Jimmy "The Daw" Nolan

My lovely Grandad Jimmy passed away peacefully in his own home, surrounded by his family, last Friday, 27th March 2009. He only had 10 weeks since initial diagnosis tests back in January. He was a wonderful man, father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, and friend. My brother Bryan's words in his Eulogy (below) from all the grandchildren expresses what I'm trying to say in a much more eloquent manner. Our Nanny Maura couldn't attend the funeral as her nurses were afraid of her getting a cold with the nip in the air on Sunday, but she did get to say her goodbyes to Grandad who she said she loves now, has always loved him and will always love him, that he was her father, her mother, her brother and her sister. xxx

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GRANDAD'S EULOGY - JIMMY NOLAN
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" On behalf of the family we would like to extend our gratitude to everybody who has been through the house these last days with special mention to Pauline and Ned, Dick and Carmel, Mary and Marie Birmingham.

Though Granny is not here physically she is very much here with us in spirit and the special daffodil she said prayers over is with him now.

On behalf of the Grandchildren I'd like to say a few words.. And only a few words as it turns out because in trying to convey the breadth of Grandfather's influence throughout our lives and on everybody who knew him there really aren't enough words. Or the ones that exist aren't good enough.

"Grand" - father Nolan. To be Grand. To be lifted, to be elevated above us all as truly he was the "Grand" Father of us all.

Over these last days we have heard him called by many names ; James Nolan, Jimmy Nowlan, Jimmy The Daw, The Boss, Beloved Husband, Father, Daddy, Brother, Great Grandfather and Friend.

What an aching privilege it's been these last days and today to see how staggeringly his life has affected all of us here. It is with increasing awe and wonder that we Grandchildren realise we are but a small part of a great man's story.

Growing up as children, the home created by Granny, Grandad, our Aunts and Uncles in 22 Kernanstown was very much a sanctuary from troubling times at home. The greatest craic we could imagine was getting to stay over the odd weekend night or even weeks at a time in the Summer. There was an energy and a feeling inside 22 that made us all feel safe.

That doesn't mean I didn't start out not afraid of Grandfather. His furrowed brow and stiff lower lip to a small boy could be terrifying as I thought he was always in bad form. But then that laugh... That laugh with his whole body that made you feel like there could be nothing wrong in the world.

One of the overwhelming facets of Grandad's personality was his incredible heart. What a truly good man he was. He and Granny's generosity of spirit led to our whole family being taken in for a year in 1994 when things got tough. I know it meant a lot to my brother Jonathan to be living in 22 these last weeks as he could for once be there for Grandad.

As we grew older we tried in vain to outwit the wily ways he had of getting a day's work out of you. Appearing silently in the doorway and gently nudging us into the light with the phrase, "I Want The Boys For An Hour". Sure enough you could count on being knee deep in a bog in the wilds of Athy on your hands and knees until moonrise. But when Winter came and that same turf was keeping you warm every night it was thanks to Grandad's capacity to forsee a harsh winter ahead while the rest of us basked in the Summer sun.

What an astonishing example this man has set for us to follow. Through his marriage, his family, his work ethic, his passion for Irish trad music, song and dance, his expertise in his field, his ability to instruct and his quiet courage in these last weeks when he didn't complain once... not to mention, of course, his great hair.

What mighty work must God have in store for him that he needed him so badly?. Surely he's perched atop the pearly gates at a dangerous angle, balancing on one leg while welding and holding the mask at the same time, St Peter screaming at him to come down and he screaming back directions for how he wants his tae!!

And so to Grandfather Nolan ;

In the rising of the sun and in it's going down,
We will remember you.
In the beginning of the year and in it's end,
We will remember you.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We will remember you.
So long as we live,you too shall live,
For you are now a part of us.

We Will Remember You.
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I REMEMBER YOU X

I remember how your warm big strong hands felt as I held them as you slept. I remember the feel of the soft hair on your arms. I remember the feel of your stubble on your face when you'd give me a big scratchy hug and a kiss.. I remember your gorgeous plastic flowers in the front garden in winter. I remember when I called you to tell you that Emma had had a baby girl and your laughed down the phone at me and roared "Eh, so when are YOU going to do something for your country!!!!" and how the joke kept you going for an entire week! I remember how you sent me in a tiny teapot for me to make tea for myself after I had Ethan. I remember how you drove so very slowly the whole way home from St Luke's in Kilkenny after Jonah was born and you were bringing us both home. You were so proud and traffic was backed up behind us but you didn't care, you were bringing your Great Grandson home safely. I remember you coming in to visit Jonah and Ethan the first week I was home after Ethan was born and how you held them both, how you really looked at them, and at the beautiful photos I have of the three of you together.

I remember you and will always love you

Love Maro xxx

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The following appeared in the local newpaper The Nationalist dated 10th April 2009, written by John Browne, family friend, former local school headmaster, and former Senator of Dáil Eireann.
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"PASSING OF A GREAT CHARACTER: JIMMY (THE DAW) NOLAN"

BENNEKERRY parish lost one of its best known "characters" with the recent death of Jimmy (the Daw) Nolan, Kernanstown. Jimmy had a real sense of mischief and a sharp wit that always brought a laugh. In simple language, he was great company.

