Slán Deirdre: Tributes pour in for a wonderful, warm and witty Tipperary woman

Tributes have been pouring in for a Tipperary woman who touched the hearts and minds of many and left a legacy of caring, kindness, generosity and good humour among a wide circle of friends.

Deirdre Ryan of Hawthorns, Nenagh, passed away on December 30.

Among the hundreds of messages of condolences posted on rip.ie and on social media, everyone, without fail, commented on her warmth, sense of humour and how she had given so much of her time to people and various organisations.

The daughter of the late John and Susan Ryan, who ran the popular pub, the Half-Door, on Nenagh's Summerhill, Deirdre was the beloved sister of  Denis, Joe, Liam, Damian and Dermot; sisters-in-law Jillian, Martina, Rita and Stefanie; brother-in-law Martin; nephew Cianan; nieces Sadhbh, Sorcha, Emily, Brianna, Doireann, Molly and Katie.

Among those paying tribute to her were people from the worlds of politics, business, charity organisations and the local community.

Deirdre, who previously worked with Concern in Nairobi and Dublin and for 14 years was ever present in the Labour Party office in Nenagh, working with Deputy Alan Kelly, until she recently took a new direction in her career.

Deputy Kelly said that it was with a great sense of shock and sadness that he had learned of Deirdre’s passing.

"She was a loyal member of the Labour Party and worked tirelessly during not just my many elections but also those of Kathleen O’Meara, Virginia O’Dowd (who she was director of elections for), Lalor McGee, Fiona Bonfield, Sean Creamer, Louise Morgan Walsh and many many more. She served the party with enthusiasm, energy and dedication," he said.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said she was sending love and deepest condolences to her family on their loss.

"We will miss Deirdre's immense warmth and kindness, her sense of humour, and the strong engagement she had with family, friends and community. She was always such great company, and we had lovely times together," she said.

Former party leader Joan Burton also sent condolences to Deirdre's family as did Billie Sparks, the party's general secretary, who said that Deirdre was a "wonderful and kind person who flew the flag for the Labour Party in Tipp so proudly".

Former Tipperary councillor and Mayor of Nenagh Virginia O'Dowd, said that she was devastated by the passing of her good friend.

"Deirdre was my director of elections and I would not have been elected but for her tireless work," she said. "But more than that, she was a friend. She was part of our family, and we shared great moments together. We will miss her around the table. She was a generous, warm and witty lady. Our sympathies to all her family, whom she adored."

Cllr Fiona Bonfield said that Heaven had gained the most caring, loyal, witty, generous human being she had ever known. "I will never forget what you did for so many, always putting others first."

Louise Morgan Walsh, who ran for Labour in the last local elections, said: "My heart is broken on the news that Deirdre has left this world. Deirdre was the best. A beautiful selfless person who helped everyone . Her wit and sense of humour always made us laugh. Deirdre was always there for me."

Other politicians to pay tribute were local TDs Michael Lowry and Jackie Cahill and former Tipperary county councillor Mattie Ryan "Coole", former Dublin councillor Henry Upton and Marian Gaffney of the Labour Party.

Deirdre was a member of numerous local groups, and like her mother Susan and brother Dermot, was a stalwart of the Nenagh Players, who paid tribute to her by saying they were "deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our very valued member and friend Deirdre Ryan. She was always there to assist with her smile and great sense of humour. Deirdre you will be greatly missed."

Among many of the local organisations she gave of her time to, Deirdre volunteered with Suaimhneas, the cancer support group, was a member of the Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival committee, helped out with the A-Team, the youth club for those with autism, and played a huge part in the Christmas Tractors Nenagh parade and fundraising event in the run-up to Christmas.

Suaimhneas posted that Deirdre was a "valued volunteer at Suaimhneas Cancer Support Centre, we will miss her good humour and empathy."

The A-Team youth clubs for autistic community expressed their sympathy to all of Deirdre’s family and friends.

"We had the privilege of getting to know Deirdre since the summer of 2022 when she stepped in as a much-needed and extremely capable volunteer. We will always remember Deirdre for her contribution to our new club. She believed in us and gave us confidence. Deirdre was smart, insightful, astute and generous. She cared about people. We will miss her.," they said.

Among the many tributes from her former colleagues in Concern, David Begg, former general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said: "I have fond memories of our time working as colleagues in Concern. She was a very vibrant and committed person."

Jim Clancy of Ballycommon Muintir na Tíre described Deirdre as "a wonderful, bubbly and a pure lady. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her."

Among her many friends, one posted: "Honestly, all you ever needed to know about Deirdre was that she was an amazing girl. She was undoubtedly one of the strongest people I ever knew and an amazing friend not just to me but to everyone.

Another described her as one of life's good people, while another post said that the world had lost an "incredible human being. Her work ethic, compassion and integrity shone through and alongside that was a tremendous wit and great humour."

Funeral arrangements later.