'Kitty was a noble woman dedicated to the Irish language and culture'

A beautiful instrumental piece called Eleanor Plunkett and composed by the 18th century harpist Turlough O’Carolan fittingly began the Funeral Mass of Kitty Hudí Beag Uí Gallchóir.

The Mass in Teach pobail Phádraig Naofa i Mín Bhaoill was celebrated by the Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair an Dr Ró-Oirmh Pádraig Ó Baoighill and concelebrated by an tAthair Brian Ó Fearraigh and the Parish Priest of Gortahork an tAthair Seán Ó Gallchóir. 

Father Ó Baoighill described Kitty as a conscientious and kind woman who was immensely proud of her heritage and a woman who very much enjoyed learning.

He recalled that Kitty had celebrated her 100th birthday on March 9, last. He said that people may feel sad at Kitty’s passing but that it is also important to celebrate the long life Kitty had in this world.

“It is a sad occasion in one way however … We are celebrating her life today. We thank God for the years she spent among us,” Fr Ó Baoghill said. 

He thanked the hundreds of people who were in attendance and the hundreds who watched the Mass online. Fr Ó Baoighill said Kitty was now in the palm of God’s hand, enjoying eternal peace. 

Originally from Tor, Kitty was the youngest of a family of nine. She began working in Siopa Bhrianaigh Dhonnachaidh at a young age. Like many from the west of the county, Kitty went to work in Scotland where she spent thirteen years before returning with her husband Hiudaí beag and bought Stratford House which is now known as Teach Hiudaí Beag - a stronghold of Irish traditional music and song. 

“Hiudaí and Kitty had an inherent love and respect for Irish culture - the language, the culture and the music. And, as you all know, Hiudaí beag was a great football player,” the congregation heard. 

Fr Baoighill said that the area from which Kitty came from was an area where the culture and language was exceptionally strong and Kitty was exceptionally proud of Torr and muintir a Toirr. 

 He recalled the Norwegian Professor Alf Sommerfelt who matriculated at the University of Oslo in 1911. He recalled that the academic studied the Irish language in Torr on many occasions. He published a book The Dialect of Torr based on his research.

Fr Ó Baoighill said that the Irish language remains strong in the area. In Gaoth Dobhair, Kitty was the landlady of Teach Hiúdaí Beag - she was exceptionally social and caring and often gave soup and sandwiches to customers. 

“She had a great respect and loyalty to her customers and she greatly enjoyed their company,” he said. 

Many people affiliated with Torr contribute to the Choir in St Mary’s Chapel in Derrybeg and Kitty was exceptionally proud of these people, Eileen Nic Suibhne, Aisling Mhic Cumhaill and her son Hiúdaí Beag. They were accompanied at the Mass by Hamish Duggan from Edinburgh and Aoibheann and Declan Devlin. They played beautiful music during Kitty’s Funeral Mass. The standard of the music was such that the picturesque church resonated with applause following the Funeral Mass.

An accordion symbolising Kitty’s great love of music, a book depicting her great love of learning, a picture of Teach Hiúdaí Beag and a picture of Kitty and her late husband Hiúdaí Beag on their marriage day were all brought to the altar during Mass. 

Condolences were paid to all Kitty and Hiúdaí Beags family who have since departed. 

Fr Ó Baoighill thanked all those who contributed to the Mass in any way and also those who helped the family during the wake.