James McCarthy (The Gor), 6 Drumbane, Birr, Co. Offaly, died May 18th, 2026 , peacefully at The Midland’s Regional Hospital, Tullamore, in his 78th year.

Pre deceased by his mother Maisie and father Tom and his sisters Alice, Eileen and Kathleen.

He will be sadly missed by his loving partner Kathleen Touhey , his daughters Alice and Margaret, sons Thomas and Jimmy boy, daughters-in-law JoJo and Kathleen and his son-in-law Robbie and his beloved grandchildren. He will be missed by his brothers Toddy, Miley and John, his sisters Phylis and Geraldine, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, and all his neighbours in Drumbane and Birr.

May he Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr (R42YF75) on Wednesday from 2.30pm. – 5.30pm. with Removal to arrive at St. Brendan’s Church, Birr at 6pm. Funeral Mass on Thursday at 11am. followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr.

Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr

Facebook page:Brendan Birr

Joan Kennedy (née Sweeney), Tullamore Rd. Birr, Co. Offaly and formerly of Fermoy, Co. Cork, died May 18th, 2026, peacefully in the exceptional care of the staff of The Laurel Suite, Birr Community Nursing Unit, in her 96th year.

Predeceased by her beloved husband Joe, parents Dan and Brigid, brothers Tom and Donal.

Deeply loved and regretted by her son Brian, sister-in-law Valerie Sweeney, nephews Paul, Brendan and Danny, niece Rosemarie, grandnieces, grandnephews, and the extended Kennedy, Sweeney families, her friends in St. Brendan’s Church Choir and Birr Stage Guild.

May she Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr (R42YF75) on Thursday evening from 5pm – 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 11am. in St. Brendan’s Church, Birr, followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr.

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to: Laurel Suite Birr Community Nursing Unit, c/o Boyds’ Funeral Directors.

House strictly private please. Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:

https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr

Facebook page:Brendan Birr

Patsy Grimes, Macregol Páirc, Birr and formerly of Ballincur, Kinnitty, Birr, Co. Offaly, passed away on May 8th, 2026, in the care of Tallaght Hospital, Dublin.

Deeply regretted by his loving wife Christina (Chrissie), his brothers Billy, Noel and Jack, sister Mary Lyons (Roscrea), brother-in-law Jim, sisters-in-law; Helen, Eileen, Pauline, Margaret, Norah and Treasa, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May he Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr (R42YF75) on Tuesday evening from 5pm – 7pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 11am. in St. Brendan’s Church, Birr, followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr.

House strictly private please.

Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:

https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr

Facebook page: Brendan Birr

John Martin O’Rourke, of Fresh Meadows, New York, and formerly of Killucan, Co. Westmeath, passed away peacefully on April 23rd, 2026, surrounded by his wife Assumpta (née McEvoy), son Matthew and daughter Jennifer.

For years, John fought a long, tough battle with cancer, but his positive mindset and radiant smile never failed to carry him each day. He is reunited with his parents, Laurence and Rita (Curley) O’Rourke, and brother Joseph.

He is lovingly remembered by his sisters Ita & Anne, brothers; Hughie, James, Tony, Larry, & Tom, sisters-in-law; Loretta, Elaine, Celine, Cristina, Teresa, Kathleen, Margaret, Josephine, & Marie, brothers-in-law; Martin, Declan, Gerard & Patrick, his mother-in-law Josie, and also his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

May he Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr, Co. Offaly, (R42 YF75) on Friday, May 8th, from
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Removal on Saturday, May 9th, from Boyd’s Funeral Home to St. James’s Church, Eglish (R42 K377) for Funeral Mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery.

Nuala Murray (nee McGee), Roscomroe, Ballybritt, Kinnitty, Co. Offaly died 3rd of May 2026, peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Predeceased by her grandson Ryan and her son in law Tony.

Deeply loved and regretted by her sons John and Joe, her daughters Caroline (Cleary), Colette (Loughnane), Veronica (Vonnie Dalton), Olivia (Doughan), daughters in law Mary and Pamela, sons in law Martin, Ray and John, beloved brothers PJ and Sean.

