A son of Cork has been honoured in his adopted Kilkenny by neighbours, friends and countrymen from all parts of Mother Ireland.
An unveiling ceremony for the memorial bench to Michael Casey (1942-2020) was held on The Green, Park View/Park View Drive, Kilkenny last Friday.
Michael lived in Park View Drive for many years. He was chair of the Park View and Park View Drive Residents’ Association for over 20 years.
In many ways the bench is a thank you gift to Michael for his significant commitment, contribution and service to the residents of Park View and Park View Drive.
Michael, whose working career was spent in the Department of Agriculture, was a great influence in many theatre groups across the country as an actor and director.
He played the Bull McCabe in J.B Keane’s The Field alongside Dáil Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail many years ago.
He was active and inspirational in Kilkenny Toastmasters.
Michael’s friends, neighbours and colleagues attended the unveiling in large numbers with Michael’s wife Geraldine Fennelly-Casey overwhelmed that he would be so greatly honoured with the memorial bench in his local community.
The residents’ committee was delighted to have Mayor David Fitzgerald and Fr Jim Murphy at the unveiling, and expressed their appreciation to all involved in the project.
Special thanks went to the children that attended and to Saoirse Hayes for reading a beautiful poem and Kate Cunningham on presenting flowers to Michael’s wife.
Michael was a gentleman, a scholar and a loyal friend to many.
May he rest in peace.
