McCarthy, Florence
July 01, 2011The attendance at Florrie's funeral was one of the largest in the locality for many decades. It signified the respect in which he was held, not least because of his involvement in so many sporting, community and business organisations.
The attendance included members of Galway GAA local angling and shooting clubs, darts clubs, members of farming organisations and the equine industry. There was a large presence of members from the Galway Vintners Association of which Florrie was Honourary Secretary up until his death. He was described as a champion of rural publicans and was held in high regard by his customers and friends.
Florrie was a family man through and through and was looked after in the home in his final months by his wife Ann and family.
A person of great energy and ability, he gave unsparingly to the community and his passing leaves a void which will not be easy to fill. He was a pillar of the community and dedicated his life to helping others, whether it was in sport, community development, business or personal support.
Florrie was a sports enthusiast, with a knowledge of all sports, but it was to Kilbeacanty and Galway hurling that he gave his true commitment. He was steeped in GAA tradition, his family having donated the grounds in which the club playing field and facilities are now located. He served his club in all capacities at officer level as Chairperson, Secretary and County Board delegate. He trained juvenile teams for the past 30 years, winning county championships at various levels. He was on the county panel at Minor level but the highlight of his career was winning the county intermediate title with Kilbeacanty in 1978.
On the racing front, Florrie was recognised as a shrewd judge of National Hunt racing. He loved the odd bet and a day out at the races. His best days were when he bred Maca Rinca, retained ownership and had the delight of seeing two victories with his nephew Ian on the reins, as he said himself it was "a real family affair."
Florrie was born on August 25 1954 to Donal and Anne McCarthy. He attended Kilbeacanty NS and Gort Vocational School before going on to work in the building trade.
Tragedy struck the family in 1965 when his mother Anne passed away at the age of 42, leaving a young family of six children when Florrie was ten. He and the family took on the challenge with great dignity and hard graft.
In later years, Florrie inherited the public house which was then a small country pub. But he had a vision for the future. Florrie and his wife Anne took the initiative to build one of the finest pub lounges in the county, which went on to become one of the best known music venues in the country, frequented by many of the leading traditional folk and country and western musicians.
The attendance at Florrie's funeral on Friday June 24th is testament to the love and respect in which he was held. Several organisations held a guard of honour including the County Vintners Association, led by National President, Gerry Mellett, CEO Padraig Cribbin, and the Executive of the County Galway Vintners, members of Kilbeacanty GAA club and Galway Hurling Board. His coffin was carried on its final journey by his former Kilbeacanty team mates.
His Requiem Mass was said by Fr Paddy Callinan, PP Kilbeacanty, assisted by Fr Frank Larkin, PP Kinvara.
Florrie is survived by his dear wife Ann, his children, Florence, Fiona, Alan and Aine, his grandson Niall, his sisters Rita, Anne and Carmel, brothers Maurice and Donald, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and son-in-law John.
- Courtesy of The Connacht Tribune 1st July 2011 Tweet
