Below are the recent local deaths.
May they rest in peace.
Bridget Cashin (née Dowling)
The Course, Durrow, Laois/Kilkenny
Bridget passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family while under the wonderful care of the medical staff of Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unity.
Bridget is predeceased by her husband Morgan. She is deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by her children John, Paul and Morgan, her daughters in law Cathleen, Mary and Diane, her sister in law Breda, her nine adoring grandchildren Morgan, Rhea, Keith, Nicky, Paul, Ryan, Declan, Beth and Megan, her great grandchildren Kai, Ezra, Lily, Odhrán, Archer and Cora, The O’Brien family, Castleroe, Maganey, her nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Bridget will repose in The Church of the Holy Trinity, Durrow, Co. Laois (R32 CK11) on Friday 6th February 2026 from 5pm pausing for the Rosary at 7pm. Requiem Mass will be on Saturday 7th February 2026 at 11am with burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Family flowers only donations in lieu to Friends of the District Hospital Abbeyleix.
Martin McEvoy
Raggetstown, Ballinakill, Laois/Abbeyleix, Laois
Martin passed away peacefully in The Little Sisters of the Poor Ferrybank,Waterford,with his nieces by his side.
Predeceased by his sisters Julie,Teresa, Eileen and brothers Patrick and Michael.
Martin will be greatly missed by his loving sisters Mary,Ann and Kathleen,sister in law Una and his many nieces and nephews who held him in great affection,his cousins,good neighbours and friends.
Reposing on Thursday 5th February at The Chapel of Rest adjoining The Church of The Most Holy Rosary Abbeyleix from 5pm to 7pm with Prayers at 7pm.
Funeral Mass on Friday 6th February at 11am at St.Brigid’s Church Ballinakill which can be viewed on the link http://www.ballinakillknockparish.com Burial afterwards in St.Brigid’s Cemetery.
Marian McMahon (née Smyth)
Garrons, Stradbally, Laois, R32RY77/Wolfhill, Laois
The death has occurred of Marian McMahon (nee Smyth), Garrons, Stradbally, Co Laois (formerly Aughadreen Wolfhill)
Marian passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on 2/2/2026.
Predeceased by her husband Jimmy, son John grandsons Brian and Keith, granddaughter Marian O’ Shea. Deeply regretted by her sons Bernard (Clare), John’s wife Marie, Jim (Ailish), Paddy (Bernie), TJ (Mary), Paul (Siobhan) and Anthony, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Also remembered by the O’Malley, Jackson, Moran family and family of the late Sarah and Joe.
Reposing at her home, in Garrons R32 RY77 on Wednesday 4th February from 3pm concluding with rosary at 8pm. Funeral mass on Thursday 5th February in Sacred Heart Church, Stradbally at 12noon followed by burial in Oakvale Cemetery, Stradbally.
Family flowers only please. Donations if desired to Laois Hospice, donation box in house and church.
The family would like to express their gratitude to Marian’s carers especially Charlotte for their tenderness and care over the years, Stradbally GP practice and Palliative Care Service.
Paddy Delaney
Feereigh, Rathdowney, Laois
Paddy Delaney, Feereigh, Rathdowney, Co. Laois, February 1st. 2026, peacefully at Midland’s Regional Hospital Portlaoise surrounded by his family.
Predeceased by his parents John and Catherine and his infant brother Peter.
Deeply regretted by his brother Billy, sisters Mary, Sheila and Kathleen, brother-in-law Denis, sister-in-law Kathleen, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, especially his good friend Bozenka and a wide circle of friends.
Reposing at O’Sullivan’s funeral home Rathdowney (Eircode R32 NY24) on Monday evening February 2nd, from 5 o’clock until 7 o’clock.
Removal on Tuesday morning to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Rathdowney arriving for Requiem Mass at 11 o’clock. Interment afterwards in Bordwell Cemetery, Clough.
Kathleen Sheil (née Dunne)
24 Wolftone Court, Mountmellick, Laois
Kathleen Sheil nee Dunne of 24 Wolfe Tone Court, formerly of 1 Lord Edward Street surrounded by her loving family after a short illness.
Predeceased by her loving husband Stephen, her parents Terence and Ellen Dunne. Her infant sister Mary Imelda, infant brother Terence Michael, her brothers Tim and Peter.
Very sadly missed by her daughter Karen, daughter-in-law Debbie, daughter Elaine and her son-in-law Maurice, her son David, her sister Mary, her brother Ben and his wife Francis, her brother Noel and his wife Barbara.
Her Grandchildren, Samantha, Ger, Becky, Katelyn, Brian, Niall, Emma and her Great Granddaughter Aobha, her Nieces and Nephews, all her cousins and extended family and friends.
Reposing Moloney’s Funeral Home Monday from 4pm. Recital of The Rosary at 5.30pm. Reposing Tuesday morning from 10am. Removal at 10.45am to St. Joseph’s Church for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial after in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Mass will be live-streamed via the parish webcam https://www.mountmellickparish.ie. Only family flowers, donations if desired to Laois Palliative Care/ Night Nurses.
Sarah Delaney (née nee Mortimer)
Millmount Place, Drumcondra, Dublin/Clonaslee, Laois
The death has occurred of Sarah Delaney nee Mortimer in her 98th year of 7 Millmount Place, Drumcondra, Dublin and formerly of Tinnahinch Clonaslee and Coole, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare on 30th January 2026 in the care of Nazareth House, Nursing Home, Malahide Road, Dublin surrounded by her loving family and best friend Betty Daly.
Predeceased by her husband Daniel, her parents Elizabeth and Michael, her brothers John, James, Michael and Pat and her sisters Mary, Sr. Elizabeth Michael, Sr. Bridget, Essie and Elizabeth.
Deeply regretted by Daniel Delaney and Ailish Delaney, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews.
Reposing Moloney’s Funeral Home Mountmellick (R32 PC95) this evening from 7pm. Recital of The Rosary at 8pm. Reposing in the funeral home on Thursday from 10am. Removal at 11.15 to St.Manman’s Church, Clonaslee for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St.Brigid’s Cemetery Rosenallis.
Funeral Mass can be viewed on
Seamus Gilligan
Cappoquin, Waterford/Ballyfin, Laois
GILLIGAN: Shanbally, Cappoquin and formerly of Brockra, Ballyfin, Co. Laois.
On 30th January 2026, passed unexpectedly and peacefully at WUH surrounded by his loving family. Seamus, beloved son of the late Martin and Sarah Gilligan and brother of the late Martin and Sean.
Deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary (Née O’Keeffe), sons Alan, Martin and Jamie, daughter Aisling, their respective partners Jason, Laura and Natanya, his beloved grandchildren Darcie, Tara and Lisa Leighton, Tiernan, Cameron and Khaleesi, his beloved siblings, Mary, Sadie, Theresa and Pauric and their partners, along with all his extended O’Keeffe and Gilligan family, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Lying in repose at Aidan Walsh & Sons Funeral Home, Cappoquin (Eircode P51 DH76) on Wednesday evening February 4th from 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm.
Funeral Mass on Thursday morning February 5th at 11.00 am in St. Mary’s Church, Cappoquin (Eircode P51 Y898).
Followed by burial in Our Lady of Assumption Church Yard Cemetery, Modeligo, Cappagh (Eircode X35 XW73)
Seamus’s Funeral Mass can be viewed through the following link (live only) https://mcn.live/Camera/st-marys-church-cappoquin
Donations in lieu to Headway Ireland can be made through the link below; https://headway.ie/support-us/donate/
