Martin Smyth

To the Family and Friends of Martin,

In 2018, on our second trip to Ireland, one day Bill and I were having lunch sitting out in the back of our rental cruiser at Shannon Harbor. Martin, coming down to check on his own nearby boat, stopped to enquire how we were doing.

After chatting for a while, we invited him to join us and we chatted some more. Then Martin kindly invited us home to meet his wife Catherine and have some tea with them. While we were a bit concerned to appear with no notice, Catherine told us Martin often brought strangers home for tea!

For the first time, we were warmly welcomed into the home of an Irish couple. It was the highlight of our trip as we talked and became friends with delightful fellow travelers it felt like we'd known forever.

After that lovely afternoon, we kept in email contact. A few years later Catherine and Martin celebrated their anniversary by visiting America. We still enjoy talking about how wonderful it was for them to come and stay with us as part of their trip.

So it is with heavy hearts, that we read Catherine's beautiful email of the recent passing of Martin. Here in Western North Carolina, we join with you as you too remember this wonderfully friendly man who reached out to us so many years ago. We remember you fondly, Martin, and we hold you always in our hearts and prayers.

A dear and fatherly pilgrim friend is no more.
Far too seldom were we able to meet in person, the physical distance was too great. But in our spirits we were close.
My condolences to Catherine and all the Smyth Family on this very sad occasion.
Bon Camino, Martin

A dear and fatherly pilgrim friend is no more.
Far too seldom were we able to meet in person, the physical distance was too great. But in our spirits we were close.
My condolences to Catherine and all the Smyth Family on this very sad occasion.
Bon Camino, Martin.

My deepest condolences to Catherine and all of Martin's family. I met Martin during my first parkrun, which turned out to be his first parkrun. My most striking memory is that he beat me by at least one minute in a 10k race on his 80th birthday (I think it was his 80th, but it defo started with an 8!!) and I was in my mid-20s! However, I always enjoyed his slagging matches with my dad Pete.

Martin was a ray of sunshine and I am most grateful to have met him and called him a friend. I will never forget his friendship and will be thinking of his family at this difficult time. Rest in Peace Martin <3

Deepest Sympathy to Catherine and all the family on Martin's passing.
It was always lovely to run with Martin at Malahide Parkrun. He was always great at cheering you on when he was volunteering or visiting. It was great to catch up him for post run coffee.
Rest in peace Martin.

Sincere sympathy to all the Smyth family on the passing of Martin a gentleman, like many others l had the pleasure of meeting Martin at poppintree parkruns always words of encouragement. He will be sadly missed may he rest in peace 🙏

Sincere sympathy to Catherine all the Smyth family on the sudden passing of Martin.
May he rest in peace.
Mary Mullan

So sorry to hear about your father , Derville. Our thoughts are with you and your family at the difficult time

To Senan, Conor and Catherine on the death of your dear grandad, dad and husband, please accept our condolences. We met Martin through the freeman owners group and were instantly taken by his great way of telling stories. We so much enjoyed his company even recently when we saw you all in Shannon Harbour. Hoping the many happy memories take you through the days ahead. RIP

Deepest sympathies to Catherine, Declan, Conor, Derville, Orla and the extended Smyth family on the passing of Martin. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time - may he Rest in Peace.

Sending condolences to Catherine and all the Smyth family. Martin was a gentleman and a great neighbour. May he rest in peace.

Conor

Condolences on the passing of your father, I am thinking of you and your family at this very sad time.

Deepest condolences to all the Smyth families on Martins death. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
A special prayer and hug for his sister Margaret at this difficult sad time.

Gerard (cousin Hugh’s son), Maria and Hollie

Sincere sympathy to Declan and the wider Smyth family on the loss of Martin.
May he rest easily.

Our sincere condolences to Catherine and all the family on Martins passing. Martin was a lovely gentle man who always had a smile on his face and had time for a chat. We have many fond memories of Martin and his tennis days in riversdale. RIP Martin. 🙏

Sincere condolences to Catherine and the Smyth family on the sad passing of Martin. He was a cultured gentleman and an erudite conversationalist. May he rest in peace.

Condolences to Catherine and the Smyth family. Martin was a true gentleman and the many hours spent down in Riversdale will always be remembered by me. May he rest in peace.

Our sincere condolences to Catherine & all your family at this very sad time.

So sorry for your loss Derville and Family. May he rest in peace

Our deepest condolences to Catherine and family from the Neary family.

