Dominicwasastalwart ofRathdrumcommunity
RATHDRUM lost a real stalwart of the local community with the passing on Tuesday of Dominic Ryan.
The respect in which Dominic was held locally was evident from the huge attendance at his funeral service held in St Mary’s and Michael’s Church. Guards of honours were formed by members of Avondale GAA Club and the walkers who participate in the Thursday evening walks in the grounds of Avondale Forest Park – a venture started by Dominic back in 2003.
Staff at St Colman’s Hospital, where he had been cared for prior to his passing, also formed a guard of honour as Dominic was being removed from the hospital on Saturday morning. He was buried in Rathdrum Cemetery.
Dominic lived on Rathdrum’s Main Street and was originally from Toomevara in County Tipperary.
While he always remaining a proud Tipperary man, Dominic quickly settled into life in County Wicklow once he moved to Rathdrum over 50 years ago and he wasted no time in becoming a vital part of the local community.
He worked for Irish Forest Products and, as a keen GAA man, was soon involved with Avondale GAA Club, for whom he played hurling in his younger years.
He was heavily involved in the Rathdrum conference of St Vincent de Paul and was an active board member of Rathdrum Development Association (RDA), which is dedicated to the development and heritage of the local community. He held the position of PRO for the RDA for a long time. He will also be fondly remembered by the regulars at Friday night Bingo.
Dominic played a pivotal role in the ongoing development of Parnell Memorial Park and regularly helped fundraise for St Colman’s. He helped instigate the popular whitsun walks held on behalf of the hospital and was also heavily involved in the candlelight walks held in the grounds of Avondale Forest Park.
He also wrote and compiled the Rathdrum notes in the Wicklow People for a long number of years.
Dominic was renowned for his generous spirit and was constantly behind the scenes assisting people who needed help, without ever looking for any credit for his efforts.
On Thursday, 68 walkers celebrated Dominic’s memory, including his daughters and grandchildren, as they embarked on the Jubilee Loop.
The RDA committee meeting which had been scheduled for last Tuesday was cancelled as a mark of respect, while RDA Chairman Jimmy Olohan paid tribute to Dominic at last Friday night’s bingo.
A kind, soft spoken man, Dominic will be sadly missed by his wife Joan, son John, daughters Sinead and Susanna, daughter-in-law, sons-inlaw, grandchildren, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends. THE community of Arklow and surrounding areas bid a final fond farewell to popular local man James (Jimmy) Clancy recently.
Jimmy, from the Dublin Road, passed away at the age of 63 and is dearly missed by his family and many dear friends.
The son of Elizabeth and Joseph Clancy, Jimmy was a brother to Paddy and Joe, and grew up in Sheanamore, Aughrim.
Many who know Jimmy, knew of his dedicated work for many years with the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
He joined the service in 1979 and worked both in Wicklow and Arklow ambulance bases.
Jimmy devoted himself to his career caring for others, which spanned over 37 years.
He was a devoted family man and is survived by his sons, Eoin and Ben, daughters, Lisa and Róisín, and partner Liz.
Jimmy was predeceased by his wife Breda (née Wolohan) in January 1999.
He was a wonderful father who took great pride in his children.
Jimmy was a part-time farmer for most of his life but he was able to indulge this passion even more since his retirement and very much enjoyed both this and being out in his local community.
Jimmy’s funeral took place at St Joseph’s Church, Templerainey, Arklow, on Tuesday, March 27, followed by burial in Barndarrig Cemetery.
Friends and former colleagues from the National Ambulance Service turned out in great numbers, including the NAS Colour Party and piper.
It was a great source of comfort to the Clancy family to have such a dignified and respectful ceremony take place in Jimmy’s honour, which they were truly overwhelmed by.
It would have made Jimmy very proud.
May he rest in peace.