Details from Michael Dawson with thanks:
MRS BETTY NOLAN
Mrs Betty Nolan, Rathrush, Rathoe whose death took place at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Saturday 7 December was in her 94th year and was one of the oldest parishioners of Ballon/Rathoe. She was formerly Betty Doyle from Rathoe and was a noted camogie player in her youth. She played with Rathrush Shamrocks in the mid-1930s and was selected on the Carlow County team in 1935. Betty was involved in parochial affairs the most notable being Rathoe Church and Rathoe Hall. She loved travelling and visited such diverse places as the United States, Mexico and Lourdes. In latter years she was an active member of the Senior Citizens Group and Tullow Day Care Centre where her love of travelling surfaced again never missing a chance to go on their various outings. She was also a great fan of the Rathoe Song and Story monthly sessions.
Her remains reposed at her home before being removed to St Patrick’s Church on the evening following her death. She was interred in the adjoining cemetery following Requiem Mass on Monday 9 December. Betty is survived by her sons, Liam (Newtown), Oliver (Tullow) and Leo (Rathrush), her sister Nellie McEvoy (Bagenalstown), grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, daughters-in-law, nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband, Denis and son, Denis.
MICHAEL REDMOND
The death took place at the District Hospital, Carlow on Monday 23 September of Mr Michael Redmond, Rathrush, Rathoe. Aged 82 years, he worked as a farming contractor. In his youth he played football for the Kilbride club and was a great follower of the GAA in general. In later years his main interest was card-playing and was a regular at the weekly whist in Rathoe as well as at venues all around the county. He was also a member of the local Active Retirement Group and was involved in all its activities. His remains were removed to St. Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on the evening following his death and burial took place in the adjoining cemetery after Requiem Mass on Wednesday 25 September. Mick is mourned by Anna, brother Donie (Carlow), sister Rosie (London), nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends.
DIED IN USA
Sheila Nolan Primiano of Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA, who died on Monday 5 August in Boston was formerly Sheila (Bunty) Nolan from Ballon. She was aged 83 years. Born in Ballon in1930, she was daughter of Johnny and Julia Nolan and emigrated to the USA in 1948. Her first job in American was as a librarian at Columbia University, which gave her a lifelong passion for reading. Sheila moved to Ridgebury in 1974 and loved the rural beauty of the community and its reminder of the green fields of her native Ballon. She was a devoted mother that passed on a great love of learning to all of her children. She took great pride in the successes and accomplishments of her children and their spouses. She was a strong individual who kept her large family together through the loss of two husbands, Frank Cobelli, in1969 and Mario F. Primiano in 1985. She adored her two dozen grandchildren and more recently her two great-grandchildren. Burial took place in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield on Friday 9 August.
She is survived by nine children, Neil Cobelli of Scarsdale NY, Julie Crocco of Yonkers NY, Donna Cobelli of Ridgefield, Frank Cobelli of Ridgefield, James Cobelli of Kennesaw, Georgia, Michael Cobelli of Ridgefield, Mario Primiano Jr. of Queens NY, Kenneth Primiano of Queens NY, and Michael Primiano of Queens NY.
Back home she is survived by her brothers Patsy (Laragh), Jimmy (Mullaunmore) and sister Kathleen Cadigan, Limerick. She was predeceased by her brothers, Tommy (Wexford), John (Noel) and sister, Mai Leahy (Athy).
MR WILLIAM NOLAN
The death took place at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Carlow on Monday 15 July of William (Bill) Nolan, Bendenstown, Rathoe. He was aged 92. Although the Nolan Family have deep roots in this parish, Bill was born in Dunleek, Co Meath in 1921 where his father, a member of the RIC, was stationed. He was one of six children born to John and Mary Nolan and was the last surviving sibling. The family moved back to Rathoe in 1924 where his father farmed until his death. Bill worked the land all his life,and in the days before tractors were commonplace, he ploughed with horses. A photograph of Bill taken in those bygone days was published in the 2012 edition of The Chronicle.
Bill married Bridie Healy from Killinure in 1954 and the couple had four children, two boys and two girls. Apart from farming Bill’s interests centred on tug-o’-war with the Roscatt Club which was one of the county’s leading clubs at the time. He also enjoyed horse racing and was a regular at the Punchestown meeting but in latter years confined his love of the sport to TV viewing. In the past we was a member of the Ballon Branch of the NFA and was involved with the Rathoe Sports committee of times past.
Bill was hospitalised since April of this year and spent his last four weeks in the Sacred Heart Hospital where Bridie has been resident for close on nine years. Bridie’s 90th birthday was on 4 July and the couple celebrated the occassion together in the Hospital.
