A large crowd attended the funeral on Monday of one of Galway's most prominent and successful businessmen, Mr Raymond J. Rooney. An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD, was represented by his Aide de Camp, Comdt. Michael Treacy. Also in attendance were many senior politicians, both local and national, including Mr John O'Donoghue, Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann.

The late Ray Rooney

The business world was also well represented by the attendance of many senior business figures and representatives of numerous public bodies and educational institutions, reflecting Mr Rooney's high achievements and good standing as a prominent businessman who was heavily involved in numerous community, sporting and charitable organisations, clubs and institutions.

Best known locally through his business, Rooney Auctioneers and Chartered Surveyors, Mr Rooney was also the Chairman of Fáilte Ireland West, the Chairman of Croi, a Trustee of the Turf Club and Honorary Norwegian Consul in Ireland.

He established Rooney Insurances in 1964 and Rooney Auctioneers and Chartered Surveyors in 1966. The business grew from strength to strength and became one of the most successful and well respected businesses in the west.

Mr Rooney was a very active man in both his business and personal life and was well known as an accomplished tennis player and life long member of the Galway Lawn and Tennis club. He passed away on Saturday morning following a severe stroke last Wednesday.

In one of his last interviews with the Galway Independent, Mr Rooney spoke about his role as Chairman of Fáilte Ireland West and explained his delight at the success of the Galway Volvo Ocean Race festival.

"It sure has been a hectic few days, but the whole festival has been a huge success. I couldn't be happier," said Mr Rooney.

"We have put so much work into the two weeks. We heard there would be big crowds but we really couldn't imagine how successful it would become.

"The businesses and people of Galway must be congratulated for their hard work and dedication throughout the festival. They have offered their time to make sure we succeeded in a tough time.

"It's a simple formula: provide value and facilities and the tourists will return…hopefully to Galway for the Volvo Ocean Race in three years time!" he said.

The Director of Regional Development for Fáilte Ireland, John Concannon told of his surprise at the news of Mr Rooney's death.

"I am very shocked and saddened with the news of Ray's death, He will be a huge loss. He has been an essential piece of the architecture in Galway for years and worked diligently on behalf of he city behind the scenes.

"With the Volvo Ocean Race, Ray did large chunks of the lobbying to the then minister Seamus Brennan and his colleague John O'Donoghue. He is a great loss to the city and was a real gentleman and was full of energy," said Mr Concannon.

One of the several organisations, he was involved with was the Irish Turf Club. Mr Rooney became a steward in 1998 and quickly moved through the ranks to Deputy Steward a year later and finally served as a Senior Steward from 2001 to 2003. He was also a Trustee of the Turf Club until his untimely death.

Mr Rooney's funeral took place on Monday after 11am mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Seamus Quirke Road, Westside and he was laid to rest in the new cemetery Bohermore. He is survived by his wife Helen, his three sons Niall, Ross and Ronan, and his extended family. Ar dheis De go Raibh a anam.

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