A year on from the loss of a legend
All photos: Joe Byrne
A Tribute
SATURDAY, June 13, will be the first anniversary of Wicklow Community Games icon and founder Lily Kavanagh in her 92nd year.
The late great Lily, from Enniskerr,y was one of the founders 47 years ago and Life President for 29 years. To celebrate the national Golden Jubilee, it was wonderful for her to be crowned the overall Golden Volunteer winner.
Lily gave unfailing service to Community Games. The highlight of her year was the annual trip to Shillelagh which was planned weeks in advance. The chain was polished, outfit selected, the hamper full of goodies to keep us all going through a long day, visit to the hairdresser, her President address captivated you, and she loved judging the parade.
Lily loved catching up with Community Games friends, old and new. She had a great ability both with children and people in general. She did not suffer fools but at the same time she seemed to draw people to her.
She rarely missed a county meeting or events up to a few months before she passed. She used every opportunity to fly the flag for Enniskerry and Wicklow Community Games. Talking of flags, Lily was born in Glencullen, Co. Dublin, and every time the Dubs were in action the flag was hoisted. She was an avid supporter of Enniskerry GAA and Enniskerry FC and her little Micra car was her pride and joy.
The mother of 10 had many interests aside from Community Games. To mention just a few: church, ICA, annual collection for
St Colmans Hospital, Rathdrum, and she organised the annual pilgrim to Our lady’s Island. Another passion of Lily’s was the Bogfield which I am told is getting a facelift which will benefit the community.
I wonder what she would have thought of Covid-19 and lockdown and everything havng moved online. I am sure that she would have embraced it and got on with things.
My abiding memory of Lily will always be that beautiful smile and calming voice any time you called to see her for a few minutes which turned into hours and if you had achieved anything she always sent you a beautiful hand written card/letter.
Her contribution to Community Games is immeasurable and she will be greatly missed none more than by her family who she was affectionately known as Lil.
On Saturday, let’s shine a light for Lily – light a candle in her memory.