As one year ends and the next one begins, we often find ourselves looking back on the people we have lost.
Laois lost a number of great people over the last 12 months and below, we will remember some of them who featured on our site.
Our deepest sympathies go to their families and loved ones.
While every effort has been made to make this article as comprehensive as we can, we know there are some omissions which we may not have been aware of at the time of their death.
If any family would like to remember a loved one on their first anniversary in 2024, please get in touch and we would be happy to carry a piece.
May everyone who was lost in 2023 Rest in Peace.
JANUARY
Rose McCann
There was sadness in Portarlington at the start of the year with the news of the death of Rose McCann, a woman who made a lifelong contribution to the town and local community.
Rose was a central member of the famed Portarlington GAA ladies committee for decades and the highly-respected McCann family is very much synonymous with the club.
The Portarlington GAA grounds are named McCann Park in honour of Rose’s late husband Pat, who died tragically following a car accident in 1991.
Kevin O’Brien
There is widespread sadness in Portlaoise and surrounding areas in January at the death of Kevin O’Brien.
Kevin passed away peacefully at home following a battle with cancer.
Well-known through his work in the Department of Education in Tullamore, he was also involved in the local sporting scene with the O’Brien family particularly associated with the Portlaoise AFC soccer club.
Maria Lalor
The death occurred suddenly of Mary (Maria) Lalor of Garrafin in Camross and formerly Killenure on January 3.
Marie and her husband Fint resided at Garrafin in Camross for many years. They reared two sons, Fintan and John, where hurling and religion was the main topic.
Agnes Hyland
There was sadness in Ballacolla and Cullohill areas following the passing of a Laois mother and wife who has been described as a ‘beautiful, kind person’.
Agnes Hyland, née Deegan, passed away peacefully at Portlaoise Regional Hospital in the presence of her loving family on Tuesday January 10.
Originally from Cullohill, Agnes is sadly missed by her loving husband Joe and her beloved son Ben.
Frances Coyne
The death took place of Frances Coyne (nee Egan), a long-serving and hugely respected shopkeeper in Borris-in-Ossory.
Mrs Coyne took over the running of a shop in Borris-in-Ossory in the 1960s while still a teenager and after getting married to her husband Michael Coyne, the shop traded as Coynes for a long number of years.
It was a busy grocery shop on the old main Dublin Road and a popular spot for both locals and the passing trade.
Tony Greene
There was deep sadness in Portlaoise following the passing of a Laois man who has been described as ‘an absolute gentleman’.
Tony Greene, of St Brigid’s Place in Portlaoise, passed away unexpectedly on Monday January 16.
Tommy Dunne
The death occurred of Tommy Dunne senior, a highly-regarded figure in the Laois GAA community and a well-known builder in Portarlington, Ballybrittas and surrounding areas.
Though living in Portarlington for a long number of years, Tommy was associated closely with the Courtwood GAA club.
He was one of the club’s first ever representatives on a Laois team and played at centre-forward in the 1968 Leinster senior final loss to Longford.
Dick Sides
The town of Portlaoise was in mourning in January with the news of the death of Dick Sides, a man who gave so much to so many community groups over his long life.
Be it GAA, Credit Union, Accordion Band, Friends of Portlaoise General Hospital (and its various guises over the years) and the parish community, Dick Sides was never far away.
A long-time employee of the ESB, he was involved in various groups and clubs around Portlaoise for generations.
Tess O’Connell
The small rural community of Courtwood bid farewell to Tess O’Connell, who passed away aged 89.
Mrs O’Connell lived at her home at ‘Courtwood Stores’, a landmark of sorts in the area, the name of which harked back to when it was in fact a co-op stores.
Seamus Foyle
There was sadness in the village of Timahoe at the end of January following the passing of Seamus Foyle.
A farmer and a building contractor, Seamus was extremely well known for his hard work and his humour and wit.
Ann Ramsbottom
Tributes were paid following the passing of a long-serving school teacher who worked in Stradbally.
Mrs Ann Ramsbottom, from Luggacurren but originally from Portarlington in Laois, came to the school formerly known as Scoil Aonghusa in 1970.
Her appointment was significant at the time as she was the first lay teacher to be given a job in the school – all others were nuns.
