The death has occurred of Joseph ‘Joe’ Sheehy, 36 Killarney Road, Castleisland, Co. Kerry.
Unexpectedly on December 14th. 2021 at University Hospital Kerry. Beloved son of the late Joe and Kitty.
Sadly missed by his loving wife Marie, daughters: Avril and Derval, son Joseph, brothers Edward and John, sisters Margaret and Catherine, mother-in-law Kathleen, aunt Mary in Washington, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives ,neighbours and a large circle of friends.
May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
Known as a Great Neighbour
Con Houlihan once described communities like that in Killarney Road as having a ‘warm roof over them,’ and Joe Sheehy’s outlook, life and times epitomised the sentiment.
The loss of Joe (59) is the latest blow to the area which once had its own little grocery shops, avid gardeners and Brennan’s – the neighbourhood pub in which he grew up collecting glasses and eventually pulling pints.
And the impact of his loss is felt and being talked about since the news broke on Tuesday.
Conveying Johnny O’Leary and Seán Ó Riada
Widely known as a great neighbour, this attribute came to the fore again when local artist and sculptor, the late Mike Kenny needed a skilled tradesman to construct crates to convey the clay models of musical icons, Johnny O’Leary and Seán Ó Riada to the various foundries.
These quests involved the whole neighourhood and the wider community anyway but Kenny put all his faith in Joe Sheehy’s craftsmanship to convey his masterpieces safely to Dublin and Clare respectively – and it was well placed.
Major Local Achievement
I remember the night the Johnny O’Leary clay was finally secured in the back of McElligott’s van and as it wasn’t far off closing time.
Mike and Joe were the last out of the van and all was secure for the morning’s trip. Seán and Mary Brennan, who were involved in the loading up process, were implored to declare a once-off exemption.
They did and it was one of those great nights of a community celebrating a major local achievement.
Admired Public House Ceilings
Mr. Kenny had known only too well of his neighbour’s depth of skill as they had collaborated before in the much admired public house ceilings in Tom McCarthy’s Central Bar here in Castleisland and in Ó Riada’s Bar and Restaurant in Ballymacelligott.
This was intricate work and they were the men for the job. Kenny’s admiration for his neighbour was unfathomable.
One day in Tom McCarthy’s Mike was smilingly fielding yet another compliment on the work over-head and he just shook his head and said “Sheehy boy” and that said it all.
Raise a Glass
Look up the next time you’re in one of the places and raise a glass to the Killarney Road neighbours – they’d like that.
To paraphrase Siggerson Clifford: ‘And I am left to sing their deeds and praise them while I can….
May God be good to them all.
Joe’s Funeral Arrangements
Requiem Mass for Joe will be celebrated on Monday at 11am in Cordal Church followed by burial in Tobar na bhFionn Cemetery Cordal.
Please Note: The funeral cortège will depart his residence in Killarney Road on Monday morning at 10:15am and travel up the Main Street en route to Cordal Church and depart the Church at 12 noon and travel to the cemetery.
Please ensure HSE guidelines on social distancing are adhered to at all times.
Date Published: Friday 17th December 2021 Date of Death: Tuesday 14th December 2021
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