The death has occurred of Jean Horgan, nee Hewitt, 10 The Meadows, Cahereen Heights, Castleisland, Co. Kerry.
Peacefully on September 11th 2022 in the presence of her family in the wonderful care of the staff at St. Columbanus Nursing Home Killarney.
Predeceased by her parents Martin and Joan. Sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving husband Tim, her family John, Martin and Ruth, son-in-law Neilus, daughter-in-law Bridget, John’s fiancée Kris, her adored five grandchildren: Killian, Adam, Evan, Sophie and Ruby, her brother Con, sister Louise, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
May Her Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
There was a time in our lives here when, at this time of the year and onwards, we’d expect to see Jean and Danny Broderick and Beth Carty and Ciaran Fleming and Jerome Stack and fellow members of the Island Players turn Dave Geaney’s Corner for the Ivy Leaf Art Centre.
Some with sheaves of paper, others with hands deep in pockets, scarved and hatted and befitting the condition of the turning of the year.
They would have been gathering for rehearsals for a play and Jean, as their PRO, would have made me and my equals well aware of what they were up to.
She reveled in it and was up to high doh as March and the Kerry Drama Festival came around.
I don’t know of a greater community calling than on one who can stand on a stage and deliver lines they’d become so familiar with over months, and give it their almighty best in front of family, neighbours and friends – and for over several decades; Jean, the girl from No. 6 Barrack Street, did it all.
There were great celebrations in Jean’s circle of friends when she won an award at the Kerry Drama Festival in the early 1990s – on one of the few occasions when the Island Players entered a play in the festival they were hosting.
Herself and the late and highly talented Danny Broderick were particularly good friends and neighbours. They played opposite each other on so many occasions that it all seemed so natural to them.
It’s poignant tonight with the news of Jean’s death to think that she paid tribute to Danny on his passing in May 2010 in the following fond terms:
“I lived at No 6 Barrack Street and was six years of age when Danny Broderick arrived with his new bride, Breda to No. 32. So, as far back as 1960 I have memories of my dearly loved friend. Danny taught me how to whip a gig on the cobbled path outside our door. And I remember him fixing my hool-a-hoop after I broke it – and I broke his heart all his life since.
“Old habits die hard and I found myself, in 1983, taking on Jerome’s offer of a part in a comedy: ‘A Gown for his Mistress’ in a role as Danny’s wife – and the rest is history. After that followed: The Camel’s Back; The Field; The Country Boy and so many more.
“All these we played together and our last time together was when we brought back Many Young Me of Twenty and we both played our previous characters, ‘Danger Mulally’ and ‘Kitty Curley’ and enjoyed every minute of it and sang every note to our hearts’ content.
“There was a rare bonding between us and we bounced off each other in every role we played. We both knew if we ‘dried up’ one of us would rescue the other – and we did many a time.
“After winning the Joan Allen-Hewitt Perpetual Cup in the Kerry Drama Festival in March, I gave the cup to Danny to take the first sip. As he did he said to me: “Here’s to Joanie Allen looking down on us tonight.
“Well, he is there with her and with: Gay Carty and Moss Teahan and Lil McCarthy, Gerald Prendiville, Jerh Collins, Brendan O’Connor and Mike Healy.
“The Show Will Go On. Sleep in Peace Danny Boy until we come to ye.” – Jean Horgan – Island Players PRO.
As you take your final bow from all your earthly dramas, may God be good to you Jean.
Jean’s Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at Tangney’s Funeral Home Church Street Castleisland on Wednesday evening from 6pm to 8pm.
Removal from her residence on Thursday morning at 10.30am arriving to Castleisland Parish Church for Requiem Mass at 11am. The Mass will be livestreamed on www.churchservices.tv/castleisland
Burial afterwards in Kilbanivane Cemetery Castleisland.
House Private Please
Date Published: Tuesday 13th September 2022. Date of Death: Sunday 11th September 2022.
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