There is sadness in Portlaoise this week following the passing of Kathleen Rigney (née Hughes) from St Brigid’s Place.
Mrs Rigney was laid to rest in St Peter and Paul’s Cemetery following her funeral on Tuesday.
Kathleen is predeceased by her husband Mick and infant daughter Marie.
She is survived by her children Michael, Noel, Brian, Des, Niall, Donal, Kieran and Colm, sister Ester, sisters in law, brother in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Mick passed away in 2016 and the pair of them reared arguably one of the most sporting families in Portlaoise and even Laois.
The lads excelled in various sports – particularly rugby, hurling and football – with Brian winning eight caps for Ireland between 1991 and 1992.
He played for Leinster between 1988 and 1996 with his brother Colm representing Connacht.
While Brian, Des, Donal and Colm played together for the famous Buccaneers club rugby team under future Ireland manager Eddie O’Sullivan in the late 1990s – making up half the pack.
Niall, Noel and Des all played hurling for Laois and all the lads won multiple championships with Portlaoise.
Niall also has senior football championships in his back pocket and managed the footballers to glory back in 2019.
Those in attendance at the funeral heard how ‘family’ was Kathleen’s world and she was ‘at the centre of everything’.
Kathleen’s grandson Bill brought her wooden spoon to the altar which symbolized her love of cooking – her apple tarts and brown breads were famous.
Another grandson, Michael, brought up her knitting needles. Her funeral heard how every Christmas, all eight of her sons had matching Aran jumpers.
While during Italia 90, Kathleen knitted jumpers for ‘half the town’ in Irish colours with many of those making their way to Italy for the games.
May Kathleen Rest in Peace.
SEE ALSO – Sadness following the passing of former Portlaoise publican
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