Warm tributes have been paid this week to well-known caravan park proprietor Ivan Bradshaw, whose sudden death occurred last Friday, May 5, causing much shock and sadness in Fermanagh and beyond.

Described as “a great man” by his youngest son, Peter, he disclosed it was a source of comfort for the family that they understand he died of natural causes before an accident happened at Drumhoney Caravan Park, where he had been moving the lawns on a ride-on lawnmower which tumbled over.

Ivan was laid to rest at Sydare Cemetery following his widely attended funeral service on Tuesday afternoon in Priory Church, Killadeas, conducted by Canon Mark Watson. A horse drawn carriage, ferrying Ivan’s coffin, was a poignant feature at his funeral.

Speaking this week, Ivan’s son Peter said that his father, who turned 60 on Friday, April 28, “lived a full life, and never stopped.” There was never a dull moment for Ivan, he said.

Originally from Fenagh, Co. Leitrim, Ivan was a son of Mrs. Jean Bradshaw and the late Archie Bradshaw. The family moved to Fermanagh when Ivan was two years old; they made their home at Drumhoney, where Ivan had lived ever since. 

He was educated at nearby Drumarkey Primary School, followed by the Duke of Westminster High School, Kesh.

During his career, he starting horse riding stables in 1987 and from there he developed his caravan park.

“It was the first five star caravan park in Fermanagh and one of the first in Northern Ireland,” acknowledged Peter, who said his father was very proud of that.

For the last 20 years, Ivan would have focused on running the caravan park, which Peter said was his father’s passion. Ivan married Evelyn, formerly Johnston, from Belleek and the couple, who settled at Drumhoney, had three sons: Jonathan, Stuart and Peter.

Outside the caravan park, Ivan pursued a number of interests; he was in the Castlehume Racing Club and he was also a member of the Star of the East Masonic Lodge, Enniskillen.

Over the years, he did a lot of charity work. “If he could have helped anyone he would have gone out of his way,” said Peter.

Ivan’s family are very thankful to everyone for their support. On their behalf, Peter thanked the First Responders and the emergency services who attended the scene on Friday evening. 

Among those who paid tribute to the popular Fermanagh businessman is UUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Rosemary Barton, who said it was “with profound sadness and shock” that she learned of the sad death of Mr. Ivan Bradshaw. 

She said: “Ivan was a very affable person and an extremely popular businessman, who, as owner of Drumhoney Holiday Park near Lisnarick, County Fermanagh, spearheaded many new developments within Holiday Park Tourism. He was continually developing Drumhoney to enhance the experience of visitors to Fermanagh and he was one of the first to add ‘Glamping Pods’, making the Park more appealing to all age groups.”

She added: “However, first and foremost, Ivan was a dedicated family man, a husband, father, grandfather and son. To his wife Evelyn and the wider family circle I would like to offer my sincere sympathy.”

DUP Councillor Raymond Farrell said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the death of Ivan. “He was a very forward thinking man who devoted his life in offering a service and promoting our district. He was a man of purpose and a visionary. My thoughts are with Evelyn and all the family,” he said.

Tribute was also paid by Teresa O’Hare, of Orchard Acre Farm, who said that Ivan was “an ambitious businessman, who never lost sight of the community from whence he came.”

Surviving Ivan are his wife Evelyn; sons Jonathan (Kirsty), Stuart (Edel) and Peter (Gayle) and his grandchildren - Luke, Naomi and Lexie. He also leaves his mother Jean and the wider family circle.

The funeral arrangements were by Funeral Directors, S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen.