We are heartbroken. Our dearest, kindest Robert slipped away from us yesterday. My husband, my blogging partner, my companion in all our adventures, the love of my life.
I don’t know what the future holds for Roaringwater Journal, but I do know that all our readers will join me in raising a glass to the memory of this wonderful man – architect, folklorist, writer, musician, historian and proud citizen of Ireland.
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Oh, so very sorry. A great loss. Robert made such a difference with his knowledge and posts. I will miss them, love and prayers, Barbara Baxter
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Dear Finola , sending you love and deepest sympathy at this terrible time. May your heart be fortified by all the love you shared. Best wishes Leeanne
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Dear Finola,
My deepest sympathy to you.
May you find strength and comfort from family and friends.
Ava Gaber
(Devron’s sister in law)
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Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Lovely man, so sorry Finola
Carina McNally
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Here at Gormú, we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Robert, a gentleman, a friend, and an inspiration. Robert’s dedication to collecting and preserving the rich tapestry of West Cork’s history has been a source of guidance for us. His body of work over the last decade on the Roaringwater Journal has not only contributed to our understanding of West Cork’s past but has also enriched our daily adventures, allowing us to share the depth and beauty of our dúchas with those who join us in exploring this magnificent part of Ireland. His insightful writings and photos, full of wisdom, have been a beacon for those of us who cherish local lore and history, plus the natural wonders of West Cork.
Robert’s legacy will live in the hearts of those who, like us, have had the privilege of knowing him a little and learning from his vast reservoir of knowledge. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and of course to Finola. His absence will be profoundly felt, but his impact will forever be a part of West Cork’s historical and cultural landscape.
Slán agus beannacht, Robert.
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Dear Finola, please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear partner Robert. My thoughts are with you at this terribly sad time.
Clodagh Boyd
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Dear Finola – condolences on your loss. Robert’s and your writings have been such a pleasure, weekly they transport me in my mind from London back to a part of the world I love. He will be missed so much by many who like myself never had the pleasure of meeting him in person. Dave
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Oh Finola, I was shocked to read your announcement. He is a great loss in so many ways. My last exchange with him was about the Calary graveyard here in Wicklow. He had plans to explore it further.
Sending you love and wishing you strength at this time,
Therese, The Medieval Bray Project
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Sending you much love. May his memory be a blessing.
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Finola I am saddened to hear of the great loss of your husband Robert. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. My thoughts, and prayers, are with you and family at this sad time.
Frank Fullard
Castlebar
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Very sorry to hear this news Fionla. Sending condolences, and gratitude for his words and ways.
Clare Mulvany
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I’m so sorry for your loss, Finola. He’ll be dearly missed.
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I cried when I read your very sad news that Robert had not survived his injuries. I cried for you too, to have lost your partner and collaborator. I remember with affection and admiration his playing on his favourite instrument for us when Valerie and I visited you. Robert had a great eye for landscape and invited us to look with a painterly eye at his photos and admire.
Robert is not dead because he lives on in the memories of those of us who met him and read his blog. He inspired us. You were a pair who taught us to be aware of the environment and to immerse in all things local and involve ourselves with local people and events. You are going to miss an awful lot but keep the blog going because when we read it we shall remember Robert. You are in my prayers that this devastate event will be mollified by the outpouring of sympathy and love on this comment column. Brian and Valerie
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Dear Finola,
Words fail me, this is a terrible shock, and I wanted to say, I am SO sorry. Robert was such a fixture, such a wonderful writer and storyteller. Long before my husband and I retired here, we were reading and loving Roaring Water Journal. I wish I could thank him for his wonderful blogs, but instead, I will thank you. May he rest in peace.
