Maureen O’Flaherty’s sons carried her casket, along the road that she had known as home for her whole life, the short distance to her final resting place at Reilig Bhearna on Sunday (March 11).

A mother, granny, and great grandmother, those gathered in Bearna Church were told that her home was a welcoming one.

“Always there with a smile, words of encouragement, and never judgemental,” her son-in-law, Paul Cluskey, said of her.

Born in July 1933 to Joseph (Josie) and Sarah Conneely, the family settled on the Pier Road in Bearna. Sadly, Maureen was just three years old when her brother, Michael, and her mother passed away just five months apart, in June and November 1936.

Happiness came, though, at 19 years old, when she laid eyes on Manus O’Flaherty in the Hangar Ballroom, Salthill.

“A happier couple, you wouldn’t find,” Paul Cluskey said of them.

Two years later, in November 1954, they were married, and soon blessed with children, Mary (Cluskey), Frankie, Bernie (Jivraj), Joe, Tom, and John.

In May 1963, Maureen’s father died, and sadness hit the family again in March 1997 when her youngest daughter, Bernie, passed away, aged just 38. Incidentally, Bernie’s anniversary Mass took place at noon on Sunday – her mother’s funeral Mass was held just two hours later.

Paul Cluskey sincerely thanked Maureen’s son, John, for the love and care he had shown to her right up to the very end.

It being Mother’s Day, celebrant, Fr Michael Brennan, quoted the Seamus Heaney poem, ‘When All The Others Were Away At Mass’, which tells of the poet’s special memory of his mother, as they did simple tasks together. He said that Maureen’s family would find comfort in the memories they shared.

Maureen O’Flaherty’s remains were taken from the church and driven to the Pier Road, from where her sons carried her the short distance to Reilig Bhearna. Bernie’s widower, Karim, pushed Manus in his wheelchair behind the cortege. Kitchen, bar, and restaurant staff at Donnelly's stood outside the premises as the hearse passed by. 

Maureen O’Flaherty was then laid to rest with her parents, brother, and daughter in the family plot.

When all the others were away at Mass
I was all hers as we peeled potatoes….

(After she died)

…So while the parish priest at her bedside
Went hammer and tongs at the prayers for the dying
And some were responding and some crying
I remembered her head bent towards my head,
Her breath in mine, our fluent dipping knives –
Never closer the whole rest of our lives.

Seamus Heaney, While All The Others Were Away At Mass

DG

9/3/18:

Funeral details for Maureen O’Flaherty (née Conneely), Pier Road, Bearna.

Beloved wife of Manus and much loved mother of Mary, Frank, Joe, Tom, John and the late Bernie.

Sadly missed by her husband and children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at the 'Cillín' within the Church of Mary Immaculate Queen, Barna on Saturday 10th March from 4p.m. with Removal to the Church at 6p.m. Funeral after 2p.m. Requiem Mass on Sunday to Barna Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Croí.

'Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis'