Pat Conway

It was a sad and heartbreaking scene as flags flew at half mast and the people of Dooniver and Askill lined the road as the funeral cortege brought the ‘Master’ home one last time. Pat Conway, aged 76 years, died peacefully in the Galway clinic on June 4th 2015 following a short illness.  His passing evoked deep sadness and regret and the very large attendance at his funeral ceremonies reflected the esteem in which he was held.  Many tributes have been paid to Pat who was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, neighbour, educator, friend and community activist.

Pat was born on 24th May 1939 in Gortbrack, Ballycroy, Co. Mayo.  His parents were Alice and Michael Conway.  He had one younger brother Willie.  His cousins Mary and Peter were reared with them after their parents died.  Pat went to National School in Sheane Mór NS and Shranamonragh NS, Ballycroy and he received his secondary education in Sacred Heart College, Ballinafad, Castlebar from 1954 to 1958.  He attended University College Galway from 1958 to 1961 where he obtained a BA degree in Irish, History and Education.

He then attended St. Patrick’s College of Education in Drumcondra where he qualified as a National School Teacher.  In 1965 while teaching in Dooniver he went to UCG and obtained a H.Dip in Education.

In July 1962 Pat was appointed Principal of Bullsmouth NS, Achill and he taught in that school until his retirement in 2003.  Pat met Dooniver woman, Kathleen Murray and they married in 1967.  They had six children, two daughters and four sons; Jacinta, Michael, Patrick, John, Annette and Liam.

In the village of Dooniver, Pat was fondly known as “The Master”. During his 41 years as a teacher he caringly taught and nurtured generations of children. His past pupils will always say that Pat was much more than an educator and had a gift of encouraging each and every student.  He was ahead of his time and was always open to new ideas in the various subjects.  He had a keen interest in computers and in any emerging technology in the classroom.  He organised and taught the first computer classes to the Achill teachers.  He was secretary of the Achill INTO Branch for 36 years.

Pat was a lifelong member of Fianna Fail. He became a Fianna FΡil County Councillor in 1977 when he was co-opted to replace Denis Gallagher when he became a Minister in the Jack Lynch government. He contested the 1979 local elections and topped the poll with 1,848 votes to be elected on the first count.  Pat was instrumental in the organisation of the party in Achill serving roles up to his death on the Achill Comhairle Ceantar and the Mayo Dail Ceantars. He had been Director of Elections for Fianna Fail in West Mayo for national and local elections.  He had been Director of Elections for the successful campaigns of Michael McNamara on two occasions and for Paul McNamara in the last local election.  Pat thoroughly enjoyed the cut and thrust of politics and regardless of differing political ideologies, Pat made countless lifelong friends on all sides of the political divide.

Pat was a member of various boards and voluntary organisations.  He served on the Board of Mayo VEC which he chaired and was also a member of ÚdarΡs na Gaeltachta, the County Development Board and the County Forum.  More recently Pat served as Chairperson of Comhar Bigil Teo and as Chairperson of the Board of Management of Bunnacurry NS.

The most place where Pat’s work can be seen is in his beloved village of Dooniver and Askill.  In 1972 he formed the Dooniver/Askill Group Water Scheme and a committee was selected.  This Group Water Scheme is still in operation.  Pat was a committee member of St. Joseph’s Sports Park which was opened in 1991.  One of Pat’s proudest achievements was his involvement in the building of the Seomra Pobail attached to Bullsmouth NS which was opened and blessed by Archbishop Michael Neary on 25th May 2001.  Pat was secretary of Coiste Forbartha Dhúin Eibhir and their most recent projects were entering the village in a Litter League Competition and erecting a village sign as you enter Dooniver.  Pat was involved in setting up the Community Alert in the village.  Pat was a key driver and chairperson of the Bullsmouth Centenary Celebrations in 2010.  He was the editor of the Centenary book and put an enormous amount of work into this hugely successful publication.  He brought the whole community together and decades of students back to contribute to the centenary book and celebrations.  As part of the Centenary celebrations Pat was instrumental in erecting a seat at Bullsmouth marking the site of the old school in memory of past staff and pupils.  It is known as SuíochΡn Feasa (Seat of Knowledge).  Pat continued to remain active on the Senior Citizen Social Committee even when he himself became a senior citizen.  Throughout the years Pat continually strived to improve the community of Dooniver/Askill.  All of the projects which he was part of in Dooniver/Askill will remain for many years to come.  Pat has left his footprint, a footprint which will not be washed away.

