The late Paul Kavanagh beaming after riding a winner in JP McManus' famous silks
Search
29 Dec 2025
Search
29 Dec 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Rest in Peace
The death has occurred of Philip (Phil) Delahunty, Derdimus, Castleinch, Kilkenny. Peacefully at St Luke's Hospital. Predeceased by his wife Marie, son Peter, sister Eileen, brothers, Liam, Eddie and Peter. Deeply regretted by his children, Ger, Brendan, Sinéad, Martin, Maria and Philip. Brother-in-law Andy Butler. Sisters-in-law, Nancy Delahunty Phil O' Dwyer, Anne Skotarzak and Philomena Delahunty (Australia). Grandchildren, Seán, Eoin, Ella, Grace, Ciara, Eimear, Jamie, Sinéad, Ellen, Aoife, Aisling, Siomha and Ciarán. Sons-in-law, John and Laurence. Daughters-in-law, Jackie, Fiona and Orlaith. Nieces, nephews extended family, friends and neighbours.
Funeral mass will take place in St Fiacre's Church Loughboy (Eircode R95 DK88) on Monday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in The Holycross Cemetery Cuffesgrange Kilkenny (Eircode R95ED61). House private please. The Funeral Mass can be viewed on the parish webcam: https://www.mcn.live/Camera/st-fiacres-church
The death has occurred of Tom Byrne, Knockeenbawn, Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny. Peacefully, following a long illness bravely borne, on St. Stephen’s Day, Friday, December 26, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny. Pre-deceased by his mother Kitty, his uncles, his aunts and his close friend Brendan Delaney. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving family, The Delaney Family – Alison, Rosie, David, Jamie, Maggie, Grace, Pete, Lily May and James, his sister Biddy, his aunt Statia, his uncle Tommy, The Carroll Family, his good friend Tommy Egan, his cousin Michelle Kearney, neighbours and friends.
Funeral arriving to St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ballykeeffe for burial on Monday, December 29, at 11am.
The death has occurred of Racheal Tyrrell, 4 Ballyragget Road, Castlecomer, Kilkenny, and Oban, Scotland, who passed away on Christmas Eve at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, Hertfordshire, London. Pre-deceased by her brother Michael, Uncle Pa, and step father Paddy. Racheal will be sadly missed by her mother Ann, brothers Anthony and Stephen, uncles Frank, Michael, and James, aunt Lizzie, nieces Emma and Molly, nephew Danny, sister-in-law Michelle, extended family and friends.
Funeral Arrangements to be announced at a later date
The death has occurred of Margaret Talbot (née McDonnell), Graignamangh, Co. Kilkenny, on December 25, 2025 peacefully in St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. Margaret will be very sadly missed by her loving husband Ray, daughters Jenny and Breege, brothers John and Matt, sisters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren Noel, Kevin, John and Le, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Reposing in Walsh's Funeral Home (eircode R95 D853) from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday, January 1. Removal on Friday, January 2, at 10.40am to arrive at Duiske Abbey, Graignamanagh for 11am Requiem Mass, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Irish Cancer Society: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/MN05788144/donate.html
The death has occurred of Josephine Phelan, Kilcraggan, Mooncoin, Kilkenny, on December 26, 2025, after a short illness borne with dignity and in the tender care of the wonderful nursing staff of Ardkeen Hospital's Oak Ward where Josephine herself provided loving nursing care for so many over more than 30 years. Beloved sister of Paddy, John and the late Dick, Jimmy and Brigid;as well as sisters-in-law Eileen and Kathleen. Josephine will be sadly missed by nieces, nephews, relatives, wonderful carers, and her great friends Fr. Martin and Fr. Peter.
Reposing at Aiden J. Murphy & Sons, Funeral Home, The Avenue, Gorey (Y25 K122) on Sunday, December 28, from 3pm until 4.30pm. Funeral arriving to The Church of the Assumption Mooncoin on Tuesday, December 30, for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by burial afterwards in Mooncoin Cemetery.
The death has occurred of John Foley, 1. The Old Coach House and 5 Brandon Park, Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. John passed away suddenly on December 24, 2025. Deeply missed by his heartbroken partner Sarah, his devoted parents Dessie and Ann, his sisters Barbara and Audrey and their partners Johnny and James, his nieces, nephews Killian, Sophie, Pádraig, Erin and Daithí, his neighbours and his many friends. John will repose in The Old Coach House on Tuesday, December 30, from 2pm to 8pm.
Removal on Wednesday, December 31, to a cremation service for John in Newlands Cross Crematorium (eircode D24K1CY) at 12.30pm and all are welcome. Friends who would like to wish John a final farewell can line the road outside The Old Coach House as we begin our journey to Dublin at 10am approx. Following the cremation service in Dublin, a celebration of John's life will take place at 4pm on Wednesday in Mick Doyle's pub in Graignamanagh. Family flowers only please, donations if desired to the South Carlow Community First Responders using the link: to https://www.idonate.ie/cause/SouthCarlowCFR
The death has occurred of Breda Walsh (née Healy), Main Street, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny, and formerly of Kilmacar, Conahy, on December 22, 2025. Breda was predeceased by her husband Jim, brothers Jim, Mikey and Br. Nicholas C.Ss.R., sisters Julia, Sr. Anna, Cathy and Sr. Mary, granddaughter Amy, sister-in-law Nellie, and brother-in-law Paddy.
