OBITUARY: 'Michael Loughnane can rightly be regarded as a Thurles man true and through'

The late Michael Loughnane, Moyne Road Thurles, who passed away recently can rightly be regarded as a Thurles man true and through.

A former recipient of the Thurles Person of the Year award, it is no wonder that this gentle soul’s contribution to the community was recognised, considering the enormous body of work he undertook across a range of activities.

Of course it wasn’t work to Michael – it was a labour of love and he loved nothing more than engaging with people, having a chat, a bit of a joke, slagging or tracing, recalling olden times and events which occurred in his locality.

Perhaps it is for his work with Irish dancing and organising of céilis and set dances that Michael is best known.

Almost single handed he kept the old dances alive and had a really encouraging and gentle way of teaching dance to the uninitiated, whether at home or abroad.

He was never happier than when he was out in the middle of the floor setting up a Siege of Ennis or a Walls of Limerick – he had a dance for all occasions and he had the steps to match.

He didn’t mind that the steps of those under his tutelage might not exactly be from the top drawer – he was just delighted to see everyone participating, smiling and enjoying themselves.

Michael would be out and about with his selection of tunes for the dances and with microphone in hand he would cajole those present to occupy the dance floor – before you’d know it, the place would be rocking.

It wasn’t just dancing though which occupied Michael’s time outside of the very busy family home where his devoted wife Peggy and all the clan were extremely supportive of all his work.

No, Michael, a former baker in Sweeney’s Bakery in Mitchel Street, Thurles was also heavily involved in Thurles Silver Band and did much work to ensure the continuation of the band during lean years.

He delighted in the many trips overseas which the band organised, especially for St Patrick’s Day, as they represented not only the Cathedral Town, but also the country. What better ambassadors could have been sent out to bat for Ireland.

Mention of St Patrick’s Day and one could not forget Michael’s role in Thurles for many years as one of the mainstays behind the Thurles parade.

His assistance in the lead-up to the national holiday and his organising of music and set dancing for most of the day in Liberty Square ensured that there was always a lovely atmosphere in the town centre.

One of his own personal highlights was co-leading the St Patrick’s Day parade in Salt Lake City, Utah at the turn of the millennium, when he was one of the guests of honour of Thurles native Rev Fr Paddy Carley, Chairperson of the Hibernian Society in Utah during the twinning programme between Thurles and Salt Lake City.

Michael was very proud as he was swept through the streets of the city in an open top Cadillac following St Patrick’s Day High Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral  and it was he who organised the céili mór than evening, teaching steps to scores of second generation Irish in the process.

Michael was in his element, many miles from Thurles, but at the end of each evening in the US, he would take time out, pick up the phone and call home to Peggy and the family.

Michael delighted in the teaching of music and dance to youngsters and he spent many hours in the primary and secondary schools of the parish passing on his knowledge and skills, again in a gentle and encouraging way.

He was a popular figure in the schools, not just because his presence represented a break from the books, but because he always brought a smile on his face and there was always fun to be had in his presence.

A former Chairman of Thurles Town FC and highly regarded soccer referee, Michael enjoyed sport, loved soccer and was involved for a time with Thurles Kickhams GAA club.

He always encouraged participation in sport and though he would admit to not being an elite player himself, it didn’t dampen his grá or enthusiasm for the games which he loved. Club rivalry might have been strong in the Cathedral Town, but Michael was always very supportive of all clubs as he could see the great benefits of active participation and he encouraged it greatly.

You rarely saw Michael without a camera and the many photos which adorn his second home in the Bandhall in Stradavoher today are products of his handiwork.

How sensible he was to record the happenings, print off the images and ensure that they would be there for others to enjoy and share – at a time when mobile phones are used now to capture many images, most of which never see the light of day again, Michael through his insistence of printing off the photos, was indeed ahead of the curve.

That Bandhall will surely seem more empty now without the presence of so special a character as Michael Loughnane.

Predeceased by his parents Dinny and Delia, his brother Fintan and sister Mary, Michael is deeply regretted by his devoted wife Peggy, his sons Donnacha, Micheal, Sean, Seamus, Gearóid and Tomás, daughters Fiona, Siobhan, Mairéad and Sinead, adored grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers Jimmy, Paudie, Denis, Eddie, Kevin and Joe, sisters June, Ann, Phyllis and Delia, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide and varied  circle of friends. 

Michael Loughnane was the kind of person who could talk to anyone – prince and pauper alike. And, he did.

He was a wonderful conversationalist, great company and was regarded as a very good and kindly neighbour in and around Moyne Road – how brilliantly that local community rallied over the last week during his final days and as he reposed at home with thousands descending on the neighbourhood to pay their final respects.

However, Michael’s goodness did not confine itself to the immediate locality and he could be found everywhere and anywhere doing a turn for somebody who required assistance.

He was never one to seek adulation or praise for his work or his efforts – seeing people enjoying themselves, or having a little spring in the step having met him, was all the affirmation he ever needed.

Michael was a great family man.

Hailing from the very well-known and highly respected Loughnane family, Michael was fortunate to have had seven brothers and five sisters, and their bond was very strong.

His marriage to Peggy was a very happy one and the family home which reared ten children was full of hustle and bustle at all times with all the comings and goings.

He passed on his generosity of spirit to the next generation and when grandchildren arrived on the scene, he delighted in them and loved nothing more than spending time with them. How fitting it was that Michael should depart this life to the next surrounded by his family members.

And, though they grieve his loss at this time, they know too that Michael is now enjoying organising a set-dance or a céili mór in the Heavenly home he believed in and strived throughout his life to reach.

Eighty one year old Michael Loughnane will be greatly missed in Thurles, but it is in 35 Moyne Road that he will be missed most.

The dancing shoes of a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and neighbour have fallen still, no more steps to be jigged, no more 1,2,3’s to be called. The trumpet has sounded for the final time and the Last Post has been played.

May Michael Loughnane rest peacefully in his Heavenly home.