The Late Joe Canavan Joe Canavan, Ballycurrin, Shrule, who died in recent weeks, was a legendary character in the part of south Mayo that lies along the Galway border. His passing in University College Hospital, after a short illness, came as a huge shock to his legion of friends around the region. Joe married Mary Mohan from nearby Ballinalty, Ower and they had a family of ten, six of whom were born in England. They moved back from London in 1987 and a year later had to cope with a huge personal tragedy when their three-year-old daughter Catherine was electrocuted in a freak accident in the house in Headford in which they were staying prior to moving out to Ballycurrin. Joe spent 20 years in London and was intimately associated with all things Irish. He was active in the Tara GAA Club and later ended up as a regular referee on the London GAA circuit. He humorously recalled a day when some supporter, maybe a little inebriated, continued to give him grief from the sideline. Joe blew the whistle, stopped the game, went over to the sideline and asked the offending supporter to repeat what he had said. The fellow duly obliged and Joe 'planted' him on the sport with a right hook! After the game, as he came off the field, the 'culprit' was waiting for him and actually congratulated Joe for standing up to him! Respect sometimes comes through the strangest avenues. When Joe believed in a cause, he did so with a passion. He held strong Republican views from the nationalist perspective and he made no apologies to anyone for supporting what he believed to be a just cause. He was strongly behind the cause of the Birmingham Six whose imprisonment was later shown to be a huge miscarriage of justice by the British legal system. He was never an apologist for holding such sincere beliefs and had a profound respect for the Irish nationalist tradition and culture. While Joe took up farming and also did come plastering after settling back into life in the west, his love of the great lake was reunited and he spent many hours out on his boat fishing away to his heart's content. The peace and tranquillity of Lough Corrib held special appeal for him and he was a renowned fisherman. He was much in demand by anglers taking part in competitions to take them out on the lake for the day. Joe's instinctive knowledge of the lake sprung from a family tradition and was invaluable and much appreciated by many who availed of this service. His special bond with the fishing community was honoured by the Headford and Lough Corrib Anglers who had a special float in the St Patrick's Day parade in Shrule and Headford dedicated to his memory. Joe had a passion for American country music. During his years in London he was a regular at the annual Wembley International Festival of Country Music which attracted huge crowds in the 1970s and 80s. Johnny Cash was one of his very special favourites while others like Marty Robbins, Charley Pride and Merle Haggard also found a special place in Joe's heart. He acquired a fine collection of country albums and got many hours of wonderful entertainment from the stars of country music down through the years. Some time back, a box set of videos of some of the old time favourites from the world of country was released in America and Joe arrived down to our house one night with some real treasured memories form the golden era of traditional country music and the Grand Ole Opry. He loved songs with a good story- line. It was in his nature to share such joy and I always had a special time for the man form the shores of Lough Corrib. While Joe played football with Shrule in his young years, he once again immersed himself in supporting the club and was active in many aspects of the local GAA and Bord na nOg scene as some of his own family started playing underage football with Shrule- Glencorrib in recent years. Such was his dedication over the years that he was the recipient of the club's Hall of Fame award for 2008. Joe had a great way with young people and his generation nature and spirit ensured that he had a special bond with all generations. He had a great love for children and was generous to a fault. Many are the local youngsters who can vouch for his goodness and generosity over the years. The regard in which he was held by so many people over a wide area was truly reflected by the very large attendances at the funeral ceremonies. A wake was held in the family home and removal took place form the home the next morning to Glencorrib church with interment in Killursa Cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Michael Crosby. In his homily, adorned with some humorous anecdotes, as Joe would have wished it, Fr Michael referred to the fact that in Joe's case, 'you'd often hear him before you'd see him', a remark that brought a smile to many a face in the church. Everyone knew Joe's form and where you stood with him. It was one of the most endearing characteristics. Joe Canavan was a decent man. He had a great time for people on the margins and many were the kind deeds he rendered over the years. You were always assured of a good laugh and great entertainment when in his company. I am thankful that I got to know Joe over the past few years. He was the best of good company, outspoken, witty, generous, a man of very strong views, but a man whose heart was always in the right place. It is fair to say that we will not see his likes again. Joe was a one-off. And, as he might say himself, this is where the cowboy rides away. Joe is deeply regretted by his wife Mary and family, Dawn, Barry, Ruairi, Liam, Kieran, Joanne, TJ, Kevin and Katie, his mother Mary, brothers Vincent, Charlie and Sean, sisters Kathleen and Peggy, step-sister Josie, daughter-in-law Bridget, grandchildren Rebecca and Dylan, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Now the labourer's task is o'er Now the battle day is past; Now upon the farther shore Stands the voyager at last. Courtesy of the Mayo News 22nd April 2008 Tweet

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