Michael Francis Kiernan known as Micheál died on the 18th October 1996, 2 days short of his 26th Birthday. An untimely death, following a tragic drowning accident at Tarmonbarry, Co. Longford.

 

Micheal was the eldest son of Victor and Evelyn Kiernan and brother to Denice, Elaine, Gerard, Justin, Chris, Yvonne, Lorell, Alicia and Vanesa.

 

In his almost 26 years, he lived a very full life, at the age of 23 he pursued him dream of renovating Victor’s workshop (known as the forge) and opened a Bar (appropriately named ‘The Olde Forge’), a Grocery Shop & Filling Station and also built a new workshop to enable the steel works continue.

 

In December 1994, the shop & filling station opened, followed shortly by the opening of ‘The Olde Forge’ Bar on 31st March 1995, there was great excitement in the family and the community about this new venture.

 

Micheal attended Melview N.S., St. Mels College and then Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest where he studied electronic engineering. While Micheal will be renowned for his entrepreneurial skills, setting up a business at such a young age his - the Olde Forge bar is quite a legacy, his talent on the football pitch will resonate with most.   

 

Micheál was a significant part of the Emmet Og Senior Football Team who won County Finals in 1993 and 1995 ,we recall many times Micheal’s name making the headlines in the sport section of the Longford Leader & News – captions such as ‘ King Kiernan Crown’s Killoe ‘ . Micheal also played on the Longford County Panel in 1994/1995.

 

Every year the Micheál Kiernan memorial tournament is played, to quote Killoe GAA ‘ micheal was an integral member our championship winning 1993 & 1995 teams and one of the driving forces behind our fantastic developments at Emmet Park . It is fitting that our stand is named in his honour. Following Micheál’s death, this Appreciation was eloquently drafted:

 

‘Old friends they flanked you side by side, and tears they shed were tears of pride. An ash tree toppled when you died, and scattered seeds at random’.

 

The clouds of despair and sorrow have become a heavy hand to bear. For Micheál Kiernan was a giant among men. And the sweeping sadness that grasped the parish of Killoe and beyond lingers heavily. It is a blow to all who knew him. The loss is great, a heavy hand to bear.

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The death of a young man, days short of his twenty-sixth year, is tragic and difficult to apprehend. Micheál

Kiernan is gone, but not forgotten. Indeed, much may be said for what he has created and what he has achieved. The championships, the excitement, the hard work and the Olde Forge. They all stand, Monuments to the man.

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And yet, he lives in memory, whether at ‘Victors Cross’ or on some patch of ground in Emmet Park, he will still be there Bustling his way goalwards. Knocking the heart from many a towering defence. Always worth his weight. And always worth a conversation after every game he played.

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Where Kiernan went, all eyes followed. Creating rare burst of excitement. He never lacked the qualities that set him apart heart and strength. Micheál Kiernan had them in abundance. Always out in front, willing to take them on Slashers, Colmcille or Granard. Twelve months previous, the net bulged in Ardee from the ferocity of Kiernan’s left boot. Killoe had earned a second chance. Micheál Kiernan was at his peak. Today he is gone. But the memory is etched.

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The throngs that gathered in Carrigglass and Ennybegs, stand as a testimony to his popularity. Their grief runs deep. They have lost a brother, a son, a businessman, a footballer, a friend. Through tragedy, they gathered to say farewell. To an achiever and his accomplishments. To his hard work and generosity. To a Killoe stalwart and county man. To his heart and strength. It is a great loss. Micheál Kiernan was a giant among men.

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An ash tree toppled the day he died.

Ar dheis lamb De go raibh a anam'

 

We are all so proud to say that Micheál was our brother, in public he was a giant among men, in private he was kind, generous and caring.

 

It is remarkable what he achieved in such a short time and his legacy lives on in The Olde Forge Bar .

 

God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.