Death Notices for Laois - Tuesday, November 18

Edmund (Eamonn) Rafter

Knockanoran, Durrow, Laois

Eamonn MCC (retired) in his 95th year has passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family while under the excellent care of the staff of St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. He is predeceased by his wife Philomena (Dolly), his brother Seán, sister Margaret (Peg Phelan), brother in law James and nephews John and Joe.

Eamonn will be deeply regretted and sadly missed by his nieces and nephews Patricia (Burns), Liam, P.J., Shem, Mary (Lyons), Bridie (Dowling), Eamonn, Ger, Anthony and Fintan, sister in law Betty, brother in law Liam, grand nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Reposing in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Durrow, Co. Laois (R32 CK11) on Thursday 20th November 2025 from 4pm with prayers at 7pm. Requiem Mass on Friday 21st November 2025 at 11am with burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Family flowers only, donations in lieu to St Vincent de Paul.

Frank Conway -Portlaoise 

Frank Conway, Colliers Lane, Kilminchy, Portlaoise and late of Ennistymon, Co. Clare  died on 16th November, 2025.

Passed away peacefully in Tallaght University Hospital surrounded by his loving family, after years of the wonderful care of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Mater Private Hospital, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Kilminchy Lodge nursing home.

Beloved husband to Patricia. Dearly loved father to Paul, Noel, Gerard and Brian. Predeceased by his son Joe (Houston, Texas), sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Cherished grandfather to Cassidy and Colin. Deeply regretted by his sister Tess, brothers Christopher and Brendan, daughter-in-law Kelly Mueller Conway, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours, friends and all his former colleagues in the Department of Social Welfare.

May he Rest in Peace.

Reposing at Keegan's Funeral Home on this Wednesday evening from 6.30 pm until 8 pm. With funeral prayers at 7.30 pm. Removal on Thursday morning to arrive at SS Peter and Paul's Church for 11 am requiem mass. Interment will follow in SS Peter and Paul's Cemetery, Portlaoise.  Mass will be streamed live on parish webcam.

Margaret (Rita) Henderson- Rathdowney

The death has occurred of Margaret(Rita) Henderson(née Hickey) – 13th November 2025 (Donaghmede and formerly of Rathdowney, Co Laois and Urlingford, Co Kilkenny) Peacefully, surrounded by her loving family and in the wonderful care of staff at Tallaght University Hospital. Beloved wife of the late John (Seán) and loving mother to Hilda, Michael, John, Philip, Anne, William and David. Rita will be very sadly missed by her sons and daughters, son-in-law Stephen, daughter-in-law Sally, adored grandchildren Dylan, Lochlan, Lillian, Rowan, Ellie, brothers Tommy and Michael, sisters Maura, Ann and Bridget (also remembering her late siblings Donal and Angela), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours. May she rest in peace

Reposing at Staffords Funeral Home, Golf Links Road, Portmarnock (D13 E0A2) on Tuesday 18th November from 4pm to 6pm. Removal on Wednesday morning to the Church of the Holy Trinity, Donaghmede (D13 H920) arriving for Funeral Mass at 10am followed by burial in Fingal Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations if desired to

Irish Kidney Association or Tallaght University Hospital Foundation. The Funeral Mass will be streamed live on Wednesday morning 19th November at 10am via the following link https://holytrinityparish.ie/live/

Noel Archbold - Portlaoise 

The death has occurred of Noel Archbold, Ryevale Lawns, Leixlip, Co. Kildare and late of Portlaoise, Co. Laois, November 15th 2025, peacefully surrounded by his loving family in the excellent care of the staff of the Mater Hospital. Beloved father of the late Stephen and pre-deceased by his loving parents Annie and Richard and brothers Tom, Frank and Sean. Lovingly remembered by his devoted wife Irene, adored children Jennifer and Brian, son-in-law Patrick, daughter-in-law Katie, cherished grandchildren Alicia, Charlotte, Ellie and Noah, sister Ann, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and many good friends. May Noel Rest In Peace

Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth, (W23V99E) on Tuesday (Nov. 18th) 5pm - 8pm, with evening prayers at 7pm. Removal from the Funeral Home on Wednesday (Nov. 19th) at approx. 10:30am to arrive at The Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Confey Cemetery. 

Noel's family would like to sincerely thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Mater Hospital for their compassion and care shown to Noel and family during his illness. Family flowers only please, donations can be made in memory of Noel to Irish Cancer Society.