Longford man, successful Loy digger and nature lover, buried in County Wexford

It is with great sadness that we record the death of Joseph Kilbride, of ‘Ellata’, Ballyann, New Ross, Co Wexford, and the deceased of Cartron, Granard, Co Longford, on Tuesday 8 October 2024.

Joe, as he was known to family and friends, was the son of the late Tommy and Mary Jo Kilbride and was also predeceased by his wife Anne (née Fouhy) and his brothers Seán, Seamus and Paddy, as well as his cousin in February this year. Smear Joe, Aughnacliffe.

Joe was working in Coillte and as a young man his work would take him all over the country and during this time he met the love of his life Anne Fouhy from Cork and they married in 1971 and settled in Ballyann outside New Ross in Co Wexford . .

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Over the years Joe loved returning to his hometown of Granard and always made a special effort to attend the funerals of neighbors and friends and continued to do so until recently when his health did not allow him to do so.

Joe loved nature, he loved the land and Loy was a regular at all the Plowing Championships where he won many trophies for his digging skills.

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Joe and Anne raised a family of four children, Roberta (Gallagher), Helena (Coggins) and Fidelma (McGuirk) and Joseph, instilling in them great faith, which they in turn passed on to their lovely family.

Joe passed away at Cooney’s funeral home in New Ross on the evening of Thursday 10 October and on Friday 11 October his funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Roger O’Neill in St Anne and St John’s church, assisted by Joe’s cousin, Father Simon Cadam PP Granard . Rathgarogue and he were buried in the local cemetery.

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We extend our deepest condolences to Roberta, Helena, Fidelma and Joseph, their grandchildren Diarmuid, Tomás, Grace, Aaron, Hugh, Conan, Aisling, Joseph, Niamh, Sarah and Isobelle, and their sons-in-law Tom, Chris and John. -Sister-in-law Deborah, brothers and sisters Michael, Bernie McGovern (Cloone), Thomas, Maura Kilbride Harkin, Bríd, Sr Roberta Kilbride, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. May he rest in peace.