Below are the recent local deaths.
May they rest in peace.
John Delaney
Kiln Lane, Mountrath, Laois
John passed away suddenly on Sunday 28th December 2025, surrounded by his loving family, at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Predeceased by his beloved wife Denise, mother Mary, father Joe and brother Tommy.
John will be forever loved and missed by his loving daughters Rachel and Ruth, and their partners Dillon and Andrew, grandchildren Séan and Riley, mother-in-law, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, his wide circle of friends, neighbours and many work colleagues over the years.
Reposing at Burke’s Funeral Home Mountrath eircode R32Y661 on Tuesday evening 30th December from 6.0’clock, concluding with Rosary at 8.0’clock. Removal on Wednesday morning 31st December to St, Fintan’s Church Mountrath eircode R32X338, for Requiem Mass at 10.0’clock, followed by Interment on St. Fintan’s Cemetery Mountrath.
John’s Requiem Mass will be live streamed on www.mountrathparish.ie
Family Flowers only please, donations if desired to The Friends of Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.
Meta Cooke (née McEvoy)
Mosse Lane, Portlaoise, Laois
Meta (Margaret) Cooke (nee McEvoy.) Villa Igea, Mosse Lane, Dublin Rd., Portlaoise, 28th December, 2025.
Peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of the late Dan. Predeceased by her parents Joe and Elizabeth, sister Lily and brother Joe, and infant son Dan.
Cherished mother to Eadaoin, Siobhán, and Dearbhail. Loving nana to Niamh, Tomas, Ríona, Gillian, Grainne and Alannah.
Deeply regretted by her loving family, sons-in-law Seamus, Enda and Richard, sisters-in-law Kathleen, Celia and Vera, brother-in-law James. Nephews, nieces, grandnephews , grandnieces, great-grandniece, relatives and friends and former colleagues in Telecom Eireann.
Reposing at Keegans Funeral Home on Monday from 6.30 pm until 8 pm with Rosary at 7.30 pm.
Funeral arriving at SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Portlaoise for 11 am Requiem Mass on Tuesday followed by burial in SS Peter and Paul’s Cemetery, Portlaoise.
Mary Kenna (née Connor)
St Mary’s Road, Daingean, Offaly/Mountrath, Laois
Formerly of Cappagh, Mountrath County Laois. Peacefully surrounded by her loving family while in the exceptional care of the staff of The Brosna Ward Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore. Predeceased by her husband Jack Kenna, parents Thomas and Dinah Connor, sister Bridie Walsh and brother John Connor. Deeply regretted by her loving son Tomàs ,daughters Catherine and Ann-Marie daughter-in-law Stella, sons-in-law David and Derek, grandchildren Tadhg, Eoin, Clodagh, Conor, Caoimhe and Ronan, sisters Queenie Daly and Sadie Hughes, brother Charlie O’Connor, nephews, nieces, relatives, her carers Mags, Tina, Aoife and Cyntia, neighbours and friends.
Reposing at Mahers Chapel of Rest Portarlington (eircode R32 X5XV) on Monday evening 29th December from 4pm with Rosary at 5:30pm. Removal afterwards to Mary Mother Of God Church Daingean (eircode R35 E862) arriving at 7pm. Requiem Mass on Tuesday 30th December at 11am. Funeral afterwards to St Colemans Cemetery, Kilclonfert Daingean (eircode R35 H280).
Mary’s Evening Reception Prayers and Requiem Mass will be streamed live on.
No Flowers Please. Donations if Desired to The Friends Of The Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore.
https://www.idonate.ie/cause/FriendsofTheMidlandRegionalHospitalTullamore
Sally Kennedy (née Hogan)
Rathdowney, Laois/Borrisokane, Tipperary
Sally Kennedy (née Hogan), Conoboro Rd. Rathdowney, Co. Laois and formerly Ballycasey, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary, December 26th. 2025, peacefully at home in the presence of her loving family.
Predeceased by her parents Jack and Nora, sisters Madge and Mary, brothers Séan, Tom and William who died in infancy.