His remains reposed at the Hospital before being removed to St. Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Wednesday 17 July for burial in the local cemetery immediately after Requiem Mass. Bill is survived by his wife, Bridie, daughters Bridget McDonald (Garryhill) and Mary Flynn (Nurney), sons John (Rathnapish, Carlow) and Noel (Bendenstown), daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, greatgrandson, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
MRS LIZZIE-ANN NOLAN
Mrs Lizzie-Anne Nolan, Ballon, whose death took place at her home on Tuesday 11 June was one of the oldest, best known and most respected ladies in the village. A quiet, gentle and unassuming woman she bore the pain of arthritis for many years with dignity.
Aged 93 years she was one of five children born to Ned and Jane Tobin. She lived all her life in Ballon and saw the village grow from no electricity or traffic to today’s fast internet and fast cars. From the early 1930s to 2007 she was involved in the running of one of Ballon’s longest established ‘corner-shops’, first helping her mother and then taking charge following the death of her mother. She worked hard running her shop and spent long days standing behind the counter, serving her customers always with a smile on her face and a friendly word.
The shop was central to life in Ballon village and a place where shopping was a social event. Whether it was in the time when families did their weekly shopping there or later when people just bought their daily essentials having shopped in the supermarkets, it was a gathering place at night, people lingering for a chat, meeting neighbours and exchanging news having done their business. The shop did not have a calculator or totting machine or did it need one – Lizzie-Anne had the ability to tot a line of figures in her head as quickly and as accurately as either of these modern machines.
Lizzie-Anne was involved with the Ballon Drama Group which was very active during the 1940s and ’50s and by all accounts was a gifted actress, generally taking the leading female roles. She also had a passion for dancing and was a regular at the Sunday gatherings at the ‘Dance Boards’ on Ballon Hill. She served on the Hall Committee, helping organise concerts and dances as well as the preparation of the ample suppers served afterwards.
She married local man, Tommy Nolan in 1955 and they raised four children, two sons and two daughters.
In 1960 the couple built a new shop beside the original one and continued to serve the public until she retired and closed the shop in 2007- an event which closed the door on a shop full of memories.
Lizzie-Ann’s remains reposed at her home before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on the evening following her death and burial took place in Ballon Cemetery following Requiem Mass on Thursday, 13 June.
She is mourned by her husband, Tommy, sons Ger and Eamon (both Ballon), daughters Eileen (Naas) and Jane Flynn (Kilkenny), grandchildren, nephews and nieces and by her extended family in England and Australia.
MR PATRICK DONOHUE
The death took place in St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny on Tuesday, 16 April of Patrick Donohue, St. Oliver’s Drive, Rathoe. Aged 84, he had been in failing health for many years.
On leaving school Patsy joined the Irish Army and was stationed in Dublin. When he left the defence forces he returned to his native Rathoe and worked locally on the land with local farmers and spent several years in Altamont Gardens.
He married local girl, Nancy Kirwan in 1951 and the couple had twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. He played Gaelic football with The Fighting Cocks Club and, although he loved all sports, the GAA was his great passion. He also loved reading, gardening and walking but most of all was a dedicated family man.
His remains reposed at Kearney’s Funeral Home in Fenagh before being removed to St. Patrick’s Church, Rathoe on Wednesday, 17 April and burial took place in the adjoining cemetery after Requiem Mass the following day.
Patsy is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons, Tony (Paulstown); Paudie (Graigue-na- Spidogue): Austin (Kilcool); Dessie (Butlersgrange) and Seamus (Kilnock); daughters, Ann Connolly (Ballykilbeg); Nuala Ryan (Palatine); Carmel McCarthy (Ballyloo); Deirdre Whelan (Mullaunmore); Angela O’Sullivan (Kilnock);Emily Maher, (Ballintrane) and Sinead Frayne (Roscatt). He is also survived by his brother, John (Rathoe); sisters, Bridie Keane (England) and Molly Bolton (Leighlinbridge); sons-in-law, daughters- in-law, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law and by twenty-seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and other relatives.
MRS CHRISTINA MCGAGH
The death took place at The Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin on Thursday, 28 March of Mrs Christina McGagh, Ballykealey, Ballon, County Carlow. Aged 75 years, she was formerly Christina O’Neill and was a native of Newstown, Tullow. Chrissie trained as a nurse in St. Dympna’s Hospital, Carlow and on completion worked at the hospital for several years.
In 1964 she married Tom McGagh from Ballintemple and the couple farmed there for more than thirty years. They also had their family of five children, three sons and two daughters, while there. In 1997 they sold their farm and moved to Ballon where they ran the very successful ‘Pheasants Rise’ Guest House. During this time, and with her family reared, Chrissie returned to nursing and worked, in turn, at Riverdale Nursing Home in Ballon and Ros Aoibhin Nursing Home in Bunclody.
