APH
Ann, affectingly known as Nano, was born in Caheroyan, Athenry on 23 June, 1927. She was the second child of Patrick and Kathleen Kennedy (nee Cleary). Her siblings were Monica (Monsie) who resides in Swangate, Athenry, Frances who lives in Montreal, Canada, Chris (Christopher) is in Carlow, the late Pat, Granada, Spain and the late Rosemary, London and Kilcolgan.
Education
Nano attended Presentation Convent Athenry primary school. She later went to commercial classes at the convent where she studied shorthand, typing and book keeping. Her school friends were Dolores Twomey (nee Fitzsimons),New Line. Nancy McNamara, Ballydavid (now residing in England), Sister Sylvia (Louis Jordan), Texas, the late Angela Grennan, Ballydavid and England, the late Josie Curran, Cross Street who was married to Joe Mahon, also a native of the town of Athenry.
Gifted with her hands
The nuns brought the children in to school on a Saturday from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon for drawing and painting classes. This extra study greatly enhanced their artistic talents. Nano was gifted with her hands. She loved sewing, knitting, cooking, painting and excelled in gardening. Her favourite painting medium were water colours. She loved doing still water scenes, like lakes.
She was involved with Athenry Drama group as a prompter; however she never acted. Husband Willie
In the 1950s Nano worked in ‘The Peoples Shop’ (McLoughlins), Church, Street, beside Bradys, Butchers. While there she met her husband, Willie Kenny from Moore who worked in Corbett’s Hardware shop, North Gate Street, Athenry.
They lived in No.5, Abbey Row, Athenry. When their son, Liam, was a baby they moved to Ballinasloe. They had four children. Frances, Liam, Joan and Padraig. They set up a thriving general hardware shop and licensed premises in River Street, Ballinasloe.
Widespread popularity
There they enjoyed widespread popularity with Nano “the life and soul” of many social events, involving herself in the ICA, the Dunlo Singers, St. Michaels Choir, among others. She was one of those characters that exuded friendship, loyalty, entertainment and sincerity with a great sense of humour and wit.
Willie and Nano sold their business in 1979 and retired to Mackney, Ballinasloe. Unfortunately, Willie passed away in 1988. Shortly afterwards Nano moved back to the town centre. She later returned to Athenry and lived here for four to five years. She moved to live with her daughter, Frances, in Birr where she attended art classes. Nano holidayed in Jersey, London and San Giovanni.
Her talents, patience and personality
She taught painting in Athenry, Ballinasloe and Athlone. She founded the Gables Arts Group in Ballinasloe, where her talents, patience and personality instilled confidence in many an aspiring artist. The sessions were eagerly looked forward to where the “latest tit bits” were discussed with great eagerness over a cuppa. It was more like a ‘social club with a bit of painting on the side’ with Nano, the host, in great demand by all ages as she patiently got them to reveal their hidden talents.
Exhibitions and Padre Pio
Annual exhibitions were held in Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe. She also was involved in the Athlone Arts Group and exhibited at the annual Athenry Agricultural Show. Her paintings were on display in Portiuncula Hospital from where she made many a sale. She brought the relics of Saint Padre Pio to the sick and dying in Portiuncula.
Huge impact on many people
Nano passed away on November 4th, |2011. At her funeral Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe the celebrant spoke of the huge impact she had made on so many people during her sixty-odd years in the town.
Roses-a fitting tribute to Nano
As her funeral cortege wound its way to Creagh Cemetery her friends stood silently outside the Church holding single roses. A fitting tribute to one of our own whose love of flowers and nature was with her to the end.
