BILLY KIRWAN RIP
Billy Kirwan, Bendenstown, Rathoe passed away peacefully surrounded by his
loving family at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Sunday 21st September. He was 86 years old.
Billy was known far and wide for his musical talent having been first introduced to music by
his late mother, Mrs Emily Kirwan, herself an accomplished musician who bought him his
first accordion when he was only seven years old. He had entertained on the local and South
Leinster circuit for five decades and his greatest memory was sharing the stage with the
legendary Dermot O’Brien in Abbeyleix.
Despite being in the music business for 40 years at that time, Billy became an
overnight success in 2012 when he appeared on Sky’s 201 ‘The Hot Country’, a Country and
Irish Music programme which went out on Monday nights and was repeated on Sunday
evenings. Billy was invited to record three songs for the programme which was recorded in
Templemore in 2011 but had given up hope that his slot would ever be aired.
However, on Monday night, 16 January 2012 Billy made his television debut singing ‘Two
Little Girls in Blue’ an old song he learned from his late mother. Billy gave a stunning
performance, so much so that the recording became an instant hit on YouTube.
Following his TV success Billy recorded three CDs, ‘Billy Kirwan and Sons’, ‘My World
Today’ and ‘Try It, You’ll Like It’ all of which were recorded at his son Nigel’s studios in
Ballon. Billy’s sons, of course, are all in the music business with the well-known bands
‘Fiesta’ and ‘Firestar’.
Locally Billy will be fondly remembered for his generosity in providing the music for many
functions including the senior citizens party and many charitable occasions. He will also be
remembered by many as the ‘Ice Cream Man’ at various sports days and outdoor summer
events and as the school bus driver by younger adults.
Billy’s remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral home in Fenagh before being removed to St
Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Wednesday 24 September for Requiem Mass followed by burial
in the adjacent cemetery.
Billy will be sadly missed by his sons John, Willie, Nicky, Brendan, Nigel and Derek,
daughters Aisling, Emily and Nicola, sons-in-law Eddie, Niall and Thomas,
daughters-in-law Martina, Sharon, Karin, Christine and Michelle, grandchildren
Ciara, Rachel, Aoife, Dylan, Shane, Scott, Sinead, Mia, Matt, Ben, Bradley, Abigail,
Ailson and Noah, sister Nancy Donohoe (Rathoe), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and
his wide circle of friends and kind neighbours. He was predeceased by his wife
Jacinta (nee Brennan) in 2006 and by his sister Babs Cummins and brothers John and Jim.
THE LATE ANDREA ZERAFA (ROONEY)
Andrea Zerafa (Rooney), Laragh, Ballon passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the wonderful and gentle care of the staff in the Oak Ward, South-East Palliative Care Centre, University Hospital Waterford. Andrea was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and while she fought courageously, she finally lost her battle on Tuesday 29th July.
Daughter of Heather and the late Joe Zerafa, Andrea was well known and held in high regard in the area and touched the lives of many people during her far too short life. She was gentle, kind and caring and always made time for a cheerful chat regardless of how busy she was. She married Stephen Rooney from Clones, Co Monaghan in 2008 and the couple have three children Ethan, Jonah and Winnie. Andrea worked at Collen Construction in Dublin before returning to Ballon in 2003 to establish the family business along with her brother Dion who said, “Dad and I built the business, but Andrea made it”. As stated by her husband during the funeral Service “she put her heart and soul into it. It’s the centre of the community, he said, and we are all proud of what she did”.
As a teenager Andrea was a highly skilled athlete who excelled in Shot Putt. Amongst her many honours were gold in Leinster finals in 1992 and 1995 and a national silver medal in 1995.
Amongst those posting condolence notices and tributes on RIP.IE were Ballon/Rathoe Community Games and AC who stated that they were “truly heartbroken due to the untimely passing of one of their previous members. Andrea and her family have been great competitors and supporters of Ballon/Rathoe Community Games and AC, and it gave her great joy to watch her children take part with a club that she was a big part of in her youth. She was so proud of her three children Ethan, Jonah and Winnie who all take part and have excelled in their chosen sports. They have all followed in their mother’s footsteps and have represented their club and county on the National stage in swimming, soccer and track field. Only recently Ethan won a National 4th place medal at the swimming finals, Winnie represented Carlow in 2024 in indoor soccer and the sprint winning two 4th place national medals while Jonah and the boys U12 soccer team won county gold with Andrea’s husband Stephen as one of the coaches and as well as representing Carlow in the U12 long jump. Heather, her mother, was also a previous officer in the club and won PRO of the year award and continues to offer her support”.
