Whelehan Funeral Directors

Whelehan Funeral Directors Whelehan Funeral Directors is a family run business. Serving the parishes of Stradbally, Portarlington and surrounding areas since 1880.

Dedicated to those we are privileged to serve ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ

Join us this evening for the Mass of the Lordโ€™s Supper at 7:30pm in the Parish Church.This special celebration marks the...
02/04/2026

Join us this evening for the Mass of the Lordโ€™s Supper at 7:30pm in the Parish Church.

This special celebration marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum. We invite everyone from Stradbally, Timahoe and Vicarstown to come together in prayer and reflection.

If you cannot attend in person, you can join us online via www.svtparish.ie or the Stradbally Parish page.

01/04/2026

Easter ceremonies

HOLY THURSDAY 2nd APRIL
(No morning Mass)
Portarlington
7.30pm Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper with procession to the Altar of Repose and Adoration of Blessed Sacrament until 11pm

Killenard
7pm Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament until 9pm

Rath
7.30pm Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.

Emo
8.15pm Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper.
Adoration of Blessed Sacrament until 10pm.

GOOD FRIDAY 3* APRIL
(Day of Fast & Abstinence)

Portarlington
3pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion
7.30pm Stations of the Cross

Killenard
7pm Stations of the Cross

Emo: 5pm Celebration of the Lord's Passion Rath: 7.30pm Stations of the Cross

HOLY SATURDAY 4t* APRIL

Portarlington:
9pm Easter Vigil and Mass of the Resurrection

Emo:
7.30pm Easter Vigil & Mass of Resurrection

EASTER SUNDAY 5** APRIL

Portarlington:
9am & 12.15pm Mass

Killenard:
10.30am Mass

Emo:
11am Mass Rath: 9am Mass

27/03/2026
16/03/2026

Join us tomorrow as we celebrate our Patron Saint. Details of Parades and Mass Times!

St. Patrick - Pray for us! โ˜˜๏ธ

๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ฌ ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ก๐—–๐—˜ ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿฌ๐‘น๐™ค๐’๐™ฉ๐’†๐™™ ๐™ž๐’ ๐‘ป๐™ง๐’‚๐™™๐’Š๐™ฉ๐’Š๐™ค๐’. ๐™‚๐’–๐™ž๐’…๐™š๐’… ๐’ƒ๐™ฎ ๐™๐’‚๐™ข๐’Š๐™ก๐’š. ๐™Ž๐’†๐™ง๐’—๐™ž๐’๐™œ ๐™ฉ๐’‰๐™š ๐™ฅ๐’‚๐™ง๐’Š๐™จ๐’‰ ๐’๐™› ๐™Ž๐’•๐™ง๐’‚๐™™๐’ƒ๐™–๐’๐™ก๐’š ๐’‚๐™ฃ๐’… ๐’”๐™ช๐’“๐™ง๐’๐™ช๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’‚๐™ง๐’†๐™–๐’” ๐’”๐™ž๐’๐™˜๐’† ...
15/03/2026

๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ ๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ฌ ๐—ฆ๐—œ๐—ก๐—–๐—˜ ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿด๐Ÿด๐Ÿฌ

๐‘น๐™ค๐’๐™ฉ๐’†๐™™ ๐™ž๐’ ๐‘ป๐™ง๐’‚๐™™๐’Š๐™ฉ๐’Š๐™ค๐’. ๐™‚๐’–๐™ž๐’…๐™š๐’… ๐’ƒ๐™ฎ ๐™๐’‚๐™ข๐’Š๐™ก๐’š. ๐™Ž๐’†๐™ง๐’—๐™ž๐’๐™œ ๐™ฉ๐’‰๐™š ๐™ฅ๐’‚๐™ง๐’Š๐™จ๐’‰ ๐’๐™› ๐™Ž๐’•๐™ง๐’‚๐™™๐’ƒ๐™–๐’๐™ก๐’š ๐’‚๐™ฃ๐’… ๐’”๐™ช๐’“๐™ง๐’๐™ช๐’๐’…๐’Š๐’๐’ˆ ๐’‚๐™ง๐’†๐™–๐’” ๐’”๐™ž๐’๐™˜๐’† ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿ–๐Ÿ–๐Ÿฌ.

