Judith McGinn, former owner of Mallow Castle, died last Friday, 11th August, in Skaneateles, New York State. Judy, as she was known, moved into Mallow Castle in 1984 with husband Michael (since deceased, RIP), and in the years that followed they had two children, Brendan and Seamus. They moved back to the United States in 2004. Judy was a strong community advocate during her time in Mallow, and one of her most well-known achievements was a successful fundraising drive for the construction of a children’s playground in Mallow Town Park which was opened with great fanfare by President Mary Robinson in April 1991. She also attended University College Cork, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Judy spent the last 20 years as a writer, and wrote for various publications, while her work appeared in several anthologies. Judy’s first book of short stories, ‘Rising Up on Ordinary Days’, was published recently. Condolences are extended to Judy’s sons and grandsons, her sister Barbara and her extended family and friends in the US and Mallow. May she rest in peace.