Donncha was never afraid of hard work
THE Cahersiveen area was shocked to hear of the sudden death of Donncha Cournane on March 6, 2018. Donncha was born on March 19, 1976, and when he was five years old he moved, with his family, from Tralee to Cahersiveen.
He completed his primary and secondary education in Cahersiveen, where he made great friendships that have lasted to this present day. On completing secondary school he obtained a Law degree in UCC.
He was never afraid of hard work and spent many days working with the late John Bowler on his bogs, during holiday periods. While in Cork he began a career as a shuttering carpenter, working on the Jack Lynch Tunnel.
His lost hammer forms part of the tunnel. Donncha subsequently worked in Dublin, the Netherlands and London.
He enjoyed playing football and won an under 16 County Championship medal with South Kerry as well as many other college and club medals. He enjoyed nothing better than playing with his friends on St Mary’s B team as there was less pressure than on the A team. He also competed in athletics, winning more awards.
Donncha was always very protective of his autistic sister Gráinne who referred to him as ‘my Donnata’. When working in Dublin he often travelled to Belfast and Antrim to visit her.
He loved and was loved by his nieces and nephews. On meeting them he became one of them, playing with them like a child.
Deeply regretted by his loving family- his parents Rosarie and Denis, sisters Crona and Meavh, brothers Mark and Gearoid, his nieces Caileigh, Caoimhe and Sofie and nephews Conor and Roman. Predeceased by his infant brother Eoghan and sister Grainne. Also greatly missed by his aunts, uncles, brothers in law, sister in law, relatives and many great friends. NIALL Ryle passed away peacefully at his home in Knockanish West, The Spa, Tralee on the evening of the April 23, surrounded by his loving family after a long illness bravely borne.
Aged 88, he was born on July 10, 1929, in Strand Street, to parents Jack and Elizabeth Ryle. He had one sister Celia and three brothers, Maurice, Michael and Gerard.
Niall worked as a compositor with The Kerryman for over 30 years, following in his father’s footsteps after which he built kennels in The Spa, and reared greyhounds there for over 20 years.
Niall was an outdoors man and had a great love of shooting, especially in Cloghane and Brandon, in West Kerry and spent many happy days there.
He used to boast that he had walked every inch of the mountain.
He was a first cousin of the late Dusty Springfield (Mary O’Brien) and was very proud of her achievements.
Niall was predeceased by his sister Celia and brothers Maurice in London and Michael in America.
Niall will be sadly missed by his wife, Mary, his seven children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, brother Gerard, sisterinMargaret, sons-in-law, Tony, Sean, Mike and Leo, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Niall’s month mind was at the Church of Purification, Churchill last Saturday.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.