Our story began in 1880, when the Whelan family established their funeral undertaking business on Main Street in Stradbally, Co. Laois. For over 140 years, through generations of change, one thing has remained constant โ€” our unwavering commitment to serving families with dignity, respect and compassion.

As one of the oldest funeral businesses in County Laois, our foundation has always been built on family values, quiet professionalism, and deep ties to the local community.

๐‘ซ๐™š๐’…๐™ž๐’„๐™–๐’•๐™š๐’… ๐’”๐™š๐’“๐™ซ๐’Š๐™˜๐’† ๐’•๐™๐’“๐™ค๐’–๐™œ๐’‰ ๐’•๐™๐’† ๐’š๐™š๐’‚๐™ง๐’”

A defining chapter in our history began in 1951 when Mary โ€œBabsโ€ Whelehan married Vincent Whelan and became part of the family tradition. When Vincent sadly passed away, Babs showed remarkable strength and determination by taking over the running of the business herself.

At a time when few women led businesses โ€” particularly in the funeral profession โ€” Babs carried that responsibility with grace, resilience and compassion. In those early years, she was supported by her brother-in-law Gerald Feeney, whose steady presence proved invaluable. In time, her nephews William and Dick Whelehan joined her, helping to continue the day-to-day work of serving families with care and dignity.

For over six decades, Babs served families across the parish, ensuring that the family name and its reputation for service endured. Together, with the trusted support of William and Dick, she safeguarded the continuity of a proud local tradition and laid the foundations for the generations that followed.

๐˜พ๐’๐™ฃ๐’•๐™ž๐’๐™ช๐’Š๐™ฃ๐’ˆ ๐’‚ ๐’‡๐™–๐’Ž๐™ž๐’๐™ฎ ๐™ก๐’†๐™œ๐’‚๐™˜๐’š

In 2012, after 30 years of working within the business, her nephew William took up the mantle of leadership and proudly continued the family legacy. He worked side by side with his beloved brother Jim and his son Liam. Together, they upheld the traditions handed down to them by supporting families across the parish with professionalism, empathy and a personal touch.

Following Jimโ€™s untimely passing in 2024, his memory remains a cherished and guiding presence within our business.

๐‘ป๐™๐’† ๐’๐™š๐’™๐™ฉ ๐™˜๐’‰๐™–๐’‘๐™ฉ๐’†๐™ง

Today, William continues that legacy with his son Liam by his side, supported by their close-knit family his wife Caroline and his daughter Ann Marie. Together, they represent the next chapter of a family business that has stood the test of time โ€” combining tradition with dedication and generations of experience with heartfelt service.

For over 140 years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside families during lifeโ€™s most difficult moments. That privilege is never taken for granted.

For generations, it has been our privilege to serve the families of Stradbally parish and the surrounding areas. We are deeply grateful for the trust placed in our family over the years, and we remain committed to serving our community with the same care and respect for generations to come.

๐™๐’‚๐™ข๐’Š๐™ก๐’š ๐’๐™ฌ๐’๐™š๐’…. ๐™๐’‚๐™ข๐’Š๐™ก๐’š ๐’๐™š๐’…. ๐™‹๐’“๐™ค๐’–๐™™๐’๐™ฎ ๐™จ๐’†๐™ง๐’—๐™ž๐’๐™œ ๐™ค๐’–๐™ง ๐™˜๐’๐™ข๐’Ž๐™ช๐’๐™ž๐’•๐™ฎ ๐™จ๐’Š๐™ฃ๐’„๐™š ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿ–๐Ÿ–๐Ÿฌ.

