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THE death has taken place of Briege McArdle, Grove Hill, Ballinfull, Kilcurry, Dundalk, at the age of 93.
She passed away peacefully in Carlingford Nursing Home on 5 September, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.
The former Briege Farrelly, she came from a family with a long association with greyhound racing in Dundalk.
She was a daughter of Patrick and Bridget Farrelly, and attended Castletown school, before going to work as a dressmaker in Earl Street, Dundalk.
Briege married Ned McArdle in 1944, and settled on the farm, where she raised her family of three sons, grandson Kenneth, and two daughters.
She helped on the farm, milking the cows; and her brother, Colm, came to collect the milk, which he delivered to his customers around the town.
Ned, meanwhile, would go to work in O’Hare’s Mill, Dundalk, to provide for their family.
Briege came from a family which had a big involvement in greyhound racing. Colm, and another of her brothers, Michael (Mucky), bred and raced dogs.
Subsequently, her son Denis kept greyhounds, and he also runs the well-known Wild Goose schooling track.
Whenever there were new pups,
Briege would be in her element, going up to see them, and making sure they had plenty to eat and drink.
When the dogs were ready to race, she would have her €10 or
€20 to back them. They were her pride and joy.
She also enjoyed gardening, always planting flowers, cutting hedges and painting.
A very independent person, Briege loved having her hair done, and keeping up with the style in her clothes.
She would never go out without her make-up on, and as the door opened, she would ask ‘ where is my lipstick?’
Her family called her ‘Big Briege’. She had a big heart, and took great pride in her family. She loved when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited her.
A religious person, she went to Mass, and said the Rosary in bed, as she maintained it helped her sleep.
Briege had great faith in St. Brigid, and advised anyone who was sick to go to the shrine in Faughart, and they would be fine.
She was a regular visitor herself, and always had a St. Brigid’s Cross at home.
Sadly, Briege’s health deteriorated over the last few years. She was cared for in the Louth County Hospital, Lourdes Hospital, Dealgan Nursing home and then Carlingford Nursing Home.
Her family appreciate all who looked after her in each of the hospitals and nursing homes.
Briege was predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Briege Farrelly; husband, Ned; sons, Pat and Arthur; great-grandchild, Robert; brothers, Matt, Michael, Paddy, Denis and Colm; sisters, Betty, Cissie, Nuala and Una; son-in-law, Eamon; and daughterin-law, Patricia.
She is survived by her loving family, Margaret, Denis, Ted, Bridget and Kenneth; daughter-in-law, Sinead; son-in-law, Peter; sisters, Maeve and Mona; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.
After reposing at her home in Ballinfull, Briege’s remains were removed to the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Brid-a- Crin, where her funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Vinod.
Fr. Michael Cusack, Adm., St. Joseph’s was also in attendance. First and second readings were by grandchildren, Denise McDowell and Patrice McDonnell, respectively.
Prayers of the faithful were led by Eddie McArdle, Orlagh McArdle, Lee McDonnell and Deirdre McKenna.
Joe McArdle and Peter McDonnell participated in the offertory procession.
Beautiful music and song was provided by Deirdre Morgan. Burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.