Characters series: Some of the memorable personalities who have frequented Fenor pub down through the decades
County Meath family The Englishbys — Mary, Finian and their 11 children — came to Fenor camping in the late seventies and made many firm friends here.
A great GAA and hurling man with the Wolfe Tones Club, and a respected administrator in the Royal County for many years, Finian worked as a civil engineer and his last project before retiring was the redevelopment of O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Also in the photo are “Mother” herself, the late Mrs Mary McHugh, grandmother of current publican Sean O’Mahony, and Mossie Sullivan, The Cottage, Fenor, far left.
Having worked in Britain for many years and also with Waterford County Council, Mossie was from a well-known Caher farming and sporting family. A great neighbour and conversationalist, he combined courtesy and wit — not to mention a verse-writing ability that gave rise to “The Ballad of the Ballyscanlon Hills” and “The Old Fenor Bog”, among other compositions.
A dab hand at darts and cards, Mossie loved all manner of games and sadly died suddenly while watching a Gaelic match in Gorey in the spring of 1991.
Members of the since-expanded Englishby clan still visited the village from time to time. We were very saddened to learn of the passing of Finian Englishby in Co. Meath in July 2025. Rest in Peace, Finian, you left a fine legacy. Our sincere condolences to Mary, their five sons and six daughters.
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