Ambrose Flatley

Brother of Mayo billionare dies

People and Places
Michael Commins

JUST days after the death of his brother Tom Flatley, the well-known Irish entrepreneur and billionaire in America, his only brother Ambrose died peacefully in the country he had called home since leaving Treenkeel, Kiltimagh, in the 1950s. He had been in declining health for some time.
Ambrose, who resided in Hingham, Massachusetts, was born in 1925. All of the Flatley family of Treenkeel had emigrated to that American state by the end of the 1950s.
Mr Flatley worked as a builder for many years. He was a champion ballroom dancer and he enjoyed boxing. He was also an avid reader and loved working in his garden. He had a great sense of humour and a very strong work ethic. He will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Ambrose is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary (Keating), and family, John, Maura, Patricia and Jennifer, his daughter-in-law Meghan, his son-in-law Justin Moran, his sister Mary (May) Driscoll of Abington, his grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.
After the concelebrated Funeral Mass in Saint Paul’s Church, Hingham, burial took place in Hingham cemetery.

Castlebar doctor dies in Dublin

MANY people were deeply saddened to learn of the recent sudden death of Dr Noel Hynes in the Mater Hospital in Dublin. Noel was a quintessential Castlebar man with a great rapport with the people of his hometown and hinterland.
He was very much ‘of the people’ and had an affable and kind manner that made everyone very much at ease. In former years, I would have met Noel on a fairly regular basis in Castlebar, especially when I worked with ‘The Connaught Telegraph’. I always found him to be a very down-to-earth and engaging gentleman.
He had a great love for American country music and, as far as I can recall, Johnny Cash was one of his special favourites. Certainly, we spoke about some of the leading names in country music during our chats back then.
Noel was a fine gentleman, and he served his profession with honour and distinction.
To his wife, Elaine, and family, Susy, Noelaine, John, Dermot and Emilene, his brother John, relatives and friends, I extend condolences on their great loss.


Tributes paid to Chris Conroy

MUSIC has always been close to Chris Conroy’s heart. Hailing from Bodyke in Clare, she was immersed in the céilí sounds that are synonymous with the Banner county. And when she came to Mayo, she brought that great love of music with her.
The Claremorris branch of Comhaltas (CCÉ) recently honoured Chris at a special gathering in the Western Hotel in the town.
It was a lovely, homely occasion, with friends and family sharing in the celebrations. Chris and her late husband, Jack Conroy, lived for many years in Mayo Abbey before the family later moved to Ardroe, Claremorris.
While she doesn’t play music herself, Chris has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the aims and ideals of Comhaltas over the decades. She is the current President of the Claremorris branch.
There were warm tributes to her at the recent presentation social. Peter McCallig, Gráinne Kelly-Freyne, Mary Hambly, Helen Duggan and Helen Walsh all spoke warmly of Chris’s contributions to the traditional music and dancing cause. Sr Philomena Keane, her great friend from the set-dancing classes, also joined in the tributes.
For Chris, it was a night to cherish.
While Mayo has been her home for so many years, there’s no mistaking that special bond she retains with the county of her birth. It manifested itself in a very special way when Clare won their two All-Ireland hurling titles back in the mid-1990s!
Also honoured was Phil McTigue who was unable to be present on the night. Phil has been a stalwart of the Irish music scene for many years and played alongside the late Johnny Cleary and Mattie Coyne at many a session and gathering in former times.