Jimmy's parents came from Myshall but he was born in Graiguenaspideouge, later moving to Knockbower. In 1969, he came to live in Kernanstown with his wife Maura and their growing family. He spent most of his working life with Keenan's of Bagnalstown and travelled from Donegal to Cork erecting hay sheds. In later life, he worked for Richard Keenan of Borris.

Jimmy was multi-talented. First of all, he was a skilled workman with wonderful hands and a brian to guide them. His ability to scale heights and walk the plank convinced some people that he could even fly - well, almost! He was generous with his time and one neighbour was delighted to record how his shed was prevented from flying away because of Jimmy's skilful intervention. He had the community spirit - always willing to help - that nowadays is becoming a scarce commodity.

He travelled the countryside, too, apart from erecting sheds, visiting the different fledhanna ar fúd na tíre. About 40 years ago on a visit home for the fleadh in Kilmihil, Co Clare, I saw a crowd gathered on the street and on getting a closer look, I spotted Jimmy with his "dancing master" fascinating the crowd, as only a real danceing master could. That is what he was, a real dancing master, as his winning of the All-Ireland half-set proves. With him on this successful venture were with his daughter Lylah, Maggie Neill, and Patsy Connors.

In the late 1990s, he won the Carlow and Leinster Fleadhanna on the bodhrán, and while he wasn't successful in the All-Ireland final, he nevertheless had achieved a very special distinction. His playing was of such a high standard that he appeared on TV with his good friend John McGrath on the accordian.

In his earlier days, he provided a comedy act on stage where he displayed his skills by making his son Martin disappear and after a lot of convoluted antics, he was replaced by his sister Lylah - through sheer magic!!!

He had another prestigious title to his credit, too, when in the RDS Carlow Meggars won the All-Ireland Meggars Championship. With him on that occasion were his son Tom (great training for a future goalkeeper), his near neighbours John Sheehy, Tommy O'Shea and his son Jimmy and some others.

He was a great supporter of Palatine GAA and had the privilege of seeing his son, Tom, and his grandson, John Kenny, win a Senior Football medal with Pal in 2006 and last year had the joy of seeing another grandson, Jamie Kenny, win the Minor Championship with the club.

His presence in Pal Clubhouse at his favourite spot, the corner of the bar counter, was remembered when he died. His seat was taken out of use: his photograph was on the counter and a pint of his favourite beer was beside it - just like JFK's funeral, with the riding boots of the fallen leader reversed in the stirrups. Pal remembered their fallen leader too, in a symbolic gesture to show their appreciation of his good-humoured contribution to the social and business life of the club. He desevered it, for sure, because the place will not be the same without him.

To his wife Maura, his children Carmel, PJ, Lylah, Martin, Ann, James and Thomas, we extend sincerest sympathy.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.


♥═══♥ HOMEWARD BOUND ♥═══♥

The Lord woke up this morning with so much work to do,
so many plans He has to make before the day is through.
He gathers all his angels. They stand close by his side
as each receive their saintly chores they spread their wings and fly.
The Lord looked up and realized his angels all were gone.
With so much work still left to do, He'd hire a new one on.
A million applications now lie upon his desk.
He reads each one so carefully until he finds the best.
Someone with all the qualities it takes to keep their faith.
Someone who seemed to always have a smile upon their face.
Someone who always tried to give a hand to those in need.
Unselfish love was all he knew, no room was left for greed.
And now the Lord has made his choice. He'll come for him today.
With wings that God alone can give, He smiles and flies away.
A single, fallen feather lies softly on the ground.
A sign sent down from heaven, Angel wings are homeward bound.

(Author Unknown)
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MEMORIAL MUSIC
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1. Leath in a Dhiaidh a hOcht - KILA
2. The Gleanntán Reel / The Sandymount Reel / The Beauty Spot / The Ravelled Hank of Yarn / The Midnight Reel - PROVIDENCE
3. Carlow Dawn - TOMMY KEANE & OLLIE HENNESSY
4. All the Ways You Wander - JOHN SPILLANE
5. Song for Ireland - LUKE KELLY
6. Mountains of Pomeroy - NOEL HILL
7. Micho Russell's, Bill Harte's, The Green Gates - TEADA
8. Barndances: Step It Out Joe / Murphy the Big Man - CHARLIE LENNON (fiddle) & JOHNNY OG CONNOLLY(accordion)
9. Reels: Devaney's Goat / The Green Fields of Rossbeigh / The Dairymaid - MAIRTIN OCONNOR(accordion), CATHAL HAYDEN(fiddle), BRENDAN LARRISSEY(fiddle), DESSIE ADAMS(flute), BRENDAN O'REGAN(bouzouki), & JOHNNY MCDONAGH(bodhran)

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