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Séamus McCluskey RIP.
The news of the death of Séamus McCluskey
soon spread around the neighbourhood when it
occurred peacefully on Thursday, July 25th in
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. He had
been in fairly good health and was a resident in
Castleross Nursing Home, Carrickmacross, for
over a year. His wife, Anita, is also a resident
there but was unable to attend the funeral. His
mind remained extremely active and he loved
visitors with whom he could chat about the GAA and how teams
were doing or indeed about any topic one would bring up. Then
he became ill on Sunday, July 21st and was rushed to Drogheda
Hospital but, despite every effort by medical staff, his condition
deteriorated rapidly and he passed away peacefully surrounded
by his family at 5.15pm on Thursday afternoon.
To mourn his loss, Séamus leaves behind his wife, Anita; his
daughter and son, Majella and
Finian; Majella’s husband, James
Smyth; their son, Alan; Finian’s wife,
Helen, and their offspring, Ruairi,
Deirdre and Hugh; Alan’s wife, Amy
and their daughter, Elise; and many
relatives in the McCluskey and
Corrigan families. To them all we
offer sincere sympathies at this sad
time.
Funeral. Séamus had made his wishes for his funeral
arrangements known to the family prior to his death and these
were acted upon. His remains were brought to McMahon’s
Funeral Parlour in Emyvale and visiting times were from 6.00pm
until 10.00pm on Friday and again on Saturday from 3.00pm
until 5.00pm. Huge numbers attended during these times and
paid their respects. On Saturday evening his remains were taken
to St. Patrick’s Church, Corracrin. Senior members of Emyvale
GFC flanked the cortege until the funeral crossed the village
Bridge on the Monaghan Road. To pay their respects, members of
Emyvale Juvenile team and their mentors formed a Guard of
Honour at the Bridge and it was a very moving moment as
Séamus always cherished the club’s Juveniles and it was added to
by the fact that the team was just coming from winning the Cup
at The John Treanor (Paddy) Memorial Tournament organised by
the Truagh GFC. On the avenue leading to the Church there was
a large Guards of Honour provided by the Emyvale GFC, Emyvale
Leisure Centre committee and teaching colleagues from
Corracrin. Fr. Hubert Martin, PP. received the remains at St.
Patrick’s and led the congregation in prayer, while sacred hymns
and music was provided by Paula McAree and
Edelle McMahon.
The funeral Mass coincided with the Parish
Sunday Mass at 11.00am on Sunday Morning.
Celebrant was Fr Hubert and members of the
family were involved in various aspects of the
Liturgy including the presentation of
Mementos, Presentation of the Offertory Gifts
and the Prayers of the Faithful. Reader was
Sharon Hogan, his niece and Godchild;
Psalmist Edelle McMahon; soloists were Edelle
McMahon, Amelia Murphy McCormack, Paula McAree; Organist
Paula McAree and the choir were members of the St. Patrick’s
Church Choir. Siobhan Larkin, Brenda McQuillan, Susan Corrigan
and Brigid Corrigan were Eucharist Ministers.
Fr. Hubert delivered the Homily during which he highlighted
Séamus’s huge contribution to Emyvale and the wider community
and his involvement with local organisations, especially Emyvale
GAA Club and Emyvale Development Association. He spoke of his
teaching career and the many interests he had but above all he
focused on Séamus’s faith and religious conviction, which was
displayed by his attendance at Mass and participation in the
sacraments. After Mass his remains were taken from the Church,
while Áine Scott played The Mason’s Apron on Banjo. His coffin
was carried from the Church door to the place of interment by
members of the Emyvale Intermediate team and he was laid to
rest in a beautifully prepared grave adjoining his brother Patsy.
Early Days. Séamus McCluskey was born in Main Street,
Emyvale on 8th September 1927 to James and Annie McCluskey.