Declan Bracken
Declan passed away on January 5. Originally from the Block Road in Portlaoise, Declan had been living in Earlsfield in London in recent years.
A well-travelled man, he had also lived throughout his life in Sydney, San Francisco, Fair Isle in Scotland and Overton in England.
Bosco Grant
The small tight-knit community of Colt and Raheen was in mourning following the death of the widely popular Bosco Grant.
Every GAA club has a family or two that is synonymous with their fortunes – and for Colt over a long number of years one of those families is the Grants.
Bosco, who lived beside the home place in Colt, celebrated his 50th birthday before Christmas but by then he was fighting a battle with cancer that began last spring.
Philip ‘Chilly’ Ward
Philip ‘Chilly’ Ward passed away peacefully at the Regional Hospital Portlaoise after a brief illness.
Chilly was known far and wide across the county – and most so for his love and involvement with GAA.
FEBRUARY
Padraig Walshe
In early February, the death occurred of Padraig Walshe, the Laois man who was a former president of the Irish Farmers Association. He was aged in his mid 60s.
Mr Walshe, who farmed a dairy enterprise at Bishopswood, Durrow, alongside his wife Ella and son Pat, passed away suddenly.
He is also survived by his daughters Julieanne, Catherine, Elma and a wide circle of family and friends.
Mr Walshe was highly regarded in farming and political circles having been president of Macra Na Feirme from 1987 to 1989, the IFA from 2006 to 2010 and COPA, the European Farmers Union, from 2009 to 2011.
Tommy Murphy
The death occurred of Annanough and Laois GAA stalwart Tommy Murphy in Galway in his 93rd year.
Originally from Belgrove, the eldest of the famed ‘Murphys of the Farmyard’ family, Tommy won senior football championships with Annanough in 1951 and 1956 and played in a Leinster final with Laois in 1951.
Though he lived in Galway for many years, his legacy locally is a wonderful publication he produced in 1987 ‘The History of Annanough GAA Club’.
Amy Dunphy
There was deep sadness in Portlaoise over the February Bank Holiday weekend as a young mother was laid to rest.
Amy Dunphy, from Marian Ave in Portlaoise, died unexpectantly at home on Thursday February 2.
She was predeceased by her infant child Jamie and partner TJ.
Vanda Rafter
There was deep sadness in Portlaoise College following the unexpected passing of one of their staff members.
Vanda Rafter (née Szwaglis), from Glenside in Portlaoise, passed away unexpectantly at Portlaoise Hospital on Tuesday February 7.
She worked in the canteen in Portlaoise College for many years where she was loved by staff and students alike.
Pat Hooban
There was deep sadness in Laois following the passing of the well-known and highly-regarded Pat Hooban.
Mr Hooban, a well-known builder and a very popular member of Portlaoise rugby and Ballyfin and Portlaoise GAA communities, has died.
Of Cherrygarth, Portlaois
Sean Clear
The young Laois man lost his life tragically in a freak accident in New Zealand.
Sean Clear from Ballacolla died in February after a tragic accident while working.
Sean, who was aged in his mid 20s, and his family are well-known in the Ballacolla area and immersed in community life.
March
Adam Kirwan
There was shock and sadness following the news that a talented young Laois hurler had been killed in a car accident.
Adam Kirwan, aged in his early 20s, lost his life in March.
He was involved in a fatal single vehicle road traffic incident that occurred in the early hours of Thursday, March 2.
Michael Scully
The death occurred of Michael Scully, from Killanure, Camross, in March.
Michael was predeceased by his wife Kathleen and his parents.
Mr Scully was Laois GAA’s Hurling Board Chairman from 1974 into the 1980s. Heavily involved with the Fianna Fail party, he was also chairman of Camross GAA for number of years.
As a player, Michael won Junior ‘A’ and U-21 championships with his beloved Camross. Michael worked most of his life in forestry and had farm near St Aiden’s Church in Killenure where his requiem mass took place last Friday.
Liam Kearns
There was shock and sadness in the GAA community in March following the news that Liam Kearns had passed away.
Kearns led the Laois team to the 2007 Leinster final. The sad news was confirmed in a statement by Offaly GAA.
