Breda Duggan R.I.P.
Shock and disbelief spread through the community of Drangan and Cloneen when the news broke on Thursday morning March 21st of the sudden death of Breda Duggan, Newtown (formerly Ballynennan). Breda who hailed from Knockgraffon near New Inn came to Drangan almost fifty years ago when she married John Duggan , Ballynennan. She was a very active community member and was a kind and caring woman in every way. As a nurse she was always willing to share her expertise with anyone who needed medical advice or medical attention.
The Duggan family have a long association with the St. Patrick’s GAA club. Breda’s husband John was a member of the first St.Patrick’s team to win a south hurling title when St.Patrick’s won the south Junior final in 1963. Over the years John has been a mentor to many St.Patrick’s teams in both adult and juvenile grades. Breda’s son Colm was a member of the St.Pat’s teams that won south and county titles in the 80’s and 90’s. Colm is also a former Co. Tipperary Minor, Under 21 and Senior Footballer and a former Co. Junior Hurler. Today Colm is very active in our Juvenile club and is a mentor to our under 14 teams of which his son Conor is a member.
As one would expect a large crowd attended her removal to Drangan parish church and her funeral mass which was celebrated on Saturday morning March 23rd was one of the largest seen in Drangan for sometime.
The church was full to capacity with not just every seat occupied but every Sq. inch of standing room was occupied as well. Chief celebrant of Breda’s funeral mass was her brother Archdeacon Mattie McGrath P.P Tipperary town. His was assisted by Rev T. Lambe P.P Drangan and Fr. J Kennedy C.C. Tipperary town. They were joined on the alter by a large number of fellow priests from the diocese along with his Grace Archbishop Clifford .
The readings were read by Breda’s daughter Bridget and her daughter in-law Sally. In his homily Fr. Mattie contrasted Breda’s life to the four seasons comparing death to a plant dying down in wintertime, not gone forever merely gone under ground for a short while to rise again in a new spring.
One of Breda’s favourate hobbies was playing “bridge” and her card playing friends in the bridge clubs from Ballingarry and Callan formed a guard of honour as her remains were carried from the church to the graveside.
Breda was laid to rest in the new assumption graveyard, Drangan.
To her husband John, son Colm, daughters Miriam and Bridget, daughter in-law Sally, son in-law Sean, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and to her many relative and friends we extend our deepest sympathy
Ar dheis de do raidh a anam
