Passing of popular Ballinderry farmer
An indelible sadness has met the news that popular Ballinderry tree farmer Matt Fogarty is with us no more. Matt instilled in many a love of nature and wildlife with his passionate interest in all things trees. The multi award-winning tree farmer held regular tours of his 50-acre farm, located between Ballinderry and Terryglass at Drominagh, where he and his late wife Mary began planting in 1957, setting up a tree farm and nursery.
Attracting visitors from near and far, Matt's farm grew to feature over 200 different kinds of trees, including many rare and exotic species in an intriguing range of shapes and sizes. The host was only too happy to show visitors around the splendorous grounds - and his house, which dates from the late eighteenth century.
Matt went to great lengths to develop an existing forest habitat through natural and environmentally friendly methods. Rather than planting sycamore or spruce trees for the production of timber, he opted for hardwoods that were less damaging to the environment. He was proud of the rich diversity of flora and fauna on his farm, where visitors marvelled at the frequent appearance of wild duck, squirrels, otters and foxes.
Among Matt's many accolades were the RDS Forest Service Award (2010) and Society of Irish Foresters’ Forester of the Year Award in 1995 and 2000. He also won the 2014 Just Forests National Tree Huggers competiton for a Cedar of Lebanon tree that Matt planted in memory of his beloved Mary, a nurse, the 10th anniversary of whose death was marked by Matt and his family last February.
“When asked if I have any regrets about my life's work, I always say: ‘Yes’,” Matt once commented. “I have two regrets: That I didn't know more about trees as a teenager, and that I didn't plant twice as many. It is my firm belief that if young people could get an interest in nature and wildlife, they will never be bored.”
Matt also had a close association with the Nenagh Guardian over the years. He recently took part in the ‘Get Involved’ newspaper competition with the entry of a water wheel sustainable energy project. He also featured in RTÉ's Local Eye series, when Natasha Stapleton of Nenagh - on work experience with the Guardian at the time - visited his farm in Ballinderry.
Matt, who was in his 87th year, died peacefully on Wednesday last, October 14th, at University Hospital Galway. Also predeceased by his sisters Pauline and Bridie, he is sadly missed by his family; son Denis, daughters Christine, Breda and Annette; sons-in-law Enda, Chris and Michael; grandchildren Jeffrey, Jemma, Patrick, Finnan, Liam, Niamh, Billy, Sally and Tom; sister Sr Virgilius, nieces, nephews, friend Mary, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Funeral Mass was held at Terryglass church on Saturday followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.