John Lennon
There was shock and sadness following the passing of a young Graiguecullen man after an accident in Thailand.
John Lennon, aged in his 20s, passed away following a motorcycle accident in the Sout-East Asian country.
John went to primary school in St Fiacc’s National School and then went on to Carlow CBS.
April
Mary ‘Pippy’ McEvoy
In April the death occurred of the much-loved Portlaoise boutique owner Mary ‘Pippy’ McEvoy (nee Booth).
Fondly known wide and far as ‘Pippy’, proprietor of the renowned Blossom Time boutique, she died in Beaumont Hospital after a short illness.
David Brown
There was deep sadness in Laois following the death of a teenage boy in a tragic quad bike accident.
The deceased was 15-year-old David Brown from Portlaoise who was killed following an accident in a wooded area near Emo.
May
Jim McDonald
The death occurred of Jim McDonald, the driving force behind the Kilminchy development in Portlaoise.
A native of Arles, he was an accountant by profession before masterminding the development of the Kilminchy part of Portlaoise in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Cormac Lally
The death of Cormac Lally from Abbeyleix, a man who was hugely respected in community, sporting, business and charity circles, occurred in May.
Originally from Cabinteely in Dublin, Mr Lally held the position of manager of Bank of Ireland in Abbeyleix for many years.
Will Sherlock
There was a huge sadness around Laois in May with the news of the death of Will Sherlock, a young man aged only in his mid 40s.
From Eyne outside Portlaoise, Will had been battling illness for the past couple of years.
A giant of a man and universally popular, Will worked as a prison officer in Portlaoise.
Thomas C Bracken
Thomas C Bracken was born in Tullamore, Co Offaly, in May of 1932.
He was born into a family with a keen interest in politics which influenced his life and stories.
He passed away in May.
JUNE
Ger O’Mahony
There was sadness in Mountmellick back in June following the passing of Ger O’Mahony, a highly-respected man who made a huge contribution over his life to his town and community.
Aged in his mid 70s, Ger owned a butcher’s shop in the town for many years before later becoming a supervisor with Laois County Council.
Colm Dunne
The death had occurred of Colm Dunne from Togher outside Portlaoise back in June.
A much-loved character who was part of the furniture in Portlaoise Rugby Club for many years.
Colm was a native of Clonaslee but worked as a psychiatric nurse in St Fintan’s Hospital for many years.
And living in Togher, he immersed himself in the rugby club, serving as a masseur to countless teams over the years.
Pat Lambe
There was deep sadness in Ballyfin and The Heath in June following the passing of Patricia ‘Pat’ Lambe (nee Lambe).
Living in Ballydavis but originally from Ballyfin, Mrs Lambe passed away on Tuesday, June 6.
Gerry Conway
There was sadness in Laois following the news of the death of Gerry Conway from Portarlington, a giant of a figure in the local traditional music community.
A much-loved and widely respected figure, he was a driving force behind Portarlington and Laois Comhaltas for over half a century. His wife Shirley was also hugely involved too.
Fr Kevin O’Neill
There was huge sadness in June following the passing of Fr Kevin O’Neill of Abbeyleix and Mountrath.
A respected teacher, Fr O’Neill joined Carlow College in 1972 and was a staff member for forty-three years.
JULY
Rory Deegan
A young man who tragically passed away in Greece had been described as “a bubbly, good humoured person, who simply made others feel special”.
Mourners gathered in St Tighearnach’s Church, Cullohill, back in July for the requiem mass of Rory Deegan (22), who was found unresponsive in a swimming pool by friends.
John Moran
The death had occurred of former Laois county councillor, Cathaoirleach and General Election candidate John Moran back in July.
Mr Moran, who was a Fine Gael councillor in Laois from 1991 to 2019, passed away in hospital in Dublin aged 74.
From Killeen, John was a hugely popular member of the council for almost 30 years. He was also a General Election candidate in 2011 alongside long-time Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan when he got over 4,000 first preference votes.
John Freeman
There was sadness in Durrow following the news of the passing of John Freeman, the highly-regarded pharmacist who’d worked in the town for a long number of years.
John owned the Durrow Pharmacy on Mary Street in the town and had been serving the people of Durrow and surrounding areas for more than 30 years.
