The recent unexpected death of Martin Coghlan shocked and saddened a community in which he was a well-known and very highly regarded figure - particularly at Westport Quay - where he lived with his family and worked for many years. Similar feelings of heartache and grief were felt in the parish of Louisburgh, where Martin spent several of his formative years.

He was aged 64 years and was son of the late Martin and Delia Coghlan. Martin's dad was the driver on the Louisburgh/Westport bus service and the family lived in the Cahir area for several years, before returning to live at Westport Quay. Like his siblings, Martin had an idyllic childhood and young adulthood, shared between both coastal towns.

When he completed his education Martin's first job was in Harney's Garage and he then spent a year in Dublin before returning to work at Westport Textiles, where his colleagues always held him in high regard.
Several years later, in 1978, he began working, and subsequently became Manager at The Asgard Bar and Restaurant at Westport Quay, a position he held with some esteem for over three decades. There, his genial and affable manner endeared him to all Asgard patrons, and under his direction and hard work the multi-award winning premises became an essential dining and social experience for virtually all visitors to Westport, while also enjoying a thriving local trade.

Martin had been through many transitions, renovations and changes in The Asgard over the years, but was always on hand to show those who came behind him 'the ropes'. It is well-known locally by regular Asgard patrons and staff that to this day there are keys and switches in The Asgard and only Martin Coghlan knows what they are for, and certain things of which only he has the knowledge. He loved in recent years imparting this
information to the next generation.

Martin later went on to establish his own taxi service, which he operated with great success in recent years. He built up a loyal local clientele and had quite the reputation as a tour guide for visitors, even if it was only on a spin from The Quay to Westport Town, given his infinite local knowledge and genuine interest in his surroundings and local people.

Just a few weeks ago Martin travelled with his wife Margie to Barcelona to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary and, while there, he became ill. Subsequent medical tests at home revealed serious illness, as a result of which he passed away in just over two weeks.

His death occurred in just a matter of hours of the passing of his old friend Martin Dunning of Tubberhill, Westport. For many years they had a mutual interest in greyhounds and coursing, and were familiar figures at coursing meetings all over the country.

Martin Coghlan had a special love for track racing with his dogs, and along with his brother Pat, bred and trained many a winner over the years. In particular, they frequented the tracks in Galway and Longford, and while it was mostly Pat who kept the dogs in more recent times, two of them, of which Martin was a part-owner, were racing in a final while he was on his last holiday with Margie in Barcelona.

Only last Thursday one of his favourite of the current crop of dogs 'Codiana' (called after a combination of the names of Martin's granddaughter Ciana and Pat's grandson Cody) won a race at the track in Galway in her first outing since Martin passed away. Marty, as his friends called him, was surely willing her on from above.

Football was also one of Martin's great pastimes. He was an avid GAA supporter and gave unstinting allegiance to Westport GAA Club and all Mayo teams. He could often be heard imparting his opinion on a player or game, and when he spoke about GAA, those around him tended to listen, because his opinion was a highly-qualified one based on years of loyal following. He never missed any Mayo game, not without exceptional reason, and had been at every league game this season - the last of which before he took ill was the victory over Cork, in Cork, on April 7. He was excited about the Championship coming around once again, but fate would intervene and he would never get to witness Mayo's comprehensive beating of Galway on Sunday, May 19 - even though his tickets for the game had, as always, arrived at Ardmore.

He was also a staunch supporter of Westport United FC, taking great delight in their many successes of recent years, and considered many of the club's great players and officials amongst his many friends.

Martin also had a great love of gardening and his own garden at Ardmore, which he cultivated with his wife Margie, has been a joy to behold for many long years. It was a widespread anecdote at Westport Quay that Martin would cut his lawn twice a week if he could, and he always displayed a willingness and generosity to share his gardening knowledge with others.

Martin will be very sadly missed by his wife Margie (nee Cunningham), sons Martin, Paul, lan and Shane, brothers Patrick (Pat), (Upper Quay, Westport), sisters Maureen O'Malley (Ballinrobe) and Evelyn Joyce (Ballinrobe) daughters-in-law Yumiko and Oria, grandchildren Aishlin, Ciara and Ciana, brothers-in-law Peter Joyce, Padraig Cunningham and Michael O'Malley, sisters-in-law Mary Wiethold and Mary Coughlan, extended
family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Martin lay in repose at the family home, where huge numbers of sympathisers gathered for many hours over two days, to show solidarity with his wife and family.

Removal was from his home to St Mary's Church, Westport, where Martin's Funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Charlie McDonnell (ADM) and Fr Micheal MacGreil, (SJ).

In his homily, Fr McDonnell spoke of Martin's love for his family and his passion for his native place and all things sporting, and of how he himself had not known Martin for very long, but had always felt very welcome in his presence.

In an eloquent and emotional post-communion reflection, Martin's son Paul described his father as 'simply a gentleman'.

"He was a wonderful and loving husband, a fantastic and supporting father, who was so proud of his sons, a wonderful friend to so many and a joyful acquaintance to every other person who had the pleasure to meet him," he recalled.

"Dad spent 30 years working in The Asgard where he is still regarded as a 'legend' by so many. His welcoming smile and witty comments are still remembered widely as so many people reminded us over the last few days. Yesterday, a text message from abroad summed him up in two words 'mighty craic'."
Paul spoke of Martin's 'unrivalled' love for his grandchildren, and his keen eye to watch and protect them.
"Skype (to his granddaughters living in Chicago) on a Sunday was something he waited for week after week, and he was the happiest man in the world when Ciara and Aishlin uttered the words "hi grandpa'."
He then spoke of his own daughter's impact on Martin.

"Ciana was a frequent visitor to Ardmore and whenever she arrived dad had a smile on his face that everyone could admire," Paul said, using a rhyme to illustrate the bond and mutual love of nature that had developed between his daughter and his father; "from the birds in the trees to the growth in the ground, their love to each other was to be found."

Paul concluded his tribute by saying that with Martin's passing, his family feel a massive part of their lives is gone forever, but the memories will live on with a 'huge smile'.
As Martin's coffin was brought down the church to renditions of some of his favourite songs, members of Westport Coursing Club and the Mayo GAA Supporters Club formed a guard of honour outside, as the cortege moved off in the direction of Aughavale Cemetery.
Martin's close friend Thomas Higgins had a greyhound by his side while another, Ger Gavin, held a Mayo flag aloft and led the hearse, setting an iconic scene for Martin's final journey around his beloved town.

Passing The Asgard, staff and some of Martin's old friends lined the route and bowed their heads, before the hearse then stopped one final time outside his cosy home and beautiful gardens at Ardmore, where
Martin's famous Cherry Blossom trees swayed silently in the strong breeze, in an almost lamentful farewell to he who had carefully nurtured them, over so many years, from saplings.

As he was lowered to eternal rest, Martin's youngest son Shane gave a haunting rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah, as those present gathered in mournful silence to bid one last farewell to a loved
one, a friend with whom a lifetime of memories and many a joke had been shared, one of life's truest gentlemen.

May his noble soul have peaceful rest.

Courtesy of The Mayo News
June 4, 2013 Tweet

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