Bonniconlon mourns death of ’legend’

Bonniconlon mourns death of publican


Emer Gallagher

SADNESS descended upon Bonniconlon yesterday (Monday) as one of its ‘legendary’ residents was laid to rest. In one of the largest funerals ever seen in Bonniconlon, hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their final respects to John James Greavy who ran the popular ‘Greavy’s Bar’ in the village.
Among the mourners were country singers Mick Flavin and Declan Nerney, who said farewell  to the 72-year-old who was heavily involved in the local community. Described as a ‘legend’ by one local, John James ran the bar in the village since the early 1960s and he closed the doors for what would be his final time on Thursday night last. The publican suffered a brain haemorrhage on Friday morning and died on Saturday in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.
“He was a a legend in Bonniconlon and even further afield in north Mayo and south Sligo, and will never be forgotten. He is the type of man they will still be talking about in 100 years’ time. He was very quick-witted and he had an answer for everyone. He was very well regarded in the area and he will be sadly missed by young and old,” said a local yesterday.
“He really enjoyed the chat with his customers and catching up on all the local news. He had seven or eight customers in his bar every evening and that was what he wanted. He was the true old-style publican.”
John James ran many show dances in Bonniconlon in the 1960s and he was one of the first to bring entertainer Big Tom to the county. He became a well-known face in the area as he had a travelling shop in partnership with Paddy Moran in the 1960s – the outfit was known simply as Moran and Greavy. The father of four was an employee of Mayo County Council for 20 years as he was hired to drive his lorry for them.
He was also remembered as a talented footballer having played for Bonniconlon GAA teams in the 1950s and 1960s.
John James is survived by his wife Bridie, his sons Thomas, Damien and Fintan and his daughter Siobhán.