The late Richard Keane The sudden death in an Australian hospital of Richard ('Richie') Keane, caused deep sadness in Ballycogley and the surrounding area. The news of his passing came as a great shock to his brothers and sisters as he had only visited Ireland for his grandson's wedding. Born in 1929, Richie was one of a family of 12 children of Dick and Katie Keane of Thornville. His father, Dick was a farrier/blacksmith in the area for many years. When he left school, he went to work as a Priest's Boy to the late Fr Somers, PP in Ballymore, serving at Mass. Looking after the chapel grounds and ringing the Angelus Bell. He also worked with the late Bill and Mattie O'Brien at the Old Mill and O'Brien pub in Ballycogley. Richie left Ballycogley in 1946 and enlisted in the Irish Navy in Haulbowline. One of his proudest possessions was his Medal of Service presented to him by President Mary Robinson in 1996. After the Navy, Richie left Ireland for Yorkshire to work in the mines and found the conditions there dreadful. In 1951, he married Esme and they had five children. In 1968, the family emigrated to Australia to find a better way of life. In Australia, Richie spent most of his working life with 'The Main Roads Department' in Perth from which he retired in 1986. He never lost his sense of Irishness and made the long trip back home many times to visit and friends in various parts of Ireland. He was a keen supporter of Gaelic games. In his youth, he played juvenile and minor hurling for his parish club, St Fintan's. He enjoyed banter and craic and loved a pint of Guinness at the two pubs in Ballycogley. A favourite spot was John Sinnott's of Duncormick where the historian cum publican often had him spellbound with interesting tales of his ancestors, including his grandfather and uncles who were native of Holdmanhill and worked in the mason trade. He was pre-deceased by his brothers John (Wales), Paddy (Kildare), Mikey (Moortown) Dermot(Slieve Rue) and sister Kitty (Dublin). His surviving brothers are Jimmy and Tommy (Moortown), Liam (Dun Laoghaire) and sisters, Molly Sinnott (Halesyrath), Maureen Walsh (Kilmore Quay). Sympathy is extended to his wife, Esme; his sons, Richard and Peter; his daughters, Margaret, Sheila and Maureen; his nine grandchildren and his great-granddaughter. His funeral Mass was held in St Francos Xavier's Church and burial took place in Jarraghdale Cemetery, Perth, with the Irish tri-colour on his coffin along with the Wexford Colours. The funeral cortege was led by a lone piper playing Irish airs. May the soil of his adopted land, Australia, rest lightly on his grave. Courtesy of the Wexford People 21 March 2007 Tweet

Most Read Stories