FURTHERMORE
By Gerry Moran
Ned Egan, who was a regular contributor to this paper, passed away on August 30. Ned, ‘the Boy from Baurscoobe’ (from the Irish meaning Top of the Brush) in Dunamaggin was a character. With a capital C. Ned lived many lives and was a man of many talents – poet, author, artist to name but a few, as evidenced from the wonderful tribute paid to him in this paper last week by my fellow contributor, and great friend of Ned’s, John Fitzgerald.
I had the pleasure, and privilege, of launching Ned’s CD of poems back in 2011 thanks to Ned’s great friend, and mine, local actor Brendan Corcoran. This is the transcript of my words on that night. Some of it you will have read them in John’s tribute but it’s worth mentioning again because Ned Egan was a one-off. He was truly unique and for sure ‘Ní bheidh a leithéid aris.’
Ladies & Gentlemen
Welcome to the Priory Tavern here in Kells
To the launch of a CD of poems by Dunamaggin man, Ned Egan.
Now what in God’s name does one say about Ned Egan?
What does one say about a man
Who remembers being sent to school in a filthy red dress!
Might need to talk a bit about that later, Ned, with the pub psychologist
A man who went to school with his school bag full of stones
Because he burned his books to keep warm when mitching
A man who left school, or rather was expelled from school at 13
Who then became an entrepreneur – catching rabbits, poaching fish
And selling eggs in the village
A man who survived TB as a youth
Having spent 2 years in Peamount Hospital – trying to escape!
Might make a good movie, Ned – Escape from Peamount.
A man who played football with Kilmoganny
And played hurling with Dunamaggin and has medals to prove it
A man who, and listen to this, marked the great Ollie Walsh
Literally, as he was sent off – and sent back on again
As the ref was threatened with brass bicycle pumps!
A man who emigrated to Australia under the £10 Pommy Scheme
Who married and had seven children
Two of whom he lost – his son Ned not long after his birth
And his daughter who was brutally murdered in Australia
What do you say about a man
Who was almost killed himself in a dynamite blast in Australia
And lost the sight of one eye.
Who became an honorary member of the Nyoonger Aborigine tribe
Who returned to Ireland and did some top class copper etchings in Callan
Who had a song about Luke Kelly recorded by the Dublin City Ramblers
And another recorded by Patsy Watchorn of the Dubliners
A man who drank with the Clancy’s
Who featured on national television in Australia
And who had copies of his book, ‘Sex & Death, Green, White & Gold’
Burned by a chip-shop owner and a retired nun!
So, what does one say about a man like that?
Nothing, that’s what – you just applaud him
Applaud him for living life to the full
Applaud his energy, his enthusiasm, and his positivity
Regardless of the tragedies in his life.
Ned – you’re an inspiration – as are your poems
Which brings me to the business in hand
The launch of Ned’s CD of poems
Poems that are wonderfully read by Brendan Corcoran,
One of Kilkenny’s finest amateur actors
This CD, of course, is not just a piece of plastic –
Here on this small disc are memories
Treasured memories, memories joyful and sad
In here are tragedies and triumphs, and love
Above all this CD is about love – family love, romantic love
Love of home and country, love of nature, love of life
And I know that producing this CD of poems
Was a labour of love for Ned and for Brendan
I love the poems on it, I hope you do too
Furthermore I hope you all buy a copy
Ladies & gentlemen
I now launch the CD, NORA,
Called after Ned’s mother Nora
A CD that captures the heart and soul of Ned Egan