๐™’๐’‰๐™š๐’๐™š๐’‰๐™–๐’ ๐‘ญ๐™ช๐’๐™š๐’“๐™–๐’ ๐‘ซ๐™ž๐’“๐™š๐’„๐™ฉ๐’๐™ง๐’”
๐˜ฟ๐’†๐™™๐’Š๐™˜๐’‚๐™ฉ๐’†๐™™ ๐™ฉ๐’ ๐’•๐™๐’๐™จ๐’† ๐’˜๐™š ๐™–๐’“๐™š ๐™ฅ๐’“๐™ž๐’—๐™ž๐’๐™š๐’ˆ๐™š๐’… ๐’•๐™ค ๐™จ๐’†๐™ง๐’—๐™š

We are sad to announce the passing of Nora Brennan(Nee Duff)The Building,Knock,Ballinakill,Co. Laois.Formerly Orchard, T...
11/03/2026

We are sad to announce the passing of
Nora Brennan
(Nee Duff)
The Building,
Knock,
Ballinakill,
Co. Laois.
Formerly Orchard, Timahoe.
March 11th 2026

Nora passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at her daughter Margaretโ€™s residence. Predeceased by her loving husband Bernie, brother Thomas Duff, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Sadly missed by her children Michael, Catherine (Cass), Brian, Margaret (Hennessy), Thomas, Noelle (Deveney), sons-in-law Michael, Tom, Sean, daughters-in-law Lorna, Audrey, Olga, her 16 adored grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May Nora Rest in Peace.

Reception of remains to arrive at Knock Church on Thursday evening the 12th of March for prayers at 6pm until 8pm.
Removal from Noraโ€™s residence by Whelehan Funeral Directors on Friday morning at 11.20am to arrive at Saint Lazerians Church, Knock (R32 A3HA) for 12 noon Requiem Mass. Which may be viewed on http://www.youtube.com/laoisfuneralslive/live Interment to follow in Saint Brigid's Cemetery, Ballinakill.

Family flowers only please.
Donations if desired to the Irish Cancer Society

The Brennan family would like to thank you for your support during this sensitive and sad time.
Sympathisers can extend their sympathies on the online condolence facilities on Rip.ie

All enquiries to Whelehan Funeral Directors- 087 980 0507

Grief can feel overwhelming at times and everyone experiences loss differently. There is no right way to grieve. If you ...
24/02/2026

Grief can feel overwhelming at times and everyone experiences loss differently. There is no right way to grieve. If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember that support is available.

๐Ÿ“ž Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line โ€“ 1800 80 70 77
๐Ÿ“ž Samaritans (24/7) โ€“ 116 123
๐Ÿ“ž Pieta (24/7) Crisis & bereavement support - 1800 247 247
๐Ÿ“ž Anam Cara support for bereaved parents and familiesโ€“ 01 404 5378
๐Ÿ“ž Childline โ€“ 1800 66 66 66

There are also many excellent local counselling and psychotherapy clinics offering compassionate bereavement support. At various times in our life, gentle support can ease the burden.

If you would like help finding local services, please feel free to contact us privately.

Whelehan Funeral Directors

Dedicated to those we are
privileged to serve

0879800507

We are sad to announce the passing ofAnnie (Eithne) Boyle(nรฉe Devoy)Kilmurray, Stradbally, Laois17th February 2026Eithne...
18/02/2026

We are sad to announce the passing of
Annie (Eithne) Boyle
(nรฉe Devoy)
Kilmurray, Stradbally, Laois
17th February 2026

Eithne passed away peacefully at her residence in her 98th year, surrounded by her family. Predeceased by her father Thomas, Mother Margaret, her brothers Finn, Liam, TJ and Noel. Sadly missed by her husband Denis, her daughter Colette, and her son Noel, grandchildren Gerard, Aoife, Aishling, and great grandchild Pรกidรญ, Son in law Kevin and daughter in law Teresa, relatives neighbours and friends.

May Eithne Rest In Peace

Eithne will be reposing on Thursday evening at her residence from 5pm โ€“ 8pm with the recital of the rosary at 8pm.
Removal by Whelehan Funeral Directors on Friday morning at 11:20am to arrive at the church of Assumption the Heath for 12 noon requiem mass.(R32 TN88) Which can viewed on the church we**am https://www.portlaoiseparish.ie/the-heath-we**am/ Interment to follow in adjoining cemetery.

Family Flowers only. Donations if desired to Laois Hospice https://laoishospice.ie/donate/

The Boyle Family would like to thank you for your support and understanding during this sensitive and sad time. Sympathisers can extend their sympathies on the online condolence facilities on Rip.ie
House private Friday morning.

All enquires to Whelehan Funeral Directors โ€“ 087 9800 507

Address

Co. Laois
R32R672

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