Sár-Ghael ar Lár
The sudden and untimely death of Diarmuid Ó Catháin, Jerry Keane of Lixnaw, County Kerry has brought shock, dismay and sadness to thousands of Comhaltas members, friends and supporters all over the world.
A man of great brilliance, a human dynamo with an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional music, song, dance and the Gaelic games. His passing suddenly at age 71 removes from among us a very kindhearted man whose life was so completely dedicated to promoting all that is good and great in the native tradition of Ireland.
Jerry, as he was known to all of us, joined Comhaltas in 1959. He brought with him into the organisation a wealth of experience gained from years of organising concerts, plays, and a host of other activities. I first met him in 1947 during my initial visit to Kerry. I can recall vividly the great concerts staged at the old hall in Lixnaw. Multi All-Ireland Champion Seamus Connolly, then living in Killabe performed there on many occasions, as did Joe Burke, John Bowe, Tom Gleeson, Nora Buttler, Ann Mulqueen, the Healy family from Sligo, the Leitrim Ceili Band with Oliver and Ray Roland, Paddy Carthy RIP, Paddy Doorley and Tony Molloy. They are but just a few of the musical greats of that era that performed in Lixnaw.
On joining Comhaltas in 1959, Jerry very quickly came to the notice of our Central Executive Council in Dublin. He served in every capacity from Branch to National level. In 1964, he was appointed Reachtaire na Mumhan and as we continued to develop, he was appointed Príomh-Reachtaire. He went on to serve as Ard-Runaí and ultimately to the highest office in Comhaltas, that of Uachtarán from 1991 to 1994. He was the 14th President of Comhaltas, and also one if its greatest.
During his lifetime as an organiser, he travelled all over the world. In March 1972 he came to America and helped organise the first Comhaltas Concert Tour which led to the expanded growth of Comhaltas in America and Canada. Many times during the past 25 years he paid glowing tributes to Comhaltas North America. He saw us as an example for all others to follow. He spoke highly of the manner in which Irish culture was preserved, presented, and promoted on this side of the Atlantic.
In keeping with his own often repeated request, his body reposed at Ceolann, Cultural Centre in Lixnaw that he helped to build and renovate. Musicians, friends and supporters from all over Ireland and Britain came to bid a fond farewell to the man who had done most to encourage the fostering and preservation of Ireland’s cultural heritage.
As I pen this sad obituary from my home in New York, fond memories of yesteryear come flooding back to mind. My thoughts go back to times that were Feile Cheoil, Fleadh and other festivals. Great events of the past, special moments that I shall always cherish and remember whenever I think of Jerry, the little man that I met rushing along the street, head down, bent and intent on total success for the event on hand that afternoon. Or maybe it was my arrival in town for the Fleadh or festival, and over the loudspeaker system I heard that old familiar voice. ‘May I have your attention Pleeze’. Sad to think that voice is stilled and gone forever, and with it also the charming smile that recalls the lines from Tomas Moore’s lovely song. ‘Oft in the Stilly Night.’ The eyes that shone now dimmed and gone.
To his wife Phil of 28 years, daughter Aine and son Diarmuid, we tender our deepest sympathy on the sad and tragic loss of a great and wonderful husband
May the green sod of Kiltoomey rest lightly on his noble Gaelic Heart. Ní Dheanfar Dearmad Ort, Jerry, go bhFáiltí’ Cor na nAingeal Tú isteach i bhFaitheas De.
