Tributes pour in as Drumshanbo's Ronan Moran laid to rest

The community of Drumshanbo, Leitrim and people from all over the country have rallied around the family of Ronan Moran, aged 19, Aughnagallop, Drumshanbo who died suddenly last week while in Limerick and who was laid to rest yesterday, Sunday.

A student of University of Limerick, Ronan passed away last Wednesday morning and as news filtered through of his untimely passing it has left his family, friends and the whole community in shock and greatly saddened by the sudden loss of someone so young.

As Ronan was brought home on Thursday hundreds upon hundreds of people lined the streets to pay tribute to a young man who has touched the lives of so many.

In paying tribute to him many people have spoken of a highly popular person who will perhaps best be remembered for his infectious smile, the way in which he truly lit up the day for all whom he met along the way, his courteous manner, his prowess on the playing field (he captained the Allen Gaels minors to a county title in 2020) and above all how he touched the lives of all his came in contact with.

Ronan had worked in Gibbons Centra and is remembered for his manners, his courtesy and that great smile by all who came in contact with him.

Paying tribute and offering condolences to his family - his heartbroken parents, John and Geraldine, brothers Kevin and Fergal. aunts and uncles, Abina, Ann, Niall and Joe and his loving cousins, Darragh, Eve and Ciaran his extended family, especially Colette and Tarah, his girlfriend, Kaitlyn and his wide circle of friends - Allen Gaels football club stated: “Yesterday our Community were devastated to hear of the passing of our beloved club player Ronan Moran. Whilst the entire community and surrounds are mourning the huge loss of Ronan the greatest loss is to his devoted parents John and Geraldine, his brothers Kevin and Fergal, Aunts Ann & Abina, Uncles Joe & Niall and Cousins Ciarán, Niall and Eve, Ronan's extended family, Tarah and Colette and his girlfriend Kaitlyn. Ronan's presence will be hugely missed also by his wide circle of friends, his current and former team mates, managers, his colleagues and everyone who was ever graced with his beautiful smile.
“We as a community offer our heartfelt sympathies to Ronan's loved ones and we will do everything we can to support them in the very difficult days ahead. Rest in peace Ronan.”

Meanwhile, management of Gibbons Centra, stated, “It’s hard to believe that the brightest of smiles has brought about the darkest of days. It’s with a heavy heart we write this, that our dear friend, work colleague and Centra family member Ronan Moran sadly passed away on Wednesday the 8th of February.
“We will miss him more than words can express. He was valued member of staff over the past 6 years and a huge presence in the community of Drumshanbo. He will always be remembered for his loving smile, kind and caring nature.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Ronan’s heartbroken parents John and Geraldine, his brothers Kevin and Fergal, aunts and uncles, extended family, girlfriend and fellow work colleague Kaitlyn and to his wide circle of friends. Rest in Peace Ronan you will be greatly missed.”

An Tóstal Festival Committee also said, “They say that our children are only ever on loan to us, and this became very real when the heart-breaking news came through on Wednesday that we had lost Ronan Moran.
“Drumshanbo and the surrounding area stood still in shock, Ronan who was so loved by all that knew him, his family, his neighbours, his many, many friends, his work colleagues in Centra, his team mates in Allen Gaels and his College friends in Limerick.
“We will always treasure the brief 19 years we had with Ronan and we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Geraldine, John, Kevin and Fergal, his aunts uncles cousins and to all who mourn his loss.
“’You can shed tears that he is gone or you can smile because he had lived’ and that's what Ronan always did, he smiled and then everyone else smiled too.
“We wish John Geraldine Kevin and Fergal peace comfort and lots of love at this difficult time.”

Writing on RIP.ie one person stated, “It is impossible to encapsulate Ronan in a few sentences as he was such an unbelievable young man.
“Ronan was always pleasant, funny, and hard working. His infectious, unforgettable and cheeky smile would appear regularly in class. Ronan was inspirational to both young & old. He was loyal beyond words to his family, friends, teammates and work colleagues.”

He was further described as “A true gent and a wonderful friend to young and old in our community. Ronan you will be missed so much but will be remembered fondly. Your caring attitude and heartwarming smile will live with us for ever.”

Messages of condolences were sent from not just local people but also GAA clubs, those who got to know him in university and from all very the country and beyond.

Huge crowds gathered at his home last Friday and Saturday, with his Funeral Mass taking place in St Patrick's Church, Drumshanbo on Sunday where once again massive numbers turned out to pay their last tribute to Ronan and to offer their support to his family.

Ronan was later interred in Drumshanbo New Cemetery.

The editor and staff of the Leitrim Observer would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the Moran family, his friends, girlfriend, team mates and university friends on the tragic loss of Ronan. RIP.