‘Loving and generous’ Limerick dad of country music star and top greyhound trainer passes away

THE FATHER of Irish country music star Jimmy Buckley and leading greyhound trainer Pat Buckley has gone to his God.

Michael (Mike) Buckley, of Gurtavalla, Doon, and formerly of Glengar and Main Street, Doon, County Limerick, passed away peacefully at University Hospital Limerick this Thursday.

Jimmy announced the sad news on social media, describing his late father as a “loving and generous dad to us all”.

“He will be sadly missed by our dear mother Mary, as she was by his side for over 60 years. He was very proud of all eight of his children and his many grandchildren.

“He loved his music and was so very proud of both Claudia and me, and was an eager follower of both our careers,” wrote Jimmy, one of the biggest names on the Irish country music scene. 

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Brother, Pat, is equally as successful in his chosen profession of greyhound training with over 36 classics to his name.

Jimmy said he announced his father’s passing with “great sadness and a heavy heart”.

“I just wanted to share this with all of our friends and many supporters near and far, as your support and warm wishes will give us great comfort at this very sad time.

“Over the next few days, we will come together as a family to celebrate his life, remember the stories, and honour the man he was. Rest peacefully dad, we love you forever,” wrote Jimmy in the touching post on social media.

Mike is predeceased by his parents Mike and Josephine and his brothers James, Jack, Bill and Chris.

He is sadly missed by loving wife Mary, sons Michael, Pat, Jimmy and Tadhg, daughters Siobhán Kinane, Anne Hayes, Molly Maher and Mairéad English, sons-in-law Nickie, John, Paul and Martin, daughters-in-law Pauline, Daizi and Clarice, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and all his friends from the greyhound community.

Funeral arrangements have been arranged for what is expected to be one of the biggest ever funerals in Doon as people from all walks of life - including the worlds of country music and greyhound training - come to pay their respects.

Mike will repose at Whites Funeral Home, Doon (V94 D450) this Friday evening, March 6 from 4pm until 7pm. 

Arriving in St. Patrick’s Church, Doon Saturday morning for Requiem Mass at 11.30 am followed by burial in Doon cemetery.

Requiem Mass will be streamed live at: www.churchcamlive.ie/doon-parish-live-stream

May he rest in peace.