Limerick's Tom Moran was 'able to mix with millionaires, billionaires and people who have nothing'
THE LATE Tom Moran, who passed away this Sunday morning, has been described as an "iconic figure".
Fellow West Limerick man Cllr Liam Galvin, who knew Mr Moran very well, said his friend was one of Limerick's greats.
"Tommy was able to mix with the millionaires, the billionaires and the people who have nothing," said Cllr Galvin, a former mayor of Limerick.
Mr Moran built a hotel empire and was synonymous with The Red Cow Moran Hotel on Dublin's Naas Road, and his support of Limerick GAA.
"When the country was going bad and when Limerick was going bad, Tommy Moran was going well and he was so generous and so kind to people and, particularly, the parish that he came from.
"He gave them work when they wanted work and he was most generous to the GAA, particularly the Limerick teams and their supporters when they went to Dublin. He always came over to the table and made himself known. He was very very generous and very kind," said Cllr Galvin, who extended his sympathy to the Moran family on their sad loss.
The Abbeyfeale councillor said Mr Moran never forgot where he came from.
"The people of Athea, Carrigkerry, West limerick and Limerick further afield will certainly never forget Tommy Moran and the contribution he has given to the people of West Limerick and GAA. He put money into the GAA when very few had it.
"He was a man that everyone wanted to know, he was a man that everyone wanted to meet and he was everyone's friend. If you met Tommy Moran you wouldn't think Tommy Moran had a bob in his pocket. He was just so down to earth.
"He spoke the ordinary language that the ordinary people of Ireland speak. That's the way he was - he was just a gentleman. He will be dearly missed," said Cllr Galvin.
The county councillor's words are echoed in a tribute from Athea Tidy Towns on Facebook.
"We are all deeply saddened to hear the news of Tommy's passing this morning. A proud Athea man, who never forgot his roots and who delighted in supporting many community projects in his native village and county. May he rest in eternal peace," read the Facebook post.
No funeral arrangements have been announced thus far.
May he rest in peace.