Ann 'Nancy' Monaghan.

Oldest person in Ballinrooaun when she died in 1958.

Gerry Costello

A Report from “The Tuam Herald” – August 2nd. 1958. The subject is a report on the death of Anne Monaghan of Ballinrooaun.

The death of Mrs. Anne Monaghan (known and loved locally as “Nancy”), which took place at her residence on Friday morning, July 18th, removes from the district one who was undoubtedly the oldest person in that area. A stately old lady who had almost reached the hundred mark, she was well known even beyond her own district, and was noted for her kindness and generosity to all and sundry in time of necessity or distress. A member of an old parish family, the Divillys, her mother was a Whyte from Mullaghmore and she was relict of Michael Monaghan, who pre-deceased her about a half century ago. Her late husband served in the American Civil War (1861-1865) and Mrs. Monaghan was reputed to be the last surviving widow of a veteran of that war. She also spent several of her earlier years in the United States, and even the oldest living person in the district can scarcely remember her as a graceful-young lady in her ‘twenties, having returned from America.

In the early, part of this century, Mrs. Monaghan conducted the rather lucrative family business in Ballinruane, founded by her late husband (who was earlier in business at Mountbellew), during which time she was well known and respected for her scrupulously honest and generous dealings with all the people in the neighbourhood. She retired from the business about 1930.

A feature of her charming personality was that she was particularly fond of children and her death, even at such an advanced age, will be regretted by many a native of that district now away from home. Indeed she was a character of characters – there could be only one Mrs. Monaghan – and it is certain that her type will not emerge from the present generation. She was an exceptionally religious woman and during her last illness she had the consolation of the Sacraments regularly and everything medically possible was done to prolong her long and well spent life.

Indeed, ’tis many a bereaved person she herself consoled and rendered practical assistance. May God grant her the eternal reward she so richly deserves. Her remains were removed on Friday evening last to Moylough Church and the interment took place to the new cemetery, Moylough, following Solemn Requiem Mass on Saturday morning, 19th inst. The corteges on both days were large and representative and were a fitting tribute to a grand old lady. May she rest in peace.

© Tuam Herald, Saturday, August 02, 1958

 

This page was added on 11/05/2015.

Comments about this page

  • What a lovely tribute to Mrs Monaghan as I knew and lived with when I was a child and we affectionately called Nan she was our adopted Grandma and we still own the house and farm in Ballinruane
    Kathleen Ryan

    By Kathleen Ryan (29/06/2018)

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