Michael McDonnell remembered

Michael McDonnell fondly remembered

Michael Commins

ONE year after Michael McDonnell's sudden death, family, colleagues and students gathered in St Colman's College, Claremorris for the unveiling of a portrait and the naming of a room in his honour. Michael, a teacher in the school since 1975, was PRO of the Connacht Council of the GAA and was on his way home from the Mayo v London game in Ruislip when he took ill at the airport.
College principal, Danny McHugh, presided at the address of welcome and had special words for the members of Michael's family who were present, including his wife Breda (nee Roche from Balla), daughter Meghan and son Patrick, and his brothers and sisters as well as members of the extended family.
Former President of the college, Monsignor John O'Boyle, conducted the short service of remembrance while specially chosen readings were delivered by family members and students. Shane Crowe, a Leaving Certificate student, rendered a poignant version of ‘The Dance’, a song associated with one of Michael’s favourite singers, Garth Brooks. 
Monsignor O’Boyle recalled with much affection his memories of Michael and his long association with St Colman’s. He said: “Tonight we meet to mark Michael’s association with St Colman’s and his long and very loyal association with it. The few words I say and my reflections have to be personal and very much centred on St Colman’s – I realise that Michael was multi-dimensional— and many other aspects of his life are equally if not more important, he did pack a lot into a relatively short life —his family which was so important to him, his GAA activities, the Credit Union activities that he helped to promote and his travel and other business involvements. “When I arrived here in late September 1967, Michael McDonnell was a bright young second year, full of questions, a curious mind, challenging, but always respectful. I remember him in particular dressed in a white Aran sweater in what is now Therese Moran’s room.
“I taught him geography at that stage because I came into St Colman’s to replace Martin Hession who had got sick. I was no expert in that subject but Martin gave me excellent and clear notes. Michael went on to study the subject at third level in UCD and became expert and a great teacher of the subject, a subject in which he co-authored a book with Tony Geraghty.  “He was very loyal as a student and a passionate supporter of the school. Participating in everything, debates, quizzes, playing on the senior team of 1971. I taught him Accounting for fourth year and Leaving Cert. Once again, he was a great student. He went on to UCD, a place he found difficult, not academically, but was somewhat lonely. “He returned as a very young teacher (21) in 1975 to the college where he taught Geography, History, and Commerce. He was passionate about the subject and gave many hours outside of normal class periods to help students. I recall students cycling and driving in here at that time in their tractors for Michael’s extra classes on Saturday mornings. “He trained teams and trained the team that won the only First Year Connacht championship that I am aware of. I recall the final over in Glenamaddy. I remember arriving just before the match began and not seeing Greg Maher. The star of the first years was a very big first year and equally talented footballer. Just as the ball was about to be thrown in, this colossus walked onto the field and took his place at centrefield. Michael had hidden him in the boot of the car until the ball was to be thrown in! The tactic worked and Greg was unveiled and our first years won. Michael had choreographed it to perfection. “One lasting institution which is still alive and well in St Colman’s was the school trip. He started the school trips and one of the first was to London. Places like the Blue Daws Hotel and the Golden Egg restaurant still come to my memory. All of us, both students and staff, were educated. I think Joey his brother was a student on that one and he led students on trips to many parts of Europe. It was on these that he developed his skills as a map-reader, sometimes ably assisted by Maura Newell. “It was on one of these trips that he came up with the idea of getting computers for Mrs Maura Newell’s room. He did his homework and we had the European Commissioner, Padraig Flynn, to open that room. In all of these he was not just alone but was able to bring the staff with him to help and move the project along and I have no doubt that this is one of the contributory factors to the great relations that have always existed amongst the staff in the college. “He has left St Colman’s a great legacy, a monument more lasting than bronze, as Horace said in 23 BC, that his poetry would live on and we are never the same. Exegi monumentum aere perennius Regalique situ pyramidum altius...Non omnis moriar. (I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze and taller than the regal peak of the pyramids.... I shall never completely die.) “Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. “Michael McDonnell came into St Colman’s in 1966 as a 12-year-old first year student. He returned as a 21-year-old teacher in 1975. He has left footprints and great memories in the minds and hearts of all in St Colman’s.” 

Hollymount Ceili night
THE Johnny Reidy Céilí Band from Kerry will play their first date in this region on Saturday night when they entertain the dancers in the Cois Abhann Centre in Hollymount. Firm favourites down south, the band have their own distinctive style and are always a top draw at the Willie Clancy Week celebrations in West Clare every summer.
The band also features Eddie Lee who is a highly regarded country singer in the south of Ireland and who together with Catriona O’Sullivan play many country shows. They were among the guests at the recent Fleadh Ibiza and were also in Portugal last October.
Gertie Tighe from the local céilí committee says they are delighted that the Johnny Reidy Céilí Band are coming to Hollymount.
“They are very popular with dancers in Munster and a lot of people are really looking forward to seeing them up this side of the country. We are expecting a big crowd for this ceili on Saturday night.”

