Séamus Ó Faoláin: duine uasal agus scoláire
Within hours of hearing the sad, if not unexpected, news of the passing of my dear friend Séamus Ó Faoláin on August 2, I decided to round up some relevant people to “say a few nice words” about the former Westmeath County Board chairman.
This was about the easiest task I have ever undertaken, as nobody had a bad word to say about the Castletown-Geoghegan native. Of course, this was largely down to Séamus never having uttered a nasty word about anybody in his life. His universal popularity is all the more remarkable after over 20 years as chairman, as I would have made enemies after 20 minutes in that role, and resigned - or be fired - in the 21st!
Fr Sean Deegan, in his delightful funeral Mass homily in the Cathedral of the Christ the King, Mullingar, justifiably lauded Séamus for “always putting his talents at the service of other people”. Fr Deegan also jovially referred to the unfortunate absence of Hawkeye back in 1975 when the celebrant’s Tyrrellspass lost the county intermediate football final to the deceased’s St Malachy’s.
Like countless others, this writer will miss the impromptu chats with Séamus. Even in poor health, he never moaned, always turning the conversations to my family and friends, the sincerity of his interest in others never waning.
Of course, we invariably brought up the fortunes of Westmeath teams, but also discussed other sports. In this regard, he often used to say: “I’m a broad-minded bigot!” I counted the words ‘gent’, ‘gentle’, ‘gentleman’, on his RIP.ie condolence page at one stage and, to use a cricket term, it was 503 ‘not out’!
Fr Deegan’s quip that Séamus’ certain entry to heaven would have been delayed somewhat as he chatted at length to St Peter at the Pearly Gates was fondly greeted by the Covid-restricted congregation which fittingly included GAA president, Larry McCarthy. We will all miss him dearly, none more so than his precious wife of 17 years, Sarah. But Naomh Peadar is a lucky man as he will be regaled to eternity by this loveliest of lovely men.
What follows are heartfelt tributes from five well-known individuals in GAA circles whose paths he crossed over his two decades-plus as county chairman. The tributes come from the following: Fergal Murray - who was part of Westmeath’s never-to-be-forgotten minor (1995), U21 (1999), and senior (2004) football successes; Westmeath referee Barry Kelly (who has taken charge of a number of All-Ireland senior hurling finals); former Westmeath coach and manager Tomás Ó Flatharta; Westmeath Scór stalwart Catherine Daly; and current Leinster Council chairman Pat Teehan, recognising the enormous contribution Séamus made to the GAA, locally and nationally, as an administrator. The tributes from Ó Flatharta and Daly are as Gaeilge, reflecting Séamus' love of the Irish language.
Fergal Murray:
“First of all, I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to Séamus' wife Sarah, his family and friends. I first met Séamus in 1994 after we had won the Gerry Reilly (U16) tournament in Oldcastle, Co Meath. He introduced himself and spoke to the panel after the game. We all then understood his enthusiasm and passion for all things Westmeath GAA.
“We never knew Séamus as the ‘county board chairman’. To us, he was a familiar Westmeath supporter who attended our training sessions and team meetings, was on the team bus going to games, and was always one of the first people you would meet on the pitch after our victories.
“Séamus also had a great connection with the players, and got to know all of us very well. His long – but very sincere – speeches, as Gaeilge, at our medal presentations will always be remembered by the lads who were getting thirsty in their seats, unable to move until after he had finished! No doubt he got reminded of it afterwards! All in all, Westmeath GAA has lost not only its most successful chairman, but also a friend to all the players he presided over. Rest in peace, Séamus.”
Barry Kelly:
“Séamus, as has been mentioned on numerous occasions in recent days, was a gentleman. I knew him initially as a teacher in Coláiste Mhuire back in the late 1980s and his teaching style was one of gentle persuasion. He rarely, if ever, raised his voice in anger despite the fact that many of his students had only a token interest in the life of Peig or the poems of Máirtín Ó Díreáin.