His father’s home was in Derrygasson while Annie came from
Leitrim, County Down. It was while on holidays in Leitrim each
year as a youngster that his uncle Stephen got him interested in
Gaelic football and, as he travelled there and back by steam
train, he had a lifetime fascination for trains and railways and
until recently he participated in the annual steam run from
Dundalk to Dublin and back again as a member of the Railway
Preservation of Ireland organisation. He had one brother, Patsy,
who predeceased him, and a sister, Josie, also deceased, who
married Paul Hogan and lived in Dublin.
Education. He attended Edenmore NS where Stephen McPhillips
and Maureen Maguire, later to become Mrs. Benny Hackett, were
the teachers. The McCluskey House was now a Guesthouse on
Main Street and Stephen McPhillips was a Boarder there. Séamus
walked to school with, among others, the McGreevy brothers,
Raymond and Gerard, and met up with the Harvey brothers,
Willie and Seamus, on the way.
In 1941 he entered St. Macartan’s
College for 5 years as a boarder and, as
those years were during World War II,
times were tough and food was scarce.
Students had to work on the farm to
harvest food and go to the bog to get
fuel for the boilers to keep them with
some heat. Leaving Cert complete,
Séamus moved on to St. Pats in
Drumcondra to become a teacher. When
he qualified his first teaching post was in
Bragan School in 1949. In 1951 he was
appointed Principal of Killybrone NS,
where he worked with Mrs. McMeel and when she retired her
place was taken by Mary O’Connor, who would leave after a few
years to become a nun in the Mercy Order. She was followed by
the late Breda Goodwin. In 1972, when Michael Kelly retired,
Séamus was appointed Principal of Corracrin National School,
where he remained until his retirement. His assistant was Miss
Doherty but, in that same year, Killyrean School was
amalgamated into Corracrin and Susan Murphy and Mary Lavery
were transferred with the pupils from Killyrean. Séamus retired in
1993.
Family life. Séamus married Anita Corrigan, Emy, in 1956 and
they moved into their new home on Main Street in 1957. They
had two children – Majella and
Finian. The family played a major
role in community life. Anita was
a founding member of an ICA
(Irish Countrywomen’s
Association) Guild and was an
officer on the committee during
its existence. Séamus’s life was
one of varied and extensive
interests. The birth of his
grandchildren and his great grandchild were huge occasions and
he was very proud of them all and loved to have them call to the
family home. Music would play a big role in their lives and he
enjoyed the music sessions in the house at weekends. A few
years ago Anita became ill and eventually needed Nursing Home
care, which took a toll on Séamus. He celebrated his 90th
birthday in 2017 and local organisations held a party for him and
made presentations to him. The then Director General of the
GAA, Pauric Duffy, made the club presentation of a framed
Emyvale Black and White Jersey, with the number 90 and his
name on it. He was thrilled with it and made sure he had it with
him when he transferred to the Nursing Home.
The GAA. Séamus’s first real contact with the GAA was at the
age of five in 1932, when local priest, Fr. Victor Marron, took him
and a couple of others to an Ulster Final in the Old Oriel Park.
Cavan v Down played in the Junior final as opener, while Cavan
and Armagh played in the Senior final. For the record Cavan won
both games I’m told. In the ‘40’s there was little football in
Emyvale but Camogie was strong and Emyvale had a number of
players on the county including Josie McCluskey and Maggie Jo
McKenna, later Maggie Jo McMahon. So many days were spent by
the boys and girls passing the sliotar up and down the Main
Street. One could do that in those days as there was little traffic
to interrupt a game on the Main Street.
Even though there was little football in the 1940’s in Emyvale,
1945 was a successful year for the club by winning the Junior
Double but then in 1946 the club went out of existence because
of emigration and any of the players who were able to stay in the
area then played with Scotstown. Seamus played football when in
St. Macartan’s but more often as a sub rather than a selected
player. He was also a sub for Emyvale, when needed, but never
classed himself with much football ability, though he played as a
corner back on the team that won the 1955 Dr. Ward Cup and
received a medal to prove it.