Best wishes,
Melissa Martin Ellis
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I am so very sorry for your loss of Robert. I am a new resident in Schull, (joining family who have lived in West Cork for decades), and I have thoroughly appreciated both your and Robert’s blogs. I have learned so much from both of you. I feel very sad for you. I hope, in time, your memories will bring you much comfort. With regards, Vivian Finlay
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Oh dear Finola. I am so sorry for your loss. We truly enjoy reading your newsletters every week, and I’m so glad to have had the chance to meet with Robert and yourself in the past. Truly a smart and kind man. He will be missed.
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Dear Finola,
I’m so sorry to hear Robert has left us, so sorry for your loss, you were the most lovely couple and I totally understand how heart-broken you must be. He was a wonderful man, a lovely soul, amiable in the best possible way, as well as multi-talented and I greatly enjoyed the few dealings I had with him when writing a piece about the Ballydehob Museum. He will be greatly missed, but by no one as much as you. I hope you feel great support around you, and that the funeral will bring you some consolation.
much love,
Alannah
Alannah Hopkin 2 Higher Street Kinsale Co Cork P17 DH05 Ireland Tel. 087 679 9397 http://www.alannahhopkin.com
A https://newisland.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2cfdedfa005317e096bb05e85&id=acd1cecb27&e=a1c8d52f59 Very Strange Man: A Memoir of Aidan Higgins. https://newisland.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2cfdedfa005317e096bb05e85&id=b77571785b&e=a1c8d52f59 “…a subtle and memorable book … clear-eyed and candid. but generous too and wise.” Colm Tóibín The Irish Times
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Dear Finola,
what a sad day, our love and thoughts are with you and the rest of Robert’s family.
Robert was very much a part of our lives for twenty years or so here in Chagford. We loved him for his music, his sense of humour. His passion and knowledge of folk lore, his aversion to red fruit, and most of all for his warmth and compassion and commitment to his friends.
We know his time with you in Ireland was one of the happiest in his life.and we are very sorry for your loss. You should know that many in Chagford will also feel his loss.
With love and best wishes
James and Melissa
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Goodness, gracious, Finola, the saddest of tidings. A lovely light has gone out of your life, and we readers too. We had great cyber chats about canals, Tom Rolt, and Tipperary fiddle makers. Your trips through the byways of West Cork were and still are a delight. May the strength be granted to you at this tearful time. Rest his soul. Paddy.
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Dear Finola, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Robert a gentle gentleman.
Robert served on the board of Uillinn and the West Cork Arts for many years.
He was the driving force in bringing the work of world famous from the St.Ives in Cornwall to Uillinn.
Robert will be sadly missed as a friend and great supporter.
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Dear Finola, I am so sorry to hear such heartbreaking news. I came across your blogs a couple of months ago while doing some research in view of visiting the West Cork area next summer and kept reading out of pure enjoyment. You’ve managed to share your wealth of knowledge in an easy to read style that feels like sitting having a cup of tea while enjoying the views over Mizen and listening to your stories. Your contribution to West Cork has been invaluable. A big hug and deepest condolences, Patrizia
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Dear Finola My deepest condolences. I didn’t know Robert but am an avid reader of your Roaring Water Journal I am so sorry for your loss Such a cruel blow May you find strength and courage from your family and friends through this difficult time
My thoughts are with you Lesley Lawn
Sent from Gmail Mobile
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I am so sorry to read your sad post of your heartbreaking loss. We have never met but I have loved hearing your voices through your writing, Robert’s voice will be very much missed, thank you both for the joy and curiosity you have given so generously. With sincere sympathy, Mary
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We are so very sorry to hear this saddest of news.
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Dear Finola,
I first found Robert through sharing music in the midst of lockdown. Since then the two of you have brought such joy through Roaringwaterjournal.com, joy I have shared with many others. What a devastating loss – what an amazing legacy. Deepest sympathy, Marion in Australia
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Oh Finola, that’s such sad news. I’m so very sorry for your loss, you were clearly devoted to each other, sending my deepest condolences.
