Widespread regret has been occasioned by the death of Mr. George Washington Ahern,
Quarry House, Ross, Mountnugent, which sad event occurred in Our Lady's Hospital Navan, after a lengthy
illness. Aged 76, deceased was a captain in the Sixth Leinster Regiment of the British Army at the age of 21.
He was wounded in action at Salonica in France during the first world war. On returning home he drilled the
Irish Volunteers in Cavan and later became a captain in the Irish Army. He was District Leader of Kells units
of the L.D.F. for a number of years. He was son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Ahern, Ross Quarries,
Mountnugent. A talented footballer, he was a battalion champion boxer in the British Army. He also took
a keen interest in greyhound racing and was a member of the Ballymacad Hunt. He was brother of the late
Mr. W. W. T. Ahern, the noted athlete who was holder of the
Meath mile and half-mile titles for a number of years. Another brother, the late
Commdt. Fred Ahern, was a former O/C of the Irish Equitation
School at McKee Barracks, Dublin. A son, Joseph, was a leading National Hunt jockey in Ireland and
England.
He is survived by his widow, Jean, England; Messrs. Joseph Ahern, Oxfordshire, and William Ahern,
Philippines (sons); Mrs. Cynthia Gardener, Gloucestershire, and Mrs. Anne Brooks, Leamington Spa
(daughters); Messrs. Leo Ahern, Ross Mountnugent, and Richard Ahern, Madrid (brothers); Mrs. Jane Wall,
Dublin, Mrs. Anne W. Getty, New York, Mrs. May Leech, Academy St., Navan, and Mrs. Geraldine O'Connor,
Dublin (sisters). To them, as to the other relatives, sympathy is extended in their sad bereavement.
There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral which took place from St. Brigid's Church,
Mountnugent, to Ballinacree Cemetery. Rev. M. Wall, C.C., Moon, Co. Kildare, officiated at the graveside. |