*James Breen’s coffin is carried from St Joseph’s Church in Kilnamona. Photograph: John O’Neill.
KILNAMONA was full of heavy hearts as the sun shone at the funeral of the Clare political heavyweight, James Breen, a man who devoted fierce energy to his constituents and always represented them with courage.
A poll-topper in the 2002 General Election, James’ success as an Independent TD was one of the stories of the campaign while he spent thirty two years as an elected member of Clare County Council, his election as Mayor in June 2015 a highpoint in his storied political career.
Away from politics, the Kilnamona man was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, a cherished friend and an individual never afraid to share his opinion or to sing a song or two. His grand-daughter Robyn did him proud with her rendition of ‘My Lovely Rose of Clare’ as did Michael McTigue when singing The Boys of Barr na Sráide.
Along with being Father’s Day and the longest day of the year, Sunday marked the final journey for James with his funeral taking place at St Joseph’s Church in Kilnamona with subsequent cremation in Shannon. Guards of honour were provided by both Inagh/Kilnamona GAA Club and Clare County Council with the green and white Kilnamona flag draped across his coffin.
Fr Martin Shanahan remembered James as “a great character” and recounted their frequent meetings at establishements in West Clare such as O’Connor’s in Mullagh, “things came alive when he visited us, he was witty and had a lot to say and sing”. Sunday night sessions were always entertaining between set dancing and songs, he said.
Describing James as “a beacon of light in life’s storms” and “salt of the earth,” Fr Shanahan added, “He was a marvellous man with great community spirit, he always stood out for the Banner, you had to be careful what you’d say because he would pull you out”.
His personality was “full of wit and fun”. Fr Shanahan continued, “it was a pity but time wears out and we all had to go on that journey, it is difficult to part with someone so precious in our life. Part of our ourselves seem to die when we lose someone we love. He brought so much joy to us in the West, we will never forget him. He did lots of things for lots of people, he never saw them short, he was always there for them and carried their wants to the next level”.
Eilis, James and Eileen’s only daughter in her eulogy began by mentioning how difficult the week has been, particularly for her brother Damian who has been hospitalised with a perforated appendix. “My father has delivered many eulogies in his time and he always did so without becoming a blubbering mass so I must channel my inner James Breen but I promise I will not sing,” she remarked. She voiced thanks for James’ carers, the staff at O’Connell’s Pharmacy, Dr Bugler, the staff in Galway Clinic, the choir in Kilnamona and all personnel involved in assisting the family over the last week and longer.
Celebrating someone’s life was always valued by James and his loss will be mourned by many, Eilis noted, “He always said to us if there is a job worth doing, then do it right”.
She said of his time in politics that he was very interested in representing people, “he listened, helped and gave people a voice, he saw duty as a privilege, he was courageous in asking questions but he was more courageous in questioning the answers”.
Recounting his 2002 success, Eilis said, “people voted with their feet and changed their ideology which saw him top the poll”. How care has changed in St Joseph’s Hospital and the introduction of new regulations for the superbug which are still in place today were listed by Eilis as some of his top achievements, “as he would say himself I could go on and on but I won’t”. Becoming Mayor of Clare and the first Kilnamona person elected first citizen of the county was his “proudest moment”.
Throughout his life, James held a deep connection with the land. He was out helping sheep to lamp on the day after the 2002 General Election, “Mam couldn’t find him,” Eilis recalled. She referred to his 2012 motion before the Council proposing that people be allowed to be buried on their own lands, “he was told that planning would need to be sought and that the land was not sacred. He argued that there was nothing more sacred than a man’s own land, he declared there and then that he would be cremated and that his ashes would be spread on his land, there lies the loophole”.
He loved life, storytelling “and a good old song,” Eilis stated. “The GAA had a special place in his, we thank him for the result yesterday (Clare beating Dublin). He saw the GAA as a means of connecting whether it was a delegate, trainer or a player”. She continued, “we experienced the powerhouse as Dad, a big softie, he encouraged us to spread wings but hated to see us go,” one such example being in 1998 when he was unable to walk his children, Eilis and Ronan to the gates of Dublin Airport as they headed for Australia as he was in tears.
Describing Breen as “a messer and joker,” Eilis commented, “I believe his favourite day of the year was April Fools”. She recounted how he “caused a storm” when appearing on Clare FM discussing how he was bringing forward legislation to move steering wheels from the right to left hand-side of cars in Ireland, “Eugene Drennan nearly had a srtoke listening to the broadcast”.
Stories told to the Breen family over the past week include tales of James eating bacon and cabbage from a pot on the side of the road before going into a Clare match, the trickery during his card games with Nancy O’Loughlin and his antics in DeBeers.
Always in his heart was Kilnamona, “James would always say Kilnamona won’t let me down and you never did,” Eilis said. The last two and a half years since he suffered a stroke were “tough,” she noted while acknowledging all the visitors who gave him a lift with their presence.
“Dad’s greatest achievement was persuading Eileen to move from the Big Apple to Ballyknock. Behind every great man is a great woman, she is the powerhouse. Thank you Mum for showing us the true meaning of to have and to hold in sickness and in health. Our hearts are heavy today, Dad lived his life to the full and left the world in a better place, let us not think of what we have lost. Happy Father’s Day Dad,” Eilis concluded.
Symbols of his life brought before the altar included a tie presented from Newry Urban Council which along with Mourne is twinned with Clare, “it commemorates the 1995 victories, his love of the GAA, his County Board and Council service”. His peak hat was an ode to his love of the land, his time at the Mart buying and selling cattle, chatting with friends and neighbours. A hymn book underlined James’ love of music, singing, his faith and his time singing with the Kilnamona Choir since he turned nine years old. Shoes were brought before the altar to acknowledge the many miles James walked around Clare canvassing and fundraising for the local community.
Among the political figures in attendance for Sunday’s mass were his political advisor and long-standing campaign manager, Eugene Drennan, Junior Minister, Marian Harkin (IND), Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG), Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Bill Slattery (FG), Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD, Cllr John Crowe (FG), Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Pat Burke (FG), Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF), Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF), Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF), Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF), Cllr Dinny Gould (IND), Cllr Michael Shannon (FF), Cllr Ian Lynch (IND), Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), Cllr Michael Begley (IND) and Cllr Pat Hayes (FF). Chief Executive of the Council, Gordon Daly, Director of Service, Siobhán McNulty and senior executive officer Carmel Greene were also in attendance.
James is survived by his loving wife Eileen, sons Damian, Ciaran and Ruairi, daughter Eilis and sister Anne, adoring grandchildren Calum, Moya, Robyn, Faye, Kathy, Sophie, Jodie Mai and Zara Rose, son-in-law Tony, daughters-in-law Susanne, Claudia and Therese, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends.
Gallery of photographs by John O’Neill.
