathoe as well as the various church services throughout the year.
Maureen’s remains reposed at her home before being removed to St Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Friday 5 August for Requiem Mass followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Maureen will be sadly missed by her heartbroken husband Mick; sons JJ (Maganey), Thomas (Ballynunnery) and Gerard (Leighlinbridge); daughter Michelle (Carlow Town); brother Jimmy (Rathoe); sisters Marie Bermingham (Kernanstown) and Lilly Dermody (Bagenalstown); daughters-in-law, Michelle, Julie and Mary and her daughters partner Keith; grandchildren Barry, Kenneth, Niamh, Michael, Hannah and James and great-grandchild, Kelly and by her brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
PAT BYRNE RIP
Pat Byrne, Castlegrace House, Ballon died peacefully at his home on Sunday 31 July following a short illness that was bravely borne. Aged 66 years, Pat left school at the age of 14 to take over the running of the family farm and enjoyed every minute of his work. He was a brilliant and progressive farmer who took great pride in his work and looked after his animals as well as he did his land. He transported his own beet to Carlow Factory and had the distinction of drawing in the last load on the day the factory closed. Although a busy man, Pat always made time for a chat with his neighbours and friends. He loved his community, loved to help others and never looked for anything in return.
One of Pat’s hobbies was horses, both breeding and racing, and had success with many of them including ‘Castlegrace Boy’ ‘Thunder Road’ and ‘Castlegrace Paddy’ and each year, once the work was done, he was off to the Galway and Listowel meetings. Although he never played, he was a GAA enthusiast and was a keen follower of the Ballon club.
His remains reposed at his home before being removed to SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Ballon on Tuesday 2 August for Requiem Mass and burial took place in Ballon cemetery immediately afterwards. The huge crowd that attended bore testimony to Pat’s standing, not alone in the local area, but much further afield.
Pat is mourned by his wife, Rose; daughters Annmarie White (Kilkenny) and Mairead Ewing (Dublin); sons William (Castlegrace) and Padraig (Sandbrook); sisters Mary Gowing (Portlaoise), Bríd Kearney (Fenagh) and Kay Burke (Kilkenny); brother Michael (Borris); sons-in-law Tobias and Ken; daughters-in-law Eimear and Antoinette; grandchildren Áine, Maeve and Jack; brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, kind neighbours and friends.
MRS MARY LAWLER
The death took place at her home in Sragh, Ballon on Friday 8 July of Mrs Mary Lawler. She was in her 90th year.
An only child of Andrew and Anne Kearney she married Carlow GAA star Johnny Lawler, the right full back on the Carlow 1944 GAA team, in 1947 and the coupled farmed at Sragh raising a family of seven sons and eight daughters.
Along with her husband they kept greyhounds and raced several successfully. Mary loved sport and her taste varied from Grand Prix racing to snooker to GAA.
Her remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Ballon on Sunday 10 July and burial took place in Ballon cemetery the following morning.
Mary is survived by her sons Michael (Roscommon), Andy (England), Sean (England), PJ (Sragh), Oliver (Grange), Ger (Carlow) and Luke (England), daughters Kathleen Blick (Bradford), Margaret Byrne (Newcastle, Co Wicklow), Anne Greenwood (England), Breda O’Brien (Laragh), Bernie Barry (Carlow), Vera Rahilly (Listowel) and Siobhan Lawler (Cork) as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Johnny, in 2000 and by her daughter, Mary Griffin, in 1998.
DEATH OF MAURICE O’NEILL
Maurice O’Neill, Ballon, historian, author, farmer and visionary died in St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Wednesday 6 July. Aged 95 years, Maurice’s contribution to Ballon and its people was immense and although he had been inactive for some time his legacies to this area will live on for years to come.
Maurice provided land for the new school in Ballon and also for the new cemetery. When the old national school became vacant in 1969 Maurice was amongst the first to see that the old stone building would be ideal for an industry and bring some badly needed jobs to the village. By 1971 MCGonnell Brothers, manufactures of uniforms for the defence services had moved in creating up to 20 jobs. He was also instrumental in getting Deacon’s Sawmills (now Murray Timber) to set up in Ballon.
