The late Ger Henry

The late Ger Henry

Commins Calling
Michael Commins

ON a warm summer’s afternoon, we bade our last farewell to Ger Henry in Balla. It was standing room only in St Cronan’s Church as family and friends came together to celebrate the life of a young man who had left an indelible mark on the lives of many and on the community he loved so well.
Ger (47) was the eldest of a family of six born to Tom and Noreen in Townalough, Claremorris. The Henry family have been synonymous with this region for many years and have made a sizeable contribution to the community life of the region.
In that regard, Ger was no exception. Sport was a central player in his life over the years. He was part of a group of young footballers who came through the ranks together, culminating in Mayo Gaels winning the county intermediate title in 1984. Ger was a corner-back on the team, giving the usual whole-hearted commitment that was to epitomise so much of his life.
No one could ever question his loyalty to Mayo Gaels. He loved the club with a passion and was instrumental in guiding many of the major developments back through the years, including formulating applications for major lotto funding and so much more. He was immensely respected as a club administrator and advisor and served as chairman during a time when Abbey Park took centre stage in the parish.
As club chairman, James Duggan said: “Ger was still a big driving force in our club. He was at the heart of so many of the developments in Mayo Abbey. He was extremely capable and was a man of tremendous vision.”
Country roads took him to many parts of this island, often in the company of his great friend Toby McWalter from Balla. They seldom, if ever, missed a Mayo league or championship match and, certainly, distance was never a problem.
Toby and Ger embodied the social and sporting mix that is the GAA and the central role it plays in the community life of every parish. They never felt like strangers, whether it was in Tyrone or Kerry or wherever, it was all the same to these wandering minstrels on their Sunday journeys.
Ger was married to Ailish O’Brien from nearby Brize and they have a family of seven children. So much of Ger’s life revolved around Ailish and the family. He was there to guide them at all times and his devotion knew no bounds. Their loss, and that of the Henry and O’Brien families, is immense with the passing of Ger at such a relatively young age.
An accountant by profession, Ger developed a strong business base in Claremorris and brought his expertise and personal touch to all his dealings with his clients. Only two years ago, he opened his new premises at D’Alton Street in the town.
Ger was a first cousin of the late Noel Henry who was a popular and much respected band leader in the Boston region for several years. There were some remarkable similarities in their lives. Both were the eldest of their own respective families and both shared the same birthday in December. Both had families of seven children, while both died in their mid- to late-forties.
We first heard of Ger’s potential health problems towards the back end of last year. I recall meeting himself and Ailish in the newly-opened McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris a few weeks later and he was so positive about facing the battle ahead. He faced each treatment with characteristic courage and never once gave up the good fight.
When word came through of Ger’s death, all of us who knew him as a friend felt the loss keenly. People experience loss in different ways. For many, it is a stillness, a sense that something has changed and the sadness that accompanies it is known only to the heart alone.
The huge crowds at the funeral ceremonies in Balla were truly reflective of the regard in which Ger was held by so many people over such a wide area. Family relations travelled from America while friends also made their way from England and many parts of Ireland.
Fr Pat O’Brien delivered the homily while Fr Austin Fergus and a number of other priests joined in the con-celebration of the Mass.
A verse of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’, sung by Johnny Cash, one of Ger’s favourite singers, was played during the ceremony.
‘When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I’m on your side. When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.’
During Communion, Karen Morley rendered a wonderful version of the American bluegrass hymn, ‘Heaven’s Bright Shores’.
‘Not even a tear will dim the eye
And no one up there will say goodbye
Just singing his praise through endless days
On heaven’s bright shore.’
Ger’s sister, Una, on behalf of the family, recalled some of the attributes of her brother. “He was a kind, loving, generous, thoughtful, argumentative, compassionate, amusing man. He was fair, honest, and sincere in his business and personal life.
“He was a fanatical sports fan. He loved Mayo Gaels, (Glasgow) Celtic, and, of course, his beloved Mayo. I once said to him at half-time in one of the All-Irelands that Mayo needed some inspiration to which he replied, ‘unless it is inspiration of the divine kind, we are in serious trouble’.
“Gerard was a great, true and loyal friend to many people and throughout his illness they were there to help Ger, Ailish and the children to carry that burden.
“Above anything else, Ger was family. He was a gentle, caring and loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew and cousin to all his immediate and extended family. He was our rock, our hero.”
Few singers have touched the souls and inner spaces of so many millions around the world as Johnny Cash. The authenticity in his voice is powerful and there was hardly a dry eye in the church as the voice of the elderly Cash echoed around Balla Church as the coffin was wheeled down the aisle.
‘We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when,
but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.
Keep smiling through, just like you always do,
‘till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away.
So, will you please say hello to the folks that I know?
Tell them I won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know that as you saw me go,
I was singin’ this song.
‘We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when,
but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.’
To Ailish and family, Ross, Briona, Lorcan, Róisín, Orlagh, Cormac and Ruairi, his father Tom and mother Noreen, brothers Tom and Martin, sisters Helen, Una and Mary, mother-in-law May, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends, we tender condolences on the passing of this noble son of Mayo.

