Michael Dollard

Deeply shocked and saddened to only just hear of Michael’s death. He was a very clever and true gentleman. We were lucky enough to answer an advert he put in the Kilkenny People about 10 years ago asking if anyone wanted to do a house exchange for six months which is how we came to spend lovely time in Melbourne and he lived happily in our house in Thomastown for a while. He got to know some of my family and local people and everyone spoke very highly of him. Michael was endearingly forgetful at times and he managed to put petrol instead of diesel in my car on two occasions and I suspect he possibly only told me about this as it was my brother who drained the tank. We had great time for him. Condolences to his family. Rest in peace Michael.

I was lucky enough to meet Michael through my very dear friend Teresa McCann.
Every year we would go to the free concerts at the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. We would lie on the lawn under the great southern sky and listen to the magnificent sounds of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
One year as usual we met all 3. Teresa, Michael and l, we lay like sausages in a frying pan on the grass. These concerts are crazy popular and space comes at a premium, so it was always very cosy.
My darling father had died recently this particular year and l carried a sadness with me. During the night when the sky was at its most brilliant Michael lent close and whispered, “see that bright star in the sky, that’s your daddy looking down on you. He’s the brightest cause he died recently. That faded star there, that’s my daddy, looking down on me he died a long time ago”.
Michael had the rare gift of touching our hearts and connecting deeply.
Now l will look for him in the sky.

Deepest condolences to Sarah, Joe and all the Dollard family. it is going to take a very long time to get used to Michael not being around as I met and spoke with him on a weekly basis. Since I was a young child Michael has been a part of my life and I considered him to be like a family member. Michael was an absolute gentleman. whenever I was around Michael I felt completely at ease, safe, happy and like I could really be myself. That was the effect Michael had on those around him. Michael was an incredibly genuine, kind-hearted, dependable and generous person and I respected him highly. Michael did so much for me and my brother over the years and I will be eternally grateful for the incredibly positive impact he has had on my life. May his soul rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy to Sarah, Joe, Lyndsey and Miles and all of Michael's extended family.
I am heartbroken to hear this sad news and am finding it hard to get my head around it.
Michael was a wise, intelligent, kind, caring and funny man who loved reading and poetry.

He was a great friend to our family, always popping in with a gift of his special bread he bought in the Woodfrog bakery or other little treats.

One of the funniest memories I remember is when he went to Ireland one time, he forgot his re entry visa, it happened to be in his old passport. He rang me from Ireland to ask me to find his passport. As he had lost so many keys in the past, he had buried his house key in the garden. So there I was digging up his front garden... you can imagine what the neighbours were thinking....so many memories to treasure.
Michael especially loved Lisbeth when she joined our family and made her so welcome. Also her Mum Alice was a special friend. Thank you Michael for bringing such joy and fun into our lives.

Sincere condolences to the Dollard family on the sad passing of Michael.May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh d'anam Michael. Fear uasal - ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

Sincere Sympathy to the Dollard Family on the loss of Micheal maybe Rip
Paddy and Maura Ryan Jerry Upperchurch

Deepest sympathy to Kate and the Dollard family on the sad passing of Michael, he always had a kind word for those that he met, May his gentle soul Rest in Peace

Our sincere condolences.
Wonderful to have known Michael - a kind intelligent caring man! We always enjoyed the pleasure of his company when visiting Sydney or us visiting Ireland. He will be greatly missed.

Michael was a wise and caring work colleague and friend here in Melbourne, with a great love of the Irish language and history. We were so pleased to see how happy he was in returning home to Kilkenny where we visited him in 2016 and 2019.
Our condolences to Sarah, Joe and their families, as well as to the extended Dollard family and Michael's many friends. Michael will be sadly missed.

Very sorry to hear off your loss Larry and family , condolences to you and all your family and friends . From Stevie & dympna New York

Very sad to hear of Michaels sudden passing, he had a vibrant personality and always had time to say hello. A brief conversation waiting for a bus a few years ago resulted in a friendship when we established mutual friends. Condolences to Michaels family and the Murphy family of Gaffers.

On behalf of the former Young Irelands Hurling Club here in Melbourne, we send our condolences to the Dollard family on the passing of Michael. He was a real gentleman on and off the field, with no helmets and no wire mesh to protect the face, but we still survived, and I'm glad you were on our side wearing the green and white jersey. I would have liked to have caught up with you in recent years and taunt you about Limerick winning the McCarthy Cup. RIP Michael!
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis!
Martin and Eileen O'Shea and family, Melbourne, Australia.

To Kate, Tommy and and all of Michael’s family and friends. Deepest condolences to you all am very sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Michael was such a gentleman and the best company there was. RIP Michael x

To Kate, Tommy and and all of Michael’s family and friends. Deepest condolences to you all am very sorry to hear this heartbreaking news. Michael was such a gentleman and the best company there was. RIP Michael x

So sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. He was truly such a warm, friendly and genuine person. Deepest sympathy to all the Dollard family. Rest in peace.