As a farmer Maurice was interested in all things farming and was involved in Ballon Dairies, Bunclody Co-Op and Clover Meats and was to the fore in the formation of FBD and getting funding for the setting up of AFT (now Teagasc). He was involved in both Macra na Feirme and the IFA, holding the chairmanship of both organisations at county level as well as serving on the national executive of both.
For most of his adult life Maurice was concerned about education being accessible to all. He was a great supporter of the vocational education movement from its infancy in the form of roving woodwork and cookery teachers, to his involvement in the board of Tullow Community School.
Maurice was a lifelong Pioneer and was never afraid to speak of his views on the harm that he had seen alcohol cause to families in his time.
History, both local and national, was one of Maurice’s interests and over the years he put pen to paper with local jottings which he eventually published as a book entitled ‘A Social History – Reflections on Changing Times’ in 2006. The publication, a compilation of insights on the people of his time and the ways they co-existed, was well received and a copy can be found in most homes in Ballon. Another of Maurice’s interests was question-time and during the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s was a regular competitor on winning Ballon teams.
Maurice’s remains reposed in Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Thursday 7 July and burial took place in Ballon cemetery after Requiem Mass the following day.
Maurice is survived by his wife, Anastasia; children Anne (New York), Tom (Kilkenny), John (Kilkenny), Mary (Kildare), Catherine (Dublin), Christine (Dublin), Peter (Thailand), Gerard (Ballon), Eileen (Armagh), Maurice (Dublin) and Jane (Dublin); brother John (New Zealand), daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in 1996 by his brother Tom, historian and author of ‘The Great Hunger’ and Eamon de Valera’s official biography.
DEATH OF PAT CURRAN
The death took place at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Saturday 28 May of Pat Curran, Connaberry, Ballon. Aged 88, he was the youngest and last surviving member of a family of eight. A native of Marley, St Mullins, Pat moved to Ballon in 1966 following his marriage to local girl, Marie Dowling. He worked as a maintenance carpenter with Carlow County Council until his retirement in 1988.
Apart from his family Pats great interest was music and song. He played the accordion, melodeon and fiddle and regularly performed at Rambling House gatherings and was known to have done the occasional stint in the local lounges.
Having worked as a carpenter all his life it was natural that working with wood also featured high on his list of hobbies following retirement.
His remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Monday 30 May and burial took place in Ballon cemetery after Requiem Mass the same day.
Pat is survived by his wife, Marie, son Padraig (Glasgow), daughters Mary Ó Fhlatharta (Inis Oirr, Aran Islands) and Mairead Curran (Connaberry), son-in-law Micheál, two grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
MRS BRIDGET HARRIS
Mrs Bridget Harris, whose death took place at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Saturday 23 April was formerly Bridget Hutton from Rathoe. Aged 89 years, she lived in Wolfehill, County Laois with her husband, Leo, until his death in 2008 following which she moved back to Rathoe. Her remains reposed at her nephew, Fergus Hutton’s home before being removed to St Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Monday 25 April. Following requiem mass in Rathoe she was buried with her husband in Ballylinan cemetery. Bridget is survived by her brothers, Tom (Rathoe), Vesty (Carlow), sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and other relatives.
PATRICK CANAVAN RIP
The death took place on Wednesday 2 March of Patrick Canavan, Castle Park, Ballybane, Galway and formerly of Killane, Ballon. Aged 58, he was son of Mrs Mae and the late Sean Canavan and spent most of his working life in the army. Patrick is mourned by his wife Bridie, son John, daughters Marie and Linda, mother Mae, brothers Matt, Jim, Ned, Mike, Gerry and Willie, sisters Ann and Mary, in-laws, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his brother Joe. Interment took place in Bohermore cemetery in Galway.
EILEEN NOLAN RIP
The death occurred at St James’ Hospital, Dublin on Thursday 4 February of Miss Eileen Nolan, Ballon and Hazelmere, Naas, County Kildare. Aged 57 years, she was daughter of Tommy and the late Lizzy Ann Nolan, Ballon and had been bravely battling cancer for three years.
