Michael Dan Gallagher

The death took place of Michael Dan Gallagher on July 8, 2014, less than four weeks short of his 80th birthday on August 2. A native of Dookinella, Achill his funeral was one of the largest seen in the area for a long time. Hundreds of mourners paid their respects as he lay in repose at Lavelle’s in Cashel and at the reception of his remains in Dookinella Church following a guard of honour. His funeral Mass on Friday, July 11 was celebrated by Rev Frank McGrath, assisted by Rev MiceΡl Hastings (Drummin, Westport and Dublin), a second cousin of Michael Dan.

Fr Frank placed the Book of the Gospels on his coffin, saying that Michael Dan always lived by Christian principles. Noting his love of the land, turf, sheep and his faithful sheepdogs, Fr Frank said, “The Achill shepherd is now with the Good Shepherd.”

On its way to and from the church Mikey Dan’s coffin was draped in the Tricolour, a reminder of his republican ideals.

Speaking on behalf of the family at his funeral Mass, his cousin, Liamy MacNally, paid tribute to all the neighbours and friends who had attended to Mikey Dan in his final illness. “A faithful friend is a sure shelter,” he said, citing the Book of Ecclesiasticus.

“Thanks to all the neighbours for the kindnesses – the tea, the sandwiches, the chat, the comfort, the memories and the love. The old ‘meitheal’ energy is still very much alive in Achill.

Mikey Dan had many faithful friends, a testament to him and to the people he befriended. People will forgive me if, on behalf of his family, I mention his great neighbours, SeΡn Corrigan and Karen O’Neill. Words can’t say enough but míle buíochas. Thanks to all who called to his home, met the family, phoned or made contact. It is much appreciated.

The Eucharist is where heaven and earth are united so we also remember today Mikey Dan’s parents, Michael F and Mary Dan, and his nephew, Michael Staunton.

Mikey Dan would have been eighty on August 2. He lived a long and full life yet we are sad at his passing. He will be sorely missed by family, friends and especially the Achill community.

Michael Dan was a soldier of Achill. He loved everything about it. Just as we Covies talk up Westport he always talked up Achill – the Achill Ambassador!

He loved the land of Achill. Its turf kept him warm on winter nights. Many is the sod that was cut, footed, turned and gathered in over the years.

Mikey Dan loved sheep farming. He was a great shepherd. Someone said that he treated sheep like humans – he’d talk to them! And the same voice with the same breath could stop a neighbour’s dog in his tracks if he crossed the path of Michael Dan and his sheep. Over the years his own dogs were his faithful friends.

He had a great sense of humour and loved to wind people up. He always wanted a laugh, but always with you, not at you. There was no badness or meanness in him. He was generous with everything, his talents and his time. He was a great listener and mixer.

He loved a pint – or two! Many a good night was had at the Minaun View Bar with his great friends, the McFadden sisters. Sometimes he wasn’t a great timekeeper, especially at closing time!

He was a man of music, a keen piper, and, at one time, one of the youngest pipers in Dookinella Church on St Patrick’s Day for the gathering of the Achill Pipe Bands.

Mikey Dan was a man of faith. He knew where he came from and where he was going. He had his share of suffering but knew, in the words of St Paul, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” He was a man of principles. These were founded on his faith. They were principles to live by – love God and love your neighbour. Michael Dan did both equally well.

He also lived the principles of Republicanism – freedom, equality and brotherhood. Mikey wasn’t just a Republican, he was a staunch Republican! A member of Sinn Féin, he breathed green, white and orange.

He revelled in elections. The recent victory of Rose Conway-Walsh brought him a deep joy. Rose, you know and we all know how much your election victory meant to him. While illness held him back this year, in the past he had knocked on every door in Achill canvassing on your behalf. You lit up his life in so many ways. There is one word you want to say to Mikey Dan, as you stated in the funeral home last evening, ‘Thanks.’

And how he loved the victory cavalcades! That was his way of saying thanks to the people of Achill. His large funeral cortege last evening was the people thanking him. Politicians and former politicians from all traditions came to pay their respects to a great man.

He was very friendly with Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, who has sent a message with Rose Conway-Walsh: “It was with much sadness that I learned of the passing of our friend and comrade, Mikey Dan. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. I regret I am unable to be with you at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Martin McGuinness is currently in the northern melting pot as issues like flags and emblems continue to cause aggravation. Michael Dan loved the Irish flag – the Tricolour of green, white and orange, with the white embracing both the nationalist and loyalist traditions found on the island.

The first Tricolour was presented to Thomas Francis Meagher in 1848 by French women in Paris. It was based on the French and Newfoundland Tricolours. It became the emblem of 1916 and adopted later as our national flag.  

French influence occurred elsewhere for Mikey Dan. In 1763 Fr Manus Sweeney was born in Dookinella. He did his seminary training in Paris and returned as priest to Newport in time to greet French Army personnel who landed in Killala with General Humbert in 1798.

When the French and Irish were eventually beaten by the English at Ballinamuck Fr Manus was persona non grata. He went on the run, was captured, sentenced to death and hanged in Newport in 1799.

215 years later Michael Dan Gallagher ensured his memory is being kept alive. Mikey Dan organised an annual commemoration in Dookinella. It is fitting that the centre candlestick on the altar today was once owned by Fr Manus.

Fr Manus’ gravestone reads words that we can soon ascribe to Michael Dan: ‘TΡ a cholainn sa talamh ’s a anam i bhflaitheas. His body is in the earth but his soul is in heaven.’   

Farrell, Ann, Mary and Margaret bid a fond farewell to their dear brother Michael today. Their message is simple – ‘Michael, we will never stop loving you.’

He is now in the company of the Good Shepherd, probably wondering if heaven had a good lambing season! You can just imagine him looking around, seeing St Peter and saying to Jesus, ‘Is he one of us?’

We lay a great man to rest, or rather, we lay his remains to rest. Michael Dan is alive with the Lord and in our hearts.”

Mikey Dan was piped out of Dookinella Church by PΡdraig Carr to the moving sounds of ‘Boolavogue’ following beautiful singing by the local choir. A huge crowd followed his coffin to his final resting place under Sliabh Mór. His body was lowered into his native soil as his brother Farrell played a poignant ‘Amazing Grace’ on the pipes.

Ms Phil McFadden delivered a graveside eulogy, saying Mikey Dan was a stalwart Republican. “We are happy that he saw the result of the last election and knew his loyalty and commitment were justified and validated. He was quite simply a unique character. We will never meet his likes again. He was generous, kind and thoughtful, very much a man of his own time and place. We will miss you Michael. On behalf of your comrades may you rest in peace.”

Phil McFadden also read messages of sympathy from the President of Sinn Féin, Mr Gerry Adams TD, and the party’s representative to the USA, Ms Rita O’Hare, a close personal friend of Michael Dan.

His niece, Maureen Staunton, then led a beautifully dignified verse of ‘A Nation Once Again.’

Michael Dan is survived by his brother Farrell (Luton, his wife Betty, sons Farrell, SeΡn and Kevin, daughter Fiona and families), sister Mary Goetz (Edinburgh, her husband Steve), sister Ann Thompson (Edinburgh, her son Kevin, daughter Jackie and son-in-law Tony Stewart and families), sister Margaret Staunton (Detroit, USA, her husband Henry, sons SeΡn and Michael (RIP), daughters Maureen and Anne Marie, and families).