Hunt, Joe
March 31, 2010I was four years old when I first met Joe Hunt. It was my first day to attend the old and now demolished Mullghroe National School and it was one of Joe's last days to attend that particular academy of science.
As I stood somewhat bewildered in the school yard at play time gazing at a huge oak tree Joe approached to ask me my name. Having stumbled a reply he then suddenly asked me would l like to climb the tree.
Curiously looking at the tree with its massive truck I wondered how. However wasting no further time Joe grabbed me from behind and placing my two feet at the bottom of the tree shouted "Now start walking up that tree.....I will hold you". Hold me he certainly did, and well able he was too, as I took a half dozen or so steps up the tree before he brought me back down to ground level exclaiming "You are a mighty young man."
It was a trick he probably had done with many others but to me it left a lasting and indelible imprint. The warmth of his approach, the strength of his body, the interest shown in making me so welcome on a day of frayed nerves and high apprehension, all combined to make that the one outstanding memory from my first day at school.
Joe was born on August 3rd 1934 and baptised the following day. No hanging around in those days. From a republican background with his family being involved in the fight for Irish freedom, his heart was all things national. Following his exit from Mullaghroe N.S. he received his secondary education in St. Nathy's College in Ballaghaderreen where he grew into a man of outstanding physique, a superb athlete becoming particularly accomplished at handball and gaelic football, and followed by a spell of a clerical student in St. Patrick's College, Kilteagan, County Wicklow.
To engage in some light roguery and trickery would also come easy to him and indeed we all saw ample evidence of that down through the years. The red jersey of Gurteen GAA was dear to his heart, and he wore that jersey with pride and distinction through many a Sunday battle on the football field in the fifties, at all times exhibiting sportsmanship of the highest order.
To be modest in victory and gracious in defeat was the mantra that Joe subscribed to in everything he did in life. But sadly illness beset Joe in his twenties and having lost a lung he was forced to retire from the playing fields he loved so dearly.
All sports appealed to Joe, however gaelic games, horse racing, greyhound racing and playing cards would be high on his priority list. He loved a bet, never a mammoth one, and through study and skill developed an uncanny system of picking winners.
He excelled at cards and indeed many a battle we had into the night with his fabulous memory of where the cards were going to fall quite remarkable. "It's hard to bet the Moygara Men" Joe would say on the occasions we did manage to outwit him while sometimes mentioning " the blood of the Hunts" when pinching a tight game himself.
At official level also Joe did wonderful work for the Gurteen GAA Club and in the latter years Eastern Harps GAA. Passionate too about the fortunes of Sligo county football Joe had a great pride in local county stars with a particular interest in the many unforgettable displays of his cousin Paul Taylor and more recently younger brother Tony.
In the structure of our community in general Joe was a concrete pillar. He was a shining beacon of light for hope and progress. A perfect example of fairness and equity for all. The good virtues of life strongly appealed to him- like faith -like hope- like charity.
He saw a given amount of good in everything and in everyone. Nobody ever heard him speak lowly of anybody or of any local initiative however controversial.
He loved everybody and had a marvellous love for our youth. He was in many ways young at heart himself and would see out youth as "the men and women of tomorrow".
He was a schemer and a joker and would love to pull off simple tricks on young and old alike. He had an unyielding love for Gurteen and all things Gurteen. For Joe the world was local with the antics, the peculiarities and the wit of local characters, and they were numerous, enthralling him profusely. Any achievements in sport, farming, music virtually anything by anybody with a Gurteen connection would be hailed and loudly acclaimed by Joe. Our love affair was mutual. Joe loved Gurteen and Gurteen loved Joe.
Joe departed his native Gurteen to travel to his deserved heavenly reward on February 2nd 2010. He will be sadly and sorely missed by all of us. He would have been so proud of the guard of honour provided by his beloved Eastern Harps club at his removal and burial.
Intensely proud too of the haunting music provided by family relative Seamus O'Donnell and his own next door neighbour the incomparable Seamus Tansey as the slow melodic strains of "The Dear Irish Boy" flowed majestically through the church of his funeral mass. The Dear Irish Boy. It couldn't have been more appropriate. Joe was in truth a kind, gentle and everlasting example of The Dear Irish Boy.
"Go ndeanam Dia Trocaire ar a hanam dilis"
P.J.M.
Courtesy of the Sligo Champion
March 31st 2010 Tweet
