Margaret Flanagan

MARGARET Flanagan from Garrymore, who died recently at her residence at the age of 97, has vivid memories of seeing the Black and Tans in the area during her young years. Born Margaret Steede in Kilbannon, Co Galway, she often recalled the times she encountered Black and Tans on her way to the local school. She was a direct link with a part of our history that resonated strongly in the minds of rural people over the decades.

Maggie, as she was affectionately known by all, married Jim Flanagan from Garrymore. She came from a well-known Kilbannon family who had strong connections with the land. One of her brothers, Martin, did some market gardening before the family migrated to Kildare during the government resettlement programme of that time. She was the last of her generation of the Steede family.

On one occasion back some decades back, and long before cars began to gain popularity on Irish roads, Maggie cycled all the way from her home to Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan to visit one of her brothers. Even back then, that was quite a remarkable undertaking for a young woman. But for Maggie, it was all part of the family circle. In time, it became a great family story too.

Jim and Maggie raised a family of four, one son and three daughters. They worked the land and took care of the family home. It was all hard going back in those years and nothing came easy. They were decent country people who found peace and contentment in the gentle rural setting of Garrymore. Jim died back in 1979.

Maggie resided with her son Martin and received the best of care from him and his sisters. As time rolled by the years were against her and she had been in declining health for sometime. Yet, the care and attention that was lavished on her by her family was of the highest calibre.

Maggie Flanagan was a lovely neighbour and good friend. She was one of the old stock, reliable and dependable and a credit to all belonging to her. She will be fondly remembered by her devoted family and good friends.

A woman of strong and abiding faith, she always looked forward to the regular visits by the local priests and Fr Michael Molloy attended to her spiritual needs in a special way since he came to the parish.

A wake was held in the family home with removal to Ballyglass Church and burial took place in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Michael Molloy and Fr JJ Cribbin.

Maggie is survived by her son, Martin; daughters, Margaret Donnellan (Ahascragh), Mary Harte, (Trien, Castlerea) and Teresa Brennan (Weatherfort, Ballyglass); sons-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.