The late Ger Ó Ciobháin West Kerry bade farewell to a truly inspirational gentleman as Ger Ó Ciobháin (80) of Gorta Dubh, Baile an Fheirteáraigh was laid to rest in Dún Úrlann cemetery on Saturday, 25th October. The Gorta Dubh native was known far and wide due to the many tremendous feats he achieved in his lifetime and Raidió na Gaeltachta's Micheál Ó Sé eulogised his many triumphs at his Requiem Mass, celebrated at Seipeál Naomh Uinsean. Ger became the first man to circumnavigate the Irish coast in a man-made Naomhóg leaving his home in Ballyferriter on 29th June, 1975 with the aim of rowing 1,200 miles around the Irish coast. He completed the momentous task in six weeks and six days. But this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to remembering Ger, or Ger Kavanagh as he was also known. Farmer, fisherman, poet, songwriter, novelist, these are all titles that can be attributed to Ger but as his family recount on his departure from this earthly plain, Ger was above all a family man. Ger's wife Bridie, his children Eileen, Mairead, Bridie, Johnny and Geraldine and his grandchildren were always his most treasured possessions. Ger was born 80 years ago to Maurice and Kate (nee Long) of Gorta Dubh. He had three brothers John-Joe, Joe and Martin and three sisters Teresa, Eileen and Maureen. After attending school at Baile an Éanaigh, Ger carved out a life for himself on the family farm also fishing upon Smerwick Harbour's Atlantic waves. In 1947, the annual harvest was bad and Ger took himself off to the Rinn Gaeltacht in Co. Waterford after receiving a scholarship to attend the college there. It was there that fate intervened and Ger encountered his future wife, Bridie. A very popular and outgoing young man, Ger soon made many friends in Waterford. He brought his love of football from the Kingdom with him, playing on the local parish team, An Sean Pobál that won the Waterford County Junior Football Championship in 1949. To mark the occasion Ger penned the ballad, 'The Men of '49' which saw the emergence of Ger's talent as a writer, a talent that was to play a major part in his life. After working in England for some years afterwards, Ger returned to Ireland and he and Bridie were married in 1960. After having their honeymoon breakfast, Ger and Bridie headed off to celebrate in Croke Park as Kerry took on Down in the All-Ireland (which unfortunately Kerry lost). The couple returned to West Kerry where they settled on the family farm in Gorta Dubh. They went on to have five children, Eileen, Mairead, Bridie, Johnny and Geraldine. Ger's family were always his first priority. When his children were young, he would bring them out in the tractor in the run up to Christmas and encourage them to cry out at the top of their lungs, what they wanted for Christmas. "He's up there listening now," Ger would tell them, "be sure and shout out what you want so Santa can hear you!" And sure enough, come Christmas morning, there under the tree were the things they had asked for. Sunday's were also a special day when Ger would bring all the family to the beach nearby. Ger had many interests in life; he was a staunch Fine Gael supporter and campaigned avidly for Michael Begley's election to the Dail in the 1960s. The day Deputy Begley was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Party in Dublin was one of the proudest days of his life. As a native speaker, the Irish language was also extremely important to Ger. Sport was also a passion; playing with An Gaeltacht, Ger was known as 'An Ghiorraí, (The Hare) as he was wily and swift on the football pitch. Once he had the ball, he was gone. Throughout his life, Ger retained an avid interest in all sports from Gaelic to hurling to soccer. However, it was the exploits of Ger in 1975 that captured the nations interest. On 29th June, he left Ballyferriter in a 13-year-old Naomhóg with the intention of becoming the first man to circumnavigate the Irish coast. He completed the momentous task in six weeks and six days arriving home on 12th August after rowing 1,200 miles around Ireland. His achievement made national news and Ger went on to write a book entitled Cogarnach ar gCosta which became part of the Leaving Cert Sylabus. He also published Bhí mo Lá Agam, Nár Chlos ár Namhaid and An Giorria San Aer as well as writing numerous poems and song. Throughout his life Ger made many friends, his joie-de-vivre and engaging personality endearing him to many. In his later years, despite ill health, these are all qualities he retained to the fullest, embracing life and enjoying every second. His family forever remained in his heart and in later years his love grew to embrace his six beloved grandchildren. Ger Ó Ciobháin passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in his home in Gorta Dubh last week. He was laid to ret in Dún Urlann cemetery following Requiem Mass on Saturday morning. He is survived by his loving wife Bridie, his children Eileen, Mairead, Bridie, Johnny and Geraldine, his sisters Teresa and Eileen in the USA, his grandchildren Joseph, John, Victoria, Donal, Nicole and Sinead, his extended family, relatives and many friends. In the words of Tomás Ó Críothain, ní bheidh a leithid ann arís. "Ba bhreá liom síneadh ar Cheann Sibéal Thiar, Tráthnóna ar dhul na Gréine. Is radharc go fairsing ar an mbá leathan, amach go dtí íor geal na spéire." Kerry's Eye - 30th October 2008 Tweet

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