Aidan comes west
TYRONE singer Aidan Quinn has two shows in the western region over the coming weekend. Aidan was born and raised on country music and is son of one of Ireland’s best known singers, Philomena Begley.
It has been a pretty hectic time for Aidan since Sean McGrade took over the management diary some months ago.
A number of trips to England and Scotland, together with some radio and newspaper awards, have all helped establish Aidan as a formidable name on the circuit. And Philomena often rambles along to do some guest spots which always go down a treat.
Aidan and the band are playing the Central Tavern, Loughgeorge (beside Claregalway) on Saturday night, June 30, while they are in Hiney’s Upper Deck in Crossmolina on Sunday, July 1. Dancing on both nights is from 11pm to 1pm.
Together with his debut album, Aidan has also released two singles, ‘Waltzing Marguerita’ and ‘Lough Sheelin’s Side’.
He is also in the process of recording material for a follow-up album which is due for release in a few months time.

Memories of Paddy Conroy
PADDY Conroy from Dalton, Claremorris, died recently. He belonged to a generation of rural Mayo people who went quietly about their daily lives and were happy and content with the simple things in life. Margaret Costello (Jnr), a neighbour of Paddy, delivered the following reflection at the end of the funeral Mass in Barnacarroll Church.

A small man who’ll leave a big gap in our life
His passing felt like the stabbing of a knife
A friend to all, he had visitors galore
To us, a best friend, a father figure, a man we adore.
He was my dad’s best friend when he was alive
Since dad died, he’s stood by my mother’s side
Always there to do anything he can
He’s really been our family’s right hand man.
With all his trades, he was the local handyman
Who really could turn his hand to anything
People used to come from far and wide
To ask him to do work of every kind.
With all his friends he had a great social life
He loved his cigarettes and going for a pint
Jordan’s was his favourite haunt in the past
But in recent years in Forde’s he raised a glass.
He loved the freedom of a motorbike
A Honda 50 was the one he liked.
When we were little, he’d take us out for spins
We were delighted, felt like he’d given us wings.
Any of our birthdays, he never once forgot
Every occasion that we had, he’s been there for the lot
He saw us through the happy times, also through the tears
We have the fondest memories of him throughout the years.
In life he loved to see us progress
And always wished for us the very best
He’d remind us to take care on the road
To look after ourselves and return safe to our abode.
We know you have to leave us now, your time on earth is through
You’ll be busy shaking hands with those gone before that you knew
We will all mourn your death but take comfort that this is not the end
For one day you’ll greet us again saying ‘Welcome home, my friends’.

Goodbye for now …. Rest in peace amongst the angels.

Lee Valley Band are Westport-bound
THE Lee Valley String Band has long been my favourite Irish bluegrass band. And what a surprise to see that they are coming to Mayo this weekend to headline Westport’s first Folk and Bluegrass Festival.
The Cork-based band will top the bill at the main concert which takes place in The Shebeen on Saturday night, June 30. Doors open at 8.30pm and tickets are €15.
For some years, I have been featuring songs by the superb Cork band on my Mid West Radio shows. And in September, 2005, I had the privilege of seeing them in action for the very first time when they played at the Bluegrass Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park just outside Omagh.
They are a terrific combination and have been bringing the joys and beauty of bluegrass music to willing audiences wherever the road takes them. A real treat is in store for all who ramble along to The Shebeen on Saturday night.
The weekend event in Westport runs from Friday to Sunday and also features several visiting folk and bluegrass musicians who will entertain at various events around the town. There is free admission to all the events on Friday and Sunday. Anyone seeking further details in relation to the Lee Valley concert in The Shebeen, or wishing to book tickets for same, can contact 087 7570958.

Hollymount goes vintage once again
IT’S full steam ahead for the annual Vintage Rally at the Country Club in Hollybrook (between Claremorris and Hollymount) on Sunday, July I. The venture is now in its sixteenth year and is once again being organised by the Western Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. It gets under way around 1pm.
For aficionados and enthusiasts, the Vintage Rally has become a major social occasion and a regular meeting place for people from all over the country. The club members have maintained remarkable interest in their activities and the success of so many of their regular undertakings are reflective of the commitment and loyalty of the members to the ethos of the vintage club.
There will be a whole array of vintage cars, tractors, vintage motor bikes, engines and much more on display this Sunday. Trade stands, a variety of crafts, and many related items will all serve to entertain the patrons. And there’s plenty of side shows and novelty attractions for the children too.
The event also incorporates the sheep dog trials which have their own loyal following and which also attract a lot of interest.
The proceeds from the rally will be shared between the Mayo Mental Health Association, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (Mayo branch) and Mayo Autism Action. Over the last three years, the club has presented a total of €32,000 to the Mayo Mental Health Association, a quite remarkable achievement by this voluntary club.
Further details may be had from Bartley Horan at 093 33397 or 086 8246671, Michael Mooney in Crossboyne, or any member of the Western Vintage Club.

Kevin's party night in irishtown
MAYO singer Kevin Prendergast is putting together a good line-up for his annual Party Night which will once again be held in Bourke’s lounge in Irishtown on Friday, August 3. Kay and the Country Stars from Erris will provide the music for the night while Noreen Burke from Galway and a number of other guests will also feature on the show.
Says Kevin: “So successful was the first party a few years ago that many neighbours and friends suggested we should do one every summer. All the party nights since have enjoyed full houses so we are once again looking forward to a big night with friends form all over the region.”