The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Valentia in shock as Anthony and Eamon pass away
AN ISLAND IS LEFT REELING AS IT LOSES TWO OF ITS STALWARTS IN THE SPACE OF TWO DAYS
LAST week, Valentia Island was united in grief with the deaths of Anthony O’Connell and Eamon Murphy.
Anthony passed away on Wednesday, March 6 (Ash Wednesday), with Eamon’s death occurring the following day.
Both were laid to rest in Kilmore Graveyard, Valentia, on Monday, March 11.
The very sudden death at his residence in Knightstown of Anthony O’Connell – originally of Cracow, Knightstown – came as a huge shock to his family, the island community and those elsewhere. It was all the more stunning as he was, right up to his death, hugely involved as a community activist and had unfinished ambitions.
A teetotaller who was in his early 70s, his enthusiasm, vibrancy and energy belied his years as he worked tirelessly for the betterment of the island community.
Born in 1945, he attended the National School in Knightstown and also Cahersiveen CBS secondary school. Prior to leaving Valentia, he served as Secretary of the Young Islanders GAA club, worked with the Valentia RNLI branch and was also a drummer with the Valentia Pipe Band.
In later years his work as a Vice-President of the Dell computer firm’s supply chain, which took him all over the world. But he always kept in touch with his beloved Valentia Island and also the fortunes of the Kerry and Valentia footballers.
During those years, he and his family resided in Limerick city and later in Parteen, County Clare. He was so proud of his Cracow roots, as well as the musical and football talent produced in bygone years by that little place on the periphery of Knightstown.
On his retirement in 2007, he and his wife, Frances, moved to their newly built home just outside Knightstown, spending most of their time there. He could easily have rested on his laurels and taken things easy, but this was not to be the case with Anthony; his passion and genuine concern for his beloved Valentia Island soon saw him deeply immersed in community development and general betterment.
He became Chairman of the Valentia Island Development Company and later Director, and was the driving force together with his colleagues in the Valentia Island Cable Foundation Board in trying to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status for Valentia and its Cable Station, associated as it is with the seeds of modern-day digital media.
He left no stone unturned in these efforts, lobbying County Councillors, TDs, Government Ministers and all influential people who cared to listen.
He was constantly on his lap-top sending e-mails here, there and everywhere in pursuance of this ambition. The Cable was his baby, and he had cherished visions for its future.
This correspondent received many e-mails from him, and they were always very informative and very much appreciated. His phone calls would invariably end with the words, “Good luck, boy.’’
He was also like a father figure to other local projects and enterprises, always offering a word of advice and positive encouragement, as well as genuine delight at any progress achieved by any island business venture, fledgling or otherwise.
With his remains having reposed at his childhood home of Cracow, Anthony’s Requiem Mass in Knightstown was con-celebrated by Cahersiveen PP Fr Larry Kelly and Father Tom Carroll of Parteen. Eulogies were rendered by his brother, Pat; and son, John, with Guards of Honour being accorded by the Valentia GAA, the Valentia Island Development Company and the RNLI.
His death leaves a huge void in the community of Valentia Island. It is very difficult to accept his passing in view of his vibrancy and energy. He had so much more to offer: he had a lot done and a lot more to do.
However, if his UNESCO ambitions for the Cable Station and cable hub are fulfilled, they will stand as an everlasting monument to his memory.
Let the following lines from the poem ‘My Own Island Home’ by Valentia’s late poet Liam McGabhann stand as a fitting tribute and final salute:
“I hear the sweet music of river and fall,
But the breezes are bearing a soft gentle call,
‘Tis calling me home, ‘tis the sweet singing stream,
That flows through the woodlands of lovely Glanleam,
In dawning’s clear brightness or evening’s soft gloam,
There’s no place on earth like my own island home.”
God rest you, Anthony O’Connell, and as you’d say yourself, good luck, boy. Sincere condolences are offered to his wife, Frances; sons, John, Paul and Colm; daughter, Maria; siblings; daughters-in-law; grandchildren; sisters-in-law; brother-in-law; nephews and nieces. Solás na bhFlaitheas dó.