The funeral of a Kilkenny hurler who died when his car hit a wall is to be held on Tuesday.
James 'Shiner' Nolan, 34, from Carn, Dunbell died when the car he was driving was involved in a collision just metres from his home at 2.30am on Friday.
The Nolan family suffered another major tragedy several decades ago, when his brothers John and Thomas died in a slurry tank accident.
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The talented young man worked on the family farm with his father Gerry.
Mr Nolan, who played at corner forward for his local Clara GAA, the Kilkenny minor team, and was on the panel of the senior team, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services which attended the scene a short time later.
His body was removed to St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny. A post-mortem was carried out at University Hospital Waterford shortly.
His funeral details read: “Tragically following an accident, predeceased by his brothers John and Thomas, his grandparents John and Margaret Nolan and Thomas and Ellen Green. Cherished and much loved son of Gerry and Brigd and beloved brother Dermot, Margaret (Doheny), Elaine (Denieffe), Catherine, Peter and Claire.
“Sadly missed by his heartbroken family, brothers-in-law Patrick and Michael, sisters-in-law Carolyn and Chloe, Catherine’s partner Seán, Claire’s partner Kevin, his adored nephews and nieces Brid, Méadh, John, Róisín, Eoin, Pádraic, Eimear, Michaél, Conor, Áine and Billy, uncles and aunts, cousins, grand uncle and grand aunts, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.”
His remains will be reposing at his home in Carn on Sunday from 4pm to 7pm and on Monday from 2pm pausing for Rosary and Vigil prayers at 7pm. Requiem Mass will be held at noon in St Colman’s Church, Clara with burial in the adjoining cemetery.
A minute's silence was held by St Kieran's College on Saturday where Mr Nolan was a past pupil. In a tweet the College said: "A minute's silence before the match just now as we remember a proud past pupil James Nolan. Holding his family and friends in our prayers. RIP."
Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club added: "As a mark of respect to the Nolan family, Clara, the AGM of the Kilkenny Supporters Club will not go ahead on Tuesday 31st of January. It will now be held on Thursday at UPMC Nowlan Park."
The road, where the collision took place was closed for several hours to allow for an examination of the scene by Forensic Collision Investigators.
He was also a cousin of 13-year-old Harry Byrne who died following a freak accident at St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny city in November 2021. The young boy was rushed to St Luke’s General Hospital after being accidentally hit by a sliotar in the head while playing with friends at lunchtime.
The close-knit area has suffered a number of tragedies in recent years when the father and uncle of former All-Ireland Kilkenny senior captain Lester Ryan died in separate accidents.
Johnny Ryan, Lester’s father, died when he was pinned against a wall by his tractor at his farm at Dunbell near the village of Clara in 2015 while his uncle Lester, a former Kilkenny hurler was killed in a cycling accident involving a tractor near his home in 2020.
Staff at St Luke’s General Hospital Emergency Department left a message of sympathy for the Nolan family on rip.ie saying: “Sincere condolences to the Nolan family. Thinking of you all at this very difficult time. May James rest in peace.”
Another mourner added: “Deepest sympathy Gerry and Brigid, Margaret, Dermot, Elaine, Catherine, Claire and Peter and to all the extended family and all James’ close friends. We will remember James for being a true gentleman with a great sense of fun. May he rest in peace.”
Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. Any road users who were travelling in the area at the time who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make it available to Gardaí.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Thomastown Garda Station on 056 775 4150, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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