The death of Michael Loughnane, Woodlands Park, Birr recently after a short illness evoked widespread grief not only in Birr but throughout the country. Michael was very well known around Ireland through his involvement in business, politics, the GAA and golf and was a very popular individual wherever he went. Michael had a great personality and his friendliness, good humour and his ability to sit down and chat with people made him welcome in any company. He was always keen to promote Birr and what it has to offer and he was a great ambassador for the town. His death at the comparatively young age of 61 leaves a void in the community that will be hard to be filled. Michael was a member of a prominent Birr family and he was very proud of his roots. He was also very proud of the success of the family businesses including his own Loughnane Centra, Loughnane Concrete (which is run by his brother Sean) and the County Arms Hotel (which is run by another brother, Willie). Loughnane Centra and Filling Station on Tullamore Road was first opened in February 1997 and it was expanded significantly in March 2004. During the last year Michael took a backseat in the business and began to really enjoy his golf. Michael had a great interest in politics and was heavily involved with the Fianna Fail party both locally and nationally. He was a member of Fianna Fail's National Executive for the last 11 years. The National Executive is basically the Ard Comhairle and Michael attended this on a monthly basis in the Dail. Meetings are chaired by the Taoiseach. The National Executive deals with national issues, for example the planning of General Election campaigns. Michael was very proud of the fact that his son Michael Junior was elected Chairman of Birr Town Council a few weeks ago during the Council's AGM. Michael Snr was delighted to be able to attend that meeting, which was just over a week before he passed away. He was also Chairman of the Offaly Comhairle Dail Ceantair (FF), a position that entailed meetings with Minister Brian Cowen, local Cumanns and councillors regarding a range of issues. The current chairman of the Dail Ceantar is Padraig Boland and he said that the Ceantar had a meeting on Monday July 2nd last and over 100 delegates turned up for it, many of whom paid fond tribute to Michael's work in the Fianna Fail family over the last 40 years. Michael was also very much involved in the GAA and served as chairman of Birr GAA Club for a number of years. He took great pride is seeing the club win the All-Ireland club title during his term in office and he was a regular attender at matches all over the country. He was one of the driving forces behind the building of the stand at St Brendan's Park in Birr and that will serve as one of his legacies to the club and county. He was also a prominent member of Birr Golf Club. He had been a member of the club for over 50 years and devoted many hours to the development of the Glenns. He was a committee member for over 20 years, captained the club in 1979 and was president in 1992. During his captaincy year, Birr won two major titles; the Provincial Towns' Cup and the prestigious All Ireland Mixed Foursomes in Galway. In recent years he was a trustee of the club and was ever keen to represent the members throughout the region. In a tribute to Michael, the club said, "He had a deep regard for the traditions of the club, was noted for his generosity and was especially pleased to see the progress of the new course development. Despite his illness he worked tirelessly for the recent classic and spent many hours organising teams and sponsorship. He will be sadly missed by all, but especially by his family and innumerable close friends." Speaking to The Tribune Michael Loughnane Junior commented that his father 'liked to visit people, drink tea and coffee and chat with them and he often lamented the fact that this kind of sociability was disappearing from Ireland. 'During his recent illness he was delighted to see the many people who came to his house to visit him. 'He never spent a night in hospital and died in his home in Woodlands Park.' During the final weeks he was cared for by his wife Mary, son Michael, daughter in law Anne and Mary's brother John O'Shea. Michael's illness lasted 11 weeks until his death and during that 11 weeks he packed a great deal into his life. 'He enjoyed going for a drive," said Michael Junior, 'and someone drove him somewhere every day during the 80 days of his illness. We visited such places as Knock, Spanish Point in Clare and Dublin.' 'He was very proud of his family tradition and took it upon himself during his illness to go around the midlands and take photos of buildings, churches and schools that his own family firm had built since the 1950s. One of these buildings was Gloster Convent which Michael visited five days before his death." Fianna Fail Cllr Noel Russell paid tribute to the man he described as 'a larger than life character.' Cllr Russell said Michael had a good word for everyone and would be sadly missed. 'Michael was the person who got me involved in local politics in Birr and he was always very encouraging and gave me great support and advice in the council and in business,' he said. 'As well as being an employer and advisor, he was a friend as well.' He added that Mr Loughnane had contributed greatly to the business community in Birr over the years. All aspects of Michael's life were represented at his Funeral, which was one of the biggest in memory in Birr. The Taoiseach was represented by his Aide de Camp Cmdt. Murray and also present were Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen and Minister of State Maire Hoctor, along with other TDs, Senators, County Councillors, including the chairman of Offaly County Council, Cllr Eamon Dooley, and the members of Birr Town Council along with Town Clerk Mary Gaughran. Fianna Fail was represented by the party's Secretary General and members of the National Executive. The attendance also included former President of the GAA, Joe McDonagh, chairman of the Offaly County Board Ollie Daly and officers and members of Birr GAA Club. Birr Golf Club was represented by the officers and many members while many of the other golf club in the Midlands were also represented. Also present were the chairman of Shannon Development, John Brassil, along with the Chief Executive and other members of staff, the President of the Hotels Federation, Annette Devine, the Chief Executive of the Vintners Federation, Tadhg O'Sullivan, the chairman of the National Ploughing Association, Michael Mahon, representatives of Texaco, Musgraves, the Construction Industry Federation and the Concrete Manufactures Association. Michael was predeceased by his father, Michael, brother Seamus and sister Brigid Balfe. He is survived by his wife, Mary, son, Michael, mother Madge, daughter-in-law, Anne, grandson, Charlie, brothers, Willie, Paddy (Northampton), Sean, Brendan (Dublin), sisters Mary O'Gorman (Birr), Josephine Nealon (Sligo), Kate Kelly (Dublin), brother-in-law and friend John O'Shea, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, to all of whom deepest sympathy is extended on their loss. His remains were removed from his home to St Brendan's Church and a guard of honour was provided by Birr Golf Club and Birr GAA Club. Funeral Mass was celebrated the following day at St Brendan's Church and a Guard of Honour was provided by Fianna Fail as the Funeral proceeded to Clonoghill Cemetery. The Guard of Honour was led by Michael's two great friends, Finance Minister Brian Cowen and former TD, Ger Connolly, Minister Cowen also delivered the graveside oration. Tweet

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