Deep sadness at passing of former Shinrone Principal and historian

THERE was deep sadness in Shinrone alst week when it was learned that Noel MacMahon had passed away on the 4th of March in Tullamore Hospital.
Noel is survived by his wife Margaret, daughters Marguerite and Niamh, and sons-in-law John and Brian. He was predeceased by his beloved son Cuimín.
As a former Principal of Shinrone National School and a longstanding member of the community, Noel will be fondly remembered by the many generations he taught and the colleagues and friends he worked alongside throughout the years.
His Funeral Mass took place on Saturday in St Mary’s Church, Shinrone, followed by burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Shinrone.
The family expressed their gratitude to the staff of the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, “for the great care they have taken of Noel.”
In the tributes paid to him Noel was remembered as being “kind and approachable as a teacher and a wonderful and caring Principal.”
Another person commented that, “He was a wonderful Principal, mentor and friend to so many of us. In many ways he was ahead of his time as an educator. He contributed so much to life in Shinrone and the surrounding area through his involvement in sport, local history, Tidy Towns and community development.”
A tribute from Coolderry GAA Club said that, “During his time as a National School teacher in Coolderry, Noel played with the club winning a Senior Championship medal in 1956.”
Another tribute said Noel was “a pure gentleman.”
“He was one of the first people I met when I came to Shinrone,” wrote another in the Condolence Book, “and he was very welcoming and friendly. Margaret you were truly a remarkable woman looking after Noel so well and keeping him in touch with the community.”
In 1998 Noel wrote and published "In the shadow of the Fairy Hill,” which was a history of the parish of Shinrone and Ballingarry from pre-Christian times to the early 1900s. “Noel's book,” wrote a reader, “reveals the story of geology, farming practices, economic systems, class structures, politics and culture. It reveals the remaining traces of ancient cultures and looks at 19th century events. There are republican heroes and civic minded gentry. There are differences of attitude. There is a deep fascination in and love for the past and the present of these parishes.”
In August 2003 Noel compiled and published "Shinrone and Ballingarry in Focus", a magnificent photographic record of the parish of the area, which came about as a result of an exhibition of photogaphs from Noel's collection at the Lughnasa Festival in the village in 2001. The result was a magnificent book of some 238 pages and 500 photographs which has ever since been cherished by parishioners at home and abroad.
Requiescat in pace.

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