Her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, her sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, her dear neighbours and friends.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Reposing on Tuesday at her residence in Roscomroe, Kinnitty (E53 TX33) from 4pm to 7pm with rosary at 9pm. Funeral mass on Wednesday at 12 noon at St. Molua’s Church, Roscomroe followed by burial afterwards in the New cemetery Shinrone.

He died on 24^th of April, 2026 May He Rest in Peace.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal gaelach.

Funeral Arrangements: Reposing in St. Joseph’s Church, Miltown Malbay on Tuesday 28^th of April, 2026 from 4.00 pm with Office of the Dead at 7.00 pm.  Funeral Mass in the Church at 2.00 pm on Wednesday 29^th of April with burial afterwards in the Church grounds.

Canon Michael McLaughlin, Airfield, Inch and formerly of Church Street, Miltown Malbay. Parish Priest Emeritus of the Parish of Kilmaley, Connolly and Inch. Canon Michael passed away peacefully at Carrigoran Nursing Home. Predeceased by his brother Thomas and parents Tom and Rose. Deeply regretted by his brother Nicholas, sister-in-law Marie, nieces Rosemary, Judi and Sarah, his nephew Mark, grandnieces and grandnephews Enya, Seán, Saskia, Dylan, Alex and Devin, Bishop Fintan and the Clergy of the Killaloe Diocese. Canon Michael will be fondly remembered by the parishioners in the various parishes and dioceses in which he served.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Canon Michael will repose at St. John the Baptist Church, Kilmaley on Sunday (26th April) from 2pm to 7pm followed by Evening Prayer of The Office of the Dead. Funeral Mass on Monday (27th April) at 2pm with burial afterwards in the Church grounds. The Funeral Mass can be viewed live online through the following link http://www.kilmaleyparish.ie/web-cam/ Messages of sympathy can be left by clicking on the Condolence button below or private messages of sympathy can be emailed to info@murphysfuneralhome.ie We invite representatives from the vast amount of groups and organisations that Canon Michael was involved with over the years to submit any acknowledgements, tributes or anecdotal stories about Canon Michael to kilmaleyparish@gmail.com These will be incorporated into a fitting eulogy for this humble servant of God.

Sean O’Brien, Tinnakelly, Carrig, Birr, Co. Offaly/ Tipperary, passed away peacefully on April 25th, 2026 after a long illness. Predeceased by his parents Brendan and Sarah (Sal) O’Brien, his brother Vincent and brother-in-law Eamonn Brennan.

Sean will be sadly missed by his sisters Marie (Patten, Dublin 9), Breda (Brennan, Aglish) and Frances (Kelly, Rathcabbin) brothers-in-law Liam Patten and Basil Kelly, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May he Rest In Peace.

Reposing in Boyd’s Funeral Home Birr (R42 FY75) Monday, April 27th from 5pm-7pm.
Funeral Mass on Tuesday, April 28th, in the Church of Annunciation, Carrig at 11am. followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery.

Gary Joshua Ward- The Granaries, Crank Road, Banagher, Co. Offaly, died unexpectedly on Saturday,April 11th, 2026.

Forever 32

Predeceased by his beloved baby Ariel, his grandfathers Michael Ward and Michael McDonagh, grandmother Mary Ward, aunties Sharon and Margaret McDonagh and Mary Ward, uncle Gerard Ward, niece baby Sharon Mary Ward and 7 angels.

Gary will be sadly missed by all of the Ward, Mcdonagh and Doorley families.
He be sadly missed by his wife Zoe, his two daughters Charlotte and Jasmine, mother Winnie Ward , father Michael Ward and his brother/second father Michael Dwane, his mother and father in-law Julienne and Brian Doorley, brothers; Jessie, Cody, Dillon, Dean and Nigel, his sisters Edwina and Sammy, all his sisters and brothers-in-law; Michelle, Leanne, Sylvia, Lizzie, Anhelina, Serpil, Charmaine, Amy, Brian Pa, Arthur and Brian Hynes, nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends. May he Rest In Eternal Peace, our beloved Gary the man.

Gary will be reposing at his mother’s house; Winnie Ward’s 45 Scurragh, Birr, Co. Offaly (R42V588) on Tuesday from 4pm. – 7pm. and on Wednesday from 3pm – 7pm.
All are welcome to the wake.

