Mourners remember Andy Barrett for his warm, friendly and charitable nature

Mourners who gathered in St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon for the funeral of Andy Barrett were reminded of his great love for friends and family.

Thursday morning’s Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Peter McAnenly of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh. He was joined by concelebrants Fr Dermot Burke (retired), Ballyshannon, and Fr Vincent Finnegan, OFM, Rossnowlagh Franciscan Friary.

Parish Priest Very Rev Cathal Ó Fearraí was unable to attend due to being unwell, but condolences were conveyed on his behalf.

Fr Anenly welcomed Andy’s daughters Bríd, Terisina and Andrea, their mother Margaret, Andy’s brother Sean, his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, the extended Barrett and McShea families, neighbours, and friends. 

He said: “Although Andy was advancing in years, there was a great sense of shock and sadness when we heard of his very sudden passing.”

The celebrant reminded mourners that Andy was a native of Belmullet in County Mayo.

“It was there on the shores of the Atlantic that he spent the early years of his life,” said Fr McAnenly.

The son of the late Larry and Bridget Barrett, Andy was one of a family of ten having had five sisters and four brothers. He is predeceased by eight of his siblings.

“It was back in the sixties when he came here to town to work as a guard,” said Fr Anenly. “And having worked with An Garda Síochana for a number of years, he eventually moved on and went into the world of business. 

“In and through his work Andy got to know many, and many got to know him as he travelled all over the country with work. He made many contacts and he made many wonderful friends.”

Andy Barrett will be remembered by many as a great sportsman.

Fr McAnenly said: “I know that he played with the St Joseph’s team here in Ballyshannon back in the late sixties and early seventies. 

“He was also a very talented golfer, a member of the golf club out in Bundoran for many years, and he was the club captain there back in 1981.”

Loved To Chat

For many people in Ballyshannon, Andy will be remembered as a man who loved to chat.

The celebrant said: “Clearly he was someone who enjoyed conversation. As soon as you’d have met him, the hand was out, a big smile on the face as he shook your hand. And it was sure to be a handshake that you’d always remember.

“Even over the last number of years you’d have seen him out regularly on the street or in some of the shops here in Ballyshannon, having a chat with people.

“He was also a great man for the phone, ringing family and friends and having a wee chat, having a catch-up with them.”

Andy was also a great letter writer who enjoyed keeping in touch with people through the written word.

Fr McAnenly recalled how 15 years ago when Andy was very ill, he gave up driving. But that didn’t stop him getting out and about, taking lifts or using the bus, and maintaining his independence to the end. 

Echoing many people’s abiding memory of Andy, Fr Anenly said: “I was speaking to someone the other night who knew Andy for many years. One of the things that she said was that he was a man who had time, real time for people. 

“And she said it didn’t matter who they were, or what they had. Andy took people as he found them and he treated everyone the same.”

The priest spoke about how Andy often visited people who lived alone,and supported those in need. 

“Such was the measure of the man, and such was his generosity and kindness, that very often he’d have helped people that were struggling,” said Fr Anenly.

A man of deep faith, Andy was a steadfast Pioneer and had a particular devotion to the Sacred Heart. He regularly attended Mass and the Rosary in St Patrick’s Church.

“Very often it was here in the quietness of this lovely church, that he began his day,” said Fr McAnenly. “And obviously in and through the church and parish, he built up a great network of friends.”

Family

“But,” continued the priest, “of all the things I might say about Andy here in the church today, over and above all else, he was a good family man. And I know that you Bríd, and Terisina and Andrea, have many wonderful memories of him, memories that you will indeed cherish forever. 

“And so too with his six grandchildren, who he was so very proud of. You too cherish many wonderful memories of your grandad in the weeks and months and in the years to come. 

“On Saturday night in the short time before he died, I believe it was you, his grandchildren, that he was speaking about. Clearly he was a man who was so proud of each and every single one of you.”

Fr Dermot Burke, who retired to his native Ballyshannon 16 years ago, expressed condolences on behalf of Very Rev Cathal Ó Fearraí and the Kilbarron parish community.

He said: “I only knew him for 16 years. He made a fantastic impression on us all. Those of you who knew him for longer know that he left his mark.

“I know that we have lost a very important part of Ballyshannon, of the Ballyshannon community. And it wasn’t confined to our parish, his influence spread near and far.”

Following the Mass, Andy was laid to rest in Cashelard Cemetery.

He is predeceased by baby Declan, his parents Larry and Bridget, brothers Michael, Larry, and Tony, sisters Maureen, Julia, Mary Agnes, Tessie and Josie. 

Andy is survived by his daughters, Bríd, Teresina, Andrea and their mother Margaret, sons-in-law David Mitchell and Kevin Gallagher, grandchildren Séimí, Barry, Nessa, Lucia, Fionn and Orlaith, his brother Sean, brother-in-law PJ Reilly, sisters-in-law Dolores and Carol, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.