Jim lived for his family and GAA

IF MR. Jim Howlin of Rathjarney, Killinick who died recently, had known that the legendary sports commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh would turn up at his wake, he would have been as proud as punch.

Jim, whose son Sheamus is chairman of the Leinster Council of the GAA amd a former chairman of Wexford County Board, loved listening to Micheal's match reports on RTE and would have been thrilled by his presence in Killinick.

He loved hurling and football and was privileged to have followed the great team of 1955 and 1956 which featured Ned Wheeler who lived in Piercestown and would often visit the Howlin household, a memory that was very special to Jim.
A number of Wexford GAA legends from the 1960/70s including Tony Doran, Tom Neville, Christy and Robby Jacob, Martin and John Quigley, Willie Murphy, Vin Staples, Seamus (shanks) Whelan attended his funeral.

Jim (89) died on September 18 at his son Seamus and daughter-in-law Vera's home in Rathmackne after being in failing health for about a year.
He is survived by Seamus and by his daughter Eileen who lives in Mayglass as well as by his grandchildren Gavin, Donal, Derek, Darren, Niall, Adrian and Aisling; his great-grandchildren Grace and Eve and his extended family and many friends.
Jim was a son of the late Thomas and Margaret Howlin and grew up at Gardimus, Ballycogley. He was predeceased by his siblings and by his beloved wife Anastasia (Babs) who died in 1991
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As a young man, he worked for a time in Sleedagh Farm before moving to Johnstown Castle where he worked all his life up to his retirement. He began with An Foras Taluntais which later changed to Teagasc and travelled all over the country taking soil samples for the soil research laboratory in Johnstown, a task that he loved as it brought him into contact with many different people.

He also had a keen interest in gardening but he will be remembered mostly for his Rhubarb. People came from all over Wexford to avail of his Rhubarb.
Jim loved Irish music and was a member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. He was an accomplished and entertaining exponent of the 'broom dance'. Many of his friends were musicians including Tommy Stanners and the late John Danagher with whom he frequented the former Wavecrest Bar in Wexford.

Above all else, Jim was a man of high standard and principles who lived for his work and for his family. In later years, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren had great fun in his company.

Jim was buried with his wife Babs in Piercestown cemetery, after funeral Mass in St. Martin's Church.
In a testamnet to the esteem in which he was held, there was a big turnout out by the local community which gave much-valued support to the Howlin family in their bereavement. The ladies committee of St Martin's GAA Club provided tea and sandwiches for mourners after the removal of the remains while the Talbot Hotel did the catering in the clubhouse after the funeral.

Members of the St. Martin's GAA Club formed a guard of honour during the funeral ceremonies which were attended by Uachtaran and Ard Stiurthoir and several past presidents of Cumann lutchleas Gael as well as many other representatives from all over the country.

Courtesy of the Wexford People 6/10/10 Tweet

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