The Late Eugene 'Sonny' Lawlor Eugene 'Sonny' Lawlor, Boheroe, Abbeydorney, whose death took place at Kerry General Hospital on Thursday March 27th, was a committed member of the community in which he lived. Sonny, as he was known to everybody was the last surviving member of the Lawlor family and his passing marks an era in the history of Abbeydorney and its hinterland. Aged 83, Sonny was born on January 29, 1925, son of Tom and Kate Lawlor (nee Canty) Boheroe, Abbeydorney. He lived his entire life in the parish, giving of his time and energy to the many organisations in which he was involved. In his lifetime of involvement with the community he was president of four local organisations- the Ploughing Society, Abbeydorney GAA, the Coursing Club and the local Labour Party branch. Schooling was at the local national school and it was only natural that he feature with the hurl and sliotar. He played minor and junior hurling with the local Abbeydorney team and was regarded as a fearless striker of the ball. Sonny was honoured by the Abbeydorney GAA Club in the year 2000 when he received the Hall of Fame Award. From a farming background Sonny's life revolved around working the land and the ploughing of it. Sonny joined the local Ploughing Society in 1942, becoming very actively involved in ensuring that the annual ploughing match was run successfully. John Joe Egan, All-Ireland ploughman was helped and coached by Sonny at many ploughing matches. They travelled the length and breadth of Ireland together achieving major successes. Sonny was passionate about ploughing and saw major changes in the ploughing fields over the years from the traditional horse ploughing to the introduction of tractors in the 1950s. During the years many different competitions and events have been included at the annual ploughing match. Sonny in his own quiet way, helped the society adopt the changing developments, yet retaining the traditional atmosphere of a friendly rural occasion. He presided over the ploughing championships in January of this year and made the presentation of prizes at McElligott's Bar later that night. He was president of the society from 1944 up to his death. Politically Sony was a member of the Labour Party and canvassed with the Spring family in many local and national elections. Throughout his life, in all the organisations, in which he was involved, Sonny gave of his time freely for the betterment of the community and society. He was one of the last men to have a horse and cart in the village and the local children and visitors have fond memories of hitching a lift to and from the village. The removal of Sonny's remains took place from Hogan's Funeral Home to St Bernard's Church, Abbeydorney. At the Requiem Mass symbols of Sonny's life were placed before the altar- earth from the land from the ploughing society; a sliotar from the GAA, a greyhound statuette from the Coursing Club and Starry Plough Flag from the Labour Party. Abbeydorney came to a standstill as the funeral cortege was led by two horse drawn plough guided by Tom Barrett and Sonny Egan. The coffin was shouldered the journey to Sonny final resting place at Kyrie Eleison Cemetery. Sonny Lawlor, an unassuming gentleman, will be missed by all whose lives he touched. He is survived by his niece Kathleen Burrows, her husband Johnny and their family. Suaimhneas siorrai da hanam dílis. Courtesy of The Kerryman Tweet

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