The death of Joe Martin, after a long, well-lived and so effective life, leaves Tyrone a significantly lesser place.
Is cailliúint mhór é amach is amach bás Sheosaimh Uí Mháirtín agus mórshaol fada is éifeachtach caite aige.
Whilst Joe’s impact among us as an educationalist, across the Primary, Secondary and Further Education sectors, was immense, in Gaelic Tyrone he will always shine brightest as our County’s remarkable GAA historian.
Ba mar shárstaraí CLG an chontae a bheas cuimhne againn air i dTír Eoghain.
Over more than 40 years, through four separate volumes, covering almost 1,450 pages, and supplemented by many talks, lectures and discussions, Joe Martin uniquely and lovingly chronicled something very important in all our lives, the GAA in Tyrone.
Before immersing himself in that lifetime task, Joe had also been a triple Senior Club Championship winner, Club Chair and Treasurer for Carrickmore, and a Referee of distinction. And woven into everything was his heritage as a member of one of Tyrone’s strongest Gaelic families, his constant feel for and belief in the Irish language, a certainty about the importance of place and community, and a sureness about his faith and beliefs.
Bhí dúil mhór bhocht ag Seosamh in achan ghné den teanga agus ba chúis mhór cheiliúrtha agus bhróid í foilseachán a leabhar Gaeilge, ‘Mo Shaol go dtí seo’ sa bhliain 2022 i gcomhpháirt le CLG Thír Eoghain.
Some people make history. Others record it. But in the way he recorded it, Joe also made it. No one here, or anywhere else, has left such a legacy. And all of it with elegance, flair, discretion and uprightness.
Our deepest sympathy goes to Marie, Séamus, Sinéad, Declan and Ciaran, to Joe’s wider family circle, to his many friends and colleagues, in work and beyond, and to the Gaels of Carrickmore.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.
Níl sa bhás ach malairt beatha | Death is but a change of life.
I measc Naomh na hÉireann agus Laochra na nGael go raibh sé | May he be among the Saints of Ireland and the Heroes of the Gael.
By Rory Cox Sun 20th Aug
