By Diarmaid Doherty
How many times over the years did Dan McTeague join with his fellow singers and bring joy to the congregations at St. Eunan’s Cathedral?
How often did he cause hearts to stir as he trilled the notes of the Panus Angelicum?
How often did he cause the feet of the faithful to move with devotion as they followed different ceremonies in beautiful song?
At Dan’s funeral Mass on Saturday, chief celebrant Monsignor Kevin Gillespie looked back on the great singer’s wonderful contribution to his beloved St. Eunan’s Cathedral by posing those questions.
He talked of Dan’s involvement in the various choirs, led by people like Jo McGlinchey, organist Fr. Michael Carney and more recently, Frank Breslin.
Ultimately however, the Letterkenny man would be remembered best for his rendition of the Christmas hymn ‘Oh Holy Night’ with Mgr Gillespie reminding mourners how Dan’s sweet and melodious voice seemed to find its way into every corner of the Cathedral and into every heart.
“Each note awaited with joyful expectation, never disappointing, full of faith, devotion, gentleness and strength.”
Dan McTeague’s passing last Thursday has prompted great sadness among all those who knew him, and many memories of happy times.
Dan, who was aged 91, loved his family, loved his many friends, and loved his community.
As Mgr Gillespie told the funeral Mass, it was time to bid farewell to a son of this parish who was very much part of the life of the Cathedral and whose passing has been felt most keenly by the many priests who had served here over the years.
Mgr Gillespie was joined on the altar by Dan’s close friend, Archdeacon Willie McMenamin, Fr Stephen Gorman, Fr Ciaran Harkin and Fr John Joe Duffy who represented the parish of Creeslough.
Dan, through his friendship with the late Canon Tommy Doherty, had performed in concerts as part of a fundraising campaign for the building of St. Michael’s Church in Creeslough.
Welcoming Dan’s family and many friends to the Mass, Mgr Gillespie noted how Dan had been the last of the McTeague family and he remembered Dan’s siblings, Rosaleen, Annie, Bridie, Margaret, Maureen, Susie, Mona and Patsy.
Born to Margaret and Joe at JJ McTeague’s, subsequently the Swilly Bar and now the Cottage Bar on Letterkenny’s Main Street, Dan was the youngest of nine.
He had one brother and seven sisters. “A dominance of the female gene that has manifested itself through the generations,” Mgr Gillespie added.
After his college days, Dan started work in the bacon factory and then IAWS and for many decades he was a rep with Jacobs Biscuits, travelling all over the county and making many friends along the way.
“His employment with Jacobs allowed him and his wife Bernie to build their house in Glencar Road and to raise their family with a sense of great safety,” Mgr Gillespie said.
And referring to the recent return of the football nets on the green on Glencar Road, Mgr Gillespie said he was reminded of the days when children filled the green playing football when the McTeagues and neighbouring families were growing up.
“They were happy days,” he said.
Mgr Gillespie spoke of the many committees and organisations that Dan was involved in, making special reference to St Bernadette’s National School, An Grianán Theatre and the Letterkenny Musical Society.
Children had a special place in his heart and he loved the company of his grandchildren.
He had a love of all sports and particularly football and Mgr Gillespie said Dan was especially proud that his grandson Matthew plays on a schoolboy team under the original name of his old club Letterkenny Rovers – namely Letterkenny Crusaders.
A family photograph taken at a birthday celebration was also mentioned by Mgr Gillespie. He said that in the picture, Bernie’s hand was firmly grasped in Dan’s, in a gesture of warmth and love.
Saturday’s funeral celebration was led in song by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Frank Breslin and some of Dan’s grandchildren also contributed in song and music.
It was a fitting send off for a man who had brought joy in song to so many.
As Mgr Gillespie added: “St Augustine once memorably put it, that he who sings, prays twice.
“Dan’s whole life was filled with song. It was in many ways a life with which every action was tinged, guided and coloured by faith, a love of God, family, a love of his own town and community, manifested in countless good deeds, good causes, good neighbours and good friends.”
He added: “The choirs of angels and saints will be waiting to welcome Dan home.”
Following Saturday’s funeral Mass, burial took place in Conwal Cemetery.
Dan will be sadly missed by his wife Bernie, his children, Ethna, Fidelma, Geraldine, Kate, Josie, Joan and Paddy, sons-in-law, Mark, Fergus and Paddy, daughter-in-law Marie, his beloved grandchildren, Catherine, Seamus, Aoife, Breifne, Ellen, Dan, Conall, Euan, Matthew, Eimear, Orlaith, Ciara and Aisling, nephews, nieces, neighbours and many great friends.
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)