So sorry to hear of Martin's passing. Many fond memories of running and volunteering with him at Malahide parkrun and elsewhere. He will be missed by so many parkrun friends, who he inspired and entertained. Sincere condolences to Catherine and to all of his family. May he rest in peace

Dear Catherine, Declan,Conor,Derville and Orla,
Sincere condolences on the sudden death of your loving husband and father Martin. He was a gentleman and it was always a pleasure to meet him when you visited Kilkenny. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Michael, Eileen and Katie.

Declan and Mary. Our sincere condolences to you, your Mum and all your family on the passing of your Dad Martin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.

So sorry 2 hear about martin thinking of all of yous 🙏

Sincere sympathy and condolences at this sad time to Catherine and Conor and all the Smyth family on the passing of Martin. May he rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Catherine, Conor & Smyth families. Martin will be fondly remembered in Shannon Harbour. Thinking of you all at this sad time.

Deepest sympathy to Conor, his mother Catherine, his brother and sisters on the passing of Martin, may he rest in peace.

Heartfelt sympathy to our cousin Catherine and all the Smyth family on the sad passing of Martin. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. Lunch with Martin was always very interesting as he had so many stories to relate. Rest in Peace Martin.

My condolences to Derville and the Smyth family at this sad time. May Martin rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to you Declan, your Mam and all the Smyth family on the passing of your beloved Dad Martin. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Catherine, my condolences to you and your family on Martin’s sad passing. Like so many others, I met him at a parkrun. We ran together at Malahide parkrun, such a lovely running companion, and we were delighted when you both visited us at our parkrun in Tralee. RIP Martin, he will be missed by so many.

Thinking of Catherine and all of the Smyth family and friends of Martin at this sad time. We were privileged to be in the company of Martin on many occasions at Poppintree parkrun. He always had a kind word and a snile for everyone. He will be sorely missed. May he Rest in Peace

Hi I behalf of the Irish Naval Association I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Conor and his family on the passing of their Dad.
May he rest in peace
Bryan Gildea
President of the Irish Naval Association

Deepest sympathy to Catherine, Derville and the family on the passing of Martin. His company and good humour on the An Oige and Pat Liddy walks was always enjoyed. For many years he served on the committee of Riversdale Sports club, always willing to lend a hand when required.
Rest in peace Martin

Conor, one of my best and closest friends. I am so sorry to hear of your sad news. You always spoke about your dad with such grace and admiration. I know you will miss him dearly. Thinking of you’re mum at this time and all your family.

My condolences to Catherine and the Smyth family. It was a real pleasure getting to know Martin through Poppintree parkrun, he always had a story to tell and a word of encouragement to give. I will treasure the memory of the last afternoon we spent together in his garden at home.

Our thoughts are with all of you at such a sad time. Rest in Peace, Martin. The Moynihan family.

On behalf of the core team and all of our Poppintree Parkrunners our condolences to Catherine and the family on the passing of Martin. He was a true gentleman with always a smile and a supportive comment to the runners on a Saturday morning. He will be sadly missed RIP 🙏

My condolences to all the Smyth Family.
Martin was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed at Poppintree Parkrun

My deepest sympathy to Catherine and family on this very sad occasion. Martin will be sadly missed by all his Parkrun friends. May he rest in peace 🙏

So sorry to hear of Martin's passing. So friendly always had a smile and a hello at Poppintree Parkrun. RIP

Derville & Family thinking of you all at the sad passing of you dear dad - May he rest in peace - keeping you all in our prayers

On behalf of myself, my daughter Sam and everyone at River Valley parkrun who knew Martin, our deepest sympathies.
He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and you could not wish for better company at a 5k parkrun or a bigger 10k run.
Much love from all of us

Derville please accept my deepest sympathies on your Dads passing. May he rest in peace

Very sorry to hear about Martins passing. He was a good friend and neighbour. I have many happy memories of our tennis games in Riversdale Tennis Club. Thinking of you Catherine and family at this sad time.
May he rest in peace.
Seamus Shelly and family

Martin was a true gentleman and always had a word for everyone at Poppintree parkrun, RIP

Conor & family thinking of you at this very sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Condolences to Conor and Family on the passing of your Dad

May he rest in Peace

Derville & family, so sorry for you loss. May Martin rest in peace.

So sorry to hear of Martin's passing, I remember many games of tennis in Riversdale with Martin, always happy and a greeting for everyone. I am sure he is running the marathons in Heaven! God bless, on behalf of the Cashins.