Byrne, Tom
May 10, 2011He was a dedicated family man who was active in the community in his younger day. As an agricultural contractor, he was widely acknowledged as being an expert in the sowing and lifting of sugar beet and turnip crops. He was also a highly talented amateur actor, and he treaded the boards for many years with the Myshall Drama Society.
Aged 76 and a native of Knockbrack, Myshall, Tom underwent successful heart bypass surgery three years ago. He suffered a setback in July of last year from which he recovered and had been in top form in the days and weeks leading up to his sudden passing.
One of a family of seven, Tom worn widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the Bird O'Donnell in John B Keane's play The Field - role he played on a number of occasions with the Myshall group. He is also remembered for his parts in Summit and another Keane play, The Man from Clare.
Tom greatly enjoyed participating in the GAA's Scór competition in the GAA's reached the All-Ireland finals, representing the local Naomh Eoin GAA Club, with a novelty act entitled The Cottage.
On 27 April 1960, Tom married Patricia (Patsy) Kavanagh from Coolasnaughta, Myshall in the local Church of the Holy Cross.
The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year with a gathering of family, neighbours and friends.
Only last month, Tom had attended on 80th birthday party for his only surviving sibling Eamonn.
Politics provided a life-long interest for Tom Byrne - he was a staunch Fianna Fail man and a member of the party's Myshall cumann.
Another interest of Tom's for a good number of years was the training and breeding of greyhounds. In July 2001, a local syndicate won a puppy stake at Enniscorthy track with a dog name Burrin Rock, who was bred and trained by Tom.
He also took an interest in vintage machinery, and a prize possession at the Byrne home was a Steyr tractor from the 1950s, which he had restored.
A keen card player, the Byrne home was a centre of games of 25 and poker. Wednesday was official card night but the cards would be produced any night the signal " are you right" was given by Tom.
As a rural man through and through Tom had a love of horses and enjoyed nothing better than watching the Racing Channel.
His remains were removed from his home to the Church of Holy Cross, Myshall, where they were received by Fr Philip O'Shea, PP, who celebrated the funeral Mass on Sunday morning. Afterwards he was laid to rest in Lismaconly Cemetery.
Tom is survived by his wife Patsy, children Kathleen (Bealalaw), Jim (Newbridge), Sean (Kilgreaney, Kilbride), Sheila Ryan (Ballinrush, Myshall), Mary O'Rourke (Knocklonogad, Gar-yhill), Tom (Knockbrack), Martin (Knockbrack), Padraig (Kildavin) and Niall (Paulstown), brother Eamonn (Coolnashe-egaun, Myshall), 19 grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
He was predeceased by brothers' Phil (England), Martin (Ballyellen, Goresbridge), Jack (Knockbrack), Jim (Barragh, Kildavin) and by his sister Annie Kavanagh (Aclare, Myshall).
Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist
10th May 2011 Tweet
