A superb businessman, sportsman, family man and friend of everything equestrian, Edward (Eddie) Fagan (92) of Mullingar passed away during the past week.

His wife Margaret, his daughters Laura and Dorothy, his sons Robert, David, Declan, Denis and Mark paid this fitting tribute to him at his hugely attended funeral at the Cathedral of Christ the King. “He was always available for help and his shoes will be hard to fill.”

Those shoes walked to the benefit of Irish equestrianism throughout his long life.

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So many shows in the midlands and north east could not start until Eddie arrived with his well equipped judge’s box and sound.

Despite a mighty busy life in business at Mullingar Lifestock and in politics as councillor, he still found time to generously serve equestrianism as committee member and kindly chef d’equipe.

Eddie’s shoes are hard to fill indeed. The excellent Mullingar Equestrian Centre remains as a memorial to this hero of Irish Horse Sport.