John 'Sean' Gilligan remembered fondly

John 'Sean' Gilligan remembered fondly

 Fri, 2nd Dec, 2005

The Tullamore St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee wishes to convey our sincere condolences to the family of the late Sean Gilligan, to his wife Patricia and his sons Ciarán and Brendan. Sean made an enormous contribution to the community in Tullamore and Offaly.   

He was a founding member of the current St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee when it met in the Bridge House, Tullamore in 1983.   From small beginnings the Parade has prospered over the years and is now one of the leading Parades in the Midlands.   Of course the Tullamore Town Band, with which Sean had a very close association, was a star attraction in the Parade over many years.   Over later years Sean sounded the Bugle to announce the start of the Parade at the Reviewing stand, working closely with the late Seamus O' Connor who was MC for the Parade for many years.   The late Kevin O' Toole and Syl Shelley were also part of that original Committee, together with the current Chairman and Secretary, Johnny O' Connor and Sean O' Brien.

"Sean was a great Committee member in those early days as he was very keen to see a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Tullamore. He was very good humoured  and supported the establishment of the Parade in every way he could.   He kept in contact with the Committee over the years and was always willing to help in any way he could when we contacted him.   Our community has seen the passing of a person who contributed greatly and we would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family and to thank Sean through them for his great contribution to our Committee" states Sean O' Brien, Secretary/PRO, Tullamore St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee

Agree