The late Mick Kinsella The general area of Rath, and its surroundings, lost one if its great characters with the sudden death of Mick Kinsella. Known affectionately by his family as 'Ga Ga' and his neighbours and friends as 'the Ross', he died on March 6, 2006, in Portlaoise General Hospital after a short illness. Although aged 87, his passing was a shock as he was in good health and the large crowd at his funeral mass in Rath church and his burial in Ballyadden cemetery was testament to his popularity in his local community. Born in Jamestown, he worked on farms for most of his life - with Bolgers in Belin, Blands in Rath and Carrolls in Courtwood - as well as spending time with Bord na Mona in Kilberry, just outside Athy. An extremely passionate GAA man all his life, he played in goals for many years with Jamestown and, at the time of his death, was President of the Courtwood GAA club. One of his happiest memories though was being in Croke Park when Laois won the Leinster championship in 2003, his first time in the famed stand since another one of Laois' Leinster triumphs, back in1938. Although he got the train on that occasion, and for the '37 Leinster final, he cycled to Dublin for Laois' win in '36. Last years he was there three times and was looking forward to going again this summer. A distinguished athlete in his younger years with Rath AC, he later trained a number of young athletes in his locality and had high-jump facilities and a running track in the back garden of his home in Fishertown. He took great pride in the successes of his grand-daughter, Sharon, who he helped coach to numerous athletics titles at Laois, Leinster and National events. He was also a keen fisher and shooter but it is his acting talents with the hugely comical Rath Variety Show that he may be remembered most fondly. An extremely fit man he was very proud to be a holder of a Gold Pioneer Pin, along with his wife Nan who died in 2001. He lived with his son Tom and his family in Fisherstown until his death. He is deeply regretted by his two sons, Tom and Michael, his daughters-in-law, grand-children, great-grand-children, nieces and nephews and a large circle of neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace Steven Miller Courtesy of The Leinster Express 22 March 2006 Tweet

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