Philanthropist honoured for her generosity

It is acknowledged that Bailieborough Leisure Centre might not exist but for her generosity. Cavan General Hospital has also benefited, as have schools, churches (of different denominations) and many other causes at home and in the US, where Sheila Germain has set up several trusts. "My mother used to say there are no pockets in the shroud; you can't bring it with you," is her reply when asked why she gives so generously. Born in Cohaw, Mrs. Germain still has family in Bailieborough and has a home there, although she lives mainly in the US. She moved to America in 1959, settling in New York and meeting her beloved husband Lawrence Germain, to whom she was happily married until he passed away some years ago. Despite business success, she was determined not to forget her roots, making a point of coming to Ireland every year to see her family. Since 1959, there have been only two years that she hasn't been home and she often makes the trip more than once a year. Her words of affection for her homeplace are far from empty platitudes, and Mrs. Germain, who describes herself as "more-or-less" retired, has been exceptionally generous with the fruits of her real estate company. Formal acknowledgement Members of the Bailieborough community and others from further afield assembled in the Bailie Hotel recently to pay tribute to "a very special lady". It was a formal acknowledgement of her financial assistance to a range of groups and organisations over many decades. Mrs. Germain arrived that Sunday evening, unaware that she was the special guest and that she was to be the recipient on this occasion of a special presentation from the local community. In making the presentation Dr. Paddy Halligan, MC for the event, pointed out that Mrs. Germain's extraordinary philanthropy extends far beyond the Bailieborough area. He reflected on her spirit of generosity, how she willingly sets out to help those in need, and how her many friends and neighbours have always being welcomed to her home to join in evenings of stories and song. Representatives from Tierworker, Knockbride, Bailieborough Leisure Centre, Trinity College Dublin, many churches and schools and others availed of the opportunity to attend and express their gratitude to Mrs. Germain for her kindness and exceptional generosity. Presentations were also made to Mrs. Germain's sister, Eileen Lynch, and her brother, Gerry Kettle for adding their support. Mrs. Germain was shocked by the event in her honour but humbly she reflects the honour back to Bailieborough Leisure Centre committee. "That party in Bailieborough was in my honour, but that should've been for Dr. Paddy Halligan, Sean Kelleher, Ciaran McKenna, John Keegan and probably others I don't even know about. Without them, all the money in the world wouldn't have started that swimming pool. They put their hearts and souls into it." She told The Anglo-Celt that she gives quite simply because she likes to. She likes to bring home what she can, because she loves Bailieborough. "The people are very generous; if there is a crisis they're all there to help you," she says. The global economic downturn has hit her company but she continues to give what she can. "You do what you can but there's a limit. The way the economy is now, it's tough now," says Mrs. Germain. "There's a lot of people hurting out there, genuine people who are down on their luck... I wish I could give more, but the bottom has fallen out of the market and I've lost a lot. But look it, when you have your health, that's a good morning. I thank God for the good things." So has her generosity come back to her? "Ah I think so," says Mrs. Germain graciously. "God has been good to me. I've had a good run; you don't think of the bad things, you think of the good things."