- NEWS
Appeal for public help in double murder probeA double murder investigation involving more than 50 gardaí got under way in Killorglin, Co Kerry, after autopsies confirmed a Lithuanian woman and her young daughter had died violently.
US research links autism to pollution levels Pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of air pollution were twice as likely to have a child with autism as women who lived in low pollution areas, a US study shows.
- WORLD
Whitey Bulger shot Boston bar owner, says convicted murderer Accused Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and one of his associates shot dead a bar owner in a phone booth for bragging about helping the "Winter Hill Gang" with another killing, an ex-convict and confessed murderer has testified.
Brand divorced me by text, says Perry Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.
- BUSINESS
Aircraft leasing firm buys 10 Boeing jetsShannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.
20% of rich see value of assets halved Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.
- SPORT
GPA may get involved over Friday night championship dictatThe GPA could yet act on the behalf of the Carlow and Laois football panels as they have confirmed neither they nor the players were consulted about Friday week's All-Ireland round one qualifier.
Kearney keeps eyes on main prize Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday's all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.
- LIFESTYLE
Bradley bares his soul Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power
Body of evidence: do we fear nudity or nakedness?Do it together and it's harmless, do it alone and it's criminal, says Suzanne Harrington
16-19C
Breaking stories
Shatter renews pledge to restart garda recruitment
Teachers accuse Government of 'smokescreen and spin'
James Reilly's family sent arson attack threats over abortion legislation
Teachers reveal fear of further special needs support cuts
Meagher's uncle says 'a certain justice done' as Bayley sentenced to 35 years
Con laid to rest in his beloved Castle Island
The late Con Houlihan had “an extraordinary pride of place”.
By Anne Lucey, Castleisland
The 86-year-old writer, who died last month, left clear instructions for a funeral service in Dublin, but the burial was to be in his native “Castle Island” as he would always call it. Con had a huge love of Kerry; he was “self-deprecating” and had a wonderful way with people, his niece Patricia told a packed Church of St Stephen and St John in his home town.
The previous night, she said, along with her sister Ann, they brought their uncle’s ashes to Castleisland. They drove around the Latin quarter as well as the rugby field and other favourite haunts.
It was a beautiful evening and one that Con would have enjoyed, she said.
The same circuit was imitated after the requiem Mass yesterday. The North Kerry riverside town stood still as the hearse carrying the small casket of ashes veered left instead of right towards the cemetery to stop outside public houses and the bronze statue unveiled in his presence eight years ago.
In his homily, chief celebrant and parish priest of Castleisland, Monsignor Dan O’Riordan, told how Con’s extraordinary pride of place was “no add-on” but an integral part of him.
He recalled how the late writer, who held a masters degree, had studied in University College Cork under Daniel Corkery, author of The Hidden Ireland — an account of how in 18th-century Munster, the people labouring in the humble fields and cottages of Cork and Kerry knew their Euclid, their poetry, and their Latin.
“Like Corkery, Con in his writing revealed ‘a hidden Ireland’ — the lives of ordinary working people,” said Msgr O’Riordan.
Gifts brought to the altar included a sod of turf, a Castleisland rugby jersey, chalk to represent his love of teaching, anglers’ flies representing his love of fishing, and one of his books. His partner Harriet Duffin read one of the prayers of the faithful. His second cousin, conductor Bobby Houlihan, introduced the music which included Irish and Latin hymns sung by Gail O’Donoghue accompanied by Tomas O’Sullivan on the uileann pipes.
His friend, writer Frank Grealy, read extracts from Con’s book Windfalls and from Thomas Wolfe, an American writer.
Among the congregation were figures from the sporting, political, and literary worlds. Mourners included former Labour Party leader and tánaiste Dick Spring and his brother Dr Arthur Spring, local TD Tom Fleming, former mayor of Kerry Bobby O’Connell, and MEP Sean Kelly.
Former rugby international Mick Galwey, family members of the late Moss Keane, former Kerry footballers John O’Keeffe, Ogie Moran, Mick Gleeson, and Mick Finucane and ex-Ireland soccer manager Eoin Hand were also in attendance.
The GAA in Kerry was represented by chairman of the county board Pat O’Sullivan, and Seán Walsh, chairman of the Munster Council. Among the journalists were Tony Leen, sports editor of the Irish Examiner, Des O’Sullivan, and Feidhlim Kelly, and the playwright Tony Guerin.
Con’s ashes were buried in the plot of his father Michael and mother Ellen at Kilbannivane Cemetery.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved