Harold, Paul
August 23, 2012It was with a sense of deep sadness that the people of the Finn Valley area learned of the recent untimely death of Paul Harold, formerly of Ballinacor, Crossroads, Killygordon, which took place suddenly at his home, 27 St. John's Park, Clondalkin, Dublin.
A son of the late George and Mary Harold, Paul, aged 64, was widely known, not alone in his native locality, but also throughout the city of his adoption where he went to reside over forty years ago. A member of the well known Harold family, Paul, as a young man, worked in the former Mulrine's Drapery shop in Ballybofey's main street where he was very popular with staff and customers alike. However, like many young men of his era, Paul was eager to broaden his horizons and following an introduction to a commercial traveller of the time by his family friend, Madeline Cannon from Donegal Road, Ballybofey, Paul made his way to Dublin and secured employment with the well known firm of Cleary's in O'Connell St. However after short period working there he decided to change course of his life and secures employment as a driver with Dublin Bus, a position which he was to hold for the rest of his life until he moved into office work with the company a few years ago. A man of quite disposition, Paul Harold can truly be described as one of nature's true gentlemen.
He was possessed of a very friendly and out going personality ad liked nothing better than to come home to his native village and have a quite drink in the company of his friends. He was a regular back in the Finn Valley, particularly anytime his beloved Donegal team were playing in the county and he seldom missed a game involving the County team, be it at home or in any far- flung area of the country. He wore his heart on his sleeve where the Donegal team were concerned and kept the "Donegal flag" flying in Dublin during periods when the team were not as successful as they are nowadays.
Despite being domiciled in Dublin for most of his life, Paul never forgot his rural roots and was an avid supporter of his native Red Hugh's GAA Club. Indeed, when the club set out to raise funds for their various pitches, Paul was never found wanting and sold hundreds of tickets in Dublin during his lifetime to help club funds. His involvement with the Round Towers GAA Club in the city meant he had a captive audience for selling tickets and he was fortunate to have brought back a substantial amount of prize-money to the capital over the years. Because of his GAA involvement, Paul seemed to have the gift of being able to secure tickets for many big matches in Croke Park, whether or not Donegal were involved, and many people from the Valley were given a helping hand by him when they were unable to secure tickets from other outlets. What a pity he will not be in Croke Park to witness the exploits of the Donegal team this year. However, no doubt, he will be looking on from above and willing the lads on to All-Ireland glory. However, first and foremost, Paul was a great family man.
Utterly devoted to his Dublin born wife, Delores; his son, Greg and daughters, Deborah and Emma, he worked tirelessly during his lifetime to ensure the various family members got on well in their respective lives. A model neighbour, he was always ready to help out anyone in need and there are many people in the Clondalkin area who will testify to this fact. His help was always of an unassuming and in many cases of an anonymous nature, and he never sought any of the limelight for many charitable works he carried out during his lifetime. As a testament to his popularity and the esteem in which he held, Paul's funeral Mass which took place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin was one of the largest seen there in years. During the ceremony, Rev. Fr Michael Ruddy, S.C.C. spoke in glowing terms of a life lived to the
full and referred to his involvement with the Round Towers GAA club and his involvement with the GAA in general, something which made up a large part of his all-too-short life. Paul's ashes were brought home to St. Patrick's Church, Crossroads, for burial in the family grave beside his late mother and father. Once again the Church was packed to capacity as his friend from school days, Fr Seamus Kelly from Ballyarl, conducted the ceremony, recalling happy days at Dromore National School and of growing up in the locality. Paul's great friend and fellow Gael, Ben Browne from Ben's Cross in the village, Paul's favourite haunt in his youth and on his visits home, gave a fitting and eloquent account of his life, from a GAA and other viewpoints and talked of the great loss he would be to everyone who was fortunate to know him, particularly his friends and family. Following the interment of his ashes in the family grave, an oration of one of his favourite songs, "The Homes of Donegal" was rendered by Ben Browne and Noel Slevin while Rita Gallagher was the soloist in the Church.
Paul is survived by his wife Delores; son Greg, daughters Deborah and Emma, by his grandchildren; by brothers, Paddy George, Jim, Michael, Willie and Martins, and by his sisters Sissie, Frances and Rosie; He will be particularly missed by Rosie who lives near the village and where he spent the majority of his holidays down through the years; by a large number of nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters in law and other relatives, He was also predeceased by a brother, Charlie. As the Donegal senior GAA team step out on the hallowed sod of Croke Park in their efforts to bring "Sam" back to the hills, the genial presence of one of their most ardent supporters will be sadly missed on this occasion. However, they will have one true and genuine supporter rooting for them from on high. May his Gentle soul rest in peace. He was a one-off. N.S.
(Text courtesy of Donegal Democrat 23/08/12) Tweet
