Larry was dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and helping others from all walks of life
HE was a gentleman and gave freely of his time and extensive skills and knowledge during his many years of service as a member of our board of management. Our deepest sympathies to his family.”
Outside of teaching at school, Larry was also well-known for his long association with the Sligo Field Club where he served numerous roles including past president (2000-2001) and as treasurer for more than 15 years.
In a tribute posted on Facebook, they said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Larry Mullin. Larry was a Sligo Field Club stalwart, Past President (2000/2001), serving as Treasurer for over 15 years and a committee member for over 40 years.
“Larry was a dilligent member of the committee, with a kind word for everyone and a regular at our lectures, conference and outings. Larry's death has come as a shock to us all as he was present at our last lecture on Holy Wells just a few weeks ago.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his extended family, friends and neighbours.”
On July 15, 2021 Larry Mullin was interviewed as part of the Sligo Weekender's 'Local Legends' feature where he discussed life as a volunteer, teacher and a historian.
Speaking about his childhood memories, Larry said: “My father got a farm of land from the Land Commission in the early years of the 20th century. He had 30 acres.
“We used to say that you can't get a more conservative person than a man with 30 acres as you were able to make a living from it.”
He said: “I remember my mother – the first thing she made sure to buy was my father's plug tobacco. He could not last without it.”
Where did he get his great interest in history?
Larry said: “I was lucky that I had a great primary teacher who came to our area in 1950. She taught us everything. Everything I learned I owe to her and my parents.
“She was Miss Heneghan, and she only died this year at 93. She was from Milltown in Co. Galway.
“I can still remember the day that Josef Stalin died in Russia. She told us all about this monster in 1953.
“She was a great admirer of Padraig Pearse. And she put us in for scholarships.”
One of Larry's great memories with the Sligo Field Club was visiting Inishmurray for the first time. He recounted the trip and the fascinating stories he learned from an inhabitant.
“I remember my first trip to Innismurray. Dr Patrick Heraughty was leading it.
“He was elderly at the time but when he stepped off the boat on his own island, he got his youth back.
“They used to do a pilgrimage around the island carrying the statue of St Molaise.
“Every stone there has a name and knew them all. That was a great day.
“There is a spirituality there. The tragedy is that it is being neglected and there are no boats going out there. There is nothing on the island only ruined houses.
“The first trip to Carrowmore was quite memorable as well. Carrowkeel came later.
“Some of these great monuments are as old as the Egyptian pyramids.
“They are passage graves, the same type found in Newgrange.
“The English theory is that these people came from England from Clyde-Carlingford and spread down, but an archaeologist called Ruairi De Valera said the first landfall was in Sligo because it was a natural area to come in.
“Others say those people may have come from France or northern Spain. I don't think it has been fully resolved.
“Carrowmore and Carrowkeel are two great facilities in Sligo and there is currently a big attempt to declare Carrowmore a Unesco World Heritage Site. Sligo Field Club is involved in this campaign.
“Boyne Valley and Skellig Michael are the only World Heritage Sites in the Republic. Northern Ireland has the Giant's Causeway.
“Stefan Berg is leading the campaign, but it could take some time.”
Reflecting on his voluntary roles with various local groups in more recent years, Larry said:
“I resolved when I retired in 2004 that anything I would do after that would be voluntary. Some people don't start really working until they retire.
“I did Meals on Wheels for 12 years every week out around CooleraStrandhill in my own car. I felt I should do something – Christianity in action.”
Larry returned to history.
He said: “Sligo Gaol is a great asset, and it could be a great tourist attraction if it were properly developed. Frank Carty escaped from that jail in his time.
“My number one republican is Billy Pilkington, who later became a priest.
“During the Civil War, when word came to Eoghan MacNeill of the then Free State Government that his son Brian was shot in Sligo fighting for the republicans, he told the mother what had happened, and Brian's name was never again mentioned.
“There were two other brothers fighting for the Free State.
“Brian was an uncle of former PD leader Michael McDowell.”
Larry had also been doing a lot of work with Sligo Volunteer Centre.
He said: “The Volunteer Centre meets regularly. A girl called Ciara Herity does great work. It deals with vetting.
“Marian Harkin is very much into volunteering. She is the centre's honorary president.
“In 2017, Sligo was chosen as European Volunteering Capital. That was a big year for us, and I was chairman of the Volunteer Centre at the time.”
Larry has also been involved with the Northside Centre in Sligo.
He said: “Johnny Stanford is a great character up there and I knew the people there from school in Ballinode.
“There is a men's group there, a history has been produced, and classes were given for the refugees from Globe House.”
Larry Mullin is survived by his children Dearbhla, Colm, Clíodhna, Sorcha and Donncha, twin brother Michael, son-in-law Pat and Angus, daughter-in-law Shalini, grandchildren Gearóid, Caradh, Ruairí, Maya and Baby Rohan, nephew, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Reposing at Sean Feehily's Funeral Home, Cartron Cross today, Thursday from 5pm, followed by removal at 6.30pm to Saint Joseph's Church, Ballytivnan.
Mass of the Resurrection at 11am tomorrow, Friday. Burial follows in Clogher Cemetery.
Funeral will be livestreamed on www.churchtv.ie/stjosephschurch.