A Tribute to Jack and Mary Martin – (By Neal Farry

By Neal Farry

When Jack Martin and Mary McGann began their mutual acquaintance at a céilí in Riverstown Hall on St. Patrick’s Day 1950 they may not have realised that this encounter would change their lives forever and bestow a formidable impact on the lifestories of three succeeding generations of Martins until the present time. Although neither of them was a native of Ballymote, that parish and many other areas of local society have benefited immensely from the unselfish and creative contributions that Jack and Mary imparted.

Prior to their marriage in Riverstown Church in April 1953 Jack and Mary surely exchanged memories of their previous life experiences before they crossed each other’s paths. Jack was born in Moate, Co. Westmeath in June 1923. He received his education in Moate National School, St. Mary’s Secondary School, Athlone and in Athlone Vocational School. He joined the Free State Army in July 1941and he served as a military driver until he was discharged from the army at the termination of the Emergency in 1946. In November of that year Jack joined C.I.E. at Longford. He was transferred in January 1947 to Ballymote where he worked as a delivery truck driver. From his transfer to the Sligo C.I.E. Depot in 1963 until his retirement in 1988 Jack ensured that innumerable loads of merchandise were efficiently transported to their respective destinations. On the 28th March 2016 Jack Martin passed peacefully to his eternal reward.

Mary Brigid McGann was born in Theur, Riverstown in June 1927. Her educational development was nurtured in Coolbock National School and in Ballymote Vocational School (An Cheard Scoil). At both schools Mary forged a profound love of the Irish and English languages. After her apprenticeship Mary practised her profession as a dressmaker.

When Mary and Jack married in 1953, they settled in Ballybrennan, Ballymote. The expanding Martin family moved into their new adjacent house on a hilly site in Carrownanty, previously owned by Robbie and Sam Clarke, in 1976. During decades of contented years in the west end of Ballymote Mary gave birth to thirteen children: Mary Teresa, Peggy, Bernadette, Claire, Gabrielle, Colette, Ethna, Antoinette, John, Laurie, Victor, Anthony, who died at birth, and Gerard.

Mary Brigid Martin-McGann departed this world on the 2nd August 2018, mourned by her extended family of twelve children, thirtyfive grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She had been predeceased by one grandchild, Joseph.

Considering their manifestly hectic home life both Mary and Jack found time to make many notable contributions to the social scene of their adopted community in Ballymote.

Mary was an active member of the Ballymote Heritage Group for over twenty years and she served as the Group’s Treasurer and as an energetic and capable member of the Heritage Weekend committee for many years. In Ballymote Church Mary provided service as a member of the Legion of Mary and in the Altar Society for a lengthy period. Through her involvement in Ballymote Community Care Mary’s skills as a laundress proved invaluable.

Already an experienced soldier, Jack joined the F.C.A. in 1955. He swiftly attained the rank of Company Sergeant. Jack retired from that Local Defence Force in 1983 with the rank of Sergeant Major, a fact that distinguishes him for being the first part time Sergeant Major in the Western Command.

For about thirty-five years Jack inspired and entertained the congregation in Ballymote Church as a leading member of the choir with his magnificent tenor voice. All liturgical occasions were rendered memorable by his committed and talented vocal contributions. Jack was also a Eucharistic Minister and a committed member of Ballymote Heritage Group. In the foregoing paragraphs I have endeavoured to relate the bare bones of the biographies of Jack and Mary Martin. Fortunately, through the medium of the Corran Herald this unique and exceptional couple, in seven separate articles have outlined infinitely more detailed and personal descriptions of episodes of their lives