County Roscommon ‘gentleman’ remembered as a great businessman and footballer

Tributes have been pouring in for the late Aidan Kelleher, a former business owner, farmer and well-known sports personality who passed away peacefully at the weekend surrounded by his family at his home on the Boyle Road in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The late Aidan ran a drapery business at Station Road, Cortober for many years and has been referred to, in the many messages of condolences to his family, as “a true gentleman”.

He previously played senior football for Shannon Gaels and Roscommon. He was captain of the Shannon Gaels 1964 senior team who won the club’s only senior title.

He had operated the family’s drapery business at Cortober for a number of decades but had made the tough decision to close the doors on the business for the last time last November.

Remembering the late Aidan, who had officially carried out the grand opening of Shannon Gaels renovated pitch in Croghan in September 2019, the club said that it was “very saddened" to learn of his passing.

“The Shannon Gaels community wish to extend their sincerest sympathy to the Kelleher family on his passing.

“Aidan played senior football for Shannon Gaels and Roscommon. He was captain of our 1964 senior team who won the club’s only senior title.

“Aidan was well known and highly respected within the club and wider community for his long career in running Kelleher’s Drapery Shop in Cortober and his involvement in the farming community. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.” 

Many people have recalled visiting Kelleher’s drapery business as young children with one saying “a saint with a drapery shop in our days. As there were eight siblings in our household money was a rare commodity but be it Communion/ Confirmation the five shilling white shirts, small wellies, socks etc were always supplied by Aidan at his own expense, until a bullock was sold."

Others also stated: “He was one of life’s gentlemen, wonderful memories going to his shop with my Mam and picking up some lovely materials,”; “fond memories of going into the shop and having the chat. If the kettle was on the boil you were sure of being offered a cuppa. He was a true gentleman.” 

Another said “he will be fondly remembered as a footballer, farmer & businessman and such a fine person across the North midlands and sadly missed by his devoted family,”; “a gentleman with a wicked sense of humour. Loads of laughs when meeting Maura and Aidan at the bridge table.” 

Memories of Aidan behind the counter in the shop have also been recalled: “Aidan kitted out our large family of eight in school shoes for many years and we still have a Foxford blanket bought from him over 40 years ago! The shop was an institution on Station Road and Aidan’s joyful presence is missed,”; “he was such a great character and a pleasure to go into his shop, always a story to be told, you would always come home suited and booted, maybe some new curtains, or the good old Foxford blanket ... he was truly one of a kind, the end of an era that’s lost to a modern way of living.” 

Pre-deceased by his sister, Virginia, Aidan is survived by his loving wife, Maura; daughters, Maeve Collins (Borrisokane) and Ciara Lydon (Dublin); sons, Justin (Sligo) and Gary (Carrick-on-Shannon); sons-in-law, Michael and Owen; daughters-in-law, Annette and Caroline; cherished grandchildren; sister, Marie McMunn (Castlebar); brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Aidan will repose at his residence on the Boyle Road, Carrick-on-Shannon on this Tuesday, March 12th from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m.. Removal to St. Michael’s Church, Drumlion will take place on Wednesday morning for Mass of Christian Burial at 12 o’clock with funeral afterwards to Drumlion Cemetery.