A man who truly gave back to the community The late Michael Hussey The death occurred on Friday, January 11, 2008 of Causeway native Michael (Mick) Hussey, Rose Ville, Market Street, Skibbereen. Aged 73, Mick was a retired member of An Garda Siochana. He had been in declining health since being taken ill in July 2005. A native of Farran, Causeway, Co Kerry, Mick had come to Skibbereen in January 1961. In his 47 years in the town, he became a very well-known and respected figure in cultural, sporting, business and social spheres. He was a man of splendid physique and was a gentleman to his fingertips. He had a very genial disposition, and he endeared himself to everyone he came into contact with, whether in a professional or personal capacity. In Skibbereen, he became a member of the Superintendent's staff. He transferred to the Superintendent's office in Bandon in 1964, and later transferred to the Clonakilty office and it was from there he retired from the Force in February 1984. Having attended the Garda Training College, then based at the Garda Depot, Phoenix Park, Dublin, Mick's first appointment was to Granard, Co Longford in April 1954. He was later stationed in Wexford town for a number of years. It was while in Wexford that Mick came to prominence on the GAA fields. He was a terrific athlete, and a particularly fine hurler and footballer. While in Wexford, he was a member of the well-known Faythe Harriers GAA club, and played on both its hurling and football teams, winning county senior football championship medals in 1959 and 1960, and a senior hurling medal in 1960. He was on the Wexford team that won the Leinster junior hurling championship in 1959, and in 1960 he was on the panel of players in training for the Wexford team that won the All-Ireland senior hurling championship, beating Tipperary in the final. When he came to Skibbereen in 1961, Mick quickly became a prominent member of the O'Donovan Rossa club, gravitating more to football rather than hurling, though he was equally adept at both codes. He was a member of the Skibbereen team that won the SW Junior A football title in 1963. He was also a member of the Carbery senior football team for a few years, and played on the 1964 team which was beaten by UCC in the county final. He maintained his involvement with the football team for many years and was a selector in 1968. Mick was a fine musician, had a beautiful singing voice, and had a great love of Irish music in particular. In 1969, he was one of the founder members of the Skibbereen b ranch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and over many years was one of its most prominent figures, nurturing and promoting Irish music, song, dance and culture. He served the branch in various capacities and also served a term as treasurer of the Cork County Board of Comhaltas. At their AGM in October 2002, Mick was elected president of the Skibbereen branch of Comhaltas, in recognition of him being a founder member and of his many years of loyal service to the branch. For a number of years, De La Salle PPU annual pantomime was another event to which Mick lent his time and talents. He made many appearances on the Town Hall stage and with the quality and range of his voice he was a great favourite , playing the leading male role on numerous occasions. In the early 1960s he also played the lead roles in various productions by the Skibeereen Choral Society. He was also, of course, a well known figure in the licenced trade in Skibeereen, following his marriage to Mary Sheehy in September 1964. Together they ran Sheehy-Hussey's Bar at the Square for many years, a business that has been in the Sheehy family for a few generations. Mick was very involved in the West Cork Vintners Association and held various officerships over the years. Mick and Mary retired from the business in 1992 when they sold the premises. The Lions Club in Skibeereen was another organisation which benefited greatly from Mick's involvement. He served a term as president in 1993 and was very involved in the campaign to raise funds for a programme of improvements to Skibeereen Community Hospital (then St. Anne's) which culminated in the opening of the Skibbereen Day Care centre in May 1998. It was a huge undertaking by the Lions Club which raised in excess of 135,000 to build the centre, and did so without any contribution from the Department of Health or any State agency. Mick's death came after a protracted period of incapacitation through illness, the burden of which he bore with great fortitude and stoicism, a time during which he received great support and care from his family and from the staff at Skibbereen Community Hospital. There was a very large and representative attendance at the removal and at Requiem Mass. At the removal, members of An Garda Siochana and Mick's former colleagues formed a guard of honour. At the Requiem Mass on Sunday, January 13, members of the Skibbereen branch of Comhaltas took a full part in the ceremony and played a most beautiful and moving musical tribute to their colleague. One of the most poignant aspects of this was that over 40 members of the junior Comhaltas branch turned out to be part of this tribute of respect to a man they regarded as their friend. Such a musical testimonial, particularly by a large group of fine young local musicians, was the most fitting tribute that could be paid to the memory of Mick Hussey. The Cathedral Choir also performed during the Requiem Mass. After Requiem Mass, a large guard of honour was formed by members of the Skibeereen branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, O'Donovan Rossa GAA Club and Skibbereen Lions Club. At the new cemetery, a very fine oration was delivered by Ger O'Donovan, vice-chairman, Skibeereen branch of Comhaltas. Following the burial, a number of slow airs were played by David Leen, Mick's grand-nephew from Causeway. Mick Hussey is survived by his wife Mary, son Michael and daughter Majella, son-in-law Don, grandchildren Kevin and Caoimhe, brother Peter, sister Mary, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives and wide circle of good friends. -courtesy of The Kerryman, 30th January 2008 Tweet

Most Read Stories