DEATH OF KILDORRERY NONAGENARIAN
Limerick Leader - Dec 24th, 1938
The death of Mr. Thomas Lonergan, which occurred at his residence, Castletownroche, removes one of the oldest residents of the district. Deceased was a native of Kildorrery, where he was born 93 years ago. He was a son of the late David Lonergan, merchant and farmer. Deceased, having received his early education at the Christian Brothers’ Schools, Mitchelstown, was possessed of more than ordinary intelligence.
JOINED THE I.R.B.
In early manhood he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood and was intimately acquainted with Peter O’Neill-Crowley, O’Leary and other Fenians who participated in the Rising of ‘67. He had a vivid recollection of the happenings of those days and the eventful periods that followed in Ireland. He was an expert in the practice of photography over 50 years ago, when it was an innovation in the country.
As an ardent disciple of the art of Isaac Walton, he had few if any equals. With rod and line, he was a familiar figure throughout the salmon and trout fishing season, plying his wily art on the banks of the Blackwater and Awbeg rivers. Even the rivers Maigue and Suir were not infrequently visited by him. He possessed a fund of anecdotes associated with his fishing pursuits, as well as reminiscences of the various stirring events which occurred in the country.
MEMBER OF BAND
He was a devoted member of the old Kildorrery Brass Band, which was invariably in attendance at the Nationalist meetings held during the eighties and subsequent periods. Throughout his long span of life, he enjoyed good health and was about and active up to two weeks previous to his death. His faculties were unimpaired to the end.
THE FUNERAL
The tribute of respect paid to his memory was evidenced by the large gathering of relatives, friends and sympathisers, who formed the funeral cortege from Castletownroche Catholic Church to the family burial ground at Mologga, near Kildorrery.