Flanagan, Tim
January 06, 2005
The Late Tim Flanagan
The popularity of the late Tim Flanagan, Rockmount House, Cahercallabeg, Ennis was manifested by the huge attendances at his funeral in Ennis. Although long associated with the greyhound racing and coursing scene, Tim was well known outside of it and he enjoyed the company of many friends in all walks of life.
They came in big numbers to pay tribute to him at his funeral at which Killarney born missionary priest, Fr Conor Courtney, a nephew, described Tim as a lovely man who lived a simple life.
Tim, who was aged 70 when he was buried in Drumcliffe cemetery, died peacefully at his home on December 13 surrounded by all members of his family after being ill for six weeks. Last September he celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary with his wife Eileen.
A North Clare man. Tim originally came from Carnane, Doolin. His father, the late Austin Flanagan, fought with the US army and was decorated with A Purple Heart.
After being involved in the insurance business, Tim later joined the staff of De Beers in the Shannon Industrial Estate in the late 1960s as stores manager. He was a popular member of the staff and stayed on until he took early retirement in 1993 when he was 59 years of age. During his early years of De Beers he bought his own pub in Doolin but later sold it to Americans at a time when Doolin and its pubs had not made the mark. In subsequent years it was bought by the McGanns.
By that time he was well known on the doggy scene. All his dogs ran under the familiar Rockmount prefix and although he did not claim any major stake, his percentage of wins at the Limerick and Galway greyhound racing tracks was higher than most owners enjoyed. Over the years he enjoyed many successes and in 1987 Ballyfoyle Glen, which had been owned in Kilkenny, reached the semi-finals of the Puppy Derby for him.
One of his greatest achievements was having three winners on the same weekend in Limerick and Galway.
The late Junior Reddan handled a few dogs for him earlier on. However as time went on Tim developed his Rockmount kennels where he trained and looked after his own dogs. He travelled the length and breadth of the country to buy pups which he would describe as beautifully bred. In recent years he owned a number of racing and coursing dogs with his son Shane. He always supported the Clare coursing meetings and was a regular at the national meeting in Clonmel. He was also closely associated with the late George Gallery, who was a big name in the coursing many years before his death in June of 2003. As well as being near neighbour, Tim was also married to George's sister Eileen.
Tim's last visit to the track was on November 6 when his family arranged for his to leave the Regional Hospital to see his Rockmount Legend win a sweep final at the Limerick Clare Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association meeting in the Markets Field, Limerick.
Ironically a close friend of his, Liam Carroll of Cratloe and The Abbey Tavern, Quin, sponsored the stake. The same weekend Tim was able to attend the Limerick city coursing meeting to see Rockmount Foggy, which he owns with his son Shane, survive for the second day.
A former footballer with Lisdoonvarna, Tim was a GAA supporter throughout his life at club and inter-county level. He followed the fortunes of the Clare hurlers and footballers and shared in their successes. At club level he was a staunch supporter of the Éire Óg senior football team and the last game he attended was the drawn county senior football final with Kilmurry-Lbrickane. Failing health prevented him from seeing the replay but he listened to its progress on radio while in hospital.
A great person to meet socially, Tim kept up his close ties with North Clare and made many visits there. A keen card player, he looked forward to the Christmas gambles at Murty McMahon's in Ennistymon. Another annual event which brought him to Ennistymon was the drag meeting which he used officiate at as slipper.
More great loves of his were Irish music and set dancing.
Doggy people from Clare and all over the region joined Tim's friends and former colleagues at De Beers at the removal of his remains from Daly's Mortuary Chapel to Ennis Cathedral on December 14. They received by Fr Jerry Carey Adm., St Joseph's, Fr. Courtney and Fr. Owen Lafferty, New York, a first cousin, Fr Courtney was the chief celebrant of the mass on the following day with Fr. Lafferty,. Fr Carey, Fr Tom Hogan, Adm., and Fr Michael O'Loughlin. The soloist was Pat McCarthy and Tim's love for Irish traditional music was not forgotten when musicians Liam Murphy, Siobhan Peoples, Murt Ryan, Shane Mulvey, Ciara Malone and Noel O'Donoghue played a few tunes during mass and again at the graveside. On both days coursing club members from Clare and the Éire Óg club provided guards of honour. After the burial ceremony some friends gathered to celebrate Tim's life and times and his 70th birthday.
Tim is fondly remembered by his wife Eileen, son Shane, daughters Edel and Shirley, brother Joe in Letterkenny, sister, Sister Anna Marie, Zambia, son in-law Donal O;Mahony, grandchildren, Tomas and Eilis, nephews, nieces and friends.
Courtesy of the Clare Champion
January 6th 2005
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