However, he developed a great love for the game and the GAA
and he was passionate and at times fanatical about it. Indeed
anything that he became involved in received his utmost support
and attention. In 1949 he with the late Paddy Lavery, Drumully,
Tom Murray, wee Johnny McKenna and Jim Smith from Cavan
revived the Emyvale Club and Jim Smith was the Chairman. For
over 40 years Séamus was a major contributor to the Club and
County GAA. He was a Secretary, a Treasurer, a team manager, a
referee, an umpire, a linesman, a taxi-driver, a PRO and a First
Aid person, though maybe not all at the same time. While he
always wished for success at Senior level, it was working with
Juveniles that he enjoyed most and to which he devoted most of
his time. In the 1970’s when Emyvale became Donagh he, with
the late Frank McCormack, and the late Sean Forde and Peadar
McMahon registered an Emyvale Juvenile Club and went on to win
at least one Juvenile competition each year and Corracrin School,
where Séamus was Principal, was also winning the Northern
Standard Cup. It was these young players then, who became the
backbone of the successful U21 and adult teams of the mid to
late ‘80’s. Monaghan County Board honoured Séamus as Juvenile
Official of the Year in 1977. For the GAA Centenary of 1984 he
had published a ‘History of the GAA in Monaghan’ . Then in 2010
the Ulster GAA Writers presented him with The John McAviney
Memorial Award for Services to the GAA.
Writer and Commentator. In 1964 he began writing a GAA
column in the Northern Standard under the name ‘Orielman’ and
it became a big hit far and wide and at times caused controversy,
which added to its appeal but generally it was a ‘must read’ every
week for 21 years for anyone involved with the GAA. At the same
time he had other articles and news items printed each week in
the Northern Standard. He also had a History of Emyvale GAA
published and contributed to the production of the Ulster final
and county final Programmes for many years. He was also ‘the
Man on the Mike’ (the PA man) for Ulster Finals for a number of
years. His stories on Sunday Miscellany on RTE were also very
popular and regular and received praise from all over the country.
Big M radio was operating from Castleblayney and the producer
of programmes had Séamus do a slot every week. It began as a
GAA programme but, as time went on, it developed into a
traditional Folk as well as GAA and it too attracted a huge
listenership. Then Northern Sound was being developed to take
over from Big M and Séamus was a member of the original Board
set up to get it on air. He continued with his programme then on
Northern Sound for a few years.
Scór. When the GAA introduced the Scór competitions to further
the Gaelic traditions and heritage, Séamus became involved in
every aspect as organiser, participant and Fear-an-Tí. Indeed he
was Fear-an-Tí for an All-Ireland Scór na nÓg final in Dublin and,
with other members of the club, organised the Ulster Finals of
Scór na nÓg in the Emyvale Inn for a number of years. His pride
and joy was the Emyvale Ballad Group of 1983 taking the All-
Ireland title back to Monaghan and Emyvale. The members of
that Group were: Gerard and Mary McQuaid, Terence Connolly,
Edna McCluskey (niece) and Finian McCluskey (son). Séamus
himself had a musical talent and was a member of the Emyvale
Mouth Organ Band of the early 50’s, later to become the Emyvale
Accordion Band.
Drama. Séamus was a leading actor in the Emyvale Drama
Troupe and their performances on stage in the Parochial Hall
during the 50’s and 60’s are legendary. When the Drama Troupe
was revived in the 80’s Séamus was still playing leading roles and
provided great entertainment in the pantomimes like Cinderella,
Dick Whittington and Christmas in the Marketplace.
Emyvale Development Association (EDA). One of the
mechanisms by which he brought many benefits to Emyvale and
surrounding area was as a member of Emyvale Development
Association. This body was set up in 1936 by local business and
professional people led by the businessman Charles McCluskey,
an uncle to Séamus. The original purpose was twofold – create a
scenic route through Bragan and put a Walkway around Emy
Lake. However within a year the members decided that there
were more important priorities needed and they turned their
attention to working with the authorities to get water and
sewerage to Emyvale; to get a proper telephone exchange; to
repair Main Street; to get overhead wires put under ground; to
collect names of those requiring housing and assist the Council in
getting lands on which to erect the required houses; to get rivers
cleaned; to get a council office sited in Emyvale for North
Monaghan; to get a branch of the Vocational School to Emyvale
for night classes; to get certain back roads resurfaced or surfaced
for the first time and many other local developments. Séamus
became Secretary in 1956 and remained as Secretary until his
death. He represented the EDA as a founder member of Emyvale
District Credit Union Ltd.