Funeral Mass on Thursday in St. Brendan’s Church, Birr at 11am. Followed by burial in St. Rynagh’s Cemetery, Banagher.

Gary’s Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:
https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr
Facebook page: Brendan Birr

Sean (Johnny) Carroll, Boveen,Brosna, Birr, Co.Offaly died 9th of April 2026 peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Birr community nursing unit. Predeceased by his parents Bridget and Tom,brother Larry,sister Nancy (Larkin),and grandchild Angel Luke (Dunne). Sadly missed by his wife May, sons Thomas, James and Noel, daughter Mary, son in law Tommy, daughters in law Caroline, Martha and Evelyn, sister in law Maureen, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

House private on Friday 10th of April. Reposing at his son James residence Coolderry (R42 CA34) on Saturday from 4.30 o’clock until 7.30 o’clock, house private after 7.30 o’clock followed by removal to St.Ita’s Church, Coolderry arriving at 8.30 o’clock. Funeral mass on Sunday in St.Ita’s Church, Coolderry at 1 o’clock. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations if desired in lieu of flowers to Birr community nursing unit Birr.

Sean Plunkett

38 High Street, Birr, Co. Offaly, passed away peacefully in the wonderful care of The Clonmacnoise Suite, Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, April 6th, 2026, in his 91st year.

Predeceased by his beloved wife Maureen (née Clancy), his parents George & Margaret, brothers Peter & George, sisters; Mary, Margaret (Murdock), Anne (Winnett) and Bernie (Worrell).

He will be sadly and forever missed by his loving daughter Anne and her partner Paul, son John, granddaughter Hannah, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, his great neighbours and his wonderful friends and carers.

May his kind and gentle soul Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr (R42 YF75) on Tuesday, April 7th, from 5pm – 7pm.

Funeral Mass on Wednesday, April 8th, in St. Brendan’s Church, Birr, at 11am. followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery .

House strictly private please.

Family flowers only please, donations if desired to friends of Tullamore Hospital.

https://www.friendsoftullamorehospital.ie/

Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:

https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr

Facebook page: Brendan Birr

Elizabeth (fondly known as Betty) King, née Whiriskey, Riverstown, Birr, Co. Offaly and formerly of Fiddane, Ardrahan, Co. Galway, April 4th, 2026, in her 95th year, after a short illness.

Predeceased by her beloved husband Peter, son Charles, grandson Aidan, sister Ann, brother Michael, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law.

Sadly and forever missed by her daughter Mary, sons Paul, Seamus and Clement, son-in-law Paul, daughters-in-law Mary, Sarah and Deirdre, her adored grandchildren; Sarah, Aislinn, Rachel, Joe, Cathal, Peter, Eoin, Sadbh and Niamh, her brothers; John, Charles, Willie, Frank, Clement and Stan, sisters- in-law; Mary, Eithne, Dawn, Maura, Kathleen and Margaret, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours, friends and her card playing friends.

May she Rest in Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr on Monday, April 6th, from 5pm – 7pm.

Funeral Mass on Tuesday, April 7th, in St. Brendan’s Church, Birr, at 12 noon followed by burial in Carrig Cemetery.

House Private Please.

Family flowers only please, donations in desired to AWARE

Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:

https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr

Facebook page: Brendan Birr

Pearl Parsons, (née Lynskey), 23 Bulfin Park, Birr, Co. Offaly, died April 1st, 2026, peacefully but unexpectedly, in the wonderful care of The Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, surrounded by her loving famliy .

Pre deceased by her beloved husband Tommy, her parents Mary-Bridgie and Patrick, brothers; Georgie, Sonny, Jerry and Terry and her auntie Alice .

She will be missed by her heartbroken children; Natasha, Tanya, Melissa, Melanie, Stacey, Alison, Megan and Emma, Thomas, Jason, Eoin, Nathan and Corey, in-law’s and partners, her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, sisters; Betty, Imelda and Bridget, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.

May Pearl Rest In Peace.

Reposing at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr on Sunday, April 5th from 5pm – 7pm. Funeral Mass on Monday, April 6th, in St. Brendan’s Church, Birr, at 11am. followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery .

House private except for family and close friends please.

Funeral Mass will be live streamed on:
https://www.facebook.com/stbrendans.birr
Facebook page: Brendan Birr