Sympathy to Michael’s family and friends
You will be missed Michael
You made the world a better place
Rest In Peace

So very sad to hear of Michael's passing. Loved to meet him on his visits to New York. He always stopped by for a cup of tea. A true gentleman. Rest in peace. You will be missed.

We were shocked and saddened at the sudden death of our dearest friend Michael. A true friend for over two decades, we can't believe we'll never see him again. A frequent visitor, it was great to hear his cheerful voice - he always had news to tell, chat about a match, what's happening in the world, where he had been, who he had met, the TV and movies he'd seen… There was always plenty of chat over a cup of tea or dinner on Sunday evening. Always in good humour and interested in everyone he met, young and old, he lived a full, vibrant life. He was always there for us and our boys and leaves a big hole in our lives. We miss you Michael. RIP.

Sincere sympathy to Kate and the Dollard Family on the sad passing of Michael. May he rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened that Michael has left us too soon. He was a lifelong friend of my late husband Brendan they went to school and to university together. The three of us had great times together whether in Sydney Melbourne or Kilkenny. Michael's spirit will always stay with us. He showed us what it was to lead a good life! He had a great zest for life loved people loved to chat. He was kind generous caring funny and wise! Michael was also highly intelligent a gifted and well respected Maths teacher. He gave unstintingly to many and was well liked by his students. Michael's presence always brought joy fun and good times!! We are all better for knowing him. Deepest sympathy to Sarah & Joe & all the family.

Deepest sympathy to Kate and the extended Dollard family on the sad death of Michael. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Kate and extended family on the sad loss of your brother R.I.P.

We are so saddened by the passing of our friend Michael. Our sincere condolences to Sarah, Joe and your family. So many wonderful memories surface of our ever-positive friend. He taught John to enjoy tennis not just the win, on with the kettle, a cuppa and a chat then he was off, often leaving his cap on the table. Life on his terms, a life well lived. Barb, John, Jane & Sally Winkler, Melbourne

Michael Dollard you were one of a kind! Beautiful ceremony today for a beautiful man. You will be greatly missed .
Sincere condolences to Sarah,Joe and all the extended Dollard family . Rest in peace ❤️

Sincere sympathy to Michael’s Family and Friends . RIP . He was a kind , interesting , friendly man , loved his family and life . And Kilkenny hurling .. …. Rest in peace Michael .

I was very saddened to hear of Michael’s sudden death. I knew him through Irish classes in Melbourne and always enjoyed his company and good conversation. We would invariably meet at Port Fairy folkie, never hard to miss in his cap and beloved Kilkenny jumper. Sincere condolences to the Dollard family.
Duine ar leith é agus cara buan.

Michael you will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace,
Sincere sympathy to Sarah, Joe. Lindsey & Miles and the Dollard & Dunne families on your sad loss..

Sincere sympathy to the Dollard family on Michael's passing. Back in the day we spent many happy days playing together in Glashare.

Our deepest sympathy on the loss of Michael. A real gentleman. Always so friendly and kind. Rest in peace Michael.

Only heard of his death today. I always loved meeting him. A true gentleman, interesting, fun and added sparkle to any conversation. A light has gone out. RIP

Michael was a gem, his passing brings deep sadness. The way that he lived his life with great vigour, curiosity and humour was admirable, and made him great company to be with.
He made it home where he belonged, and there may he rest in peace.

Really wished I could have made it to pay my respects. Michael was the loveliest man. Made my time in Cakeface so enjoyable and I missed serving him his extra hot flat white after I left.

Sympathy to Kate & all the Dollard families on the passing of Michael May he Rest In Peace

Sincere sympathy to Kate and the Dollard family and extended families on your sad loss,may Michael rest in peace

Sincere condolences to Jane and all the Dollard family on Michael's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers 🙏 R.I.P. Michael.

Our Sincere Condolences to The Kavanagh and Dollard Families on the passing of Michael. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Sincere sympathy to Kate and extended Dollard family on the death of Michael.
May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Kate and all the Dollard family on the sad death of Michael.May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Sarah, Joe, Lindsey, Miles and all the family on the devastating loss of Michael. He has left a mark on this world that most people can only dream of, undoubtedly the kindest, most interesting, generous and compassionate person we have had the pleasure to meet. He had a very special gift of making you feel like the most important person in the room and always had a sincere interest in those around him. We will miss Michael so much, from our chats about sport particularly GAA, our love (and hatred) of Kilkenny, Galmoy and ‘poor’ Mayo with some horse racing thrown in for good measure. But mostly we will miss his regular house calls for tea and sharing his wisdom and nuggets of advice, we can only hope his fantastic outlook on life and amazing attitude has rubbed off on us. He truly was one of a kind, a gentleman through and through, one of life’s rare treasures and loved by so many. It is a privilege to be able to call Michael a friend and he will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Thanks for everything Mike! Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

May Michael rest in peace and be reunited with our dear Sheila, his good friend.

