Much-loved Ferbane GAA stalwart and uncle of Shane Lowry laid to rest

Deep shock was occasioned in the Ferbane area and across the wider GAA family countrywide on Thursday last, February 23, when news began to filter through of the unexpected death of Jimmy Lowry, who was one of the stalwarts of Ferbane GAA and an uncle of Clara professional golfer, Shane Lowry.

The 66-year old passed away unexpectedly in Limerick University Hospital and was laid to rest in Kilrehan cemetery in his beloved Ferbane yesterday afternoon (Sunday) following Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception where the local GAA provided a Guard of Honour for one of its best-loved members.

Mr. Lowry was a brother of Tom Lowry, Principal of Moate Community School.

Shane Lowry paid a touching tribute to his uncle while taking part in the Honda Classic at the PGA National in Florida and wore a green and white ribbon on his cap – the colours of the Ferbane GAA Club – in solidarity with his family.

He admitted that he wanted to go home to be with his family on Thursday when he heard the shock news of his uncle Jimmy's passing but had been “talked out of it by a lot of people.” After deciding to finish out his final round of golf on the legendary Florida course, he managed to secure a top-five finish after narrowly missing out on the top prize last year.

Paying an emotional tribute to his beloved uncle, who was one of his greatest supporters, Shane Lowry said he was “just a great man. He was great craic and I loved him.” He also spoke of how difficult it was for him to be away from his father, Brendan, and the rest of his family at such a sad time. “”Yeah, it's just quite sad, and it's quite hard. It's been a difficult week. It's been very difficult not to be there at home for my dad because my dad is a big softy and he'll take this quite hard” and he added that his extended family are “very close” and are “very proud of our name and very proud of where we come from.”

Ferbane GAA posted a lengthly appreciation to one of their lifelong stalwarts on their social media and described his “commitment, dedication and loyalty” to the club as extending “way beyond what could be expected of any one man.” His huge contribution included two terms as both Club Chairman and Vice-Chairman; numerous years on the committee, often as Safety Officer and he also had a stellar career as a much-respected referee whose “sharp wit, lack of ego and unfussy handling of players enhanced the games under his charge.”

The post went on to say that while the “immense on-field contribution” of his illustrious footballing brothers may have overshadowed Jimmy's service to Gaelic games, “his own impact stands tall against any measurement.”

As well as his contribution to the GAA, with which the Lowry name has always been synonomous in Offaly and much further afield, the late Jimmy Lowry was also a gifted tradesman throughout his life. He was known far and wide for his expertise in the building trade, with many notable buildings across the wider Midlands bearing testament to his skills. While he was immensely proud of all his work, his greatest achievement as a builder was the construction of the Ferbane GAA Clubhouse and dressing rooms, which took five years of planning and fundraising, all under his stewardship, and “changed the face of Ferbane GAA forever” according to the local club.

Aside from his achievements as a builder and also as a GAA stalwart, the late Jimmy Lowry was, above all, a dedicated family man. He was at his happiest in the company of his beloved wife, Alice (née Fitzgerald) his sons, Brian and James and daughter, Jennifer and his adored grandchildren, Finn, Shay, Emmy, Adam and Dara. He also revelled in the company of the extended Lowry family and was the life and soul of any gathering with his sense of divilment and his quick wit, for which he was renowed.

The late Jimmy Lowry will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Alice, son Brian and wife Claire; daughter Jennifer and her husband, Mark; son James and his partner, Caitriona; his beloved grandchildren; brothers and sisters Sean, Eamon, Mikie, Joe, Brendan, Tommy, Mary, Rose and Eileen, along with their families, neighbours, friends and the wider community.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.