Michael’s heart belonged to Kilkerley and its community
TODAY, 8 August 2017, marks the First Anniversary of Michael Corrigan’s death.
Michael passed away following the sudden onset of serious illness in the previous year. Prior to his illness, he was blessed with exceptionally good health throughout his life.
He lived his life in his native parish of Kilkerley, and was never happier than at home, in his own surroundings.
He loved outdoor work, when he was close to nature, and in tune with the rhythm of the seasons, nd spent much of his available spare time completing many worthwhile outdoor projects around the family home.
In his early years, he enjoyed all aspects of a rural childhood and, at home on the family farm, he was brought up in the time-honoured tradition of helping the neighbours with the seasonal tasks.
Michael was born to parents Francis and Ellen Corrigan, Maghereagh. His father Francis was a farmer, while his mother Ellen (nee Finnegan) was a teacher in neighbouring Drumsinnot National School.
Michael and his brother Seamus attended school there, along with other children from the area, many of whom remained lifelong friends and neighbours.
Later, as a secondary school student in Gormanston College, Michael took a strong interest in the wide range of sporting facilities available there.
Afterwards, Michael went on to study in University College Dublin (UCD), where he met his future wife Mary.
While enjoying university life, Michael still remained very close to his family, friends and neighbours in Kilkerley.
He graduated in 1967 and he soon took up a teaching post at Dundalk Vocational School, now known as Ó Fíaich College.
In 1971 Michael and Mary got married and built their family home in Maghereagh, where they reared their three children, David, Andrea and Peter.
He continued teaching in Ó Fíaich College until his retirement in 2008. During his forty years there he involved himself fully in the many aspects of planning and development within the school.
He was particularly involved in the introduction and development of work-placement programs in the school, such as the Pre-Employment Program.
He worked tirelessly with employers in the Dundalk area to obtain relevant and successful work experience for his students.
He provided significant support to the students in all areas of their lives, and will be remembered by many of them for showing understanding, respect and kindness.
He believed in giving everyone a fair chance and a helping hand and many students benefited from this approach. Michael’s school colleagues remember him as a true gentleman, a great friend and teacher, a source of wisdom and someone they turned to for guidance and direction.
Outside of school-work and family, Michael loved contributing to the support and development of his local community.
In the late ‘Seventies, he co-founded Kilkerley Athletics Club, which went on to become a very successful club at national level for many years.
The club travelled the length and breadth of the country, and gained much success at cross-country championships in all kinds of weather.
But for Michael, the biggest success of the club was its local membership, the commitment of volunteers and the impact the club had on the lives of the young people, who each had to play their part for the success of their teams.
To see so many of these now ‘grown-up’ athletes returning to offer their sympathy at the time of Michael’s death was a touching tribute to the commitment he had given to Kilkerley Athletic Club.
He was also involved in coaching and managing the local football team, Kilkerley Emmets GFC, in the early ‘Nineties and in supporting Kilkerley Boxing Club events.
He served on the Board of BHK Credit Union from 1999 until 2010 in a variety of roles, including Vice- Chairman and Chairman.
He oversaw the planning process and the construction of the new BHK Offices on Main St., Blackrock, a role which required much time and attention to detail.
He was also a founder member of the St. Therese Conference of St. Vincent de Paul in Kilkerley.
Michael contributed to other aspects of community life, such as helping to organise community events and, if he was persuaded to address a function or to give a commentary, he seemed to do so with relative ease.
One of the interests for which he will be widely remembered, was growing strawberries. As with all of his interests, he applied great care and attention to producing the best of fruit. And, of course, he always enjoyed the interaction with his customers and helpers.
Most of all, Michael’s family will remember him for being a wonderful husband, father, broth- er and Grandad and for his love of the simple things in life – home, family, the great outdoors, hard work, good health and good conversation.
Michael had a great ability to balance being busy with having time; time to be quiet, to reflect, to appreciate nature, or to practice his faith. At the same time, those who knew him knew that he was always ready, available and more than willing to give his time to anyone that needed his support.
He had a wonderful enthusiasm and respect for life and he used his time well to accomplish a remarkable variety of interests, hobbies and skills.
If there was something that he was interested in doing, he would find the time to do it, and he would do it to the very best of his ability.
Since his retirement from teaching, some of his favourite activities included cycling, set-dancing with his wife Mary, reading, listening to the radio and most of all, being Grandad to his grandchildren with whom he loved spending time.
Just prior to his illness, he was practising for ‘ The Lap of the Lough’, a lengthy charity cycle around the shores of Lough Neagh.
Despite being ill for a number of months before his passing, he remained true to his character and to his deep faith throughout.
In times of difficulty, it was clear that he gained great strength and comfort from his faith, from the support and kindness of Fr. Gerry Campbell and his cousin Fr Michael Adams, from having his loving family around him, from the support of friends and neighbours and from the care and kindness of his nursing staff.
Michael is sadly missed, but fondly remembered by us all as a true gentleman who lived a wonderful life.
Although the family have found this a very difficult time, they have been very aware of and most appreciative of the huge amount of support offered and given during Michael’s illness and since his death.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis Michael’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 20 August 2017, at 10 o’clock mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilkerley.