Martin Lally

The death occurred of Martin Lally at his home in Durless on May 6, 2016. Born in 1920 to the late Patrick Lally and Catherine McNamara, Martin had reached his 96th year when he passed from this life. Married to Nora, they set up home in Durless and lived happily there for sixty one years. Together they reared four children on the family farm. He was very proud of all his children – Patrick, James, Martin Chris and Kathleen. He was a wonderful husband and father and in due course became a wonderful grandfather to sixteen grandchildren. He loved the company of his grandchildren and they in turn loved his. He spent evenings and indeed nights telling them stories of days gone by, singing songs, dancing and playing cards with them.
Martin was a good man – “real salt of the earth”. He was a man of principle and integrity. He was someone who invested so much energy and love in his family, in his friends and in his wider community. He enjoyed life and lived it to the full. Martin was a man of the earth with huge respect for the land and the community in which he lived. He was a highly respected farmer and a friend to so many in his village and beyond. It is a joy to see that his love and care for the land has been passed on so well to the now fifth generation on this homestead.
Nora and Martin’s home has always been a place of warmth and hospitality, welcoming all extended family and friends over the years. Everyone was welcome and no one was ever turned away. If ever there was an example of someone who created so much good will in this world, it was Martin. He worked very hard, yet made time to enjoy a rich social life in the company of neighbours and friends. He had a great sense of humour and knew how to enjoy life. Martin’s legacy will live on through the values that he lived out and believed in – values of honesty, decency, love, service and family.
A traditional wake was held in the home of his son James on Friday night in Durless. Old and young recounted stories and memories of Martin. The Rosary – a prayer which he and Nora had great faith in and prayed every day was recited.
Saturday morning dawned bringing with it dark clouds. It wasn’t long before the grey clouds had enveloped the mountains and a soft gentle mist began to fall. It was as if nature was empathizing with the family, mourning their loss as well as celebrating a life well lived. That evening, Martin was carried shoulder-high from his beloved Durless by his sons and grandsons to the hearse which stood patiently and silently by his road gate. As his funeral cortege wound its way down the narrow mountain road some of his neighbours stood at their gates, heads bowed in respect. The hearse was met in Lecanvey by a large representative group from the community who had formed a guard of honour, flanking the hearse and escorting Martin to St Patrick’s Church for the last time. Martin’s remains were received into the church by Fr Paddy Gill. A beautiful and memorable Requiem Mass was celebrated on Sunday morning May 8 in St  Patrick’s Church by Fr Paddy Gill and Fr Micheál MacGreíl. Martin’s family took active parts in the ceremony.
On that Sunday afternoon as the sun climbed high in the sky radiating its brilliance over Kilgeever Hill, Mother Nature’s Son was brought home to nature. Martin was laid to rest with his parents in Kilgeever Cemetery. We who are left mourn his absence as strongly as we sensed his presence.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilís.