Fagan, Pat
May 28, 2013Patrick (Pat) Fagan, April Rise, Killinure, Tullow and formerly of Clonmore, Carlow, who passed away on Thursday 16 May after a short illness at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, was a well-known publican and devoted family man.
Born in Craanmore, Pat was the much-loved youngest of five children to Michael and Brigid Fagan (nee Baggott). His childhood, though poor in material things, left him rich in memories of carefree days spent on the family farm, set under the foot of Mount Leinster. Pat's love of the area was evident in one of his many colourful sayings:
'Head her for Mt Leinster'. Like many young Irish people of his generation, Pat emigrated to England in the 1950s. While there, Pat worked hard in the factories to make a better life for himself and his family.
England gave Pat more than money could buy when he met the love of his life, a beautiful young nurse from Offaly, Margaret Keenaghan. The pair shared a long and happy marriage until Margaret's death in 2006. Their life in England provided them with great memories and they shared many happy days with other young couples from home, dancing their nights away in the Irish clubs around Woolwich and Greenwich, sharing dreams of one day returning to the land of their birth.
A life-changing opportunity was presented to them in 1961 when Pat's cousin, Mick Baggott, sold them his pub in Clonmore. Here, they spent their formative marital years together, raising their three children - Bernadette, Deirdre and Brian - growing their business and becoming part of the Clonmore and Carlow community.
Pat loved his life in the pub among the Clonmore people and lived for the ballad sessions at the weekends. He also organised travelling shows to put on plays, as well as dances in the hall and the more unconventional dog races in the field at the back of the pub. Pat was active in his support for the Clonmore football team and took great pride in watching his son Brian, and later his grandson Daryl, play for the team. Pat also enjoyed supporting the other Clonmore activities over the years, in particular the Civil Defence. The onset of heart disease was the catalyst for his decision to retire with Margaret to Killinure in 1995.
Here, he and Margaret were made to feel very welcome and met and made many lifelong friends among the wonderfully welcoming Killinure locals. It was in Killinure that Pat was able to pursue his passion for gardening and he even managed to work in his garden until the day before he went into hospital.
Pat's love of sports came a close second to his love for his family. Everything from darts to soccer was of huge interest to Pat, who loved nothing more than following the Carlow senior football team with his son and grandson. No matter the fixture, Pat could be seen in the terrace at Dr Cullen Park, underneath the Supermac's sign, with his family members and his best friend Mick Cashen. Even in his final days, Pat talked about the Carlow v Westmeath fixture and it was with great pride and sadness that his family listened as KCLR commentator Brendan Hennessy remembered 'one of Carlow's greatest supporters' during the match report. One of his greatest dreams came true on his 84th birthday in March when his grandson Daryl and girlfriend Clare took him to see Katie Taylor, his Olympic heroine, fight and win in Dublin.
More than anything else, though, Pat was a family man, sacrificing everything to ensure his family was provided for. Since Margaret died, Pat has been tenderly looked after by his daughter Deirdre and her husband James, and their children Daryl and Michelle, who eventually moved in with him in Killinure and provided him with company that filled his days with joy. Brian and his children paid regular visits and Bernadette and her children travelled home from England as often as possible to spend valuable time with Pat.
It was a source of great comfort to Pat that his three children were with him when he passed away. In his final days, he was cared for by the staff in St Luke's Hospital, under the guidance of Dr Cotter, and his family are eternally grateful for their kindness. Pat was waked at his home on Thursday and Friday 15-16 May and his cheeky nature was evident as the family prepared the house and stumbled across a secret stash of chocolate - empty - in Pat's bedroom.
His sweet tooth was shared by his granddaughter Bronagh, who never failed to forget delicious chocolate on every visit, even keeping him topped up while in St Luke's. Pat was waked at home for an extra day so that he could make one last trip to Saturday evening Mass in Ballyconnell Church, something he loved to do each week with Deirdre. His funeral Mass was celebrated on Sunday by Fr Gahan.
Pat's great love of life was evident at his funeral Mass when his grandchildren brought gifts to the altar, symbolising his many sporting, gardening and other passions, including the family's five dogs, whom Pat loved and who offered him unconditional love in return.
Members of Clonmore GAA provided a guard of honour and, as Pat made his final journey to join his beloved Margaret in Clonmore cemetery, the hearse stopped outside the former Pagan's pub as a mark of respect to the well-liked publican.
Pat is survived by his sisters Sheila and Maura, son Brian, daughters Bernadette and Deirdre, son-in-law James, grandchildren Daryl, Michelle, Stefan, Remy, Grace, Orlaith, Bronagh and Niall, extended family and many friends and neighbours.
Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist. Tweet
