Jimmy’s early years were spent in Killorglin
JIMMY Sweeney (formerly of Killorglin) died in Luton on Good Friday, April 10.
He was born in London in 1936 and, at three years of age with the outbreak of WWII, he along with his family came to Killorglin.
His father, Jim Sweeney (ex Ballycleave, Glenbeigh); his mother Kathy Sweeney (Nee Ferris) and his siblings Kathleen, Paddy and Johnny resided in the Ferris homestead in Dungeel, Killorglin.
A younger brother, Gerard, was born during their time in Dungeel also.
Their parents returned to England to work for their upkeep, Jimmy and his siblings were looked after by their grandmother Ellen Ferris and shortly afterwards by Nora Ferris (nee O’Brien), wife of Eugie Ferris.
Jimmy and his sister and brothers attended Dungeel National School, after leaving school at an early age they all worked locally. Jimmy attended Killorglin Technical School where he excelled at carpentry.
In the early 1950’s Jimmy, his sister and brothers, reunited with their parents in London. Jimmy learned his trade as a cabinet maker and later as a first class carpenter, where he was revered for his workmanship on various projects in the greater London area.
On the June 25, 1960, he married Mary O’Donoghue from Rockfield, Faha, Killarney and they had a son Kevin and a daughter Maureen.
In the mid 70’s Jimmy, Mary and family moved to Luton where they became an integral part of the large Irish Community.
Jimmy together with his late brothers, his sister Kathleen and the Ferris’ of Dungeel always felt like brothers and sister as they all had spent their formative years together.
Jimmy and Mary spent many a summer in Kerry catching up with friends through the years.
He was always a good man for keeping in touch with people and tuning into Radio Kerry.
He is predeceased by his brothers Paddy, Johnny and Gerard. Jimmy is sadly missed by his wife Mary, his daughter Maureen, husband Graham and grandsons Darren and Alex, his son Kevin, wife Kathleen, granddaughter Rebecca and her husband Sam, sister Kathleen Ballantine, sister in laws, brothers in law, nieces, nephew, cousins and a large circle of friends in England and Ireland. Funeral will take place privately in Luton. Ar Dheis De go Raibh a Anam.