Meaney, Tom
June 04, 2011The publican, who ran Ma Hogan's and O'Riada's for many years and owned the Catherine Street building - currently home to Bourke's Bar - in which they are located, as well as running the Old Turnpike in Newcastle West, was discovered in his home this Monday lunchtime after a sudden death. He was 71.
Mr Meaney is survived by his three daughters, Antoinette, Patricia and Therese and two sisters, Mary (Penny) and Lillian (Boland).
Mr Meaney, originally from Farranshone was well known in the city and was popular in local soccer circles, given that his brother Tony, who died in 2003, played soccer with Limerick, facing Real Madrid and scoring a vital goal the last time Limerick won the league in 1979-80. Tony also ran Frazers Bar in Thomondgate.
The publican was also a well known GAA player - capturing an All Ireland Minor Hurling Medal with his county in 1958, and scooping several county senior football medals with Treaty Sarsfield in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Tom, who was predeceased by several of his brothers, was variously described this week as a 'good man' who made it his business to regularly attend mass services on an almost daily basis in the city, right up until his death.
He was fondly remembered for his time in Newcastle West, having run the Old Turnpike pub for more than 15 successful years in the county Limerick town.
Jerry O'Dea, Limerick chairman of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, spoke of his fellow publican after the news of his death this week.
"Tom was a member over the years, a good member, he was very supportive of us in anything we did, and he will be missed by the publican community," said Mr O'Dea.
"He was a vintner for many years and was always a good friend and he will be sadly missed," he added.
Funeral for Tom Meaney will take place on Thursday, after 11am Mass, with burial afterward at Castlemungret cemetery.
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader, 4th June 2011 Tweet
