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The passing of Denis Gallagher was a huge shock for the parish of Achill. For many years Denis had been the focus of all development activity in the parish, using his skills, experience, contacts and above all, immense energy, to solve problems and further the cause of the area. On meeting him you could not have guessed his age: his drive and enthusiasm were that of a far younger man, indeed he put many of us to shame. Always available, always welcoming, always ready to offer advice and help if it was wanted, he was a true gentleman and a true christian. Thousands of mourners travelled from all over Ireland to the village of Curraun in Achill to pay their respects to the former Minister for the Gaeltacht, who died at Mayo General Hospital following a short illness. The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., attended the Funeral Mass in Curraun Church which was presided over by Archbishop Michael Neary. The principal concelebrant was Very Rev. Paddy Gilligan, P.P., Achill and among the concelebrants was Denis’s brother, Fr. Michael Gallagher. Mr. Ahern described Denis Gallagher as “truly a Giant of the West” who, throughout his political career, fought vigorously to advance the issues he loved dearly – the Irish language, the fishing industry and Gaelic games. A national teacher by profession, Denis first entered public life as a member of Mayo County Council. He became a full-time public representative when he was elected to the Dáil in 1973. He remained there until 1989 when he retired from national politics. In 1977, he was appointed Minister for the Gaeltacht by former Taoiseach, Mr. Jack Lynch, and it was during his Ministerial tenure that Udarás na Gaeltachta was set up, a development agency for Gaeltacht areas that he later became Cathaoirleach of after he had stepped down from national politics. Denis Gallagher founded the Achill Fisheries Co-operative Society and was a very active campaigner for the development of the fishing industry. He was his party’s spokesperson on fisheries in the early 1970s. He was a great G.A.A. man and his commitment to the association spanned several years as player and administrator. He was a former Chairman of the Mayo County Board and later went on to assume the office of Chairman of the Connacht Council of the Association. When he retired from national politics, far from opting for the quiet life, he involved himself to a huge extent in community development works in Curraun and throughout the parish of Achill. The community spirit that had been built up in Curraun under this guidance was very much in evidence when virtually every adult in the community had a hand in the funeral arrangements, stewarding of traffic, arranging Guards of Honour and extending hospitality to the thousands who travelled to Curraun to sympathise. Denis is mourned by his wife, Hannah, his twelve children, Brendan, Denis, Micheál, Padraic and Terry; his daughters, Mary, Caitríona, Áine, Nora, Síle, Mairéad and Bríd; brothers, Eoin, Brendan, Fr. Michael and Terry; sisters, Mrs. Mary Joyce and Sr. Caitlín of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, thirty grandchildren, extended family and many friends. The coffin was draped in the National Flag when his funeral took place in Polranny Cemetery. A lone piper escorted the hearse to the cemetery where Fr. Gilligan and Denis’s brother, Fr. Michael, officiated. The graveside oration was given by Seán Staunton, Editor of the Mayo News, who described Denis as somebody who was very proud of his Irishness and a great standard-bearer of the values which ennoble public service. No tribute can adequately express our gratitude to Denis for a lifetime of service. No words can truly do justice to the man. We can only hope that our actions in the future will honour his name and that we can continue to develop Achill in the spirit that he demonstrated. If we can achieve this, he will surely Rest In Peace. |
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