By Ger Cody
The death has taken place of Tommy Harding, one of Kilkenny’s finest and most popular people. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, Tommy, quite simply, was a pleasure to know. Initially, I made his acquaintance through the SOS workshop. Later, whilst working at the Watergate theatre, I had a chance encounter with Tommy on High Street.
“Would you like me to help out at the Watergate?” he asked. “Ah, that would be grand Tommy,” I replied. We chatted for a while and as we parted company I said I’d be in touch. The following evening, I arrived at 6pm at the theatre for the 8pm show. A lone figure sat on the steps of the Parliament street venue. (I later discovered he had arrived at 5pm) “Mr Harding,” I said as I shook his hand. “Mr Cody,” he replied “you said you needed my help.” And so it began…Tommy Harding was officially a front of house staff member at the Watergate.
Do it yourself
The American fable by Mary Mapes Dodge, ‘do it yourself, said the little red hen’ comes to mind.
The usual scenario for those starting on front of house duties was that they would begin in the balcony area. This allows the novice the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the minutiae of handling tickets, dealing with people and so on. It is a smaller seating area, ergo easier to handle. After complying for a week or two, Tommy informed me he wanted a chat. My first thought was that maybe he had enough and that the commitment was too much. Not on your Nellie! Tommy felt that he was missing out by being stationed on the balcony.
I can’t recall his exact words but his analogy was that upstairs was division three football and he wanted to be with the bigger crowds downstairs in the premier division. And that is what happened. Tommy quickly became a major asset to the Watergate, settling into front of house duties, in the downstairs area, meeting, greeting and welcoming all. His gregarious personality filled the theatre with warmth and sincerity. Allied to these attributes, his infectious smile embraced individual audience members making them feel special and valued. Almost magically as person after person filtered through to the auditorium, you could see the happiness that Tommy owned being reciprocated by the audience.
From the very beginning Tommy seemed to know everyone that came through the doors of the theatre and amazingly, they all seemed to know him.
Politics
There is an old saying that advises us never to discuss religion or politics, for it is sure to cause an argument. I can’t remember whether it was a budget or an election, but a few of us (Watergate staff) were having a coffee one evening pre-show time, and politics reared its ugly head. Vigorous debate ensued. I may have been giving Micheál Martin a verbal bashing and saying how it was high time the country started looking at an alternative Government. Tommy was having none of it.
Tommy had a quiet demeanour at the best of times but when he wanted to make a point his voice lowered even more. Such was the case on this occasion. “Micheál Martin is a good man, and Fianna Fáil a great party,” said Tommy. There was a sincerity in his words and in his eyes. “Ger Cody, you really shouldn’t be saying anything bad about Fianna Fáil,” insisted Tommy. “You know Tommy, you’re probably right,” I conceded. End of discussion. Fianna Fáil the winners, with a rasping goal by Harding.
No show like a Joe show
I remember a particular evening show when I arrived early at the Watergate to find Tommy and one of his buddies in the foyer. Joe Dolan was performing that night. “You’re a bit early lads,” I said “the show is not on for another two hours.” “We were hoping to have a chat with Joe Dolan before the show,” said Tommy. “Would you ask him if that’s possible?”
I went to the Green Room where Joe, his brother Ben and the band were passing the time with a few hands of 25s. I explained my situation to the Mullingar singer and he immediately instructed me to bring the two boys back. Endeavouring to ensure a smooth interaction, I brought Tommy and his friend through the foyer, through the auditorium and onto the stage. There we stopped and I explained how it was going to work. I would open the Green Room door, introduce the two lads, they would say hello to Joe Dolan and return to the foyer.
“Is that okay?” I asked. “No problem,” replied Tommy. For the sake of this story let us acknowledge there is a God. What that God’s religion is or whether male or female matters not a whit. Bottom line is that God decided there and then that I was in need of a jolt. And a jolt I got. We arrived at the Green Room door, which I opened, as rehearsed. But before I got a chance to open my mouth, Tommy pushed past me. With that, Joe Dolan got up from his chair, walked forward and with a big smile said “Tommy Harding. How are you?” to which Tommy replied “great Joe. Good to see you again…This is Ger Cody.” (The Lord works in mysterious ways).