During his time the Development Association continued the
alliance with the County Council and have been responsible for
the erection of the Emyvale Leisure Centre and Emyvale
Enterprise Centre; ran the Fair of Emyvale; negotiated with
Monaghan County Council to get various developments; assisted
with the setting up of Donagh Development Association with the
main aim of providing a walkway around Emy lake; developed
the heritage of the area including McKenna Country, Carleton
connection and the connection with PEI; carried out a Needs
Survey of the locality in the year 2000; organised Cross-Border
Music Classes with Knocks, Lisnaskea; had undocumented
Graveyards charted; and many other smaller developments.
Séamus played a leading role in all this work and he then
produced three books on the history of Emyvale and surrounding
area – ‘Emyvale Sweet Emyvale’ ( 1985), Emyvale – McKenna
Country’ (1996) and a revised edition of ‘Emyvale - McKenna
Country’ (1999) as well as many smaller publications on items of
historical interest in the area as a member of the Clogher
Historical Society and Monaghan Museum and as editor of the
McKenna Clan Journal. In the 1950’s when Fr. P.E. Larkin opened
a Cinema in the Parochial Hall, Séamus became the first
Projectionist and he later trained others to take over. Also in the
1950’s Monaghan County Library opened a branch in Emyvale
and it was located in the ‘Legion Room’ and every Friday evening
Séamus opened the Library and locals from all over North
Monaghan used come to take out a maximum of two books per
member and come back a week or so later to hand in those and
take out more reading material for the long Winter nights. There
was no charge for this service and it was not as busy during
Summer time.
FCA. In 1955 Séamus joined and set up a very successful unit of
the FCA (Fórsa Cosúnta Áitiúil – Local Defence Force) in Emyvale
and rose to the rank of Captain and gave 25 years of committed
service.
Historian.
Séamus was well known as a Historian and Genealogist and he
had regular callers looking for help to trace ancestors. He was a
fountain of knowledge on local history and was forever delving
deeper and deeper to find out every possible piece of information
on our ancient history. He together with the late Benny Hackett
and Fr. Barney McCarney were the first people involved with the
PEI connection and made many contacts through Professor
Brendan O’Grady. When Willie McKenna developed the connection
and visitors began arriving from PEI Séamus was the tour guide
and the Development Association provided the hospitality. He
then led the first group to visit PEI from Monaghan and as a
result of an invitation he put a group of singers, dancers and
musicians together and went with them to PEI to entertain at the
‘Akin to Ireland’ festival there. It was a very successful trip and
he and his group really impressed the people of PEI. He became
a household name on the island and all visitors from there always
called with him. However his callers were not confined to PEI
visitors and many from the USA and other countries arrived at his
door seeking assistance. Many messages of sympathy have come
to us from PEI and other places since the news of his death
reached them.
Lifetime of Giving. This might appear that Séamus gave most of
his time to the community but he always put his family and faith
first and attended Mass every Sunday and each weekday when
Mass was in the Oratory. Again his advice was sought when it
was being planned to turn the Parochial into an Oratory.
There were times during his lifetime when some did not agree
with him or appreciate what he was doing or the way he was
doing it and he was the first to admit that if he had a second go
he would do some of the things differently but his intentions were
always for the good of others driven by his passion and desire to
achieve benefits for individuals and the community. He himself
once said of the GAA: "For many, many people over the years,
life simply wouldn't have been worth living without the GAA. The
GAA has given so much to so many generations of people over
the last 126 years; it has given them an opportunity to show
their pride in their place and so much more besides." We can say
that many many people have benefited from the work of Séamus
McCluskey over the past 90 years and that generations of people
have gained a pride in their place and much more besides.
Suaimhneas síoraí tabhair dó, a Thiarna.