The recent sudden death of Timahoe publican, Mark Ramsbottom, caused genuine shock and sadness in his native Timahoe and throughout the county. Mark had been in good health as he entertained his customers on the previous night and his death on Saturday morning as he loaded cattle for the first mart in Ballinakill, following the lifting of foot and mouth restrictions, cast a pass of gloom over the village. Mark, who was 58, was a publican of the old school, for his many customers he always had words of wisdom and advice, a joke or a riddle, the answer to any sporting question and the latest news from around the country. He knew when to lift the spirits of a customer and when not to, it was an art form in itself. As a raconteur, Mark was unrivalled. In his youth Mark was a top class sportsman, while attending the Patrician College in Ballyfin, he was their top athletic competitor in the high jump. He, for many years was a member of Portlaoise boxing club and competed in numerous Leinster boxing championships. He was a member of the now defunct St. Brigid's Athletic Club in Portlaoise competing in cross country, road and track and field events. But his first love was GAA and he had the unique distinction of winning four minor football championships in a row, 1957 with Annanough, 1958 with Timahoe, 1959 with Stradbally and 1960 with Annanough, a record held by only a handful of GAA players in Ireland. Mark also wore the blue and white of Laois with pride at different times. As an active member of the Licenced Vintners, Mark often organised his annual holidays to coincide with the Vinters Annual Conference and spoke on matters of concern to his customers and to publicans. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. The large attendance at his funeral was testimony to the regard people held for Mark. Tweet

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