The late Mikey O'Dwyer It is with sincere regret we record the passing of Michael (Mikey) O'Dwyer, 26 Ard Mhuire, Carrick on Suir who died at St Bridget's Hospital having celebrated his 88th birthday. Born in August 1918, Mikey was one of the town and hinterland's most noted characters of the 20th century and was connected to the oldest fishing family in the area going back 400 years, a tradition he continued most of his life. However, his own main lifelong interest was greyhounds having owned his first greyhound at the age of 12. He was involved in the initial opening of the first greyhound track in Clonmel and in Kilcohan Park, Waterford before it became a licensed track. He was a regular attendee at all the local coursing meetings including the National Coursing meeting in Clonmel and the annual Christmas meeting in Mooncoin for over 70 years. The O'Dwyer family, Ashpark were proimient in the fruit business and his late father Bill, accompanied by his sons, travelled to the Apple Maker in Waterford frequently selling their produce, and in the early years by horse and cart leaving Carrick on Suir very early in the morning. In his youth, Mikey was a prominent hurler and represented the Swan in County Minor trials and was a staunch supporter of the club to the end. He liked to socialise and loved the pub sing-song and in any debate or discussion he was reluctant to give best to anyone in his point of view on greyhounds or hurling. His internment was in the O'Dwyer family plot in St Mary's cemetery after Mass celebrated by family relatives Donal and Bernadette Gallagher. He was predeceased by his wife Peggy Brown in 1997 and son Michael who tragically, at two years of age, lost his life when the family home in Greystones Street was destroyed by fire. He is survived by his sons Liam (Ballyrichard), Paddy (Piltown), daughters Joan Gallagher (Donegal), Helen Foley (Killarney), Pauline Lucey (Clonmel), Marion Bourke (Carrick Beg), Ermen Keating (Ballyneale), Monica McCormack (Galbally), grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sister-in-law Lizzie O'Dwyer (Castle Gardens), nieces and nephews and a large circle of relatives and friends. Mikey is also survived by his sister Mary Kelly (Pill Road) who is the last member of that generation of the late Bill and Ellen O'Dwyer, Ashpark, Carrick on Suir. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of The Kilkenny People 10 November 2006 Tweet

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