Following a brave and dignified fight with illness our esteemed friend and colleague Sheamus Howlin departed this world on Saturday last.

Prior to paying tribute to Sheamus, our Chairman Jim Bolger said that “our thoughts are with Sheamus’s wife Vera, and his family at this very difficult time. We offer our deepest sympathies to them on behalf of all at Leinster GAA and the wider GAA community as a whole“.

Notwithstanding the passion Sheamus had for his home club St. Martins, or his beloved county of Wexford, he also had a long association with Leinster GAA and served as PRO for many years before becoming Vice-Chairman and then Chairman in due course. 

During his tenure as Chairman he oversaw the significant transformation and upgrade of Leinster GAA headquarters at Arás Laighean, a facility which to this day is still winning many admirers. It is also worth noting that this work was conducted on the back of the foresight from another former Chairman in Sheamus Aldridge of Kildare, during who’s tenure the purchase of the building was secured in the first instance. 

In addition to his involvement with Leinster GAA, Sheamus went on to serve as Chairman on many National Committees and won new admirers throughout the GAA world in the guise of his overseas remit.

Jim Bolger concluded by saying “Sheamus was a very affable character and struck a chord with anyone whom he encountered, both at home and abroad. However, it was through his uncanny knack of seeing solutions where others might see only problems, that so endeared him to our clubs. This was particularly relevant when dealing with financial matters. For Sheamus that is a wonderful legacy to have.“

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.