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Finola. What sad news. And all our condolences at this time. We only relatively recently met and befriended you both and I think Robert was a most remarkable, warm and interesting man. What a loss. – John & Francesca Ryan
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Dear Finola, I have had a very sad visit from our friend Eric a few hours back telling me of Robert passing away. Times now I realise how clumsy words are that come to me & inadequately they express my feelings, I turn to wondering how your copping with such grief and i recall a peace, presence and strength that you held. Now wish i could hug you and yet i am unable to even balance to walk without some support yet. My heart leaps at the recall of Robert telling me about meeting you again, exciting it was & how you both fitted together so well and the discovery of rock art markings too they are a wonder and time will pass and we shall continue to remember Robert in fondness theres loads mpre to say and I was just looking for an adress to you and found this Roaringwater so bye for now — no need to replly to this till you feel you want to – ChrusP XXX
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Finola:
Most heartfelt and deepest condolences to you. Grief is a most unwelcome companion. Much love and healing white light to you..
Larry
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The world is a sadder place Finola. My deepest regrets.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve enjoyed his writings-and yours.
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Finola, we are so sorry to hear this sad news. We remember fondly the time you both took us around to see rock art and then having lunch together. We have enjoyed reading the Journal and following along with you on your adventures.
Betty Lou and David Chaika
North Carolina, USA
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I’m saddened to hear the news, really enjoyed the articles. Will be missed, RIP and thank you Robert.
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Finola, My sincere sympathy to you and your family on the recent death of Robert. Such a shock as you expected him to start rehab but that was not to be. You were both so helpful with The Fastnet Walks Trails since coming to our meetings, we will miss Roberts helpful input. May Robert rest in peace. Brigid
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I am so very sorry for your loss. . He was an amazing man with a wealth of knowledge. I looked forward to each eddition of the journal. May he Rest in Peace
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My sincere condolences Finola on Robert’s passing. Ar dheis De go raibh anam uasal.
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So shocked, Finola. Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam.
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Finola a Chara,
We are so sorry to hear this heartbreaking news.
You and Robert have given us so much enjoyment with your well researched articles and easy style of writing.
Codladh Sámh Robert. Michael Muldoon.
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Dear Finola, Im so sorry. I have followed you and Robert for years. I just travelled to West Cork in January and I believe I saw Robert playing concertina at Rosie’s in Ballydehob. He was wearing a marvelous shirt. It was a pleasure to hear him play. May his memory be a blessing. –Karma Glos
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so deeply sorry for your loss and the loss of such a fine person. Amazing energy and enthusiasm and so much knowledge generously shared.
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Dear Finola
We are so shocked. We think of you.
With our love
Vivien and Denis
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What sad news and what a lovely man he was.
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so so sorry to hear of Robert’s passing. Devastating for you all. We will miss him very very much. Sending love and hugs,Christina and John
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Oh, good Lord, Finola, such a loss! My heart goes out to you. Such a jolt to lose such a close friend/partnet! I can only send our sympathies and best wishes.
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I am so sad to hear this. Our time with you and your husband in search of Mary Hagan’s grave was so so special. Thank you for your time with us . We will always remember that special time with you both. Prayers of comfort.
Karen Hagan Hudson
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Dear Finola,
As an avid reader of the Roaringwater over the years, please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of Robert.
Colm O’Flynn
The Netherlands
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Finola: I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. The few times I met Robert he radiated kindness. Also he had that rare gift of wearing his considerable knowledge lightly. Thinking of you.
Gill Boazman
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Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam dilis.
( May his Noble Soul rest easy in the Lord’s presence).
Eoin.
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What devastating news. I am so very sorry Finola. When Robert found you again after that early sharing of prehistory, my happiness for him was complete. You were the most wonderful team, totally matched in your love of life and one another. All things must pass……may you find the strength to carry one.
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We were so very sad to hear about dear Robert. I heard this morning and have written you a letter. He was a wonderful man in so very many ways. You were soulmates in just about everything. A huge loss. Our thoughts are with you and all the family. With lots of love from us both. Virginia and David
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