Cavan mourns its marathon man

One of the most remarkable characters ever to walk the streets of Cavan town has passed away to his eternal reward at the age of 66. Packie Doonan from 10 Lakeview, Cavan, touched the lives of rich and poor with his gentle take on life. He was a mine of information on Gaelic games, horse racing and athletics and was to run his 50th marathon in Dublin at the end of this month. Friends, neighbours, and acquaintances from all walks of life attended his removal on Saturday to the Cathedral of St. Patrick and Felim. Hundreds turned out for requiem Mass on Monday morning and members of the Cavan Gaels formed a guard of honour as his remains were removed from the church for burial in Cullies Cemetery. Music During the funeral mass Martin Donohoe and friends played various tunes that Packie enjoyed at the Wednesday night session in the Farnham Arms Hotel, including Danny Boy. Fr Andrew Tully said Packie had great internal greatness and also really enjoyed people. He captured the magic, the wit and the uniqueness of the legendary Packie Doonan. Many a time he broke the silence on a long journey or during a casual street encounter with the question: 'What did the man say when the heel fell off his Wellington boot?' After a pause, Packie's eyes would light up as he delivered the punchline: 'You picked a fine time to leave me, loose heel.' Fr. Tully added that Packie's life was full of adventures and discoveries. Even though he travelled the world, mostly alone, he was never really on his own; Packie would always find someone to converse with. He moved easily from yesterday's achievements to the goals of tomorrow. If Packie had a fact or anecdote to relate, he found a listening ear. He cherished friendship and Christianity. He loved the Wednesday sessions in the Farnham Arms and made many friends there. Martin Donohoe and the musicians took a special interest in Packie's travels and promoted his marathon running. Packie loved regaling people with stories about his late, great uncle, Willie Doonan, and his part in the famous 1947 All-Ireland final at the Polo Grounds in New York, between Cavan and Kerry. He went to Kerry some years ago to meet Joe Keoghane. He played football with Cavan Gaels and Killygarry and was also aligned with other clubs over the years. Cavan's marathon man had just completed his 49th marathon and would have been embarking on his 21st Dublin City Marathon this month. He started marathon running at races all over Cavan and first hit the Dublin marathon scene in 1998. He then completed every one up to 1996 but missed the 1997 marathon because he was in New York for the Polo Grounds 1947 anniversary celebrations, but he ran the New York City marathon while he was there. He got back on track for the Dublin marathon in 1998 and has been pounding the city pavements since. When he completed his 20th Dublin City marathon last October, he was the first ever Cavan man to achieve that distinction. Passion After Dublin he ran the Lough Ness marathon in Scotland, laughing that he hoped to see the monster before the finish. His 46th marathon was Lisbon; he also did Paris and ran marathons on every continent. He had fond memories of Japan and Melbourne, Mexico, Portugal, and Johannesburg. There were so many sides to this man, whose passion was sport. He loved to share his knowledge with young and old and told stories with a twinkle in his eyes. Another love of Packie's was traditional music. "Packie was an amazing man. It's the passing of a character," said Martin Donohoe. "I think Packie is one of these people, who even though you're friends with him, you don't even touch the surface of what's underneath. He was a deep man. Every Wednesday night he was with us at the session in the Farnham Arms," said Martin. It was Martin who gave him a lift home each week and raised the alert when he noted Packie's absence last Wednesday evening. "The world we live in doesn't allow for individualism too much. Packie had his own ways but nothing held him back. It's an amazing thing in this day and age when we're talking about being positive. He was a man with no fear," added Martin. In a fitting tribute, 18 young musicians from Cavan Town Comhaltas Branch played at Packie's removal and Packie's friends from the Wednesday session played Danny Boy, the theme tune from Glenroe (which he loved) and dance tunes in the church at his funeral. "I'd swear I could hear his foot tapping... He was looking forward to the All-Ireland Fleadh and I guarantee we'll have a night to remember him there," said Martin in a final tribute to his friend. Packie was also a member of Annalee AC and Team P. Elliott and he a founding member of the Cavan Town Celtic Football Supporters Club. Noel Elliott senior, commenting on Packie's death, stated: "I knew the Doonan family all my life. Packie was a decent man and a true Cavan man; the town should be proud of him." He had amazing capacity to retain facts about various sports over 50 years and he enjoyed recalling funny moments in sport. He hoarded thousands of sports pull-outs from daily and Sunday papers and could recall details from them years later. The legendary sports memory man Jimmy Magee loved encountering Packie, and enjoyed answering his teasers. He also loved cycling, and had a unique ability to repair different items such as umbrellas. Packie also loved going off on the bus to have a day out with the people in the Moore Street Market and always managed to pick up a bargain - he loved collecting coins too. Shamrock He would come to The Anglo-Celt office prior to St. Patrick's day with a large bowl of shamrock for everybody on the staff. He knew all the best spring wells in Cavan and loved the fresh clear water. After many an Ulster final in Clones he would make his way up to the commentary box to regale Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh with witty stories and facts. RTÉ commentator Brian Carthy also enjoyed Packie's unique character and kindness and made a special effort to attend his removal on Saturday evening. Packie was predeceased by his brother John and is survived by his brother Hughie, his mother Annie and his relatives in England. He was laid to rest in Cullies Cemetery on Monday morning after requiem mass in the Cathedral of Ss. Patrick and Felim. He was a man who spent much of his life travelling and running all over the world. God's speed, Packie, on your final journey. - Sean McMahon