The Late Ann Byrne A death in any family or area must surely be the cause of great sadness. When the person who has passed away had been a person who brought honour and pride to her parish, county and province as well as to her family, the loss is even greater. So it was that the death of Ann Byrne (nee Kennedy) of Kilcarry, Clonegal on Saturday July 5 brought a sense of sadness not only to her grieving family but to the whole community. Ann was educated at Clonegal NS and Goresbridge Convent where she learned, and fell in love with, camogie. On her return to Clonegal she encouraged other girls to take up the game seriously and with the help of some of the local lads and the advice of others the Kilcarry camogie team was formed. They were a great bunch of girls and soon were in the top bracket in the county. Ann was picked to play for Carlow and then for Leinster and held her own with the best on the country. She married her husband Jim Byrne on April 25 1963 and went to live to Malin Head, County Donegal, where her husband was a member of the crew on the local weather station. After a number of years Jim and Ann returned to the home farm in Kilcarry where Jim turned his hand to farming. Ann was often called upon to give advice to the members of the local camogie team and also took an interest in local happenings. Ann was daughter of Kitty and the late Aidan Kennedy who was himself a keen sportsman and who took a great pride in the doings of his daughter. Apart from sport Ann was well known as a kind and helpful person and a good neighbour. Jim and Ann were 40 years married in April 25 this year. Ann, who had been in indifferent health for some time, is deeply mourned by her loving husband Jim, sons Aidan, Jim and Dermot, daughters Irene, Helen, Laura (Byrne), Karen (Harte), Ann Marie (Robinson), her mother Kitty, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and a large circle of relatives and friends. Her remains were removed from her residence at Kilcarry on Monday evening, July 7, to St Brigid's Church, Clonegal, where they were received by Fr Joe Fleming , PP. An honour guard of her old team mates from the Kilcarry club was formed from the church gate to the church doorway. Interment took place in the new cemetery Clonegal, following Requiem Mass at 11am on Tuesday morning July 8 Fr Fleming officiating at the graveside. Ann now sleeps beneath the sod of her beloved Clonegal. May she rest in peace. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 8th August 2003 Tweet

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