The Late Tony Carey On Easter Sunday, 2008 the Parish of Adrigole and surrounding areas were deeply saddened by the news of Tony Carey's death. Tony passed away peacefully at his home "Thady's Bar", Adrigole, Beara in the presence of his family who had cared for him lovingly during his short illness - an illness, which Tony had borne with great fortitude, dignity and hope. He was born, raised and spent all his life in his beloved Adrigole where he gave a lifetime of service to the parish and wider Beara Peninsula. Together with his wife Rose and family they ran Thady's Bar, and it was there that many great days and nights of ceili, caint, agus craic were enjoyed. A man whose advice was sought and respected, he was an inspirational community worker and a pillar of society. He was the cornerstone of the Adrigole GAA Club and worked tirelessly and unselfishly to improve the clubs facilities. He played at all grades with Adrigole from under age to senior and was a member of many victorious teams for both club and division. He captained the 1966 Adrigole under 14 team that won the Beara Divisional Championship. Greatest Having won an intermediate county league medal in 1977, his greatest honour as an Adrigole player was the winning of the intermediate County Football Championship in 1979. Throughout his life, he was involved as coach and selector at all grades for Adrigole as well as making a valuable contribution as Beara selector. Through the years he held many positions on the executive committee of Adrigole GAA, and at the time of his death, he was not only a serving vice-president and trustee of the club, but he was also a vice-president of the Beara Divisional Board. At the age of just 20, he was elected treasurer and served as same from 1973 to 1977. He was then elected to the role of chairman from 1978 until 1982. He continued to serve as a committee member and, in 1996, he was elected vice-chairman and served until 2002. He was elected chairman of the Beara GAA Board in 1985, having previously served as vice-chairman. Up to the time of his illness he was a serving Adrigole delegate to the board and he had been for almost 30 years. He rarely missed a meeting and always made a valued contribution. On being elected an officer of our club one of his main aims was the provision of proper playing facilities. He played a leading role in the purchase and development of the grounds especially during his chairmanship of the Adrigole Fields Committee from 1978 to the completion of the project in the early 1990's. When Tony took on a project, he would see it through to its end and that was one of his greatest strengths. Our present facilities are a testament to his dedication and tireless efforts. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy, which is and will be enjoyed long into the future. In 2001 he became chairman of The Aidan Con O'Sullivan Trust Fund, which was established to assist one of the club members following a training ground accident. This was an epic task, which he undertook with energy, precision and accountability. Tony was a great family man and had immense pride in his children. He treasured all their achievements, both academic and sporting. One of his proudest days was when he watched his sons Fergus and Darragh play with the Adrigole Junior 'A' football team that won the 2006 County Championship. Darragh captained the team to the club's first ever, junior county victory. Affection ~ The love, affection and high esteem in which he was held was evident from the huge crowds that attended the rosary at his home, his removal from Harrington's funeral home, Castletownbere, and his Funeral Mass at St. Fachtna's Church, Adrigole. On the night of his removal, Beara GAA formed a guard of honour at the funeral home. Tony would have been touched by Castletownbere GAA's guard of honour as he left on his final journey home. Adrigole GAA Club accompanied his remains from his beloved football pitch to the church and his coffin was shouldered by his teammates from 1979. Fr. Kieran O'Sullivan, PP, and several other priests, together with the parish choir, beautifully celebrated the Mass. At the end of Mass his son Fergus paid a moving tribute to his Dad. Tony, you were a gentle giant and an inspiration to all who knew you. It was a privilege to have known and loved you and to have shared many happy times as well as sad. You were a man of panache, dignity, and style, but most of all you were caring supportive and humble. We will always remember you with great fondness and you will always be our shining star. To those that are missing you most of all, we offer our deepest sympathy. To your wife Rose, daughter Mary, sons Fergus and Darragh, mother-in-law Maura, brothers Pat, Michael and Frank, sisters Elizabeth and Mary, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grandnephews, and godchildren, relatives and friends. May you have eternal rest and peace. --Marie Goggin Courtesy of The Southern Star 19 April 2008 Tweet

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