Tributes are being paid today to a Ballaghaderreen woman who passed away yesterday and had contributed to all aspects of life in the town.
Mary Gallagher (nee Murphy) Main Street, Ballaghaderreen died at the Brookvale Manor Nursing Home, Ballyhaunis yesterday.
Gallaghers, a family drapery business, on Main Street in Ballaghaderreen traded for almost 200 years. Mary and her late husband Micheal and their sons returned to the town from London when Micheal’s mother retired.
Mary was a pro-life campaigner and a prolific writer.
The Ballaghaderreen Refugee Support Group sympathising with Mary’s family, has described her “as a bright light and the face of Ballaghaderreen’s Céad Míle Fáilte to those who have been displaced by war and other horrors from around the world. We will always remember her saying “how could you say no”. . Mary will always be remembered as a loving, caring, and very humorous lady and a legend in Ballaghaderreen. God bless you Mary and may you rest in eternal peace”.
Mary Gallagher came to national prominence when it was announced that Syrian refugees were to be housed in a former hotel in Ballaghaderreen. Interviewed on RTÉ’s Prime Time she commented “how could you say no?”
With other people in the community she went on to accept the Community Group of the Year for welcoming Syrian refugees at the Rehab People of the Year Awards in Dublin in 2018.
Local businessman Micheál Frain has paid this tribute to Mary Gallgher today…
Her remains will repose in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen tomorrow from 5 pm with removal at 7.15 pm to St. Nathy’s Cathedral arriving at 7.30pm.
She will be laid to rest after 11am Mass on Friday in St Nathy’s Cathedral, in Kilcolman Cemetery.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
