RIP: Cavan and Longford mourns passing of great family man and proprietor of renowned ‘The Farmer Sheridan’s’ pub

The Sheridan family, Kilcogy suffered another great loss when husband, father and grandfather Pat died suddenly on Tuesday, February 11 last.

The family is still coming to terms with the death of Pat’s son Aidie last June following an accident and this is a severe blow to them again.

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Pat was the proprietor of the family pub, known locally as ‘The Farmer Sheridan’s’ and is one of the most popular establishments in the locality.

The pub was originally owned by the Harten family, and when it became vacant following their departure to the U.S. Pat’s father James ‘The Farmer’ bought it and moved in with his wife Lizzy and children Bart, Pat, Kitty, Mary, Seamus and Donald, after the big storm in the early 60's and James and Lizzy became iconic figures in the village.

After attending Kilcogy national school, Pat attended the Technical school in Granard for a few years and then remained at home serving in the pub and running the farm with his brother Bart and later the pair got into cattle dealing at the local fairs.

Pat eventually took over the pub business along with his wife Carmel and reared their seven children there. Sadly Bart passed away suddenly in the 2000’s  and more recently Kitty (McIntyre). 

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Although Pat was a man of few words he always had a warm greeting for his customers and could keep a chat going, being well up-to-date with all the latest goings-on. 

A decent and easy-going man Pat was a gentleman and a great family man, he took great pride in his children’s and grandchildren’s achievements, and was especially proud of Paul’s pedigree cattle. 

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He loved his phone which he boasted never stopped during the recent blackout and when work was done ‘click on that kettle’ for a mug of tea.

Pat was a man of great faith, going to Mass on Saturday evening, always on time, “You believed that the good Lord would provide and he always did somehow”.

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Pat’s passing at only 78 will have left another great void in his immediate and extended family circle and also in the Kilcogy and Mullahoran areas. 

Pat’s remains reposed in Reilly’s Funeral Home just across the street on Wednesday evening, February 12 and on Thursday, February 13 in the pub where he was happiest but this time it was a more sombre occasion as now the silence presence of his death brought the local community and people from near and far to pay their respects in ‘The Farmers’.

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The funeral mass on Friday was concelebrated, Fr Joe McGrath was the chief celebrant, assisted by Frs P J Hughes, Frank Cadam and Gerard Brady and as the cortege left the church one of Pat’s favourite songs 'The Blackboard of My Heart' was sung and he was laid to rest beside his beloved Aidie in the local cemetery.

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We extend our sincere sympathy to his loving wife Carmel, son Paul (Pamela), Tracy (Danny), Claire (Jim), Tricia (Ronan), Sarah (Mark), Mary (Brian), daughter-in-law Gemma, sister Mary Kiernan, brothers Seamus, and Donald (Bridie), sisters-in-law Julia and Kathleen, brothers-in-law P.J., Tommy, Colm, Christy (Elizabeth), Michael and John, his 17 grandchildren, nephews and nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

“Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin, the stories flow like wine, and here now is the end of your day”. Rest in peace Pat.