The Late Mairtin O Maoilchiarain It was with a feeling of great loss and much sadness that people in the Moycullen community and several other districts learned of the sudden and untimely death of Mairtin O Maoilchirain of Gort Ui Lochlainn, Moycleen at his home. Mairtin was always recognised as a friendly, co-operative and outgoing personality. He gave great time and outstanding commitment to many causes during his lifetime and it is sad that he was departed at a young age. He was born into the long established Mulkerrins family of Clydagh, Moycullen. Over the years, he was especially associated in the community with Cumann Luthchleas Gael and other community activities. He was very active as a player in both hurling and football with the local teams and later as an excellent club official and as trustee and treasurer of the Maigh Cuilinn Sportsfield Development at Baile Doite. He devoted many hours to this major project and the fine facilities available today is a great testimony to his sterling work. Indeed, he will forever be remembered for his continued work towards the development which was undertaken 40 years ago in 1965, when Maigh Cuilinn was a small close knit community. Through some difficult times. Mairtin kept the dream and vision alive. It was a great honour for him when he officially opened the present development on Sunday June 2 1996. At the time, he observed that the parish would witness great changes over the following decade and that it was most important to provide the best facilities and opportunities. He was a methodical and far seeing personality and his sense of help and guidance will be huge loss in the changing parish, where he was always respected and highly regarded. Mairtin attended Maigh Cuilinn National School and then moved on to St. Mary's College in Galway city from 1950-1955. As well as continuing his studies he played in all grades of hurling and football. He won two Connacht Senior Hurling Championships in 1954 and in 1955 he gained selection on the Connacht Colleges team in 1955. Following his secondary education he attended UCG and graduated with a B.Comm degree and Higher Dipolma in Education. He had the honour of representing the university at Fitzgibbon Cup level. Mairtin always maintained grear pride in his native parish and was proud of the various achievements. He had a great love for the rural and traditional way of life. As stated, football and hurling were the major pastimes in his youth and he ably represented his parish in both hurling and football from 1952 until 1966. He won several championships in both codes, among those was a County Junior Hurling Championship medal some 50 years ago in 1955 and a second championship medal in 1963. He also collected a County Junior Football Championship medal in 1964, when a strong Maigh Cuilinn selection recorded a handsome victory over Loghrea. This period marked a 'golden era' in hurling and football in the parish as both teams progressed to senior action in 1965. As an official, Mairtin was elected as Chairman of Maigh Cuilinn GAA Club and he served as Chairman of Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuilinn from 1961 to 1974. Over the years he served as an officer at many and varied levels right up to President of the club. He was a co-founder of the very popular Moycullen GAA Club social which was started back in 1964 to commemorate the tremendous championship achievements of that period. Maigh Cuilinn was amongst the first club to have such a function and it always drew the crowds on New Year's Eve. The necessity for a playing field was stressed at that time as teams had to train at various places in the parish. In 1965, he became a pitch trustee and he acted as treasurer and later as secretary to the Coiste Na Pairc group. It was a huge achievement when the pitch was opened in July 1972. In more recent times, he was active in and enjoyed the game of golf. He was especially well known in Oughterard Golf Club activities, where he was again highly regarded and popular. In 1960, he was appointed to the teaching staff of Tuam Vocational School and he became Vice Principal in 1968, a position in which he served with much distinction right up to his retirement for health reasons in 1995. He was again very active in the promotion of sports activities throughout Coiste Gairm Oideachais na Gaillimhe. He served as Secretary of the County Galway VEC Games Committee from 1961 to 1965. In 1964, during a memorable period in the history of Galway Football, Galway Vocational Schools team won the All-Ireland for the first time. Mairtin was always to the forefront in furthering the community. He was a fine Irish speaker and he always stressed the promotion of the Irish language and culture. He played a major role in Maigh Cuilinn's involvement in Comortas Peil na Gaeltachta and he was a happy man in June 1971 when the club captured the Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta with a stirring 3-7 to 3-5 final victory over the host club, Baile Bhuirne at Paric Naomh Aban. The club also took the honours in Trath na gCeis and handball competitions. In addition to all his interests and active life, Mairtin was always a great family man who worked hard at all times. No doubt, he will be very sadly missed and fondly remembered within family circles and in the wider community. Large numbers attended the removal of remains from his home in Gort Ui Lochainn to the nearby Church of the Immaculate Conception and the burial ceremonies which took place to the local cemetery following the celebration of Requiem Mass. Many fond tributes were extended to him in wet and cloudy conditions which acted as a sad backdrop to a time nine years ago on June 2 1996, he performed the official opening of the sportsfield, where his memory will live on. He was 68 years of age and he is survived and very fondly remembered by his wife, Aine Nic Lochlainn; and children. Brian, Sean, Donal, Marie, Grainne and Neasa and other close family and friends. Nil aon amhras ach go bhfuil duine macanta, dilis agus diograsach ealaithe uainn or Shli na Firinne. Is meor an bris e seo da chlann, da ghaolta agus don pobal fre cheile. Ta a rian fagtha aige in anchuid imeachtai aitiula agus mairfidh a chuimhne. Solas siorai na bhFlaitheas da anam uasal. Seamus Gavin Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune 10th June 2005 Tweet

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