Huge crowd mourns passing of local doctor Ursula O'Neill

One of the midlands' best-known doctors, Ursula O'Neill, has died after a lengthy and courageous battle with illness. Dr O'Neill passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home on Retreat Road, Athlone, on Friday last. On Monday morning, St Mary's Church was packed to overflowing for her funeral mass. Fr Shay Casey led the service, which was concelebrated by nine priests. Dr O'Neill (nee Loughnane) was well-known for her friendly personality, her great dedication and the kindness and compassion she brought to her work. She practised from Athlone's Newtown Medical Centre in recent years, having previously operated a GP surgery from her home. Outside of her medical practice, she worked with groups such as the local branch of Alcoholics Anonymous, and spent many additional hours comforting and providing support to individuals and families during difficult times. Dr O'Neill was immensely proud of her Clare roots and served as GP to the Clare hurling and gaelic football teams for spells during the 1990s. She was a strong advocate for an improved health service. In 2000 she issued a plea to her specialist cancer colleagues to consider carefully when and how to tell people they have been diagnosed with cancer. She urged them not to break such news to people who are alone or have to drive home long distances afterwards. "I have come across this much too frequently for words," she told the irishhealth.com website at the time. At a function in Athlone in 2008, Dr O'Neill asked Health Minister Mary Harney why there were no mental health services for 16-18 year-olds in this area and questioned her on when such services might be put in place. During the funeral mass this week, her husband Terry spoke lovingly about her kind-heartedness, her interest and involvement in music, particularly traditional Irish music, her appreciation for art, and her pride in her native county. She was a keen swimmer and took part on several occasions in the Waterways Ireland triAthlone. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent after participating in the triAthlone in 2008, when she helped raise money for the South Westmeath Hospice, she outlined her positive attitude to life having, at that stage, overcome two bouts of cancer. "I've been given a second and a third chance at life and I grab it. My philosophy now is this is not the dress rehearsal, it's the real thing," she explained. Dr O'Neill was much loved and will be deeply missed by husband Terry (Colonel Retd.) son Olaf, daughters Gráinne and Fiona, sister Moya, brother Billy, daughter-in-law Christina, son-in-law Alan, beloved grandson Harry, and a wide circle of friends and people for whom she cared so unselfishly. Her burial took place at Craggagh Cemetery, Fenore, Clare on Monday, afternoon.