Kenny, Paddy
July 13, 2010The death of Paddy Kenny on Monday 5 July at his residence in Quinnagh, Carlow has created an enormous void in the lives of his immediate family. First and foremost, Paddy Kenny was a dedicated family man whose passing marks the breaking of a very precious link for his wife Kathleen and their five children.
In his final illness, Paddy was nursed lovingly at home by his family and the members of the Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care Team. It is a tribute to the Kenny family's love and devotion that Paddy never spent one night in a hospital bed.
Born in Dernagolia, Ballymahon, Co Longford in 1929, Paddy worked with the Department of Agriculture. He worked all over Ireland with the department, retiring in June 1994 after more than 40 years of dedicated and conscientious service. He worked tirelessly for the Impact trade union, serving as president for three years. In 1994, Paddy received a distinguished service award from Impact in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the union and his tremendous negotiating skills.
During his time in the capital, he was closely associated with the Longford Association in Dublin.
It was at a Spring Show dance in Dublin that he met his future wife, Kathleen Muldoon from Rhode, Co Offaly. Theirs was to be the happiest of unions.
A life-long Gael, Paddy played Gaelic football with his native Ballymahon and - through injury - was non-playing captain when the club claimed the Longford Intermediate Football Championship of 1969.
In his adopted county, Paddy was involved with Carlow Town Hurling Club, training juvenile players and was a man whose wise counsel was often sought. He served two terms as chairman of the club's Juvenile Hurling Committee.
Accompanied by his family, especially his daughter Deirdre, he attended football and hurling matches involving Carlow teams the length and breadth of the country. Paddy was particularly proud when his son Liam played an important role in many of the county games from under-16 level all the way through the senior status. Paddy was always very proud of the Carlow team.
He was deeply committed to the concept of Community Games and his children all competed in the Carlow games. Paddy served as chairman of the County Carlow Community Games for a number of years. He was also an active member of the parents' council in the CBS and served as chairman for a number of years.
He was also actively involved with the Refugee Trust and acted as a church gate collector for a myriad of worthy causes in the Carlow area down through the years.
His remains were removed from the family home to the Cathedral of the Assumption on Wednesday, a guard of honour being provided by members of Ballymahon GAA Club, Longford Co Board and Carlow Town Hurling Club.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Padraig Shelley, CC, Carlow who - in a moving eulogy - provided an extensive overview of the full life led by Paddy Kenny. Fr Liam Murray (Westmeath) assisted. Fr John Cummins, Adm Carlow, also provided great assistance to the Kenny family during their time of great sadness.
Symbols of Paddy's life were brought to the altar during Mass by family members: a Carlow GAA jersey signed by the county hurling panel of 2010, along with the Ballymahon and Longford GAA jerseys; a rose signifying Paddy's love of nature; his diary, which he kept religiously; a dictionary, always close at hand for crosswords; a small bowl containing soil from his native Ballymahon; and a bottle with water from the River Shannon, which he loved.
Readers during Mass were Paddy's brother Luke (Brother Mel of the Marist Order) and Martina Callinan (niece), while the Prayers of the Faithful were read by Karen Fitzpatrick (niece of Mrs Kenny), Seamus Doyle, who was Paddy's best man, family friend John Agar and Kevin Canavan, a Ballymahon friend.
At the end of Mass, Paddy's daughter Geraldine read her father's favourite poem, Goldsmith's The Deserted Village, while his daughter Deirdre spoke with great sincerity about the man who was her dad.
The very large congregation included Liam Mulvihill, former director general of the GAA and a fellow Longford man of Paddy's.
The beautiful singing during the Mass was by family friend Jane Dollard and Paddy's niece Sandra Muldoon, while musical accompaniment was provided by Clare McHugh and family friend Aisling Phelan.
After Mass, Paddy, for whom the word gentleman could easily have been invented, was brought to his final resting place in St Mary's cemetery, with Fr Shelley reciting the final prayers at the graveside. A moving graveside oration was given by Paddy's close friend Leo McGough.
Paddy is survived by his wife Kathleen, children Deirdre, Irene, Padraic, Geraldine and Liam. Paddy, one of a family of six, is survived by one brother Luke and sisters Mary, Annie and Margaret. He is also survived by grandchildren Aisling, Sean and Roisin, sons-in-law Tom, Phil and Jose, Carmel and Sarah, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
Courtesy of the Nationalists
13th July, 2010 Tweet