Sadly missed and remembered with love by her devoted husband Oliver, heartbroken family Gerard, Cathal and Clodagh,daughters-in-law Natalie and Sissel, son-in-law Alan, adored grandchildren Jack, Sabrina, Megan, Shannon, Oisín, Aurora, Brendan, Liam, Gráinne, Néamh and Éadaoin and great grandchild Faolán, brothers Martin and Michael, sisters Nonie, Bridie and Bernadette, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Reposing at O’Sullivan’s funeral home Rathdowney (Eircode R32 NY24) on Monday evening December 29th from 5 o’clock pausing for prayers at 7 o’clock.
Removal from her residence on Tuesday morning December 30th to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney arriving for Requiem Mass at 11 o’clock. Interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Terryglass Co. Tipperary (Eircode E45 VP95) at 1.15 pm approximately.
Sally’s funeral Mass can be viewed by pressing the following link http://www.parishwebsites.ie/rathdowney/. Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to the Irish Cancer Society.
John Ryan
Brownshill, Carlow/Maganey, Laois
John Ryan, Browneshill Wood, Carlow and formerly of Kilabban, Maganey, Co. Laois, December 27th 2025 peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.
Beloved husband of Bridget and much loved father of Shane, Siobhán, Tanya, Danny and Laura and adored grandfather of Lucy, Harry, Ben, Leah, Kayden, Pixie, Elena, Senán, Connie and Maddie.
Sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren, brother, sisters, sons-in-law Fergal and Chris, daughter-in-law Niamh, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Predeceased by his parents William and Peggie Ryan and by his sisters Peggy Furey and Teresa Hughes.
Reposing in R. Healy & Son Funeral Home Pollerton Castle, Carlow on Sunday (Dec 28th) from 4pm to 6pm. Funeral Mass on Monday at 10am in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow. Burial afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Family flowers only, please. Donations if desired to Mater Foundation, Oncology Unit. House private, please.
Sean (John) Finan
Derrin, Borris-in-Ossory, Laois/Roscrea, Tipperary
Sean passed away peacefully in the care of the Villa Marie Nursing Home, Roscrea on the 24th of December 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Pre-deceased by his beloved wife Maura, son Paul, infant daughter Martha, grandson Shane, grand-daughter Ella, brother Michael and sister Camilla.
Loving father to Jackie, John, Damien, Declan, Donna and Orla. Cherished granddad to David, Niamh, Cian, Ciara, Fionnula, Darragh, Hannah, Jessica, Krystal, Katrina, Sean, Steven, Jake, Amy, Caoimhe, Aaron, Aoife, Harry and Anna, great-grandchildren Indie, Maeve, Ada, Finley and Erin.
Deeply regretted by his sisters May and Pauline, brothers Tom and Liam, daughters-in-law Sioban, Julie and Loretta, sons-in-law Paul, Seamus and Liam, partners, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Reposing at his daughter’s residence in Errill(R32 FC62) on Sunday evening from 4pm, concluding with Rosary at 7pm. Removal on Monday morning from his daughter’s residence arriving in St.Canice’s Church, Borris-in-Ossory for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in Bealady Cemetery, Rathdowney, Co.Laois.
Funeral Mass can be viewed at the following link https://www.youtube.com/@Borris-in-OssoryParishOn-re9wd
House Private on Monday morning please.
Margaret (Maggie) O’Rourke (née Bowe)
Lower Sconce, Mountrath, Co Laois
Maggie passed away peacefully on the 25th December 2025, at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise, surrounded by her loving family.
Predeceased by her husband Jim. Dearly beloved mam of Carmel (Fitzpatrick) Dysart, Michael and John. Deeply regretted by her family, grandchildren Patrick, Breda, Ciara, Aoife, Meg and Kim, brother Mick, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
May Margaret Rest in Peace.
Reposing at Burke’s Funeral Home Mountrath eircode R32Y661 on Sunday evening 28th December, from 5.0’clock, concluding with Rosary at 7.0’clock. Removal on Monday afternoon 29th December to St. Fintan’s Church Ballyfin eircode R32TD61, for Requiem Mass at 2.0’clock, followed by Internment in St. Fintan’s Cemetery Mountrath.
Maggie’s Requiem Mass will be live streamed on www.ballyfinparish.ie. House private at all times please.
SEE ALSO – Deaths in Laois – Sunday, December 28, 2025
