Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend - Killybegs mourns Eileen Kennedy

A stiff breeze blew in from the sea, carrying the chill of the last few days up Chapel Hill as mourners gathered in Killybegs to bid farewell to Eileen Kennedy.

Members of Portnoo Golf Club lined the churchyard as Eileen’s family carried their beloved wife and mother into the Church of the Visitation for her Funeral Mass on Thursday morning.

They were joined by many more people who had travelled from near and far to mourn a friend, a colleague, a relative, a highly regarded member of the community.

Eileen, who had recently retired as post mistress, lost her life in a road traffic collision in the town’s Main Street late on Tuesday afternoon.

Fr. Colm Ó Gallchóir told mourners: “Eileen went for a walk and never came back.

“Our shock was nothing compared to the heartbreak that you, her family experienced and are living with these past two days.”

The celebrant welcomed fellow priests Fr Jason Murphy of Breffni College in Cavan and Fr Gerry Comiskey from Drumlane Parish near Belturbet.

“Our sympathy to Eileen’s husband Frankie, to their three sons Colin, Ronan and Aidan, their two daughters-in-law Claire and Laura, and to their two grandchildren Roisin and Ciara, and another grandchild on the way, and our blessing on that grandchild,” said Fr Ó Gallachóir. 

“Our sincere sympathy to Eileen’s sister Mary, and her sisters-in-law and to all members of the extended family and all relatives, neighbours, friends, and her golf colleagues and all who mourn her passing from this world.”

The priest recalled Eileen as a person of faith, as a devoted wife and mother, a grandmother who doted on her grandchildren, a devoted sister, a good neighbour and friend. 

“She was  someone who knew how to work hard and how to enjoy life,” he said. 

“A keen and competitive golfer, and someone who loved to travel; Frankie and herself did so visiting Australia, New Zealand, the States, and so many more places.”

Early Life

Eileen, née O’Callaghan, was a native of Killybegs. She was one of two daughters born to James and Maureen O’Callaghan.

“She was baptised, confirmed and got married in this chapel,”  said Fr Ó Gallachóir. 

“She attended Niall Mor National School. Herself and Frankie were in the same class.”

Eileen  was a boarder in the convent in Ballyshannon. She then trained and worked as a nurse in Altnagelvin Hospital, and worked in the Sligo Ambulance Service before taking over Cunnihgam’s shop from her father.

She worked there for 35 years in all, being postmistress for 17, initially in Cunningham’s Shop and then in Anvil Court.

“It was while working during the summer in the tourism college which operated as a hotel that Frankie and herself hit it off,” said Fr Ó Gallachóir. 

“They got married in this chapel in July 1980, blessed with three boys. 

“And though she had given up nursing by then, her experience as  a nurse greatly enhanced her parenting skills,  always there for the boys, encouraging them to pursue their own path in life.”

Mourners heard that Eileen had a close brush with death about six months before she got married, incurring serious injuries in a road accident. 

Fr Ó Gallachóir said: “As she was being urgently brought to the hospital, the ambulance crashed and she had to learn to walk again but she made it up the aisle six months later here.

“And as we know, Eileen had a passion for golf. She was Lady Captain in Portnoo Golf Club in 2009 and made it to the Ulster Final last year.”

Addressing those most deeply grieving for Eileen,  Fr Ó Gallachóir said: “When death comes sudden and unexpected, not only have you lost someone so dear to you, but you feel quite lost yourselves. Mourning takes time, and so does healing.”

He encouraged her loved ones to take comfort in the words of the scripture, adding: “Death is not the end of a relationship.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.”

Following Funeral Mass, Eileen's remains were brought to Lakelands Crematorium in Cavan.