Active Retirement.
IT was with great pride of place that neighbours at the Creagh Woods estate recently celebrated the unveiling of the commissioned estate name, which also marked the last and final piece created by Gorey monumental sculptor, the late Johnny Kavanagh.
Johnny’s family, who together run the stone design company Kavanagh’s of Gorey, came together at Creagh Woods to mark this special occasion.
Joined by relatives Edwina Byrne, Lila Kavanagh, Peter Kavanagh, Malcolm Kavanagh and Caroline May, resident Johnny Kavanagh who commissioned the work said it was an honour to have gotten the stone to its final destination.
‘It meant a lot to the family, as this is the last bit of work that he did and we got a very good reaction from them. They more than appreciated it and were delighted withit.
‘Up to now, it was a stone that never got to its final destination, but now it’s part of Johnny’s legacy. Using granite, Johnny made the stone by hand and this is what he worked at all his life. Everybody loved him because he was such a gentleman.’
Johnny said that the late Mr Kavanagh is remembered for his lovely, gentle character, as a man of the town, and particularly for the work he did at the Monument in Gorey that still stands the test of time.
The late Johnny started his work as a monumental sculptor, working for Mr John Murphy in 1962. Twenty years later, in 1982, he founded his own family-run business – Kavanagh’s of Gorey.
Always a hard worker, things became more difficult for Johnny nearing the end of his life when he fell ill.
To this day, however, Johnny’s family uphold the proud tradition of the manufacture and carving of fine memorials in limestone marble and granite in a craftsmanship that he taught them.
The committee hope that all members are keeping well and following the HSE guidelines.
Members should ideally self-isolate as much as possible, order food online or by phone and have it delivered. However, plan ahead as there are long delivery times in most supermarkets.
If you are under 70, have no underlying conditions and are going out within your five km take-away food take-away food radius, take hand sanitiser with you and use it regularly.
Keep your distance from others and pay by card if possible to avoid handling money.