Christmas funeral of legendary gardener 'The Boss' in Laois

A Laois great grandad and prize gardener who achieved many awards and medals in his life, has received his final award, having been finally laid to rest, aged 100.

Harold Lawlor died on December 19, 2023, and his funeral mass in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Durrow on December 22 was a true celebration of his full life, his love of gardening, of family and of God.

The beautiful Funeral mass just days before Christmas ended with everyone singing Silent Night, while his 47 great grandchildren were told by Harold's daughter Dorothy that he had told Santa they had all been very good this year.  

The priest Fr Martin Delaney gave an account of his life, from his youth in Dublin with his market gardener parents Dot and Harry, his marriage to florist Sheila and his time as head gardener in Carlow and Durrow big houses, to their Durrow business and Harold's competitive success at vegetable shows.

"Right up to two years ago he was still bringing home prizes, at 99 from the Tullamore Show".

He painted a colourful scenario of Harold Lawlor in heaven awaiting the gates to open, comparing accolades with Shane MacGowan.

"Because it's Christmas Shane will be going on about his song being number one, but there was a time when there were far more poinsettias in Irish homes than copies of Fairytale of New York," he said.

Noting that one of the gifts at the altar was a pack of seeds representing the master gardener's life work, he said that Harold sowed seeds not just in his garden, but scattered seeds of faith and love in his commitment to his family and his community.

Read a previous Leinster Express interview with Harold Lawlor here.

"He was The Boss, the master planter of seeds. When he held a seed or bulb he saw it as much more than the nondescript thing, he saw its potential to be something beautiful, nutritious, lifegiving. Every seed has to go through the action of dying and burial. Durrow cemetery will now become the gatweay to his new eternal life," the priest said.

The Funeral was attended by the Aide de Camp of President Michael D Higgins. The President had welcomed Harold twice at the Aras this year, both to honour his birthday, and to thank him for advice on his dahlias.

His funeral Mass was also celebrated by his long term friend Canon O'Doherty, with Fr Eamonn O'Gorman PP of Ballyragget, and Fr Des Campion, chaplain to the navy service and also a long time friend of Harold's. 

Gifts to the altar to represent his life included a packet of seeds, his Benemerenti Medal awarded to him by the Pope in 2019 for his services to the Church and Durrow parish, soccer jerseys for Liverpool and the local Lions AFC which he sponsored, a painting he did of Primrose Cottage, the last thatched house in Dublin where he grew up, and a family photo of his 100th birthdya celebrations.

Last July Mr Lawlor was the first person in Ireland to receive The National Vegetable Society Silver medal, the highest award possible from the National Vegetable Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

His daughter Dorothy spoke on behalf of her siblings, recalling the joyous celebration of Harold's 100th birthday when 145 of his family and in-laws gathered for a great night last July. 

See our story and photos of those happy events here. 

She described his gardening business success in Durrow and as a prizewinning vegetable grower, his skill as a sportsman, his dapper dress sense, and his love of mischief and of playing tricks on his 11 children. 

"Thank you for the life you gave us all, the loyalty you have shown to every family member, and the memorable journey you shared with us. He is making his way now to the love of his life Sheila," she said, with the couple's favourite song then played; 'Let the rest of the World go by'.

Full listings of Laois deaths. 

Fondly referred to as The Boss, Harold was predeceased by his beloved wife, florist Sheila, his brother Liam, son Billy and grandsons Ronan and Glen.

He is greatly mourned by his daughters Dorothy, Cindy, Elaine, Karen and Jemma, his sons Harold, Oliver, Martin, Ron and Anthony, his sister in law Phyl, sons in law, daughters in law, his 31 grandchildren and his 47 great-grandchildren, his niece, nephew and a large circle of friends and neighbours.