Hough, Liam
September 05, 2009
Liam Hough
Farmer steeped in the tradition of the GAA
When the news of Lain Hough's sudden illness became known in the parish of Monagea, few would have believed that six days later he would be dead. Liam was in Ballybunion for a few days when he was taken ill. On that day, he had cycled from his mobile home to the beach where he had a swim and picked periwinkles. On his way to Tralee Hospital, he was able to give his son's mobile number to the ambulance staff. Shortly after; he became seriously ill and remained in that condition until his death on Wednesday, August 19.
Liam was born and raised in Ballyshane. He worked on the family farm with his late father John and uncle Paddy. On the death of his father, Liam took over the running of the farm. They farmed in both Ballyshane and Gardenfield.
Liam would always have been seen as a tidy or tasty farmer. He always kept his land neat and tidy. He had his own machinery which was always immaculate and well serviced. He continued to farm until the late 90's when he retired. Like his father Liam married a Kerry woman, Gertrude O'Sullivan from Brosna in 1968. They had three children, Geraldine, Maura and John.
Undoubtedly Liam was very pleased to see the next generation of Houghs arrive in Ballyshane with the birth of a baby son Conor to John and Mairead, who had built their house next door to Liam and Gertrude.
Liam was born into a family stepped in the tradition of the GAA. His late uncle Bill won two All Ireland senior hurling medals and was captain for one of those in 1918. He also gave 26 years of service as Treasurer of the Munster Council. Liam travelled to many Munster championship games with his uncle and was often given the responsibility of looking after the money from the gate. As a player, Liam was described as "Stylish". He was also regarded as an extremely good goalkeeper. Liam won a West Limerick Junior B hurling medal in 1956 with Monagea.
He also played with Newcastle West during his career. His son John has won two County junior hurling medals with Monagea in 1997 and 2008. This was something that Liam was very proud of.
Liam always had a great interest in the parish of Monagea but since his retirement from farming, he had become the "caretaker" of the parish. Virtually every morning Liam got on his bicycle and went around the GAA field, Church grounds, National school grounds, Community Centre yard and car park and the cemetery to remove any litter that was left lying around. He also clipped hedges and removed weeds from all the above places, plus the moss path and Blesses Well in Rathcahill.
In recent years Liam was a stalwart in the annual parish spring cleanup. Liam would not just take responsibility for the Ballyshane area but would also go into other areas that were being neglected. He also kept the area ground the bottle bank and clothes bank tidy.
He was a great friend of Monagea GAA and always kept the field and dressing rooms in immaculate condition. Liam was not a man to seek the headlines but went about his work his own time and at his own pace. We will all miss Liam with his tractor or on his bicycle around the parish.
In appreciation for the great work the Liam did for Monagea GAA, its members acted as stewards to keep the traffic flowing on both the Friday of his removal from his house in Ballyshane and on Saturday for his funeral Mass. They also shouldered his remains to the church and to his final resting place in Monagea cemetery. The huge crowd that attended his funeral was a true testament to the high regard in which Liam was held.
Liam was a great family man and will be sadly missed by all. Sympathy to his wife Gertrude, son John, daughters Geraldine and Maura, sisters Helen McCarthy and Mary Ita Mullane, grandchildren, son-in-law, daughter-in-law Mairead, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Following his funeral, refreshments were served in Monagea Community Centre. It was appropriate that everything about his final two days should be based in his beloved Monagea. Our parish has lost one of its greatest friends.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of Limerick Leader
5th September 2009
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