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OBITUARY TIMOTHY (Tim) McCARTHY Ballyneety, Dungarvan
With sadness we record the passing of Tim McCarthy which sad event occurred on Tuesday, 13th September, 2016. Removal was from Drohan’s Funeral Home on Thursday evening to St. Augustine’s Church, Abbeyside. Following Funeral Mass on Friday morning, celebrated by Fr. Ml. Kennedy, P.P., assisted by Fr. C. Kelleher, P.P., burial took place in St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery, Dungarvan. Full obituary next issue. To his wife Amanda; daughter Rachel; son Michael; mother Carmel; sister Olga; brother Dan and relatives, we extend our deepest sympathy. (Funeral arrangements were by Tom Drohan, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
DENISE SILVESTER-CARR Kent, England, and formerly South Hill Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin It is with sadness and deep regret we record the passing of Denise Silvester-Carr which sad event occurred on 6th September, 2016. Funeral Mass will take place in St. Declan’s Church, Ardmore, on Saturday, 24th September, at 11.00 a.m. Burial afterwards in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Ardmore. To her parents Christopher (Aga) and Geraldine; sisters Erica, Diane, Anne and Mary-Lou; family and a large circle of friends, we extend our deepest sympathy. Full obituary next issue. (Funeral arrangements were by Tom Drohan, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
A tribute to the late Jim Dowling IN the midst of life, we are in death, the Bible says. But so also in the midst of death, we are in life! So life must go on. If everything stopped for death, there would be no progress, no life, no hope. When someone dies, we should glory in and celebrate their life, the life they had enjoyed, lived to the full. We should honour that above all and remember them that way forever. Always think of them vibrant, alive, singing, dancing, enjoying life as it is our ultimate duty to do, even more these days in the face of so much doom, gloom and despair. When all around is dark, it is our duty to light up the world for everyone around us and indeed for ourselves. There is an old Irish saying, “Live horse and you'll get grass”. The first word says it all. Our first priority, the Prime Directive, as they say in Star Trek, is just to Live! With all this in mind, I will pay tribute at one and the same time, (at the risk of incurring disfavour - as I generally do when I expand on this topic) to a great session and a great man. The session is one that has been going on continuously for 50 or 60 years, or more even perhaps – that in itself is an amazing achievement. From its first base in the black Hill, through all the years of the Bean A'Leanna, then onto the Tudor House, Bridies Dee's, Dillon's, Kiely's, and Queally's (notice how it moved, all the time in a clockwise direction, all the time in an unbroken line, through nearly all the pubs in that section of town!), this session has kept going every Sunday for all those years. I'm proud to say I've been a regular myself for most of that time and in fact the vast majority of people who attend the session still, have been loyal and constant supporters throughout its long history. The great Mickey Dalton, accordion player extraordinaire, has been the lynch pin of this mighty session all down its amazing journey, and still is, going strong and playing as well as ever and keeping everybody in good spirits. One of his stalwart henchmen for so many years was the singer and guitarist, Jim Dowling from
Clonmel. He has been the M.C. also of this wonderful session, keeping everything going, with plenty of variety and never, never forgetting any of the regulars or any of the special guests or tourists who might just drop in, even never omitting the lovely Aisling, “the maid behind the bar,” who is herself a beautiful singer. Everyone was made welcome and a spot was found for everyone whether they were locals or drop-ins. Everyone was always asked if they had a song or an instrument to wield on the night. “Are you armed?” became the watchword, but equally a poem monologue or recitation was welcomed. Above all, it was always, and amazingly still is, one of the most open of 'open sessions'. No-one was excluded, no-one forgotten. Great credit is due to Jim for his part in this, though equally it was always the philosophy of Mickey Dalton himself. I never forget how moved my brother Tom was when he came home on a rare visit from Australia, where he had started to play the tin whistle, on the occasion of my dragging him down to the Bean A'Leanna for the Thursday night session, very popular at that time. I asked Tom would he play a tune and he said that, no, he wouldn't play at a session for his first time there and when he knew none of the musicians. But as soon as we got inside the pub, Mickey immediately collared Tom and asked him to play a few tunes. Which he did. But he never stopped talking about how welcome he was made to feel even though he'd been away from Dungarvan for years and he was an unknown quantity. It meant so much to him. He never forgot it! This is the same attitude that Jim had to everyone that entered the pub. They were all asked to perform and made to feel welcome. He was funny man and his wit could be sharp, but he had a heart of gold and actually loved people and loved the crack. He went through a lot of real pain and pressure due to cancer and chemotherapy and he always said that what got him through his ordeal was the thought of the
Sunday Night Session. This was the shining light, the beacon that lit his way through the dark times, the light at the end of the dark tunnel of each long week of pain and stress and worry. As I always say what a wonderful therapy music is. It has brought more relief to suffering humanity over the years that anything else. Because there is no downside to music. It's a winwin situation. No ill effects whatsoever. Jim died as he would have wanted to, in harness, his guitar by his side, quickly and easily and so his death is not merely to be lamented, which it is since we will miss him and his wife and relations will be bereft; but also to be celebrated as a very fitting closure to his long years dedicated to the musical art. He loved music and singing and Mickey Dalton and all the gang and the session, and that's where he died, peacefully and in the company of many of his dearest friends and musical companions and held closely by his adoring wife. That's the way I'd like to go when the time comes I assure you. As the poet Landor said, “I warm’d both hands before the fire of Life; It sinks; and I am ready to depart”. Great credit is due to all the many people who rallied round and who gave valiantly of their best in a concerted effort to bring Jim back. The CPR went on for as long as could possibly be sustained and until it was certain that there was no hope. The Gardaí, the Ambulance people and the dedicated civilians who helped in this endeavour all deserve our gratitude and respect. In a truly beautiful touch, Jim was laid out as in a proper old fashioned house-wake, on his stretcher, and with the family gathered round and hymns were sung as his friends said goodbye to him. All this in situ right where it all happened. A lovely way to give closure for all those that witnessed his sudden distress and demise. As I already said .... what a way to go! So spare a thought for the
memory of Jim Dowling, long a supporter of live music and a staunch stalwart of Mickey Dalton's session for more years than any of us can remember. One of the very last things I ever heard the great Liam Clancy say was an old Irish toast “May we never die!” He died soon after, but the whole point is that if you live your life well and influence people for their improvement, if you contribute to the arts and if you make good friends you will never die. You will live forever in people's memory and in the stories you leave behind you. Jim is dead. Long live Jim.
