The late Patrick O'Donoghue The death occurred on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, of Patrick O'Donoghue of Rath, Caherdaniel who slipped away gently in the arms of his loving family - his wife, Maureen and his sons and daughters who kept a bedside vigil as he embarked on his final journey. Patrick was born on February 17, 1925 the only child of Thomas O'Donoughe and Johannah McGuillicuddy (Glenmore). Patrick was raised in the townland of Rath on the water's edge - a beautiful place he loved and cherished all his life. He left school after primary education and worked on the family farm before he joined a turf cutting scheme in the 50's. With the introduction of electricity he began working with the ESB and then joined Kerry County Council where he had a long and distinguished service until 1990, servicing the area Coomachiste to Kelly's cross. The manner in which he carried out his duties was much appreciated by people and he was popular amongst the local community. Patrick married Maureen Fitzgerald and together they raised nine children - Tom, Joan, Eddie, Mary, Patrick, Michael, John and Twins Brid and Ann. His children have very fond memories of walking to Rath Strand with him on a Sunday and going on the boat fishing each taking turn rowing in Regattas. One of Patrick's main hobbies was fishing and he would go to the strand to collect lugworms before setting off to his favourite rock 'Glaisce Rinn' to fish for pollock and wrasse which is known locally as 'Connor' an d he never failed to come home without a catch of fish. One thing to note about Patrick was that he used the traditional way of fishing - a length of sally and a ball of fishing twine and lead weights moulded in a sod of turf and this is what he continued to use throughout his life. Football played a huge part in Patrick's life first as a player and later a spectator and trainer. Patrick played right-hand forward with Derrynane in 1948 when they contested the South Kerry final. He loved his club Derrynane and was involved for many years training under-age teams. Patrick never drove a day in his life and was a familiar site in the area on his 'high-nelly' and he would often cycle to Derrynane to watch his sons play. He was also involved with NACA now know as the Community Games. A sociable man he loved going out and meeting people and he enjoyed a game of cards and he was a great man for telling stories. Another one of his many talents was gardening and the rockery outside his house was testament to that. His plants did not come from a garden centre but from pruning plants in the locality. He also had a skill for stone work and he built stone walls in all his children's homes from Kildare to Kerry. In his spare time he also enjoyed reading especially historical books and westerns which he used to swop with Dan the tailor (RIP) and of course The Kerryman for which he wrote the Caherdaniel notes for 30 years. A gentle and kind man, Patrick never got angry or raised his voice to anyone and his calm nature made him a popular and well-liked man in the community. As a gaeilgeoir Patrick had a great love of all things Irish and he always referred to local areas in Irish - something he passed on to all his children. After his retirement from Kerry County Council he put his bike away and decided to travel and up until his death he visited Australia three times, Canada, Lourdes, Medjujore and England. On his 70th birthday he travelled to Belfast and walked down the Falls Road. Patrick will be sorely missed by his family, friends and neighbours as he was an important part in their lives. He is survived by his wife Maureen, his nine children, 20 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his extended family and friends. Courtesy of The Kerryman 08 June 2006 Tweet

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