Tullamore mourns passing of popular local woman with connections to Bloody Sunday

THE end of an era was marked in Tullamore last week with the death of the late Ann McKeigue, Spollenstown.

Large crowds of mourners attended the wake at her home and funeral Mass in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore.

Ann was the wife of former Fine Gael councillor, Tommy McKeigue and mother of Julianne and grandmother to Leo and Juliet.

Nee Hanly, she was the daughter of the legendary Garda Joe Hanly, a renoewed photographer and native of Roscommon and Tipperary native Katty Hogan, a sister of footballer Michael Hogan who was killed by the Black and Tans in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday.

Ann was predceased by all her siblings and was the youngest of her family by 11 years.

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She grew up on the Arden Road and was educated locally. After an initial period working at the Green House hardware store on William St, Anne worked at what was then termed a Female Office Assistant (FOA) in the old ESB office at Harbour St completing a number of different roles – answering breakdown calls, sales assistant and collecting money from customers.

In work she met Galway native, Tommy McKeigue and the couple married in 1973, building thier own house on a greenfield site at Spollenstown.

A private woman, Ann was very talented at crocheting and knitting and even made her own wedding dress.

She taught knitting for a number of year every Thursday at Scoil Mhuire NS where she was a member of the Board of Management.

Deceased was also a talented pitch and putt player winning the All Ireland juniors in 1978. She also loved gardening and flowers.

Ann passed away peacefully at the Regional Hospital Tullamore following an illness.

Removal was to the Church of the Assumption on Thursday morning where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr Joe Gallagher PP. Burial was immediately afterwards to Clonminch Cemetery.

To her loving husband Tommy, daughter Julianne, son in law James, her adored grandchildren Leo and Juliet, goddaughter Zoe, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends the deepest sympathy is extended

May she rest in peace.

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