Keogh, Joe
January 11, 2013The recent death of Joe Keogh, Cleaghmore, Ballinasloe, marked the passing of the last member of a family that were synonymous with the barber trade in Ballinasloe town for over one hundred years.
The 85-year-old had been in failing health for some time and the news of his demise evoked wide-spread sympathy. The second youngest of a family of ten-five sons and five daughters-born to the late Thomas and Elizabeth Keogh, Joe followed his father's and brothers' footsteps into the family barber's shop in St. Michael's Square.
His late father established the business and one by one, after finishing school, the boys were trained in the hairdressing business. Joe finally closed the salon down in 2006, a business that was of the town's best-known landmarks and a focal point for lively debates on Gaelic football and fishing, in particular.
One of the town's most popular residents, Joe took a break in the seventies and was employed at the A.T. Cross factory for over twenty years. But the lure of the "snip and trim" saw him return to the barber shop once again before eventually retiring in 2006. Joe was one of the most committed GAA fans in the area, serving for many years as secretary of the local football club, was on the Duggan Park Development committee, and a mentor for several teams.
It was truly an indication of the high esteem in which he was held when so many former Ballinasloe and county footballers arrived to form a guard of honour and carry his coffin, bearing a Ballinasloe football jersey, from Grenham's Funeral Home into St. Michael's Church.
They were again present the following day when they marched alongside the funeral cortege to Creagh Cemetery where again, they carried his mortal remains to the graveside. There, GAA stalwart Mattie Ganly paid tributes to a man that loved our National Games and culture.
A dedicated family man, Joe Keogh gave much of his time to the church and was a committed basket collector at the evening mass for many years. His generosity to those less well-off was done quietly, typical of a man who was helpful, obliging and unassuming and was so loved by all ages for over eight decades.
The late Joe Keogh is survived by his loving wife Nancy, son Sean, daughters Margie, Cathy, Trisha and Dympna; daughter-in-law Marie, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Courtesy of The Connacht Tribune. Tweet