Passion for fashion
Back in Ireland of the 60s and 70s, men folk were not as fashion conscious as they are today. If a bloke regularly turned out in new clothes he was in the minority. The general comment about such an individual would be – “he looks like he stepped out from Frank Wall’s window.” Tommy Harding was such a man. His dress code and coordination was impeccable. And it wasn’t just the colours. The quality of the gear was top notch. And he knew it. Appearance, whether going to work, the shop or the theatre was very important to him. I think it’s fair to say that when you were in Tommy’s company, you always felt under dressed. I can still visualise him in his dark suit, crisp-white shirt, red tie and Crombie coat. Sartorial elegance personified.
Art
Tommy discovered enormous joy in art. Beginning as a hobby, art rapidly developed into an integral part of his being. His love of colour released his imagination and emphasised the vibrancy of his life. His enthusiasm danced from the canvas captivating the heart and the soul. One memorable art exhibition Tommy held at the Watergate Theatre saw people from diverse walks of life turn up to support him. The launch was a happy joyful occasion and at its conclusion every item of art was sold. I was stunned. I never saw this happen before or since. All, it would appear, wanted a piece of Tommy.
The joy of living
Throughout his life Tommy oozed happiness and benevolently bestowed it on others wherever he went. The search for that happiness has been around for centuries. To this very day, books, videos and podcasts claim to have the magic formula that allows humans to find this much sought after gift. I’m not going to assume to know why Tommy was happy, or why he was given all those talents that made him stand apart. I would hazard a guess however that the encouragement he received from his family and from his village of Gowran played a huge role.
His life and personality could have been exactly what Kerry writer and philosopher John Moriarty was speaking of when he was asked the key to happiness.
Growing
A native of Moyvane, Moriarty explained: “When people ask me are you happy, I’d say that isn’t quite the question. The real question is am I still growing? Have I become a finished creation? Am I dead or am I still growing? Is my life still an adventure, an adventure full of trouble, full of joy, full of pain, full of cataclysm. Am I still living dangerously? So am I still growing is the real question.”
The final curtain
In the company of his family and those he loved, Tommy left this world the same way as he lived his life, with composure, serenity and dignity. There are many people who will remember Tommy Harding fondly. He was responsible for putting a smile on the faces of thousands of people while going about his daily life. In essence, he was a bestower of happiness. The beauty being that he may not have even realised this. On reflection, it’s not a bad legacy.
Rest easy, Tommy and thank you for your friendship and the cherished memories.
Following the news of the death of Tommy Harding, The Kilkenny Observer contacted Micheál Martin, who sent this response.
Message from Micheál Martin, TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence:
“I was so sorry to hear that Tommy Harding had passed. Tommy was a gentleman who loved life and loved his family and friends. He was known far and wide and never let his disability hold him back – he championed many disability causes and issues for his colleagues. He was also very involved and highly respected in Gowran and the wider community.
He was a big supporter of Fianna Fáil and was so active that he was on the Officer Board of the Gowran/Dungarvan Cumann. He attended many Ard Fheiseanna and Party functions in Kilkenny and all over the country. I used to love meeting and having chats with him. May Tommy rest in peace.”
Micheál
Tommy
You wore happiness like a second skin
Pleasant, mannerly and a gentleman from head to toe.
A peoples person to the core
And being in your company
Meant that happiness was shared
You were a dapper dresser
And always with the best named tailors
Stitched on the linings of your coat.
Shirt, suit and overcoat complementing the wearer.
Art played a major role
Each piece finished with meticulous precision
It was as if your personality shouted from the
Bright colours presented on the vellum paper.
Politics, family, art and theatre filled your life
You held your own in all conversations
And your knowledge on these topics
Showed your eagerness just to know.
Moriarty said that life was an adventure
Full of trouble, full of joy full of pain full of cataclysm
That was you Mr H
Always going, always looking,
Always learning, always wondering.
(‘I dTreo an tSolais’)
