RIP: Sad death of 'real lady' in Mayo sparks memory lane trip

THE recent passing of Nancy Duffy from Cloonlee, Knock, brought back some memories of meeting people from Knock in The Victor Hotel in Dublin many years ago.

The hotel, located on Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire (and now known as the Rochestown Lodge Hotel), was built and owned by the Commins (Cummins) brothers from Cloonlee, Knock who made their homes in Dublin back in the 1950s and where they set up a major construction company.

The venture was headed by Tom with Bernie, Billy, Paddy and Mike all playing their parts in the company that secured major contracts from Dublin Council, especially in the Sallynoggin region,

They were also contractors for the famous Top Hall Ballroom in Dun Laoghaire that opened in December 1953.

They were first cousins of my father and they always had such a welcome for the relations from ’home’.

It was in The Victor that I first met Nancy Duffy who hailed from the same village, Cloonlee, and she was very much the life and soul of those gatherings when the Knock people came together for stories and chat.

Even as a young chap getting to know this region of south Dublin for the first time, I was enthralled by their nature and love for the home county and how they would recall memories of so many families and friends from those times from Cloonlavish to Rooskey and Knock village and Shanvaghera.

It was almost like a small part of Mayo had been transported to Rochestown Avenue, such were the memories they carried in their hearts.

Nancy, who was in her ninety-third year, spent many years in the Civil Service in Dublin, mainly in Registry of Deeds, where she was so popular among all her colleagues and renowned for her hearty laugh and wonderful sense of humour.

She resided at Parnell Court, Harold’s Cross, where many friends enjoyed such wonderful hospitality on their visits.

She loved her trips down home and meeting up with all the Duffy, Lennon, McLoughlin and other family connections and her beloved neighbours. She loved her job in the Civil Service where she made many life-long friends.

Former neighbours from Knock, Marcella and Colette O’Brien, who have resided in Dublin for many years, fondly recalled their enduring friendship with Nancy. “She was a great friend and neighbour who was always so welcoming to visit.

“We had many great chats and laughter in her company. She was a real lady and will be fondly remembered for her kindness, warmth and fun.”

Nancy died in the Queen of Peace Nursing Home, Knock, and interment took place in the local cemetery after Requiem Mass in Knock Church celebrated by Fr Richard Gibbons, PP.

Nancy, who was predeceased by her brothers Tommy and Joe, and her sister Maureen (Lennon), sister-in-law Maura and brothers-in-law Paddy and Joe, will be greatly missed by her sister Peggy (McLoughlin), her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandniece, cousins and many friends.