Sadness in Ballyglass following passing of former school principal Joe Nestor

THE village of Ballyglass is mourning the death of one its great stalwarts following the passing of Joe Nestor of Carrowreaghmony, Ballyglass, Claremorris.

Mr Nestor, who was in his 80s, was steeped in the community for many years as principal of the local primary school, Mountpleasant NS. 

In the 1980s, he founded Ballyglass Community Council, which helped develop the area around the central Mayo village since its foundation.

“He was on the sports committee which ran the very successful annual sports and was deeply involved in the development of the group water scheme,” Ballyglass Community Council said in a tribute. 

“His liaison with other community groups ensured that CE [community employment] schemes were continued, resulting in local enhancement in our area.”

Mr Nestor was also steeped in Ballintubber GAA Club and served as the club’s chairman. He had a keen interest in history and heritage and was instrumental in the publication of the award-winning Ballintubber GAA club history: ‘Face The Ball Ballintubber!’. 

Mr Nestor always maintained a keen interest in the club’s affairs and was associated with Scór for many years. He was a member of the Ballintubber GAA’s history committee until his passing following an illness.

In 2023, Mr Nestor co-authored a book called ‘The Troubled Times: In Ballyglass (Claremorris) during Ireland’s War of Independence’, which contained extensive first-hand testimonies from eight members of the Ballyglass IRA Company documenting life during the revolutionary years in Ballyglass. 

Joe Nestor is survived by his wife Rita, children Sinéad, Niamh, Ioseph, Gráinne, Michael and Killian, grandchildren Josh, Iosold, Cathal, Katelyn, Lauren, Arthur, Margot and Finn, brothers John and Oliver, sisters Anne, Nora and Ita.

He was the father-in-law of Gavan, Orla, Mary, Nick, Pauline and Tracy and is also mourned by his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and his wide circle of friends and neighbours.

He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Mary and his brothers Leo and Malachy.

He will repose at Ballyglass Community Centre on Friday evening (January 17) from 5 pm until 7.30 pm.

Removal from his home on Saturday morning (January 18) to St Mary’s Church, Carnacon, for Requiem Mass at 11 am with burial afterwards in Ballintubber Abbey Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.