FURTHERMORE
By Gerry Moran
Pat Delaney passed away on February 4. Pat lived about 400 yards from me. We walked the same lane, Caesar’s Lane, to school, the CBS Primary. And yet our paths never crossed. The reason being, I reckon, was because Pat was that bit younger than me and in a class lower. And so 50 years later I walked into my local O’Riada’s and by happenstance found myself in the company of Bill Hehir, his wife Ann, Jimmy McGarry and Pat Delaney.
Pat and myself knew of each other, of course, but didn’t know each other if you know what I mean. Bottom line was we all got on, enjoyed each other’s company and met up regularly on Wednesday nights. We became the Wednesday night gang if you like. As Peig, the owner of O’Riada’s at the time, said to us at Pat’s wake: “Ye got through a lot on those Wednesday nights, lads: politics, sport, your parents, success, life after death – and politics again.”
And we did – but seldom quietly, as civilised debates should be. Occasionally our ‘debates’ heated to such an extent that Sue, behind the bar and Peig’s right-hand woman, threatened us with yellow cards. Cards we well and truly deserved. Yet, as noisy and boisterous as we got, Pat, I felt, was always the Quiet Man. Not at all as garrulous as the rest of us, Pat sat in a corner of O’Riada’s opposite Bill Hehir in the other corner. And understandably so, because when the Quiet Man was spurred into argument (usually by Bill) they frequently came to blows, verbal blows of course. But all good, great, fun. And I very much came to respect Pat’s perspective on issues. He was sharp, shrewd and, at times, had a unique take on things.
Some Wednesday nights we were joined by the late arrivals: Nicky Maher and Mick McGrath who often came in after the ‘debates’ had cooled somewhat but Nick and Mick were more than capable of re-igniting the ’flames’.
Pat Delaney and myself had taken different paths in life – Pat went into the motor trade, I went into the teaching trade. As Pat’s daughter, Karen, mentioned in her lovely eulogy, Pat left school at 14 when I had just sat the Inter Cert and was still in the Legion of Mary. Over some great conversations on those Wednesday night I learned that Pat, at maybe 17, was having fun, a lot of fun involving motor cars and dances. When I think about it, Pat Delaney had lived a life before I had started out on mine and had just about discarded my scapulars. I loved getting to know Pat, and Bill and Ann, and Jimmy, as we shared personal stories with each other.
Over those Wednesday nights in O’Riada’s I came, not just to like Pat Delaney but, to respect and admire him. A self-made man. A successful business man. And, by all accounts, from all the people who knew Pat, whether in business, or personally, they all agreed – a gentleman. O’Riada’s being our local,
Pat and myself occasionally had the one-to-one chat. When Marie, his wife, was quite ill we talked about the power of prayer and miracles, of all things, and after her passing, and we chatted briefly about grieving. Mentioning Marie, after the funeral, Jimmy McGarry and myself found ourselves sitting with Marie’s people in Langton’s. Liam, Ann, Ciara, Kevin we very much enjoyed your company.
In the meantime, Pat Delaney, old neighbour and new-found friend you will be missed. Rest in peace, Pat, wherever you are.
Love story!
Love as we all know is in the air but I found love in my back garden a while ago. I found a bunch of keys which I have no doubt have some sentimental value. On one ring was engraved ‘For my best man in the world’ while another, heart-shaped piece, shows a photograph of a loving couple. There is also a piece with a photo of Dingle on it and yet another with a Volkswagon symbol.
Phone 087-2821605 to be reunited with them.
