The community of Kilkenny is mourning the loss of Elizabeth (Liz) Cleary (née Brennan), a woman remembered for her gentle nature and deep family ties. Mrs. Cleary passed away peacefully on April 12, 2026, while under the care of staff at Drakelands House Nursing Home. Her death marks the loss of a matriarch whose life spanned several cherished corners of the region, from the city center to the rural landscapes of Conahy.
A resident of Burrells Walk in Kilkenny City, Liz maintained strong connections to her roots. She was formerly associated with Carrick Beg in Carrick-on-Suir and Lisnafunchin in Conahy, Co. Kilkenny. Those who knew her describe a woman of kindness whose presence was a steadying force for her large and extended family.
The death notice of Elizabeth (Liz) Cleary (née Brennan) serves as a testament to a life lived with devotion to her kin. She is survived by her husband, Eamonn and four children: Oonagh, Cathriona, Conor, and Aoife. Her legacy continues through her eight grandchildren—Cristina, Giulia, Drew, Aoibhinn, Beibhinn, Liadan, Canice, and Imogen—as well as a wide circle of siblings, in-laws, and lifelong friends.
The family has requested that the home remain private during this period of grieving, asking that those wishing to pay their respects do so during the scheduled public services in Kilkenny and Conahy.
Funeral Arrangements and Commemoration
The final farewells for Mrs. Cleary will take place over two days, beginning with a period of repose and concluding with a traditional Requiem Mass. The family has coordinated the services to allow neighbors and friends from both the city and the countryside to gather.
On Tuesday, April 14, Liz will be reposing at Johnston’s Funeral Home, located at John’s Green, Kilkenny (R95XE00). The visitation will initiate at 5:00 p.m. And will conclude with the recitation of the Rosary and prayers at 7:00 p.m. This gathering provides the primary opportunity for the community to offer condolences to the Cleary and Brennan families.
The religious service will take place on Wednesday morning, April 15. A Requiem Mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. At St. Colman’s Church in Conahy (R95VK46). Following the mass, she will be interred in the adjoining cemetery, returning her to the soil of the community she called home.
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reposing &. Rosary | Tuesday, April 14 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Johnston’s Funeral Home, Kilkenny |
| Requiem Mass | Wednesday, April 15 | 11:00 a.m. | St. Colman’s Church, Conahy |
| Interment | Wednesday, April 15 | Following Mass | Conahy Cemetery |
A Legacy of Family and Resilience
The depth of Liz’s family network highlights a lifetime of kinship. She is survived by her sisters, Ellen and Catherine, and her brothers, Joe, Billy, and John. The family also acknowledges the support of sons-in-law Alex and Shane, and daughter-in-law Aoife, who helped sustain the family unit throughout the years.
In remembering Liz, the family also acknowledges those who preceded her in death. She is reunited with her granddaughter, Winnie, as well as her parents, Joe and Catherine Brennan. She is also predeceased by her sisters, Mary and Alice, and her brothers, Patrick, Jimmy, and Martin. This cycle of loss and remembrance is a poignant reflection of the tight-knit nature of the Brennan and Cleary lineages in the Kilkenny region.
The mention of her “kind and gentle soul” in the family’s announcement reflects the enduring image she leaves behind—one of quiet strength and maternal warmth that resonated across the generations of her eight grandchildren.
Supporting the Fight Against Dementia
In lieu of traditional floral tributes, the family has requested that donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. This request suggests a desire to turn a personal loss into a broader benefit for others facing the challenges of cognitive decline and dementia.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides critical support, advocacy, and information for people living with dementia and their caregivers. By directing contributions toward this cause, the Cleary family seeks to support the research and care systems that assist families navigating the complexities of memory loss, ensuring that other patients receive the same “tender care” that Liz experienced in her final days at Drakelands House.
Community Impact and Final Rites
The transition from Kilkenny City to the rural parish of Conahy for the interment underscores the dual nature of Liz’s life—bridging the urban center of the county with the traditional heartlands of the region. For many in Conahy, the service at St. Colman’s Church will be a moment of collective reflection on a neighbor and friend who remained connected to her origins regardless of where she resided.
The request for “family flowers only” and the privacy of the home are standard practices in modern Irish bereavement, allowing the immediate family a sanctuary for grief while still honoring the public nature of a community wake and funeral.
For those unable to attend the services in person, the family has encouraged the use of digital condolence books to leave messages of support and shared memories. These tributes serve as a lasting archive of the impact Liz had on her neighbors, extended family, and the wider community of Kilkenny County.
The next scheduled action for the family is the interment on Wednesday afternoon, which will mark the conclusion of the formal funeral rites. Following the burial in the Conahy cemetery, the family will enter a period of private mourning.
We invite readers to share their memories of Liz or offer their condolences to the Cleary family in the comments section below.
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