Passing of a master craftswoman mourned

Tributes were paid following the passing of master craftswoman, the late Betty Denning from Ennevarogue, Bailieborough.

Ms Denning (nee Fitzgerald) sadly died on December 18 last, peacefully and surrounded by her family, after a short illness at Cavan General Hospital.

The talented seamstress won multiple All-Ireland competitions over the years and decades. A popular member of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, she was also a regular fundraiser for good causes.

Ms Denning was predeceased by her parents Tilly and Noel. Her death is deeply regretted by her loving husband Kevin, all the Fitzgerald and Denning families, neighbours and many friends.

Ms Denning’s funeral service took place at Virginia Parish Church on Saturday, December 21, with burial afterwards at St Ultan’s Graveyard, Killinkere.

At news of her sad passing, the Irish Pool Association were one of many to extend their heartfelt condolences to Ms Denning’s bereaved family.

“Not everyone will be familiar with Betty but she has probably made close to 1,000 waistcoats for the Irish Pool Association over the last 15 years and we would have been lost without the first-class service she provided us with over the years.

“For the most part, an unspoken and overlooked part of Irish Pool folklore but Betty’s craft is etched in the hours of footage from Irish Pool archives and historic international achievements of the last two decades. She will be sadly missed.”

Indeed Ms Denning put her skilled touch to the benefit of many. Her much sought after quilts and needleworks often fetched hundreds, if not thousands of euros, when auctioned or raffled at various parish events across the region.

Ms Denning’s talents were first recognised on a national stage back in 1988 when she claimed the ‘Irish Farm Woman of the Year’ title; was named the Cavan Association Person of the Year in 1989; and was the winner of the All-Ireland Make and Model Championship in 1992.

She later become a worthy winner of The Anglo-Celt/ Rehab Cultural Ambassador of the Year award in 2002.