William McLysaght’s ‘central role’ in East Clare life remembered

SYMPATHY has been extended to the family of the late William McLysaght, of Raheen, Tuamgraney, by members of the Killaloe Municipal District. When councillors gathered in Scariff for their May meeting, a motion of sympathy was proposed by Councillor Pat Hayes, who noted the hugely positive impact Mr McLysaght had had on the local area. 

“William’s contribution was immense around East Clare,” Councillor Hayes said. “He played a central role in supporting Raheen Community Hospital. He had a central role going back the years to his father and grandfather who gave great employment in the area.”

Cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Cooney seconded the motion. “William was a simply fantastic man for the entire East Clare area,” he said. “He was involved in a lot of different committees and we extend our sympathies to William’s wife Anna and their family. William’s family gave a lot of employment to a lot of people and did great work.”

Councillor Tony O’Brien described Mr McLysaght as “an extraordinary community man”. 

Mr McLysaght passed away suddenly at his home earlier this month. He was laid to rest at St Cronan’s Cemetery, Tuamgraney on May 10. Tributes and condolences have poured in from across the country and further afield. 

Mr McLysaght had been a co-founder of the Raheen Hospital Support Group, and a tireless fundraiser and advocate for the organisation.

He had been chairperson of the organisation for more than a decade. Thanks to his advocacy, the Community Nursing Unit saw significant development and expansion. In a message of sympathy on RIP.ie, Pauline McNamara, former matron of the hospital paid tribute to Mr McLysaght and “several other wonderful people including Ned Keane, Christy Conway Colm Wiley [and] Paddy Bugler whom he has now joined in their Heavenly home”.

“His contribution to Raheen hospital was immense and I had the great pleasure of returning to Raheen and working with him,” she said.

“He was always available to lobby ministers to get funds to improve services and quality of life of patients in the hospital and services at [the] day centre. His contribution was immense and so appreciated by the older people of East Clare.” In a social media post, Raheen Hospital Support Group described Mr McLysiaght as “a wonderful advocate”. 

He had also been a long-serving board member and one of the founders, in 1971, of Derg Credit Union, and was instrumental in commissioning a book last year to mark the 50th anniversary of the organisation. 

Tributes have also been paid by a number of other community and voluntary organisations with which Mr McLysaght was involved. He was Honorary President of Tuamgraney Handball Club, who said he was “always a proud supporter of handball and took great interest in the club right up to his final days”.

“The McLysaght name is synonymous with Tuamgraney handball and it was William’s late father Edward who organised the building of the original handball alley in 1911,” a statement said. 

East Clare Golf Club, with whom he had a long association, described Mr McLysaght as “a thorough gentleman”. 

East Clare Memorial Committee described Mr McLysaght as “a great friend to our committee over many years”.

“ In 2005 we worked with William to memorialize his father, Edward McLysaght,” a message of condolence said. 

William McLysaght is survived by his wife Anna, daughters Una and Fiona, sons Fergus, Cathal and Cian, grandchildren Brian, Finn, Aoife, Rian and Lia, daughters-in-law Karon and Davnet, brother Brian, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.