Northern Ireland

Claude Maguire: knew 'the greatest stories never end'

Claude Maguire
Claude Maguire Claude Maguire

A gentleman and a scholar, a joker and a king, Claude Maguire is fondly remembered as a generous, learned man with a mischievous sense of humour, a twinkle in his eye and an immense breadth of knowledge.

One of life’s great conversationalists, Claude was often to be found commanding centre stage with his sharp wit, wisdom and wealth of stories: an seanchaí.

After gracing this world with his presence one late December night in 1934, ‘Big Claude’, as he became affectionately known, went on to become a giant in GAA, business and ProAm Golf.

At the tender age of 16, he collected his first junior championship medal with his Lack (Ederney) club, before successfully captaining the team to both the Fermanagh Junior Cup and junior championship again in 1961.

The following year, he led the senior team to the first Fermanagh intermediate championship title for Ederney, repeating the success again in 1966 before retiring from the game.

A man of great loyalty, Claude continued his association with the club down the years through the valued sponsorship of his business.

In later years, he turned his sporting skills to golf and was elected Bundoran Men's Golf Captain in 1993, with the club flag flying at half mast in honour of his standing at his passing.

A club spokesman said: “Claude was always known and loved for his humour, his friendship and of course he was a fantastic storyteller. He’ll be sadly, sadly missed by many.”

Claude travelled the world over with his four-ball friends, taking part in ProAm competitions from Ireland to Spain, Portugal to Thailand.

They became known as ‘The A-Team’ due to the many and varied successes they enjoyed.

In truth, it was really about the friendship and the camaraderie. The successes were a welcome by-product of that special bond between friends.

Claude also excelled in business.

From his humble beginnings as a car mechanic at the old Scutch Mill premises at Ederney’s Market Street, his passion for motor vehicles saw him introduce the Renault brand to Omagh in 1971 - the first car franchise in the town.

TC Autos became a major player in the locality and quickly grew to become the only dealership worldwide to secure the coveted RUK Global Quality Award three years running.

Sixteen years on, Claude rebuilt the business from the ground up after it was completely destroyed in a huge bomb attack.

Today, almost a half a century later, his family continue the business, having expanded to include other motor franchises in a company he had been so proud to have led for so long.

Claude’s talents weren’t limited to sport and business. He was an accomplished artist in private and an incredibly talented calligraphist with a style unrivalled, as unique as his art.

Claude Maguire was an accomplished artist and calligraphist
Claude Maguire was an accomplished artist and calligraphist Claude Maguire was an accomplished artist and calligraphist

Down the years, many travelled to lend Claude’s gifted hand to forewords, inscriptions, invitations and anything else that demanded the creativity and flair that he was so well known and respected for.

Claude Noel Maguire passed away peacefully on Monday August 10, bathed in the light and love of his cherished family at home, as was his final wish.

It was an honour and a joy to know him, a devastating blow to lose him.

To some, this life story may have reached its natural conclusion but as Claude might say with a wry smile, ‘the greatest stories never end’.

Qui amantur numquam moriuntur. Requiescat in pace.