The death occurred on November 13th of Mrs Christina (Ina) Ryan, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, (Nee McDonnell, Dalkey, Co. Dublin) in Milford Care Centre, Limerick, following an illness borne with great patience and fortitude and in the presence of her husband, Tom and daughters, Brid and Mary (Mary Wade, Maynooth).
Ina was a popular figure throughout Co. Tipperary and for over 40 years she hosted people from all strata of society in her home in Rahealty, including many luminaries from the world of entertainment, sport, media and politics who were visiting her husband Tom (Latter author, poet and freelance journalist).
A kind compassionate and gentle person, particularly to children from around her locality, she was, as Fr. Joe Walsh said in a homily, famous for her home cooked chips, so loved by children in the area.
Above all else, Ina loved children, particularly her grandchildren, Aoife aged four and one year old Cian (Wade), whom she loved to meet on ‘Facetime’, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and whom quickly warmed to her most endearing personality. A quiet, modest person, she was always cheerful and upbeat; qualities that inspired immense affection in so many.
She was proud of the fact she was the first woman in Ireland on equal pay when working with Kapp and Peterson Pipe manufacturers, in South Dublin crafting pipes by hand for celebrities such as former Taoiseach, Jack Lynch. She had previously worked for some years in Childcare in South County Dublin.
Ina was daughter of the late Ellen McDonnell (Barnane) and Mr Daniel McDonnell (Killiney), Co. Dublin, latter Chef in the Officers Mess of the 10th Uisneach Battalion of the Irish Army during World War 2.
She met husband, Tom, in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, on October 28th, 1978. It was at that same venue that Tom proposed to her at Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann’s “Seisiun na Samhna” with which she and Tom had many further happy years of association.
She loved nature and this was due to her years spent with her aunt, the late Chris O’Dwyer and the late Jack O’Dwyer, of Knocka, Drom, Templemore. She was au fait with all matters to do with the land and agriculture.
Her popularity was borne out by the hundreds of condolences on RIP.ie and in many other expressions of sympathy.
The presence of those in the Cathedral and its outside surrounds and at the interment in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Thurles, following Requiem Mass celebrated by Rev Joe Walsh, CC, Thurles in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles, was ample proof of Ina’s huge popularity.
The Mass Readers were: Noel Maher, Darren McDonnell, Deirdre Sheehan, Paul Sheehan, Tony Wade and Emmet Doyle.
Mr John O Gorman (Lisduff) was Organist for the Mass and Ms Anne Leahy, who earned huge praise for her beautiful singing was soloist, who sang appropriate hymns, including the lovely “Ave Maria”.
Ina was a huge fan of musician, Andre Rieu, whose show she really enjoyed in the Three Arena in Dublin some years ago. Her earthly remains were brought through the Cathedral to the music of the beautiful “Eidelweiss” played on a violin recording by Andre Rieu.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá h-anam dílis.
Rest in peace Ina and condolences and sympathies to your family.