Flanagan, Seamus
February 27, 2010Popular farmer from Monagea who loved sport and music
Seamus Flanagan grew up on the family farm in Gorteenreynard, Monagea and he continued to farm until his untimely death on December 21, 2009. His father Jackie and mother Jill had two other children Sean and Mary. Seamus was never taken or fooled by the materialism of the world in which we live. He always had time to stop and talk to anybody he met. For many years the creamery yard was a place where Seamus spent many hours with his neighbours and friends. He was also a frequent visitor to his neighbours' houses, particularly the Brouders and Hashs.
Apart from his family and farm Seamus also had a great love of sport, music and drama. In sport he was first and foremost a Monagea man but also a great Limerick supporter, a Munster man and an Irishman. On the playing pitch he had the unique distinction of having worn the green and gold of Monagea in five decades from the late sixties to the early two thousands. Indeed he played Junior B hurling at the age of forty-eight. During his playing days Seamus had many highlights some of which were regularly recalled over a few pints. Some of his most notable successes include a West Junior A hurling championship in 1973, a West and County Junior B hurling championship in 1987 and a county Junior A hurling championship in 1997. Off the field Seamus held most of the officer positions in Monagea GAA club and also served as a selector. He was a good man to read a game and always looked on the positives even when things were going seriously wrong.
During the sixties, seventies and eighties Monagea Macra na Feirme Club was very active. Seamus was a very active part of that too. The drama and light entertainment competitions in particular had a great appeal to him. He was a regular in all the plays preformed by Monagea Macra. He was a member of the cast of the Monagea light entertainment show that were All-Ireland runners up in 1983 and All-Ireland champions in 1984. He was always a willing participant in the music sessions that ran into the "early hours" after the shows. Many of the stories recalled from that time have Seamus as their focal point. His great love of Irish music took him to all corners of Ireland. He seldom missed a Fleadh Cheoil at county, Munster or All-Ireland level. He loved to support the local performers at these events.
Over the years Seamus made many friends particularly through sport and music. He was a very interesting person to talk to. It is no great surprise that he was widely known throughout the county and further afield. In recent years he was lucky to strike up a lasting relationship with his fiancée Anne Crowley. All his friends were genuinely delighted that Seamus and Anne got on so well and indeed planned to marry this year. Unfortunately his health deteriorated in recent times. When the cast of the 1983 and 1984 Macra shows reformed to do some charity shows, before Christmas, Seamus was too unwell to join them. It was fitting that their last show, preformed in Knockaderry on February 7, was dedicated to Seamus.
In his last few weeks as it became obvious that he was seriously ill he got great support from Anne who was constantly by his side both at home and in the hospital. Seamus passed to eternal reward on December 21, 2009. He was laid to rest in his beloved Monagea on Christmas Eve. His passing has robbed Monagea of one of its true characters and gentlemen. However, there is no doubt that his memory will live for a long, long time. The name of Seamus Flanagan will surely be mentioned when sport or music are being discussed locally. He certainly has earned his place in the folklore of the parish.
To his fiancée Anne, Brother Sean, Sister Mary and extended family we extend our sympathy.
Seamus Flanagan; born 1955, died December 21, 2009
Courtesy of Limerick Leader
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