Longford woman was highly respected for her skills in farm and stock management

There was deep sadness in the North Longford area when word spread of the passing of Agnes (Aggie) Dermody, The Rocks, Mullinroe, on Monday evening, January 8, 2024 in Our Lady’s Manor, Edgeworthstown, peacefully after a short illness.

She had been predeceased in recent months by her sister Mary Langan, Edgeworthstown, and her good friend and companion, Melvyn Lang, Carrigallen.

Aggie was born on New Year’s Day 1942 and was the second daughter of John and Rose Dermody. Her father died in 1957 and she took over responsibility for the running of the family farm at an early age.

At a time when farming was overwhelmingly a male occupation, she was respected for her skills in farm and stock management and was a familiar face at marts in the region.

She looked after her mother until the latter’s death in 1986 and was a welcoming host to neighbours and her younger relations and was a valued and helpful neighbour in Mullinroe and the wider parish.

She was of a friendly and outgoing disposition and had a large cohort of friends across the region, and she and her long-time friend Melvyn were familiar faces at gatherings and social events across the three counties of Longford, Leitrim, and Cavan.

Aggie was a person of great faith and was a constant attender at Mass in Mullinalaghta until her recent illness.

She bore her illness with fortitude even when it necessitated her treatment in the nursing home in her last months and remained in good form and welcoming to visitors until the end.

Her presence will be greatly missed in the parish and wider area.

She is survived by her nephews Patrick and John (Mullinroe), nieces Ena, Róisín (Dring) and Mary, grandnephews Niall, Robert and David, cousins, relatives, close friends and neighbours, to whom we extend our deepest sympathies.

The high esteem in which Aggie was held was shown by the large crowds who attended her repose in Our Lady’s Manor on Wednesday evening and her funeral in Mullinalaghta on Thursday, January 11.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated by her neighbour Fr. Simon Cadam, assisted by Fr Michael Bannon PP and Fr Brian Brennan and was followed by interment in Mullinalaghta Cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.