The late Enda Nolan A devoted husband and father, a loving brother and friend and a man deeply passionate about people and politics, a giver, who faced his greatest challenge of all with tremendous dignity. Since the death of Enda Nolan, aged 46, the accolades have poured in as people within the Carlow community and throughout the country pay tribute to Enda. Enda's passing comes just 11 months after his diagnosis with cancer, an illness he fought with tremendous bravery until his peaceful passing in the company of his wife Aine and children, Katie, Anna, Tom and Jack, at their home in Park, Trinyland. Such was Enda's determination that despite his failing health he attended the April meeting of Carlow County Council, there to represent the people of the Muinebheag Electoral area and, in hindsight, to say goodbye to his council colleagues and officials. First elected to Bagenalstown Town Council in 1985 at the tender age of 25, Enda went on to elected to Carlow county Council in 1991, quickly established an unrivalled knowledge of local governments. Enda secured the affirmation of his council colleagues throughout the country by being elected chairman of the General Council of County Councils in 2000. A staunch defender of local government and his council colleagues, of whatever political hue, Enda firmly believed in the work of councillors and was unstinting in his efforts for those he represented. Son of the late Tom, former Dail deputy and minister and Peggy Nolan, Enda was one of a family of ten, who grew up on Station Road, Bagenalstown. He held his deep affection for his native home of Bagenalstown throughout his life and was enthusiastic about his role as its local councillor. From a young age politics was clearly one of Enda's great passions, indeed while still a schoolboy he wrote an essay on Eamon de Valera, which he then dutifully sent to him. The impressed former taoiseach and president signed the essay an sent it back, quickly establishing the childhood essay as a possession Enda proudly kept throughout his life. A past pupil of Bagenalstown De la Salle and the Cistercian College, Roscrea, Enda attended Carlow Regional College before entering into the family sweet business. In recent years, Enda was parliamentary assistant to his brother Deputy MJ Nolan, a role he revelled in, he was keenly looking forward to the forthcoming general election but, alas, it was not to be. Rallying was another great love of Enda's, and with his great friend, Michael Lyster, he loved nothing more than the adrenaline rush of taking to the roads. In the past year Enda's determination despite his ill health saw him complete in four rallies around the country. Enda took a keen interest in GAA and was part of the County Carlow GAA supporters' Club, formed in the 1990s. Following its demise Enda was bitterly disappointed that the offer of support, financial and otherwise, that exists throughout the county for the county GAA team remains untapped and hasn't been maximised. Enda was immensely proud that his son Jack, is now involved in the under-14 county hurling team, while son Tom is also interested in hurling and a keen rugby player with Cistercian College, Roscrea. Above all, Enda was a devoted family man, indeed his love of his wife and children was never more evident than in the past year when knowing his time was limited he spent every moment he could with them. Battling his progressive illness Enda still managed to bring his children to the World Rally Championships in 2007 and the Birmingham Motor Show. Generous is a word so many have used to describe Enda Nolan, generous with is time, energies and assistance. He was a giver in the truest sense of the word. Extremely sociable and great company, people tend to flock towards his company right into the wee small hours. Enda is survived by his wife Aine, children, Katie(20), Anna (18), Tom (16), and Jack (13) his brothers and sisters Brenda (Bagenalstown), MJ (Carlow), Michael (Cork), Marie (Navan), Tomas (Portarlington) John (Poland) and Colette (Kinsale), relatives and a wide circle of friends. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 13 April 2007 Tweet

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