RIP: Sadness washes over Mayo after popular hotelier's passing

ON the day before the All-Ireland Football final, we crowded in to St Colman’s Church in Claremorris for the funeral Mass of Paul Hanley.

Mayo flags were flying proudly in the breeze around the town and the county and it was hard to comprehend that we were saying farewell to a life-long Mayo supporter on the eve of what was to become Mayo’s most legendary day in the history of the GAA.

Paul (62) would have gloried in the victory that would manifest itself a day later and what he had longed to see all through the years.

He was to the fore in organising a few trips to London and New York for the Mayo matches over the years and many trips to Croke Park as well. One of his closest friends all through the years was Johnny Thomas from Kilbeg who was on many of those special trips too.

Paul was a member of a very well known family in the Claremorris region and was synonymous with The Western Hotel for many years.

His late parents, Michéal and Peggy, and other members of the family circle have been synonymous with the commercial life of Claremorris over the decades. Peggy was a native of Co Down and was such a gentle, warm and beautiful lady and it was a privilege to know her in former times.

He had a great love for the music scene and many top singers and bands from different genres of music played the venue over the years. Bagatelle, Big Tom, Diarmuid O’Leary and The Bards were among the regulars who did gigs in the Western Hotel.

I had a call from him just a few days before he died in relation to potential bands playing the venue in August.

He took a keen interest in various sports and, outside of football, horse racing and darts were also to the fore. He served as chair of Claremorris Agricultural Show for some years and also supported other groups in the town and region.

Numerous warm tributes have been paid to Paul in recent weeks.

The Board of Management, St. Colman's College, Claremorris, said: “Paul was a wonderful supporter of ours in St Colman's College and was always willing to help us down through the years in so many ways.

“He was very proud of his alma mater and always held the College close to his heart. We will certainly miss him and his warm, welcoming smile in the Western Hotel. God Bless you Paul, and thanks for everything.”

Sandra (Lavelle) Carey, Murneen and Killucan (Westmeath) reflected: “Apart from giving me employment in the Western Hotel for years, Paul was a great family friend.

I will be forever grateful for his kindness shown to us on the passing of our dear Dan (Lavelle). May the wonderful memories you all have of him and I know there are many give you all comfort. His loss is immeasurable.”

Henry Cleary, Claremorris and Dublin, said Paul was “a constant figure in the town for many decades and he was a great link to the many generations from the town. Gone long before his time, he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.”

The Hi-Doh Singers, Claremorris, showed appreciation for Paul’s support of the music scene: “He was a wonderful champion of live music who brought many great bands and performers to Claremorris over the years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Geraldine Farragher, Claremorris, stated: “Paul was such a warm, generous and brilliant character. TJ and his friends had a date with Paul in the Western Hotel for years. The craic was epic.”

Mary Coleman, Carradoyne, Claremorris, was also among the many joining in the tributes. “Paul Hanley didn’t just pour drinks, he poured out beautiful warmth, friendships, with great conversations. He was the heart of any room.”

Fr Peter Gannon was the chief celebrant at the Mass where he recalled some humourous memories of Paul from over the years in a warm and engaging tribute.

At the start of the Mass, Paul’s daughter Karen delivered a lovely tribute to her dad, recalling various memories from a lifetime spent with Anne and the family and so many friends. She set the scene by quoting what Paul often said to people: “Enjoy life, you’ll be long enough dead’ - and by God did he live by it!”

Paul, who was predeceased by his beloved parents, Michéal and Peggy Hanley, will be sadly missed and remembered by his wife Anne (McGreal) and their daughters Karen, Jayne, Katie, Michelle, Nicole and Jessica; his sons-in-law Lorcán, Julian, David, Brian, Mark and Paul, grandchildren Tom, Daithí, Fíonn, Tadhg, Cuán, Aodán, Chloe, Frankie and Billy, his sister Bernie, his brothers Martin, Micéal and Niall, parents-in-law Nancy and Gerry McGreal, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Let’s go back to County Mayo

The pride of all the West

The mountain of Croagh Patrick

Knock Shrine looks at its best

Ballyhaunis and Claremorris

Those towns I sure do know

It was there I spent my childhood

In the county of Mayo.