Chrissie who will be remembered as a good neighbour and kind friend, always made a visitor to her home, whether in Ballintemple of Ballon, feel welcome. She was very involved in community work and was very much to the fore in Ardattin Tidy Towns Committee. She was a founder member of the Ardattin Players and won numerous acting awards with the group. She was also involved with the School committee and various other parochial groups in Ardattin.
Although she was running a Guest House and nursing following her move to Ballon, Chrissie still found time to be involved with Community Groups there. She was a Director of Ballon/Rathoe Development Association for a time and was also active with Ballon Improvement Group and ICA Guild.
Her remains reposed at her home in Ballykealey before being removed to The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ardattin on Easter Sunday and burial took place in the adjoining cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Sean Kelly CC, Stradbally who performed her marriage ceremony nearly fifty years ago. Also present were Mons. Brendan Byrne; Fr Andy Leahy PP, Tullow; Fr. Brendan Howard PP, Ballon/Rathoe and Fr. Edward Whelan PE, Ballon.
Chrissie will be sadly missed by her husband, Tom; sons, Thomas (Ballinrush, Myshall), Brian (Tullow) and Micheál (Rathrush, Ballon); daughters, Helen Castle (Ballykealey) and Kathryn McGagh (Clonmel); sisters, Teresa Kennelly ( Carlow) and Sheila McGee (Ardglass, County Down):her son-in-law, Alister; daughters-in-law, Anne and Aishling and grandchildren, Jonathan, Cliona, Ciara, Ysobel, Lochlann and Aoife, nephews, nieces and a large circle of friends.
MRS JOSIE McEVOY
Mary Josephine McEvoy (nee Condron), The Paddocks, Brownshill, Carlow who passed away peacefully at her daughters home in Brownshill on Saturday, 19 January was formerly from Ballykealey, Ballon. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim in 2005 and it was very poignant for the family as she was laid to rest in Ballon cemetery on Jim’s anniversary.
Josie was born Mary Josephine Condron in Bendenstown, Rathoe and her father, Tim, died when she was only nine month old. Her late mother, Catherine (Kate) came with her baby daughter to live with her sister, the late Minnie Nolan on Ballon Hill. Her mother remarried the late Timothy Maher some eight years later and Josie became ‘big sister’ to John, Anne and Angela.
Josie went to Liverpool in the early1950s to pursue a nursing career and returned to Ballon in the late ‘50s after the death of her stepfather. She continued in the caring profession and took care of a number of elderly people in the area. She met Jim McEvoy about this time and the couple married in 1961. Josie and Jim commenced their married life in Edenderry , County Offaly but returned to live in the family home in Ballykealey in 1968 , four years after the death of her mother. They reared their family Tom, Shay, Vincent and Annmarie in Ballon and encouraged their children to actively participate in the life of the village.
Josie was a valued member of the Ballon Church Choir and her love of amateur dramatics in which she played many parts with the Ballon Group over the years was well recognised. She was also prominent in Tops of the Town and competed (and won) in Scór, the GAA talent competition. She also loved gardening and had an interest in politics and current affairs and would argue and express her views at every opportunity.
In 2003, and with their family reared, Jim and Josie moved to Brownshill in Carlow.
In latter years Josie pursued her great love of travelling and enjoyed many trips abroad in the company of her family.
Josie will be sadly missed by her sons Tom (Clare); Shay (Kilkenny); Vincent (Carlow); daughter Annemarie Fitzharris (Carlow); brother, John Maher (Kildare); sisters, Ann Lawler and Angela Duffy (both Dublin); her daughters-in-law, Margaret, Patricia and Anna, her son-in-law, Killian , her nine grandchildren and other relatives and a wide circle of friends.
MRS MARY MAHER
Mrs Mary (Poll) Maher whose death took place at her residence, Killane, Ballon on Sunday, 20 January was formerly Ms Mary Clarke from Graiguenaspideague. The late Mrs Maher’s life centred around her family and her only interests outside being a mother and homemaker were walking, knitting and fashion. Her remains reposed at her home before being removed to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Ballon on Tuesday, 22 January for Requiem Mass which was concelebrated by Very Rev. Brendan Howard PP and Rev. Edward Whelan PE. Burial took place immediately afterwards in Ballon cemetery. Mary is survived by her daughter, Nuala O’Dwyer (Waterford); sons Timmy (Killane); John (Kilnock); Seamus (Ballykealey); Anthony (Carlow); Tommy (Killane); Patsy (Killane) and Gerry (Killane),son-in-law, daughters-in-law, sister-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim, in 2007 and by their son, James, who died in infancy in 1952.