'A vision for original ideas' funeral of Laois community man Hughie Sheppard
Founder of Durrow Scarecrow Festival had many lifetime achievements
An “extraordinary ordinary man” is how the late Hughie Sheppard was fondly described by his son Brian, in a eulogy at his funeral on Monday, July 1 in Holy Trinity Church, Durrow.
Mr Sheppard who made a hugely positive impact on his native town through his life, passed away after illness on June 28, at home surrounded by his loving family.
A gifted plasterer, among his achievements is founding the nationally popular Durrow Scarecrow Festival.
“When he described that idea to me, I thought he'd lost the plot. What adult in their right mind is going to spend their time making scarecrows, and who's going to be interested in coming to look at them? It turned out there are an awful lot of people not in their right mind,” Brian said.
“He had a rare combination of a vision for original ideas, personal charm to convince others, and the energy to turn those ideas into reality.”
Back in 2017, when Durrow Development Forum presented Hughie Sheppard with the Community Endeavour Award, they outlined his extraordinary life's contribution.
They said he returned from England in the early 1970s and became one of the founder members of the Lions Soccer Club. He also founded the first schoolboy’s team. He was chairperson of the Harps GAA Club from 1989 to 1992, and indeed hurled minor for Laois in his younger days.
A year after the death of his beloved first wife Mary in 1995, mother to their four children, Hughie founded Durrow Development Forum where he was instrumental in developing amenity areas, the Leafy Loop Walk, the library, playground and the Scarecrow Festival.
Brian described how his father later found love again, remarrying and becoming a loving stepfather of three.
He also noted his father's strong work ethic, and his love of family and friends, and his faith.
He told an incredible anecdote of how Hughie played a part in making the Fields of Athenry a sporting anthem.
"We have great memories of the time Dad and his cousins Maria, Patricia and Brian G entered the Scór competition in the early 80s. They discovered the little known song called The Fields of Athenry. Somebody said after they performed at the national final in Dublin, a stranger asked them what was that song. Shortly after, Paddy Reilly released the song and it stayed in the Irish charts for 72 weeks. Every time I hear it being sung in the Aviva or Celtic Park or Annfield, I like to think that Dad maybe had some small part in making the song a sporting anthem".
Since retiring from the Durrow Development Forum in 2011 he was involved in cycling trails and clubs, and most recently helped to win a grant of almost €0.5m for a community cycle track.
Fr O'Gorman celebrated the “proud Durrow man” at the funeral Mass, along with Canon Doherty.
“We all know the good Hughie did. A great Durrow man and we are privileged to be here here in such numbers to day to pray for him and the family and all who will miss him so dearly.
“There are many rooms in Heaven, if there is a little crack in one, I can see him up skimming the wall,” he said.
Fr O'Gorman read out a tribute from Rathdowney bard Michael Creagh.
"You enhanced all our lives, with your positivity and adventurous spirit. You made the world a joyous place to live with your never-ending ideas for things for us to do to raise our spirits.
"Your journey here is ended but I’m sure you have your next trip planned already. We’ll all travel with you in spirit and love. Please Lord give comfort to Kay and all Hughie’s family as he heads for home. Saddle up dear friend, the wind is at your back".
Mr Sheppard who was pre-deceased by his wife Mary and parents Tommy and Eileen, is deeply regretted by his loving wife Kay, children Brian, Raymond, Adrian and Lisa, stepchildren Orlaith, Mary, Anne Marie, grandchildren, brothers Eamon and Brendan, sisters Irene and Maureen, extended family, neighbours, and friends.
Guards of honour were held by the cycling club, and the soccer and hurling clubs. Hughie was laid to his final rest in the church graveyard.