A true gentleman of politics was laid to rest as hundreds turned out to pay their respects to the late Dr Hugh Gibbons. The late Hugh Gibbons died at the age of 91 years on Wednesday, November 14th.He brought the same passion, dedication and humility to his respective careers in the political arena., the sporting field and the world of medicine. The late Dr. Gibbons will be sadly missed by friends, family and the general public throughout his native County Roscommon and indeed much further afield. The late Hugh served as a TD for the Roscommon/south Leitrim constituency over a ten-year period from 1965 - 1977. He was elected on his first attempt, when he stood as a Fianna Fail candidate in the Roscommon constituency at the 1965 general election. After constituency changes under the electoral (Amendment) Act 1969, he was re-elected at the 1969 general election in the new Roscommon - Leitrim constituency. He was returned to the Dáil again at the 1973 election, but did not contest the 1977 general election and retired from politics. A native of Ballybeg, strokestown, he studied medicine at University College, Galway and he was a qualified medical doctor before he entered the world of politics. He moved to Keadue in North Roscommon in the mid 1940s and it was here in his adopted home where Dr Gibbons will be most fondly remembered. Dr Gibbons' wife Josephine (nee Lee) from Cootehall died shortly after his retirement from medicine in the late 1980's. His love of the Keadue, Arigna and Ballyfarnon area was something which he was always vocal about and his work as a medical practitioner brought him into close contact with the people of the area. Dr Gibbons was also a tireless campaigner and local community activist in the Keadue area where he was held in the highest regard. He will of course be also fondly remembered for his illustrious sporting career as he was the holder of three all Ireland medals while playing for County Roscommon. In 1940 he played with the county junior team that won the All-Ireland junior title that year. In 1943 and 1944 he was a player in the county team, which won All Ireland senior titles in those years. Indeed he is one of the three last surviving members of the All-Ireland winning County Roscommon team of 1944. His remains were removed from Shivnan's Funeral home in Ballyfarnon to Keadue Church last Friday evening with Funeral Mall on Saturday afternoon, Hundreds of people throughout the county and indeed around the country turned out to pay their last respects as the gentleman of politics was laid to rest in Kilronan Cemetery, Keadue. The late Hugh Gibbons is survived by his sons; Dr. Brian, Luke, Conal, Hugh, daughters; JoAnn and Berna, sisters; Bridget Gibbons, Strokestown; Betty Neary, Strokestown and Dympna Mullens, Boyle; daughters-in-law, Catherine, Dolores, Stephanie and Liv; grandchildren; great-granddaughter; brother-in-law David, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends in the local community. Dr Gibbons's son Brian, a graduate of NUI Galway, is the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government in the Welsh Assembly Government. His son LUke is a Keough Family Professor of Irish Studies at Notre Dame University, Indiana, USA while Conal is a District Court Judge and Hugh is a lecturer in Computer Science in Trinity College, Dublin. Dr. Gibbons' daughter Dr JoAnn is a Psychologist at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA while Berna is a solicitor with Kevin Kilrane Solicitors in Mohill. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald November 2007 Taoiseach Leads the Tributes Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described the late Dr Hugh Gibbons as one of 'Roscommon's favourite sons'. Mr Ahern led the tributes last week when he said that Dr Gibbons had lived a long life full to the brim of achievement and public service. "He was one of Roscommon's favourite son's and in community life, in politics and in his profession, Hugh Gibbons made a sizeable difference. He will be long remembered in his native county for the positive and generous role he played in its development," said Mr Ahern. The Taoiseach added that Dr Gibbons was born in Strokestown in the seminal year of 1916 and as a young man he distinguished himself as both a sportsman and a scholar. "As a community doctor and District Medical Officer in the Boyle area, Hugh was hardworking and a strong advocate of improved medical facilities. In this role, he helped countless families across Roscommon. Hugh will, of course, always be a hero to all football supporters. He won back-to-back All-Ireland medals in 1943 and 1944. That side contained some of the true greats of Gaelic Games - players of the of Jimmy Murray, Donal Keenan, Owensie Hoare - and Hugh Gibbons too was one of Roscommon's stars," said Mr Ahern. The Taoiseach went on to say that in the 1960s, Dr Gibbons brought to politics the same qualities of loyalty, enthusiasm and dedication that he had previously shown as a doctor and as a footballer. "At Lemass's request, he stood for Fianna Fail in a by-election in 1964 and while he was not successful on that occasion, he established a solid base for the next General Election, In 1965, Hugh was elected to the Dail alongside his party colleague, Brian Lenihan," said Mr Ahern. The Taoiseach said that Dr Gibbons's time in the Dáil was one of service, of hard work and real achievement. "He was an immensely popular politician and he retained his seat in the 1969 and 1973 General Elections. Hugh retired at the dissolution of the Dáil in 1977. While my time in Leinster House narrowly missed overlapping with Hugh's, I got to know him well on my numerous visits to Roscommon over the years as a Minister and as Taoiseach. Hugh always had an encouraging word and I respected him greatly as an inspiration to all those who value public service. "I want to pay tribute to his years of unbroken commitment to the people of Roscommon. I also extend my deepest sympathies to Hugh's family and many friends," Said Mr Ahern. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald. November 20, 2007. 