The death has occurred of Mike ‘Curly Mike’ O’Connor, Dooneen, Castleisland, Co. Kerry.
On November 4th 2019, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the excellent care of the I.C.U. team at University Hospital, Limerick.
Sadly missed by his loving wife Kathleen Murphy, his adored family: Ann Marie, Jim, Mary, Siobhán and Daniel, his cherished ten grandchildren, mother-in-law Mary Murphy, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, his many friends, neighbours and work colleagues.
May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
Deep and Genuine Saddness
The deep and genuine sadness which enveloped the area on Sunday evening bore a solid testament to the regard in which the late Mike ‘Curly Mike’ O’Connor (73) is held in the locality.
The curiosity surrounding the landing of the Air Ambulance helicopter on the sod of Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club gave way to concern and hope that the man at the centre of the emergency would be alright – sadly it wasn’t to be.
It was ironic that a man who never invited attention or fuss anywhere near him should be at the centre of it all on that evening.
As one of Desmonds most ardent supporters, his remains will be taken from Tangney’s Funeral Home on this Friday evening flanked by a guard of honour from the club.
Pleasant company, an accomplished hop-baller, lover of music and song, St. Stephen’s Day in Brennan’s Bar with his good friends Con ‘Rocky’ Roche, Tom Twomey and the late Denny B O’Sullivan was an annual ritual of chat and song and televised darts – after a couple of hours at ‘The Blitz.’
Sundays afternoon in The Fountain Bar was the most recent of their meeting places and that too had become a regular occasion of conviviality.
I had been talking to Mike only recently about the remains of the little house beside the road leading down to Castleisland Golf Club. He told me that his grandparents had lived there.
But it was on the evening of the ecumenical service and blessing of the graves at St. Stephen’s Churchyard in August that he pointed to the family headstone he had just sprinkled holy water on and said ‘That’s your information there now for you – they’re the people who lived in that little house in Dooneen.’
Mike made his own little bit of history as the notice of his passing is the first in this locality to include an appeal for donations to Air Ambulance Ireland as you’ll see below.
Condolences to Kathleen and their family members: Ann Marie, Jim, Mary, Siobhán and Daniel and to his friends who’ll also miss him dearly. He was that kind of man.
May God be good to him.
Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home, Church Street, Castleisland on Friday evening from 4pm to 7pm followed by removal to Castleisland Parish Church.
Requiem Mass on Saturday at 11am. Burial afterwards in St. John’s Cemetery, Castleisland.
No Flowers Please.
Donations, if desired, to Air Ambulance Ireland or I.C.U. Limerick University Hospital.
House Private Please.
Date Published: Wednesday 6th November 2019. Date of Death: Monday 4th November 2019.
