Inis Bigil says slán to Paddy Henry

Inis Bigil says slΡn to Paddy Henry


Piaras Ó Raghallaigh

THERE were poignant scenes on Inis Bigil Island off the Mayo coast this past week as the small close-knit community gathered to say ‘slΡn’ to one of Mayo’s most admired and respected community leaders PΡdraig Mac Einrí or Paddy Henry.
Devoted Inis Bigil island activist and campaigner; scholar, gaeilgeoir and historian Paddy Henry was laid to rest in Ballycroy cemetery after a moving funeral ceremony at the Church of the Holy Family on Thursday last.
Reverend Fr Chris Ginnelly, PP, Ballycroy and Inis Bigil described Paddy Henry in his homily as a true Christian who practised his faith diligently every day of his life.
“Paddy loved Inis Bigil and he loved life.  His faith in God and the church knew no bounds.  I had the pleasure of getting to know him over the past year and his devotion to the rosary and faith in the church was inspiring to others. Paddy recited five rosaries every single day for different special intentions and that faith kept him going until the very end,” commented Fr Ginnelly in his homily.
In one of his final interviews on radio Paddy Henry was still confident that Inis Bigil would survive as an island community.  “I would love to hear the laughter of kids coming from the school yard again.  It would be lovely to meet a visiting tourist wandering around the island and stop and chat about island life.  We have so much to offer if only we had a little more support from our political leaders,” he mused.  “I still have faith in our future as a viable island community and that won’t change,” he said.
Paddy Henry campaigned for over thirty years for a cable car connection across Europe’s strongest sea current from Bullsmouth on Achill Island to Inis Bigil.  Despite funding being allocated for the development on numerous occasions the project never materialised and ended up on the rocks due to planning objections and delays.
Even in his ninetieth year Paddy Henry continued to campaign for better facilities and access to Inis Bigil island.  His passion and grΡ for the Irish Language, culture and heritage featured prominently throughout his life and his warm renditions of Anach Chuan or Cill AodΡin often poured from his heart at family occasions.  His outstanding ability with the pen and his campaigning and lobbying to political leaders resulted in friendship being formed with former Taoiseach Charles Haughey and present Minister for Social Protection Minister Éamon Ó Cuív. 
Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív described Paddy Henry as the ‘Inis Bigil patriarch’ in a personal note this week.  “When I became Minister for State with responsibility for the islands in 1997, Pól Ó Foighil was Manager of Comharchumann Inis Bigil and the provision of services to the island was very much on the agenda.  I got to know PΡdraig Mac Einrí very well as he wrote to me regularly on behalf of the island and was appreciative of the improvements that took place on the island in terms of infrastructure, helipad, piers etc.  He was one person who I could always talk to to get a feel of the island’s needs and he was a persuasive advocate for the island.  I valued all of the many letters I got from him and also Christmas cards and other contacts.  Certainly, the island of Inis Bigil is the poorer for his passing.  To his wife, Babaí, to his wider family and all his neighbours and friends, my sincere condolences.  Inis Bigil has lost its patriarch, a father figure who loved his home place.  Go ndéana Dia grΡsta ar a anam uasal.  Fear lΡch cineΡlta a bhí ann, Gael den scoth agus fear a bhí bródúil as Inis Bigil, Maigh Eo agus as Éirinn.
Paddy Henry may not have lived to see the cable car but he was responsible for better roads, piers and other crucial community services for Inis Bigil.  He also built strong and valuable alliances, friendships and links with those around him and it is for that he will be remembered.  As Fr Chris Ginnelly put it in his beautiful homily “Paddy Henry was a true Christian”.