The Late Patsy Gleeson Patsy's popularity with the younger members of the community was expressed by their guard of honour as the funeral left for his final resting place in Kilcornan. The late Patsy Gleeson died peacefully at his home in Mellon, in the caring company of his family on November 19th 2007. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Mary's Church, Pallaskenry on November 22nd by Fathers McNamara, P.P., and Harrington, SDB. Assisting at the ceremony was Fr. Martin McCormack, SDB, who supplied appropriate vocal numbers along with Billy Sindon, Caroline Keane and Darragh Enright. Patsy's popularity with the younger members of the community was expressed by their guard of honour as the funeral left for final resting place in Kilcornan. Member f the Bleach Lough Retention Committee also marched with the hearse. Patrick was one of seven brothers and four sisters born to Bridget (nee O'Shaughnessy) of the Ferry Bridge and John Gleeson, of Ballynacarriga. He was predeceased by his sisters Mary and Hannie who died in childhood, and by his brother Tom, late of Kilfinane, who died in 2002. The young Patrick made the short journey to the local school in Ballynacarriga, where he received his education under Mrs McKeown and Master Corboy. His early love of hurling and pursued with his brothers in the Craggs opposite in ground hurling which was later to be put to use in favour of the Kildimo hurling team. With such a skill he thus outwitted many a larger opponent, as testified by one of his hurling companions. Like most his contemporaries, the young Patsy went to work after leaving National School and learned the art of market gardening on the Williams' Farm, now Frost Hill Stud. The cultivation of vegetables was conducted from seed to delivery to hospitals in both Limerick and Galway, along with the late Mkey Williams and Patsy's brother John Joe, Corcamore, Clarina. He also learned the art of apple cultivation from working in the O'Sullivan orchard. The Cement Factory attracted him for a short period as it did many another young man. He also worked from Limerick Co. Co. for many years, but on the expansion of his own holding, he concentrated all his energies to developing his own farm. With his brother Michael, they could be found harvesting the reed in the Goggin reed bed in Ballynacarriga during the winter months. Both brothers feature in a historical memoir, which is in the Folklore Commission, headquarter in University College Dublin. This article was written and accompanied with photographs of the harvesting skills demonstrated by the two brothers in the year 2002. This was probably the last commercial harvesting of reed on the Maigue in Kildimo parish as the reed beds were disturbed by river dredging after that time. Apart from all his daily activities, Patsy owned a greyhound at one time, which was trained by the late Ned Ryan. The interest continued during his married years when his wife and himself often enjoyed a night out at the Market Fields. The lake in Ardlahan, otherwise Bleach Lough attracted many local for recreation purposes and Patsy along with his brother John Joe, often did battle with the pike there, with others such as Jack O'Shaughnessy and Jack Goggin. Before pike became fashionable dish in continental restaurants, many from the environs of the lake had mastered the art of baking the fish to supplement their protein intake. Many photographs of Kildimo hurling teams from the middle of the last century, features Patsy as a young participant, and his medals in family keeping, proclaim many a victory in local competitions and tournaments. A Ballad of that period entitles, "The kildimo- Pallaskenry Hurlers', has one verse that is relevant here. On the line we had young Madigan a hurler sweet is he Pat Walsh and Mickey Broderick who shared in victory. To Lar Considine and Pat Gleeson, from the north side of the town. They are good lads no doubt about it, who will never let us down. When retired from hurling, the late Patsy put his knowledge of the game into coaching underage hurlers in Pallaskenry during the 1980's. Like a true sportsman, he followed the oval ball in Munster's games and on the international rugby scene when Ireland were involved. He had an intimate knowledge and love of his own area, which was put to good use in the interests of local historians, and his last pubic outing was on a historical tour in the Old Kildimo area. It is from that occasion that the enclosed photograph was taken on August 25th, 2007 shortly before his final illness. Patrick had an enduring interest in politics as exhibited in a long affiliation to Fianna Fáil and the local Cumann for which he was an active member. His high principles often saw him involved in various referenda for which he canvassed support. Latterly his political interests inclined him towards other parties who might adequately reflect his own current interests and he became a great admirer and supporter of Joe Higgins for whom he campaigned for election in June 2007. The young Patricia Broderick from Ardagh, to whom he was introduced by mutual friends, shared his love of hurling. While Patricia was working in St. John's Hospital, she played camogie for St. Patrick's. Their friendship blossomed with their mutual interests which also included dancing and the cinema and their marriage was celebrated in Kildimo under the Parish Priest of that time, Fr Godfrey. Their early married years were spent in Ballynacarriga, before they moved to their present home in Mellon. Their union was blessed with seven children, namely they boys Kenneth, Seán, Kieran and Dermot and the girls Trisha, Fíona and Breda. The late Patrick's popularity over a wide area was demonstrated by the large contingent that attended his funeral services. His last journey was accompanied by the draping of the Dromore Harriers jersey over his coffin and by the plaintive strains of the hunting horn calling 'going home' as blown by Patrick Hourigan. This was a fitting tribute to one who had a lifelong interest in the Harriers with Joe Lyons and the late Bobby Hanley. Graveside oration by his fellow members of the Bleach Lough Retention Committee, that is by Dan Foley and Mikey Battels, paid tribute to a man of principals who held fast to his beliefs without compromise. He had held Chairmanship with dignity and distinction of that same lobby group which brought their cause to both national and European Parliaments. Patsy's last illness was borne with dignity and his untimely passing came as a great surprise to all who knew him. To, his wife Patricia and their family, his brothers and sister is extended the sympathy of his neighbours and friends. Ní Imithe Uainn ach Imithe Romhainn. Courtesy of the Limerick Leader 22nd March 2008 Tweet

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