The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Blennerville’s wonderful hostess
THE Late Hannah Mai Kerins, Blennerville
HANNAH Mai Kerins (nee Breen), Heatherville Farm, Blennerville, entered eternal peace on Saturday, 11th March, 2017. Hannah Mai was born on 1st August, 1928, an only child of the late John and Catherine Breen.
Hannah Mai attended Blennerville N.S. and then graduated on to the Old Technical School in Moyderwell. From a young age, Hannah Mai had a milk round and was known to be out early in the morning, not only in the local area but in the whole town. Hannah Mai had plenty of help from the youth as they all loved getting a drive in her van and was well known to residents in all parts of the town. This was fresh milk at its finest, milked at 7 am and delivered by 9 am!
Hannah Mai met her soulmate and partner for life when she fell in love with Timmy Kerins from the Kerries. They married on 7th February, 1956 and had 38 wonderful years together. They were blessed with five children, Kathleen, John, Joan, Ann and Maura. Hannah Mai dedicated her life to the care of her family and gave generously of her time and energy to everything she turned her hand to. Hannah Mai and her family operated a very successful Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast business for over 40 years, providing wonderful memories for so many guests who stayed in “Heatherville Farm”. Many returned annually with their families to experience Hannah Mai’s hospitality and enjoy her cooking and the entertainment provided by Timmy and their children.
Hannah Mai was also very involved in the running of the grocery shop in the village where Timmy supplied potatoes and cabbage fresh from the garden.
Hannah Mai and Timmy enjoyed nothing better than dancing in Ballyroe Hotel amongst friends and acquaintances and was entertained by the late Danny Diggins Band.
For the past 30 years, the “Sunday Night Club” in Cathy’s house in Clahane, where everybody was warmly greeted by Patrick, was the highlight of Hannah Mai’s week. Mary and Nora, amongst others, would meet and many hours were spent reminiscing about olden times while indulging in a cupan tae. Cathy was a lifelong friend of Hannah Mai and many stories of their exploits, cycling to Clahane Cross platform and Ardfert and Castlegregory dance halls, and elsewhere, were regularly recalled. Over their lifetime, they spent many hours together both working and socialising. Cathy’s passing last October left a big void in Hannah Mai’s life.
In recent years Hannah Mai enjoyed her weekly outings to Baile Mhuire Day Care Centre where she made many new friends and renewed old acquaintances.
Hannah Mai was devastated by the sudden passing of her husband Timmy, aged 64, in September, 1994, and their daughter Kathleen, aged 51, in December, 2008, but her unwavering faith gave her great courage and strength through the trials of her life.
This faith also gave her comfort and grace as she faced the last few months of her life, slowing down, due to ill health. Last August, Hannah Mai became a resident of Ocean View Retirement Home in the wonderful care of the nursing staff and carers there.
Hannah Mai’s beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, John, Joan, Ann and Maura, her eight grandchildren, her sons-in-law, Joe, Pat, Martin and Johnny, her sisters-in-law Philomena and Margaret and her brother-in-law Michéal.
Hannah Mai’s months Mind Mass took place in St. Brendan’s Church, Curraheen, on Friday, April 21.
“We are what we do, not what we say”.