It was always a pleasure to speak with Michael and to see him at hurling matches. He was a lovely man and we are all lucky to have know him.

Deepest sympathies to his family.

So sorry to hear of Michael's death. We had a few battles on the hurling field over 60 years ago, when life was simpler and the world was our oyster, even though we didn't know it then. I was so happy and fortunate to meet up with him in the past few years and reminisce. Sincere sympathy to Michael's family.

Sincere sympathy to all Michael's family, it was a pleasure to have a chat with Michael at a match or to meet him at "Gaffer's Barn" while he visited his good friends there. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him,we were privileged to have known Michael.RIP Michael. Michaeland Catherine Murphy,Bohergaddy.

My sympathies, to Sarah and Joe and all the family - I write this message with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. The smile is for so many memories - as a little girl I can remember you coming in to visit and then as I got older you were my maths tutor and even I did babysitting for you.

You would always pop in - no matter what the time of day or night was - if the light was on you popped in to visit Mum & Dad. You were a friend - you were part of the family.
The discussions around the table with Mum & Dad - politics - Mum loved a good old debate with you. You didn't mind rubbing it in when Kilkenny won a couple of All Irelands !!

I'm sorry I won't be there to sing today - we always laughed about me singing at your funeral - I kept asking for that deposit - but I will sing to myself here in Melbourne as we remember the special man that you are. You will be missed by so many both in Ireland and Australia.

Thank you for being a beautiful friend to our family.
Chris, Seamus & Patrick xx

Sincere sympathy to Kate and the extended Dollard family on the death of Michael.
May he rest in peace,

To: Sarah, and Joe, Lindsay and Myles, Family and Friends, our sincere and heartfelt sympathies on the death of Michael. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. I have no doubt he is now re-united with his parents and the members of his family who are gone before him. I consider it a great privilege to have known Michael since we first met almost 40 years ago in Melbourne. He has been my mentor and loyal and trusted friend ever since.
The grass is less green around “Gaffer’s Barn”, since the sad news filtered through. He was an enormous support and friend to Marion and I and our two sons Harry and Daniel. He has been a huge part of our lives.
His generousity, friendship, encouragement and wise advice will remain with us for life. He always had a broad and sometimes cheeky smile and twinkle in his eye. We will miss his weekly visits, invariably in good humour, a story to tell or a bit of breaking news to share.
He was one of those special people that you only meet once in a lifetime.
Michael had that rare and extraordinary gift of making one feel special and good about oneself.
Going to a hurling game will never be the same again without my friend and companion of many years.
We agreed and disagreed but always remained friends.
If there is a gathering in the heavenly skies Michael Dollard is sure to be there in the middle of it.
Ni fheichimid a leitheid aris
Michael, Marion, Daniel and Harry Murphy,

Deepest sympathy to Kate Jane Judy and all the Dollard families may Michael rest in peace.

Sincere Condolences to Kate, Judy, their families & the extended Dollard families on Michael’s death. May he rest in Peace.
From: President Noeline, Club Captain Diarmuid, Lady Captain Niamh & Members.

I meet Michael in the last few years and he made such an impression he always left you with a positive note.. it was like being in the presence of an angel..Rest in peace Michael you will be missed

Condolences to the Dollard family,Michael was a dear friend and will be greatly missed

Sincere sympathy to Jane Larry Martin Kate & all the Dollard family on the sad passing of Michael.
Rest in peace Michael.

Sincere sympathy to the Dollard family on the death of Michael, May he rest in peace.

I knew Mícheál for a short time as a fellow Gaeilgeoir in Kilkenny. My heart would lift when I saw him coming towards me, a gentle man with a lovely smile and the day better for having met him. My sincere condolences to his family on their loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

My sincere condolences to Michael's family and friends on his sad passing.
May his soul rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to the Dollard family on the untimely passing of Michael. I always enjoyed his visits to us in Portlaoise and his stories of our family. He will be very sadly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Sincere sympathy to all Dollard families on the death of Michael.May his Soul rest in peace.

My deepest sympathy to Jane and family. May Michael rest in peace.

With deepest sympathy on hearingof Michael's passing the last time I remember seen Michael he was on his way to Australia he stopped in New York on his way to say hello fond memories Michael rip john walsh

My deepest sympathy to Michael's son and daughter,his sisters Kate and Judy and the extended Dollard family on the sudden death of Michael
His visits to our house were so uplifting.You will all miss him.
May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace

Sincere sympathy to the Dollard family on the death of Michael May he rest in peace