Tullamore mourns passing of one of its oldest citizens

THE late Moira McGlinchey (née McMahon), New Road, Tullamore, who died recently, was one of the town’s oldest residents and was a well-known member of the local community.

Born on April 4, 1927, at Earl Street (now O’Moore Street), she was one of two daughters of Paddy and Maisie McMahon. Moira was very proud of the fact that her father fought in the battle of the Somme before returning to work in P. & H. Egan in Tullamore. She had one sister, Eithne, who died in Manchester in 2021, and was very sad to be unable to travel to the funeral due to covid restrictions.

Moira married local man Michael McGlinchey at Sacred Heart Church, Blackpool, Lancashire, on June 29, 1948. They returned to Tullamore and lived on Bachelors Walk (New Road). Michael ran a prominent bakery business in the town for decades.

He died on May 23, 1988, leaving Moira a widow at 61, but she showed great resilience and focused on helping her children with the grandchildren.

She also established a florist’s business, Macs Flowers, which served the people of Tullamore and environs for many years.

A keen gardener, she was involved with Ready from its early days and loved to travel. Even though Michael would not fly, the journeys were made by boat, bus and car.

In later years, she joined Friends of Tullamore Hospital and helped raise funds for the End of Life Suites where, sadly, many of her friends died.

A keen GAA supporter and fan of the Offaly teams, Moira McGlinchey was a daily Mass-goer with strong devotion to the Sacred Heart and was often asked by local people to pray for them.

She remained very independent, continuing to drive up to four years ago and was sad when it became clear that she had to stop.

Moira is survived by her daughters Darcrea Yorke, Mary Dunne and Michele Condron, son Aidan, sons-in-law Geoff, PJ and Martin, daughter-in-law Nuala, her adored grandchildren Simon, Jeffrey, Bryan, Orla, Gareth, Chloe, Adam and great-grandsons Joshua, Michael and Fiachra, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Nathalie.

Interment took place in Clonminch Cemetery after Requiem Mass in the Church of the Assumption, celebrated by Father Joe Campbell, CC.

Declan McSweeney