FOR Murt McInerney Doonbeg was the centre of the universe but he too was a central pillar in the community for generations.
Doonbeg and Clare flags were flying at half-mast on the approach to the Long Village this week following Murt’s death on Sunday.
A leading member of the community, he left his stamp on countless organisations within the West Clare village during his lifetime, a trait that has been both admired and taken on by his loving children.
He was deeply involved in the community throughout his lifetime, giving time and energy to a host of causes such as the West Clare Drama Festival and local drama group, Doonbeg Community Development, Doonbeg Hall Committee, Doonbeg GAA, Parish Pastoral Council, and the local church Our Lady Assumed into Heaven Church, where he was a constant and committed presence.
Speaking at Wednesday’s funeral mass, Murt’s son Pádraig quipped, “I know I’m not the natural selection to speak about an incredible man who lived an extraordinary life especially when my siblings Rita and Francis have been known to run towards a microphone not away from it”.
Pádraig added, “My father loved telling stories, he had impeccable timing, he loved his politics and his faith, he died on a Sunday which was the same day as Brendan Daly”. Murt had been a lifetime member of Fianna Fáil and was immensely proud to see his daughter Rita top the poll in the Kilrush LEA during last year’s local elections, he was a vital part of her campaign team.
Planning was a skill of Murt’s and its why “he had his funeral planned to detail, we received the first draft of this production of March 2022 via email,” Pádraig outlined. No eulogy was among the requests but his son pointed out it would be one of the few times he managed to go against his father’s wishes and not get in trouble for it.
According to Murt, Doonbeg’s success as a community lay in the fact that it had people fortunate enough to go to college who returned, they along with local farmers and “the odd dreamer” dedicated their lives to improving the village in every sense possible.
He continued, “Doonbeg was the centre of his universe. He was a teacher for over forty years, his passion for the English language and faith had far-reaching impact to those who met him”.
It was forty years ago when Cissie McMahon asked first class in Doonbeg about the jobs their parents did, Pádraig was often reminded he said his father Murt had 28. This of course was linked to his involvement in many organisations and his part in helping to set up the Doonbeg Drama Festival in 1962 “to be a beacon of light during the dark winter nights”. He added, “I refer to my father’s generation as the greatest generation which they truly are”.
At his wedding, Pádraig likened his father to Bono, “they were both on a mission to God and way over exposed to media,” he quipped.
Within their Mountrives, Murt and Betty “created one of most loving and inspiring homes one could wish for, they could be our greatest critics and showed love at the same time”. He added, “Our parents were enormously proud of their grandchildren, we suspect he held on for Catherine’s wedding even though it was to a Cooraclare man and also to see Oran graduate as a doctor”.
Fr Gerry Kenny told the mass he always enjoyed looking at a notice in the sitting room of Murt’s house which read, ‘God couldn’t be everywhere so he made grandparents’.
Among his first interactions with Murt was in 1976 in the very church that the funeral was taking place for its official opening, “Since then I have encountered Murt on many occasions, both as fellow teacher when teaching religion in Kilrush but through his involvement in many aspects of community life”.
“For me this church is a symbol because it was Murt’s pride and joy, he was instrumental in its building and care, it is a symbol and testament to Murt’s work and community service, this parish of Doonbeg in several spheres of community life, his service to wider world of education, drama, politics, sport, marriage support and wider church. Murt lived an engaged life to the fullest, his care and shepherding of family was paramount, his sense of duty to all who called on him was never tiring,” Fr Kenny noted.
As he spoke Fr Kenny became emotional when recalling the “last few weeks” had been difficult for Murt but remained struck by his determination in building up service and community.
Captain Mikey Moriarty, an aide de comp of An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin (FF) was present for the funeral while the 26th Battalion provided a guard of honour.
His loss is deeply regretted by his children Francis, Áine, Michael, Catherine, Pádraig and Rita; his grandchildren Darragh, Ross, Maeve, Mark & Alana; Oran & Eva; Joshua & Oisín; Míchéal, Jane & Ronán; and Harrison; daughters-in-law Dianne, Martina & Sandra; sons-in-law Dara & Paddy, Rita’s partner Karl. Sadly missed by his relatives, friends and neighbour.
