Bekan Fine Gael branch renamed in honour of Michael Sloyan

The Bekan Fine Gael branch has been renamed in honour of one of his true stalwarts, Michael Sloyan from Reisk.

Mr Sloyan, who passed away suddenly two years ago, was a central player in the life of the area over the decades.

The 68-year-old was associated with various groups in the area including Fine Gael, Bekan Parish Church and Choir, Bekan National School and the East Mayo Ramblers.

Host Michael Swords then explained that Mr Sloyan's sudden passing ‘stunned’ the community of Bekan. He said sMr Sloyan ‘embodied all the qualities’ of community and leadership, sentiments which were echoed by other speakers on the night.

Mr Swords said being in the middle of the COVID pandemic when Mr Sloyan passed ‘prohibited the community at large from rallying round the family’ and ‘doing what we do so well in Ireland’, helping the family with the grieving process. 

“It also deprived Michael of the send-off that he so richly deserved,” said Michael Swords.  

Brickens Community Centre witnessed a heartfelt gathering as the community came together to commemorate and honour Mr Sloyan.

The renaming of the local Fine Gael branch to the Michael Sloyan Bekan Fine Gael Branch, a fitting tribute to a man deeply woven into the fabric of his community.

Alma Gallagher presents a bouquet of flowers to Theresa Sloyan at the ceremony in Brickens

The Fine Gael party was close to ‘his heart’ and he made ‘huge contributions’ to the party. 

For the 2011 general election, Mr Sloyan was director of elections for the Mayo constituency, where he ‘devised and implemented a strategy that secured four of the five seats for his beloved party’. 

“Enda Kenny, Michael Ring, Michelle Mulherin and John O’Mahony were the four candidates elected on that never to be forgotten day.  It is true to say that this achievement by Michael was in no small way the launch pad for Enda Kenny becoming Taoiseach” said Mr Swords.

Mr Swords thanked Mr Sloyan’s wife, Teresa and all ‘the extended Sloyan family for allowing us to name the Bekan Branch in his honour’.

“Michael Sloyan was a very special person and left a lasting impression with everyone who was lucky enough to have encountered him in their lives” he added.

Councillor John Cribbin described Michael Sloyan as ‘a true friend and gentleman, a political heavyweight, and a man of wisdom’.

Alma Gallagher, a first time candidate for the party in the upcoming election, recalled Michael and the East Mayo Ramblers support and contributions for a fundraiser for the Community Hall in Ballyhaunis. She recalled how, as far back as September 2020, he had contacted her and asked if there was any way they could coax her into politics.

Compère Michael Swords said Mr Sloyan had a passion for outdoor pursuits.

In January 2012, he founded a walking group, The East Mayo Ramblers, and ‘was their leader, navigator and storyteller as they walked the trails of Mayo and surrounding counties’. 

Today, the group has 37 members and is growing all the time.

“He was a spiritual, religious person and believed in helping out in his local church. He was a member of the Bekan Church Choir and sang with them on a regular basis. It was at Christmas that he came into his own. His rendition of the Kerry Carol, aided by his good 

friend, Vinny Kelly, is legendary” added Mr Swords.

Other speakers on the night included Michael Ring TD, Alan Dillon TD, and Maria Walsh with apologies for absence from Enda Kenny, John O’Mahony and Michelle Mulherin.

Mr Sloyan’s daughter Tracey reminisced about her father’s deep bond with Bekan and hinterland.  

She told guests of many nights he spent crafting political strategies, canvassing on foot, and crunching numbers.  

She expressed gratitude for the recognition bestowed on their family by renaming the branch in honour of her late father. 

The ceremony concluded with Alma Gallagher making a presentation to Teresa Sloyan on behalf of the party and community.