A highly-regarded member of the local community, he was a native of Kilkenny.
Fr Denis O’Sullivan
The death had occurred in July of Fr Denis O’Sullivan (94), long-time parish priest in Monasterevin.
Jonathan McCowen
There was sadness in Portarlington and Laois in July following the news of the sad passing of a Laois dad in Australia.
Formerly of Station Road in Portarlington, Jonathan ‘Micko’ McCowen passed away on July 18 in Brisbane.
Eoin and Dylan Fitzpatrick
There was deep shock and sadness throughout Laois and beyond in July when the tragic news broke that the father and son had died when the moped they were travelling on collided with a bus in in the Turkish tourist town of Alanya.
Mourners were told how proud Eoin was of his eldest son, Cian, who was not only Dylan’s big brother, but his best friend.
The mass was preceded by a guard of honour from Portlaoise GAA and Dylan’s classmates at Scoil Bhríde.
AUGUST
Mick Walsh
There was deep sadness in Ballylinan in August following the passing of one of the hugely popular and well-known Mick ‘Slippy’ Walsh.
Mr Walsh, of Sheadogue in Ballylinan, passed away following an illness on Thursday, August 3.
Beloved husband and best friend of Sheila, Mick is the much loved father of Ned, Catherine, Gérard, Oliver and Aidan.
Joe Mallon
The death occurred of Joe Mallon back in August, the Kildare native who had strong business interests in Portlaoise through the Renault and Dacia car dealerships.
The Mallon name has been synonymous with the car trade since Joe started in the industry in the 1960s. Joe Mallon Motors opened in Naas in 1986 and took over the Bill Cullen Renault dealership in Portlaoise in 2011.
Ronan McNamara
Tributes had been paid to a Laois teenager who tragically passed away in Timahoe in August.
15-year-old Ronan McNamara is survived by his parents Paul and Yvonne and his sister Orlaith.
Ronan was a talented sports person. He played football for Stradbally Parish Gaels and they described him as a ‘smashing young man’.
Paddy Ramsbottom
There was sadness in Laois following the news of the passing of Paddy Ramsbottom in August.
Paddy was the owner of Ramsbottom’s Pub in Stradbally for a long number of years before selling the business in recent times.
The establishment is still open in the town today and bears his name.
SEPTEMBER
Eugene Young
There was sadness in Clonaslee following the passing of one of their most loved Gaels – Eugene Young.
He is survived by his wife Bridget, son James and daughters Claire and Edel.
Eugene was a proud Clonaslee-St Manman’s player and supporter with the club paying a special tribute to him on social media.
Maureen Reynolds
There was sadness in Laois following the passing Maureen Renolds who was well known to many across the county.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband, daughter and son, her sister Ann, brother John, in-laws, family circle, friends, neighbours and work colleagues in Mulhall’s Supervalu.
Brid O’Mahony
There was sadness following the passing of Brid O’Mahony in September. Bríd, nee Monaghan, was a native of Tysaxon, Monivea, Galway.
She moved to Mountmellick in 1969 as a business studies teacher in St. Mary’s College, now Mountmellick Community School, where she spent most of her teaching career.
OCTOBER
Matt Moore
The death had occurred of Matt Moore, the Emo native who made a massive impact across the business, political and farming world.
Aged in his late 60s, Matt lived in Treascon, Portarlington, for many years, with his wife Valerie.
Joe Drennan
Joe Drennan, of Knocknagad, Mountrath, was killed following a fatal road collision in Castletroy.
The 21-year-old was a talented journalism student in University of Limerick where he was in Fourth Year.
Just over a week before his death, Joe had been appointed as the editor-in-chief of the prestigious Limerick Voice student newspaper.
Des Carroll
The death occurred in October of Des Carroll, a Wexford native who made a huge contribution to local life in Portlaoise and Laois since moving to live and work in the area more than 50 years ago.
Originally from New Ross, Des was a member of an Garda Síochána and moved to Portlaoise in the early 1970s.
A highly respected figure, he was heavily involved in Community Games along with his wife Margaret and held leading positions at county and national level.
Fintan Walsh
The death occurred of Fintan Walsh from Ballylinan in October, roundly regarded as one of the finest Laois footballers of all time.
