TS-CAGB-0324

HISTORICAL PEOPLE OF BALLINGARRY (Courtesy of www.ballingarry.net)

Donal Kealy : 17th March 1936 - 24th April 2006

Donal Kealy was born on St. Patrick's Day 1936 in Graguagh, Ballingarry. When Donal was only 6 years old his Mother died. The family then moved to Glebe Hse. Nora Morrissey helped them through those difficult years following their Mother's death. Later the Family moved to Coalbrook, after to Copper Cross and then to Glengall. Donal's Father Michael died in 1964, at that time Donal was getting very serious about a young lady from Kilmanahan, Clonmel. He met Shelia for the first time in the early 60's. They married on St. Patrick's Day 1966. Shelia had three Donal Kealy's to contend with that day, the Groom, Best Man and Groomsman. They went on to have four wonderful children - Michael, Richard, Don and Ann.

Donal commenced School in Ballydonnell, he then attended Ballingarry N.S. Next he went to St. Kieran's College as a boarder for 5 years and hated every minute of it!. Then it was onto University College Cork for 4 years where he obtained a Degree in Dairy Science. His first job was in Thurles Creamery, then he moved to Freshford and in the late 50's he was appointed Manager in Ballingarry Creamery. There he served the farming community as an adviser and friend until he retired in the late 80's.

Donal's first involvement in Parish activities was in 1954 when at 18 years of age he was appointed Secretary of Ballincurry Athletic Club. All members of the Kealy Family had a great interest in sport and Donal was responsible for Marquee Dances in Ballincurry, booking the best bands and making a lot of money for the Club. Hugh O'Brien describes him as the best Secretary any Club ever had. Billy Keogh who was Club trainer at that time
Said last night “Donal was a great man, I loved him”

Donal played hurling and football, on one occasion he got his collar bone broken in a 7 aside tournament in Ballintaggart. He was also a very skilful footballer. A knee injury brought his playing career to a premature ending.
He was Secretary of the Ballingarry Parish Sportsfield Committee chaired by the late Ned Mullally. He also managed time to travel to many parts of the Country to hurling matches, in the early years with his Father and his Boulea Cousin, Donal. Later his constant companions to matches were John Duggan and Andy Joe Gleeson. John said Donal was a great travelling companion, a person of high intellect very knowledgeable about the game. He could get into serious arguments during the course of a match but friendships would prevail at the final whistle.

In June 1973 the first meeting of the Coalbrook Group Water Scheme was held. Fr. Purcell was appointed Chairman and Donal was appointed Organiser. He was also Joint Treasurer with Richie Murray and took on the role of Secretary too. Three years and three months after the first meeting, approval was given by the Dept. of Local Government to develop the borehole and proceed with the Group Scheme. A substantial sum of money was collected from members. Surplus monies were divided between The Parish Hall and the GAA Club. Thirty two Committee Meetings were held during that time and 300 houses benefited from the Scheme.

In the mid 70's he was one of the prime movers in forming the Parents Council in the Presentation School. His Committee raised €300,000 for the School building. He also served on the Board of Management and up to the time of his untimely death he was the Independent Chairman for Interview Boards. The School Principal described him as “a wonderful servant of the Community”.

In 1985 Donal, Hugh O'Brien and Donal Dunne started a successful mushroom business. Then nine years ago Donal took out an Auctioneer's Licence. He has been described as a brilliant Auctioneer, he fought hard for the Seller and was honest with the buyer.

Golf has played a big part in Donal's life for many years, firstly as a keen and very good golfer and latterly as an administrator. When a member in Thurles, we had many great outings with Mick Kelly, Dan O'C onnor, Willie Kelly and Bill Martin.
Donal then joined Callan Golf Club and the fun, the competition and the friendship continued. His running of a very successful Golf Classic under the label of “The Friends of Ballingarry GAA” since 1997 during which time over € 100.000 has been raised has been amazing. We missed him so much at the helm this year. In spite of his serious illness he helped us in many ways, his organization abilities were unbelievable. When news of Donal's death reached us on Monday evening the first thought was to cancel the Classic this week-end. That evening we got a call from his family urging us to go ahead as that is what Donal would have wished. We will honour his memory in a dignified manner in Callan Golf Club on Saturday night.

Donal had a great love of painting and many of his paintings adorn the walls of his home. He featured on the Angelus at 6 filmed by RTE. Another of his hobbies was making beer and wine. We have to presume it was good because he never shared it !!!

Donal was a terrific Family man, a great Ballingarry man and a very loyal Tipperary man. He was very passionate about all three. I know he enjoyed Slievenamon sang beautifully by his classmate Sean Kelly at the end of mass. Later Jamsie Ivers will sing Donal's other favourite, Ballingarry.

Donal's greatest loss is to his beloved wife and best friend Sheila. His love and helpful advice will be missed by Michael & Caroline : Richie & Joey : Don & Fiona : Ann & Tom. His Grandchildren - Adam, Jack, Dylan, Josh and Ben adored by him and will miss him dearly. Kathleen and Eileen have lost a very dear brother. He will be mourned by his brother-in-laws - Ned, Eamonn & Sean, his nieces and nephews, cousins and many colleagues and friends. Some time ago he was advising his older Grandchildren on the dangers of drink and drugs, he told them it would be ok to have an occasional drink when they were over 18 years but never to touch drugs. Jack's reply was “sure where would I get drugs”?.

His children will remember him for sound advice, he didn't always agree with projects they intended to pursue but would back them 100% if they decided to go ahead..

Shelia and family have lost a kind and loving husband and father, all of us have lost a very genuine and dear friend.

“I can see the skylark soaring o'er the slopes of Fennelly's Hill
And hear Grawn river rippling down below,
I can look right down on Kickham's town
At the foot of Slievenamon
Ballingarry I have loved from long ago.

Donal may the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always be at your back

Ní bheidh a leithead ann arís

Slán agus beannacht Donal