Augustine McCurdy RIP

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Augustine (Gusty) McCurdy passed away on Sunday 26th October 2014 after a short illness.

Gusty was a well known author and local historian. Born on Rathlin, he spent some of his teenage years in Belfast, and later went to England where he married and raised a family. Finally returning to Rathlin with his wife Judy and some of their children, he found more time to follow his life-long interest in Irish history and particularly Rathlin's history.

He wrote five books about Rathlin, including 'Rathlin's Rugged Story', 'Gaeilge Reachlann' and 'An Island Childhood'.

A co-founder of the Rathlin Island Co-operative, he was also centrally involved in the community-run restoration of the Manor House in the 1990s. For many years, Gusty along with Judy staffed the Boathouse Visitor Centre on the island.

The funeral mass will be in the The Church of The Immaculate Conception Thursday 30 October at 12 noon. Interment to follow in St. Thomas' Churchyard. Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to N.I. Chest, Heart & Stroke Association c/o P. J. Dallat & Sons, Funeral Directors, 65 Market Street, Ballycastle BT54 6DS.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family at this time.