A toast to a life well spoken

The members of Mullingar Toastmasters are deeply saddened by the passing of fellow member and friend, Ronan Murtagh, peacefully on 31 October, after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.

“We will remember Ronan with enormous affection and gratitude. Ronan was a dedicated and generous member of our club. He was a man who was always willing to step up, take on any role, and support others with genuine kindness, quiet encouragement, and an unfailing willingness to help others succeed. Whether he was Toastmaster, Evaluator, Grammarian, or simply offering a quiet word of reassurance to a nervous new member before their first speech, Ronan did it all with grace, calm professionalism, and remarkable proficiency.

“Ronan’s presence warmed the room, not with volume or showmanship, but with a gentle sincerity that quietly made everyone feel welcome, valued, and supported.

“We have very fond memories of Ronan, and his passing leaves a space in our club and in our hearts.”

To his beloved wife Rosemary, his loving mother Gabrielle, his brothers Aongus and Rossa, and sister Síofra, his brothers-in-law Eamon, Francis, Cyril, Ken, and Darren, his sisters-in-law Anne, Siobhan, Anne Marie, and Mika, and to all who loved him, Mullingar Toastmasters extends our deepest sympathy.

He will be missed and remembered by everyone who crossed paths with him, because his kindness left an imprint. “We will not forget his calm presence, his gentle humour, and the way he lifted others without drawing attention to himself. Those qualities stay with us. They become part of a club’s culture. They become part of how we continue.”