'One of life’s pure gentlemen' Noel McGing, Killybegs, was a founding member of KFO 

The funeral took place in Killybegs on Sunday of Noel McGing, Church Road, who was a founding member of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO), back in 1979.

Following his death last Thursday, the KFO expressed sadness at his passing:  

“Today marks a sad day for the KFO, Killybegs and the Irish fishing industry, with the passing of Noel McGing. 

“Noel was a founding member of the KFO in 1979 and the KFA before that. He skippered the Olgarry and was a leading figure in Irish fishing. He will be sadly missed.”

“The KFO staff, board and members wish to express their deepest sympathy and send sincere condolences to Noel’s wife Maire, his sons Garry, Marty and John, daughters Olga and Mairead and all his family.” 

At his funeral Mass on Sunday last, chief celebrant, Fr Colm O’Gallchoir P.P. was joined at the St Mary’s of the Visitation Church by Fr Philip Daly, a family friend.

The parish priest described the deceased as “one of life’s pure gentlemen”.

Fr O’Gallchoir spoke of how Noel had made a good recovery after an operation in 2020 with the great love and care of his family. He never complained, he just got on with the hand that he was dealt with but six weeks ago had been dealt with other health complications. 

“Noel was content that he had his time done and that he was ready to move on . . .  and this happened as the bells of the Angelus were ringing at noon last Thursday in Killybegs Community Hospital,” he said.

“Noel was a man of deep faith and as he now sails through the unknown waters of death we pray that he may drop anchor securely in the safe waters of heaven,” Fr O’Gallchoir observed.

Later, during the funeral homily he told the large congregation of mourners that Noel had been born in December 1941, the second youngest of five boys born to Dan and Maureen McGing, living in Bridge Street, Westport.  

He was born and reared in Daniel’s McGing’s pub and shop, now known as the famous Matt Molloy’s pub in Westport, “hard work was the order of the day - filling bags of loose tea, bottling their own Guinness, slicing up full sides of bacon for sale in the shop, delivering all around the countryside once a week; teas, stout and tobacco the most popular items.

“Noel and his brother Danny were sent to Mungret College in Limerick to be educated by the Jesuits, it wasn’t to his liking and he wasn’t into rugby except if you volunteered to line the pitch for an upcoming game, you got the chance to smoke your fill of tobacco, a habit which continued for many years. Hr did like the old Holborn Tobacco.  

“Hard work, not so much education, was in his DNA. 

“His love of the sea started around the quay of Westport and Clew Bay and Noel decided to try fishing as a career and headed for Cork to attend the Maritime College there and to get his deckhand tickets. And many on that course would be a huge part of his life at sea afterwards. He toured many Irish ports on boat and settled initially in Burtonport, making lifelong friends there like Liam O’Reilly and learned so much from Jamsie Boyle and Connie Devanney.

“Noel arrived in Killybegs, met Máire McCloskey, who worked in Bridport’s Gundry Net factory, they hit it off instantly and they got married in this chapel on the 6th of May 1972 and they were blessed with 51 years of marriage and five children, making Church Road their home.

“Noel’s life centred around Máire, the family and fishing, of course. It wasn’t easy, those days 

To combine family life and fishing. You would be working 50 weeks a year, you could be away from Killybegs eight to ten weeks at a time and even your two weeks annual holidays meant the boat was in the boatyard for maintenance and you were still working.   

“There was no instant communication those days like today, but Noel certainly made sure a birthday card would arrive in the post for the family birthdays.” 

And even though Noel was away his presence at home was always felt.

“Noel’s fishing career took off in the late sixties, when he bought his first boat, the Father Murphy - she could be heard for miles before she was ever seen, she wasn’t pretty but she never let him down for long enough to get him into trouble. And he took a decision to build his own boat and that dream became a reality in June 1976 when the Olgarry was launched from Killybegs boatyard,” he said.    

“He loved her and was so proud that she was his and he fished her hard for 27 years      

And the addition of tanks and conversion to pelagic fishery was vital as the Industry developed.

“Michael Callaghan became his main fishing partner and they have been lifelong friends for over 50 years and that relationship has moved on, to their sons and remains as strong as ever.     

The parish priest told of how in the early 2000s “with a little persuasion, the decision was taken to build again”. 

“To build again with an eye to the future, the current Olgarry was completed in Urg, Holland  

in September 2003, a vessel which is still the family boat.

He added: “Noel McGing has been one of the main players in the Killybegs Fishing community for over 50 years. And he was all about fishing and family and faith. Noel and Máire at Mass together   was constant over the years and he was so supportive and generous when it came to the restoration of the chapel and I know along with others he helped build the Catholic Church in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides.

“There were countless acts of thoughtfulness and generosity and kindness on Noel’s part. Noel loved family gatherings and loved having everyone around - Holy Communions, Confirmations, Baptisms, wedding days were all so special, family meals were important to him, the cabaret, he thoroughly enjoyed being with and spending time with all his grandchildren. He loved his car, he loved getting the headings of the news and watching a good cowboy movie.

He concluded by stating that Noel “was one of life’s pure gentlemen, a devoted and caring  

Husband, Dad, Granddad, a hard industrious worker and a good person to work with and work for, a devout and practising Catholic, a faithful parishioner”.

Noel was predeceased by his brothers Pat and Danny and granddaughter Molly. 

“Devoted family man” - the late Donal O’Donnell, Killybegs

“He always seemed to be the person to turn to, knowing what was to be done, in so many situations"

He will be sadly missed by his wife Maire, sons Garry, Marty and John, daughters Olga and Mairead, daughters in law Lisa, Susan and Aileen, sons in law Stuart and Declan, grandchildren Orlaith, Aine, Eoin, Rosie, Bonnie, Bella, Andrew, Jack and Noah, brothers Frank and Michael, sisters in law, brother in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Funeral followed the Funeral Mass at the local cemetery. May he rest in peace.