The Late Michael Lyons The death, on May 25, of Michael Lyons of Ballinacarrig will have saddened a great many people around Carlow town. He was well known locally for his gardening career, his days as a milkman and his youthful sporting prowess. Michael Lyons was born on the edge of the town, on the Dublin Road, 94 years ago. In his early days, hurling was his team game of choice. He won several medals with the famous Marble Hill Rovers club from the Dublin Road. Michael was one of the last hugely successful team of the 1930s who were a fore-runner of the Pearse's and Carlow Town hurling clubs. Swimming was another passion and Michael also distinguished himself in the races from the town, along the Barrow and up to Knockbeg and back. As well as entering many cycling races, Michael was a regular fixture at the top end of the running contests from Carlow to Tullow and Carlow to Bagenalstown. He married Mary Keighley from Boley House, Ballylinan 63 years ago in Carlow Cathedral. They had two daughters; Breda and Pauline. They raised their family in their home in Oak Park. That was where Micheal learned his craft for gardening. He was expertly taught by Tommy Yeates, the Oak Park gardener. He also learned alot from James Nugent who worked in Ballylinan. Michael did a milk round before he spent forty years as the gardener in charge of St Patrick's College. Both of these jobs made him a very recognisable face in Carlow town. As well as working the ground of St Pat's and making sure the 200 plus students there were kept in fresh fruit and vegetables, Michael took care of the Bishop's ground and thoroughly enjoyed working with his team of gardeners which included, among other good friends, Michael and Noel Doyle. Even after retiring out of Ballincarrig, Michael was still obsorbed by gardening. It was a passion he maintained until a few weeks prior to his passing where he was to be found out on his immaculately kept lawn digging holes and planting flowers and shrubs. His signature flower was a big white rose with a fleck of colour. Geraniums and dahlias also had pride of place in what was, unquestionably, one of the most impressive gardens in Carlow. Both Michael and Mary Lyons were quiet, private people and it was their wish to have private funeral burial services. The family respected that wish on May 19. Michael Lyons beloved husband of the late Mary, is deeply regretted by his loving daughters Breda and Pauline; son in law Michael, sisters in law, grandchildren Denis, Michael, Sophia, Adriana, Jamie and Daniel, great grandchildren, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 3rd June 2005 Tweet

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