Heaney, Martin
August 07, 2012The death has taken place at his residence in Trianlár, Tourmakeady of Mr Martin Heaney, aged 89 and predeceased by his wife Bríd in April, 1989.
Martin, a native of Pullbaun, Hollymount was the last member of his family. He was a well-known man in the community and through-out many parts of South and West Mayo for various aspects of life. In his earlier years, he was a hard working farmer who visited many parts on his threshing machine. In 1950 Martin Heaney married a Tourmakeady girl Bríd Heveran and moved into a different way of life. He undertook the running of a Public House which was owned by the Heveran family. Martin continued to farm in Tourmakeady where he had great interest and his public house was later to become the Lough Mask Inn. At the time Martin, Bríd and family had retired from bar life and took up residency close by. Martin was a great family man. He loved his grandchildren and more recently he adored his only great-grandson. Martin was a faithful man and Mass and Church were an important part of his weekly duties. He had his own seat in St Mary's, now handed over to his only son Séan.
Martin was a serious sports man, a great supporter of Tourmakeady and Mayo. In the mid sixties when Tourmakeady GAA Club was formed, Martin, then a committee member, solved a major problem when they had no place to play. Martin handed over his best field to the club in which they played for close on twenty years during their first West and County junior titles in 1979. Football teams from Achill to Headford and Knockmore to Clonbur have memories some good and some bad, of Heaney's GAA field in Tourmakeady. The club will always be grateful to the Heaney family and Guard of Honour at his funeral was a little thank you to Martin whose life will always live on. Martin's greatest sports moment was in Croke Park. His granddaughter Martha O'Malley in the Green and Red of Mayo played no small part in winning Mayo's first ever All Ireland ladies final. Martin loved to meet friends and the public in general and could converse in any aspect of life be it political or sport or whatever. Large crowds assembled to bid farewell to Martin and paid their respects to his family. Following Mayo's victory over Sligo on Sunday, July 15, Martins remains were removed from his home to Tourmakeady Funeral Home and on to St. Mary's Church, Tourmakeady where they were received by Fr. Frank Kenny P.P. Partry/Tourmakeady. Burial took place on Monday following the 11am Mass celebrated by Fr John Kenny assisted by Canon Desmond Grogan and Cannon James Quinn, Taugheen. Readings and prayers were presented by Martin's family and grandchildren. Requiem hymns were played by Noreen and Clán Ui Mhaille and friends. A communication reflection was given by Martin's son Sean and son-in-law Brian. 'Moonlight in Mayo', one of Martin's favourites was rendered as he left St Mary's for the final time. Martin is survived by his son Séan, daughters Mary, Bríd, Ann, Claire and Cathy, sons-in-law Brian and Padraig, grandchildren and great-grandson, sister -in-law, nieces , nephews and extended family , neighbours, Trish and Irene, past customers and friends. May Martin's gentle soul rest in peace.
(Text courtesy of Mayo News 07/08/12) Tweet