Ballon GFC wrote“The officers, players and members of Ballon GFC wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the Rooney and Zerafa Families on the sad passing of Andrea, a cherished mother, wife, sister, daughter and friend to many within our community. Andrea was a wonderful person who gave so much of her time, energy and kindness to our club, for which we will be forever grateful and thankful. Her generosity, warmth and dedication will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by all who knew her. We hold her family in our thoughts and prayers at this very sad and difficult time, and we hope they find comfort in the love and respect felt for Andrea by all in Ballon GFC and wider community while Burren Rangers Hurling club extended their deepest sympathies to the Rooney and Zerafa Families “on the sad passing of Andrea, a dear wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend to so many people within our community. Andrea was a very kind and welcoming person at the Zerafa Family business in Ballon and always showed, support and generosity to our club in so many ways”. Another posting described Andrea as “Such a brave and beautiful woman, she gave us all a masterclass on what it means to fight for your life”.
Andreas remains reposed at Kearney’s funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to All Saints Church, Aghade on Friday 1 August for Funeral Service followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard. The attendance at the funeral home was one of largest ever witnessed with people filing by and sympathising with her grieving family continuously for more than seven hours.
Andrea will be greatly missed by her husband Stephen, children Ethan, Jonah and Winnie, mother Heather, brothers Dion and Peter, mother-in-law, Anne, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, kind neighbours and many, many friends. She was predeceased by her father, Joe in 2009.
MRS TERESA KEALY
Teresa Kealy, Carrigslaney, Kilbride, passed away peacefully, at Saint Vincent Hospital, Dublin, on Friday, 20 June, surrounded by her loving family, following an illness bravely borne. She was aged 60. Formerly Teresa Armstrong and a native of Kilmyshall, County Wexford, she married Mick Kealy from Carrigslaney in 1987, and the couple have three grown-up children.
Teresa was a quiet and gentle woman, a kind neighbour and a good friend who, apart from her adored family, had many interests in life. These included music with her favourite song being AC/DC’s ‘Highway to Hell’, which she requested be played at her funeral. She was also artistic and creative, and loved making cards for all occasions, regularly using flowers from her garden, which was another of her hobbies.
Teresa’s remains repose at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh, and removal from her home took place on Monday, 23 June to Saint Peter & Paul Church, Ballon for Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev Jim O’Connell Adm. Burial took place in Ballon cemetery immediately afterwards.
Teresa will be sadly missed by her husband Mick, sons David and Paul, daughter Sinead, granddaughter Caoimhe, daughters-in-law Melisa and Samantha, sisters Cathy, Mary, Geraldine, Ann and Liz, brothers Paul, Martin and Anthony, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, kind neighbours and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Tom and; Mary, and brothers Tommy and Pat.
MS KATHLEEN McGRATH
There was widespread sorrow through the Ballon area at the news of the death of Ms Kathleen McGrath, Ballon Hill, which took place peacefully in the care of her family and management and staff of Hillview Nursing Home, Carlow, on Thursday, 10 April. Kathleen was well known, loved and respected in the Ballon area where she lived all her life and was involved with many organisations throughout her active life. In her 78th year, she was the youngest of five children born to Dinny and Kathy McGrath, who were also well-known figures in the area. Kathleen spent most of her life working locally, including at McGonnell Brothers clothing factory and in Ann Barry’s grocery shop.
Kathleen was involved with the Ballon Drama Group throughout the 70’s and 80’s and played leading roles in several of their productions. She was also prominent in the upkeep of the local church and grotto.
Her remains reposed in Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to Saints Peter and Paul Church, Ballon on Saturday 12 April and burial took place in Ballon cemetery after Requiem Mass on the following day.
Kathleen will be sadly missed by her brother Seamus, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. Apart from her parents, she was also predeceased by her sister, Betty Clarke, and brothers, Mick and Dinny.
SEAMUS ESMONDE RIP
Seamus Esmonde, Ballintrane, passed away peacefully on Monday 31 March at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny.
His remains reposed at R. Healy & Son Funeral Home Pollerton Castle, Carlow before being removed to St Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Thursday 3 April and burial took place in the adjoining cemetery after Requiem Mass on the following morning.
