Tributes to Michael McLoughlin This world can be a harsh place in which selfishness and negativity abound and, for many people a dark place. But sometimes we are lucky enough to meet along the path of life the likes of Michael, who brighten the way and lighten the load. Quite simply, Michael loved people and they loved him in return. The hundreds who came to mourn Achill's loss, in their respectful silence and tears, showed the genuine regard and affection everyone, young and old, had for this man. The main reason that they had braved the wind and rain on the night of his removal to Achill Sound Church and walked together in communal reverence over the bridge past 'Alices' was to pay tribute to a man who showed extraordinary kindness all his short life. Kindness - a form of compassionate goodness that displays no favour, no judgement and no selfishness - is so uncommon in an age like this. Michael epitomised kindness in his every dealing with people, and we, all of us, friends and family, have had direct personal experience and witnessed that kindness countless times over the years. Michael, or Bertie, as he was known to many, was a man who loved and contributed greatly to his community. The nickname was one that he acquired in his youth from the name of some footballer who played on the team his sportsmad father, Harry, supported. Mind you, the two most important women in his life, Marie, his beloved mother, and Una, his adored wife, both refused to call him anything but Michael. He inherited the love of sport and could always be relied upon by the local GAA club and supporters to help when he could. That help was given willingly and genuinely. He was always happy simply to assist - he sought nothing for himself in return. He appreciated the importance of sport - particularly in young people's lives - and he loved watching the games. He also liked to relive the highs and lows of games and would discuss and dissect. Michael also loved yawl racing and was responsible for the instigation of the Alice Sweeney Memorial Cup (named after his maternal grandmother) that is a highlight of Achill's social calendar during the summer months. He had a real vantage point for viewing the sailing in the bay from both the bar and his own front room. Growing up - the only boy in a family of three, born to Harry and Marie McLoughlin - in the hotel business, Michael was always used to and interested in people. He had a tremendous talent for putting people at ease immediately and he had a natural courtesy, treating everyone in exactly the same way. There was no distinction between class or other, as he recognised the dignity of every individual. There were times when those of us, his friends, would sit and marvel at the infinite patience of the boy, and later the man, when he encountered difficult behaviour due to over-consumption or other reasons. He would unfailingly show restraint and, as somebody who knew him for over thirty years, I never saw him lose his temper and I never ever heard him speak ill of anybody. But then, nobody could ever speak ill of him. When he met his darling Una, one could see that this was going to be a very good match indeed. Una, with her strong organisational skills and culinary expertise, helped in continuing and expanding the hotel business that Michael's family had built over the years. When their two sons, Micheal and Cathal whom Bertie loved so very deeply and of whom he was so justifiably proud, came along, life was very busy for them, as Una worked full-time as a teacher. Those years were the happiest in Michael's life. He so cherished his family, revelling in the boys' progress and development and building on the business. It was ironic that, at the time he achieved most success, illness came. But, in his usual dignified way, he bore this without complaint or self-pity, thinking only of the impact that it would have on his family. The steadfast Una, always be his side, and his boys eased the suffering for him, and their closeness as a family sustained them all. A lasting tribute to him might be that we try to emulate what he did and try to be a little kinder, a little more patient and a little less judgmental when dealing with people. The world would be a far brighter and happier place if we all behaved that way. So fare thee well Now boast thee death Thou hast in thy possession A lad unparalleled - courtesy of The Mayo News, 14th October 2008 Tweet

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