The late Tom Kennedy Carlow is a poorer place following the death, after a short illness, of Tom Kennedy, The Elms, Athy Road. Very much a devoted family man, his passing will be deeply felt by his wife Clare, sons Patrick and Frank; daughters Marie (Reilly) and Liz (Burke); grandson Nurlan; daughters-in-law Mary and Anne; son-in-law John and Peter. He is survived by his brothers Pat (Bagenalstown) and Christy (Carlow); sisters Bridie Heffernan (Dublin), Sr. Veronica (Betty) (Nazareth House, Belfast), Sr. Kathleen (St. Leo's, Carlow) and Mary Dagg (Tullamore); brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and a wide circle of friends. Aged 75 and a native of Cournellan, Borris, Tom gave a lifetime of service to Carlow GAA as well as being a prominent businessman, running a popular licensed premises on Tullow Street for over 30 years. Born in in September 1930, Tom's early education was at Borris National School and De La Salle, Bagenalstown before employment brought him to Moate, Co. Westmeath and later Kilcormack Co. Offaly where he was manager with D.E. Williams. Tom purchased the Beehive Bar and Lounge (later to be known as Kennedy's), 54 Tullow Street Carlow in 1966 and along with Clare established it as one of the most popular licensed premises in town. He was a founder member of the Vinters Federation of Ireland in 1973 and was on the national executive of the VFI from 1973 until 1955. During this time he was Leinster Vice President of the VFI on a number of occasions. He was also founder member of the VFI Credit Union. Tom and Clare retired from the business in 1998 and moved to the Elms. For a long number of years, Tom acted as an agent for Graves of New Ross Farm Buildings, a job which allowed him to mingle with the farming community and stay in touch with the rural setting he was familiar with from his youth. That youth saw him immerse himself in GAA activities, playing minor football and hurling with Kilcloney before graduating to adult ranks, lining out with Cournellan in hurling and Ballymurphy in football. It was with Ballymurphy that he enjoyed his greatest sporting moment, being part of the team that won the Carlow SFC title in 1953. The 1-7 to 1-5 county final victory over Palatine avenged the defeat from the replayed final of the previous year. Making that a particularly proud day for the Kennedy family was the fact that Tom's brothers Jim and John were also among the many stars in the green and white of Ballymurphy when 4,158 gathered in Dr. Cullen Park. Dr. Cullen Park was to become a huge part of Tom's life in later years. He succeeded Fr. Shine as Chairman of Dr. Cullen Park Committee in 1973 and held this position until his death. During this time he oversaw the building of two new stands and many more improvements at a venue that is rated one of the best in Leinster, if not Ireland. Tom was a particularly proud man in October 2003 when his beloved Dr. Cullen Park staged the eagerly awaited All-Ireland MFC final replay between Laois and Dublin. Under Tom's leadership, this game attracted a record attendance and capacity crowd. Tom was elected to the Central Council of the GAA in 1974 and was a delegate until 1986. He was very proud to be involved in the Centenary celebrations of the GAA in 1984. During his time with D.E Williams, Tom won a Westmeath JFC medal Moate and also had the distinction of lining out with the Leinster Junior championship. Outside of sport, Tom was deeply involved in parish work. He was a reader, collector and steward at the Cathedral where he was a regular Mass goer. He served on the Parents Advisory Council of St. Leo's College when his daughters were in attendance, and where his sister, Sr. Kathleen was principal. He was one of the main players on the finance committee in terms of fundraising for St. Leo's Sports Hall which opened in 1989. Tom is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Elizabeth, brothers Mike (1947), John (1976) and Jim (2002) and baby daughter Mary (1965). Tom underwent a heart bypass two years ago. He was hospitalised again four weeks ago and died in the Mater Private, Dublin on Saturday March 25, 2006. Courtesy of The Carlow Nationalist 07 April 2006 Tweet

Most Read Stories