Ryan, Seamie
October 18, 2012The late Seamie was a well known personality in the area and was part of a number of organisations. He was a member of Thurles Coursing Club for many years and was always to the fore at their fixtures. He had great love of greyhounds, track and coursing and had many successes with his charges. Seamie would be a regular at many coursing meeting including the national Meeting in Clonmel. He worked at Mid Tipperary Mart for many years.
He had a great love of all sports and hurled with the Two-Mile-Borris No. 2 Junior team, winners of the 1957 Mid Championship and also played with the parish club. He was a tenacious left corner back and held many famous names scoreless. He was a great follower of County teams including Kilkenny as he spent his schoolboy days with the Dunne family in Ballycallan. When Tipperary and Kilkenny met, Seamie often held a neutral stance; he would like to see Tipperary triumph but has a soft spot for Kilkenny too.
In athletics he competed with Moyne and Coolcroo Clubs in cross country running and was always reliable to give of his best. He was a man of many talents and was renowned for his skills as a thatcher and his services were often called on, he roofed houses far and near. In the bogs he showed his strength as a slanesman too. His versatility could see him engage in many other tasks. For his social activities he was a talented dancer and lived to dance all the old time dances and was particularly adept at the Cashel Set. In recent years he toured many parts of Ireland and England wit his nephew Jimmy Ryan, London and even took in some European dance tours. Jimmy gave the eulogy at the Mass and recounted their many happy times together.
On his return from such tours Seamie would also like to reminisce on their exploits. In this respect too, he was a great tracer on many subjects and in his own quite way could settle, any arguments about most G.A.A. and other topics. His memory was almost infallible. Over the weekend many stories were retold of Seamie, the genial Christian character, good neighbour, sportsman, worker and friend. The removal took place from Kathleen Ryan's residence, Grawn on Friday evening to the Church of St. James, Two-Mile-Borris and burial took place in the local cemetery on Saturday after Requiem Mass in the church celebrated by Father George Bourke P.P., assisted by Father Martin Hayes, Adm., Thurles.
The communion reflection "My Way" was read by Marie Maher, readings were by Norah Maher and Noel Maher. The gifts were taken to the alter by Johnnie Ryan and Kathleen Ryan. The choir played appropriate music and hymns during the Mass. At the removal, guards of honour were provided by Thurles Coursing Club, Mid Tipperary Mart, Moycarkey-Borris GAA Club and Moycarkey-Coolcroo AC. His coffin was draped in the Moycarkey-Borris club colours. He is mourned by his nephews, nieces, cousins, sister-in-law and many friends and neighbours. Rathmanna Cross and Two-Mile-Borris will not be the same again as Seamie leaves us for his heavenly abode and a deserved rest. He has left behind a great legacy of stories and memories of other days. Rest in peace.
(Text courtesy of Tipperary Star 18/10/2012) Tweet
