Cashel, Ayle, Westport and Currinara/Belgarrow Foxford
“If you really want to understand life, you’ve got to begin with death. Everything about life is put into perspective by death” - (Jim Stynes)
Certainly, our lives, the lives of the McDermott/Jennings Family changed irrevocably when the death occurred of our dear father/stepfather on the June 4, 2016.
Dad was born on March 2, 1931 to Sabina and Willie McDermott and was the eldest of eight children.
He grew up in the small townland of Currinara outside Foxford. Unfortunately, in the 1940’s, money was very scarce, and consequently, he commenced working in the Foxford Woollen Mills on June 17, 1947 at the ripe old age of 16. Here he spent many years as a faithful loyal worker and became a very skilled weaver. ‘Attention to detail’ was always a hallmark of Dad’s character in every aspect of his life and his trademark was to apply 100 percent of effort at all times.
He was mentally razor sharp right up to his demise and had a superb capacity to confidently debate any topic of national or international interest. Dad was a bright intelligent man. Indeed, I often thought if he had been afforded the opportunity he would have secured 625 points in today’s Leaving Certificate. I have no doubt there was a lost politician in his ‘being’ as he simply excelled in political debates.
Of course, his interest in sport whether it was soccer, rugby, hurling, boxing, football also massively whetted his appetite. If I am honest, I suppose one of my biggest regrets for Dad is that he didn’t live to see Mayo win another All-Ireland before his death. Frequently, he recalled their last win in 1951 with heartfelt pride for his native county. Perhaps, 2016 will have a silver lining?
In the late 1950’s Dad was fortunate to meet and marry our mother Bea Dunleavy and they were blessed with five healthy children. Sadly, our loving mother passed away prematurely, at the young age of 32. However, Dad being the ‘resilient’ Dad full of resolute resolve continued to carry on, endeavouring to provide for us working in the Foxford Woollen Mills in tandem with farming. Our uncles and aunts were a superb support especially our late Uncle Michael and his wife Anne. It was certainly a very bleak dark period in our lives, but there was light at the end of the tunnel!
Dad found happiness again when he met our stepmother Bridie and they were married in December 1973. (Originally a McDermott from Ballintubber, married to the late Willie Jennings, Cashel, and was now reverting to being a McDermott again). Hence, we were on the move, and our young family relocated to Cashel, where we were introduced to a ready made family of eight siblings.
It was to all intents and purposes similar to the ‘Brady Bunch’. Although this was a mammoth undertaking in the early 1970’s, it didn’t appear to phase them. Obviously, it had its challenges but, they did the best they could with the tools available to them at that time.
Undoubtedly, both Dad and Bridie had now to work very hard to provide for us all.
Selflessness was very much to the fore as Dad worked tirelessly to provide for our family. He worked initially in Travenol for quite a number of years. He was then employed as a rate collector with Mayo Co Council covering areas such as Bonniconlon, Attymass, Louisburgh, Clare Island and Aghagower etc. Certainly, his ability to empathise with his clients both in the commercial world, and later in the residential area was very much a feature of his personality, and I have no doubt he frequently went beyond the call of duty! This was evidenced by the large number of clients who came to bid their final farewell with comments such as ‘a gentleman to his fingernails’ as they filed through.
Farming also played a pivotal role in Dad’s life. He constantly strove to improve and develop the family farm and kept abreast of developments in the farming world. His love for animals, in particular ponies and dogs was part of his fibre. Indeed he enjoyed many a day checking out the quality ponies at the Westport Horse Show, Clifden Horse Show and Ballinasloe over the years. Ability to spot class either in his ponies or indeed his livestock was simply something he appeared to have from birth!
In the mid 1970’s Dad and Bridie undertook to set up one of the first farm guesthouses in County Mayo and over the years Dad strived to ensure guests were always satisfied. Hospitality and generosity of his time was a very strong feature of his character. Countless hours would be spent chatting with guests while also providing pony trips on the farm to their children. Again perfection and quality was very much uppermost in his mind and a shoddy approach was never entertained in running the business.
Of course, alongside his work he very quickly began to immerse himself in the Islandeady community, and was in fact a founder member of our now very proactive Community Council. Indeed it was a fitting tribute that the Community Council flanked his remains as he departed for his final resting place in Islandeady.
