The late Noel Collins The death occurred of Noel Collins, O'Callaghan's Mills and formerly of Grange and Cullina, Ballina. Noel and his beloved wife Anne lived in Grange for some time in the seventies before moving to O'Callaghan's Mills, which was the birthplace of his paternal grandmother, Lizzie Collins (nee Hogan). The Collins name, for many generations, is synonymous with music and handball in the Ballina-Boher parish. Noel was a gifted musician and, in his younger years, was a founder member and lead guitarist of "The Reno Five". In 1967, together with fellow musicians Nellie Barry and Anthony Rogers, he joined the Majorca Showband. Noel was also a prominent handball player and in 1968, partnered by his brother Connie, won the Shield competition, an event promoted and sponsored by his late father and uncle, Connie and Anthony Collins. He maintained close links with his native district and large numbers of Ballina-Killaloe parishioners attended his Reception Service. Requiem Mass and burial in his adopted parish of O'Callaghan's Mills. He is survived by his wife Anne; daughters, Mary and Patricia; sons Sean, Cornelius and Noel (Jnr); his mother Mary; brothers, Connie and Paddy; his uncle, Jack; extended family relatives and friends. Courtesy of The Clare Champion 02 June 2006 Tweet

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