A man of the countryside, nature and love of family - the late Philip J Timoney, Ballintra

There was a very large attendance at the funeral of Philip J Timoney, from Drumholme, Ballintra, which took place on Friday morning last at St Brigid's Church, Ballintra, arriving there in a traditional horse drawn hearse carriage following the route he would have walked to school, in his youth.

In his homily, Fr Adrian Gavigan P.P. spoke of how Philip would be greatly missed by his wife Margaret, daughters Maggie, Irene and Barbara and son Philip, his eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, brothers and sisters as well as his extended family.

He spoke of Philip's love of nature and the countryside that surrounded him, and of being “a proud Drumholme man”.

As with many people of his generation he had headed off at a young age to the bright lights of London, before he eventually ended up in Luton, finding something more valuable than the money he was earning as an emigrant, and that was his wife to be, Margaret.

In turn, his own family became the centre of his life and it was so important to him as was his relationship with his own mother Lizzie, Fr Gavigan said.

It was the equivalent, Fr Gavigan said, of the ‘hand me down’ of the value of family “and the great love that we should have as family”.

The funeral cortege of the late Philip Timoney arriving at St Brigid's Church Ballintra

He said that the core message for Philip was love and “if we have love within the family life, everything else is grand”.   

He spoke of how Philip had his finger in many a pie and how all his life the great interests he had were many, whether that be his love of local history, or local family histories and not just of his own.

That extended to the horses on the farm, the donkeys, sheep or the cattle, “the love of and, the love of the land, the farming and the quietness of the surroundings”.

It also extended into the love of “his sport” which was tug-o-war. 

Indeed his passion for it led him to becoming the Chairman of the Irish Tug-O-War Association and travel throughout the length and breadth of the country as well as abroad.

He loved company and being in company and his natural charm won him a legion of friends “through all the different adventures that he undertook”.

The traditional horse drawn hearse brought the late Mr Timoney to the local Church 

He also alluded to how Philip took on a new adventure, a little later in life, taking up a new role in auctioneering in 2000. 

He added: “It was another chapter in his life, meeting new people. 

“And these are just a few snippets of Philip’s life but love of family was his greatest treasure and his memories will last long if you treasure the memories that he has shared with you in his life, as you keep him alive in conversation and talk about him, as he did about so many that had gone before him, then he will be very much alive in your hearts.”    

The late Philip Timoney pictured in 2018 with his donkey Nelly and her twin foals

Predeceased by his brothers, Edward, Patrick and William and forever remembered by his wife Margaret, daughters Maggie (Brendan), Irene (Shane) and Barbara (Kevin) & his son Philip (Samantha). 

Much loved by his grandchildren, Conor & Aodhán, Saoirse, Niamh & Fionnbharr, Luke & Chloe (mum Sonya), Philip, his great-grandchildren Kayla & Darragh (Mum Leanne). 

Sadly missed by his brothers, John & Charles, sisters, Ann, Margaret, Rita, Breege, Ursula & Kay, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews and extended Timoney Family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Family flowers only were requested, with donations, in lieu, to Croí, The West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation.

After the Funeral Mass, burial followed in the adjoining ceremony.