The late Martin Morgan The funeral took place of the late Mr Martin Morgan, Ballintubber, whose death occurred at Roscommon County Hospital. Martin was a great community activist and was involved in all sectors of local life be it politics, sport or Tidy Towns. Martin was a keen GAA follower first as a player with St Croan's and then in later years as an official, a selector and most notable President of the club. He had a great love of sport and of community. He was an instrumental force in establishing the local community centre and handball club in Ballintubber. As chairman of the Ballintubber Tidy Towns Association, he led a lifelong campaign on litter awareness. He was devoted to improving the image of the area and indeed under his tenure the village won several county awards and a regional title. He was great friends with his fellow Tidy Towns campaigner the late Michael Holland and they both spent many years working for the betterment of the area. He was also involved with politics all of his life and indeed he was President of the Local Fianna Fail Cumann. Martin was also a great campaigner for the youth and he saw the need for services and facilities to meet their needs. That was his driving force in setting up the handball centre and working with St Croan's for decades. He was an unsung hero, working away for the betterment of Ballintubber and its people. Predeceased by his wife, Marie, he is survived by his sons, Michael and John; daughters, Moira, Joan and Breda; daughter-in-law, Claire; sons-in-law, Noel and Liam and Jimmy; grandchildren, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, his many relatives and friends. His remains were removed from his residence to St Bride's Church, Ballintubber and following funeral Mass burial took place in the local cemetery. Courtesy of The Roscommon Herald 19 December 2006 The late Martin Morgan Ballintubber man Martin Morgan, whose recent death took place at Roscommon County Hospital, was instrumental in establishing many facilities in his community. Tributes from the local community have been flowing in and at his graveside the following oration, on behalf of people of Ballintubber, was delivered by local man Cllr Tony Waldron. "We are gathered here today to say a final farewell to our friend Martin Morgan. "I am honoured and privileged to have been asked to pay tribute to him on this poignant occasion. It is difficult in these few words to pay homage to a man whose occasion for life, family and community spanned over many decades. At the outset I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Martin's family, his sons Michael and John, daughters, Moira, Joan and Breda, daughter-in-law Claire, sons-in-law Noel, Liam and Jimmy, grandchildren, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, his many relatives and friends. "Martin Morgan was many things to many people. He was actively involved in all sectors of his local community here in Ballintubber and he took to his various roles and positions with great authority and passion. A native of the village, Martin was a keen GAA follower, first as a player with St Croan's and then in later years as an official, a selector and most notably President of the club. Martin had a great love of sport and of community. "He was an instrumental force in establishing the local community centre and handball club in Ballintubber. His outstanding abilities and determination were to serve him well in the many and varied roles he took on. A larger than life character in every sense of the word, Martin's fine physique was matched with a steely determination and the courage to always speak his mind. He was a pioneering force in community development. "He was driven by a love for his native village and its people and his goal to put Ballintubber on the map tang true whether in sport, community, Tidy Towns or politics. "As chairman of the Ballintubber Tidy Towns Association, Martin led a lifelong campaign for litter awareness. He was devoted to improving the image of the area and and indeed under his tenure the village won several county awards and a regional title. "He was great friends with his fellow Tidy Towns campaigner the late Michael Holland and they both spent many years working for the betterment of this area. "Martin was also involved with politics all of his life and indeed he was President of the local Fianna Fail cumann. He worked diligently and behind the scenes on the election campaigns for many former Deputies and Senators including Brian Lenihan, Sean Doherty, Hugh Gibbons and Terry Leyden and Dr Greg Kelly. He was a man you wanted on your team. His warm, affable nature gave him a unique understanding of people. They trusted him and he always delivered on his promises. "Martin was also a great campaigner for the youth and he saw the need for services and facilities to meet their needs. That was his driving force in setting up the handball centre and working with St Croan's for decades. He was an unsung hero. "He brought a wide array of talents and skills to whatever role he adopted. Martin displayed grave under pressure. He had an incisive mind, superb people skills and a proud identity with his native village. He also had the discipline of a tremendous work ethic. He managed to balance all of his community roles with family life. "Martin;s work ethic was also channelled into his company Morgan and Carlos which he owned with the late Jim Carlos. "Of course one of the many things which Martin will be remembered for his involvement in the annual Ballintubber carnival. This was also his way of putting the village on the map and every year the event drew large crowds. Indeed one of my outstanding memories from that time was Martin's plan to erect a series of lights on the Castle. The blazing lights could be seen from as far away as Castlerea and was the subject of much debate. "That was Martin, no task was too big or too small. In deed he was a beacon of light himself, a lighthouse from Ballintubber and its people, a refuge and rock for the local community. "Martin Morgan has left us a great legacy. His love and commitment for community and family is one we should all carry in our hearts forever. "Ar dheis De go raibh a anam usal." Courtesy of The Roscommon Herald 23 December 2006 Tweet

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