Huge turnout of mourners at funeral of former Carrick-on-Suir councillor Pierce O'Loughlin

Carrick-on-Suir lost one of its best known business people and advocates last week with the passing of former town councillor Pierce O’Loughlin, the proprietor of Carrick Print and the Three Counties newspaper. 

Mr O’Loughlin from Seskin, Carrickbeg died on Wednesday, April 19 at the age of 74. The huge crowds that attended his funeral last Saturday and Sunday were a testament to his popularity in the town he wrote about in his Three Counties newspaper for over 20 years. 

He proudly chronicled the successes and events of his hometown and communities in Carrick's hinterland in the Three Counties every month and was never afraid to speak out about the services, infrastructure and job opportunities he believed Carrick and its people needed. 

Mr O’Loughlin served as an Independent councillor on the last Carrick-on-Suir Town Council between 2009 and 2014. He unsuccessfully contested the 2014 and 2019 Tipperary County Council elections for the Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Local Electoral Area. 

At his funeral Mass in St Molleran’s Church on Sunday last , Fr Tom Flynn PP of Carrickbeg/Windgap Parish  said Pierce O’Loughlin was one of the town’s best known figures and in the days since his death he had heard of all the good deeds he did. 

He said Pierce did a lot of good work for Carrick-on-Suir and cited his work in relation to the the development of the new Comeragh College campus on Pill Road during his years as a councillor and member of South Tipperary VEC as his “greatest achievement”.

Fr Flynn said Pierce didn’t get elected to the council for his own glory but to get things done. “That is what I will remember him for. He was a doer and I thank him for it and I am sure the people of the town will thank him for it.” 

The parish priest said the hour long queue of mourners gathered outside Walsh’s Funeral Home on Saturday night to pay their last respects to Pierce showed the respect with which he was held in the town. 

Pierce was a former player and past president of Carrick-on-Suir Rugby Club and members of the club formed a guard of honour outside St Molleran’s Church before his funeral Mass. 

He was also a member of the St Christopher Choir, whose members sang at the Requiem Mass.

A number of symbols representing Pierce’s life were brought to the altar at the offertory procession. They included a  toy tractor representing his life in farming in Seskin, rugby colours, his camera and a copy of the Three Counties newspaper. A round of applause rang out through the church when the Three Counties was brought up to the altar. 

In his eulogy at the end of the ceremony, Pierce’s son Peter recounted how his dad grew up in Rathgormack and attended national school there and later secondary school in Carrick-on-Suir which he cycled to every day.

  His first job after leaving school was at The Nationalist newspaper in Clonmel where he got his interest in printing.  His family moved from Rathgormack to Seskin in 1963 and he lived there up to his death.

He recounted how his dad met his mother Eilish at the Ormond Hall in Carrick and they were married in 1975. 

Peter recalled his father's keen interest in rugby and how he captained the Carrick Rugby Club team to victory in the 1982 Ballyrandle Cup.

  Pierece  encouraged his three children to play rugby  and his son Adam went onto play senior rugby for Garryowen while his daughter Kate represented Ireland in the sport.  

He said his father was very proud of Carrick Print, which he founded, and in 2002 he set up the Three Counties newspaper. 

“It had him travelling everywhere, going here and there for printing and paper. He loved travelling and meeting people.” 

His dad also loved singing and he fondly recalled how singer Tommy Fleming invited him up onto the stage at one of his concerts to sing the final song of the show after noticing him standing at the back singing along to him.  Peter also fondly recalled his father’s friendship with President Michael D Higgins and recounted a funny anecdote of the time one of president’s dogs peed on his dad’s jacket when he visited him for dinner.  In relation to his life in local politics, Peter said his father’s election slogan was “Alone I Stand”.   However, his dad didn’t stand alone, he stood out from the crowd

He described how his father  campaigned for more employment for Carrick-on-Suir and the new Comeragh College campus during his years on the Town Council. 

Following the Requiem Mass, Pierce O’Loughlin was buried at Rathgormack Cemetery. 

He is survived by his beloved wife Eilish, children Peter, Kate and Adam, siblings, nine grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, son-in-law  nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends. May he rest in peace.