A tribute to Mayo's Fiona Kilbane, a legend within Scór circles

As I sit and write these few lines, in tribute to my good friend and Scór colleague, the late Fiona Kilbane, I find that the usual terminology and clichés, which one might use in this situation fall far short, and feel so inadequate in describing a life that was lived to the fullest.

Widely respected and highly regarded both in her professional career and across a wide variety of community interests. Fiona lived her life with a "No nonsense, Common sense" approach, which at times masked a naturally shy disposition.

So, who was Fiona Kilbane? Fiona was born on Achill Island, the third youngest of eight children to Bridget and Thomas Kilbane. She grew up in an agricultural environment, attending both primary and second level schools in Achill Sound.

Having sat the entrance exam for the Civil Service while still studying for her Leaving Certificate, Fiona found herself completing her State examination studies at night in Dublin, having taken up a position in the Dept of Justice.

Fiona was highly regarded and through a series of promotions and transfers, she found herself back in her native county, working out of Davitt House in Castlebar, ending up back in the Dept of Justice, with the G.I.S.C. (Garda Information Service Centre), where she remained until retiring some years ago.

Returning to Castlebar saw Fiona set up home in the town and quickly immersed herself, in a whole range of community activity. Being musically orientated and talented, it was inevitable that activities of that nature would figure prominently on her social schedule.

With a natural interest in theatre, Fiona together with her late sister Nuala joined the Davitt House variety group where they were instrumental in helping the group to achieve success in the No Name Club competition against stiff opposition from other very talented teams.

The success was repeated the following year. That second year success was further embellished when the group won the AIB perpetual trophy in the Westport Roadshow, competition.

The following year, Fiona played no small part in ensuring the success of the group at the Mayo final of the John Player Tops of the Town competition, which ran across the country at that time.

A popular feature of the social calendar in Castlebar for many years was the annual pantomime. Again, Fiona was to the front and back of the show. Involved with the band, chorus, painting of the backdrops, sewing of the costumes, even one year taking on the role of Daisy the Cow’s udder half.

Fiona was also musical director of the Castlebar folk group for a number of years, where her attention to detail was much admired and respected.

As a member of Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club, it was inevitable that she would engage with the SCÓR competition.

She encouraged many club members to participate in the flagship cultural promotion of the Association, taking great pride in the various levels of success, achieved both in Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir.

Fiona, a guitar player of some note, was also a member of the club ballad group that reached the All-Ireland final in Three Mile House, Co. Monaghan, in 1997.

Though giving way to eventual champions Pallasgreen from Limerick, there was no honour lost in defeat.

Fiona went on to serve in a number of roles administratively, county Scór secretary and provincial treasurer among them, where she earned a reputation for being extremely fair and efficient.

Her reputation as an accomplished adjudicator saw her secure regular engagements across the country, including a number of All-Ireland finals where her deliberations were always fair and, again, highly regarded.

Away from her work and social activity, Fiona liked nothing more than to sit with an easel, paint and brushes, and has left a number of fine still life and landscape scenes to posterity.

There is an old saying that, if you want anything done, you should ask a busy person. Fiona Kilbane has been one of those busy people. Always willing to help out, no matter how busy her own personal circumstances were, whenever, wherever.

The world could do with more people like her!

She is survived by her brother John, sisters Ursula, Connie, Dympna, Mary Martina, and Jacinta, sister-in-law Breda, brothers-in-law, Bert, Donal, Sean, Michael and Tomás and their respective families, to whom we extend sincere sympathy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.

J. D.