The parish of Fanad lost its most loyal son and one of its best-known figures with the death of Jimmy Begley, Shannagh at Letterkenny University Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Aged 87, Jimmy was a community activist for a generation, a leading figure in politics, the promotion of the Irish language and a renowned community worker his native peninsula.
But most of all he was a devoted father, husband and grandfather to the family circle.
The Tirconail Tribune reports that in earlier times he emigrated to England: returned home to work periodically for Donegal County Council and then to engage on the family farm.
He was a leading figure, campaigner, director and Chairman of Independent Fianna Fail and a noted native Irish speaker with a passionate interest in keeping it alive and vibrant.
He was a former member and Chairman of the Board of Management of the Milford Vocational School and led the campaign to have a new college constructed after many historic battles and meetings with many Ministers for Education.
He was a gifted speaker and one of the leading lights in the Blaney organisation and on the campaign trail ever since the General Election of 1973 when Independent Fianna Fail was founded.
His close colleague on the IFF Executive, John Dorrian said that while Jimmy ‘wore his politics on his sleeve’ that never stopped him from helping others and from encouraging them to become involved in politics regardless of party persuasions.
Jimmy Begley was a legend in community activity: he promoted the Fanad Festival which he directed for many years: the Fanad Band: the Youth Club: the Credit Union: Community Games.
He was involved also in Meithial Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG) and brought much success to bear on his beloved peninsula. A regular contributor to Radio na Gaeltachta he kept the old traditions alive in the native tongue and in the promotion of Irish speaking classes in the parish.
A man with a deep knowledge of family history and folklore he is truly one of the last of his generation who knew the history of his native parish in all its detail and family histories.
He was involved in the setting up of the Fanad Development Association: the construction and running of the Community Centre and the promotion of his native parish at every level of development across a long life span.
A highly popular member of the local community, Jimmy Begley’s contribution to his native parish and beyond is immeasurable and his passing is deeply regretted.
He is survived by his wife Mary Rose: family members, Sean, Con, Bridgena, Rosaleen, Fionnuala and Evelyn, his sons and daughters in law, Sean O’Kane, Gerard McFadden, Kathleen and Margaret: his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
The Requiem Mass will be in St. Mary’s Church Fanavolty on Saturday at 11.00am followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.
The remains will leave the Eternal Light Chapel in Letterkenny today (Thurs) at 2pm going to the family home for waking.
Tags: