RAMELTON is a vibrant and visually stunning town, nestling on the slopes of the River Lennon.
A town admired by many, but no one took pride in the ‘wee toon’ the way Charles ‘Boots’ Boyce did.
After Charles passed away last year, a committee formed to exchange ideas on what they could do as a memoriam for his first anniversary.
They approached award-winning sculptor Redmond Herrity who began piecing together a design and drawing up a few ideas for the family.
Redmond Herrity, originally from Letterkenny, moved to Ramelton four and a half years ago where he was welcomed with opened arms by his neighbour, Charles.
The sculpture created in memory of ‘Boots’ Boyce in the Community Gardens in Ramelton.
Speaking to the Donegal News Redmond said ‘Boots’ always made him feel at home, which he done for everyone.
“I remember when I came to the town Boots told me ‘you can hang out with the highest or the lowest in this wee toon’.
“The reason I designed a Roman column was to represent the highest and for the people who aren’t that well known about the town, everyone plays football, as did he, so that was the idea behind the football boot.
“The column is made from Italian marble and the boot is made from Irish limestone,” he said.
After three month’s work, the sculpture was unveiled before Charles’ first anniversary mass at St Mary’s Church in Ramelton.
The sculpture was unveiled in the Community Gardens in Ramelton as Boots worked tirelessly to help maintain the upkeep of the garden.
If there was a job to be done around the town you could be sure Charles took care of it with a smile on his face.
Redmond has fond memories of his neighbour, describing him as a “real character”.
“You would hear him before you seen him. My back window looks on to his back window so he was like an alarm clock in the morning,” Redmond joked.
Charles is remembered in the town as a kind hearted family man, a proud father to Natasha and Dean and a proud grandfather to Ada and Teddy.
From the pantomime to the Lennon Festival, he loved all things Ramelton.
Charles took pride in his local football club, Ramelton Mariner FC, which was formed back in 1991 by six men, including himself.
When he wasn’t standing greeting the world with a “yes boy” at the entrance of Pound Street, he was helping the community by setting up the local country market or watering his neighbour’s flowers.
Charles spread fun and laughter wherever he went and he got around.
He left a lasting impression on everyone he met, from his time spent working in the Ramelton Community Hospital organising game nights for the residents to moving to America and ending up working in a pub owned by a Ramelton man.
Charles’ daughter, Natasha Boyce said there is not a day that goes by that someone doesn’t mention his name.
“Daddy just loved people. Those he didn’t know he made it his mission to get to know them, especially if they had just moved to the town. He looked after everyone.
“He was a proud parent and a proud grandparent.
“He always said his children were his proudest achievement. He cared for his mammy and done everything for her, they were the best of friends.
“He was a real character, full of bad jokes, banter and craic.
“Everyone’s memories of daddy are all good memories and that just shows you what kind of person he was,” she said.
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