City centre Park named in honour of a ‘true gentleman’
JESSICA FARRY REPORTS ON THE OFFICIAL NAMING OF THE O’BOYLE PARK IN FORTHILL LAST FRIDAY
THE two year anniversary of the tragic death of Councillor Seamie O’Boyle was marked by the community of Forthill and Sligo County Council on Friday, with the official naming of O’Boyle park, in his honour.
Among the speakers on Friday afternoon were Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Seamus Kilgannon, Councillor Declan Bree, a close friend of Seamie’s, Noel Kennedy, Secretary of the Sligo Leitrim District Soccer League and his son, Councillor Gino O’Boyle.
In what was an emotional day for the O’Boyle family members, Gino said they were honoured to see Seamie honoured in such a way.
Seamie’s wife Mairead, daughters Katie and Jane, and Seamus Junior were all present on the day alongside Gino.
“Today is a special day for us as a family, I don’t think there’s any greater way to be remembered than have your name enshrined on such an important piece of Sligo history. When the opportunity arose, we as a family, were fully behind it. I’d like to thank the Councillors who unanimously supported this,” Cllr. O’Boyle said.
And although his dear father may not be around today to see the fruits of his work in the community and for Glenview Stars, Gino says it is a testament to all of his efforts.
“As a family we saw the time and dedication my father gave to the Forthill community and to Glenview Stars. There were some very good times but there were bad times as well. He stuck with it through thick and thin. At the start, it was 2003 when it started, I presume he thought he might be here to see the benefit of the whole lot of it, but this is a testament to all the work he put in. It goes to show that he will never be forgotten. To be up there with the likes of Jimmy Stanford, the Rooneys, Nancy Callaghan, is a legacy that will never be forgotten.”
Work has been ongoing at the facility since 2003, when the first grant aid from the Sports Capital programme in 2003. The contract was awarded for the development of two pitches in March 2004.
The pitches were later upgraded and fencing was erected in 2009.A running track was laid down 2012/2013 and just this year an outdoor gym and recreational facility was added.
Cllr. Bree worked closely with Seamie over the years. He spoke highly of the former Councillor and said he was a ‘man of the people’.
“Seamie O Boyle was a community and political activist with a passion for justice and fair-play. He was a man of the people who stood with the people in their daily struggles.
“He overcame many obstacles and challenges as a youngster growing up in Sligo. He was always proud to say that he was raised in the Nazareth House and in that context we know he developed lifelong friendships with those who were also raised alongside him by the Nazareth Sisters,” said Cllr. Bree,
Many knew Seamie as the face of Glenview Stars, and an avid Sligo Rovers fan. Others, knew him as a political activist who worked hard for the people of Forthill, and indeed Sligo.
“His significant involvement in a voluntary capacity in junior soccer over the decades brought him into close contact with generations of young people and it has to be said that his dedication to his beloved Glenview Stars could only be surpassed by his enormous enthusiasm for Sligo Rovers.
“He was also active in the campaign to save cancer services, in the Shell to Sea campaign and in the movement against the household charges.
“I am proud of the fact that I had the opportunity of sharing many platforms with him in numerous campaigns and most particularly in the Right2Water campaign.
“The fact that he collapsed at the wheel of his van while on his way to an activists meeting speaks volumes about his work and about his concern for the rights of working people, their families and the marginalised,” he added.
Councillor Bree echoed the sentiments of many at the gathering, adding that Seamie has left a wonderful legacy behind him.
“Seamie O’Boyle was a political activist who was courageous and honest and who had a deep sense of commitment to his constituents and to the community he represented.
“That the proposal to name this park in his honour was submitted in the names of all the elected members of Sligo County Council clearly confirms the esteem in which he was held by his colleagues on the Council and by the people of this county.
“While their (his family’s) loss has been indeed terrible they have the consolation of knowing that Seamie O’ Boyle was a working class hero, unwavering in his quest for fair play and social justice and always guided by a desire to protect the interests of working people, of the disadvantaged and the less well off.
“He has left all of us a wonderful legacy and it is indeed fitting that this modern municipal park located on the historic Forthill would be named in his honour.”
Seamus Kilgannon, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, paid tribute to the late Seamie O’Boyle, and said this was a fitting way to remember his late colleague.
“It is fitting that his family, his community, and his colleagues convene two years to the day since his untimely passing to officially name this amenity in his honour. It is also fitting that this excellent facility, which was close to Seamie’s heart, will forever bear his name and will always be associated with his memory. He added: “Seamie’s friendly and obliging nature, allied to his gift of modesty, made him a hugely regarded and popular figure in his community. Seamie was not one for long detailed speeches, which probably explains why when he spoke, people listened. He was a man of action rather than words, which will certainly be confirmed by the many people he helped along the way.”
Cllr. Kilgannon went on to say that future generations will past through the gates of O’Boyle Park, and will be able to reflect on Seamie’s contribution to Sligo.
“He was one of nature’s true gentleman, whose warm and engaging personality will be his cherished legacy in the community he served with such pride and commitment. While it is certainly tragic to see a life cut short, there is a measure of consolation in that he contributed more in his brief time with us than most people would ever manage into their old age.
He continued: “It would have been a great source of Pride to Seamie that his son Gino has carried on his exemplary standard of public service, and similarly has earned the respect and admiration of the community he serves with the same resolve and ambition as his late father. In the presence of our historic green-fort, at the highest vantage point overlooking his beloved Sligo town, we could not have a more perfect setting to honour Seamie’s memory. This wonderful amenity will continue to be visited and enjoyed by future generations, and everyone who passes through these gates will have cause to reflect on an inspirational figure whose name will always be recalled with great pride and fondness.”
Secretary of the Sligo Leitrim District Soccer League, Noel Kennedy, recalled his memories of the late Seamie.
“Seamie was a wonderful man to know. He was a man of his word, he would do anything for you. We go back to Jimmy Stanford’s time and Martin Rooney, and I remember Seamie in The Showgrounds, and if you think he was a fearsome sight there you should have seen him when he was togged out for the Corinthians! Many is the person he put the fear into before a game starting.
“He was an unbelievable competitor. He gave young men a huge opportunity in a sporting environment. Seamie got young people out there every Sunday, getting sponsorhip etc. He was a very ordinary guy who did extraordinary things. Seamie epitomised to me what amateur sport is about.”