Lawlor, Neddy
January 26, 2007
The late Neddy Lawlor
Stoneyford lost one of its oldest residents on December 29th, 2006, with the death of Neddy Lawlor of Knocknaboola.
Neddy, who was in his 91st year, was born to the late Patrick and Kate Lawlor and was brother to the late Mary Travers, Margaret Morris, Dave, Jack and Matt Lawlor.
In his younger years Neddy worked for Major McCalmount in Mount Juliet.
On his retirement, Neddy became fully involved in the greyhound business, training and racing his own greyhounds.
He trained many winners. He had at least three derby finalists among them 'Boola's Duchess'. He also won the Doggie Dinner Stakes in Shelbourne Park with 'Boola's Countess'.
another well-known greyhound of Neddy's was 'Dusky Swallow' who won the Marquis of Waterford Cup.
Probably the best greyhound was 'Boola's Sadie' who was second in the Oaks Final in Harold's Cross. He was a lifelong working member of Sevenhouses Coursing Club.
Neddy also had a keen interest in GAA. He assisted in the training of the Stoneyford junior hurling team, that won the county championship in 1943. He was also involved in the preparation of the Carrickshock team that won the County Championship in 1954.
He was uncle of Pat Lawlor of Bennettsbridge and a former Killkenny County hurler.
Small in stature but larger than life, Neddy was affectionately know as "The Giner Kid", and he liked nothing better than to relax on his favourite pub with a glass of Paddy and participate in a good old-fashioned sing song.
He could often be heard singing Our Golden Jubilee or Delaney had a Donkey. He was a member of Malzards singing pubs team during the 1970s and 1980s and was a key member of that team when they won the Smithwicks singing pubs competition in 1987.
In 1990 at the age of 74, Neddy appeared on the popular RTE Afternoon programme Live at Three and took part in the Over 65 Entertainer of the year talent competition. Resplendent in top hat and tails he sang The Man who broke the Bank in Monte Carlo.
He was also a familiar figure at senior citizens parties in Stoneyford and the surrounding areas where he could always be relied upon for a song accompanied by his favourite musician Tom Lee.
During his final years Neddy was cared for in St Patrick's ward in St Columba's Hospital Thomastown.
He was treated with great kindness by the nurses, doctors and staff.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Brendans Church, Stoneyford, by Fr Liam Cassin PP.
Stoneyford church choir were accompanied by organist Emer Roche.
His remains were interred in St Mary's Cemetery, Thomastown.
He will be sadly missed by his many friends in Stoneyford and by his nephews and nieces in Mullinahone, Thomastown Bennettsbridge and Knocknaboola.
Courtesy of The Kilkenny People
26 January 2007
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