RIP: Longford's Maura Kilbride-Harkin always defended what was right and fought for those who needed a little help

On Friday morning, January 9 2026, Maura Kilbride Harkin of Cartron passed to her eternal reward following a prolonged illness and in the loving care of her family. 

Predeceased by her husband Michael Harkin and her infant grandchildren, Maura was daughter of the late Tommy and Mary Jo Kilbride of Cartron and she was also predeceased by her four brothers Joseph, Seamus, Paddy and Sean.

Maura represented the Granard electoral Area on Longford County Council from 1985 to 2009 and her dad Senator Tom Kilbride held that seat for almost forty years before her so she was reared in politics and in the Fine Gael party.

Since her passing many glowing tributes have been paid to Maura especially for her great achievements throughout her political life and indeed every one of them are richly deserved as she always defended what was right and fought for those who needed a little help to achieve a good start in life.

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Maura was a lady who just loved hard work, be it delivering milk in Granard which she and Mickey did for years and as their eight children came along they were called in to help and many will have memories of them coming into town in the yellow Morris Minor van packed with milk bottles as they rattled along.

On the odd occasion the van might not start, especially on a frosty morning so Maura would load her milk crates into the transport box and head for town on the tractor so that those waiting on their milk delivery would not be disappointed. 

Maura loved the farm and caring for the animals and her idea of a quiet peaceful day was to head for the bog where as she said herself it was ‘head down and backside up and get the turf lifted’.

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Maura and Mickey were a very sociable couple and loved attending different functions and with their great friends Patsy and the late Bridgie Martin the two small men and the two taller women would take to the floor and they would put ‘Dancing with the Stars’ to shame and everyone present enjoyed watching them. 

For those of us who were privileged to be part of Maura's extended family she was always one we could depend on for advice or support in any time of crisis and it never mattered if it was early morning or late at night Maura was always there. 

Maura was a lady of great faith and she has passed this on to her eight children and indeed to her grandchildren. 

Maura's remains were removed from the family home in Cartron on Monday evening to her beloved St Mary's Church in Granard and following prayers, one of the largest crowds ever passed through to offer sincere sympathy and support to her family and again on Tuesday afternoon the Church was packed for her funeral Mass which was concelebrated by Fr Simon Cadam PP, Fr Peter Beglan, Fr Peter Tiernan PP Cloone and Fr Seamus McKeon PP Colmcille. Following Mass Maura was laid to rest in the Harkin family plot in Granarkille cemetery. 

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We offer sincere sympathy to her daughters Maureen, Marguerite, Paula and Breda; sons Micheal, Thomas, JP and Brian, her siblings Brid, Sr Roberta, Bernadette (McGovern), Thomas and Michael, daughters-in-law Catherine, Eilish and Kim, sons-in-law Anthony, Paddy and Patrick, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, her wonderful grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.