Pat Dowling was one of nature’s gentlemen

On Monday, April 10 the sad news came that Pat Dowling had died in Ardkeen Hospital, where he spent his last days.
Recent years had led to declining health but he was very grateful that he was largely able to see out his time at home surrounded by family and friends.

Pat lived and farmed in Cappagh all his married life, a few miles from Jamestown, the farm where he grew up with his many siblings, only three of whom survive him - Dick (former TD), Nellie O’Halloran, both of Newrath, Waterford and Josie Melody of Dungarvan, Co Waterford. His brothers Danny, Mikey, Neddy and John (a much respected teacher at Good Counsel College), New Ross) and his sisters Kathleen, Mary (Barron), Peggy (Kennedy) and Biddy (Holden) predeceased him.

My first memory of Pat dates from a visit to Jamestown with my parents in the mid 1960s. Pat was still living at home as was his brother Neddy, who was designated to carry on farming at Jamestown. My sister, Ann Porter, was a particular favourite of Pat’s and I recall his generosity to her at the time of her marriage. A few months ago an elderly neighbour of Pat’s arrived at Porters on an errand of mercy! He had a very energetic black Labrador which he could no longer manage - at Pat’s suggestion he offered the dog to Ann Porter. The dog landed on all four feet that day.

In 1967, Pat married the love of his life, Mary Hennessey, of Glensensaw, a small townland in the adjoining parish of Rosbercon. Mary too came from a large family. In due course Mary and Pat added their own quote to the Dowling and Hennessey families: Patrick, Josephine, Georgina, Martin and Donie.

Cappagh as well as Jamestown became a frequent port of call for my mother, who was a first cousin once removed of Pat’s, as her mother and his grandmother were Ryans of Ballycurran: Mary Dowling (1866-1952) being the far older sister of Anne Hogan (1880-1940).

Other married sisters were Mrs Kate Drea of Brownstown, Mrs Brigid O’Farrell, Kilcurl and Mrs Anastatia Holden, Glendonnel. Three other sisters entered religious life while their only brother John Ryan remained on the family farm at Ballycurran. Representatives of all these families were to be seen at Pat’s funeral in Glenmore parish church.

I have mentioned the presence of a host of kin at Pat’s funeral but by far the greater number attending were his neighbours and friends. Many of the latter were gained through his business as an agricultural contractor. Many too were customers of Pat as his ‘Golden Wonders’ were famed throughout the length and breadth of South Kilkenny and on into the neighbouring counties of Wexford and Waterford. My mother hardly ever returned from a visit to Jamestown or Cappagh without a bag of Pat’s ‘balls of flour’ which with the addition of salt and butter, were fit on their own, for any table, high or low.

Fr Tom O’ Toole referred to Pat on a number of occasions during the funeral mass as a ‘true Christian’ but this I would enlarge to a ‘true Christian and a gentleman to his fingertips’.

Pat was one such even when engaged in the fierce business of card-playing for which he had a life long fondness. A day at the races was yet another amusement for him.

Pat always wore his cares easily. The ill-health of his beloved Mary in later years was born with fortitude, as indeed was his own. His homecare team all grew to become firm trusted friends. A lovely kind generous man has gone to his heavenly reward. May he rest in eternal peace.
- JK