The Late Robbie Mulleady There was great sadness across the county at the news of the death of Robbie Mulleady at his residence on Bracklin Road, Edgeworthstown, following a short illness. He was known all over Longford for his involvement in greyhound racing, Gaelic football and politics. Paying tribute to Robbie, Fianna Fail TD for Longford/Westmeath Peter Kelly said: "His passing is a great loss to the wider community in Longford and within Fianna Fail,, an organisation he worked tirelessly for over many years". A member of the well-known Mulleady family in Drumlish, Robbie was renowned throughout the county and beyond as a successful greyhound trainer, with a dead-heat in the 2007 Longford derby being among his most recent victories. Originally from Derryheelan, Drumlish, he was a farmer most of his life, save for a brief stretch spent in England. He came from a large family with five brothers Frank, Niallie, John (RIP), Paddy Joe (RIP), Michael (RIP) and three sisters Kathleen (Prunty), Bridgie (Lennon RIP), Mary Ann (Ross, RIP). He met his wife Ann McLoughlin at a young age. She was a native of Shanmullagh, Ballinamuck and they married in their early twenties. It was a close partnership that lasted all his life. In time he became a large dairy farmer and established a base at Coolamber in Edgeworthstown. There he worked with Kate Ann to raise a family of six and run a successful farm. They had two sons, Eugene, now in London and Michael who lives locally, and four daughters Pauline (McGuire, Monaghan), Mary (McKeon, Aughnacliffe), Esther (Keenan, Lucan) and Anne (Brennan, Athlone). He became very involved in greyhound dog training and many of his hounds bared the name Coolamber competitions. He was a regular at the Longford and Mullingar tracks and often travelled to meetings further a field. His involvement in the sport continued right up until the last few weeks of his life; he had a winner at Longford just three weeks ago. His Navajo Blus finished a dead-heat in last year's Longford Derby. Even after the move to Edgeworthstown, Robbie still retained his love for Fr Manning Gaels, who he played football with his younger days. He was among the most enthusiastic supporters during their golden era in the nineties but he also followed the fortunes of Mostrim. He also became one of the county football team's most loyal supporters missing very few games in recent years. Local councillor Martin Mulleady, a second cousin, recalled that Robbie was present at every game during his seven-year tenure with the county team. Indeed Robbie's loyalty to Gaelic games in the county is something shared by his nephew Seamus Ross (son of the late Mary Ann), one of the main movers behind the County Board's Annual race day in Punchestown. Robbie took great pride in his grandson Paul McKeon, who lined out at corner forward for Clomcille in last year's county final, while Longford and Fr. Manning Gaels Stalwart Padraic Davis is a nephew. Among Robbie's other interests were shooting and hunting and he was a member of the Drumlish-Ballinamuck Gun Club for years. The Mulleady family have long being involved in Fianna Fáil, with Robbie's uncle Frank and his cousin Sean serving on Longford County Council in the past. His second cousin Martin is now a sitting councillor. Robbie was an active supporter of the party and was the driving force behind the Coolamber Fianna Fáil Cummann and a good friend of Albert Reynolds during his early years in cabinet and when he later became Taoiseach. Robbie was well respected in Edgeworthstown and further a field. His first cousin Fr Pat Lennon spoke of how Robbie's advice on many matters was well-respected by those who knew him. Though he had received little formal education beyond primary school, he had worked hard and accumulated much wisdom in the school of life. He was buried in Aughafin Cemetery, following funeral mass at St. Mary's Church, Edgeworthstown. Robbie Mulleady is survived by his wife Ann; sons Eugene and Michael; daughters Pauline, Mary, Esther and Anne, brothers Frank and Niallie; sister Kathleen; daughter-in-law Caroline; sons-in-law Frank; Michael F Dave and Michael, sister-in-law, grandchildren and many relatives. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Longford Leader 18th January 2008 Tweet

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