O'Grady, Bridget (Bridie)
January 16, 2014
Sincere and genuine regret was expressed as the news of the death of one of Fermoy's more senior and very well respected citizens, the late Mrs Bridget (Bridie) O'Grady, who resided at her home in Barry's Boreen, Fermoy on Saturday, January 4.
The late Bridie was predeceased by her husband, the late Paddy, who was so well known all over Cork county and Munster for his prowess on the football fields from his minor days in the late thirties, when he captained Cork minor footballers in 1938, and was also on the Munster winning Cork minor team a year later. They lost to Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi-final in that year.
The late Paddy went on to play senior with Fermoy for close on 15 years, winning many honours, and was also a prominent Cork Co Board Inter-Co referee. To do all this, he had to have had the full support of his wife Bridie, and with Bridie's GAA background this support was forthcoming in spades.
The late Paddy also became well known in his job as car salesman at Cavanagh's in Fermoy for many years and later on in Cork City.
The late Bridie was a native of Clondulane, coming from the Hallinan family, a family that was very much a part of the GAA scene in Fermoy from the very start of the club in 1886. And today that tradition still lives on in the club.
She was always regarded as a lady who always looked after her family with love and affection while combining her housework with the running of a restaurant and guest house in Kent St during the '50s and 60s. Her house must have had a great name in those years, when several workers in various establishments in the town made O'Grady's their 'digs' at the time. Many long time friendships were forged during those years and even one of two successful marriages were made as a result.
The late Bridie was loved and respected by all who were lucky enough to have got to know her, no wonder so many of them came to her funeral.
Fermoy GAA naturally enough were the big benefactors at the time as any player who stayed with O'Grady's usually threw in his lot with Fermoy and that was due as much to Bridie's influence as it was to Paddy's. In fact, the club often held their AGM and weekly meetings in the restaurant.
Having retired from business many years ago, Bridie and Paddy relocated to Barry's Boreen, Paddy and their son, Vincent passed away some years ago and Bridie continued her own life with members of her own family living close by.
She contented herself with her garden and her own interests. Thankfully, she enjoyed great health right up to her death and kept herself fully up to date with all affairs as she approached her 93rd birthday.
The late Bridie will be lovingly but sadly missed by her family, daughters Catherine (Slattery), Anne (Allin), Mary (Mahony) and Olive (Fraher), sons Michael and John, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Large numbers attended as her Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick's Mass was celebrated in St Patrick's Church by Rev Fr Aquin Casey Adm and Rev Fr Tobias Bluitt PP Doneraile, Fr Tim Hazelwood PP Kilcrumper Old Cemetery.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
The Corkman, 16th January 2014
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