“His love for the Irish language and culture was always clear, and there were also slightly off-topic discussions on sporting events that were topical at the time, from Brownstown’s remarkable record in Westmeath club hurling to the cycling exploits of Kelly and Roche. We obviously enjoyed these digressions, but he was shrewd enough to know that they were an intrinsic element in keeping 17/18 year-old boys interested in class. I have fond memories of Séamus bringing his Leaving Cert class into school during the Easter holidays, a selfless act so typical of the man.
“Séamus was remarkable as an administrator in Westmeath GAA (his partnership with great friend Paddy Collins was a hugely progressive one for Westmeath Gaels) in that he managed to make no enemies during his tenure as chairman. Séamus was always interested in people, he enjoyed meeting people, he loved enquiring as to how they were, and he made people feel good about themselves. These qualities undoubtedly helped him as chairman, as he disarmed people with his kindness and his sincerity. This was a testament to Séamus’ personality and uncanny ability to always make time for people.
“He always listened and, through cajoling and humour, brought people around to his way of thinking. The betterment of Westmeath GAA was always behind every decision. He was extremely proud of every Westmeath person who achieved success on the national stage, whether they be Scór competitors, hurlers, footballers, handballers or camogie players. The golden era of Westmeath GAA coincided with his tenure as chairman but, in fact, it was no coincidence. Westmeath people across the globe are indebted to Séamus for his Trojan work, vision and dedication to the county.”
Pat Teehan:
“Séamus was an administrator who was admired and respected by anyone who knew him in the GAA world. He was always a great man to help and to give advice, no matter what side of the fence you were on. Whether you were from Offaly, Meath, Longford, Laois, or wherever, it didn’t matter to Séamus, he was always very helpful.
“I know it’s a cliché to say ‘somebody was a gentleman’, but I don’t think anybody could question it in this case. In fact, it’s an understatement in Séamus’ case. I knew him in another sphere as well in that his late sister, Brigid (Hogan), was my next-door neighbour and she babysat my children. We often had conversations that way.
“Looking from the outside in, he’d a huge influence on everything that was positive in Westmeath GAA. He’d a great love of Scór and all things Irish. He kept his voice the same tone all the time and I’d say that probably had a hugely positive effect on people when he was chairman of the Westmeath County Board. He was able to deal with situations and keep his cool. You know if you’re walking down the street and you see somebody, sometimes you’ll cross the road to avoid him or her. In Séamus’ case, you’d cross the road to meet him. It’s so sad for Sarah and the rest of the family. He’s gone that bit too soon.”
Tomás Ó Flatharta:
“Fear lách, cineálta, dea-bhéasach agus ómósach ab ea Séamus go raibh an-mheas aige ar gach éinne a bhí bainte leis na cluichí Gaelacha, ní hamháin na himreoirí, ach réiteoirí, maoir, oifigí, fiú an fear ar an ngeata; gach duine a bhí sáite sna cluichí, bhí meas ag Séamus ortha. Ní minic go mbíodh freagra diúltach ag Séamus ar aon cheist nó ar aon rud a lorgófá uaidh ach dá mbeadh air ‘no’ a rá, dhéarfadh sé é i slí deas agus ba dheacair titim amach leis dá bharr! Bhí an-am aige do gach éinne ach bhí an-shuim aige ar fad sa ghlúin óg agus mhol sé iad i gcónaí. An fealsúnacht a bhí aige ná go raibh sé an-thábhachtach páirt a ghlacadh i spóirt ach taitneamh a bhaint as chomh maith. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.
