The Late Patrick (Paddy) Ball, N.T., The death has taken place at University College Hospital, Galway, following a short llness, borne with courage, good humour and dignity, of Mr Patrick (Paddy) Ball, Tooreen Lodge, Louisburgh, retired Principal of Louisburgh Boys' National School. He was a native of Ballyhip, Louisburgh, and was aged 76 years. Paddy- as he was popularly known- was a very pominent and well-loved member of the Louisburgh community. Large crowds gathered at his residence to tender sympathy to his wife and family before removal took place to St. Patrick's Church, Louisburgh, where Paddy's brother, Canon John Ball, officiated, with several other priests also present. A Guard of Honour of teaching colleagues led by INTO President, Mr Sean Rowley, flanked the hearse. It also included member of Louisburgh GAA Club and the coffin was draped with the No 4 jersey of the Louisburgh senior team which Paddy had worn with distinction in his footballing days. Canon John Ball was the chief celebrant of the Funeral Mass and the concelebrants included Fr. Leo Morahan and Fr. Michael Darcy. At the outset of letter was read from Archbishop Michael Neary, apologising for his inability to attend due to the Funeral Mass of Canon Thomas Heraty occurring at the same time in Clifden. In the Mass a tribute was also paid to Paddy by his eldest son, John. Patrick was born in Ballyhip, in Louisburgh, September 17th 1927 and was the third of six brothers. His Primary education was in the local National School subsequent to which he won a Mayo County Council Scholarship and was placed in Mount St. Joseph College in Roscrea for his secondary education after which he attended St Patrick's College in Drumcondra where he gratuated as a Primary school teacher in 1949. His teaching career spanned almost 45 years principally as Principal of Louisburgh Boys' National School, earlier positions in his career included Erris, Bouris and Ballycroy. In November 1958 he married Mary Mulvey also of Louisburgh and over the following decade they had five children. As well as being renowned as a very dedicated teacher in the Louisburgh area, during the days of County Council Scholarships, Paddy was known to put great effort in with students who had potential, and the Boys' National School produced a disporpionate number of scholarships for this period. He also had a great interest in the I.N.T.O. and was very involved at a local and national level. He had also noted for his involvement and concern for the welfare of his colleagues and their familes. Paddy Ball retired in September of 1993 and enjoyed 10 good years of retirement and health in which he enjoyed travel, fishing, D.I.Y., Bingo and Card Playing. He also took the opportunity to extend his font of knowledge particularly on subjects such as history, politics and the church, undoubtedly matters, he loved to debate at all times. To sum up and to quote from John's tribute he lived a good honest and decent life, bore his illness with courage and dignity without the loss of his sense of humout. Now may he rest in peace. Patrick is deeply mourned by his wife, Mary (nee Mulvey); sons, John (Limerick) and Brendan (Ashford, Kent); daughters, Cepta (Castleknock, Dublin), Patricia ( Ballsbridge, Dublin) and Joanne (Ballintubber and Westport); brothers, Michael (Ballyhip), Canon John and Seamus (Tooreen); grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours, INTO colleagues and many friends. Mr Sean Rowley, President of the INTO paid the following tribute to Paddy who was prominent in the organisation for much of his teaching career. Tribute to Paddy Ball, N.T. "A Great oak has fallen in the forest" was how a teaching colleague in Dublin described the unexpected death of Paddy Ball on September 19th. This description has struck a chord with all who have heard it since, for there was a loyalty, a strength and indeed a sense of indestructibility about Paddy. His priorities in life would have been his beloved family, his chosen profession as a teacher and his professional organisation the I.N.T.O. in that order. To all who knew him Paddy was a solid citizen, a wise and thoughful man, a rockof common sense and perhaps above all a kind friend. Paddy returned to his native West Mayo in 1954 having spent two years in the North Mayo area. He spent a year in Bouris N.S. and three years in Accony N.S.. He was appointed Principal of Louisburgh N.S. in January 1957 in succession to the late John T. Morahan. This was a daunting task but Paddy embraced the challenge with relish and in the intervening years he made his own solid contribution to the educational landscape of Louisburgh, finally retiring in 1993 after a distinguished career both as teacher and school principal. Paddy was a great and loyal servant to the Irish National Teachers Organisation. He served as a secretary of the West Mayo Branch for eight years and as cathaoirleach (chairperson) for 23 years. He served as cathaoirleach of the Mayo/Sligo District Committee for two years but it was as treasurer of the District Committee and representative of the National Accounts Committee that Paddy made perhaps his greatest contribution at Union level, serving on the committee for 13 years. Paddy had a great interest in fiscal affairs and in this regard he carved a niche for himself as secretary to the committee. Before the concept of accountability became popular Paddy was promoting transparency and openness in Union financial matters and he left the organisation a considerable legacy in the whole area of accounting practice. To Mary and family we extend our deepest and sincere sympathy. While allof us will miss Paddy to them the loss wil be incalculable losing a devoted husband, father and friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dhilis. Courtesy of the Mayo News October 5th 2003 Tweet

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