RIP: Esteemed Tipperary farmer was a 'lover of the land and a tiller of the soil'

The death occurred on Monday, April 28 at Croí Óir Our Lady's Hospital Cashel of Kieran Maher, Kings Croft, Cashel and late of Nodstown.

He was son of the late Jackie and Mem Maher (née Corcoran) and hailed from a family of five boys and two girls. He was predeceased by his brother John, Nodstown in recent years.

Kieran, who was only a young teenager when his father died at the untimely age of 50 in 1966, was sent by his mother Mem to Pallaskenry Agricultural College to prepare him for a life of farming.

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Himself and the late John formed a lifelong fraternal partnership working together in building up and extending the Maher holdings.

As a lover of the land and a tiller of the soil he was highly organised and was an esteemed member of the farming community.

Like many young people of his time, he enjoyed the social aspect of farming in his association with Macra na Feirme and in participating with their activities.

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In his parish he was very much involved with parish life, especially with the Boherlahan Hurling Club where he was an officer, a selector and a player down through the years.

His family was steeped in the hurling traditions of Boherlahan as his grandfather Mikey Maher captained the famous Tubberadora hurling team which won the 1895, 1896 and 1898 All Ireland Hurling finals.

Kieran was very proud of his club when in 1970 he was on the winning team when Boherlahan-Dualla were the Minor Hurling County champions for the first time.

And in the following year in 1971 they were the Minor Mid Champions.

For Kieran, the centre of his life was his family and he was a devoted husband to his wife Nuala (née Bowe) a native of Two Mile Borris to whom he was married for 43 years.

In 2009 when ill health set in for him he remained stoic, positive and uncomplaining. Faith was very important for him in his final years and he was always happy to enjoy the company and support of family and friends.

On Wednesday April 28 his remains were reposing at Devitts Funeral Home Cashel and on the following day removed to the Church of the Immaculate Conception Boherlahan.

His funeral cortege was accompanied by Guard of Honour representative of the Boherlahan Hurling Club.

His requiem mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Mullaney PP Boherlahan assisted by Fr Joe Egan Ballycahill, Fr Celsius Tierney PP Holycross and Fr Jimmy O'Donnell PP Killenaule, followed by burial in Ardmayle cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Nuala, daughter Niamh Ryan, and sons Jack and Brian. Also by James Ryan (son in law) and by Mairead and Caitriona (daughters in law), Timmy, Michael and Liam (brothers) Kathleen Dwyer and Mary Hayes (sisters) Dylan, Aidan, Noah, Maggie, Tim, Cormac, Grace and Mia (grandchildren). Nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended.