'A through-and-through sodacake': Tributes paid to Limerick community champion
Kieran O’Neill was chairperson of St Munchin’s Community Enterprise Centre
A LIMERICK community champion, who has sadly gone to his God has been remembered as a “through and through sodacake”.
Kieran O’Neill, the former chairperson of St Munchin’s Community Centre on the city’s northside, was passionate about his local community, financially supporting Thomond RFC through his freight company, and helping to keep generations of youngsters off the streets with activities.
Fergal Deegan, a friend of Kieran's for more than 40 years, revealed the Kileely man headhunted him to be the producer of the St Munchin’s Tops of the Teens show.
This was a popular local youth talent and variety show competition where parishes and youth clubs competed against each other.
"We produced the show and won it one year, with the final in Rathkeale. I remember Kieran was such a guy that he arrived outside my home with an entourage of cars and the trophy the following Sunday. We went off around Thomondgate beeping the horn and celebrating,” recalled Fergal.
The pair also travelled around the country with Macra, Kieran helping Fergal out with props backstage.
"He was a very generous man. People didn’t know half of his generosity. He was very passionate about Thomond RFC, St Munchin’s Community Enterprise Centre and his parish. A through-and-through sodacake,” he said.
Many other tributes were paid on www.rip.ie
"Kieran was passionate about Kileely and all its residents. It most certainly is a better place because of his interest in the community,” one person wrote.
Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell added: “I have known Kieran over many years and he was a fantastic community person, always strongly advocating for his area and St Munchin’s Community Centre.”
At Kieran’s funeral last month, his wishes were respected when the hearse stopped on Thomond Bridge allowing his coffin to be carried across the River Shannon.
He was buried beside his beloved wife Anne.
Late of Hennessy Avenue in Kileely, Kieran passed away peacefully at home on August 15 last.
Alongside his wife, he is predeceased by parents Henry and Rita O’Neill, brothers Fr Gerard and Sean, plus granddaughter Saidbh.