Breege Heraty

On May 20, 2014, a quiet and generous soul passed away after a long and full life. Breege Heraty (nee O’Neill), Glenamurra, Drummin, Westport, was originally from Maam, County Galway and was in fact a native Irish speaker. Often she would be found conversing as Gaeilge with her brother Eamon on the phone and she loved her first language.

A devout Catholic, Breege believed the in ideal of ‘love one another and forgive each other’. She lived this ideal out in her daily life and never begrudged or belittled anyone, always having nothing but positive words to say. At a very young age, Breege’s parents Patrick and Mary died within a short space of time which left the O’Neill clan broken and devastated. However this brought the O’Neill family of brothers and sisters closer together after such tragic circumstances; a close relationship continued throughout their lives.

In her earlier life, Breege’s father ran an insurance company and a small farm. Ultimately due to Patrick working in insurance, this helped Breege obtain her first job in Insurance in Galway city, often cycling a round journey of 100 miles a day from home to work. Unlike insurance brokers at the time, Breege would often issue a policy without payment as times were tough and she understood this and empathised with ‘the poor devils’.

Breege had many jobs in life. A well known face in the community due to the fact that at one stage or another she had given lifts to every member in the locality as she was the local bus driver. However the greatest job Breege ever had and one that she excelled in was as a devoted wife and mother and indeed later in life as a grandmother and great-grandmother. She cared for Packie and all of her children in the hardest and the best of times and always ensured they were never short of anything.

Many years ago, Breege was diagnosed with an Ectopic Pregnancy, a condition that had a very high mortality rate at the time. She had no fear of death and after being given only two hours to live, Packie was called to her dying bedside only to arrive and find her sitting up in the bed, eating. Breege proclaimed that it was Our Lady and her faith in the holy family that saved her from death. And the only thing Breege asked for on that day was to live until her family were fully grown, a wish that was granted. The doctors were indeed puzzled and in disbelief as to how Breege regained her full health.

She loved reading and would often consume a book in three days. She loved to bake and her cups of tea were a highlight of the many visits to the Sheffrey mountains. You would never leave the Glen without having a cup of tea, a memory of which was remarked upon by Orla during the lovely reflection of Breege’s life during the burial mMass. A cup of tea upon arrival and of course ‘one for the road’.

Large crowds attended at McGing’s funeral home, Westport to sympathise with the family. Breege’s removal took place to St Mary’s Church, Drummin, where Fr. Karl Burns officiated at the reception ceremony. Fr. Burns was also the celebrant at her burial Mass in which several of Breege’s family participated. Breege’s daughter Eileen and Grandchild Lorcan read the readings and her Grandchildren read the prayers of the faithful, whilst gifts highlighting Breege’s loves and interests in life were brought to the altar by her grand and great-grandchildren. Her daughters Mary and Anne brought up the bread and wine to the altar. Breege’s Grandchild Amanda sang “Our Lady of Knock” in tribute during communion and after this, Shane read a poem he had written himself about Breege in Irish and English and Orla completed the reflections with a beautiful tribute to Breege’s life also thank you to James Biggs who sang “The Nazarene” so beautifully.

Breege is predeceased by her husband Packie, baby son John Francis and her siblings SeΡn, Nelly, Maura and Eamon.

Breege will be sadly missed by all her children PJ (Kildare), Mary (Breaffy), Anne (Carnacon), Grace (Carnacon), SeΡn (Belcarra), Eamon (Glenamurra), Martina (Drummin), Eileen (Breaffy) and Margaret (Birmingham), nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family, neighbours and friends.

Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas sioraí dí.