Peig Kinsella

THE death has occurred in Co. Kerry of former Downpatrick woman Peig Kinsella.

Peig, who was well known in the Downpatrick area as a teacher in local technical colleges, is survived by her three children, Aidan, Brian and Marie.

Peg arrived in Downpatrick as a new bride in September 1960, on the day that the Mournes were lit by bonfires as the Sam Maguire came north for the very first time. 

Originally from Listowel in north Kerry, she had trained and worked as nurse in Dublin and had recently completed her Diploma in London where she had met and married Pat Kinsella.

She lived in Knocknashinna for the next 45 years, raising a family, and when the marriage bar was lifted, started work as a human biology and pre-nursing teacher in the technical colleges in Newry, Newcastle and eventually Downpatrick, until her retirement in 1990. 

She loved medicine and teaching and taught a generation of students who became today’s nurses. After she retired she arranged that on her death her body would be donated to medical science to help a generation of future surgeons train and hone their skills.

Her social life revolved around her Thursday night bridge game, the Downpatrick Folk Club, yoga and many church and charitable events. 

After retirement she took to travelling the world, spending months in China, Africa and South America as well more traditional Mediterranean cruises and European holidays.

After Pat died, she decided to return to Kerry where she had a large extended family but returned regularly and often to meet her many Downpatrick friends. 

However, in recent years this reduced as she became frail, suffering from vascular dementia, which eventually confined her to her home.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, November 28, at 10am in St Patrick’s Church, Downpatrick.