The visionary Mayo Person of the Year is fully deserving of the honoured bestowed on him.
COMMUNITY PRIDE Members of the Muintir a’Chorráin group, Meitheal award winners, pictured with Mayo Association Dublin members, and special guests, at the awards announcement last night (Monday).
Pics: Brian Ryan Frank Harrington: one person who made a difference Hard-working, generous and visionary, the new Mayo Person of the Year is fully deserving of the honour bestowed on him John Fitzgerald
New York WHEN I was asked by Michael Commins to put a few comments and thoughts together as a tribute to Frank Harrington on his most deserving honour as Mayo Person of the Year, my first reaction was to decline. I knew that other contributors would, in all likelihood, be full of deserving praise for the man so my input, being far removed from the home scene for over 40 years, would not do justice to the Kilkelly native in light of the admirable tribute being confirmed on him by the ascendancy of the Mayo Society in Dublin.
But after giving it some thought, there are a few anecdotes which may serve to give an insight into the man that is Frank Harrington.
I first met Frank back in 1963 on my first trip home from New York and on leave from the US Army. It was a time of mass emigration from Ireland and, in particular, from the west of Ireland. Many of us left with the masses for distant shores but Frank decided to wait at home and help his dad who began a sand and gravel business in the 1950s, maintaining roads for Mayo County Council and, at that time, it truly was laborious work. All of the material was dug by hand and transported by horse-drawn carts.
When Frank went to help his father at the young age of 13 years, tractors, trailers and, later, lorries made life a little easier. Hard work and long hours and a reputation for getting the job done and done well was the making of this self-educated genius and today his company is one of the largest and well-respected companies in the country.
In 1973, the Harrington Company was established with his childhood sweetheart, Patricia Vesey, a neighbouring girl, his wife, and a highly intelligent director. With 30 employees, they worked in the building of Knock Basilica in the 1970s.
But his biggest challenge was yet to come when he was awarded the contract for the construction of Knock Airport, the mastermind of Monsignor James Horan. Frank and a band of resolute Mayo men went up to Barr na Cúige to a high place of bogland. The area was known as the Black Triangle because of endemic unemployment and emigration which it had suffered for many years.
He had the courage to take on the project in this wild area with little or no monies and the understanding of the hard work ahead of him and his dedicated workers. The enormous undertaking and the fruitful success was due in no small part to Frank’s courage, tenacity and extraordinary vision. The former ‘Black Triangle’ now boasts a modern-day international airport and a thriving economy. It’s fair to say that the Celtic Tiger is alive and well in Mayo and in Ireland because of men of Frank’s calibre and foresight.
My most vivid memory of Frank is him showing my children during our annual visits to Glann the site of the ‘new’ Knock Airport. I always remember the children’s excitement when Uncle Frank came home for dinner and told them to be ready for a spin to the airport. Having flown in and out of international airports and, following a visit to Cape Canaveral, they were expecting to see great things. Their confusion when they looked at the barren expanse of Barr na Cúige bogland and wondered aloud if someone had gotten lost or missed the road to the airport was memorable. However, I will never forget Frank’s response. Without batting an eye, he calmly pointed out where the runways, terminal and control tower would stand. I knew in that instant that he did not see bog in front of him, but a bustling international airport.
Eight years later, the same two children, now young adults, stepped off an international flight from New York onto the tarmac now covering that bog. It is his vision to see the possible in the impossible that has set him apart and contributed to the successful construction of the airport and overnight development of the success of the area.
However, Frank is much more than a successful business person. First and foremost, he is a dedicated family man. As they always say, behind every successful man is a strong and supporting woman. From the very beginning, his wife Patricia has been at his side, working tirelessly on his behalf to make the business the phenomenal success it is today. Together they are proud of their five highly accomplished children and numerous grandchildren.
It’s always refreshing to meet with him – there is always that big grip of welcome. Meeting at home or on his many trips to family functions in the US, we exchange reports on the health and conditions of mutual friends and former colleagues. We indulge in reminiscences of the disappointing All-Irelands we attended and continually discuss the Mayo team and the chances of Sam visiting us for a winter’s stay. Mayo football is his pride and joy.
I am always impressed with Frank’s intelligence and his great basic common sense. He received only a primary school education, as he was unable to avail of further schooling as he was needed ‘on the roads’. A self-educated man, his ability to retain what he reads is incredible.
His conversations are always interesting and he is equally at ease conversing with dignitaries worldwide as with his neighbours around Kilkelly. He is a man of unlimited kindness and the words ‘no’ or ‘it can’t be done’ simply do not belong in his vocabulary.
He has touched the lives of countless people. He listens, he helps, he counsels and he is always there for everyone. His life has made a significant difference to all of us who are honoured to be associated with him and who are privileged that we can call him our friend.
To the Mayo Association of Dublin, we compliment them on their choice of honouree. Frank will carry on the fine tradition of this prestigious award and follow proudly in the footsteps of the elite honourees of the past. Thank you for the tribute being paid to one of Kilkelly’s, and Mayo’s, finest sons.
Ireland and Mayo has given us kings, princes, philosophers, poets and statespeople … and Frank Harrington.
John Fitzgerald is a native of Irishtown. He is married to Helen Harrington from Glann, Kilkelly, a sister of Frank, and they have resided in Yonkers, New York for many years. John is a leading light in Mayo and Irish circles in New York and the East Coast of the USA. In former years, he wrote the New York Newsletter for the Western People. He has played a leading role in many Irish initiatives over the past few decades and has always been closely associated with the GAA in America.
