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 2023, please get in touch and we would be happy to carry a piece.
JANUARY
Pat ‘Paddy’ Campion
There was deep sadness in Borris-In-Ossory in January following the news of the passing of Pat ‘Paddy’ Campion.
Mr Campion was a hurley maker at Campion Hurleys in Borris-In-Ossory and also a cycling enthusiast.
Johnny O’Brien
Mr O’Brien was aged 87 and passed away in the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.
The O’Brien family are synonymous with the bus company that was set up by Johnny and his brother Billy. It continues to be operated by the family today.
Brother Gerald Macken
Brother Gerald Macken sadly passed away on January 2 in what was his 90th year.
Originally from Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon, Gerald had a strong association with Castletown where he first came to in 1946 to join the De La Salle Brothers.
Sheila Heydon-Hughes
Minister Heydon, who has been a Fine Gael TD since 2011, serves the constituency of Kildare South an area that also includes Portarlington, Killenard and Ballybrittas.
Mrs Heydon-Hughes (nee Fennin), his mother, was originally from Castlemitchell just across the Laois border between Stradbally and Athy.
The family lived at Calverstown Little, near Narraghmore, and are closely associated with the St Laurence’s GAA club.
John Woods
There was sadness in Durrow with the passing of John Woods, proprietor of the renowned Woods Bakery in the town for a long number of years.
The business was one of the leading bakeries in the region for decades, with John a central part of the family enterprise from when he started working in it as a 14-year-old in the mid 1950s.
The eldest of a family of seven, he was described at his funeral mass as being “very bright” and won a secondary school scholarship but decided at 14 to enter the family bakery business.
Pete Corcoran
January marked the end of an era in the small rural areas of Courtwood and Rath following the death of Pete Corcoran, one of the oldest members of the local community.
A real gentle giant, Pete is fondly remembered as a great character, neighbour and friend to many people – with a witty word for those he came in contact with.
The Corcoran family home is at Courtwood Bridge at the Grand Canal where Pete lived and farmed for all his life.
Tom Looby
The death occurred of Tom Looby in January, a well-known man in Portlaoise who had the distinction of winning Laois senior hurling medals in the same year.
Aged 90, Tom had lived at Marian Avenue in Portlaoise with his beloved wife Teresa and family.
Michael Butler
Abbeyleix man Michael Butler, the secretary of Laois Association Dublin, died in St Vincent’s Hospital after a short illness in his ninetieth year on Monday January 10.
Predeceased by his sisters Patricia and Mary, Michael is the beloved husband of 60 years of Maura (née Duffy) and loving father of Caitriona, Nuala, Eithne and Maura.
Martin Kirwan
There was sadness in the rural community of Shanahoe in January with the passing of the highly-regarded Martin (Murt) Kirwan.
The Kirwan family haulage business is known far and wide and the family are also deeply associated with Shanahoe GAA and Laois ladies football.
His wife Ann has been a driving force in the Shanahoe ladies football club and his daughters Mary, Martha and Noirin all represented Laois at senior level.
Margaret Brennan
There was sadness in Ballickmoyler in January following the passing of Margaret Brennan.
From Arles, Ballickmoyler, Ms Brennan passed away suddenly on Saturday January 22.
Chrissie Kelly
There was sadness in the Timahoe and Stradbally communities following the death of Chrissie Kelly (nee O’Connor).
Mrs Kelly passed away following a short illness at the age of 75. Chrissie is deeply mourned by her loving husband PJ, daughters Monica and Catriona and son PJ Junior.
Originally from the townsland of Aghony near Timahoe, where she was born in 1946, Chrissie initially worked in healthcare before getting married after which she was a devoted full-time wife and mother.
Emily Seery
There is widespread shock in Portarlington at the sudden death of Colaiste Iosagain teacher Emily Seery.
A native of Edenderry in Offaly and only aged in her mid 30s, Ms Seery was an established member of the Colaiste Iosagain staff for the past number of years where she taught French and German.
