Offaly mourns untimely passing of talented traditional musician

MUCH sadness has been occasioned by the death at the age of 57 of Killeigh woman Lelia Brady.

Ms Brady passed away after an illness at her residence in Finter, Killeigh on Tuesday, February 28 and her remains are reposing at the home of her twin sister and brother-in-law, Attracta and Ned, in Cloncon this afternoon (Thursday, March 2) until Rosary at 8pm.

Her removal will take place on Friday morning at 10.30am to St Patrick’s Church, Killeigh, arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial will take place after Mass in the local cemetery.

A mother of four, Ms Brady will be remembered as an exceptionally skilled musician who was an especially accomplished concertina player.

She came from a family of well known and very highly regarded traditional musicians and Lelia herself competed in numerous Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann competitions, including national Fleadhanna.

For 38 years she worked at Colaiste Choilm in Tullamore and the school will close on Friday as a mark of respect.

In a tribute, the school described her as an esteemed colleague who had been an integral part of the school community and who had contributed hugely to life in Colaiste Choilm.

The tribute said: “Lelia played a pivotal role in our school office where her commitment and dedication was always evident as she worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth running of so many aspects of school life on a daily basis.

“Lelia was a hugely respected staff member and valued colleague, who immersed herself in all aspects of school life. She shared her many talents for the betterment of generations of students, staff and parents who journeyed through our school during Lelia’s tenure. From her wide range of administrative skills to sharing her love of traditional music, attending school tours and organising school events, there are very few areas of school life that Lelia was not involved in.

“Most importantly however, Lelia was a constant presence in our school since 1985 and played an immeasurable role in being a friend, mentor and mother figure to both staff and students, always willing to listen, support and guide using her vast experience and understanding of what our school values and represents.

“We as a school would like to acknowledge the immense contribution that Lelia has made in her many years’ service. Lelia has left an indelible mark in our school’s history and her legacy will live long in our memories.”

A book of condolences was opened in the school lobby and the school extended sympathy to Ms Brady's family.

She was predeceased by her father John in 2014 and Lelia will be greatly missed by her devoted daughters and sons, Eileen, Shane, Ciaran and Claire Brennan, and their partners Mark O’Connor, Georgia Fenlon and Emmet Bates-Rogers, her mother Eileen (née Maguire), twin sister Attracta, brothers John (Finter) and Adrian (Clonard), sister-in-law Catherine Brady (née Flynn), brothers-in-law Ned O’Connor and Humphrey Murphy, nieces and nephews Helen, Cathal, Diarmuid and Seán Brady, and Róisín O’Connor, aunts and uncles Mary Brady (Portarlington), Emelda Logan (Toronto), Pat and Bridie Brady (Tullamore), Mary Jo Flaherty (Moate), Judy Maguire (Chicago), Cella McIntyre (Castleknock), and Pat and Catherine Maguire (Ballinagar).

She is also mourned by her colleagues in Colaiste Choilm, Tullamore and extended family, neighbours and friends.