Dowd, Vivian
May 31, 2004
The late Vivian Dowd
It is hard to describe the sense of loss that enveloped the community of Mullahoran at news of the untimely death of Dr Vivian Dowd last Friday.
One of the county's most respected citizens,Vivian encapsulated a lifetime of achievement in the sporting world. It was these achievements during this 37 short years that made him a source of immense pride to his family, friends, colleagues and the community at large. In the days following his sudden death it was clear that the entire community had lost someone very special who was an inspiration to those who knew him.
In recounting the life of Vivian Dowd it is the sheer volume of his achievements that is most remarkable. After completing his Leaving Certificate in St Pat's College in Cavan, Vivian went on to study Quantity Surveying at Trinity College Dublin from where he graduated with a first class honours degree. After his graduation he joined project managers Gardiner & Theobald Ltd in the UK and while working there he became a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He completed a Masters Degree in Nottingham University in Project Management and the following year he achieved a doctorate in Philosophy specialising in Construction Economics.
He then returned to Ireland where he became founding Director of Gardiner & Theobald (Ireland) Ltd. He remained with the company until his untimely death, exactly five years to the day that he founded the company in Ireland.
From his earliest days at Mullahoran NS, Vivian was a highly talented sports enthusiast who used his skills to great effect in a variety of different sports. His involvement in Community Games saw him compete on a number of different Erne Valley teams including basketball, handball, draughts and a U-15 chess team that qualified for the National Finals in 1982.
In the same year, Vivian was a member of the All Ireland Junior P.T.A.A. winning quiz team. He was also a regular on the local Scor teams especially Novelty Act and Question Time sections where his teams won numerous awards.
However it was as a GAA player that Vivian came to wider prominence. He was an integral part of local teams at all levels from school boy up to senior at both club and county level. He was renowned for his speed and accuracy on the pitch and his skills combined with his sportsmanlike qualities sealed his reputation as a true sports star.
He collected medals at all levels from U-12 upwards and having won a Fr Manning medal with the County U-16 team he became a regular on the county team from 1984 commanding the mid field position. He won three Hastings Cup medals and was a member of U-21 Cavan team who were defeated by Offaly in the All Ireland Final in 1988. He went on to become a key player with the Senior County team and even though he was living in England at the time he regularly travelled to his home county to play at both club and county level.
A dedicated family man he married his wife Cathy ten years ago and they lived with their three children Kirsten, Nathan and Cameron in her home county of Kildare.
At the removal of his remains from his home on Saturday, a guard of honour of GAA of players & officials of all ages from this club, county lined most of the journey to the local church. The funeral mass was concelebrated by his school friend Fr Kevin Fay, Fr Jim Brady and Mullahoran parish priest Canon Owen Devaney among others.
The large number of people who turned up to pay their respects to his heartbroken family is testament to the esteem in which Vivian was held.
He will be remembered for his quiet and unassuming manner, his brilliant mind, his remarkable achievements and his dedication to his family, who came first and foremost in his life.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Cathy, children Kirsten, Nathan and Cameron, parents Anne and John, sister Gemma, brother Sean and their families, his extended family, colleagues and a large circle of friends.
Courtesy of the Longford Leader
May 2004
The untimely death of Vivian Dowd on Friday 21st May, 2004 sent shock waves throughout the entire community where he was hailed as one of our local heroes.
Vivian took ill suddenly on Wednesday morning last at his residence, Ovidstown, Donadea, Naas and passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family on Friday at Beaumont Hospital.
Aged 37 years, in his short life Vivian had achieved so much more than the average person could aspire to. A brilliant academic he graduated in Sept. 91 with a 1st class Hons. Degree in Quantity Surveying from T.C.D. He then joined the firm of Gardiner & Theobald Ltd in England where he became a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. He later studied at Nottingham University from where he obtained a Masters Degree in Project Management which he later followed with a P.H.D. in Construction Economics. Dr. Vivian then returned to Ireland where he became Founding Director of Gardiner & Theobald (Ireland) Ltd., a thriving business where he remained until the time of his death. In his career Vivian was held in the highest esteem by all this colleagues to whom he was an inspirational and valuable support.
Locally, from his early school days Vivian was an all-round sports enthusiast taking part in all the local competitions mostly as a team player. In community games he was involved in numerous Erne Valley teams e.g. Basketball, handball and a famous Chess U-15 team which qualified for the National finals in 1982.
Sadly, another member of that team Brian Gill, Ballymachugh, also died an untimely death just a year ago. The other members of the team were James Danagher, Martin Cullen, Joe Mulligan and Paul Cullen.
Also in 1982 Vivian was a member of the All-Ireland Junior P.T.A.A. winning Quiz team along with Fionnula Brady, Donie Danagher, Seamus and Michael Reilly which brought great pride to the parish.
Vivian also a regular on the local Scor teams especially Novelty Act and Question Time sections where his teams won numerous awards.
As a G.A.A. player Vivian was a vital cog in teams of all ages from schoolboy up to senior at both club and County level. As Vivian grew up his physical height was a real bonus at centre-field and when necessary his speed and accuracy could be depended on in the forward line. He won Roinn A U-12 and U-14 medals. In 1982 he was a member of the Mullahoran team which represented the County in Gormanstown in Og Sport Gael 7-aside who were beaten in the final by Tipperary.
Having won a Fr. Manning medal with the Co. U-16 team he was a regular on the County team from 1984, commanding the mid-field position. He won three Hastings Cup medals and in 1988 with some luck might have won an All-Ireland U-21 medal. Starting in March that year, Cavan overcame Antrim in the Ulster final, then Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final at the stage was set for the All-Ireland against Offaly in Longford on Friday evening 26th June. Playing at full forward Vivian made the most of what chances came his way but on the day Offaly were the stronger side and won by two points. He also won a Minor League medal in 1984 and a Senior League (Div 2) medal in 1987.
During his college days he was a valuable member of the St. Pat's teams where he won a Dalton Cup runners-up medal.
With the Senior County team he partnered Joe Dillon at midfield and later Stephen King in all their championship games.
During this time Vivian was resident in England making the long trips home to play for the club and county which demonstrates his dedication to the game and to his team mates.
Vivian whom we knew well and loved was a real gentleman, quiet and unassuming and loyal to a fault. First and last a family man he epitomised all that is good in everyday life. 10 years ago he married Cathy who was his soul mate and settled in Kildare where they in turn became part of the local community along with their children Kirsten, Nathan and Cameron. He was a regular visitor to his parents John and Anne in Killycasson to whom he was a loving and appreciative son, of whom they were justifiably proud. Along with his brother Sean and sister Gemma we extend our heart-felt sympathy to all of them in their great loss.
At the removal of remains from his home to the Church of Our Lady of the Nativity, Newtown, a guard of honour of G.A.A. players and officials of all ages from this club, County and much further afield stretched for most of the journey. Also included were work colleagues, many from overseas. The overflowing congregation which attended the removal of remains and the funeral bore testimony to the esteem in which Vivian and his family were held.
The funeral Mass was concelebrated. The chief celebrant was Fr. Kevin Fay, school-friend and club mate assisted by Fr. Jim Brady and Canon Owen Devaney among others and burial took place to adjoining cemetery.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
Courtesy of the Mullahoran club, May 2004
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