Local farmer passes away months after wife's death

There was a sincere feeling of regret and loss in the Bagenalstown area at the death on Friday 26 November at Beachwood Nursing Home, Leighlinbridge of Gerry Brennan, Tinnegarney House, Bagenalstown.

Gerry had celebrated his 90th birthday on 28 June last. His Wife of 57 years, the former Gretta Fennelly from Bawn, Stradbally, Co Laois passed away on 8 july last.
Gretta's death was a great blow to Gerry.

A progressive farmer, Gerry Brennan was the fifth generation of his family to farm at Tinnegarney House, where he carried on a successful dairy enterprise. With his brother Eddie, he purchased a Friesian bull in England and established a Friesan herd on the home farm. Eddie later married and went to live and farm in Cloneygowan, Co.Offaly. In the 1950's, Gerry established a milk round in the Bagenalstown area. It proved a successful venture and was carried on for more than 30 years by Gerry, continuing until 1977. His son Pierce is continuing the farming tradition into the next generation.
Gerry was a founder member in the mid-50's of the Bagenalstown branch of the National Farmers' Association (NFA) and remained a member of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) when the farm body changed name.

Gerry was also a dedicated member of the local Macra na Feirne in his younger days.
A popular man within the local community, Gerry was a staunch and active member of Fine Gael throughout his life, holding officerships within the party's Bagenalstown branch. He was involved in selecting candidates and campaigned actively at election time. An avid GAA follower, Gerry was one of four Brennan brothers who played Gaelic football for the short-lived Royal Oak club, which won the Carlow Junior football championship of 1944, beating Kilbride in the final.

He played at full-back on that team and was joined on the side by brothers Mick, Eddie and Joe.

The Royal Oak club quickly disbanded after that. It had a very small playing pool and could only call on two substitutes. Emigration and retirements led to its extinction.
Gerry then threw in his lot with the local Muinebheag team, and when St Andrew's was formed in Bagenalstown in 1952, he played at right-corner-back on the team that claimed the Carlow JFC that year, defeating Tinryland in the decider.

Michael Jones, The parade, Bagenalstown, a contemporary of Gerry's and team mate from that side of 58 years ago, recalls the Tinnegarney man as being "a big, strong right corner-corner-back on that team."

"He had great hands and any forward would earn his score off Gerry" said Michael, who won a Leinster SFC in 1946 with Laois.

Gerry was also a follower of Carlow football and hurling teams down the years and was a great admirer of the Kilkenny hurlers.
The remains were removed from his home on Sunday to the Church of the Assumption, Paulstown, where they were received by Fr Larry Malone, PP, Paulstwon- Goresbridge, assisted by An tAthair Sean O Laoighaire, CC.

Fr Malone celebrated the Funeral Mass on Monday morning, following which burial took place in Wells Cemetery.

Gerry is survived by his family - Pierce (Tinnegarney House), Mary Kehoe (Ballinaboley, Leighlinbridge), Philomena McConville Graignamanagh), Colm (Dublin) Niall (England) and Edna Brophy (New Jersey, USA).

One of a family of ten - he had six brothers and three sisters - Gerry is survived by one brother, Paddy, who lives on Australia's Gold Coast. He is also mourned by his 14 grandchildren, nephews, nieces, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, other relatives, neighbours and his many friends.

Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 14/12/10 Tweet

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