Late Jim Moore honoured with fundraiser for Brain Tumour Ireland

The late Jim Moore’s life was celebrated in grand style at a special evening held in Clarke’s Bar on Saturday, August 3. This heartfelt and emotional event, attended by many who loved and respected Jim, managed to raise approximately €10,000 for Brain Tumour Ireland, a cause very close to his family’s heart.

The evening featured a special appearance by Jim’s nephew, Conor Moore, better known as Conor Sketches. Known for his humour and talent, Conor added a personal touch to the event.

Ray Dolan took on the role of Master of Ceremonies, ensuring the night was a wonderful celebration of the life of a well-known and beloved figure, who passed away last December.

A series of memorable performances from local musicians, including Ross Corroon and Do The Yoke, added a musical charm and vibrancy to the event. Friends and colleagues from Jim’s business and sporting life shared touching and heartfelt memories, painting a picture of a larger-than-life personality who was highly respected and is deeply missed by many. Throughout the evening, videos played on a big screen and photos were displayed, creating a moving tribute to Jim and his impactful life.

Jim’s wife, Carole Moore, expressed her delight and gratitude at the success of the evening and was overwhelmed by the support from the local community and beyond. “I’m thrilled with how it went. Clarke’s were outstanding. It was some venue for the event, we had the barbecue, and Clarke’s helped in any way they could,” she said. “It’s a credit to Mullingar and everyone involved. I was blown away by how good the evening was.”

The event saw a bumper crowd in attendance, contributing to a genuine feel-good atmosphere. Conor Moore entertained the guests with his famous sketches, including impersonations of Irish President Michael D Higgins and other well-known locals, bringing humour and lightness to the night.

Carole recounted a special moment from the evening: “We ended the night with our four sons, Jonathan, James, Daniel, and Joseph, plus the rest of the Moore family, singing ‘The Town I Loved So Well’. It was one of Jim’s favourite songs and a fitting tribute to his memory.”

Conor Moore also penned a poem for the occasion, blending humour and truth, which touched everyone present. The major raffle and auction were highlights of the night, with Conor Moore stepping in as auctioneer and Ciara McVeigh, a close friend of the Moore family, assisting him.

“We had lots of prizes and a big auction. Local businesses were very supportive. We had over 24 raffle prizes and a big auction, including a signed Irish rugby shirt framed by Kevin Swarbrigg. Fagans did all the printing, and we had a keg of Heineken and a signed photo from local photographer, John McCauley,” Carole explained.

Peter Burke donated a dinner for four in The Dáil, and a friend from London provided an amazing weekend in Northern Ireland at a five star hotel, plus €300 for a local restaurant, adding to the excitement and generosity of the evening.

Carole shared why Brain Tumour Ireland is so important to her family. “Jim was always involved in doing things for charity and it was something he wanted to do, but we didn’t expect him to be gone so soon. I knew him for over 40 years and he never even had a cold. One day he collapsed with a seizure, and we found out he had a mass on his brain. After surgery in Beaumont, it initially seemed non-threatening, but a week later, we were bluntly told it was a stage four brain tumour and terminal.”

Jim was diagnosed on July 22, 2022, and passed away on December 3, 2023, just 17 months after his diagnosis. “When he hit the year mark, he was deemed a long-term survivor. Only 25 percent of patients survive more than 12 months. About 500 people a year are diagnosed with a brain tumour in Ireland, and Brain Tumour Ireland is not funded by the government at all. It’s all down to people raising money.

“If we could help one family not go through what we have, we’d be delighted,” Carole added.

Jim passed away just days before the birth of his and Carole’s first grandchild, Clara, daughter of their son Jonathan and his wife Natalie. Carole described Clara as her family’s “ray of sunshine” during this difficult time. “We are just trying to help other people who may be going through what we went through,” Carole said, underscoring the importance of community support and charity in their lives.

Sports star and businessman

Born in the picturesque County Galway, Jim Moore’s journey began with his family’s move to Mullingar in 1964 when he was just seven years old.

That was a significant year for his hometown of Dunmore as John Donnellan, a fellow Dunmore native, captained the Tribesmen to their first of three consecutive Sam Maguire Cup wins, marking a golden era in Galway football history.

As a young man, Jim quickly made a name for himself on the sporting field. In 1973, he was a proud member of the St Mary’s CBS team who clinched the U17 Leinster Colleges title.

That remarkable team were managed by future TD and government minister Willie Penrose and was coached by fellow Galway man Sean Cleary, who was part of the legendary three-in-a-row team. The deep-rooted connection to Galway’s sporting excellence undoubtedly fuelled Jim’s passion for sports from a young age.

The following year, Jim was a substitute on The Downs team who triumphed in the 1974 Senior Football Championship. His sporting prowess continued to shine as he played corner back in 1980 for the team who defeated Kilbeggan in a closely contested Flanagan Cup final.

Jim’s versatility on the field was further evidenced by his decade-long tenure as a formidable centre half for Mullingar Town. He was part of the legendary team who won the Counties Cup in 1978. Four years later, he added another Counties Cup medal to his collection while playing for Mill Rovers.

Upon his return to Mullingar Town, he played a crucial role in their victories in the FAI Junior Cup Midlands Area in both 1986 and 1987.

Jim’s dedication to sports was extraordinary, often playing a match for Mullingar Town on a Sunday morning before rushing off to play for The Downs in the afternoon. This level of commitment was impressive, especially at a time when player burn-out was not yet a topic of discussion.

Professionally, Jim was a chartered surveyor who initially worked with Bennett Construction before relocating to London in 1988 with his wife, Carole. In London, he spent several years working for Taylor Woodrow before co-founding his own building firm, Scanmoor Construction, with Mayo native Tom Scanlon in 1995. Scanmoor took on many high-profile construction projects, including the iconic Wembley Stadium and the Olympic Stadium.

In the early 2000s, Jim gained local fame for his ambitious plan to bring League of Ireland football to Mullingar Town by recruiting a group of young London-based players.

The ‘Dream Team’ joined the Eircom U21 league, and while they ultimately fell short of their main objective, the initiative garnered local and national attention.

The team provided supporters with many memorable moments, including reaching the semi-finals of the U21 FAI Cup on two occasions.

Despite living in England for many years, Gaelic games remained a lifelong passion for Jim. His and his family’s long association with Tara GFC in London was a testament to this dedication. Remarkably, in 2014, Jim celebrated attending his 50th consecutive All-Ireland football final, a streak that began in 1964. He missed only two finals: the 2020 final due to Covid-19 restrictions and the 2022 final due to illness.

Jim was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Irish football team, frequently attending home matches with his brother Martin. In addition to his love for football, he developed a strong interest in rugby after moving to England, and was an avid golfer. Unfortunately, his illness prevented him from attending the Rugby World Cup in France this year, an event he had eagerly anticipated.

Jim’s generosity extended beyond his family, as he was a dedicated sponsor of numerous sporting teams in both Ireland and the UK. His beloved Mullingar Town and the Westmeath senior football team were among the many beneficiaries of his support.

Jim and Carole moved back to Mullingar and their home in Tudenham in 2021, just a few months before he sadly fell ill. Throughout his illness, Jim maintained a positive outlook and continued to enjoy life, attending the All-Ireland football final and Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against Greece only last October.

Jim Moore was a larger-than-life figure whose presence was felt by many.

He was a wonderful person, a dedicated football man, and someone with a profound passion for sports that inspired all who knew him.