Eileen started work in Kildare County Council in Naas after finishing her secondary education at the Brigidine Convent in Tullow. She loved her work there and was very good at it. Conscientious in everything she did and ever the professional, her hard work was rewarded with promotions. Kildare County Council benefited greatly from her great organisational skills. Naas became her home Monday to Friday but almost every weekend she returned to Ballon to her family and up to the time of its closure in 2007 she often helped out in the family shop.
Gifted with a sweet singing voice Eileen took part in Tops of the Town with Ballon in the 1970 and ‘80s and later one of her great passions in life was her choirs, of which she was a member of three- Nás na Rí, the Millicent Singers and the Kildare County Council choir. She enjoyed the social side of the choirs too and looked forward to any night out.
Eileen also liked to travel and although she didn’t like flying she did not let her fear deter her. One of her last major journeys was undertaken five years ago when she travelled to Australia to visit relatives.
Eileen’s remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Saturday 6 February for Requiem Mass which was concelebrated by Rev Tom Little PP, Askea, Rev Brendan Howard PP, Ballon/Rathoe and Rev. Edward Whelan PE, Ballon/Rathoe. A combination of the three choirs sang the Mass. Interment took place in the Ballon cemetery immediately afterwards where Fr Little recited the prayers at the graveside.
There was a large attendance at the funeral including the mayor of Kildare County Council, the Kildare County Chief Executive and former County Managers and her colleagues from the County Hall in Naas.
She is mourned by her father, Tommy, brothers Ger and Eamon (both Ballon), sister, Jane Flynn (Kilkenny), aunt, uncles, nieces, nephews, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and by extended family members both locally and in England and Australia.
MR.WILLIE PETERS
The death took place at his residence on Monday 18 January of William (Willie) Peters, Ballykealey, Ballon and formerly from Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary. Willie was just three days short of his 63 birthday. A mechanic by trade he worked in
Dublin and Carlow in this youth and at Milltown Engineering in Garryhill in later years. During semi-retirement he worked with Distage in Tullow. He married Judy Townsend, Carrigslaney in 1977 and the couple had three children Gillian, Ciara and Thomas. Apart from his family Willie’s main interest in life was ‘anything with an engine’ whether it be a motor bike, car, lorry or heavy plant. His remains were removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Wednesday 20 January for Requiem Mass and burial took place in Kildavin cemetery afterwards. Willie is mourned by his wife Judy, daughters Gillian (Dublin) and Ciara (Ballykealey), son Thomas (Dublin), brother John, sister Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends.
MRS ELIZABETH MARTIN
The death took place on Monday 4 January of Mrs Elizabeth Martin, Ballykealey Lane, Ballon. Elizabeth passed away peacefully at the Beacon Hospital in Dublin after a short illness. Aged 75 years, she was a gentle, kind and religious lady. Formerly Elizabeth Kehoe and born in Baltinglass she was raised in Dublin 7 and Clondalkin.
She married Michael in 1965 (celebrating their 50th last January), a Marine Engineer from Cardiff, and they lived in Wolverhamton and Lagos before returning to Dublin in 1972. There they lived in Portmarnock for 24 years until moving, on retirement, to Ballon for love of the countryside.
Elizabeth’s main interest was in reading, mainly the classics, which she might read several times over. But the printed word was absorbed whatever the medium and the Irish Times was read from front to back. Her other interests included the garden and flower drying and arranging. Holidays centered around art galleries and she had a great knowledge of the Masters with books aplenty to find out about them. Her devotion to the Mass was absolute and the choir she loved. She shared the Holy Hour every Wednesday with Tess Blanche for the last ten years. The Angelus was a time for reflection and prayers and no church was passed without the sign of the cross. She often supplied flowers from the garden to the church and cast an appraising eye over the arrangements.
Her remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Wednesday 6 January and interment took place in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass con-celebrated by Very Rev Brendan Howard PP and Rev Edward Whelan PE.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Michael; sons, Maurice (Berkshire), Philip and Gareth (Dublin). Grandchildren Cristíona, Fiona, Conor and Patrick in Berkshire and Oisín in Dublin. Her Brother Michael and sisters, Tess, Marie and Margaret in Dublin. Daughters in law Lee (Berkshire) and Elaine in Dublin. Brothers in law Sisters in law, nephews, nieces, God children and great nieces and nephews.