Down through the years Pat had various hobbies.  When he came to Achill first he was involved in Drama and acted in many plays.  He enjoyed playing cards.  He was also interested in Oil Painting and attended art classes.  He enjoyed gardening, playing chess and doing the cryptic crosswords in the Irish Independent.  In his retirement years he did various courses in photography.  There were countless number of events over the years which featured Pat and his camera capturing the moment.  For many years Pat contributed articles to the Achill Notes in The Mayo News and in recent years he continued to send in photos from various events in Achill.  Pat also enjoyed Creative Writing and in recent years did a course in GMIT Castlebar.  He had a keen interest in travel and he and Kathleen went on many holidays both home and abroad.  On many occasions they travelled with friends to sunny destinations taking in cruises along the way.  His interest in computers continued into his retirement and it was literally hundreds of meetings, occasions and functions that were organised via Pat’s laptop.  In his down time it was many a game of solitaire or online chess that he enjoyed on his laptop.  Pat was involved with the Achill Golf Club for over 30 years and this year he was President of the Club.  In recent years Pat derived most enjoyment from the organisational side of things and always had a great welcome for the visitors who played golf in Achill in the summer.  He helped establish the Achill Senior Golf Society in recent years.

Pat had so many qualities.  He was a wonderful community man.  He was a great advisor and was always willing to help people. He could never do enough for any group or person.  He gave of his time and organisational talents so willingly and sincerely.  He was an excellent organiser and he had great energy.  He always had some project on the go.  He had the ability to mix with young and old alike and had a kind nature.  One of his great gifts was his way with people; he loved meeting and chatting to people. Even as he battled his illness in his final days in hospital, Pat chatted warmly and energetically to nurses, doctors and fellow patients alike; and within a short while, a rapport would be established, and invariably some connection, via some mutual friend or organisation, would be made. This natural way with people coupled with his energy and enthusiasm for helping others were a potent combination. Pat was also a man of strong faith.  He was a Eucharistic Minister and reader in St. Joseph’s Church, Bunnacurry for many years.

The Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church by Fr. Gormally and concelebrated by Fr. Ginnelly.  Prayers and readings were read by his family.  “The Village School Master” by Oliver Goldsmith was read by past pupil Mary T. McNamara.  Celine Maher, past pupil, read a poem “Ode to the Master” which she herself had composed. Gifts were presented by his family and members of the organisations in which Pat was involved.  A post communion reflection, “Nightfall” written by Pat himself in 1992 was read by this daughter Jacinta.  In his homily, Fr. Michael Gormally said “These are sad days for those of us who have such fond or recent memories of a man who has inspired us, taught us, changed us, led us, encouraged us and listened to us and who we have loved and respected in return.  Indeed there is emptiness in all our hearts, and in our congregation and in our parish.  The Conways have lost a great husband, father, grandfather and brother.  Achill has lost a great leader and learner, a great teacher and teaching colleague and the parish has lost a strong believer.”

The esteem in which Pat was held in the community was reflected by the numerous Guards of Honour both in Dooniver and at the Church and Graveyard; Dooniver/Askill community, Bullsmouth NS staff and pupils, Achill Golf Club, Bunnacurry NS staff and pupils, Achill INTO and Fianna Fail.

Pat’s son John delivered a heartfelt eulogy recalling memories of his father.  “As a father to the six of us Dad was fantastic.  No matter how busy he was if you ever needed him he was always there.  He always encouraged us to do what we wanted in life no matter what it was.  He was never strict with us yet you always wanted to do your best to please him.  As adults it was the same.  You never really had a problem until Dad couldn’t sort it.  A quick chat or a phone call and Dad would reassure you and normally the problem would be solved.  Dad was always proud of his kids and we all knew it. Dad was always a great husband and friend to Mum.  The two of them were always together.  If Dad had to go away to a meeting Mum would often go with him and make a mini break out of it.  They really were the happiest couple.  Dad always enjoyed family occasions which were always noisy and laughter filled.  As he said there was always room for a glass of wine and always room for a story.  Many of his stories we had heard a hundred times before and you would be tired hearing them.  Of course now I would love to hear him tell them same stories one more time.”  

John spoke of Pat’s love for his thirteen grandchildren and no matter how busy he was he always found time to play and chat with them.  John concluded by saying “Over the past few days the comments and kind words made by people about Dad are heart warming.  The two things most said were that he was a gentleman, and indeed he was, and he had such energy.  Energy is one thing he really did have.  He was like the Duracell Bunny, always on the go – sadly the batteries have finally run out.  Dad you can rest in the knowledge that you have touched so many lives.  You will leave a huge void in all our lives.”

Pat is survived by his wife Kathleen, his daughters and sons, his brother Willie, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law.

Pat will be remembered with great love by his family and friends whose lives he enriched so much and he will live forever in their hearts.

Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Extract from

 “An Ode to the Master”

 by Celine Maher

Take heed everyone, the Master is still with us

In our stories, in our history, in our eyes

Because our village landmark was never made of stone

Our village landmark, the Master, safely gone back home.