The last person to be buried in old cemetery in Clonmacnois is laid to rest

The death on Friday last of popular local lady Teresa Larkin marked the end of an era as she became the last person to be interred in the old cemetery at Clonmacnois.

The old cemetery at the historic monastic site of Clonmacnois, where Saint Ciarán founded his monastery, has been closed since 1954, with the exception of those who wished to be buried alongside their loved ones. And on Sunday last, Teresa Larkin of Boyannagh, Moate became the last person to be laid to rest there.

Remarkably, Teresa's passing at the age of 98 came all of 72 years after her beloved husband Joe, who died as a result of a workplace accident in the family's milling business.

Larkin's of The Mill was a well known place among the agricultural community in areas such as Castledaly, Moate and Mount Temple and indeed further afield.

Hailing from Renaun, close to Ballinahown, Teresa set up home in Boyannagh after marrying Joe Larkin. At the time of Joe’s tragic death, Teresa’s two children, Leo and Mary, were very young.

To her great credit, however, Teresa coped with the overwhelming sense of loss and raised her young family.

Known for her gentle and kind nature, Teresa was described as a lovely lady in many of the messages of condolence conveyed to her family via the rip.ie website.

Teresa spent her final years in Newbrook Nursing Home in Mullingar, where her daughter Mary (Carney) lives. Teresa’s son Leo is well respected for his work as an executive with AIB and, now retired, he regularly travels home to his native area.

Teresa Larkin (née Coughlan) of The Mill, Boyannagh, Moate, Co. Westmeath died peacefully, in her 99th year, on November 2 in the excellent care of the nurses and staff of Newbrook Nursing Home, Mullingar.

Pre-deceased by her loving husband Joe, sisters Katie and Mary Margaret, brothers John, Pat, James, Michael and Frank, Teresa will be sadly missed by her loving children Leo and Mary (Carney), daughter-in-law Grett, son-in-law Ger, her cherished grandchildren Ronan, Leonie, Ruth, Jo Ann, Colm and Marie Claire, great-grandchildren Harry, Jack, Anna, Darragh, Sarah, Christopher and Andrew, sister-in-law Kathleen, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Teresa's remains lay in repose at Flynn’s Funeral Home, Moate last Saturday, before removal to St Ciaran’s Church, Castledaly.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on Sunday, with burial afterwards in the old cemetery at Clonmacnois, where she was reunited after 72 years with her husband Joe. May Teresa rest in peace.