A devoted dog stayed by its owner's side for more than 24 hours after she was crushed by a falling tree branch.
Farmer Mary O'Shea was pinned to the floor on her own land and eventually found by passers by the following day.
One of her pet dogs refused to leave her side until she was found on Saturday evening, the Irish Mirror has learnt.
“The dog stayed by her side the whole time,” a source said.
Ms O'Shea, a well-known local historian and writer in her 60s, was cutting the tree when it fell on her at her home near Piltown, Co Kilkenny in Ireland.
Sources say she was last seen early on Friday and it is believed she died later that day.
Local Fine Gael councillor Pat Dunphy said everyone in the area was shocked by her death.
“I would like to pass on my sympathy and those of the people of Piltown to her relations," he said.
“She was a very popular woman. She worked on her farm and also had a strong knowledge of local history. It was very sad.”
The farmer was an only child, was unmarried and pre-deceased by both her parents, locals said.
Gardai confirmed the force is investigating the death of a woman whose body was found in Piltown on Saturday.
A spokesperson said: “Gardaí were requested for assistance by ambulance services yesterday, Saturday November 19, 2022, following reports of an incident in the Piltown area, Co. Kilkenny.
“A woman in her 60s received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been removed to the Mortuary at University Hospital Waterford. A file will be prepared for the Coroner.”
Sources said foul play had been ruled out and her death was a tragic accident.
Parish priest Fr Paschal Moore paid his own moving tribute to her.
He said: “She lived alone but she was very much involved in community life. She was a local historian and wrote a book on the area a few years ago.
"She was a wonderful person and was a great help in the parish when tourists came looking for their family roots. She was always willing to help.
“And she was a very good friend. She will be missed in the community. Everybody is sad this morning.”
Eddie Synnott, of the South Kilkenny Historical Society where Ms O’Shea was the joint treasurer, also paid tribute to her last night.
He said: “She was a very good historian and was able to express her knowledge. She was also an intellectual and a wonderful woman.”
A Piltown GAA spokesperson said: "We're all shocked and saddened at Mary's sad passing.
"She was a wonderful local historian who will be sadly missed by all who knew her."
