Obituary: Eilish Hand spent all her working life in business in Park Street

The death has occurred of Eilish Hand née Boyle, Dunmor, Avenue Road, and formerly of Park Street, Dundalk, who passed away peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff of St. Oliver Plunkett Hospital on 3rd January 2025, aged 96.

Born in 1928 she was the 2nd eldest child of John and Anastasia Boyle and she had 4 siblings who all predeceased her. Her parents initially owned a shop in Dublin Street Dundalk opposite the Windsor. During the war years the family moved to Inchicore and ran a grocery shop there. After the war they moved back to Dundalk and ran a grocery shop called ‘the park stores’ next to the old park street cinema.

Eilish met her husband Pat who ran a pub called the Celtic bar in park street and after they got married, they bought a pub, ‘the New Gaelic’ at 91 Park Street. So, Eilish remained in park street most of her life.

Eilish was a very hard worker all her life, helping to run the family grocery shop from the age of 17 after her father passed away suddenly and after that while they ran the pub and B&B until 1985 when they retired.

Eilish lived for her family, her grandkids and her great grandkids. She was a selfless person, always smiling and chatting, putting herself second and her family first and would never want to put anyone out. She was a very kind and generous person who shared everything she had with her family, she loved the weekly Sunday get togethers, spoiling the grandkids with sweets and treats. She spent her whole working life in business and was known for her friendliness, customer focus and interpersonal skills, she was a mediator and problem solver always finding solutions to business problems and family issues and making everyone feel included and welcome.

Predeceased by her loving husband Patrick, her parents John & Anastasia Boyle, her sister Stasia and brothers Benny, Sean and Michael.

She is survived by her sons Ciaran, Brian, David and Aidan, loving nana of Niall, Fergal, Megan, Tiarnán, Ronan, Sarah, Eilís, Jennifer, Danielle, and Aine and great-nana of Finn, Rhys, Reyna, Rian, Fiachra and Rory, her daughters-in-law Siobhan, Bernadette, Paula, and Marcelle.

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After reposing at her residence, Eilish’s remains were removed on Monday morning 6th January to the Redemptorist church for requiem mass. The celebrant was Father Stephen Wilson who gave a lovely homily painting a perfect picture of Eilish’s life.

Her grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in the liturgy, commencing with the presentation of personal gifts symbolising her life by her granddaughters Danielle and Aine and her great grandsons Finn, Rhys and Fiachra. The readings were read by her grandchildren Eilis and Fergal and the gifts presented by her daughters in law Siobhan and Marcelle.

The prayers of the faithful were read by her grandchildren Sarah, Jennifer, Niall, Tiarnan and Ronan and a final reflection was read by her son David. Burial took place in St Patricks Cemetery.Month's mass was on Sunday 2nd February in the Redemptorist Church.