Council meeting adjourns as mark of respect to late Cathaoirleach

Members of Cavan County Council passed a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Eddie Feeley at the November meeting of the local authority. The former Fianna Fáil councillor from Blacklion served the people of Cavan on the local authority, twice holding the position of Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Clifford Kelly proposed the vote of sympathy for the late councillor. He outlined the achievements of Mr Feeley. Addressing the chamber, Cllr Paddy O’Reilly (FG) said that the late councillor was a devoted West Cavan man who “believed more in the plantation of people than trees”.
Cllr Kelly said that he had a great track record at attending meetings and said that he believed that he never missed one.
Mullagh’s Shane P O’Reilly said that the Blacklion man was an “an amazing and generous man who cared for people”.
Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty said that, although they often had arguments, he knew that his political opponent worked very hard for his own area. He said that the late councillor was very proud of where he was from.
Cllr Madeleine Argue (FG) said that Mr Feeley was a good man who had friends in all political parties. On behalf of the executive of Cavan County Council, CEO Tommy Ryan said that he represented his area very well and would not let staff away with an answer “that was not well thought-out”.
Son of the late councillor, Cllr John Paul Feeley, thanked the members for their words. He said he would like to acknowledge all the council staff, both past an present, for their support since his father’s passing. Cllr Feeley said that at the funeral one person noted that the large turnout of mourners proved “that straight talks does not do any harm”.
He concluded by saying that the Feeley family wished to thank the members for their friendship.
The council adjourned the meeting for a short time as a mark of respect for the former Cathaoirleach.

Obituary by Sean McMahon

'Eddie set to work, to improve people’s lives’

“He waited long enough for Eddie and Denise to get home from Boston and then he was gone.” Those were the simple and poignant words of Fr Charlie O’Gorman, that beautifully and concisely concluded his remarks at the funeral of the late Eddie Feeley in St Patrick’s Church, Killinagh, Blacklion on October 31 last.

He served as a Fianna Fáil county councillor, serving the people of west Cavan, for more than two decades.
When Eddie slipped away quietly, surrounded by all his sons, wife Patsy and many family members, his prayer book and rosary beads were by his side, a reflection of lifelong incredible faith.
Eddie Feeley (83) from Stranamorth, Blacklion was the quintessential man of the people of West Cavan, and his passing leaves a wonderful lifetime legacy of achievement for the entire community.
The graveside oration was delivered by Deputy Brendan Smith (FF), who extolled Eddie’s virtues as a person and a public representative. “To bring new facilities and investment to areas like West Cavan, you have to be tenacious and diligent and continually hard working. Eddie Feeley had those qualities in abundance.”
Eddie had time for everyone and travelled far and wide with a word of hope and had a colourful turn of phrase.
Speaking at his removal, Fr Charlie O’Gorman revealed “three Wednesdays ago, Eddie came out of the dark into the Chapel for the 7am mass - already sick, but hoping – he was always here on Wednesday morning, combining prayer with personal sacrifice, dressed for action, always dapper and spruced up”.
The priest added: “Despite his sickness, his sense of humour was a bright flame and he continued to made jokes about sharing the same sartorial sense and elegant dressing as a former Fianna Fáil Taoiseach.”
Mourners broke into laughter when Fr O’Gorman went on to point out that Eddie did not go to Paris for his shirts.
“Eddie Feeley remembered a different country – a rural society impoverished by emigration and poor infrastructure. But for all those limitations, the people had an extended view of life here bridging over to an afterlife of some sort. If that sounds like escapism and religion is the opium of the people – so be it,” said Fr O’Gorman.
“But Eddie set to work, to improve people’s lives – this small farmer with no letters after his name, no brass plaque on his wall, clay under his finger nails, discovered in himself, a courage and a vision, to roll up his sleeves and get involved in Housing, Health Care, Roads and Community Life and public speaking. I know behind that often thankless work, there was the energy, faith, hope and love. It would all be worth it in the long view. Eddie was working with God’s raw material – people and their problems,” he eulogised.
In addition to farming, he worked as a general operative and ganger with Cavan County Council and was also first elected to the local authority in 1985, having previously served on the County Committee of Agriculture. During his tenure on the council, he served on the North Eastern Health Board and also on the General Council of County Councils.
He had the privilege of being the first person from inside the Gap to serve as Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council for two periods – between 1996-1997 and again in 2005-2006.

Football on honeymoon
Eddie had a great love of Gaelic Games and only the indefatigable man of the 'colourful phrase and quit wit’ could end up at an Ulster Senior football final in 1962, as part of his honeymoon with his new wife and lifelong partner, Patsy, when Cavan defeated Down 3-6 to 0-5.
One of the big highlights for Eddie was the July evening in 1997, when as Chairman of Cavan County Council, he welcomed home the Cavan Team with The Anglo-Celt Cup, after they had won the Ulster Title.
He was one of the founder members of Shannon Gaels GAA, was their Honorary President and served as Cathaoirleach from 1981 to 1992 and was always very proud of the club and a committee member until recently.
The family were particularly grateful to Fr O’Gorman and Fr Sean Mawn for their help in the final days and their support to Eddie.
The 'Gallant John Joe’ was played on the accordion at the funeral mass and we were reminded that this song was his 'party piece’.
Guards of honour at his removal and funeral were provided by Shannon Gaels, public representatives – both local and national, former work colleagues from Cavan County Council and Belcoo O’Raghallaigh’s.
Eddie took great pride in the achievements of all his family and grandchildren.
The tricolour was placed on his coffin as it was carried from the church to acknowledge his patriotism, his quiet distinguished service and his commitment to others.
The huge crowds at his removal to St Patrick’s Church, Killinagh, Blacklion and funeral from all walks of life, reflected the esteem in which he was held by everyone who encountered his unquenchable spirit along life’s way. He was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Fr O’Gorman officiated at the removal service together with Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Mons Michael Cooke and Frs Johnny Cusack, Donal Kilduff, Maurice McMorrow and John Quinn.
Fr O’Gorman officiated at the concelebrated requiem mass and was assisted by Frs Sean Mawn, Maurice McMorrow, Seamus Quinn and Gerry Comiskey.
He is survived by his wife Patsy; his sons Eddie (Boston), Jimmy, Bernard (Mullaghdun), Philip, Myles, Patrick and John Paul, member of Cavan County Council and his sister Nora Carty (London). He was predeceased by his brothers Pappy, Jimmy, Myles and sister, Annie.