Death of popular Castlebar personality

The death has occurred of Donal (Ronnie) Dawson, 4 Blackthorn Village, Turlough Road, and formerly of Chapel Street, Castlebar.

A very popular and widely respected personality, news of his passing is widely mourned in the community.

Aged 80, he was a former member of the staff of the old Bacon Factory in Castlebar while he also worked for a time at the former Hat Factory.

The deceased was a lifelong Manchester United supporter, travelling regularly to Old Trafford in his younger days, leaving by train from Castlebar on a Friday, then catching a ferry from Dublin to Liverpool before taking a bus to Manchester - and making the return journey on Sunday morning after the game.

Donal had also a great love of rugby and closely followed the fortunes of the Irish team.

Predeceased by his sister Nora and brothers Bobby and Raymond, he is very deeply regretted by his wife Ethel, daughter Sharon, son Colin and his partner Derval, sister Eileen, grandchildren Nicola, Danielle and Natasha, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours, relatives and friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

Removal from his residence takes place on tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 10.30 a.m. for Funeral Mass at 11.30 a.m. in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Due to government guidelines the funeral at all stages will be private for family only.

Funeral Mass can be viewed on the Castlebar Parish Webcam http://www.castlebarparish.ie/web-cam/ or listened to in Castlebar on the Parish Radio Channel 105.3FM.