Martin Frain

NEWS of the death of Martin Frain  Rusheens, Kilmovee,  was greeted  with shock, sadness  and almost disbelief. He was in his 82nd year and died following a very short illness.

Martin was born on August 16, 1933, to Patrick and Bridget Frain (nee Duffy) Rusheens.(Bridget was a native of Clooniron). There reared a family of eight, the other members being  John, Francis, Patrick, James,  Nora, Mary and Michael (Br Bonaventure).

Martin attended Kilmovee NS which was his first and only education, being  the norm of his generation. He met his wife Bridie Duffy (Shraheens , Kilmovee) in 1961 in Dunleavy’s hall. They were married in Kilmovee Church in January 1963 and later raised a family of nine children, Mary (Castlerea), John (Texas), Bernadette (Manchester), Larry (Rusheens), Gerry (Shraheens), Christina (Kildare), James (Derry), Brid (Dublin) and  Margaret (Rusheens).

Martin was a man of strong faith and played a longstanding role as Eucharistic Minister and scripture reader in his native Kilmovee church. This church was very important to Martin and he gave so much of his time voluntarily to this church.

He took part in Eucharistic adoration every Monday evening. He led people in procession and prayer as a steward at Knock Shrine on the second Sunday of every month and shared his faith with the pilgrims. He attended the nine days of the Novena held in Knock every August.

His love for Our Lady of Knock was evident when he erected a shrine in her honour outside Kilmovee Church some years ago. Martin was dedicated to the annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, having climbed it 55 times and on several occasions cycled there and back from Kilmovee.

Martin was a life-long member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA), having being its Diocesan President for several years.

He was a talented builder and his work was always met with praise and to the highest standard. He was also an electrician, stone mason, plumber, plasterer, carpenter and landscape gardener.

Martin loved tending his garden where everything flourished at the touch of his green fingers. He was a member of the cemetery committee and tended to the two cemeteries. He was also responsible for erecting of the tiny replica of the ancient church near Kilmovee NS to mark the centenary of Kilmovee NS in 1986.

At community level he was involved in various committees such as the Community Council, heritage, bingo  cemetery,  church  roofing , water scheme,  swimming pool, drama  and others.

He loved the old ways, old values and old sayings. He loved nothing more than a cupeen of ‘tay’, but only “if you were making it” and if there was “something to go with it”. He loved to attend the monthly gathering of Cois Tine in the Heritage Centre.

Martin will be remembered most of all for his great talent  at composing recitations. Whatever the occasion, he could easily compose an appropriate recitation. He brought this talent to ReadoirÍ and Scór competitions at both local, provincial and national levels.

Mass of the Resurrection was concelebrated on Monday,  July 6, with the chief celebrant being local PP, Fr Vincent Sherlock, assisted by  local  and visiting priests. Guards of honour were in place on both days comprising of members of the various associations  and committees in which Martin had served with such loyalty.

As his funeral cortege made its way to Naomh Mobhi cemetery, a recitation of Martin’s was transmitted from the tower of the church he loved so well.  He launched a recording in 2002 of these recitations in aid of Mayo /Roscommon Hospice. A minute’s silence was also observed at the local bingo where prayers were recited in his memory.

Martin, who was predeceased by his wife Bridie in June, 2001, will be sadly missed by his sons and daughters, in-laws, 17 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, brothers, sister, and the entire   local community and beyond.

May he enjoy the light of Heaven  and may the God of all consolation console the many who mourn his passing at this sad time in all our lives. His likes will rarely pass this way again. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Rest in peace, Martin.  

- James Hunt