A woman who died in an accident while out cutting timber in South Kilkenny at the weekend has been named locally.
Mary O'Shea of Raheen, Piltown, who was in her early 60s, passed away after it's understood she was hit by a falling branch.
Mary was a very active member of the local community.
As well as publishing four books, she also had articles published in the Munster Express and other papers.
She was joint-Treasurer of the South Kilkenny Historical Society and in a statement to WLR News, a spokesperson for the society says she "had a wonderful depth of knowledge" and was "a wonderful conversationalist."
"Mary leaves a rich legacy and will be sorely missed by everybody who knew her."
Their full statement reads as follows:
"Mary O'Shea, who died tragically during the weekend was a highly respected historian.
She published four books 'Parish of Templeorum, a Historical Miscellany' (1999), The Marrying of Brigit and Christ in the parish of Templeorum (2000), A Hundred Years of Piltown Co-operative and its Branches (2001) and Templeorum Church 1814-2014 (2014).
She also published numerous articles in the Old Kilkenny Review, Ossory Times and the Munster Express.
Up until her death, during the weekend, she was joint treasurer of the South Kilkenny Historical Society.
During her involvement with the society she attended most, if not all of the society events and was the guide for a fieldtrip through her farm and for a Heritage Week event in Templeorum.
Mary had a wonderful depth of knowledge, and frequently asked questions, made contributions or commented on topics during Q&A sessions which followed society lectures.
Despite being of a quiet disposition she was very eager to impart her vast knowledge and was a wonderful conversationalist.
Her knowledge and academic ability was clearly evident during the fieldtrips through her farm and in Templeorum village, as was her respect for and appreciation of the monuments of our ancestors, their way of life and the legacies which they left.
Mary herself leaves a rich legacy and will be sorely missed by everybody who knew her.
May her gentle soul rest in peace."
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