Lasting legacy of education, family and GAA remembered at Michael Fahey’s Funeral Mass

One of the final public actions of the late Michael ‘Mick’ Fahey was one that reflected so much of the life he lived — standing alongside his beloved wife Eileen as they raised the Green Flag for Global Citizenship at Kilteevan NS on June 19th last.

It was a fitting moment for a man remembered this week for his commitment to education, community, family and Gaelic games, and for the quiet dedication with which he served others throughout his life.

Michael Fahey, Kilteevan, Roscommon, passed away peacefully in the devoted care of the staff at Roscommon University Hospital on Thursday last. He was 74.

At his Funeral Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon, this morning, the symbols brought to the altar told the story of a full and generous life: a history book representing his deep love of history and his dedication as a teacher; a signed Gaelic football from the 1997/98 CBS senior colleges’ A team, which he managed to a first Connacht A title in 50 years; a painting of an ash tree at his Kilteevan home, speaking to his love of home and gardening; and a book of his life, compiled by his devoted wife Eileen, showing his great loves — family, school and the GAA.

In his homily, Fr Callistus Isara said Mr Fahey lived a good life committed to the education of young people as teacher, vice-principal and principal of CBS Roscommon. He said Michael saw education as a means to uplift people, using his God-given gift of intelligence to serve and enhance the growth and development of generations of students.

Fr Isara also spoke of the deep bond Michael shared with Eileen, saying that through 51 years of marriage they were inseparable and always together.

Alongside his teaching and his deep love of the GAA, Fr Isara recalled the many volunteering and social causes to which Michael and Eileen dedicated themselves, including Tidy Towns. He said it was fitting that Michael’s last public action before his passing was on June 19th, when he and Eileen raised the Green Flag for Global Citizenship at Kilteevan NS.

In a moving eulogy, his younger brother said the huge attendance at the removal and Funeral Mass was testimony to the great life Michael led and to how much he had packed into that life.

Born in December 1951 in Castlerea, where his father JJ had a pub, Michael grew up as one of five children of JJ and Mary Fahey. His brother recalled a happy childhood, moving to Tarmon and then to Antogher Road in Roscommon. The Fahey brothers started school at the age of four at Roscommon Convent before moving on to Roscommon CBS from second class. “Little did he realise then the role the CBS would play in his life,” his brother said.

After graduating, Michael spent a year teaching in Ballinrobe before taking up a post at Roscommon CBS, where he would go on to serve as teacher, guidance counsellor, vice-principal and, eventually, principal from 2002 to 2007. “His influence was tremendous and he left a positive influence on his students who all speak so highly of him,” his brother said.

He also recalled Michael’s dedication to the GAA as a player, coach, referee, PRO and county board chairman.

But beyond education and the GAA, his brother said Michael’s real love was his wife Eileen and their adored daughter Bríana. In later years, the family circle grew to include Rossa and his grandchildren, Aurelia and Lonn, of whom he always spoke with pride.

His brother recalled that Michael met Eileen when the two brothers travelled to Carnagh in 1968 to improve their Irish. “Theirs was a real love story,” he said, “and they loved each other deeply ever since.” Referring to Michael’s failing health in recent times, he said he was “in awe” of the care and attention shown by Eileen, and he paid tribute to the friends, colleagues and carers who offered daily support.

“I have so many happy memories of my big brother,” he said. “He was always a pleasure to be with. His smile was infectious and so today please leave here today with happy memories of a great man.” 

The late Michael’s warmth and influence extended far beyond the classroom. Mr Fahey leaves a lasting legacy on Gaelic games across County Roscommon, where he was highly respected as an administrator, coach and manager.

He was immersed in Roscommon Gaels GAA Club, playing both hurling and football, managing underage and adult teams, and serving in a variety of roles on the club executive.

With Roscommon GAA, he served as county board chairperson between 2011 and 2015, having previously served as PRO.

His late father, John Joe Fahey, was a former Roscommon GAA secretary, and the trophy for the Roscommon Senior Football Championship winners is named after him.

Paying tribute to Mr Fahey, current Roscommon GAA Chairperson Tom Murray described him as a “man ahead of his time” with a “great vision” for the county.

“Mick had a great vision for the county. In many ways, he was a man ahead of his time.

“The last strategic plan we did as a county was done under Mick’s watch. We did a root and branch review of all GAA activities in Roscommon in 2013, and he drove that.

“The fact that he saw that Roscommon needed to go about its business differently spoke volumes about him. He wasn’t afraid to make that call. He put a committee in place to look at everything from infrastructure to finance to fixtures.

“A lot of good has come from that, and I think it’s only today that we’re seeing the fruits of Mick’s work.

“You look at the Hyde — the first infrastructure committee was formed under Mick’s watch — and Club Rossie. All the good that we see today is down to his lasting legacy,” said Mr Murray, who served as Roscommon GAA Cultural Officer during Mr Fahey’s tenure as chairperson.

The late Mick Fahey is survived by his wife, Eileen; daughter, Bríana, and her partner, Rossa; adored grandchildren, Aurelia and Lonn; brothers, Noel, Gerry and Ollie; sister, Maura; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, former teaching colleagues, past pupils, and his many friends, especially in the GAA community.

Following Mass of the Resurrection this morning, he was laid to rest in Kilteevan Cemetery.