Aged in his mid 80s, he had been living in Butterfield in Rathfarnham in Dublin since the mid 1960s, where he was a much-loved local primary school teacher in St Mary’s BNS and involved in the early years of the Ballyboden-St Enda’s club in the 1970s.
For many years he was a leading figure in Dublin Cumann na mBunscol and served on Cumann na mBunscol’s national executive.
Jim Hughes
There was sadness in the Portlaoise GAA following the news that Jim Hughes, a former championship-winning captain with the club, had passed away.
Jim lived in Garrykennedy in Tipperary and served as a Garda in Nenagh and was a hugely respected figure in the community there over a long number of years, putting his shoulder to the wheel with the Portroe Community Hall group and with the Garrykennedy Boat and Fishing Club.
Peter Rice
There was sadness in November following the passing of a Laois man who spent many years as President of the LGFA.
A native of Portlaoise, Peter Rice passed away following a short illness.
Beloved father of David and Janette, Mr Rice is the father-in-law of Michelle and Andre and brother of Gretta.
Fr Sean Murphy
Just a short time after he returned to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Rath, to celebrate his golden jubilee on October 14, Ballybrittas native Fr Seán Murphy SDBs died after a short illness.
The missionary priest who was in his 90th year, had planned to return to Johannesburg after his golden jubilee celebrations.
Tom Scully
There was sadness in Portlaoise and in GAA plus rugby circles following the passing of Tom Scully.
Mr Scully, aged 82, passed away suddenly following a short illness.
He is survived by his wife Brenda and children Brian, Kathryn, Philip and Tommy.
December
Brigid Emerson
The death occurred of Brigid Emerson, a wonderful community activist over a number of decades in Portarlington and a former member of Offaly County Council.
A native of Meath, Mrs Emerson had lived in Portarlington for the best part of 60 years and made a lasting contribution across a range of community projects. She was aged in her early 80s.
John Delaney
There was widespread shock across the county following the news of the sudden passing of John Delaney from Ballacolla, at the age of just 28, at the start of December.
Known as ‘Jack’ to his wide circle of family and friends, he collapsed while out for a run near his home in Ballacolla and passed away a short time later.
He was the youngest of a family of four and was heavily involved in the family furniture business, Design Options in Portlaoise, where he worked alongside his father Tim and brother Tom, who runs the adjacent coffee shop Brew.
Jack Kenna
The death occurred of Jack Kenna, widely regarded as one of the greatest Laois footballers of all time.
Aged in his early 90s, Jack lived in Daingean in Offaly for most of his life where he worked in Bord na Mona – but he remained a proud Laois and O’Dempsey’s man and someone who is fondly spoken of for his football exploits as well as being a gentleman to his fingertips.
Jack played in Leinster finals for Laois in 1951 and 1959 and won Railway Cups with Leinster in 1955, 1959 and 1961. He also represented Ireland in a game against the Combined Universities in 1960.
Sean Cuddy
There was sadness in Camross and the Laois hurling community following the passing of Sean Cuddy.
Sean died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, December 18.
A renowned hurler, he is the holder of a staggering 16 Laois senior hurling medals.
Michael Morris
There is sadness in Portlaoise this week following the passing of a well regarded and admired former Garda inspector.
Michael Morris, of Colliers Lane, Kilminchy, Portlaoise, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 20.
Originally from Kinvara in Galway, Mr Morris was initially stationed in Donegal before moving down to Portlaoise in September 1974.
Billy Ramsbottom
The Timahoe area and indeed further afield was in mourning before Christmas following the sudden death of Billy Ramsbottom.
A long-standing pillar of the community and member of the highly-regarded Ramsbottom family, Billy, aged in his 93rd year, passed away suddenly while attending a greyhound race meeting in Kilkenny.
Shane Lynch
There was deep sadness in Portlaoise following the tragic and unexpected passing of Shane Lynch.
Shane, 23, from St Brigid’s Place in Portlaoise, died on Friday, December 29.
Shane was an extremely talented soccer player and played for Old Fort Celtic in the Kildare League in recent years.
SEE ALSO – Remembering some of the great Laois people who sadly left us in 2022
