Large crowds attend the funeral in Ballyshannon of Mickey Quinn

“Every man dies, but not every man lives”. 

And so, this magnificent quote from William Wallace in the film ‘Braveheart’ was a suitably epic way to remember Mickey Quinn from Corlea at one of the largest funerals ever seen in Ballyshannon, on Saturday. 

In a deeply poignant and thought-provoking homily, his old friend Fr Gerry Carroll, chaplain to the 28th Battalion in Finner Camp, told the congregation that Mickey “lived a very full colourful, interesting and inspiring life”. 

Mourners came from almost every county in Ireland for a man who helped so many others with addiction issues. Many of them had a common theme: “I would not be here if it wasn’t for Mickey Quinn”. 

Mickey Quinn passed away peacefully in the loving care of his family in Corlea on Wednesday, December 28.  

Fr Carroll said Mickey’s life was “not by any means an easy life, that was marked above all with great humility, some mistakes, a lot of learning, great compassion and gentleness.”

And in the process, Fr Carroll said, Mickey became a truly exceptional human being full of the milk of human kindness and grew into a man full of grace and mercy. 

“He was born in scenic Cashelard, near Ballyshannon, in July 1946 and grew up there with his brother Patsy and sisters Mary Teresa and Anne and enjoyed great days fishing in mountain lakes, working in the bog and saving hay. 

“As he got older, he got a taste for socialising and often travelled to dances quite a few nights of the week and he loved traditional Irish music. 

“He travelled the land with his cousin Kevin Loughlin to the great Fleadhanna Cheoil and he had many interesting jobs in his life. 

“One in particular was in delivering bread for local bakeries in the 1960s, ‘70s and into the early ‘80s. 

“He loved people, loved meeting them and loved their stories and gave so many of his own in return. 

“Mickey made a great number of friends while on the bread run and was nicknamed ‘Mickey Bun’. 

“Little children used to love to see him coming as he always had something nice and sweet for them. 

“He met his first wife Anna Crawford, they married and had many happy years together and had two wonderful children, Stephen and Michelle. 

“Mickey was faced with the darkest time of his life with the devastating passing of  Anna. 

“Dark times indeed, but in the years that followed, he was brought into a programme of embrace where he gained a sense of peace which gave him the strength to carry on”. 

Fr Carroll added: 

“Mickey made a great many special friends along the way and one of these special friends was Sonny Kinsella, Geraldine’s father and there was a coming together of families which now became Stephen, Michelle, Ashling, Donna and Megan. 

“Mickey and Geraldine were happily married for nearly 40 years during which they shared many cherished things. 

“They built from scratch a thriving furniture business from beside their house in Corlea and they raised a happy family filled with love. 

“Mickey was also a natural seanchaí who could hold you in the palm of his hand, but he was also a man of deep faith. 

“In Corlea, there were many values instilled in them of great honesty, empathy and doing the right thing. 

“And one of the greatest of all was Mickey’s ability to show the indomitable power of simplicity. 

“In 2023 we should make it our ambition to be ambitious for simplicity”. 

Fr Carroll continued: 

“But even in Mickey’s darkest periods, he got great solace in his daily talks with God. 

“He was a great Christian and some of his happiest memories were spent in Medjugorje - a holy land that had a special place in his heart and he made a great many friends out there also.

“But most of all he was a kind man, a loving husband and father and a great friend who embraced all those in their hours of darkness as he knew pain better than most. 

“As was said many times over the past few days: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Mickey Quinn”. 

“What a testament to his life of good work. 

“Mickey was one of life’s true gentlemen and he will live on in the loving memories of his family.  

“And he endured despite the pain and the anguish, the dark nights. 

“When he died, he was a happy man and that is a priceless gift”. 

During the ceremony symbols of his life were brought up to the altar including a model of a bread van to symbolise his early career as a bread man. 

A necktie in the colours of Tir Chonaill GAA of whom he was a great supporter was brought up, along with a record of his favourite Irish musicians, among them Joe Burke. 

The AA Big Book was then brought up as a representation of the fellowship which has been a major part of Mickey’s life over the past 40 years. 

And a photograph of his beloved townland Corlea, completed the collage. 

Predeceased by his first wife, Anna, Mickey is sadly missed as the loving husband of Geraldine, adored father of Steven (Carol), Michelle, Aisling (Alan), Donna (Tom), Megan (Conor), loving grandad to Faith, Sonnie, Calvin, brothers Patsy, sisters Mary, Teresa, Anne, and extended family. 

After his funeral Mass Mickey’s remains were brought to Belleek for burial where another large crowd turned out to pay their respects.