The late Pat Sheeran The sad passing of Pat Sheeran in the loving care of his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, at his home in Williams St., Birr, was received with great sadness, particularly in his home town of Birr and nationally. Tom and Bridget Sheeran, having had four lovely children, were blessed with the birth of twins Pat and Bernie. The Sheeran family were renowned for their civic mindedness, honesty and hardwork. Pat attended the Presentation Brothers School at Moorpark St. Pat throughout his life always highlighted his respect and appreciation of the Presentation Brothers. Like his four brothers and sisters they were all very civic minded. Whatever the problem was you could depend on the Sheerans to lend a helping hand, a culture they inherited from their parents. On leaving school he commenced working in Birr Shoes Ltd. The family were widely known for their commitment to work. Pat was a great worker at Birr Shoes and he also helped on the family farm. The family had a large number of sows and sold their bonhams in the Market in Lower Main St. There was a lot of hard work in this business and Pat played his part with older family members in enhancing the family income. Birr Shoes closed in 1966 and he acquired a job in Birr Moquette factory. He left this company and acquired a job in Birr Moquette factory. He left this company and acquired a job in Erin Peats Derrinlough. Pat was a loyal and honest man. Everyday he worked at home on the farm or the factories. He gave 110% everywhere he worked. His fellow workers and employers spoke highly of his work culture and honesty. In the late 1970s Pat left Erin Peats to work on the family farm. His heart was always in the land and from the dawn of the day to evening time. Pat loved every minute working in the land, caring for the animals. He had a great love of animals and nature. Everyday was a very special day for Pat in the farm. He loved every moment going up to Scurragh with brothers Tommy and Dinny. They farmed extensively. Whilst part of their work was in the Scurragh where they milked, they also had land in other townlands. Pat loved the old cinema particularly Cowboy films. Pat was a national icon, in handballl circles. Next to work, he loved the game. Playing initially against the Castle wall opposite his house, he went out to CYMS alley which adjoined his home. Playing Paddy Murray, Des Dillon, Mick Kenneally, Bobby Winters, Jim Hickey, Tony McLoughlin, Johnny Murray and Paddy Conroy, Pat was blessed with a great left and right hand and made the game look easy to play. On the completion of the new ball alley in the Fair Green, Pat with Jody Coughlan were beaten in the All Ireland minor final in 1955 by Tom McGarry & M Mullins of Limerick. He played in all grades for his club and his county where he won a number of junior handball and softball titles. The Senior title eluded Pat despite beating all of the top players in that period: Tim McGarry, Joey Maher (Senior All-Ireland and World Champion), Fintan Confey (Louth) and Pat Kirby. He was nigh impossible to defeat in the Handball tournament. His record includes: Winning the Leinster Convention Cup Doubles competition three times, Delvin Tournament 12 occasions, Kingscourt 12 occasions, Carlow six occasions. Pat had a remarkable record in Handball. He was the only Offaly man to win a Senior Handball Softball singles title. Those who had the pleasure of seeing the array of trophies he won locally and nationally over 30 years, commented that his achievements were awesome. He was one of Offaly's great ambassadors on the handball courts of Ireland. His sportsmanship was renowned. One example was while playing in the final of the Gael Linn tournament He was leading 15-13 with two minutes to go when the referee called time. His opponent scored an ace. This left Pat leading 15-14. The referee called time and declared Pat's opponent as the winner when in actual fact Pat had been leading 15-14. The spectators were agitated when the result was announced, Pat was disillusioned and frustrated but accepted the referee's decision. He reached the last eight in the Gale Linn competition on 15 occasions, a record never equalled winning 15 medals. For his achievements in this competition he was voted Sports Star of the Year on four occasions by the readers of the Offaly Independent. Pat won a number of table tennis tournaments as well - Birr Vintage on three occasions and the Laois/Offaly team event. He also played tennis, and won a tug of war competition with Cloughan. A wonderful athlete, he won the Cloghan Harriers six mile road race in 1972-1973. His exploits on the sporting fields will never be equalled. He was a remarkable man, a real gentleman. Passing on his way to and from work he would always have time to visit the church. He was very religious, always in the Church a half hour before Mass would commence. He never offended anyone in his life. He epitomised what Christianity meant to him, religion, work, sport, love of his family, neighbours and friends. Pat was indeed one of Birr's great gentlemen. There was a large attendance at this removal from his home to St Brendan's Church and his funeral to Clonoghill cemetery after concelebrated Mass. Pat was predeceased by his parents Tom and Brigid, brother John Joe, and sister Marie. Sincere sympathy is extended to brothers Tommy, Dinny, Eamon, sisters Brigid, Bernie, Linda, brothers in law Paddy Hamilton and Paddy Fitzgerald, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. Courtesy of The Midland Tribune 29 November 2006 Tweet

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