The Late Micheal McElligott The passing of Micheal McElligott, P.C. of Tantore, Caherconlish brought to a close the life of one of East Limerick's most illustrious sons. In life, he was one of its finest gentlemen, a natural man, warm and compassionate. Before ever his hand in friendship would greet you, his particular style of walk and gait with cap in hand, held a welcome all of its own. In general term, three words would best describe the public persona of the late Micheal. He was a farmer, a folklorist and a historian Traditionalist, in its best sense, is a word that could also be added as well. He like the oldways of doing things. A firm believer in respecting the land and that upon it, he never believed in the forcing of nature. Nature's way was the best recipe for anything. He was a 'countryman' with a love of things Ireland and Irish. As a folklorist and historian, he had few equals in this district, his love of Irish culture and his knowledge of the countryside, its traditions and people, stretching from the Tipperary borders to Lough Gur and beyond were vast. He rubbed shoulders with most of the antiquarians and forklorists of the recent past and regularly assisted them and at times supplied them with material and artefacts. He also contributed items to An Teach and to the Lough Gur Historical Society and its annual Journal. He assisted many a person seeking their roots and regaled us from time to time with local happenings of the past. He made many a 'cuairdiocht' in the locality and these were visits of entertainment laced with infectious humour. Though he has left many of us with a record of the past, it was our loss that he never sat down and produced a book himself. 'Twas hard to find the time. He held an immense interest in politics. A life long member of Fianna Fail, he was a staunch nationalist with a deep social conscience. He was proud of a family tradition in supporting the path to Irish freedom since the days of Tone. The farmstead of Tantore during the Famine years and since supported and fed many a poor and misfortunate family passing through. 'Weren't they equal to us anyhow'. Twasn't their fault that they were hungry' he would say in recalling those sad times. He supported all things parochial and community and was an active member of a number of organisations within the district. He was a member of the local GAA clubs serving as a committee member for a number of years and was a Life President of the Gaelic football club. His late brother Shane served as East Bord GAA Chairman during the 60's. He participated in the Scor competitions in song, recitation and question time over a number of years. He was an excellent marksman with the shotgun and rifle and participated in many Clay shoot events throughout the country. He was also a very private man with an innate sense of natural justice. Live and let live would be his motto. He would support the bottom dog for he felt that no person deserved to be kicked when down. Saying that, he didn't suffer fools too well. One could wager a thousand to a penny that he helped many a person in private when things weren't going too well for that person. On at least one occasion, the open cheque book was produced and the person was told to 'fill' that in and when your lot has improved don't you know what to do'.There were quite a number of those occasion. A most intelligent man, he was a good scholar at school where he was tutored by Owen Bresnan, a noted Irish teacher of the time. If Michael didn't fall into the family business of farming, he could possibly have done anything he wanted, for to coin a phrase, 'he had it upstairs'. Towards the close of his days, especially in recent years, life did not deal Micheal or his late wife Kathleen a fair hand. Firstly, his beloved wife Kathleen was laid low with bad health form which she passed away and almost instantly, Micheal himself was inflicted by the same bad health. He spent his last few years in the excellent care of Carrigoran Nursing Home where he died peacefully before Christmas, aged 78. Tantore and ancient Ballybrood can be proud of its illustrious son. Courtesy of the Limerick Leader January 2003 Tweet

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