Eileen Higgins was wellknown all over Wexford
THERE was widespread sadness across the county recently following the passing of Eileen Higgins, The Moyne, Enniscorthy, and late of St Michael’s Place Gorey.
Well known in political circles throughout Wexford, Eileen passed away on Tuesday, April 14.
Born on March 12, 1958, to Sean and Peg Walsh, of Tara Hill, Gorey, Eileen was raised by her parents there, but moved to St Michael’s Place in Gorey, in the early 1960s.
Her father, who was from Kerry, worked as a clerk in Gorey Post Office, while her mother was a Doyle from Tara Hill. Eileen received both her national and secondary education in the Convent, Gorey.
Eileen married Joseph Higgins on March 16, 1985, the couple having met three years earlier. They had two sons, twins brothers John and Patrick, who were born on November 22, 1989.
They moved around a bit due to Joe’s work in the ESB, from New Ross to Kilmacow, in south Kilkenny, and finally to The Moyne, Enniscorthy, in 1991.
During this period Eileen was involved in politics in these areas, working with Hugh
Byrne, Liam Aylward and John Browne.
She was also a successful businesswoman and ran her own knitwear enterprise for over a decade from the mid-1970s to the late 80s.
Apart from being involved with Fianna Fáil,
Eileen was also active on a number of other committees such as the parent councils in both St Aidan’s Primary
School and Enniscorthy
Vocational College.
Eileen also served as
Catering Manager during the Fleadh Cheoil when it was in Enniscorthy from 1999 and 2000.
One of her proudest moments came in 2000, when she was appointed as a Peace Commissioner by the then Minister for Justice, John O’Donoghue.
While she had many interests, Eileen will always be best remembered for her involvement in politics and in particular her association with Fianna Fáil in County Wexford. She had a lifelong association with the party and rose through the ranks to serve in various roles within the organisation. In 2006 she was appointed the party’s Constituency Organiser [and] Director of Elections for the county.
Eileen was known for being fair and giving clear assessments to all candidates who stood for the party from the 2007 General Election up to the recent General Elections.
Her laugh, her knowledge, and her energy all year round brought people together and some of those within the organisation in the county said she is ‘irreplaceable’.
Apart from politics, Eileen had two passions in life. One was her interest and knowledge for gardening and the other was her family and that included her extended family in Kerry on her father’s side.
Eileen had a massive passion for gardening and this was highlighted by the number of awards she won for her garden in the annual Tidy Towns competitions, in the large garden category.
Even up to her untimely passing, Eileen had purchased plants to enhance her garden for the coming summer.
However, above all else she was very proud of her family and of her family links with Kerry. She would always travel to ‘ the Kingdom’ at least twice a year to see her uncles, aunts and cousins.
Due to the current Government and HSE guidelines Eileen’s private funeral ceremony took place on Saturday, April 18, after which her remains were laid to rest in St Kevin’s Cemetery, Tara Hill.
She is survived by her husband, Joe, sons, John and Patrick, grandson, Sean, Patrick’s partner, Sharon, extended family, relatives and large circle of friends.