Lasting legacy: Longford and Leitrim mourns death of wonderful historian Jude Flynn

Local author, playwright and historian, Jude Flynn of Aughadegnan, Longford town and formerly of Gortletteragh sadly passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17. 

He reposed at Glennon’s Funeral Home on Wednesday last and on Thursday his remains were received at St Mel’s Cathedral and greeted by a lovely rendition of the song ‘Lovely Leitrim’. His funeral mass was celebrated by Fr James MacKiernan assisted by Fr John Quinn, Fr Brian Brennan, Fr Tom Murray and Fr Sean Casey. 

Jude’s remains were then taken to Gortletteragh for burial.  The Gortletteragh GAA club formed a Guard of Honour as a mark of respect to Jude as his coffin was being taken into the cemetery. 

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After Jude was laid to rest Pat Donnelly, Chairperson of the Longford Historical Society gave a nice oration at his graveside to show their appreciation of all the great service he had given to their society, to Longford Tourism and the Genealogy Society and for his great legacy to the county through his 19 editions of Fireside Tales. 

Billy Kelleher then played the beautiful tune, ‘An Cúilin’ on his tin whistle as a lovely farewell to Jude.  

Drumgrania born Jude also made a major contribution to the history of his native parish of Gortletteragh and County Leitrim. 

He was the most noted historian and playwright that the parish has ever produced. During his literary career he has always been at pains to expose the positive elements of rural life in his native parish and county.

Caption: Joe and the late Jude Flynn, alongside Jude's portrait, at the opening of Phil Atkinson's The Heart of the Matter exhibition in The Atrium Gallery, Backstage Theatre in February 2017.  Picture: Shelley Corcoran

In 1958 he established a branch of Muintir na Tíre in the parish which for many years enabled the parishioners to use their natural talents at debating and public speaking.

He was also responsible for reviving the age old tradition of crossroads dances and in 1959 he organised a bonfire dance at Farnaught Cross.

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His two plays in the early 1960s: ‘Sunset in the Valley’ and ‘The Warning Light’ (which was based, on poitín making on an Island in Drumshanbo South Lake), gained for Jude countrywide acclaim. 

Jude was an active member of the Gortletteragh Park Committee that bought and developed Páirc Gort Leitreach in 1967 and to mark the occasion he wrote a short history of the parish. Jude and his fellow committee members were duly honoured in 2017 on the 50th anniversary of this historic occasion and their names now adorn a plaque that was erected at the park.

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In 1968 Jude was a founder member of the ‘Leitrim Guardian’ and has made many valuable contributions to it since.

Jude wrote a book on Rev Peter Conefry (Prince of Cloone). He was a constant contributor to many historical publications and penned an account of Fr Tom Conefry’s involvement in the Drumlish Land War for the centenary booklet in 1981. 

Some of his finest research on the local history scene was on the life of Bishop Thomas Flynn of Errew.

Although living in Longford for almost sixty years Jude never lost contact with his place of birth and was always there to lend a hand to any worthwhile venture and was willing to share his research work with his fellow historians.

His contribution to the communities of Leitrim and Longford is to be commended and will remain as a lasting legacy to a true gentleman.

Jude was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary, parents Thomas and Emily, sister Úna, brothers Liam, Matt, Bart, Gerard and Fr Tom.

We offer our sympathies to his daughter Gráinne, sons Ciaran and Joe, sister Peggy, daughters-in-law Tina and Jean, son-in-law Ryan, grandchildren Emma, Tara, Daniel, Michael, Ruby, Amber and Donal, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends on their sad loss.

God be good to Jude and may he now rest in eternal happiness with his wife Mary.

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