"One of life's good fellas"- priest at Funeral Mass of Louisburgh born cyclist

“John was simply one of life’s good fellas," a priest recalled this afternoon at the Funeral Mass in St. Brendan's Church, Annaghdown, of a cyclist who was killed in a road accident last Sunday while participating in a leisure cycle in the hills of north Connemara.

Fr. Oliver McNamara, the chief celebrant of funeral Mass for John O’Malley, Baranna, Annaghdown, and formerly of Carrowniskey, Louisburgh, described him as “a devoted husband, a loving father, a kind and considerate son, nephew and uncle."

Fr. McNamara said the death of John had come “like a bolt from the blue” for his family.

There was a great sense of loss and bewilderment in the wider community, Fr. McNamara said.

He continued: “Our memories of John today are of a warm, smiling, bright and generous man.

“He enjoyed cycling and gardening, anything that involved the feeling of fresh air on his skin.”

Fr. McNamara was joined in the celebration of the Funeral Mass at St. Brendan’s Church, Annaghdown, by Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne, parish priest of Athenry.

In a eulogy, Dermot O’Malley, John’s youngest brother, described him as “a larger than life brother” and “a kind soul to the wider community."

"Cycling and GAA were his greatest hobbies but the most important thing in his life was his wife, Mary and his family”.

Mr. O’Malley spoke of John's deep love of his family and how he was so proud of his daughters, Fiona and Caitriona.

He is deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary, daughters Fiona and Caitriona, his parents James and Nora, brothers Tony, Seamus, Eamonn and Dermot, sister Catherine, parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family, wide circle of friends, neighbours and work colleagues, to whom sympathy is tendered.

John O’Malley worked as procurement manager at the Galway Clinic having previously been employed by Boston Scientific.

Following today’s funeral Mass, John was laid to rest in Cregg Cemetery in his adopted Annaghdown.

May hie gentle soul rest in peace.