Sadness following death of Offaly GAA stalwart who was a founder member of his local club

THE death has taken place of a long time GAA stalwart in the Killavilla area, Danny Bergin. In his late 80s, Danny Bergin was a native of Cooleshall and lived at Cloonagh, Roscrea.

A passionate GAA worker and supporter, he was a founding member of Killavilla GAA Club in 1950. He made a lifelong contribution to the GAA in his own area, serving his club in many capacities while he was joint president of Ballyskenach-Killavilla GAA Club at the time of his passing – the clubs amalgamated a few years ago.

He was very proud of his own area. Located close to the Tipperary and Laois borders, Killavilla GAA club occasionally operated in survival mode and he was one of the many locals who helped the club to survive, and indeed to thrive, at different periods as they won some championship titles.

He was well known at county level in Offaly for decades. He was a long time Killavilla delegate to Offaly GAA County Board meetings and Conventions for decades and also served on various committess. He was an outspoken character at County Board meetings, voicing his opinion on topics at monthly meetings for years but his opinions were always sincerely held and he was a very popular and well respected man.

He had a gentle, endearing personality and also possessed a great wit, sometimes bringing laughter to meetings with his comments and opinions.

A farmer, Danny had a great interest in his local area. He was a great historian and folklorist and loved playing social cards. A non drinker, he was a loyal Fine Gael supporter and the Bergin family made a significant contribution to the Land League and the War of Independence over a century ago. He was proud of all this as well as Offaly's many GAA successes – while he came from almost exclusively hurling territory, he also spoke regularly with great pride about Offaly's football tradition and attended big ball games.

He had an infectious love of the GAA and Offaly teams and also had a strong Catholic faith. He was buried in Roscrea on Tuesday. Predeceased by his brother James, sisters Mary, Frances, Bernadette Maher and Pholomena Tierney, he is survived by his wife, Alice; children, Nicholas, Joseph, Cormac and daughter Mary; daughters and son in law, Bernie, Lorraine, Anna and Tom; grandchildren Carol, Danny, Aoife, Sean, Brian, Clodagh, Enda, Lucy and Rosanne; Brother Tony and Sister Aine O'Donoghue; relatives and many friends.