The Irish turfcare dealership community were deeply saddened on hearing the news of the death of Seamus Weldon. Seamus was the founder of Seamus Weldon/Gortnavogue Ltd, a business located at Barleymount, just outside Killarney in Co. Kerry, which he founded in the 1970’s. Seamus passed away on the morning of 16th March after a battle with Motor Neuron Disease.
Specialising in lawn mower equipment, Seamus was best known as the main John Deere equipment agent for Munster. It was by chance that he got into the industry. During the 1970s Killarney Golf Club bought one of the first hydraulic mowers in Ireland. From time to time it would break down and would be transported back to Dublin for repairs. At that time Seamus was working at the Liebherrs factory, which was located across the road from the golf club. One day, during his lunch break, Seamus was passing by the golf club and saw the machine, which had broken down again, He had a look at it and got the mower back up and working. A few weeks later the mower broke down again, The golf club asked the factory to allow Seamus time off to fix the mower. From there he started into golf and lawnmower sales and repairs.
Seamus was a very talented engineer, where he often modified some of the John Deere tractors to suit his customers’ needs. Speaking at his father’s funeral Mass, James said “Seamus often made his own design modifications to John Deere machines, working on feedback from his customers. These were fed back to the parent companies who often acted out on them. I used to wonder, at times, if we were going to end up moving to America with him working in the John Deere design department.”
Seamus Weldon was very much a GAA fan. He managed his home club, Fossa GAA, to successive Division Two and Division One East Kerry championships. He was also a great supporter of St Paul’s Basketball Club in the town, and would often watch his sons and grandchildren play the sport.
Seamus was very generous and would sponsor many organisations and events. He was particularly generous to the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland (ATPI) where he would sponsor their educational and golfing days, particularly the ATPI Southwest region.
Seamus fought bravely against Motor Neuron Disease. “MND is a dreadful disease to deal with but you would have been forgiven for thinking that Seamus didn't have it at all as he was so strong and courageous right up until the end,” added James. “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the medical teams and Palliative Care staff for their compassion and professionalism as they showed during his time.”
Seamus is survived by his wife, Eileen, daughter Kathleen and sons Michael, James and Padraig, son-in-law James Culloty, daughters-in-law Hilda, Sharon and Gillian, and grandchildren Ewan, Eve, Shea, Ava, Rian, Ruairí, Zachery and Esme.
May he rest in peace.
