Tributes and praise for Mayo woman who enriched the lives of young people

A WOMAN who helped enrich the lives of young people and left a lasting impact was how the No Name Club described Mayo woman Edith Geraghty who recently passed away following an illness.

The No Name Club were among the many groups to pay tribute to Edith Geraghty from Gladree, Belmullet who passed away in the care of the staff of the Mayo Hospice in Castlebar on January 9.

A founding member of Erris No Name Club, Edith also served on the Board of Directors of No Name Club nationally who expressed sadness following her death.

“Edith was not only a volunteer but later became a valued member of staff within No Name Club, contributing across training, club support, public relations, and club development. During this time, she played an important role in supporting the No Name Club Youth Council and, in 2015, helped bring several members on an Erasmus trip to Innsbruck, Austria — further enriching young people through culture and European values.

“In later years, as a company member, Edith served on the Board of Directors of No Name Club, bringing her vast experience and insight to the organisation’s governance. During this period, she once again played a key role in the foundation of the organisation’s Junior Youth Council, and most recently supported another rewarding Erasmus trip in July 2025 to Croatia.

“Edith has left a lasting impact on No Name Club. Her dedication, generosity, and commitment to young people will be remembered with deep gratitude,” they paid tribute on their Facebook page.

Edith suffered ill-health in recent years after she was diagnosed with a rare condition called pyoderma gangrenosum in 2022 which caused an infection in her stomach.

Edith Geraghty at her home in Belmullet last summer

In May 2022, Edith was rushed to Mayo University Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery to save her life after collapsing with a bleed. Edith spent nine months in Mayo University Hospital where she underwent a total of 48 surgeries and speaking last May to The Mayo News, she said she owed her life to the staff of the hospital.

“I lived in that hospital for 53 weeks and there are no words to describe all of the amazing people who came into contact with me and looked after me.

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“Mayo University saved my life. Their incredible staff, there are no words. It starts with the cleaners and porters and goes onto the catering staff and the Health Care Assistants, the nurses, the doctors, the surgeons. From stem to stern every person I came in contact with was fighting for my life when I wasn't in a position to fight for myself. They did it unstintingly and did it unwaveringly and it kept me with them.

“They looked after me in so many ways beyond nursing. They made me feel that I was going to live,” she said of her time in MUH.

Despite her ill-health and being confined to a wheelchair, Edith returned to live in her home outside Belmullet and continued to work with a number of local and national groups and organisations.

As well as being a board member and Vice-Chair of the national No Name Club, Edith was also involved with a number of groups including the Press Council of Ireland, Mayo County Childcare Committee, Mayo Traveller Support, The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, served as a Peace Commissioner, and was recently appointed to the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles.

Edith became an independent member of the Board of the Press Council in September 2020 and had become company secretary last year. Chairperson Rory Montgomery said that she had made a consistently strong contribution. “She was deeply committed to the Press Council’s mission and values and despite ill-health continued to engage actively in its work,” he said.  “She was a dear friend and colleague to us and we shall all miss her very much”.

The Press Ombudsperson, Susan McKay said, “Edith participated in meetings even when she was speaking from her hospital bed. She cared about the work of the Press Council and the rights of people with disabilities to participate in public life. She also cut quite a dash in her always elegant clothes, her hats and her lilac motorised wheelchair.”

The Linehall Arts Centre in Castlebar also expressed their sadness at her passing with a post on their Facebook page.

“Edith was a remarkable presence to all who knew her and she has been at the heart of the Linenhall since she joined the Board in 2021. Edith was formidable in the best possible way, endlessly passionate, and unwaveringly committed to the power of creativity and community. Her belief in what the arts can do was infectious, and her passion and energy has helped shape who we are today.

“Edith was also a tireless advocate for disability, access, and inclusion across our local community, always leading with intelligence, compassion, and action.

“Edith has always been described as a great friend: generous with her time, sharp with her insight, and full of life. We will miss her fierce advocacy, and her steady encouragement more than words can say.”

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Seán Carey from Belmullet and Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle both paid tribute to the work Edith did for young people in Erris at Monday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council.

Edith is predeceased by her husband, Seamus and mother Marie Menton and was laid to rest in Tarmoncarra Cemetery, Belmullet on Saturday afternoon.