Jack Kelly
The death occurred of Jack Kelly from Portarlington, one of Laois’s oldest people, at the age of 102,
Born in 1919, Jack would have been due to celebrate his 103rd birthday in June of this year.
Jack passed away peacefully in the company of his loving family and in the excellent and tender care of the management and staff in Oakdale Nursing Home Portarlington.
Kathleen Seale
Kathleen Seale, née Collier, passed away on Monday January 31 at her home at Clonenagh following a tragic accident.
Mrs Seale, who was from Mountrath, was a married mother of four who worked for more than 40 years in the ESB.
FEBRUARY
Rita Fitzpatrick
There was sadness in Ballyfin at the start of February following the passing of Rita Fitzpatrick at the age of 92.
Mrs Fitzpatrick, of Esker, Mountmellick, passed peacefully at her home on Wednesday February 2.
Rita is the mother of Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick was often fondly spoken of by her TV star son on his hit Channel 4 TV show.
Mick Doran
There was sadness in the Clonad community and beyond with the news of the sudden passing of Mick Doran.
Mick worked with Eircom for many years before setting up his own insulation company in recent times.
Very well known in sporting circles he was centre-forward on the Clonad team that famously won the Laois senior hurling championship title in 1992.
Larry O’Rourke
There was sadness in Mountmellick and surrounding areas at the death of Larry O’Rourke, who for many years worked as the manager in the town’s Glanbia outlet.
A community man and a family man, Larry was also a very popular visitor to St Vincent’s hospital in Mountmellick where he was a regular Eucharistic minister and gave of his time freely and kindly to many patients.
PJ Butler
There was sadness in Rathdowney and beyond at the death of the widely-respected PJ Butler.
Mr Butler served as secretary of Rathdowney IFA for a number of years and was one the Laois farmers that took part in the famous 1966 National Farmers Association walk to Dublin.
Sir Erik Bennett
The Laois-born Sir Erik Bennett – who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth over 30 years ago – died in Oman aged in his mid 90s.
He passed away in Oman in late January and his funeral took place in St Canice’s Church in Aghaboe this in early February with burial afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.
Mary B Culliton
Originally from Mullinahone in Tipperary she moved to live in Mountmellick in the 1950s after studying in UCG in Galway.
She taught science in the town’s convent school before getting married to Tomás Culliton, who for many years was principal in The Rock NS and a Fianna Fáil town commissioner in Mountmellick.
Roxy Phelan
The death had occurred of young Laois woman Roxy Phelan at her home in Abbeyleix after a long battle with cancer.
Originally from Rathdowney, she was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
She is survived by her loving husband and soulmate Jason and young sons Cathal and Setanta.
Brother Michael Mackey
There was sadness in Castletown at the end of February following the passing of the much loved Brother Michael Mackey.
Originally from Freshford in Kilkenny, he was buried in the community cemetery at the age of 92.
MARCH
Christy O’Brien
The death occurred of Christy O’Brien from Borris-in-Ossory, back in early March who was regarded as one of the greatest Laois hurlers of all time. He was just short of his 89th birthday.
Highly regarded all over the country during his Laois senior career that lasted from 1952 to 1969, he was once named on the team of the greatest hurlers never to win an All Ireland.
Dr Liam Hanniffy
The death occurred of Liam Hanniffy back in March, a highly-regarded doctor who worked in St Fintan’s Hospital for a long number of years.
A native of Galway and immensely proud of his home county, Dr Hanniffy passed away peacefully in his 93rd year.
APRIL
John O’Reilly Senior
The death occurred of John O’Reilly Senior in April from Harristown near Graiguecullen at the age of 82.
A highly-regarded farmer, who was well known across the rural communities of both Carlow and South Laois, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny.
Fr Kevin Daly
The death occurred of Fr Kevin Daly back in April, the former president of Cistercian College Roscrea and former Abbot of Mount St Joseph Abbey.
A native of Galway, he served as president of the boarding school from 1984 to 1997.
He had previously served as Games Master and Dean of Discipline and had a strong involvement in the rugby and athletics programme for the students throughout the years.
Johnny Doonan
There was sadness in Ballybrittas and the surrounding areas following the death of Johnny Doonan back in April.
A former employee of the ESB, Johnny was known far and wide, both through his work there and from a mechanic business that he ran from the family home at Belgrove just down from Ballybrittas village.
A gentleman, who’ll be remembered for his courteous nature and obliging manner by the many people he dealt with over the years.
Seamus Maher
The wider community of Ballacolla was thrown into a deep sense of shock and sadness back in April following the news of the sudden death of Seamus Maher.
Seamus passed away, aged in his mid 60s, while on holidays in Malta with his wife Aideen.
As news of his passing spread, he was remembered as a great neighbour, friend and community man with a good-humoured and generous nature.
MAY
Adrian Kelly
There was widespread sadness at the death of Adrian Kelly back in May. Originally from Ballaghmore, he was a highly-regarded member of An Garda Síochána.
Adrian was stationed in Borris-in-Ossory where he was highly-regarded and well-known in the area and heavily involved with the Kyle GAA club.
Originally from Killoscully in Co Tipperary, Adrian passed away in Milford Hospice in Limerick.
Alan Kavanagh
The community of Killenard was stunned with the sudden passing of Alan Kavanagh back in May.
Only in his late 30s, Mr Kavanagh was laid to rest back in May.
An accountant by profession, he had studied in DCU and later trained with Ernst & Young and worked in a financial role with Coca Cola
Peter Fennell
The death had occurred of Peter Fennell back in May, one of the great characters of Portlaoise town.
Mr Fennell died suddenly earlier this week aged in his late 60s.
A former secretary of Portlaoise GAA club and caretaker in O’Moore Park, Peter was from the famed Fennell family that have made a massive contribution to the GAA in Laois.
Paddy Branagan
There was deep sadness in Graiguecullen following the sudden passing of Paddy Branagan back in May.
Mr Branagan, who was aged in his late 20s, died while on a work trip in America.
From St Fiacc’s Terrace, Graiguecullen, Mr Branagan passed away in America on Sunday, May 15.
Theresa Tynan
The death had occurred of Theresa Tynan (nee Larkin) from The Heath back in May.
Theresa was very well-known in Portlaoise and the surrounding areas where she worked in both Jim’s Country Kitchen and later Tynan’s at the Storeyard for a number of years.
She was a kind and guiding influence on many of the staff, particularly new and young recruits, and always had a welcoming word for the many customers over the years.
Michael Dillane
There was sadness in Rathdowney back in May following the death of Michael Dillane, the former highly-regarded principal of St Fergal’s College.
Originally from Ballylongford in north Kerry, Mr Dillane came to Rathdowney in 1957 as principal of the then Technical school.
A science teacher by profession, there were only about 10 pupils in the school and three classrooms (science, woodwork and Home Economics) when he arrived.
JUNE
Muhammad Tariq Chaudary
There was deep sadness in Portlaoise following the sad passing of a well known businessman.
Muhammad Tariq Chaudary owns Variety World in Portlaoise with his wife Annie.
Originally from Pakistan, Muhammad came to Laois in the 90s and opened his business in 1995.
Dick Dillon
There was deep sadness in Stradbally back in June as one of it’s most loved characters will be laid to rest.
Dick Dillon of Woodview in Stradbally, passed away on Tuesday in Portlaoise Hospital surrounded by his family.
Dick’s passing resulted in an outpouring of emotion on social media from all of those who knew him.
Keith Paul Orr
The Ballacolla man died tragically in a road crash in the early hours of Friday morning.
Mr Orr, who was 41, was killed in a single car collision at about 1am on Friday morning on the Rathdowney to Ballacolla road.
He is survived by his father David, brothers David and Robert, sisters Nadine and Sharon, his son Brian and Brian’s mam Joanne.
