Tributes have been pouring in following the death of west Cavan community stalwart, Jim Nolan. Described as a "softly spoken person who contributed so much to the wider Cavan community", Jim was one of a number of people who brought the local Burren "to a whole new level".
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound this afternoon, Cllr John Paul Feeley, spoke of how the Blacklion native was honoured in 2021 by Cavan County Council for his "enormous contribution" to the county's culture and heritage. Cllr Feeley pointed out that Jim spent many long days, winter and summer, in the Burren walking in all conditions, looking for signs of previous generations "and was able to find them".
He added that the late Jim Nolan was a geologist, archaeologist, author of prose and poetry, and a loving family man who has left an "incredible legacy" behind. "Jim came along and spent hours and hours walking the Burren, and making the stones speak, literally, with his book and with his tours as a Geopark Guide, and brought it to a whole new level," continued Cllr Feeley.
"I was able to bring members of the School of Archaeology from UCD to the Burren a number of years ago and of course we met Jim; and I know it meant a lot to him because they affirmed everything that he had been saying about the Burren and the importance of it."
Meanwhile, Jim's Funeral Mass takes place in St Patrick’s Church, Killinagh on Saturday at 11am followed by Cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan at 2.30pm for family and close friends.