Bridie Doyle’s passing
BRIDIE Doyle from Loughglynn, who died in recent days, was one of those thousands of faithful listeners for whom local radio is a special lifeline. I only met her once but spoke to her on the phone on a number of occasions over the past 18 years.
Her favourite singer was Sean Wilson from up north, and it was usual for me to dedicate Sean Wilson songs to her on the show. No matter what time of the night it was, Bridie would get up and phone the studio to acknowledge the request.
Like so many more in every parish where regional radio stations have an outreach, there is a special bond put in place over the years between presenters and listeners. The advent of local radio has played a central role in maintaining community links at a time when the globalisation process is dragging people and communities in the opposite direction.
Bridie was part of our late night radio family over the years and we will miss her out there in radio-land.

Finbarr’s new album
FINBARR Black was born in Whitegate, Co Cork and his family emigrated to London when he was 12 years old.
He has been involved in the music scene in the London region for some years and the family live in Kilburn.
He has just released a new album entitled ‘I’m Just Me’ and he impressed many during his debut performance at the recent Fleadh Ibiza.

Quinn’s family heritage
THIS week sees the release of a new album from James Quinn. The young Derry man is son of country singer Brendan Quinn and the new collection of 13 numbers features a mix of old and new.
Included are such standards as ‘A Thing Called Love’, ‘I Still Miss Some One’, ‘My Eileen Is Waiting For Me’, ‘I’m a Believer’ and ‘Those Were The Days’. ‘The Joyce Country Céilí Band’ is there too as well as the Ricky Skaggs song, ‘Crying My Heart Out Over You’.The title of the album is ‘Lonely Weekends’.

All off to Dublin …
THE new look Cafferty’s at the Ierne in Parnell Square (just up form O’Connell Street) opens its doors next Tuesday night as a new era of ‘town’ entertainment is ushered in in the capital.
Behind the venture is James Cafferty from Curry and it means that country dancing returns to the city centre region after an absence of some years.
Jimmy Buckley and his band have the honour of performing on next Tuesday night, June 12, and a capacity crowd is expected for the celebrations.
Many intend to travel from the West of Ireland for this show.
It will be followed on Wednesday night by the dance version of Hucklebuck Shoes show, Louise Morrissey on Thursday, The Indians on Friday, Mick Flavin on Saturday night, while Dominic Kirwan will round off the first week’s dancing on Sunday, June 17.

Kirwan in Bundoran 
FANS of Dominic Kirwan will be pleased to learn that their favourite is performing for a special Christmas weekend in the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran from Friday December 14 to Sunday 16.
The Dominic Kirwan Fans Reunion venture is being coordinated by Alison Mackay in Inverness, Scotland, and they are organising some coaches from Scotland for the Bundoran weekend and a pre-Christmas celebration in Ireland. Further details about the weekend package can be had from the Great Northern Hotel.

Smyth’s release
DOWN singer Stephen Smyth is back on the recording scene with the release of his new album, ‘That’s Nice ‘n’ Country’. Stephen has his own band and studio and has been the recipient of a number of awards over the past year or so.
The 12-track album has a pleasant mix of solid country material including favourites like ‘Burning Memories’, ‘This Is My Year for Mexico’, ‘The Girl Who Waits On Tables’ and ‘Wild Weekend’. His good friends Michael and Geraldine Heneghan from Roundfort will be glad to hear that Stephen’s album is now on release.

Craig and Adam in TF 
FRESH from their launch night in the Stagger Inn in Castlerea last Thursday, the Davis Brothers take their show to the Ruby Club at the TF in Castlebar on Saturday night. Craig and Adam are grand-nephews of Big Tom McBride and bring a new and fresh style to the Irish country scene.
The lads, who are in their early 20s, are writing their own material and people in the trade are forecasting a bright future for the talented youngsters. Both were members of the acclaimed Outlaws band until recent weeks. The Outlaws have now secured replacements and are continuing on as normal. Recent days has seen the release of an original song from the Davis Brothers called ‘Hello Mr Blues’.

Hello Frank
A special mention this week for Frank Baynes over there in England who is a regular reader of The Mayo News. We met Frank during the recent music festival in Ibiza and he sends his good wishes to all the folks in the general Westport region. Hello also to Helen and it was nice meeting her again.