She was a devoted mother to her sons Liam, Michael, Stephen and Jimmy, and daughters Ellen (Lawlor), Bridget (Dooley), Margaret (Hynes) and Anne (Foley), mother-in-law to Martina, Catherine, Ber, Trisha, Tony, Tom and Davy.
A loving grandmother to Mark, Maria, Julie, Claire, Katie, Lisa, Laura, Sarah, Nicola, Danielle, Hannah, Dillon, Zoe, John, Jessie, David, Emily, Amy, Megan and Lucy. Proud great-grandmother to her 19 great-grandchildren.
Deeply missed by her nieces, nephews and extended family.
Breda was a cherished neighbour and friend and will be sadly missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known her.
Reposing at the residence of her daughter Margaret (Hynes) [R95 F8N2] on Monday, December 29, from 12 Noon, concluding with Vigil Prayers and Rosary at 7pm. Funeral cortege arriving at St. Bennett's Church, Bennettsbridge on Tuesday morning, December 30, for Requiem Mass at 11am. Breda will be laid to rest thereafter in the adjoining cemetery.
The death has occurred of Joan O'Sullivan (née Tyrrell), The Forge, Kilderry, Johnswell, Kilkenny, December, 27, 2025, (peacefully) surrounded by her loving family, after a short illness at St. Luke's Hospital. Beloved wife of Michael and much loved mother of Paula, Angie and Mark. Joan will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband and family, sisters Margo and Mary, brothers Ger and Mikey, sons-in-law Paul and Michael, her cherished grandchildren Karen, Sean, Dean, David, Kian, Jake, Alex and Freya, extended family and friends.
The death has occurred of Kathleen Dunphy (née Phelan), late of Meadowbrook , Tramore, Co. Waterford. Formerly of Cullencastle, Tramore, Co. Waterford and Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. Kathleen died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Predeceased by her beloved husband Nicky and her cherished son Pat. Kathleen will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her heartbroken children Siobhán, James, and Catherine, her adoring grandchildren Cormac, Killian and Lauren; her brothers Mick and Bob; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, her daughter-in-law Moira and her son-in-law Paul. Kathleen will be fondly remembered by all her nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, her extended family, relatives, wonderful neighbours and many friends.
Kathleen’s reposal will take place in Falconer’s Funeral Home, Riverstown, Tramore X91TW21 on Tuesday, December 30, from 2pm until 4pm. All are welcome and refreshments will be served throughout. As per Kathleen’s wishes a private. A cremation service will take place on New Years Eve. House strictly private please. Family flowers only please, donations if desired to The Waterford Hospice by using the link below Donation Link
The death has occurred of Sheila Dowling (née Condron), 22 Oaklawns, Dublin Road, Carlow and formerly of Coon West, via Carlow, Co Kilkenny, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on December 27, 2025, at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny. Beloved partner of Pat, much loved mother of Willie, Brenda, Paddy, Caroline and the late baby Robert, treasured step-mother of Ray, Yvonne, Deirdre, and Matthew, adored grandmother of Shauna, Michael and the late Frankie. She will be sadly missed by her loving partner, sons, daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law Michael and Fran, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Reposing at Carpenter Bros. Funeral Home, Shamrock Square, Carlow (Eircode R93 C863) from 3pm until 7pm on Monday, December 29. Cremation Service at 12 Noon on Tuesday (December 30) in Carpenter Bros Cremation Chapel, Shamrock Square, Carlow. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to The Irish Cancer Society. Donations in lieu of flowers: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/SN75790662/donate.html
The death has occurred of Colin Dooner, Carrick Road Road, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny who died on Saturday, December 27, 2025, aged 58 years. Suddenly, but peacefully at home. Predeceased by parents Jimmy and Catherine (Rene) Dooner. Colin will be sadly missed by his brother Mark, sister Susan, sister-in-law Shirley, nephew Kieran, niece Niamh, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Funeral arrangements will be updated on Friday, January 2.
The death has occurred of Mary Brennan (née Nolan), Bishop's Demesne, Kilkenny, on December 28, 2025, (peacefully) in her 92nd year, surrounded by her loving family, in the wonderful care of the staff of surgical 1 at St. Luke's Hospital. Predeceased by her husband Billy, brothers John and Michael and her sister Bea. Mary will be sadly missed by her loving family, Geoffrey, Mary (Lacey), Constance (Hennessy), Reggie and Kieran (Australia), brothers Joe and Pat, sister Curly, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren Kieran (Australia), Eleanor, Mary, Megan, Catherine, Amy, Helena, Isabel, Siobhan and Patrick, great-grandchildren Murphy and Billie (Australia), nephews, nieces, extended family, friends and neighbours.
Reposing at her home (R95 CX62) on Tuesday, December 30, from 4pm to 8pm with Vigil Prayers and Rosary at 6.30pm. Requiem Mass on Wednesday at 10.30am. in St. Canice's Church followed by interment in Foulkstown Cemetery. Mary's Requiem Mass will be live streamed HERE
This Peel P50 recently sold at an auction in Castlecomer, County Kilkenny
Luis Omar Tapia (back row second from left) on the grounds of Kilkenny Castle / Picture: @LuisOmarTapia (X)
Liam Phelan outside Tynan's Bridge House and Bar (Photo: Harry Reid)
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
