Late Aleck Crichton ( 98) had “devilish” sense of humour
TRIBUTES flowed to the late Aleck Crichton who passed away at his home in Beltra on Tuesday April 18th.
The grandson of the founder of Jameson Whisky, World War Two veteran and industrialist led the most fascinating life.
He gave his last interview to this newspaper for our ‘ Down Memory Lane’ Supplement in January.
President of the Yeats Society Martin Enright said: “Aleck was a true friend, benrfactor and highly respected President of the Society.”
“Tributes and messages of sympathy came from W. B. Yeats’ grand- daughter and our Patron Caitríona Yeats, Marie Heaney, Past Presidents and several former Directors of The YISS and scholars fro throughout the world of Anglo- Irish Studies,” he said.
The Rector Ven. Alan Synnott spoke in glowing terms of how Aleck was much loved and much respected by all in the Beltra Community and far beyond.
Aleck’s main philantrophic caues in Sligo were Sligo University Hospital ( he served on the Board and secured funding for Research and Education); The Beltra Show ( His grandfather built Beltra Hall in the late 19th early 20th century), Sligo Feis Ceoil ( his mother ans sister competed until the late 1940’ s and The Crichton Cup is competed for annually); The Yeats Society ( Aleck was President 2005- 2008.
He had a clear memory going to a tea party in Yeats’ home at 82 Merrion Square when he was 5 or 6 years of age ie 1925 or 26., the Crichtons lived then at No. 26 Fitzwilliam Square.
Beltra Market was closed last Saturday as a mark of respect.
“I don’t think being killed is something one ever thinks about,” he said, when asked about the War. His grandson Michael Fish ( above) paid a moving tribute to his grandfather:
“He had a devilish sense of humour, and sense of openness to ideas regarding the arts.
“When I was roughly 14, I knew I wanted to be an actor, but was very quiet, very shy. Aleck penned me a handwritten letter in which he said: “Everything Michael, needs practice... So just ‘ DO IT!’”
“I still have the letter and regularly have read it backstage; there’s not much more of a gift I could have asked for,” he said.