Warm tributes to renowned North Mayo horseman
Matt Gordon taking part in the Westport Horse and Pony Show some years ago. Picture: John Moylette
Condolences were paid to the late Matt Gordon of Carrowkillen, Crossmolina, and of Lock, Keenagh, at a meeting of Ballina Municipal District following his passing on August 26.
Mr Gordon's sister Breege works in the Ballina Municipal District office, while his wife Mary Gordon is a member of staff in the planning department of Mayo County Council.
Members of Ballina Municipal District extended their deepest sympathies to Mr Gordon's family and to their colleagues, remembering him as a kind and caring man with a passion for horses.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Annie May Reape extended her condolences, noting that she and her family knew Mr Gordon well through the equine business and remembered him as a lovely man.
Cllr John O'Hara also paid tribute to Mr Gordon, recalling that everyone he spoke to described him as a "horse man through and through".
“He would enjoy the horses. It was his life. He could talk to the horses."
âCllr Marie-Thérèse Duffy said that, from speaking to those who knew Mr Gordon, they all spoke about how he looked after everyone and cared for others.
âCllr Michael Loftus added that Mr Gordon’s funeral was a testament to him, highlighting the large number of people who travelled from all over Ireland to remember him and pay their respects to the Gordon family. â
“It was lovely to see the way the horsing community rallied around to support the family. Matt got a great send-off. It is sad for such a young person."
Director of Services Catherine McConnell extended sympathies to the Gordon family on behalf of the executive and staff of Ballina Municipal District and of Mayo County Council. She said the attendance at the funeral was a testament to the man he was and described it as moving to see horses standing alongside the hearse as a final farewell.
Mr Gordon is sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, family Hannah, Jonathan and Jessica, siblings Patricia, Frank, twin sister Breege and Mary, father-in-law Paddy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and many friends.
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
