Altamont Street, Westport
He will be remembered by all those who knew him as a cheerful man with a hearty laugh, a warm handshake and a generous nature. He made friends easily with young and old. He was well known around Westport from his regular attendance at Mass, his visits to the local bookmakers, Johnny Moran’s and the local shops around town. Up until the last couple of years, he walked many miles out the railway line and beyond with his walking friends. They were like Westport’s version of Compo, Foggy and Clegg.
Martin worked hard in England as a steelworks erector for over 40 years and enjoyed a well-earned retirement in Westport when he settled on Altamont Street in 1986. Right up until August 14, he enjoyed over 20 years of good health following his return home to Westport.
You could set your watch by Martin trotting down to 8 o’clock daily Mass after a 6 o’clock rise, up until the last few years, when he allowed himself a lie in until 8.30 for 10 o’clock Mass. During his retirement, he became a familiar figure in the local bookmakers. He loved to have a bet and enjoyed the craic of the bookie office, meeting people there, chatting, getting and giving tips. He always joked that he’d have to give up the horses when he wasn’t having any luck. All who knew him knew that he had no intention of doing so as the bookmakers was his great social outlet.
Martin loved, when he had visitors to Altamont Street, to remember his years working in England and talk about people from all over Mayo and further afield that he got to know there. He also liked to reminisce about what life was like in Sheeaune before he went to England. He painted a picture of fine summers, working at the hay or turf or walking the cattle to the fair days in Westport or Castlebar and of people who were hard-working and happy in life.
Of England, he told of his many travels working in the construction industry, long hours, the good digs and the many great lads he met over there working.
Martin liked nothing better than taking members of his extended family out for meals in many restaurants around Westport. He was always looking for any excuse to do so and as soon as one was over he was talking about how soon there could be another meal out.
He was very proud of all the travel he did to the US to visit family in the 1970s and 80s and he was delighted last September to accompany his nephew, Michael Kelly, on a visit to Leicester to his other nephew, Tom Kirkpatrick.
Martin was one of life’s true gentlemen who will be fondly remembered by his neighbours in Altamont Street and a wide range of friends. He was affectionately known in the Kelly, Kenny, Kirkpatrick, Moran, O’Donnell, Backe and Calvey families as “Uncle Martin” and they will always remember him fondly.
Removal was from Navin’s Funeral Home to St Mary’s Church, Westport, with burial afterwards in Islandeady Cemetery.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Patrick (Wilkes Barre, USA), Peter (London), John (Sheeaune), Tommy (The Fairgreen), and Michael (Sheeaune), who died in infancy; sisters, Agnes (Castlebar Street), Nora (The Grove), Nan and Catherine (Wilkes Barre, USA).
He is survived by his sister, Rita Kenny (St Mary’s Crescent), his sister-in-law, Eileen O’Donnell (London), nephews, nieces, grandnephews and nieces and great-grandnephews and nieces.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
