Kilkenny Golf outing remembers Richie Tierney - an inspirational community man

Every town and village in Ireland has that person, the one you turn to when something needs to be done.

Whether it’s organising, fundraising, fixing, or simply giving a hand, they’re at the heart of the community. They lead, inspire and draw people together.

The memory of Richie Tierney was celebrated in fitting fashion at Mount Juliet Estate recently when family, friends and club members gathered for the Richie Tierney golf outing and the unveiling of a specially crafted seat in his honour.

Richie, who passed away suddenly earlier this year at the age of 71, was described by many as Mr Rower Inistioge - a man who gave his time, energy and heart to his community, club and friends.

More than 130 golfers took part in the outing before joining Richie’s family for dinner, prizegiving and the unveiling ceremony.

The memorial seat, made from polished chestnut and oak by his lifelong friend Tommy Malone, now stands proudly on the third tee at Mount Juliet — the very spot where Richie passed away while playing the game he loved. The brass plaque inscription was completed by Tommy’s daughter, Eimear.

In a remarkable twist, just three weeks earlier, Tommy recorded a hole-in-one on that same par three. Smiling as he recalled the shot, he said ‘I hit the ball and Richie put it in the hole’.

Speaking at the gathering, Michael Lyng paid tribute to Richie as a devoted husband to Josette, proud father to Richard, Pat, Michelle and Geraldine and a doting grandfather. He remembered his honesty, loyalty, generosity - even paying once for a stranger’s overweight luggage at Dublin Airport - before with a smile, he added ‘Of course, he’d skin you for a fiver on the golf course’. Michael also recalled his great humour and storytelling, noting that Richie ’never let the truth interfere with the telling of a good one’.

Tributes continued to flow throughout the evening.

“Everything that was positive in the Rower Inistioge, Richie Tierney was attached to,” said Kilkenny and Rower hurling legend Eddie Keher. “He was clever, generous and a superb businessman - he just could not say no when the community needed him. His loss will be felt for a very long time.”

Dermot Fennelly, Captain at Mount Juliet GC, described Richie as a valued member of the club and a late convert to golf.

“He once couldn’t understand how men would waste time playing when there was work to be done,” he said. “Later he said he couldn’t understand how anyone could work when there was golf to be played!”

Others remembered Richie’s determination, generosity, and humour. Jim Dunphy noted how Richie would ‘torment’ you into helping but never asked anyone to do what he wouldn’t do himself. His brother Mickey called him “the driving force behind underage hurling in our club” and recalled Richie’s wit.

“Richie was so dependable,” family friend and business colleague Willo Deevy added. “You could stake your life on his opinion and decision-making. He led from the front. Liz and I valued his friendship greatly, and we will miss him for a very long time.”

The day ended with the presentation of the Richie Tierney Trophy, sponsored by Josette, which was won by Dr O’Sullivan. In his acceptance speech, he said he had played with Richie a few times and always found him a gentleman.

For Richie’s wife Josette, his children, grandchildren, extended family, and the huge circle of friends who turned out, the day was both a poignant tribute and a celebration of the man they described simply as unforgettable.