The people of Kiltimagh were shocked and saddened to hear the tragic death of Seamus Boyle in a traffic accident on the Kiltimagh to Kilkelly when the van he was driving collided with another van only a few Kilometres from his home. News of the tragedy not only shocked the community but also the people of Arranmore Island off the Donegal coast, where he was born and reared. His four-year- old son, who was with him at the time of the collision, was taken to Mayo General Hospital but, thankfully, his injuries weren't serious, and was discharged the following day. Seamus, who was 37 years of age, and his wife, Caroline Langan of Main St, Kiltimagh, met each other when they both worked in Chicago. They returned home to be married in Kiltimagh Parish Church on August 11, 2001, and, after honeymooning in Cyprus, returned to Chicago Just before the terrorist attacks on September 11, which were to have an unwelcome impact on the Irish in America. After deciding to move back permantly to Kiltimagh, Caroline and little James returned two years ago. Seamus stayed on until last Christmas, when the family were delighted to be reunited again. Sadly their time together was to be short, and the hearts of all go out to Caroline, who is due to give birth to her second child to James and to the Boyle and Lanagan Families on their tragic and sad loss. Seamus was well liked by everyone since coming to live n Kiltimagh. He had got a job as postman and was quickly settling in and getting to know the area. He took a keen interest in sport and was prominent member of the Arranmore football team before emigrating to Chicago, where he continued to play. He also followed with interest the exploits of the Donegal team. He will be sadly missed by his grief-stricken family and all the friends he had made around Kiltimagh as well as on his beloved Arranmore. His body was taken back to the island, where a wake was held in the family home on he Friday and Saturday night. Removal took place to Kiltimagh on Sunday, where he reposed at Langan's, and later that evening to the Church of the Holy Family. Friends from KIltimagh met the ferry carrying his remains when it arrived at Burtonport Pier, and a large number of family, friends and neighbours travelled from Arranmore and elsewhere on Monday, August 4, for the requiem Mass, which was concelebrated by Fr Kilcoyne, PP Kiltimagh, and Fr Duffy, PP Aranmore. In his homily, Fr Kilcoyne paid a lovely tribute to Seamus and said he had the pleasure of officiating at Sean's marriage to Caroline just seven years ago.Among the huge congregation was the Green Party spokesman, senator Dan Boyle, a cousin of the deceased. Afterwards, burial took place in Kilkinure Cemetery. Seamus is survived by his wife, Caroline; son, James; parents. Frank and Nellie; brother, John; sister, Margaret; mother-in-law, Kathleen Langan; families. Arranmore Island RNLI which was to have celebrated 125 years of lifesaving in the North West with a service of remembrance and air and sean demonstration on the Sunday afternoon, cancelled the event as mark of respect. A spokesman said that the heart had been taken out of the people of Arranmore with the death of Seamus and there wasn't the will among the islanders to go ahead with the celebrations. Courtesy of the Mayo news Tweet

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