Niall Robinson

We used to know
A song by Jethro Tull

Whenever I get to feel this way
Try to find new words to say
I think about the bad old days
We used to know
Nights of winter turn me cold
Fears of dying, getting old
We ran the race, the race was won
By running slowly
Could be soon we'll cease to sound
Slowly upstairs, faster down
Then to revisit stony grounds
We used to know
Remembering mornings, shillings spent
Made no sense to leave the bed
The bad old days they came and went
Giving way to fruitful years
Saving up the birds in hand
While in the bush the others land
Take what we can before the man
Says it's time to go
Each to his own way I'll go mine
Best of luck with what you find
But for your own sake remember times
We used to know

I looked for my "running coach" today, to see how he was doing-Niall Robinson helped me when I tore my meniscus in my right kneecap, after riding a bike on sheer ice on a trail, which was stupid & my own darn fault, but I was stuck in the middle of winter here, with a knee the size of my thigh lol, & just chatting with athletes in running groups, hoping perhaps to find some advice! This was by then February 2021-ish...

A bunch of runners were cracking jokes in a Facebook group, & I jumped in as well-an admin from that group who did not have a massive sense of humour mistook sarcasm for truth, & attempted to correct me-I saw later, Niall had decided to defend me-she was only being funny, to this administrator-
I wrote to him privately and said listen this admin is like that, quite serious, & I am fine, not a damsel in distress-
we got to chatting & of course about running, and then, I mentioned my knee problem, & Niall told me about his son who had experienced the same type of injury, and went on to give me all sorts of advice on how to rehabilitate the knee, & so on...

He also told me not to use biking as a new replacement for running, as biking motion would be worse for my knee...

Suffice it to say, he kept on it, & encourage me to walk on it, but not run, and to take it easy...

He promised he would get me back running on ice again lol!

I still have those messenger chats, but when I went to look for his Facebook profile today there was nothing there anymore...

I looked on Instagram, twitter, and finally Google Ireland-finding him here...

I did not expect to learn this today...

I am so sorry & my condolences to his family & friends in Ireland...

I was looking forward to telling him that I am running again on ice & was hoping to hear some more encouraging words & perhaps a photo of where he was walking that day, to help motivate me to get out there...

My email address is [email protected] & I am Sari Grove on Facebook if anyone wants to say hi to me, or on Messenger...

My husband & I live in Canada, so we can often only communicate with kindred spirits online...especially the past 3 years of self-isolating & so on...

I am grateful for having had the chance to meet Niall online, & am so thankful that my knee is working fine now! I could not have done that without him!
I started calling him Coach...

But rehab takes time, & we all have our lives...

Winter is here again, & I thought I would check up...

This was not supposed to be the place where this conversation was going to happen...

My love & condolences again,

Sari Grove Mrs. Sari Grove, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, [email protected] Saturday 03 December 2022

Go down to the Sea once more, old sailor.
For where else would an Old Jack Tar be?
But riding the waves, and tasting the brine.
Out there on God’s Heavenly Seas.

Our deepest sympathy to Kerry, Joshua and Leah. Eileen, Michael, Matt, Rory and Conor. Tasmania, Australia. Friday 15 April 2022

The colleagues of B&Q Newtownabbey deeply regret the passing of their long serving colleague and friend Niall Robinson and extend their condolences to Kerry, Josh, Leah and the wider family circle.
Time slips past but memories last. B&Q Newtownabbey Wednesday 13 April 2022

Dearly loved brother of Alan, brother-in-law of Shivani, uncle of Rohan and Saahil.

Dearly loved in so many ways;
Son, Brother, Husband
Father, Brother-in-law, Uncle

The memory of having you is ours to treasure.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
love leaves a memory no one can steal. Alan, Shivani, Rohan and Saahil Robinson Wednesday 13 April 2022

May you all find strength courage and peace in this tough time.
You are in our prayers.

Time slips past but memories last. Subash and Prem xx Wednesday 13 April 2022

The W.M. Officers and Brethren of Duke of York LOL 666 deeply regret the passing of their esteemed member Bro Niall Robinson P.M. and extend their condolences to Bros Ken, Ian, Alan, Josh and the wider family circle.
Gary Clements (W.M.) Je Mainpendrai Tuesday 12 April 2022

Dearly beloved son of Louie and Ken. We were so proud of all you achieved, of the friendships you formed and the manner in which you faced lifes challenges.
You will forever be in our thoughts. Through so many precious memories you created.
Sleep sound sailor, you have crossed the Bar. Tuesday 12 April 2022

Dearly loved Son in law of Lynne, brother in law of Ryan and Robert and uncle to Ollie and Jasmine

A smile for all, A heart of gold,
The very best, This world could hold.

You will never be forgotten Mrs Lynne Hamilton, Belfast Tuesday 12 April 2022