Sadness at passing of farmer and Unsung Hero of Offaly award recipient

TRIBUTES have been to the late Anthony (Tony) Bergin, Cooleshall, Roscrea who passed away on Thursday.

A farmer and talented inventor, Tony was presented with the Unsung Hero of Offaly award 2023 by the Offaly Association (Dublin).

Aged 96 years, Tony was a dairy farmer for most of his life and also played hurling with Killavilla and Offaly and was a keen golfer.

As an inventor, he won several awards in the Inventions Section of Tullamore Show and the FBD National Livestock Show over three decades.

He came from an old and established family who played a leading role in his local area for generations.

Tony will be laid to rest following his Funeral Mass in St Cronan's Church, Roscrea on Saturday at 12 noon.

The citation in honour of Tony delivered at the presentation of the Unsung Hero of Offaly award in early 2024 in the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore reads as follows: “The 2023 Unsung Hero of Offaly is a retired dairy farmer who taught himself to weld metal as a young man and used this skill to make life easier around the farm in Cooleshall by inventing and modifying things to save money.

He would share his ideas with other farmers and sometimes receive a little income as well to supplement the family's earnings from the farm.

Forever innovative, our Unsung Hero of Offaly would always seek an easier and better way to carry out tasks – a mode of thinking which has served him well throughout his more than nine decades on this earth.

The retired dairy farmer has entered the Inventions Section at Tullamore Show for almost 30 years and has won numerous awards there. He enjoys nothing more than showing his inventions to the public and sharing his ideas with people.

The 2023 award winner loves life, nature and, above all else, his family.

He would say that he has tried most hobbies during his 94 years on the planet – fishing, hunting, hurling, singing at Scór, horse racing, golf and a pastime he continues to excel at – playing cards. He is a great card player but he admits that he gets more fun out of rising and tricking with his fellow card players than the winning.

Spending time outside in the fields enjoying nature was probably the best teacher our 2023 Offaly Unsung Hero ever had.

He loves animals and wildlife and has become a worldwide phenomenon on the internet – with over 1.5 million views on RTE's YouTube page alone – due to the images of him befriending a wild fox during the Covid pandemic period. Every night without fail for over six months he would go out to feed and talk to his wild friend which he appropriately named Covi the Fox.

Overtime the fox became so trusting of him that he would come to him with a whistle and stand upright with his front paws on our Unsung Hero's lap while he gave him some meat which he had saved from his dinner. Our Unsung Hero's wife, Molly, often wondered was he eating his dinner at all of just sneaking the meat out for the fox that evening.

There is a lot more that could be said about this man but as he would say himself all you need to do is love people and love nature and you won't go too wrong.

Ladies and gentlemen please be upstanding for our 2023 Unsung Hero of Offaly award winner, Tony Bergin.”

Many tributes have been paid to Tony since his passing.

Ballyskenach Killavilla GA Club said: "Our sincere condolences to the Bergin and Tierney families, friends and neighbours of the late Anthony (Tony) Bergin RIP of Cooleshall, Roscrea, Co. Offaly

Tony hurled with Killavilla GAA over the years including forming part of the victorious 1956 Junior Championship Team, Killavilla's first ever championship since its formation by his brother, our late president, Danny RIP.

Tony continued to serve on the committee of Killavilla GAA Club and as a player.

We will form a guard of honour upon his reception into St Cronan's Church for his requiem Mass on Saturday at 12 noon gathering at the Belfry on Abbey Street at 11.40am."

Tullamore Show posted their sympathy also: "Sincere condolences to all Tony’s family, relatives and friends on his sad passing. Thank you Tony for all your inventions over the years and may you rest peacefully now. John, Chelsey and all the team at Tullamore Show."

Cameron Coady, Killeigh, Tullamore posted: "With sadness, I note the passing of Tony. I had the pleasure of visiting him once as he wished to donate some antique items to the State.

I was honoured to be shown his workshop and many inventions and to spend a couple of hours in his and his wife's wonderful company. I still have - and use - a hook device that he invented and gifted to me.

Sometimes in life, one meets people that - however brief the interaction - make such an impact that they remain in one's mind forever. Tony was one such man.

He was the definition of inspiration and a role model for all of us.

A life more than well-lived, may Tony rest in deserved peace.

Finally, I wish to tender my condolences to Mrs Bergin and Tony's direct and extended families upon his passing."

His RIP death notice reads: "Died 12th November 2026 peacefully, in the wonderful care of Dean Maxwell staff, Roscrea, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 96.

Predeceased by his brothers Danny and Jimmy, sisters Mary, Frances, Bernadette Maher, Philomena Tierney and Áine O'Donoghue.

Beloved husband of Mollie. Dear father of Geraldine, Frances and Antoinette. Father in law of Joe, Andreas and Fabien. Deeply regretted by his grandchildren Rachel, Stephen, Diarmuid and Amélie, his brothers in law Murt Dwyer and Paddy Dwyer, his sisters in law Alice Bergin, Roscrea, Alice Bergin, Rathdowney, his nieces, nephews, relatives, great carers, neighbours and friends.

May he rest in Peace

Reposing in Doyle's Funeral Home, Roscrea (E53RX08) on Friday 13th November from 5pm to 7pm.

Arriving at St Cronan's Church, Roscrea on Saturday for funeral mass at 12 noon.

Burial afterwards in adjoining old cemetery.

Family flowers only.

Tony's funeral mass can be viewed live on the link www.stcronanscluster.ie"