May Niland

MAY Niland, Dalton, Ballyfarna, Claremorris, who death took place recently, celebrated her 100th birthday on July 8. She was in great fettle on the occasion of the centenary celebrations, enjoying a great evening out in The Thatch Bar in Knock, after her neighbour and friend Fr Eamonn Concannon had earlier celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving.

It was with much sadness that the people of the area learned of her sudden death. May, formerly Staunton from Kilcun, enjoyed good health up to the end and was a regular at the Sunday morning Mass in Barnacarroll Church.

She was truly one of the grand old stock of the region. My mother Patricia was close friends with May for many years and they loved to visit each other. These were a great generation of Irish people. I recall with fondness another neighbour from up the road, the late Sarah O’Connell, cycling to our home when we were children and bringing a batch of the Ireland’s Own magazines. There was something lovely and real about those people, rooted to the soil and the earth.

May was a great listener to my late shows on Mid West Radio for the past 25 years. Her daughter-in-law Maureen told me she was listening to them right up to the very end …even asked her to dance a waltz to some songs I was playing a few weeks before she died. What a truly remarkable lady.

Her grandson, Johnny Niland, paid her a lovely tribute at the end of the Requiem mass in Barnacarroll Church at which Fr Peter Gannon was the chief celebrant, assisted by Fr Eamonn Concannon, Fr Tommy Commins and Fr Stephen Farragher.

He told the congregation that May grew up as part of a large family in Kilcun outside Kiltimagh and had four sisters, Noreen, Nell, Delia and Margaret and four brothers, Pat, John,  Larry and Jim.

“At an early age, she emigrated to Altringham in England where she worked as a housekeeper for £1 a week. She up-skilled during the War to the position of a Post-Woman. She loved to tell us all how she used to drive the post van which was very unusual for a woman at the time. She put her driving skills to further use by also working as an Ambulance driver.

“While in England, she married Pat Niland from Dalton and in 1946 they returned home to live in Ireland and raise a family of five, Mary, Padraic, Jimmy, SeΡn and Rene . She showed her generous nature by also caring for a number of years for her niece and nephew, Paddy Joe and Maureen whose own mother had passed away at a young age

“Times weren’t easy coming into the1960’s and Granddad went to America to find work in Chicago to help support the family. Nan showed her resilience and independence by running the house, farm and a small shop, selling, tea, flour, bacon, tobacco, and other necessities

“No matter how busy she was, she always had time for people and loved to have visitors. The front door was always open and callers were always made to feel welcome. She loved the company of friends, family and neighbours and could reminisce for hours on events from 50 or more years ago. “Dances in the house during trips home by her brother Jim from America – the tricks my father and his brothers got up too – the stories of people gone before us. Nan and Granddad’s house was one of the first in the area to have a television and many people have fond memories of gathering in the Niland house to chat and watch ‘the box’.

“Nan and Grandad both had a deep faith and for many years went to Mass in Knock every day without fail. Later and right up to two weeks ago she still attended Mass every Sunday in Barnacarroll. It was sad time for Nan and us all when Grandad Pat passed away in2001 but her strong faith and belief in God helped her through these tough times

“Her good health meant that she could lead a very independent life in her own home even as she entered her 100th year. She was rarely troubled by any colds or illness and has a single page medical record in Castlebar General Hospital.

“Her legacy is the large and close-knit family she leaves behind including 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She had time and love for every one of us and loved to see the ‘small ones’ in the house. We have fond memories of Nan telling her unique stories and of playing cards and her teaching us Old Maid and Patience. We’ll never forget her mashed potatoes and gravy and her home-made potato cakes.

“We feel proud that Nan was so highly thought of by everyone in the community. If she ever missed Mass on a Sunday, several people would enquire after her.  It was hard to count the number of cards and good wishes she received on her 100th birthday. The large number of people who turned out these last few days to pay their respects is testament to the great esteem in which she was held. Nan, your passing leaves a great gap in all our lives but we should celebrate what was a long and happy life well lived and take comfort that for you – a person of such faith, love and generosity - the gates of heaven are surely open wide to receive you.”

May is survived by her sons, Padraig, Jimmy and SeΡn and daughters Mary (Burke) and Rene (Foody), in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother Jim in Chicago, neighbours and friends.

May her gentle soul have peaceful rest.

–Michael Commons.