The late Michael (Mixie) Lynch When one of our older parishioners passes away to their eternal life it is often commented 'well he/she was a good age or they had a good life. But when the news filtered through of the recent passing of one of our greatest parishioners and one of life's gentlemen it was greeted with great sadness. Michael Lynch was certainly all those things, he had a genuine word for everyone and treated all equally. Mixie as he was better known was a true Callan man and loved everything about the place. Mixie was born at Knockrea Callan on the 13th June 1926. His early years were spent at school in the Convent of Mercy and later in the CBS on West Street. He was born into a farm so farming life is what he chose and worked along side his brothers Jack and the late Jimmy. Mixie was a keen hurler and a John Lockes man through and through. He won a junior championship medal with the Lockes in 1952 along with his two brothers. Sadly injury to Mixie and Jimmy deprived both from participating in the final. Mixie loved hurling and would travel all the over the country to watch Kilkenny or the Lockes play. He would think nothing of sitting into the car to travel and see Callan CBS playing a colleges game. For many years Jimmy and the late Paddy Power better known as the 'Red Eagle' who worked at the Bacon Factory travelled to Kilkenny matches all over the country. Paddy loved travelling with Mixie and Jimmy, as immediately after games it would be straight home to Callan. Mixie was a life long pioneer as were the rest of his family. In the mid 1950's Mixie bought a farm at Skeaugh and later built a bungalow where he lived until his passing. He was a meticulous farmer and his work ethic was there only one way it could be done and that was the right way. He was gifted with machinery and always kept everything on the farm in pristine condition. He was the first farmer in the area to have a bailer. He also loved carpentry making several pieces of furniture for his home at classes in the old vocational school under the stewardship of Peadar O'Dwyer. Mixie was also a keen man for hunting and always kept a good gun dog. Come 1st November each year he would be off through the fields with his gun and dog to see if he could get the first of the season's pheasant. He was a great neighbour and loved chatting weekly with all of them and enjoyed the banter and chat when time allowed which was often. Although he never married he dearly loved his nephews and nieces and travelled with them regularly. When he celebrated his eightieth birthday this year his nieces Kathleen and Anne took him on a tour around Ireland. The tour took them to the Horse Show and the Aga Khan Cup. Mixie had never attended the show before, a week later he fell ill with a stroke, which he was never to recover from. He also travelled to many parts of Europe and especially loved Paris and Rome. For nearly twenty years his nephew John Lynch has worked beside Mixie and also moved to live at Skeaugh, they were great companions. When John married Catherine they came to live at Skeaugh and rather than intrude they built a new kitchen and living area onto the farm. The kitchen has rarely been used as Mixie loved the couples company. When John and Catherine had their first child Aoife, Mixie was trilled and she became part of his daily life on the farm. Mixie was always generous with his time, he was always patient and loved company and is dearly missed by all his family and neighbours. His removal took place from his house to the Parish Church with a guard of honour formed by the John Lockes Club. His burial was at Kilbride Cemetery. He is survived by his brother Jack, sister-in-law Mary and by nieces, nephews, grand nephews and grand nieces. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 01/12/06 Tweet

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