“Go minic d’fheicfeá Seámus ag siúl síos na príomh sráide sa Muillean Ghear agus bhuailfeadh sé le iar-scoláire dá chuid – a gcéad ainm i gcónaí ar eolas aige agus i gcónaí ag fiafraí ina diaidh agus a clainne. Níor fhág an suim sin riamh é. Bhí an-shuim agus an-bhród aige sa chultúr agus sa ghaeilge. Is i ngaeilge a labhair sé liomsa i gcónaí – agus le Páidí. Mhothaigh sé dár liom gur pribhléid a bhí ann go mbeadh fear agus bainisteoir ar nós Páidí thar cheann an Iarmhí. Go deimhin, mhol sé do gach éinne agus do na clubanna ar fad san Iarmhí tacú le Páidí agus tacaíocht láidir a léiriú dó. Cuimhneoidh mé go deo ar Shéamus ar na laethanta móra sin. An culaith oibre, an léine agus an carbhat i gcónaí air agus é suite ar an mbus ar an slí go dtí na cluichí móra. Agus é suite i gcónaí i dteannta Paddy Collins; a dhlúth chara. Ba é a dhein CLG san Iarmhí a stiúradh le 22 bliain agus é sin déanta aige go cothrom agus go proifisiúnta.Bhí an Iarmhí agus íomhá an Iarmhí fite fuaite i ngach rud a rinne sé sa ról sin. Ach choimeád sé súil ort agus orainn i gcónaí. Ag déanamh cinnte de go rabhamar ar fad go maith, go raibh gach rud ina cheart agus go dtabharfaí aire dúinn ar fad mar dhaoine, i dtosach báire. Níl aon dabht ná gur bhain sé an-thaitneamh as an bua stairiúil i 2004 agus Corn Delaney buaite ag an Iarmhí don chéad uair riamh.
“Bhí an bua sin speisialta don chontae, ach bhí sé fíor-speisialta do Shéamus fhéin chomh maith.Bhí an-chairdeas eadarainn agus bhíos an-cheanúil ar Shéamus. Sular thárla Covid-19, gach Nollaig, do rachfainn go dtí an Iarmhí agus bhíodh lá agam i dteannta Paddy Collins agus é fhéin. An-spórt agus an-am againn ag caint agus ag féachaint siar ar laethanta agus cuimhní iontacha. Mothóidh mé uaim na laethanta sin agus mothóidh mé uaim Séamus. Ag cuimhneamh ar a bhean Sarah, a chlann, a chairde agus ar bhaill CLG an Iarmhí agus Chaisleán Mhic Eochagáin atá ag fulaingt faoi láthair.”
Caitríona Uí Dhálaigh:
“Mar is eol do dhaoine a raibh aithne acu ar Shéamus Ó Faoláin, bhí grá mór aige do gach rud Gaelach – na clúichí, an teanga, an amhránaíocht, an ceol agus an rince. Cuireadh tús le comórtaisí Scór i 1969. I gContae na hIarmhí thosaigh Scór go luath sna seachtóidí. Is i 1973 a cuireadh tús le muintir Bhaile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagáin ag glacadh páirte i gcomórtaisí Scór sa chontae. Ón dtús bhí suim iontach láidir ag Séamus i Scór agus chuir sé fuinneamh isteach i suim a mhúscailt i muintir na háite páirt a ghlacadh ann.
“Chreid sé gur thug Scór seans do dhaoine páirt fhiúntach a ghlacadh ina gCumainn aitiúla, daoine nach raibh ina n-imreoirí san áireamh. Bhí traidisiún Rince Seit, Tráth na gCeist, Aithriseoireacht agus Nuachleas go háirithe i gclubanna Bhaile Chaisleán Mhic Eochagáin agus Naomh Malachaí agus deirtear gur ghlac Séamus páirt i Nuachleas é féin do Chlub Naomh Malachaí. I rith a thréimse faide mar Chathaoirleach ar Choiste CLG na hÍarmhí bhí Séamus i gcónaí mar chúl taca ar imeachtaí Scór sa chontae. Chaith sé tréimhse mar Chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste Cultúir Náisiúnta sna hochtóidí agus ó 1994 go 1999 bhí sé mar Chathaoirleach ar Choiste Náisiúnta Scór. D’úsáidtí IT Átha Luain mar ionad do Chraobh na hÉireann do Scór Sinsir agus do Scór na nÓg nuair a bhí Séamus ina Chathaoirleach ar an gCoiste agus bhí sé fíorbhródúil as sin.
“Go deireadh a shaoil bhí suim dháiríre ag Séamus in imeachtaí Scór sa chontae agus thaitin sé go mór leis cloisteáil faoi. Dár ndóigh, beidh dreas comhrá aige ar neamh le muintir Scór na hIarmhí atá imithe romhainn. Ar dhéis Dé go raibh anam uasal Séamus. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.”
Buíochas le Dia thrasnaigh sé ár gcosáin.
- Gerry Buckley