By Tommy Curran
DEEP sadness was caused by the death of Pádraig Doherty, a highly respected former councillor, educator, businessman and community leader whose life was marked by tireless service to the Gaeltacht and the wider Donegal community.
Pádraig of Strand Road, Middletown, Derrybeg, passed away peacefully at Áras Ghaoth Dobhair on February 18. Throughout his life, Pádraig combined public duty with a strong sense of community spirit. He was deeply proud of the Gaeltacht roots he worked consistently to improve opportunities for future generations.
A former member and chairman of Údarás na Gaeltachta , he played an important role in promoting economic development, employment and cultural life in Irish speaking areas. He also served as a County Councillor for Fine Gael in 1999 and in 2004 and as an Independent in 2009. He served with distinction as a public representative, where he was highly regarded as a fair, thoughtful and approachable councillor who always put first the needs of the constituents. During his time as a Councillor he was responsible for major development of the piers in Tory, Magheraroarty, Bunbeg and others.
Alongside public service and teaching, he was an enterprising businessman who saw opportunity where others saw difficulty. Among the most significant achievements was the provision of a ferry service, An Tór Mór to Tory Island. For many years he provided excellent service to Tory. He was a man of the sea like his father Barney Beag and grandfather, Eoin Hiúdaí Doherty before him.
Pádraig was a man of vision and with the advent of the new Industrial Estate on the Screabán he called a meeting with a view of setting up a Credit Union in the parish. The wheel was set in motion and from a humble beginning this financial institution was set up in the parish on the 24 January 1972 and eight members registered on the night and had 13 pounds in shares.
Pádraig was born in Middletown, Derrybeg in 1943 and was a son of the late Barney Beag and Cití Tim Doherty. He grew up in a happy environment where hard work was the order of the day. He attended Scoil Mhuire, Derrybeg where William Coyle was principal. He later moved to the former Knockastollar National School where Johnny McGinley was principal.
He secured a scholarship to attend Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Bhuirne, in Cork. After his leaving cert he went to Coláiste Phádraig, Drumcondra to study to become a teacher. His summer holiday would be spent working in Scotland. After graduating he spent a period teaching in Monaghan and Drogheda schools. At the beginning of the 1970’s came to his native county and taught in Lifford and Cresslough and finally Scoil Mhuire, Derrybeg.
He will be remembered not only for the positions he held, but for the quiet decency, wisdom and generosity he showed to all who knew him. His passing leaves a significant void in the many communities he served so faithfully. He will be sadly missed by his loving family, friends, former colleagues and the many people whose lives were touched by his work.
His Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Dunlewey on Saturday. His son Antoin playing the pipes escorted his remains to the altar and at the end of the mass escorted them out of the church. The main celebrant was Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh, P.P., Gaoth Dobhair and the concelebrants were: Fr John Joe Duffy, P.P., Creeslough, Fr Brendan Ward, C.C., and Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir. He was laid to rest in Magheragallon cemetery.
At the end of the Mass, his sons Setanta and Ferdia and spoke of the great qualities of their beloved day. Ferdia said he was a gentle giant as a teacher, fisherman, a public representative and above all as a father. He believed deeply in community and people. He added ‘He taught us from where we came from matters. He loved the sea, loved the conversations and above all he loved to have a laugh. He had that rare gift of making people feel welcome, feel seen and feel important. He was a man with a big heart, and we are proud of the man he was and proud of the life he lived. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann’.
He was predeceased by his parents Barney Beag Doherty and Cití Tim (née Boyle), brothers: Owenie, Teddy, and Séamus and his niece, Maria Doherty.
He is survived by his wife, Annette, daughter, Deirdre and sons ; Antoin (Delia), Ferdia (Nóra) and Setanta (Siobhán), grand-children; Síofra, Fionn, Feilim, Flora, Culann, Mia, Fodhla, Setanta, Manus, Tuathal, Bébhinn, Aonghus and Maude, his brother: Hughie Chití Tim, Magheraclogher, sisters: Máire Murtagh, Strand Road, Derrybeg and Sheila Sweeney, Dungloe, sisters-in-law; Nóra and Nuala Doherty relatives and many friends.
