He didn't say anything of the man who was fortunate enough to live all his life in Mullinahone. Such a man was Denis Quirke of Gurteen whose most unexpected death on May 10 came as a huge shock to his family and many friends. Dinny as he was known to the people of the local community was just about to celebrate his 56th birthday. Prior to his death Dinny who had to contend with illness for most of his life, seemed to be in good health.

His death took place at his home while working in his garden of which he was very proud. Though stricken with diabetes as a schoolboy this did not prevent Dinny working very hard for many years on the family farm. As Fr McGrath so aptly put it at his funeral Mass, Dinny was a man who always had the wind in his face. He became much more seriously ill having to go on dialysis and eventually almost nine years ago he underwent a double transplant which was hugely successful. Since then the wind in Dinny's face dropped considerably until his most unexpected death. Two items presented at Dinny's funeral Mass said much about the loves of Dinny's life. Both items were connected with growth and farming. He loved to raise flowers from seed and to keep abreast of agricultural matters by reading his bible, The Farmers Journal. His remains reposed in the family home until they were removed to St Michael's church for his funeral Mass. The readers at this Mass were Dinny's niece Margo Croke and his nephew Adam O'Shea while the responsorial psalm was sung by local man John McCormack. The prayers of the faithful were recited by Dinny's family, Paul (son), Louise (daughter), David (son) and Aidan (nephew).

The offertory gifts were presented by the family Eleanor (wife), Louise (daughter) and sons Paul and David while the Mass in St Michael's church was celebrated by Fr John McGrath PP. After Mass the cortege accompanied by a large congregation made its way to St Michael's cemetery, Killaghy, where burial took place. The large number of people who visited the house and/or attended the funeral Mass and burial was testimony to the great esteem in which Dinny and his family are and were held.

Dinny is survived by his wife Eleanor, by his sons Paul and David and by his daughter Louise. He is also survived by his mother Annie Quirke whom he called to see each day at her home, as well as the other members of both the Quirke and O'Shea families. To all of them we extend our sympathies. Dinny will be missed around his native Mullinahone – a place he loved. When we remember Dinny and say a prayer for him we will remember a man who when faced with adversity for much of his life didn't throw in the towel but battled on bravely.
The quality of his life improved greatly since his transplants. Perhaps this should make us think more favourably on the whole area of organ donation. Dinny did. May he rest in peace. His month's mind Mass takes place on Sunday next in St Michael's church at 11.30am.

 

LOCAL LOTTO – The local lotto jackpot was not won on May 28. The winning numbers drawn were: 8, 9, 12 and 24. We did however have five winners who shared the match 3 prizes of £150. Congratulations are in order to Josie Duggan, Cathy Cummins, John Ryan, Ellen Brett and Thomas McNamara.
Next draw will take place on June 11 when the jackpot may have climbed to £6,050. Remember though to win you must first be in.

 

GOOD WISHES – The final year students of St Brigid's, Callan, had their annual awards ceremony and graduation Mass recently. The Sister Marie Therese award for best all-round student went to Eileen Collins, only daughter of Pat and Marie Collins, Killaghy Castle. Eileen is doing the Leaving Cert this year and we take this opportunity to congratulate her on her award and to wish her and all the exam students in the parish the very best of luck in their exams which begin this week.

 

WELL DONE – There wasn't a Mullinahone player on the Tipperary senior or junior football teams which played Cork in the Munster semi-finals in Limerick on Sunday. However, the honour of the parish was upheld by two primary schools pupils. Taking part in the primary games were Ciara McDonald of Poulacapple NS and Jack Shelly of Mullinahone NS. Jack is the first Mullinahone pupil to win his place on a primary schools football team while Ciara is also to be congratulated though she isn't the first to achieve this honour in her school. Well done to both.

 

COMMUNITY COUNCIL – The May Community Council draw took place recently with the following results. £150: Ned Dunne, Carrick Street; £70: Liam Tobin, Mullinoly; £25: Eileen Healy, Ballyduggan; £25: Billy Gardiner; £20: Mary Fitzgibbon, Carrick Street. Extra draws: £15: Alice Morrissey, Ballyvadlea; £15: Fionnuala Fitzgerald, Kickham Street.

 

GOLF NEWS – The annual GAA golf classic will take place at the end of July at Callan golf club. Play will be on July 27-28. Teams of three will cost £150. Book your time early with Sean Walzer at 086 3204694 or any club officer.
All are now receiving plenty of notice. Existing players are encouraged to bring in two players from outside the parish with them. This influx no doubt is to improve the herd.

 

PARISH NEWS – A Sacred Heart Novena will take place at the Creamery Grotto each evening at 7.15pm from tomorrow (Thursday) to June 15.
Congratulations to Michelle Cantwell, Kickham Street and Denis Ellis who were married in St Michael's recently. Good example to the new bride and groom from Stella and Billy Cantwell who also celebrated their golden jubilee recently. It's a long time to look forward to 2057, but not so far to look back to 1957. Condolences to Kathleen Quirke, Poulscapple on the death of her sister Sister Peter Bergin in Fatima.
Anniversary Masses next weekend, Saturday: 8pm anniversary Tommy and Kathleen Keating, Fethard Street; Sunday: John, Jo and Denis Hogan, Clonagoose, also month's mind for Dinny Quirke, Gurteen.

REFLECTION – Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.

 

FOOTBALL – Well done to our under-14 footballers and their mentors. During the last week they scored two good wins over Cahir and then Ballingarry to qualify for the semi-finals of the South Tipp championship. In this they have drawn Ballyporeen. Should they win this game they are likely to be playing a final within three or four days.
This would mean at least four games for the lads within a fortnight and this is far too much, especially as most of the lads involved are also on the St Michael's NS hurling team which is making good progress in the schools championship. To further complicate the picture, three of our players have just finished playing in the Peadar Cummins inter-divisional hurling tournament. In Borrisoleigh on Saturday Gary Cronin, Cathal Horan and Eoin Fennelly were part of the South Tipp panel which defeated West Tipp in the Peadar Cummins shield final having lost to Mid Tipp by a goal 1-10 to 2-4 in the cup semi-final.

 

MAY WEATHER – Whatever about May being windy, the month could not be described as being overly wet. We did have rainfall on 21 of the 31 days but generally this was of the rather light variety with only three days having substantial rainfall to make up for the drought of April. These three days gave us more than half of the month's rainfall.
This was 64.2 (21/2 ins). The chill in the air hindered growth as did a couple of late May nights of frost but all that seems to be behind us now. We wonder if we got enough rain in May so that along with the wind it will fill the barns with corn and hay.

 

BIG GAME – Local followers are beginning to think of the big hurling game in Limerick on Sunday. Excitement locally has often been higher. With Paul Kelly out of action due to injury in a county challenge match it looks as if our representation could be down to only two, Paul Curran and Eoin Kelly. We wish Eoin and Paul and county selector John Leahy all the best along with the rest of the Tipperary team.