The Late Billy Buckley The plaintive wail of the long horn, carried in a bitter east wind in St. Mary's Cemetery, Kilmurray, recently, marked the final tribute to the late Billy Buckley, Belmount Lower, Crookstown. Fitting it was too, for Bill was a life-long hunting enthusiast. Founder member of Mossgrove Harrier Club, he also served ably as Master of Hounds and president. Draghunting gave him immense pleasure as well; proud he was of his two most successful competitors, 'Gay-boy and 'Tulip.' Bill was keen supporter too of the GAA, playing junior football for Cloughduv and senior football for Kilmurry in the late 1930s, delighting in the drama of the numerous Sunday matches. Like many country folk, Bill also enjoyed bowl playing and its lively banter along the roads on a summer's evening, as well as a keen involvement in Crookstown Vintage Club and gardening at home. The Fianna Fail party, likewise, was close to his heart, serving as chairman of Crookstown Cumann for many years as well as delegate to Coachford Comhairle Ceantar and Cork North West Dail Ceantar. Notwithstanding such healthy communal interest, Bill's foremost commitment was as a devoted husband and father, and his myriad maintenance duties in Howards Mill to support them. Well past the Biblical three score and ten, his longevity was further blessed with grandchildren, some of whom he saw grow into full adulthood. Forthright and up front, with Bill what one saw was what one got, exhibiting an old world Victorian rigid honesty so sadly lacking in the modern day. As the tender Spring daffodils and tulip buds around his last resting place testify to renewed life, so it is our prayer that Bill too has joined his late wife, Lizzie and other deceased family in the new venture which the Lord long ago ordained. Your Comrades In Sport Courtesy of the Southern Star March 2003 Tweet

Most Read Stories