Ballyhowley House, Knock
He was one of a family of eight born to Matt and Nora (nee Commins) Merrick in nearby Rockfield. He was predeceased by his brothers, Tom, Hubert, Jack and Paddy, and by his sister, Peg (Gill). Another brother, Matt, died at the age of two.
Toby married Mary Hunt and they raised a family of five, four daughters and one son. On the lands around Ballyhowley House, Toby and Mary worked hard to develop their farm into a fine enterprise. Their home was a landmark just off the old Knock to Claremorris road, beautifully set-off against the trees and the old Ballyhowley Castle.
One of the old stock, Toby always liked to keep family friendships in good shape and maintained strong links with his relations and friends.
He enjoyed a good social occasion in the company of friends and spent many pleasant nights in deep conversation in Kilkenny’s pub in Knock and his brother Jack’s pub in Claremorris. Such occasions were part of the social cohesion of the community, a part of the way of life treasured and valued by the plain people of this country down through the decades.
Fair days and mart days saw Toby in Claremorris, meeting many friends from the farming fraternity, and ending off the day with a relaxed few hours in Jack’s place. He was always very at home in the company of people from the rural areas. They spoke each other’s language and there was an understanding there from the pathways they had journeyed through in life.
Toby took a keen interest in matters of a political nature. He followed current affairs programmes with special interest and had a fine grasp of Irish history back through the ages, especially that surrounding the formation of the State in the early 1920s. He was actively involved in politics for many years and was closely associated with the Fine Gael party. Never one to shirk a challenge, he would defend his corner with anyone and often did around election times.
He had a great devotion to his family and always enjoyed seeing the grandchildren call around to visit. They too enjoyed the lively exchanges and the many stories he would tell them going back to his young days.
Back in the 1980s, himself and Mary, together with many more from the parish and further afield, were among those who went out with Fr James Horan to the small pubs and venues around Mayo to raise funds for Knock Airport. They undertook such outings with a heart and a half, believing providence would see the project through. Thanks to Fr Horan and a few lucky breaks along the way, they saw the dream being realised when the first planes landed and took off from the airport down in Barnacoogue.
Toby Merrick was a familiar figure in the life of Knock for many years. He was proud of the parish and its place in Irish and international history. He was a regular at the church ceremonies in the village down the years and retained a strong devotion to his Christian faith and heritage to the end. In more recent years, he looked forward to the monthly visit by Msgr Joe Quinn and the long chats they would have on a whole range of topics spanning the decades.
A wake was held in the family home as friends and neighbours gathered to share their memories and pay their won respects to Toby. Removal took place from the Marian Funeral Home to Knock Church with burial in Barnacarroll Cemetery following concelebrated Requiem Mass. The chief celebrant was Msgr Quinn who spoke eloquently of Toby and his contribution to the community life of the parish.
Toby is deeply regretted by his wife, Mary; daughters, Dolores Cuddy (Castlebar), Catherine Carmody (Tullamore), Patty (Castlebar) and Yvonne Heneghan (Knock); son, Barry (Ballyhowley); sons-in-law, Joe, John and Raymond; grandchildren; sister, Kitty Griffith (Brownhall, Balla); sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nephews and nieces; relatives, neighbours and friends.