Seamus will be sadly missed by his wife Marie, son James, daughters Barbara, Caroline and Marie, sister Maureen, son-in-law Jim, daughter-in-law Gráinne, Marie’s partner Michael, grandchildren Lilia, Shauna, Daisy, Síobhán, Paul, Grace and Jimmy, aunts, extended family, relatives and friends
JOE CUMMINS RIP
The death took place at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, on Thursday, 13 March, of Joe Cummins, Kilnock, Ballon. Aged 87, Joe worked with Carlow County Council for most of his life.He married Babsy Kirwan, Bendenstown, in 1963, and the couple had four children.
Joe was known far and wide for his talent for working on engines and for his gardening skills. Throughout his life, he was very involved with The Fighting Cocks GAA club, serving as a player, secretary and chairman. Joe’s remains were reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to St Patrick’s Church, Rathoe, on Saturday, 15 March, and burial took place in the adjoining cemetery after Requiem Mass on the following day.
Joe will be sadly missed by his sons Joe (Ballytasna) and Brian (Bendenstown), daughter Sinead Dowling (Boggan), son-in-law James, daughter-in-law Marian, grandchildren Conor, Emma, Eoin, Chloe, Jack and Brigid, brother Br. Ger, sisters Jane, Mary, Patty, Rosaleen and Theresa, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, kind neighbours and his many friends.
He was predeceased by his wife, Babs, in 2018, son PJ in 1996, daughter-in-law Mary (2019) and brother, Seamus (2022).
BARBARA MAHER RIP
Barbara Maher (née Shortall) Rathoe, passed away peacefully at The District Hospital surrounded by her loving family on Monday 10 February. Her remains were removed to St Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Thursday 13 February and she was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery following Requiem Mass, Barbara will be sadly missed by her family, husband Austin, daughters Geradine and Rachel and son Reuben, son-in-law Philip, Reuben’s partner Gerri, sister Margaret (Kehoe), grandchildren David and Ben, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her brothers Michael and Kieran and brother-in-law Tom
WILLIE WEBB RIP
Willie Webb, Kilcoole, Rathoe, died peacefully at his residence surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, January 18. He was interred in Rathoe cemetery on Tuesday, 21 January , following Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church. Willie is sadly missed by his wife Brigid; sons Liam, Patrick, John and Declan; daughters Maria and Martina; daughters-in-law Samone, Carole and Marian; sons-in-law Michael and Willie; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours, relatives and friends.
PAT CONDRON RIP
Pat Condron, Rathrush, Ballon, passed away peacefully, in the tender loving care of the staff of Suncroft Nursing Home, County Kildare on Thursday 23 January. A native of Castledermot, Pat moved to Ballon following his marriage to Kathleen Donohoe in 1973, and the couple settled in the Donohoe home in Rathrush where they reared their two children, Caroline and Theo.
Pat’s remains reposed in the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Saturday 25 January and following Requiem Mass in Ballon on the following morning were interred in Suncroft Cemetery.
Pat will be sadly missed by his daughter Caroline Dillon (Suncroft), son Theo (Tullow), son-in-law David, daughter-in-law Evelyn, grandchildren Katie, Jamie, Paul and Alanna, great grandson Páidí, sisters Kathleen and Bridie, brothers-in-law Trevor and Mike, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Kathleen in 2022 and by his sister Maura.
LATE JOE O’GORMAN
Joe O’Gorman, The Cottage, Ballynunnery, Rathoe, and formerly 158 JKL Avenue, Carlow, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, 8 January, at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny. One of County Carlow’s greatest footballers, Joe played inter-county with distinction during the 60’s and 70’s and won three SFC’s with Tinryland between 1971 and 1975. He was president of the club at the time of his death.
His remains were reposed at Carpenter’s Bros Funeral Home, Carlow, before being removed to The Holy Family Church, Askea, on Saturday, 11 January, for Requiem Mass followed by burial in St Mary’s Cemetery.
Joe will be sadly missed by his daughter Teresa, sons Pat, Sean, Paul and Joe, his 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, sister Josie (Warrington, UK), son-in-law John, daughters-in-law Una, Sheila, Marie and Catriona, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Eileen, son Philip (Stan), mother Brigid, father John, infant twin brother John, sister Margaret (UK) and great-grandchild Aaron.