Funeral of respected Claremorris businessman Liam Smyth to take place today and tomorrow

IT was with a sense of great loss and sadness that the news of the passing of Liam Smyth, Brookhill and Main Street, was received around the Claremorris region on Sunday. He had been coping with an illness for some time and died peacefully at the Mayo Hospice in Castlebar.
Liam was a member of the well known Smyth family who operate the renowned Smyths Toy Stores around Ireland, the UK and some European counties. He spent all his life in his beloved hometown of Claremorris to which he made an enormous contribution in his own quiet, unassuming and compassionate manner.
Tributes have been pouring in the aftermath of the sad news. Claremorris GAA Club said the news of the passing of Liam had hit hard at the heart of the Claremorris community. “Liam was a great supporter of Claremorris and Mayo GAA. He was very much the ‘quiet man’ who provided so much support and advice behind the scenes. The amount of kind deeds he rendered in this community will never be known and Liam would want it no other way.
“He was never one to seek the limelight but he was the “go to” person for many clubs and individual causes over the years.
“In Claremorris GAA circles, we just referred to him as 'Liam'. Everyone knew who we were speaking about. The club was glad to see some of his sons progressing through the underage grades in recent years. The love for football passed down through their grandfather Paddy and fostered by Liam and his brothers and Maura is in good hands with the next generation.
“The incredible success story of the Smyth family business, starting from the small shop on Main Street, to becoming a top Irish multinational chain provider of children's toys and entertainment products, is one of which Claremorris people are extremely proud of in such a special way.  Smyths Toys Superstores now have over 200 shops throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France.
“Success has not changed the Smyth family and Claremorris and Mayo are from where they draw the inspiration that has grounded them down the years. It could be no other way with such lovely parents as the late Paddy and Birdie.
“Liam loved this town and community with a passion. And it is fair to say we loved Liam and the Smyth family who have always been exemplary people and an absolute credit to the West of Ireland. Liam is an immense loss to Claremorris and his memory will be treasured for years to come.”

Proud Claremorris man
Claremorris Chamber of Commerce highlighted the huge contribution made by Liam to so many aspects of the commercial and sporting life of the local community. “Words cannot express our sadness at the loss of our dear friend and colleague Liam Smyth. On behalf of our members and the business community we offer our deepest sympathies to his wife, Anne, and their sons Alex, Ben, Harry, Josh and Sam, of whom he was so proud.
“Liam was a proud Claremorris man. He always strove to improve its economy and amenities for the benefit of all who live here. The DeCare dental insurer, the fibre broadband on which so many rely, the leisure centre and swimming pool, the lake walks and the athletic track, he had a big part in them all.
“A past president and active member of Claremorris Chamber of Commerce, he always found time for local causes, and worked quietly and unassumingly, encouraging groups and people around him.
“With his brothers Tony, Padraig and Tommie, together they accomplished what very few Irish businesses achieve, they grew one shop in a small town into a global giant. He wore that modestly. Regardless of how busy he was, he always found time for whatever cause or group needed assistance. Liam was one of a kind.”
On behalf of Mayo GAA County Board, Seamus Tuohy said everyone associated with Mayo GAA would like to express their sincere sympathy to the Smyth family on the passing of Liam. “He was a proud Claremorris man and a great supporter of Mayo GAA over the years in particular our underage and development squads. Liam always extended this support in a quiet and an unassuming way
“Liam was a man that wanted the very best for Mayo GAA academy squads and anything he could do to help he was always there to support. This warmth and generosity extended to many other walks of life both locally and further afield.”
Claremorris Leisure Centre said Liam was heavily involved in both the old and new swimming pool. “In 2006, he had a vision of building a state of the art Leisure Centre here in Claremorris.
His endless work and dedication made this happen with the opening of the new pool in 2009.
“During his busy schedule, he always found time for the Leisure Centre, working quietly and unassumingly. This work will never be forgotten.
“Throughout the years, Liam also coached various groups in the swimming club. He was heavily involved with the water polo teams in which he guided them to great success over the years.
It is hard to forget someone who has so greatly impacted the community of Claremorris.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Strong supporter
The Corrib Waterpolo Club, of which Liam was such a strong supporter, also joined in the tributes. “Corrib Waterpolo are devastated at the news of the passing of Liam Smyth. Liam was a founder member of Corrib in 1980 and he played for us for over 15 years.
“In 1997 he became our first senior coach, taking us to our first Senior Cup semi-final in 1999 and again in 2000. He was also getting Waterpolo going in Claremorris again, winning the Irish U16 Cup in 1999 and defeating Corrib in the U19 Cup 3-2 in the Grove in Belfast in 2001. In 2002, with Paul Gleeson he achieved the double double - U16 and U19 Cups in both girls and boys in the same year. Liam was also Irish Junior Team Manager for a number of years.
“Liam was a great friend to us all. He knew how to make you laugh and was the smartest of us all. He was brilliant with all the players and kids, sure he was the biggest kid himself.”
Mayo TD, Michael Ring, said he was saddened to hear of the passing of Liam Smyth from Claremorris. “Liam was a very highly regarded businessman and member of the community in Claremorris and he achieved so much during his lifetime.
“I had the pleasure, while I was Minister, of working alongside Liam on a number of local projects for the area and people will never truly know the extent of the work that Liam did for his own community. He always prioritised the people of Claremorris and ensured they were never left wanting.
“Liam Smyth was a decent, hardworking man who always strived to do his best in every aspect of his life. He will be missed by all who knew, loved and respected him”.
Reposing takes place in Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Claremorris, this Tuesday evening from 6p.m. until 8pm. The funeral Mass will be celebrated in St Colman’s Church, Claremorris, at 12 noon on Wednesday with interment afterwards in St Colman’s cemetery.
Liam who was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Birdie, will be greatly missed by his wife Anne (nee Walsh), sons Ben, Harry, Sam, Josh and Alex, brothers Tony, Padraig, Tommie and Joe, sister Maura Brennan, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and his many friends.