Passing of central figure in decentralisation to Mayo's Davitt House

Pat Lynch 'was one of life's givers and so many benefited from what he gave to them''

The death has taken place of Pat Lynch, Chestnut Grove, Castlebar, Co. Mayo and formerly of Swords and Artane, Co. Dublin, and College Road, Castleisland, Co. Kerry.

He passed away peacefully at University Hospital Galway after a long illness bravely fought.

A retired senior civil servant, the deceased was a central figure in the decentralisation of government departments, including the transfer of the Land Commission and the Forestry and Wildlife Service, from Dublin to Davitt House, Castlebar, in 1976.

Indeed, he held the responsibility of the logistics of the operation.

Up to 180 civil servants took up duty in Castlebar for the first time in June of that year, helping to regenerate communities across the county.

Pat was always very proud of Davitt House and was very popular among his colleagues during the years in which he worked there in the Department of Agriculture and oversaw its growth.

One of the many tributes to him on social media described Pat as 'a most dedicated civil servant who served the farming community and country well.'

Another tribute said Pat 'was one of life's givers and so many benefited from what he gave to them'.

A further tribute lauded Pat as 'a true gentleman who always had a fountain of knowledge on any topic'.

Predeceased by his parents Rosaleen and Tom, Pat is deeply missed by his beloved wife of 57 years, Eileen, daughters Isabel, Christina and Fiona, grandchildren Laura, Sarah, Mark and Aidan, twin brother Eamon, sisters Geraldine and Maura, brothers Declan and Tomás, sons-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, neighbours and former colleagues at the Department of Agriculture, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

Pat will repose in Coady's Funeral Home, Castlebar, on Tuesday from 5.30 to 7 p.m.

Removal on Wednesday morning at 10.30 a.m. to Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar for Requiem Mass at 11.30 a.m, followed by cremation service in Shannon Crematorium, Co.Clare at 4 p.m.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.