The death occurred at University College Hospital Galway on September 5 of Domnick Nyland, better known as Gerald or Gerry of Urlaur, Kilkelly. Gerald had been ill for a year, yet news of his passing came as a shock to most, given the active lifestyle he enjoyed and the positive attitude displayed throughout his illness. Born the youngest of eight on January 21 1932 to Domnick and Nellie Nyland (nee Creane, Fairymount), Gerald was one of Urlaur's favourite sons. First and foremost a devoted family man, Gerald's standing as a staunch community activist was unquestionable. Whether it was chairing community based meetings, working on a voluntary basis for some community based project, staging or acting in a drama, or leading the way to organise the annual pattern in Urlaur, for decades Gerald was to the forefront of all local initiatives. It wasn't just Urlaur that benefited from his talents. During the 1970s he was heavily involved with the highly successful Aghamore club as chairperson of Bord na nÓg. Later, he would serve the Kilmovee Shamrocks Club with equal drive and enthusiasm. During the Funeral Mass,Fr. Glynn pointed out that even though Gerald was synonymous with the community in Urlaur, he was very much a family man. He married Kitty (nee Coyne) in July 1965. They went on to have four children, Deirdre, Joe, Peter and Cathy. Sadly, he was predeceased by Joe in April 1975. Gerald was a man of many parts. He could turn his hand to building, electrics, painting and plumbing. Even last year, Gerald was one of the few people to make cocks of hay, always a man to keep old traditions alive. Unselfish with his time he would always be on hand to help others and even up to his illness would shake and row up the hay for his close neighbours. It was never a hassle as he loved helping others. Gerald will always be remembered for his sense of fun. Everybody enjoyed his stories and he had at least one to fit any occasion. On the first of June this year he acted as bestman for his brother Seamie's marriage to Bridgie. There was no need for a prepared script, Gerald held the audience in the palm of his hand with an off the cuff speech. He was a great speaker and communicator and often took the role of MC at local functions. It might be said that he loved an audience and this may have been nurtured in the 1960s when he performed in many plays with the local drama group. These plays were staged to raise funds for the building of the Church in Urlaur. His favourite play was "The Country Boy'. Gerald played the part of Curleys father Tom. His wife Kitty also acted alongside him. Only last year Gerald was narrator for the Pattern Day production of "The Black Boar of Urlaur Abbey". Gerald loved socialising and up until recently rarely missed a Sunday night dancing. His favourite local band was Kay and the Country Stars. Perhaps it was fitting that they played at Gerald's last Pattern Social. He was a man of deep faith. He did the annual Novena in Knock for many years, read at Sunday Mass and for years did work for the Church including putting up the crib and tree at Christmas time. Gifts brought to the altar during the Funeral Mass included a wheel of a plough, a family picture, a football, and a DVD of the Pattern. All of these were symbols of the life he had lived. A guard of honour was provided by Kilmovee GAA club, members of the local Community, students from Kilmovee national School and Carrick-on-Shannon Community School. Gerald loved the music of Phil Coulter and it was fitting that an instrumental version of "The Town I Loved so Well" was played during the Mass. His son Peter also used a line from Coulter's "The Old Man" when he spoke about his father: "The lines he showed me, things not known to kings and I'll miss him." "The Old Man", summed up the knowledge Gerald had, and the enormity of the void he leaves both in his family and in Urlaur. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Courtesy of the Western People. 16 October, 2007. Tweet

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