The Late Brigid O'Neill The death has taken place at St. Luke's Hospital Kilkenny of Mrs Brigid O'Neill (81) of Rath, Danesfort, County Kilkenny. She had been in reasonable health up to the time of her death. Only a few weeks before she died she attended the 80th birthday of a member of her family in a city hotel. The former Miss Dunne from Rahenduff was the second oldest in a family of eleven children born to the late John and Kate Dunne. Mrs O'Neill was wife of the late Podge O'Neill, who died in 1985. He was a former chairman of Danesfort GAA club and served on the County Board for years. Mrs O'Neill was a woman of many fine virtues. She was a devoted mother and carer of others, a trait nurtured when she looked after members of her family when she was young. Bridge, as she was more popularly known, had a great memory, and had a real flair for telling enriching stories of times and events past. Encouraging words fell easily from her mouth. She loved the company of people who appreciated life and it's simple pleasures. Mrs O'Neill was educated at Cuffesgrange national school, and later at the City Vocational School. She worked on the family farm before she married Podge O'Neill from Ballyda, Danesfort in the early 'fifties'. The reared a family of eight, and their farmhouse at Rath was always a welcoming place for workers and visitors. Mrs O'Neill was a gifted cook, and to dine at her table and enjoy her unique Rath-Cake and brown bread was a treat to be relished. During her time in school she won a cookery competition which earned her the cherished prize of a Mrs Beeton cookery book. That book is today a prized possession of one of her daughters. Her life wasn't without tragedy, however. In 1987 one of her daughters, Kathleen, was killed in a tragic road accident on the ring-road in Kilkenny City. Mrs O'Neill's remains were received at St Michael's church, Danesfort by Monsignor Martin Champion. Interment was at adjoining cemetery. Prayers of the Faithful during the Requiem Mass were said by her grandchildren, Louise and Claire Feeney, Breda and Patrick O'Neill and her son-in-law, Kevin Fagan. The readings were by her sisters, Lizzie Carrigan and Ann Healy and a touching address was delivered by her youngest brother, Paddy Dunne. Gifts were brought to the altar during the Offertory procession by her children, Bridget, Sarah, Ann and John. She is survived by Bridget Feeney, Thomastown, Mary Fagan, Dublin, Sarah Lahiff, Dublin and Ann Cowhig, Rath (daughters); Tom, Pat and John O'Neill, Rath (sons); Tadhg Feeney, Kevin Fagan, Fred Lahiff, William Cowhig (sons-in-law); Bernie O'Neill (daughter-in-law); Mary Dowling, Shellumsrath, Sarah Kelly, Garden Villas, Cathy Woodcock, Cuffesgrange, Lizzie Carrigan, Ballyfoyle, Ann Healy, Castlecomer (sisters); Gerry Dunne, Tullaroan, Johnny Dunne, Kildare, Michael Dunne, Cuffegrange, Martin and Paddy Dunne, Dublin, (brothers); Brian, Clare, Louise Feeney, Patrick, Breda and Catriona O'Neill and Kate and Joe Cowhig (grandchildren) and a host of other relatives and friends. Courtesy of The Kilkenny People December 2004 Tweet

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