May I commence these few words about Mick by firstly expressing my sincere sympathy to his family especially Gay, Siobhan, Deirdre, Ciaran, his sister Maura and his father Jim. I consider this task a singular privilege to be put in such a position on behalf of his many friends especially the Barnhall Rugby Club. I wish to thank Ian Stewart, the club president, for delegating the task to me.
Mick fought the good and long fight with fortitude against the invidious illness to which he finally succumbed. The length of the fight proves that Mick was a fighter to the end. Ten months is a long time, but although he physically succumbed his spirit remained buoyant and is caustic wit prevailed to the end.
Thomas Grey back in 1783 in his Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard wrote
Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
To all that had the pleasure of knowing Mick must deem him to be a real gem but a blushing flower is another matter. He did not, however waste his sweetness and soundmindeness in the desert air but manifested it where it matters with his family, his many friends and acquaintances.
Mark Anthony in his selique on Julius Cesar said that the " The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones . The good deeds that Mick did will not be interred but will serve as a fitting monument to his memory. Such good deeds, apart from his professional activities, are clearly evident when trouble was visited on some of his wide circle of friends. He was invariably the first port of call when sound advice or council was required. His sound perspective always resulted in the abatement of perceived trouble. I witnessed this when I discovered that my late wife Madge had gone out of remission. He took careful note and in his usual caring tone, offered soothing council to both of us. You cannot imagine how helpful this was to both of us. Thank you Mick.
Mick was a sportsman and was never happier when engaging with bonneami e with similarly minded people. He proved to be an itinerant as regards his roots when it suited. He was a Kilkenny man when hurling was involved. However it was more embarrassing when Gaelic football was involved. He suffered severe ribbing from uncouth gentlemen from west of the Shannon who advised that boggers would have be imported to give a bit of bite to the Dubs. Apart from golf, which I know nothing about, his true sporting interest was rugby. Mick was a big man physically and liked nothing more than to rush up to the bar in Barney and to consciously step on ones gout ridden toes. Seamus O' Byrne's ruptured ribs by Mick who came in from the side also attests to this and - they were playing on the same team.
Mick loved nothing more than a trip abroad. The festiveness invariable started the night before departure. He often mentioned how you Gay stayed up with him all night, made a fry went to the hole in the wall at 4 am when he decided at 2 am to take up a vacant ticket on a tour of the south Netherlands . We did them all except Rome . We lost wallets in blizzards in the Scottish highlands and dined on escargots in Greek restaurants in Paris . We eat 24 ounce stakes and sauté onions in Cardiff and were ferried around London in an undercover taxi by the Flying Squad of the Metropolitan Police taxi. Mick appeared to get into particular difficulties in mountainous terrain. His vertigo was cured when crossing the Alps in a camper. He suffered hypothermia in the Pyrenees when his roommate, whom I will not mention, inadvertently locked him out of his hotel. I will never forget a weak voice at about 4 am at the door of the camper saying “ let me in”. Those were the days!!!
I still remember mobile calls from Mick when he would invite me and others to have a few swift halves. This would soon accumulate to half a gallon or even the full gallon. World problems would be resolved and even an approach would be made to reforming the public service.
Mick will be missed by the fraternity in grumpy corner in Barney. He will be also missed by the BBBBC's (Balding Bearded Barnhall Bikers Club). He is the first of us to quote him “ to shed this mortal coil ”. None of us wants to hurry up to wait to join him for some time yet.
The accolade “true friend” cannot be ascribed lightly. Mick for you I have no difficulty. Adieu mon cher amie and requiat in pace.
Brendan Dolan
