Passing of one of region's most remarkable citizens

The death has occurred of one of the region's most remarkable citizens.

Kitty Flynn, Upper Main Street, Kilbeggan, passed away peacefully on Saturday in her 99th year.

An avid community activist, historian and volunteer for decades in Kilbeggan, Kitty remained active in her local community right into her late 90s.

Her passing leaves a huge void both among her friends and family, but also the wider community of Kilbeggan.

Her death notice said: “She will be sadly missed and forever remembered by her family and a wide circle of friends. Kitty was the most amazing human being and a remarkable woman.”

Kitty will repose at her home on Upper Main Street, Kilbeggan (N91 PP97) on Tuesday from 4pm until 8pm. Arriving to St James' Church Kilbeggan on Wednesday for 11am Funeral Mass. Burial afterwards in the Relic cemetery, Kilbeggan.

An indication of the esteem with which she was held in Kilbeggan was the awarding of a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to her by the Kilbeggan community in 2016.

She was involved in numerous organisations in Kilbeggan, including Kilbeggan Harbour Committee, and the local group that reopened Locke's Distillery in the 1980s. She was also a published author, and a diligent researcher and recorder of the history of Kilbeggan. Most of all, she will be remembered for an unparalleled zest for life.

Her involved in community organisations in Kilbeggan prompted her to take on a diploma course with NUI Galway, which then progressed to a degree in Community and Family Studies. She graduated in 2014, at the age of 88

The late Kitty was one of six children to Edward and Agnes (née Brennan) Flynn. She attended a boarding school in Moate, before emigrating to England, where she worked for an oil company for many years.

After 20 years in London, an illness brought Kitty back to Kilbeggan in the 1960s.

Kitty was blessed with a remarkable memory and in an interview in this newspaper in 2023 spoke of her memories of the 1932 general election

In a tribute Kilbeggan Shamrocks GAA said: “We were so sorry to learn of the passing of Kitty Flynn, Main Street today. One of Kilbeggan’s oldest and most knowledgeable residents, Kitty was a wonderful person who we will be forever indebted to for penning our club history. May she rest in peace.”

Kitty's funeral mass on Wednesday can be watched here.