Notwithstanding, the above, Dad still amazingly found enough time to enjoy himself. He had an amazing love for music, and played in his own band ‘The Moy Rhythm’ band in his earlier years. He was actually so passionate about his music that he spent many a Saturday morning sharing his talent voluntarily with students. He later became a wonderful saxophone player and was a member of the Foxford Brass and Reed Band, the Westport Brass Band and the Castlebar Brass Band. Indeed throughout the funeral Mass and as we were laying Dad to rest in glorious sunshine members of the Castlebar and Foxford and Ballina Brass Bands played beautiful melodious music.
As a family we are indebted to each and every one of you and I have no doubt Dad was extremely proud. Of course it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Dad’s personal friend Ed Muldoon who sang so beautifully at his Mass. Thanks Ed.
Dad also volunteered to play music in our beautiful church in Islandeady and at the tender age of 70 he began playing the saxophone for quite a number of years accompanied by the then young school girl Martina O’Boyle. Dad’s style of perfection once again excelled as he would spend hours in advance practicing. During his funeral Mass Fr Pat recalled his sartorial elegance was second to none, because he always ‘dressed to impress’ and wore lovely suits with pristine shirts and ties.
He was also an avid connoisseur of good quality music/singing and nothing gave him more pleasure than to go dancing with Bridie at the weekends. They certainly could cut a dash on any dance floor.In fact nothing pleased him more than being invited up to sing whether in Reilly’s of Ballyvary, Doherty’s of Straide, Kenny’s of Ballintubber (Roscommon), Tom Gill’s of Westport or the Travellers Friend. He had a superb stage presence, and with his charismatic style, dapperily dressed could capture any audience with songs like ‘Four Country Roads’, ‘Spancil Hill’ or ‘Sweet Little Girl From Omagh’.
In later years he took a great interest in cards (25), and certainly Dad being Dad highly ‘principled’ never entertained the idea of cheating or reneging. Many a winter evening was joyously spent among friends in centres from Ballinrobe, Castlebar, Ballyheane, Turlough and Balla. His popularity was evidenced by the huge turnout at his funeral by members of the school of cards. I have no doubt that this ongoing mental exercise led to his longevity of sharpness of mind, and a memory that would turn a computer emerald right up to his demise.
During his twilight years, both Dad, Bridie and their friend Anne joined the Wednesday get together club in Islandeady. He looked forward to this weekly gathering where he played many a card game and fostered many friendships. Of course it would be remiss of me not to mention the delicious home cooking – thanks ladies.
Surprisingly, he also had a major interest in playing the National Lotto on a weekly basis and carefully checking his numbers at the weekend. When asked once what he would do if he actually won it his response was: “I would allocate out in 15 equal shares ie the then 13 offspring and Bridie and himself”. Again, this just merely reflects his generous personality.
Needless to say he didn’t scoop the lotto but on hindsight to have achieved a ‘dash’ of 1931-2016 is certainly a much more lucrative lotto.
Sadly ill health came knocking on his door some five years ago which ultimately led to his physical decline. However, he bore it bravely and stoically right up to the very end. He passed away peacefully on June 4, 2016 the same morning as the great fighter Mohammad Ali.
No doubt we will all miss you but thanks Dad for all you did and the wonderful memories.
He is predeceased by his first wife Bea, his stepdaughter Cora, his brothers Michael and Dan, his nephew Declan and grandchild Barry.
He is survived by his wife Bridie, Family:- Paddy McDermott (Roscommon), Brendan McDermott (London), Enda McDermott (Claremorris), Imelda Browne (Claremorris), Aileen Walshe (Belcarra), Michael Jennings (New York) Seamus Jennings (Islandeady), Liam Jennings (Cashel), Benny Jennings (Castlebar), Maureen Mahony (Cashel), Patricia Jennings (Breaffy), Breege Buchs (Westport), Siblings:- Anne Gaughan (Knockmore), Bridie Gilboy (Leeds), Willie McDermott (Oxford), Sabina Henningan (Devon) Margaret Conway (Oxford), grandchildren, Daughter-in-laws, Son-in-laws, nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.
“Ní raibh mórán meas ag Daidí ar an ól ach bhí an-ghrá aige ar an seisiún ceoil agus an caint, Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann”. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
-McDermott/Jennings family.
