Patrick was well known as owner of the Wooden Tavern Pub; The Sudden death at his home on Monday 1 October of Patrick (Pat) Dowling, Tomard, Leighlinbridge came as a great shock to his family, neighbours and friends. Pat, who would have celebrated his 81st birthday on 14 November, was proprietor of the Wooden Tavern public house in Tomard.

The pub has been in the Dowling-Comerford family for almost a century, having been run by Pat's grandmother and mother before him. The second-youngest in a family of four children, Pat attended Leighlinbridge national School and the Academy in Bagenalstown before taking over the running of the family pub and farm at Tomard. On 20 June 1967, Patrick married Nancy Kennedy from Grangeford, Tullow and they went on to rear a family of seven, four sons and three daughters. Pat was a member of the Leighlinbridge 'All Blacks' senior football team which won the club's last Carlow SFC title in 1957 with victory over The Gaels from the South of the county. He played at full-back on the team. Being involved with the GAA, he retained a keen interest in Gaelic games and all sports throughout his life. On reaching the age of 65, Pat retired from farming, handing over the reins to his son PJ.

From that time onwards, Pat concentrated solely on the running of the pub, which he ran jointly with his wife Nancy. While he was a man of reserved character, Pat always enjoyed the craic and banter in the Dowling pub among the clientele. Pat will be remembered as a great family man who will be sadly missed by his wife, children and grandchildren, to whom he was deeply devoted. He was waked at Somers Funeral Home, Bagenalstown and his remains were removed to St Lazerians Church, Leighlinbridge on Tuesday 2 October, where they were received by Fr Tom Lalor, PP. Members of Leighlinbridge GFC formed a guard of honour in the village to the church. Fr Lalor celebrated Pat's funeral Mass on Wednesday morning. At the start of Mass, a number if important symbols of Pat's life were brought forward to the altar by his grandchildren- a peaked cap, which Pat wore while at work on the farm; the award he received from Leighlinbridge GFC as a member of the team of 1957; an aerial photo of the Dowling pub and house; and a family photo, including Pat, Nancy, their seven children and grandchildren.

The reading at Mass and Prayers of the Faithful were by family members, while the Offertory gifts were brought forward by son Donnacha and daughter Denise. Following Mass, Pat was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery. Fr Lalor recited the final prayers at the graveside. Pat is deeply mourned by wife Nancy, children Denise (Dublin), PJ (Tomard), Bernard (Spain) Donnacha (Taiwan), Paul (Maynooth, Co Kildare), Lisa (Leighlinbridge) and Marion (Carlow), by his sister Elsie Dowling (Dublin), by his ten grandchildren, his son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends. The Dowling family wish to express gratitude to family, friends and neighbours who helped and supported them during this very difficult period. Furthermore, they sincerely thank Fr Lalor, the choir and organist, Leighlinbridge GFC, Leighlinbridge Parish Centre and volunteers, Somers' Funeral Home and the Lord Bagenal Hotel.

(Text courtesy of Carlow Nationalist 23/10/12) Tweet

Most Read Stories