'A Pillar' in the Local Community The late Dr. Hugh Gibbons contribution to the GAA community and in particular to St. Ronan's GAA community and in particular to St. Ronan's GAA Club has been described as "immense" by the club's Chairman. Mr Sean Martin, who took over from Dr. Gibbons as St. Ronan's chairman in 1997, said that he had been "a pillar" in the local community. Dr. Gibbons co-founded St. Ronan's GAA Club with Paddy Guihen from Arigna in the mid-fifties. Both men are the clubs' joint-presidents. "He (Dr. Gibbons) was hugely devoted to teh club's underage structure. A lot of changes occurred during his time as chairman. I remember him in Ballyfarnon on cold Saturday mornings in his overcoat looking at various players. He was a great help to mentors and he was also a great man to go to games," said Mr Martin. Dr Gibbons's interest in younger players made him an inspirational figure within St. Ronan's. In 2003 the club presented him with its inaugural Hall of Fame award to honour his dedication to the club's cause. "He has been the backbone of the club for so long. He always followed the progress of our younger players and nothing would give him greater pleasure than seeing a St. Ronan's player make any Roscommon team," pointed out Mr Martin. The current chairman also praised Dr Gibbons's ability to look after injured players at matches. "It didn't matter where the player was from. If a player picked up a serious injury and Dr. Gibbons was present, he would always administer medical attention. All the hospital reports would later point our that hte medical attention from Dr Gibbons at the scene was second to none," he added. Like the late Jim henry in St Michael's or Paddy Mulvey in Shannon Gaels, Dr. Gibbons was the person most people asociated with St. Ronan's . "If anyone asked about St. Ronan's and you mentioned Dr. Gibbons, they knew exactly where the club was located and what it stood for," conitnued Mr Martin. While Dr Gibbons has been to ill during the last year to attend matches and official functions, one of his last public engagements was welcoming the Tommy Marham Cup to his home 12 months ago. "i remember Alan O'Hara visiting the schools in the parish and he called in to Dr. Gibbons with the cup. Dr Gibbons was delighted. He always liked to see Roscommon do well," he concluded. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald. November 20, 2007. 'Finneran Thankful for all the advice and Support. Deputy Michael Finneran has expressed his sincere condolences on the death of former Fianna Fail TD, Dr Hugh Gibbons. Deputy Finneran said that it was with great sadness that he learned of the death of Dr Hugh Gibbons at the age of 91 years. "Dr Gibbons made a contribution on three fronts, he was an excellent public representative in national politics from 1965-1977. He was a real gentleman of politics and invested great time and energy in the Roscommon and Leitrim area. On the GAA front he won two All Irelands with Roscommon and also of course as a GP he did great work in the Keadue, Arigna and Ballyfarnon area," said Deputy Finneran. The Fianna Fail Deputy said that Dr Gibbons was one of Roscommons' favourite sons and served his county as a Dáil Deputy from 1965-1977. "Dr Gibbons was an accomplished sportsman to have won two All-Ireland medals with Roscommon in 1943-1944. Dr.Gibbons was a General Practitioner of very high standing with his medical colleagues and the general public. "He was a life long member of Fianna Fail and continued actively with the party at organisations level after he retired from national politics," said Deputy Finneran. From a personal perspective Deputy Finneran said that he appreciated very much the sound advice and support Dr Gibbons gave to him in his earlier years as a young public representative and indeed throughout his political career until his recent illness. "Dr Hugh Gibbons was a gentleman to his fingertips and always found time to discuss issues and problems with those who he came into contact with over the years," said Deputy Finneran. The Fianna Fail TD said that Dr Gibbons had a great affinity and understanding of people and he was always promoting his locality. Deputy Finneran also recalled that Dr Gibbons had spent some time as a young doctor in his home parish of Ballyforann and he was full of praise for the time and advice which Dr Gibbons had given to him over the years. Deputy Finneran also explained that he had attended Summerhill College in Sligo with one of Dr Gibbon's sons, Luke. "Dr Gibbons was originally from the Strokestown area but also became part of the community in the Keadue, having particular interest in the village of Keadue and its environs, the O'Carolan Harp Festival and St. Ronan's GAA Club. "I extend my deepest sympathy to Dr Gibbons four sons; Brian, Luke, Connell, Hughie, his two daughters; JoAnn and Berna; sisters Bridget, Betty and Dympna. Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam dílis. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald. November 20, 2007. An 'Honourable' Man Strokestown area Cllr Eugene Murphy has joined in the glowing tributes paid to the late Dr. Hugh Gibbons. Cllr Murphy who is also chairman of the Fianna Fáil group of councillor's on Roscommon County Council, said that Dr. Gibbons was "an honourable man who had his finger on the pulse of the local community. The late Dr. Hugh Gibbons was originally from the Ballybeg area of Strokestown where the family had a public house. Cllr Murphy noted that even though Dr Gibbons had retired from national politics in 1977 and medicine in the late 1980s he still remained committed to his passions, including of course, sport. "He never gave up his involvement in the GAA, politics or his work in the community. Even though he retired as a doctor he was still very much part and parcel of life in the Keadue, Arigna and Ballyfarnon areas as he worked tirelessly for the people," said Cllr Murphy. He noted that he was involved in many sectors of community life in Keadue most notable the O'Carolan Harp Festival, Tidy Towns and church renovation works. "He was also a great man to give advice and it would always be given in a cool and calm way. Indeed I often went to him myself for advice on various things down through the years and he would always say you have to look at it from every angle particularly if it was a contentious issue," said Cllr Murphy. Cllr Murphy said that Dr. Gibbons believed in total honesty and he was the most sincere and honourable man. "He was a true representative of the people, he really knew what people wanted and needed. He was highly respected across the political divide and his passing is lamented across the county and indeed country," said Cllr Murphy. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald. November 20, 2007. Tweet

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