Tributes paid to ‘quiet and diligent reporter’ Seán Ó Loingsigh

A DELUGE of tributes was paid to a “diligent, quiet and respectful reporter” who passed away suddenly recently.

Gaeilgeoir Seán Ó Loingsigh of Baile Mhuirne was a regular at the Blarney Macroom Municipal District meetings for many years, where he went about his work with the utmost professionalism.

Leading the tributes, Chairman Cllr Kevin Conway (Ind) said he wanted to put forward a vote of condolence to the family of Mr Ó Loingsigh, who was the son of the late Mícheál and Bríd.

Cllr Conway said: “Seán was present for every meeting and he really was a diligent, quiet and respectful reporter. We are all saddened by his untimely death.”

Cllr Gobnait Moynihan (FF) said Mr Ó Loingsigh had “a better attendance at meetings that some of the councillors”.

“He would be reporting from the meeting to Raidió na Gaeltachta before the actual council meeting was even over. He reported on everything from the serious meetings to the celebrations.

“He was very much ingrained in the community in which he lived in and he was very much dedicated to his language and culture,” she said.

Cllr Michael Creed (FG) said he knew Mr Ó Loingsigh for many years and said he was very courteous and respectful.

“He went into great detail on everything and he understood people. People who were not fluent in Irish, he was equally respectful [of them],” he said.

“My sympathy to his family. He really is a big loss to the Gaeltacht and to all the people who listen to Raidió na Gaeltachta, who will greatly miss him,” said Cllr Creed.

Cllr Ted Lucey (FG) said the late Mr Ó Loingsigh would frequently approach councillors after the meeting to ask further questions, and he did his work with the “utmost diligence”.

Cllr Bob Ryan (FF) described Mr Ó Loingsigh as “a true gentleman.”

“He was an outstanding gaeilgeoir and he loved the language,” he said.

“He was also a very deep thinker on how the community could be improved. He felt that West Muskerry should have a Gaeltacht team just like they have in Kerry.

“He was very sincere in what he said and in what he thought. He really was a decent man and it’s a tragedy that he passed suddenly. He will be greatly missed,” said Cllr Ryan.

Mr Ó Loingsigh is deeply missed by his brothers Dónal and Micheál; sister Nóra Máire; nieces and nephews, Doireann, Fiach and Bríd;, grandniece Eleanor; and brother- and sister-inlaw Síle and Oliver.