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 23 September, 2016
EAMON O’CONNOR Springmount House and formerly 8 Fitzgerald’s Terrace, Dungarvan It is with deep sadness we record the passing of Eamon O’Connor, Springmount House and formerly 8 Fitzgerald’s Terrace, Dungarvan, who passed away at Waterford University Hospital on Thursday, 8th September, 2016. Eamon was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dungarvan, in 1948, and educated at CBS Dungarvan. Eamon then went on to work at Waterford Co-Op for a number of years. After the death of his parents, Ned and Kathleen O’Connor, Eamon was lovingly cared for by his sister Kathleen and husband William. Their son Eamon was also at hand to take his uncle Eamon for many car trips which Eamon always looked forward to. Eamon also treasured the care and support shown to him from his younger sisters Rita and Rose. For many years Eamon lived independently at Silversprings with the support of the Newport Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dungarvan. The combination of both worked well for Eamon as a service user. Due to failing health Eamon had to move to Springmount House where he received great care from all the staff there. Eamon was a very kind and caring person with a great sense of humour and liked nothing better than the cup of tea and chats with his friends. Eamon had a great love for music, especially Brendan Bowyer and all the Showbands of that era. Eamon loved to reminisce and often spoke of his friend John Hallahan who predeceased him by some years. Eamon also liked to reminisce with his comrades from Waterford Co-Op and spoke of the craic they had there. Eamon had a very positive view of the world and as such never had a bad word to say about anyone and from this it is important to enjoy the simple things in life, be it a cup of tea or being in the company of people who accept you for who we are. Eamon reposed at Drohan’s Funeral Home on Saturday, 10th September, from 6.00–7.30 p.m. with Rosary at 7 o’clock, led by Rita Truman (sister). Removal on Sunday, 11th September, from Drohan’s Funeral Home to St. Mary’s Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Mass was celebrated by Canon Ryan, P.P. At the Offertory Procession, Anthony Grace brought Eamon’s radio, Nancy Moss brought Eamon’s Rosary Beads, Dinah Keohan brought up a CD and Jenny Truman brought up a family photograph. Rita Truman and Rose Grace brought up the bread and wine. The first reading was by Eamon Franklin and the second reading was by John Grace. Prayers of the Faithful were recited by Cal Franklin, Cian Franklin, Anthony Grace, Padraig Kennedy, Geraldine Briggs and John Grace. Eulogy was by Rita Truman and a poem was written by Richard Purcell from Richard and all his friends at the Newport Centre, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dungarvan. Hymns were performed by Lorna Daly. The chief mourners were – Nancy Moss, Vera Boorer, Kathleen Franklin, Rita Truman and Rose Grace (sisters); brothers-in-law Gill Moss, William Franklin and Oliver Grace; and a large circle of nephews and nieces. Eamon’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 9th October, at St. Mary’s Parish Church at 12 noon. (Funeral arrangements by Tom Drohan, Funeral Directors, Dungarvan).
St. Mary’s Parish Church, Dungarvan 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Amos 6:1.4-7: Those who sprawl and those who bawl will be exiled. 1 Timothy: 6:11-16: Do all that you have been told until the Appearing of the Lord. Luke: 16:19-31: Good things come your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony. St. Teresa of Calcutta: On Sunday, September 4th, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta was declared a Saint by Pope Francis in Rome. She died in 1997 and was declared Blessed in 2003. ‘Let us carry Mother Teresa’a smile in our hearts and give it to those we meet along our journey.’ Pope Francis Tweet. Please visit a display of material associated with Mother Teresa at the top of St. Mary’s Parish Church near the confession box. Framed photographs of St. Teresa of Calcuttta at €5 each may be ordered at the Parish Office Holy Year of Mercy Reflection: ‘The Truth of God’s Embracing Mercy ’ with Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford on Thursday week, 29th September at 7.30 p.m.
Annual Legion of Mary Pilgrimage to Knock on Sunday next, September 25th. Bus leaving from Dungarvan. See details in Church porch. The Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help continues each Monday at 7.30 p.m. until Monday, October 24th. No 9.30 a.m. Morning Mass on Mondays during the Novena. This is an ideal opportunity to do something special to mark this Holy Year of Mercy. Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Northern Italy: St. Mary’s Parish and Augustinian Friary, Dungarvan, 14th-21st June, 2017. Visiting Sienna, Pisa, Padua, Florence, Verona, Venice and Lake Garda. A saving scheme is available. For further details, contact Noel: 058-44350 or Margaret: 05843051. Parish Office: Located in St. Mary’s Church and is open Monday to Friday office hours. If you want to book Masses or Baptisms call during these times. Phone 42374. Daily Mass broadcast on 98.5 FM. Phone No: Fr. Ryan 42374, Fr. Harris 42384, Fr. Cooney 41136. Emergency Phone No: To contact Priest on duty: 086-2334282.