Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
WARM tributes have been paid to Margery Long, the co-founder of Gaelscoil Faithleann in Killarney and a great community activist, who passed away last Thursday and will be laid to rest in Dingle this Monday.
A national school teacher and a passionate advocate of the Irish language, she was born in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick and reared in Listowel and, later in life, she and her husband, Bernard, moved to live in Killarney.
Margery had a life-long love of the stage and, with the Listowel Players, she participated in a number of shows and pantomimes, showing great talent and ability as an amateur actress.
In 1989 she spearheaded the foundation of Gaelscoil Faithleann in Killarney – now one of the most progressive all-Irish schools in the country – and she also became vice president of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society.
A woman of great culture, she travelled with her family to many parts of Europe and further afield and, with the late Paddy MacMonagle and the Flaherty brothers, Corry and Josie, she formed the Killarney Wine Circle.
At her funeral Mass in St Mary’s Catjedral this Monday morning, celebrant Canon Tom Looney, recalled her many fine qualities and her great work for so many local organisations.
“She was a very straight woman. She knew exactly where she stood on matters,” he said.
Margery’s daughter, Niamh, described her late mother as a force of nature who was strong-willed, determined and ahead of her time.
“She was always teaching, always inspiring, always leading, always caring, always supporting,” she said
“She made things happen. She was the strongest, bravest person I know,” Niamh added.
She said her mother worked her whole life for her family and for her community and was always thinking of others.
Gifts brought to the altar to symbolise Margery’s life included her wedding album to mark her long and happy marriage to Bernard, a travel scrapbook to remember her love for travel, a hand-written cookery book to recall her love for cooking, a certificate to remember her contribution to Gaelscoil Faithleann and a copy of Ceann Trá hAon – Ventry Calling – a wonderful memoir penned by her late husband Bernard Ó Lubhaing about his native place.
Margery is survived by her children Niamh (Barrett) Ronán, Marieád (Kerrisk) and Bryan, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, extended family and a wide circle of friends.
She will be laid to rest in in Reilig Geataí na Glóire, Milltown, Dingle.
KillarneyToday.com
