CHURCHILL woman Nellie Gallagher has been remembered as a renowned cook and adoring granny at her Funeral Mass which took place at St. Colmcille’s Church, Glendowan on Tuesday morning.
Just weeks ago the 95 year old featured in the Donegal News when a new restaurant, named in her honour opened at the Glenveagh Visitor Centre. She was the last cook of Glenveagh Castle.
During her Requiem Mass the congregation heard of the remarkable time the Dunlewey native spent working for the famed Mr Henry McIlhenny. Including an anecdote of how she was hired back in 1946.
When Mr McIlhenny bought the Glenveagh estate his housekeeper found Nellie and two other teenage girls who were interviewed to work at the castle.
The interview also included a practical test.
“The big practical test was making scones and Nellie won hands down,” they heard.
During her remarkable 50 year career at Glenveagh Castle, Mr McIlhenny welcomed a wide variety of fascinating guests to the castle in the Derryveagh Mountains, including actors, writers, poets and prominent politicians who visited. Nellie’s cuisine was loved by them all.
Her culinary talents also led her to travel the world with Mr McIlhenny, from his home in Philadelphia to Sydney, Australia and Honolulu, Hawaii.
At least twice a week, Mr McIlhenny would sit down with Nellie to plan menus. The food used was fresh, local, and seasonal, with vegetables coming from the gardens, fish fresh from Donegal rivers and the Atlantic, venison from the estate, and meat from local butchers.
More exotic items were imported, including parmesan wheels from Italy, macadamia nuts from Hawaii and sugar wafers from Austria.
In 1961 Nellie married Danny Gallagher. Keen to retain his talented cook, Mr McIlhenny converted the loft of the barn at the castle into an apartment for her and her family. Nellie and Danny went on to have four children, Joan, Don, Fiona, and Elaine, each whom went on to work in the castle at some stage.
During his homily the priest spoke of her love for hosting family gatherings and parties and showcasing the recipes she gathered from her time at Glenveagh.
“She treated her own family with the same munificence as she had treated Henry McIlhenny and the people in Glenveagh, they too had panna Cota and crème Brule long ago when the rest of us got jelly and custard or rice and raisins.
Predeceased by her husband Danny, brothers Dermot, Hughie, Danny and infant sister Mary. Much loved mother to son Don (Rosaleen), daughters Joan (Gerry), Fiona (Gerry), Elaine (Paul) and step daughter Deirdre.
Fondly remembered by her grandchildren Andrew, Eibhlin, Michael, Emer, Matthew, Katie and great grandson Fionn. Deeply regretted by brothers Paddy and Micheal, extended family, good neighbours and friends.
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