The owner of Ashwoods Golf Centre, Michael O’Dolan, who passed away this week, has been described as “a very modest man with high morals, who had a great cross-community ethos”.

Mr. O’Dolan, 79, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease six weeks ago but had been in declining health for a number of months prior to his death last Sunday, December 14.

He is survived by his wife Marie; son Damian; daughters Peggy and Lisa; sisters Mairead, Eilish, Una, Francis and Olivia; brothers Charlie and Paddy; and his nine grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Malachy, Jonnie and Joey.

Mr. O’Dolan’s son Damian recalls that his father was “a great man for ideas and foresight”.

Twenty-five years ago, Mr. O’Dolan developed the family farm at Ashwoods, Sligo Road, into the Ashwoods Golf Centre, creating a par-three golf course and a driving and practice range. “He was meticulous in how he kept it and it was voted one of the best par-three courses in Ireland at one stage,” Damian explained.

“This was great foresight on his part because golf was an elitist type of game 25 years ago,” Damian continued. “He liked to see the beginners learning and improving their golf; he particularity liked to see the groups of young school pupils, from across the community, developing their skills.” In 2006, Mr. O’Dolan planted 22 hectares of his land with native broadleaf trees, predominantly ash with a component of oak, birch, rowan and hazel. He had received support under DARD’s Woodland Grant Scheme to assist him establish the woodland and was commended by the then Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew.

“He turned common agricultural land into tourist, sporting and recreational amenities and he enjoyed seeing people enjoying the fruits of his labours,” Damian explained.

The family appreciate the callers to Mr. O’Dolan’s wake, who have “been a very good support”. Damian concludes: “A lot of kind words have been spoken and my father has been described as a true gentleman.” Mr. O’Dolan’s funeral mass took place in St. Michael’s Church on Tuesday, con-celebrated by his nephews Fr. Timothy Bartlett and Fr. Kieran Cray, along with Fr Brian D’Arcy. He was buried in Cross Cemetery.