CRONIN (Millstreet): On February 8, 2014, peacefully, in the excellent care of the matron and staff of Millstreet Community Hospital, MARY, beloved daughter of the late Anne and Cornelius Cronin, Main Street, Millstreet. Deeply regretted by her loving relatives and very dear friends and neighbours. She will be sadly missed. May she rest in peace
Reposing at Tarrant’s Funeral Home, Millstreet this Monday evening from 6.30pm. Removal to St Patrick’s Church, Millstreet at 8pm. Requiem Mass on tomorrow, Tuesday, at 12 noon, followed by burial in Drishane Cemetery.
What a lovely memory of a lovely lady. I remember as a young lad looking around that shop with awe
I am sad to learn that Mary “Conny” Cronin has died. She was such a kindly person and her shop was a special place to go into. I seem to remember that there was a man called John Pat who worked there. I cant recall his surname but he was a real gent too. It takes me back a few years to see Mary behind her counter with all the newspapers in perfect order. God rest her.
She was a lovely lady and always most helpful. When I was growing up,I used to enjoy going to the shop for The Cork Weekly Examiner, Ireland’s Own, The Dublin Opinion and Our Boys, all of which may no longer be published. It certainly is the end of an era.
Wonderful memories of a true lady, Pat, Freddie and John. Pat, “Ireland’s Own” is still one of the most popular weekly magazines printed in Co. Wexford. The other magazines and newspapers which you mention are in our Millstreet Museum Archives. At Mary’s Funeral Mass a magnificent tribute was delivered by Mary’s Godson, Denis Reardon who was Editor of the hugely popular “Clara News” which continued publication for in excess of thirty years. Denis is a superb writer and delivered this very moving, inspiring and witty tribute with such great feeling. Mary would have been so impressed. Also enhancing the solemn ceremony – the beautiful hymns and music provided by Mary’s cousin, Mary Dilworth and her very talented musical Team. We have a recording of the Mass within our audio/video archives of Millstreet Museum but having considered the possibility of sharing on our online radio or on our website we have found that due to technical issues this will not be possible to share. Thank you all for your special comments in tribute to Mary – including the most recent much appreciated comment from Maurice Walsh of Ickenham near London. May Mary rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
I’m writing on behalf of Maurice Walsh, who also wishes to say how sorry he was to hear of the death of Mary Cronin, and what a nice lady she was. He remembers her mother and father too.
Mary,was without doubt a Lady worthy of all the many fine tributes paid to her,by people from far and wide. I knew Mary for almost 60 years,my mother, Margaret Dennehy was a school time friend of hers and their youthful photographs are featured in many of our family albums.My brother Paddy and I spent most of our school day summer holidays in Millstreet, Mary’s shop was a magnet for us,for papers,the odd sweet and of course a Tomhasin(Toisin) of snuff for many of my Granny’s female friends who enjoyed this forgotten habit. Mary also kept us informed about the latest Millstreet Literary and Sporting publications,in particular her present to me, many years ago of “The Green and Gold” book on the Millstreet greats of the GAA in the early 1900’s. I was delighted to have this great publication as it featured amongst the greats, my grandfather Jack Dennehy who excelled in both hurling and football. Pat Joe Kelleher always had a welcome for the two Kilkenny boys when we visited Mary’s shop,a quiet reserved gentleman, we wish him well, his brother John Joe, a fine athlete, taught me how to do the high jump, down the station road, long before the Fosbury flop.
My brother Paddy and I will miss our visits to Mary’s Shop and home, where time stood still and the memories of byegone years came flooding back.
Ar dheis De go raibh si.
I would also like to thank Sean Radley for his Trojan work for the Millstreet Community, and in providing a wonderful platform for social expression.
Noel J. Bourke Kilkenny
Noel, what wonderful memories you share in tribute to our Friend Supreme, Mary Cronin – such a true Lady. Both yourself and your brother, Paddy have been such sincere Ambassadors for Millstreet in Kilkenny and beyond. Mary so looked forward to your visits and loved to share treasured thoughts of days gone by. The esteem in which you held this marvellous lady was clearly illustrated by the fact that you very kindly travelled from Kilkenny for the Funeral Mass where you would have been privileged to have heard Denis Reardon’s truly magnificent tribute. Thanks a million for your much appreciated comments. We’re especially delighted that through our Millstreet website you keep so in touch with Millstreet happenings. Every good wish from Sráid a’ Mhuilinn.
In Millstreet Town and Parish everyone of her did know
One can say of Mary Cronin that she had the inner glow
For many years she owned the newspaper shop on the Main Street of Millstreet Town
A nice person who lived a simple lifestyle and never yearned for renown
As a nice and honest person Mary Cronin became known
And it truly can be said of her she was one of Millstreet’s own
So honest in her business about her she had a saint like way
In the Cronin family grave in Drishane her last remains now lay
Gone from the Town of Millstreet a well known and beloved face
Mary Conny as she was known as was a credit to her own home place
And though in the Town in view of Clara never to be seen again
Fond memories of the nice person she was with those who knew her will remain
The changes keep on happening and nothing seems to last
And it is only in memory we can return to the past
And Millstreet in Duhallow has undergone changes quite a few
Just like every other Parish and this is nothing new
She did live to a good age and time no longer on her side
Yet sad news out of Millstreet to learn Mary Cronin she has died
That the Human World was better for her in it is only fair to say
In the Millstreet she was born and raised in she has lived her final day.
“Mary Cronin” is by Francis Duggan
http://francisrhymer.blogspot.ie/2014/02/mary-cronin.html