Death of Mayo-based writer and environmentalist Ethna Viney is widely mourned
The death has occurred of Ethna Viney who, along with her late husband Michael Viney, made a successful new life for themselves on a small holding in south west Mayo over 50 years ago.
Ethna, who was 95, passed away yesterday at the Mayo Hospice with her family at her side.
Both she and her husband were committed environmentalists.
Over the decades they both wrote lengthy articles for the Irish Times about their new lives in Thallabawn, between Louisburgh and Killary Harbour.
Born in Co. Cavan, Ethna (McManus) worked in a number of media roles in the 1960s including that of television producer of current affairs programmes.
She married Michael Viney in 1965 and seven years later the couple moved to live closer to nature on a hillside holding near Louisburgh.
A prolific writer, Ethna, in 2008, co-authored, with Michael, a monumental joint work, "Ireland’s Oceans: A Natural History.”
In 1988, she began a weekly column, Eye on Nature, with the Irish Times, an early engagement with readers in which Ethna answered their wildlife questions.
Peter Murtagh, a former journalistic colleague of the Vineys, recalls in a tribute to Ethna published in today’s Irish Times that she was small of stature but was a big presence in any company – an equal to her husband, in relationship terms, but also in terms of their scientific knowledge and endeavour.
“Conversationally energetic, her opinions were always clear and both pronounced and defended with intellectual vigour and passion.”
Ethna, who passed away at the Mayo Hospice, was predeceased by her husband last year.
She is described in her death notice as ‘chemist, economist and journalist’.
She is survived by her daughter Michele (Dublin and Thallabawn), sister Eva, brother Bert, nephews, nieces, the extended Viney and McManus families and a wide circle of friends.
Ethna will rest in repose at Sweeney's Funeral Home, Louisburgh on Saturday next, May 4, from 1.30 pm followed by a Service of Celebration of Ethna's life at 2 p.m.
Private cremation will follow the service.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.