Tributes have been paid to the well known Malachy McRoe who sadly passed away on Sunday, January 12.

A familiar face in GAA and historical circles his family described him as a “true Enniskillener” who was so full of life and made the most of it.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, Malachy’s family spoke of his love for the GAA in particular hurling.

“His love of Gaelic Football started with the Street Leagues organised by the local Enniskillen Gaels. This continued when hurling was introduced by Reverend Peter McGuinness and he became involved and developed a lasting love for hurling,” a family spokesperson said.

“He became PRO for Fermanagh hurling board and submitted reports to local and national newspapers. No weekend was complete without attending a couple of matches. He was very vocal of his local team and very severe on the opposition.”

A familiar face about the town, in particular the library, Malachy had a huge interest in Irish History, so much so that he went to Queen’s University in his 70s to complete a degree followed by a Masters in History. He also was a member of a number of historical societies and contributed articles to a number of history publications.

“Alongside his love of the GAA was his abiding interest in local and Irish History, In his early 70s he started in Queen’s University, Belfast and achieved a B.A and then a M.A. He was terribly proud of his two degree.

“He loved Queen’s because he met people there who were like-minded.”

“Malachy was well known for his strong opinions and was enthusiastic involving issues of social justice particularly during the civil rights movement and his support for the Gaelic language. His family always awaited his Christmas cards “as Gaeilge”.

“He was a character, you could fall out with him at the beginning of a sentence and it would be alright by the end of it.”

Local journalist, Gerry McLaughlin, a close friend of Malachy’s said he was “sorry to hear of the death of the one and only Malachy McRoe”.

“Malachy was feisty and fearless, shot from the hip at all times and had an insatiable appetite for history and justice. He overcame personal issues some years ago and went to obtain a BA and then an MA in history from QUB where he was held in the highest esteem and he to these degrees while in his early 70s. Malachy was planning to do a Phd in Irish History which was his first love.

“Malachy was a true Gael but was never afraid to cast a forensic eye over historical and GAA matters and he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of his native Fermanagh.

“Malachy was a real republican, a patriot, a former Civil Rights Activist and a ceaseless champion of the underdog.

“For many years, he was a fixture in Enniskillen Library, where he loved learning and was always a tall striking red haired figure in a long white trench coat striding through the streets of this garrison town.

“Malachy was never afraid to speak his mind or truth to the powerful, he refused to play power games and there wasn’t a political bone in his body.

“He loved the cut and thrust of debate and revelled in the heat of verbal volleyball.”

The Enniskillen Gaels club which Malachy was a member said: “Everyone at the club was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of long time Gaels support and hurling fanatic Malachy McRoe. Our thought and prayers are with the McRoe family.”

Malachy’s family thanked John and Alice Garrity who came to his assistance, Dr. Joe McConville and the team at Enniskillen Health Centre, the staff of the South West Acute Hospital and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, the wider GAA family and those who worked in Enniskillen library and Monsignor O’Reilly and all those hwo attended the funeral and wake or sent their condolences.

His funeral took place on Tuesday at St. Michael’s Church. Arrangements by Enda Love and Sons.