He is also mourned by a wide circle of family and friends.
JULY
Paulie Fallon
Paulie Fallon of Arlington Estate in Portarlington passed away in July.
A talented sports person, Mr Fallon was an excellent basketball player and a footballer.
He won several basketball titles, both nationally and locally, while also won championships in football with Portarlington.
Michael Timmons
The Portlaoise man died tragically while swimming in Derryounce Lake in Portarlington back in June.
Mr Timmons got into difficulty while swimming at the popular beauty spot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Michael is predeceased by his father Joseph and brothers Jo-Jo, Patrick and Jackie and sister Frances.
Hannah Kealy
A rural Laois community was plunged into sadness following the tragic death of a young girl.
Hannah Kealy from Cremorgan, Timahoe, passed away in Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin following an accident.
She was the cherished and adored daughter of heartbroken parents Marie and Denis, much loved sister of Ella, treasured granddaughter of Margaret and John (Cahill) and Margaret and Tom (Kealy) and her dog Ruben.
Loretta Moran
The death occurred of Loretta Moran in July, from Ballinagar, Ballylinan, wife of former long-serving Laois Fine Gael county councillor John Moran and mother of current councillor Aisling Moran.
Mrs Moran, who was originally from Carlow, had been sick for the past couple of years.
She was well-known and highly regarded in the Ballylinan and Killeen communities as well being a solid support during her husband John’s political career, stretching back to when he was first elected in 1991.
AUGUST
Tom Phelan
Tom Phelan of Clonkeen, Portlaoise and formerly of Ballinakill was a staunch Labour Party stalwart and standard bearer all his life.
He was a tireless campaigner on community and social issues and for the protection of public services, particularly in the areas of health and local government.
He contested a number of elections on behalf of the Labour Party, most notably the 1987 general election, and served in various officer roles as chairperson and secretary of the Laois/Offaly Constituency Council of the Labour Party.
Noel Ryan
There was sadness in Portlaoise and surrounding areas following the death of Noel Ryan back in August, a man well known in business, community, charity and sporting circles.
A former owner of Condell and Ryan Motor Factors in Portlaoise, he was heavily involved in a number of local groups, including Laois Vintage and Portlaoise Rugby Club.
Aged in his late 80s, he served as president of Laois Vintage Club for 15 years – from 2003 to 2018.
Mick McDonnell
The death occurred of Laois native Mick McDonnell in August, a retired Garda sergeant in Cobh in Cork, and remembered as one of the greatest Laois GAA dual players of all time. He was aged in his early 90s.
From Spink originally, McDonnell worked in Fleming’s Fireclay in The Swan as a young man before joining the guards where he was stationed in Cork city in the 1950s.
Albert Fitzgerald
The death occurred of Albert Fitzgerald back in August, the highly-regarded former Managing Director of Midlands 103 .
A Cork native, he lived in Tullamore and had been a hugely influential figure in Midlands 103 since he joined the station in 1995.
He was largely credited with turning around the company’s fortunes commercially, driving advertising revenue in the mid 1990s and later as the chief man in the business.
Willie O’Reilly
The funeral of Willie O’Reilly had taken place in August, the Portlaoise man who was well known in music and sporting circles and was a central figure in the Kinights Showband of the 1960s and 1970s. He was aged in his early 80s.
From the Borris Road in Portlaoise, Mr O’Reilly was a very talented musician from a young age.
“His musical talent brought joy to many people,” said his cousin, Fr Tom O’Reilly during his funeral mass in Portlaoise.
John Miller
The death occurred of John Miller from Spink in late August, a man highly respected in farming, business, community and sporting circles.
He was aged in his early 80s.
Originally from Timahoe, Mr Miller moved to Spink in the 1960s when he bought a farm in the area, which he built up considerably over the years farming alongside his sons.
SEPTEMBER
Enda Corcoran
Enda Corcoran is originally from Coolagh in Clonaslee but had been living in Mamaroneck, New York.
He passed away suddenly at home in New York on Friday September 9.
Enda will be sadly missed by his heartbroken family, wife Noreen, son Ronan, his mother Marie, sisters Rita and Rose, mother-in-law Maura, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He is predeceased by his father John and brothers, William and Sean.
Leo Brennan
There was deep sadness in Laois following the passing of a retired Garda who was also a talented footballer.
Leo Brennan, originally from Wolfhill but living in 17 Yellowmeadows Park, Clondalkin, Dublin, died peacefully on Wednesday September 14.
Leo was a member of the famed Brennan family from St Joseph’s who were part of the club at one of their best times.
Anne Julian
The death of Anne Julian occured in September, one of Laois’s oldest people, at the age of 99.
From Ballylinan, the Julians are a widely-regarded family in community and sporting circles with Mrs Julian leaving an incredible legacy with eight children, 37 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Mrs Julian was predeceased by a number of years by her husband Patrick.
OCTOBER
Colm Heslin
The wider communities of Mountmellick and Clonaslee were shocked at the sudden death of local Credit Union Colm Heslin.
Mr Heslin was manager of the Mountmellick and Rathangan Credit Unions, which also had an office in Clonaslee.
He passed away suddenly at work.
He was aged only in his early 50s.
Devi Prabha Sreeraj
There was extreme sadness among the community and staff of Portlaoise hospital following the death of popular nurse Devi Prabha Sreeraj at the age of 38.
Originally from Kerala in South India, Devi Prabha Sreeraj is the mother of two young girls Vaani (4) and Shivani (2) and is also mourned by her husband Sreeraj.
Devi Prabha moved to Ireland in 2013 where she initially worked as a nurse in Claremont Nursing Home in Mayo and later in Clover Lodge in Offaly.
Sr Paula O’Dwyer
The death occurred of the much-loved and highly-respected Sr Paula O’Dwyer back in October, a former teacher in Portlaoise and member of the Presentation Sisters.
She was aged 102.
She was a primary school teacher in Portlaoise for over 40 years, who was described by Teddy Fennelly, her friend and former Leinster Express editor as a ‘living saint’.
Teddy was also one of Sr Paula’s first students in Portlaoise.
Eugene McLoughlin
The death occurred of Eugene McLoughlin in October – a great man who worked with the alcoholic anonymous for 15 years.
Beloved husband of Patsy and dearly loved father to Eugene, Imelda, Trisha, and Yvonne.
Noel Ramsbottom
The death occurred of Noel Ramsbottom from Timahoe back in October, a man known far and wide for his sporting endeavours and involvement with teams.
Noel passed away peacefully in the Midlands Regional Hospital in his 90th year.
He is fondly remembered by generations of people in Laois and further afield, having been involved with a range of teams, predominantly as a ‘right hand man’ to Bobby Miller during his managerial career – and most famously with the great Eire Og team of the 1990s.
NOVEMBER
Ms Imelda Healy
There was deep sadness in Mountrath following the passing of a much loved teacher back in November.
Ms Imelda Healy, who was originally from Ballyraggett in Kilkenny, passed away peacefully, in the loving care of Mary Brennan and the staff of St. Luke’s Hospital.
Ms Healy taught Geography, Business and Irish to thousands of students over her time as a teacher.
Noel Casey
The death occurred of Noel Casey from Rathmore, Stradbally, a man known far and wide in the building industry over a long number of years – in November.
Noel ran a successful construction business for decades, something which has been carried on by his sons Frank and Enda in recent times.
The family are also very well known in local sporting circles, particularly in Timahoe and Laois ladies football.
Sean Duffy
The death occurred of Sean Duffy from Monasterervin in November, a highly-regarded figure in the health system for a long number of years.
Mr Duffy had a key management role in the old Midlands Health Board and was very well respected throughout Laois, Kildare, Dublin and the wider midlands area through that involvement.
