Richardson, Shane
June 19, 2010The death occurred on 19 June last of Shane Richardson, late of Rhue Tubbercurry. Just turned 90 years of age, Shane was always young at heart since his retirement and up and until shortly before his death he went to town every morning to collect the Irish Independent and get the news of the day from whoever he met. Staff in the local shops often joked with him that he should take up a part time job in information exchange. Shanes interest in people developed from a long life hard work and dealing with the public especially the farming community through his farming and related business activities.
Born in 1920 in Carracastle, Co. Mayo, Shane grew up and helped on his father's farm in a fledgling Irish Republic but like many of his generation at 18 years of age had to emigrate to England to seek employment. While working in English factories throughout World War 2, he met his future wife Kathleen and they married in 1947. After the war they decided they had enough of England and when many Irish were going to Britain to help in the re-building of that country. Shane and Kathleen did the opposite and decided their future was in Ireland. Shane took over the running of his maternal grandfathers farm (Maxwells) in Rhue in 1948 and there they lived for the rest of his life.
Maxwell's farm in Rhue was well known in the early 20th century as the venue of Tubbercurry Racecourse as there was a dedicated track and grandstand there over many decades. During that time the business and professional community of Co. Sligo were very involved in the he horse racing sport and the Rhue Racecourse on Maxwells farm was a venue of many a great race and gamble. After Shane took over the Maxwell farm he enjoyed recounting many of the stories and hearsay events of that period.
The first of the Richardson children, Aidan was born in 1950 and Shane was a proud man in 1968 when that same Aidan graced the centre field of Croke Park in a man of the match performance on the Sligo minor team which was narrowly defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland Minor final.
Earning a living from farming in 1950s Ireland was a difficult task and Shane supplemented his income by buying and selling cattle all over Connacht, an activity known as 'Jobbing'. A 'Jobbers' job was to go as fairs and purchase cattle, move them and sell them to whoever was looking for them. Skill and patience was needed in abundance for this work and throughout the 1950s and 60s Shane was at every fair in the west of Ireland.
From Bellmullet of Ballymote or Crossmolina to Carrigallen, Shane and other dealers including Mark and Johnny McGloin from Tubbercurry was at the thick of things selling and buying, a challenge Shane thoroughly enjoyed.
Ireland's entry into the EEC in the early 1970's sounded the death knell of an older style of farming and the development of cattle marts eroded the role of cattle jobbing. While always involved in conventional farming, Shane changed his system with the new times of the 1970s and developed a strong dairy herd and sheep flock.
A keen judge of stock, Shane's advice was often sought and willingly given to many aspects of farming and livestock husbandry. His farm was a venue for many farm advisory walks with the Dept. of Agriculture personnel.
As son Paul took over the day to day running of the farm in the 1990's, Shane never really considered himself retired and kept a daily interest in the running of the farm. Shane was a very proud father, and loved to discuss the trails, tribulations and successes of his sons and daughters in sporting and business achievement. A very human side was also evident in his make up and the 10 year long illness of eldest son Aidan who still lies in a coma was always a cause of great sadness to him and often brought a tear to his eye.
As Shane aged, he adopted without realising it, a role of a wise elder and thoroughly enjoyed advising and listening to people advising and listening to people. He could always see the funny side of life and he would have loved to live another 90 years with friends and family. Shane and Kathleen were happily married for 63 years and his family were blessed with a great father.
His remains reposed in Coen's funeral home prior to removal to St. Attracta's Church Tourlestrane and the numbers of people who attended his funeral were testimony to the esteem in which he was held.
Shane is survived by his wife Kathleen, sons Aidan, Tommy, Patrick, Oliver, Paul, daughters Frances and Therese, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters Mary and Frances, nephews, nieces, inlaws and a wide circle of friends, all to whom sympathy is extended. Shane is buried in Rhue graveyard, just a stone's throw from where he lived. May he rest in peace
Courtesy of the
1st September 2010 Tweet
