Kiltimagh
He was one of two sons born to Pat Costello from Kiltimagh and his wife, Noreen Walsh from Craggagh. Pat opened the bicycle shop in the town and established a popular business which received loyal support from around the area. It was an enterprising place at the time. Michael’s mother Noreen was a hairdresser in Kiltimagh for many years.
Like so many others in Kiltimagh, Michael was not always known by the name he was christened and, more often than not, locals called him ‘Wal’.
Wal was a bit of an institution who took things at his own gentle pace. He was never a man to rush things, believing in the old saying that ‘when God made time, he made plenty of it.’ Wal always had time to share with friends and loved to chat with people when they came into his small and compact shop.
As a young child from Cloonmore attending Cuiltybo National School, I remember buying my first fishing hooks from Michael. Our fishing rods back them comprised of long straight rods cut from trees. A bit of nylon ‘gut’ with a piece of cork for a ‘float’ and an eel or perch hook were all the fishing tackle we ever owned in those innocent times.
Our purchase of hooks was never going to create a surge on Wall Street, just a few pennies in the small transaction between lads from the country and Michael Costello. Sometimes it was fixing a bicycle puncture. Whatever it was, he always gave us good advice and we never left his small shop without feeling that it had been worth the visit.
It is so often the small things in life that leave the most lasting memories. Our pleasant Sunday afternoons spent at the lakes in Cuiltybo or the small lake in Cloonmore still resonate softly in the memory after all the years.
Wal was a gentle soul and he took exceptionally good care of his mother who suffered from MS for many years up until her death in 1991. That was his nature, caring and considerate, and sharing with friends.
Changing trends and changing times and the advent of the big chain stores to neighbouring towns saw the eventual demise of the services provided in such a personal way by Wal. But no matter what way the winds were blowing, he always reserved time to enjoy his few drinks with friends. That was his nature and, along with the likes of Ger Keegan and others from the town, Wal continued to bring his philosophy to all who cared to listen.
Some old and loyal friends, including James Morrissey, the well known communications specialist and former journalist, made the journey back to their home town to pay their respects to a cherished friend. Wal was indeed one of the characters of “old” Kiltimagh. But for those of a certain generation, special memories will remain of the quiet-spoken man picking out the fishing hooks from the little boxes in his small shop back the street.
Removal took place from O’Hora’s Funeral Home to Kiltimagh Church with interment in Kilkinure cemetery following Requiem Mass. He is survived by his brother, Padraig (England); sister-in-law, Barbara; relations, neighbours and friends. - MC.
