Buying and selling livestock was in Brian’s blood
Brian Jackman of Cloneybyrne, Bunclody, passed away on March
22 at home, surrounded by his family after a short illness.
Brian was born on November 22, 1953, to Frances (nee Healy) and Benny Jackman of Liscoleman, Tullow, Co Carlow. Brian was christened Bernard Frances after both his parents and was brother to Annie, Nicholas, Mike (RIP), Rita, Mary, Frances, Denis, Tom and Josephine.
Brian came from small farm and, with a long line of cattle dealing in the family genes, it was in his blood to follow in his ancestors footsteps, travelling the roads buying, selling and delivering livestock from a very young age. He could be found on many an occasion in the shed or field looking at the stock in all sorts of weather. He was a well travelled man in his beloved lorry.
Brian was a keen horseshoe thrower in his youth and enjoyed many a day’s outing pulling tug of war.
It was Brian’s great sales skills – selling calves – that brought him to Jack Kenny’s door. When his eye landed on Jack’s daughter Mary Ann, he got more than he bargained for! He plucked up the courage to ask Mary Ann, or Moll as he affectionately called her, out on a date. Everything wasn’t plain sailing as Brian didn’t turn up for that date as he was extremely shy. However, he made it to the second date and the couple would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on May 14 this year.
Brian and MaryAnn went on to have six children: Ben, Jack, Jim, Pat, Missy and Paul. Brian was a great father and worked hard to ensure his family were looked after.
He was a great driver and taught all his children how to drive.
Brian’s passion was for livestock and, without fail, every week he was visited Enniscorthy, Tullow and Carnew Marts where he was a customer for over 45 years. He loved meeting his friends at the mart and having the banter around the ring, sometimes there was a few heated moments if someone tried to ‘pole him’. Brian was naturally gifted when it came to buying and selling, from turkeys, sheep, cattle, horses, donkeys, goats – you name it, he loved haggling to try get the best price.
Brian was well known on the roads travelling in his beloved lorry, he even loaded up 2 kangaroos upon his travels! Brian was a great supporter of his local GAA Club, HWH Bunclody, where all his children lined out over the years and he followed the club all over the county. When his four older sons were in primary school and involved in the Rackard League, he even loaded up a load of chaps into the back of the lorry to bring them to matches – how times have changed!
MaryAnn and Brian also enjoyed going away for a few days, which mainly involved visiting the fairs in Puck, Kenmare, Maam Cross, Spancil Hill and Clifden to name a few. If there was no fair, he made sure to make a pit-stop into the local mart in whatever town they found themselves in.
Brian was diagnosed with lung cancer in late October last year and showed such courage and strength right up until he took his last breath. Brian came home from hospital on Saturday, March 21, and passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family the following day.
He is deeply missed by his loving wife MaryAnn, his six children, brothers, sisters, daughters-in-law, partners, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and wide circle of friends.
Due to the current restrictions a private burial was held for Brian on March 24. A memorial mass will be held at a later stage to celebrate Brian’s life when it is safe to do so.