Butler, Johnny
August 31, 2003
The late Johnny Butler
In the early hours of February 5, 2003, Johnny Butler of Cooleshall, Freshford, more popularly known as 'Killarney' departed from this world.
Johnny left home the previous evening for his usual weekly night outing in Mackey's of Gathabawn, where he participated in the weekly poker game which he loved and enjoyed so much. He played his cards well and in fact won the pot that night.
Minutes later, Johnny was suddenly taken ill and within seconds was called home by his maker at the age of 63 years.
When news of Johnny's sudden departure broke, there was shock, profound sadness and utter disbelief amongst the community of Freshford and throughout the county. He was a jolly and cheerful character and loved the craic. He was liked by all, both young and old for his jovial personality and wit and brought joy and happiness to many people's lives. Johnny was kind and caring and many of his good and generous deeds went unnoticed or unknown.
Johnny was a caring and devoted husband and a doting father. He farmed his small holding at Cooleshall for many years and was very proud of his fine crops of corn and beet, which he produced each year.
He enjoyed life and was involved in many organisations over the years. He was a member of Freshford Panto back in the days of the Odeon in the 50s and 60s and would certainly have enjoyed, no doubt been part of, the recent reunion of Freshford Panto Society.
The hurling Club was probably the first organisation he was involved in from a very young age. He was part of the schools U14 winning team back in 1951, playing at wing back against Graiguenamanagh. Following that victory, his neighbour and friend, Mick Molloy, composed a poem about Johnny and that poem was recently published in Jamsie Murphy's book of poems Black & Amber Glory.
Further hurling honours came Johnny's way in 1954 and 1956, when he won county titles at U16 and minor level, when he played in goal. The year 1959 seen him add a junior county medal and he rounded off his collection with county senior medals with Lachtain's in 1961 and 1963. He was a member of the current GAA committee and attended all their games.
His final game was just two days before his death, when he went to see St Lachtain's v Erin's Own 13-a-side football final in Castlecomer. He had attended the club's dinner dance in Langton's the previous Friday night and graced the dance floor for most of the night.
Johnny played his part too when Pairc Lachtain was being developed. Like many other committee members and helpers, he spent many hours with his tractor and trailer and chainsaw up in the woods in 'The Cobbs' in Kilcooley and the other woods, getting ready for the famous St Lachtain's timber auctions.
He was a keen Kilkenny follower also and a regular traveller on the bus to Croke Park each year. Johnny and his neighbour and friend, Ned Heaphy who passed away a few years previously, had some great laughs and jokes, especially when Kilkenny and Tipp met, and are probably betting which one of them will win this year.
He enjoyed his days with the local Macra Club and travelled the length and breadth of the country for many years, when he attended the then popular Field Evenings.
He was great at tracing back and recalling and always had a story or tale to tell. As local lady Julia (Jude) Ryan wrote in her poem The Freshford Twenty:
To hear Johnny Butler's stories
Always fill us with surprise
We often wonder if they're true
Or just a pack of lies
He claimed that he availed of school transport years ago, long before it was introduced. He used to travel with his brothers and sisters to Freshford National School on the Kilkenny/Limerick CIE bus, paying a half penny, and that was before decimalisation.
On the Friday before his death, he and other members of his family and neighbours travelled to Tralee, Co Kerry for the funeral of Patens Ryan, a former club mate. Johnny was a kind, good living and good humoured gentleman, who loved singing, bingo, the game of cards - t'was hard to beat him at the 31s - and of course, the odd ould flutter on the horses.
His sudden and untimely departure had left a huge gap and profound sadness in the village, but the good memories people hold of Johnny will be talked about for many a long day.
The send-off Johnny was given was a sign of the high esteem he was held in by both the club and the community. His coffin was carried shoulder high from Kennedy's Funeral Home all the way to the church, draped in the Black and Amber, and was carried by relays of pall bearers made up from the present day players and members, with officials and players from the1984 intermediate champions, his card-playing mates from Freshford and surrounding areas, his colleagues from the 1961 and 1963 senior champions' side and on the final leg to the church, by his neighbours and friends from Cooleshall and Clashacrow.
His memory will live on in Freshford for certain.
May he rest in peace.
May the sod of St Lachtain's Cemetery lie lightly on his breast.
Killarney
August 2003
Most Read Stories