*Louise Lynch.
A SHINING light has gone out in Sixmilebridge with the death of Louise Lynch.
Shock and sadness in equal measure has taken over The Bridge and surrounding communities since Sunday morning when word emanated from Galway that Louise had died.
Though she had been battling illness, the news of Louise’s passing has still stopped people in their tracks, leaving individuals astonished that someone so vibrant and full of life has left, long before her time.
Born in Woodlawn, Corofin on January 9th 1963, Louise went to school in the Coláiste in Ennis where she developed a wide circle of friends and began to demonstrate the wit and mischief that made every interaction with her so memorable.
In the 1990s, Louise moved to Sixmilebridge after marrying John and she became as much of a Bridge woman as the locals. They adored their five children, Áine, Caitriona, Seán, Siobhán and Cathal, raising them to be honourable, decent, salt of the earth people, just like their parents.
Within school environments, Louise excelled, partly due to her empathy but also the manner in which she was able to mix with so many people. It is why she became the lynchpin of St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon. Her job title may have been that of a receptionist but she was so much more than that. She offered a listening ear be it to staff or students, imparted sound advice or a kick up the arse whichever was more fitting. She may also have been guilty of keeping teachers from their duties, such was the craic to be had by those who ventured down to reception.
While Louise may have had five children, she was almost a ‘Mammy’ to the thousands of students that passed through St Caimin’s over the past four decades. Transitioning from primary to secondary school can be a daunting task for students and their parents, the calming and familiar presence of Louise at the front desk offered assurance. If it was a case of a forgotten lunch, missing gear for a match or getting organised for events, Louise served as the reliable link between school and home.
Alan Cunningham a lifelong colleague of Louise’s at St Caimin’s from his time as a teacher for thirty years and then serving as principal from August 2019 to June 2023 knew better than most the outstanding contribution she made. The Shannon man told The Clare Echo, “She was the life and soul of our school community for forty years. She looked after us all, staff, students and parents and at the same time was exceptionally gifted at all aspects of running a very busy school office”.
Staff colleagues have described her as “the lynchpin” of St Caimin’s. She will always be remembered through her interactions but also in the history of the school, as a twenty three year old in August 1985 she signed the first contract for the school building.
In a statement from St Caimin’s Community School, Louise was remembered as , “a beloved staff member, trusted confidant, and cherished friend”, her loss has left the community “devastated” but aware that she left behind “a legacy of kindness, dedication, and quiet strength that will forever live on in our school community. For forty years, Louise served our school with unwavering commitment, becoming not just a loyal colleague, but the heart of our school community.
“Louise’s work in St. Caimin’s went far beyond her job description. She was a dedicated professional ensuring all administration tasks were completed with accuracy and efficiency. She was a steady presence through decades of change, watching the school grow and thrive, always willing to help, always ready to listen. She knew every student, every teacher and every significant event which happened here in St. Caimin’s over forty years. While students, staff and management teams came and went, Louise was ever present- facilitating transition and insuring continuity. She celebrated our victories and was a tower of strength when times were challenging. Louise’s kindness knew no bounds. To generations of students and staff alike, Louise was the maternal figure who noticed when something was wrong, who offered comfort without judgment, who made tea when students felt sick and alone and who made everyone feel seen and valued. Forgetting your lunch money, losing your books, failing an exam or mourning the loss of a beloved pet, no worry was too small, no problem too great for her gentle reassurance.
“Louise had a rare gift for listening, for making time in a busy day, and for offering warmth when it was most needed. Her smile was infectious and her lilting laughter echoed through the school daily. It is this smile, this warm laughter and this unwavering support and kindness we will miss the most. Louise Lynch’s impact on St. Caimin’s Community School cannot be measured in years of service alone, but in the love, trust, and gratitude she earned from all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered,” the statement added.
Her vocal chords were most often demonstrated when supporting her beloved Bridge. All five of her children have lined out for the club, both Seán and Cathal are still hurling for Sixmilebridge and actively coaching with Siobhán PRO of the minor hurling club, she and her older sisters Áine and Catriona are former camogie players.
Louise was previously part of the club’s fundraising committee but regardless of official involvement, she was always a staunch supporter.
Chairperson of Sixmilebridge GAA Club, Syl O’Connor told The Clare Echo, “When the news broke first of her illness, it was astonishment first of all but knowing the person, knowing how active she was and knowing her character, we knew if anyone would fight that Louise would. People were astonished but contemplating what might happen in the end was a long way off the agenda. It is unusual to use the word in this instance but it is so disappointing that it has reached this end. It is such a pity for all of us but she is one of these people that just leaves a lasting legacy”.
Recalling Louise’s arrival to The Bridge, Syl noted, “there was great banter when she arrived first, we had great battles with Corofin around the time. She loved Corofin but she was stepped in The Bridge, when she’d mention Corofin there would be nothing but pure devilment behind it”.
He continued, “She is one of these people who you come across once in a lifetime, you’re lucky to meet someone like her. There was always a welcome, smile and banter, she was extremely helpful to so many people behind the scenes, that stands out more than anything else in St Caimin’s, it was enormous and an appreciation that is known around the parish and surrounding areas, they were more than thankful for her contribution to the younger people. As a community person she was only ever a phonecall away”.
“Certain people come along in our life on a personal or community basis, the one thing that captures it more than anything else, she’d go to the shop which is seven minutes away from the house and it would be two hours by the time she got back, she wouldn’t meet the same person, it would be anyone that she got talking to. She was such an easy person to talk to because she found it easy to talk to you, no matter the subject, there was a banter but she was a fantastic person and she looked after people, it could be homework, lunch or forgotten money but Louise would sort it out. She will be an awful loss”.
Crowds for the funeral will be massive, Syl predicted. “There will be an unbelievable amount of people at the funeral, it will be as near as we get to lining streets all the way to the church. The community, the club, everybody would like to be part of it, it will be an invitation for everyone to be part of it, it will be one of those evenings we will remember for the wrong reasons but we will remember forever”.
Louise is survived by her husband John, children, Áine, Caitríona, Seán, Siobhàn and Cathal, grandchildren Jack and Lexi, brothers, sisters, son-in-law Paul, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law Carmel, her aunt Louise Hanrahan, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, neighbours and her wide circle of treasured friends.
