O'Connell, David
November 28, 2009Lifelong devotee of Irish culture, language and sport
The passing of David O'Connell, Carrigmartin, Ballyneety, was received with great shock and sadness by all who knew him. Born in 1933 to Michael and Mary (nee Foley), David - who preferred to be called Daithi - was the second eldest of seven children. His early education was at Knockea national school and having worked for some time in England, he returned to Carrigmartin, where he worked on the family farm, where he enjoyed the freedom of living in a rural environment. He was a man of tremendous humility, quietly spoken and inoffensive, much loved and respected by his neighbours and many friends.
Daithi could best described as a "fear tuaithe" a countryman by heart and an Irishman who actively supported the Irish language, traditional Irish dance, music, song and recitation, and indeed all aspects of Irish life. His intense Catholic faith was a source of great consolation to him and he was a regular Mass goer. He liked nothing better than walking across the fields to Sunday Mass in Knockea Church, talking in his surroundings and knowing that he was close to nature. Foley's Fort was in his path to Mass and his left was Knockea Hill, once the home of three saints, Patrick, Nessan and Mantan. Daithi always enjoyed the simple way of life. Machinery, technology or modern day equipment were not for him as he operated in the old style of farming.
He took part in many parish activities and had a keen interest in sport and especially in the fortunes of his local GAA club South Liberties. Croke Park was regular haunt of his and his last visit to the stadium was to see Kilkenny complete a four n a row in hurling. He had never any love of television and the radio was his most valued possession. Radio ns Gaeltachta was his favourite as he loved to hear the Irish language being spoken. A fluent Irish speaker, he was involved in Conradh na Gaeilge and he took part in many Irish sessions in An Cistin. Micheal O'Riain, the Scor supermo from Pallasgreen, was an admirer of Daithi as the Carrigmartin man gave so much of his time to the promotion of Scor. For many years the South Liberties Bord na nOg Scor teams in the novelty acts were under the supervision of Daithi. He scripted the acts and directed them and at the same time he took part in the recitation, novelty act and question time at senior level. He won numerous East and Limerick awards and in 1993 took part in the question time final at the Green Glens arena. Anything related to drama was second nature to him and he took to the stage with such as Basil Collisson and Eamonn O'Connor. Micheal O'Riain has vivid memories of the Torch Players and Daithi. Here he took the part of "the miser" a work by Moliere.
Daithi was willing to help in presentations outside his parish. With St. Kieran's school in Galvone, he took part with fourth class in a Christmas Carol and played the part of Scrooge. When Buion Padraig was sent up by Sean O'Moronaigh from Oola with headquarters at Halla Ide, Daithi took many roles as Gaeilge and he travelled all over the country with Sean.
It must be noted as well as Radio na Gaeltachta, he also listened to Lyric FM. Classical music was another passion of his and he was highly knowledgeable in the works of the great composers. He had an interest in magic and was a member of the Limerick branch of magicians. In this sphere he worked with Vincent Finucane.
Daithi was a seanchai and story teller. I will leave the final tribute to Paddy McAuliffe, the Kilmallock storyteller. Paddy had his own pub in Lubaghside and Daithi was a regular visitor. While he was a strict PTAA member, Daithi made this pub one of his favourite haunts as he came on the 5.20 bus from Limerick and made the journey with Paddy by car. Paddy made acquaintance at the Lough Gur story telling festival and it was not long before Daithi was in Kilmallock, telling his stories and in Paddy's words they were all original.
Daithi is survived by his brothers Willie, John and Pat and sisters, Sr. Margaret Mary and Sr. Teresa of the Presentation Convent.
His month's mind mass took place last Saturday.
Ar dheis De go Raibh a anam.
Daithi O'Connell; born October 14 1933, died September 28, 2009.
Courtesy of Leinster Leader
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