The news that reached Kiltimagh in the days following the All-Ireland final of the death of Niall Gilmartin was greeted with a sense of utter disbelief. Niall, or 'The Goat' as he was affectionately known to one and all, had only returned to Dublin the pervious Saturday after spending a few days in Kiltimagh. He had just returned with a group of friends from Slovakia and the Czech Republic where they attended Ireland's European Championship soccer games. Niall was in fine form and looking forward to the Cork v Kerry final in Croke Park the following day before returning to his job with Mcnamara Construction Ltd. However, as the sad news was confirmed, a deep sense of shock and sorrow engulfed the whole community, where he was well known and held in high regard by everyone. Niall, who was the second eldest of five boys born to the late Cathal and Margaret Gilmartin (nee O'Hora), came from a well-known and highly respected family in the town. He would have celebrated his 39th birthday on October 14. He was grandson of the late Charlie Gilmartin, who served the area as a Fianna Fail Councillor back in the 1950s. Niall had known sadness and loss in his rather short life with the sudden death of his father in 1983 and the death of his mother in 1991. He was a lovely caring young man, loyal to his friends and very popular with everyone, and his sudden death has left his family and friends devastated. his familiar figure will be missed around the streets of Kiltimagh, but he will be remembered with great affection for a long time to come. Niall was blessed with a wonderful outgoing personality, which endeared him to young and old alike. He had a word and smile for everyone and, with a glint in his eye, was never short of a witty remark when ever the occasion arose. Visitors to the town are always amazed and not a little confused at the variety of nickname by which Kiltimagh men, both young and old, are commonly knows. "The Goat" was quite proud of his own rather unusual title, which is believed to have been bestowed on him following a visit to the Goat fair in Foxford. he was an intrepid traveller but not for him the sunny beaches of Spain. He like to experience new places and cultures often away from the beaten track.he visited most counties in Europe, either with his mates following the Irish football team, or if a spot just took his fancy. Many of his friends will have fond recollections of Niall ringing them out of the blue asking if they would like to go with him to some city or other - usually the next day! In the past year alone he visited nine countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. He also liked reading and always had a selection of books near at hand. He followed with interest the current events of the day and had a special interest in politics. Niall had a great love of the GAA and was a passionate Kiltimagh and Mayo supporter. While he played very little football, he had a great knowledge of the game and, in fact, once worked as a coach for the East Mayo GAA Board coaching primary school children. Each year he lived in hope of seeing his beloved Mayo win the All-Ireland but sadly his dream never became a reality.He was always there to lend support to the local club and in the days before this year's Mayo Intermediate final, Kiltimagh club chairman, Tod O mahony, said in a tribute to niall that a huge voice would be missing in McHale Park, as indeed it was. A minute's silence was observed in his memory before the throw-in. When his work took him to Dublin some years ago, he immediately became involved with the Na Fianna Club. It is a measure of the respect that he enjoyed there that several of the club's officials attended his funeral in Kiltimagh. So too did his friends and members of management from McNamara Construction Ltd, who came to bid farewell to a much valued and trusted colleague. Niall loved his home town and over the years was involved in several local activities, including the dramatic and musical societies. Since leaving to work in Dublin he came back regularly to socialise with his friends and all the better if there was a match in Gilmartin Park, which, incidentally, was named in memory of his uncle joseph Gilmarin, a prominent member and past Treasurer of the Club, who also died at a young age. Niall was brought back to Kiltimagh where he reposed overnight to the home of his brother Cormac and sister-in-law Adele before his removal from O'Hora's Funeral Home. An impressive guard of honour was provided by the GAA as his coffin was carried by his friends to the Church of the holy Family, and again as he was brought on his final journey to Kilkinure Cemetery where he was laid to rest beside his father and mother. Huge crowds attended the ceremonies on both days when Fr Paddy Kilcoyne celebrated his funeral Mass on Sunday, September 23, the church was packed to overflowing.Fr Paddy, in paying a moving tribute to Niall, said he first got to know him when he taught religion in Colaiste Raifteri back in the 1980s. He concluded his comforting words by saying that everyone loved 'The Goat'. who would have been surprised and delighted to know that he more than filled the parish church. He is deeply mourned by his brothers Cormac, Cathal, Liam and Joseph, sisters-in-law- Adele and Annette, nieces Caoimhe and Orlaith, uncles, aunts, cousins and a huge circle of friends to whom sympathy is extended. Courtesy of the Mayo News 30 October, 2007 Tweet

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