Houlihan, Christy
December 28, 2012
Portumna mourns passing of long-serving lock keeper
There was widespread sadness in the area when news came that Christy Houlihan (57) had passed away three weeks ago after a short illness.
Most people would have remembered Christy from his time as lock keeper at Portumna Bridge up to the time of his death. He joined Shannon Navigation on January 7 1975 as a general operative. He worked for many years in the stores of the OPW which was located in the Workhouse on St. Bridget's Road Portumna.
He became lock keeper at Portumna Bridge in January 1996. Christy worked for Shannon Navigation which was a branch of the OPW, however under the Good Friday agreement Shannon Navigation became known as Waterways Ireland in May 2001.
The bridge at Portumna, which is the main artery from Tipperary to Galway, had major works carried out on it three years ago, the middle piece was replaced and a new
fully automatic hydraulic system was installed.
Christy went from working the old hydraulic system to the new system: it was like a computer room with all the different buttons and lights flashing. Many people would curse the opening of the bridge especially during the summer months as you approached the bridge you would pray that the barriers would stay up.
Christy would always make sure that if he saw cars approaching he would give them time to get through anyway it gave them time to mediate and offer up prayers.
He played hurling for North Tipperary Vocational School in the 1973 All-Ireland, when they were beaten by team from Wexford.
Christy loved playing golf with the local Lorrha Golf Society (RAGS) he won many trophies with them over the years. He loved darts and pool and was part of the Friars Tavern Pub team-nobody beat him at pool.
He cycled from Lorrha Portumna everyday despite the weather and was always in good humour and had a magnificent smile. He would be the first person that visitors won meet as they entered Pornrna either by water or road.
He is survived by his mother and father, Tom and Kathleen, his wife Mary, daughter Ann Marie, sons John Paul, Mark and Brian.
The months mind mass for Christy will be held in Lorrha Church this Sunday at 10am
Courtesy of The Connacht Tribune
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