THERE was great joy and sadness in Ballygarry this week as management, colleagues and friends gathered in The Pavilion on Sunday for a retirement party for their Deputy General Manager, Cathal Nugent.

Cathal hails from Tyrone and moved to the south-west in the 70’s to take up a position in Innishannon in Cork.

He was enticed to Kerry where he worked in The  Brandon Hotel for many years and then on to run his own business ‘The Rose Tavern’ on Castle Street where he was a fond favourite with locals.

In 1988, he joined Ballygarry House to work with Padraig McGillicuddy’s father, Owen.

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“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Cathal for 30 years,” said Padraig McGillicuddy. “We grew together through the years and he trained me when I was a young trainee. He has left a legacy of hard work and customer focus which is engrained in us all from his years of mentoring the team. He is a proud person, loyal, solid, and dependable and a true gentleman who always did what was right for the hotel. He was loved by the staff and customers alike and his love of Tyrone GAA was always one he threw in the face of us Kerry folk on a bad September. He had a fantastic sense of humour and a warm smile all day everyday.”

Cathal was always supported by an understanding wife, Marian who raised four children while Cathal was hard at work. His three daughters, Sinead, Grainne and Lisa worked for Cathal in Ballygarry.

“He will be dearly missed but we are grateful for imparting so much and strengthening our management team before parting ways. We would like to wish Cathal all the best for the next phase and every success for everything that lies ahead. From all the management, colleagues and customers we look forward to serving you now in your retirement, Bye for now Cathal!” said Padraig.