He was later heavily involved in hospital developments in the Middle East.
John Conway
The death occurred of John Conway from Arles in November, widely regarded as one of the best Laois footballers of all time and a man who made a massive contribution to GAA in the county for more than 60 years.
Though he’d been sick for the past couple of years, he was still a constant presence at club matches, particularly his beloved Arles-Kilcruise, and never lost his renowned sense of humour.
Aged 78, he was also highly regarded in farming and community circles and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Denis Kavanagh
There was deep sadness in Portlaoise following the passing of one of its most loved sons.
Denis ‘Dinny Spokes’ Kavanagh passed away on Friday November 11.
He was extremely well known in Portlaoise where he ran a bicycle repair service on Railway Street.
Sean Price
There was sadness in Killeshin back in November following the passing of former Killeshin and Laois footballer Sean Price.
In the late 1950s, Killeshin won junior and intermediate titles in successive years, 1957 and 1958.
Sean Price was one of the main men on that team and starred again in 1959 when they reached a senior semi-final only to be beaten by the fine Portarlington team of that era.
Catherine Quigley
Tributes were paid in the Laois County Council chamber following the sad passing of Catherine Quigley.
Mrs Quigley, from Rockdale in Portlaoise, passed away on Thursday November 24 after a short illness.
She devoted most of her life to community work and was the director of the children’s choir in Portlaoise for 40 years.
Mary McElwee
There was sadness in Mountmellick, Rosenallis, Killenard and surrounding areas following the death of Mary McElwee.
Mrs McElwee (nee Daly), a native of Westmeath, and her husband Jim, a Donegal man, were behind the McElwee Pharmacy in Mountmellick, a highly-respected business and loyal employer since it opened under the family name more than 40 years ago.
It has long been a generous supporter of groups and clubs in the area.
Jack Cuddy
There was sadness both in Ireland and abroad following the passing of a much-loved Laois man.
Jack Cuddy, 2 Mill Lane, Mountrath and formerly of Killanure and Oxford in England, died unexpectedly at Portlaoise Hospital on November 30.
Mr Cuddy was an excellent hurler and represented his county at minor level in 1958.
DECEMBER
Ann Rochford
The death occurred of Ann Rochford (nee Whelan) from Mountmellick in December, a highly-regarded former secondary school teacher in Scoil Chriost Ri.
Mrs Rochford taught Irish and Maths at the Portlaoise secondary school, formerly referred to as ‘The Convent’ and is remembered for the kindness shown to her pupils over a long number of years.
Eoin Coss
There was deep sadness in Mountmellick following the news that a teenage boy has passed away following a cancer battle.
14-year-old Eoin Coss was diagnosed in February of this year and his community instantly rallied around him and his family.
A host of successful fundraisers were ran in order to assist Eoin and his family during Eoin’s treatment.
Denise Geoghegan
There was shock and sadness in Portarlington following the news that a mother of three has passed away.
Denise Geoghegan passed away suddenly.
She leaves behind her husband Emmet and sons Curtis (22), Corey (17) and Caeden (9).
Shane O’Neill
There was widespread shock and sadness in Portarlington in December following the tragic passing of a father and husband.
Shane O’Neill died following a drowning accident in Gran Canaria in Spain.
Fr Denis Murphy
The death occurred of Fr Denis Murphy, the popular parish priest of Doonane of the past 26 years, at the end of December.
Fr Murphy, originally from Goresbridge in Kilkenny, was a popular member of the Crettyard community, which comes under the parish of Doonane.
Crettyard GAA club and St Abban’s Athletic Club were among those to pay tribute to him.
Ronan Culleton
A young Laois dad passed away in hospital in Dublin in the last week of the year following an accident before Christmas.
Mr Ronan Culleton, from Cloonagh, Mountmellick, passed away peacefully in Beuamont Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his wife Joanna and three daughters Aoife, Aisling and Aoibheann.
SEE ALSO – Remembering some of the great Laois people who sadly left us in 2021
