When Felix McMahon was born on August 13, 1908, in Dungannon, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, his father, Peter, was 34 and his mother, Margaret, was 40.

He had one son and one daughter with Norma McEnhill.

Felix grew up in Dungannon but was sent by his father to live with his brother Felix Patrick in Dublin after the young Felix and his friends had been fired on with live bullets on their way to school, repeatedly. Felix Patrick’s son Charlie McMahon took part in the 1916 Easter Uprising against British Rule in Ireland.

He died on June 3, 1966, in Wicklow, Ireland, at the age of 57.Felix was educated at Presentation Brothers Schools, and at St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon. After further studies at Bolton St. Technical School, he entered the Forestry Service as a Trainee in Dundrum in 1926.

He served in many parts of the country-Clonmel (1927), Ards (1929), Killeshandra (1931), Dunmanway (1933), Pettigo (1936), Lough Gill (1941), Cootehill and Monaghan (1945). His contribution to the development of forestry in this country is reflected in the many fine plantations now apparent in those forests. He was very conscious of the aesthetic value of forestry.

His work at many forests, and at Lough Gill in particular, shows his talent in combining good forestry with amenity considerations. In 1946 he was promoted to the rank of Inspector, and served in Rathdrum and Bray District Offices until his demise in June, 1966. His keen interest in his fellow men was exemplified by the voluntary efforts which he exerted on behalf of the State Foresters’ Association and the Society of Irish Foresters.

He was Honorary Secretary of the S.F.A. during the late nineteen thirties and early forties. In his quietly determined way he pressed for established status and for better housing for State Foresters. Although success was not achieved during his term of office, he laid the foundations that ultimately led to success. He was a founder member of the Society of Irish Foresters.