Tribute: Andy McGovern - a man who lived a remarkable life, and was loved by so many

The death of Andy McGovern (81), Glencar Irish, Letterkenny took place last Thursday, July 4 peacefully in Donegal Hospice, surrounded by his loving family.

Andy was born in Ballymagovern, Co. Cavan on June 4, 1943 the youngest of eight children born to Patrick and Margaret McGovern. He first came to Letterkenny in 1962 to work in O’Donnell’s Bakery.

While working there he met Kathleen Doherty of Ard O’Donnell and they quickly became an item.

However, Andy was determined to see some of the world and on St. Patrick’s Day 1963 he jetted out to New York, where he had a couple of sisters living. He worked several jobs including as a bread baker and coffin maker – a job that inspired his interest in woodworking.

Determined not to let Andy get away, Kathleen followed to the USA six months later. They returned to Letterkenny in January 1968 to get married in St. Eunan’s Cathedral.

In late 1968 Andy accepted a job in Greenwich, Connecticut at Partridge Hollow Park working for Mrs. Lois Perry, who bred Arabian stallions. Their eldest son, Andrew was born in November, 1968 and was quickly followed by Paul in November, 1969. They remained at Partridge Hollow Park for 11 years before they decided to return to Ireland to raise their sons.

Andy McGovern.

While on holiday in Ireland in the early 1970’s Andy purchased land at Glencar Irish (Long Lane), where he would end up living the majority of his life. The McGovern family moved to Ireland in August 1979 and Andy immediately began building his Joinery workshop at Glencar Irish where he made hardwood doors, windows and stairs after attending night classes in Greenwich on carpentry and joinery.

After getting his business up and running, he turned his attention to building a house on the same site. After spending three years living in Ard O’Donnell with Kathleen’s parents, Barney and Bella Doherty, the McGovern’s moved to Glencar Irish in November 1982.

Andy continued his business, ably assisted in evenings by his brother-in-law, woodwork teacher, Charlie McAteer and later by Eamon Doherty who initially came to the workshop as a student on work experience from the Tech (now Errigal College).

Kathleen worked in her sister Frances Veldman’s business “Fabi’s Takeaway” on the High Rd. before working for many years in the canteen in Donegal Creameries where another sister, Madeleine was working.

Andy suffered from polio as a child and this greatly restricted his ability to play sport. He did however win an U16 medal with his home club Templeport St. Aidan’s in Cavan where he was a goalkeeper – the position his son Andrew (Andy) would end up playing with distinction, including winning two All-Ireland Senior Schools Soccer titles in 1985 & 1986 with St. Eunan’s College. Paul was also on the 1986 team where he played midfield.

Andy retained a great interest in sport attending virtually every game he could that his sons played in whether it was GAA or soccer. And he carried that tradition on, attending games that his beloved grandchildren, Matthew and Katie played in, always being sure to get a photo with them and the cup on the successful days!

Despite his divided loyalties, Andy was an avid Donegal GAA supporter, attending the 1982 All-Ireland U21 Final that was Donegal’s first ever national title and all 3 All-Ireland Senior Football Finals that Donegal have played in. Along with his sons he attended last year’s final between Dublin and Kerry.

Andy only discovered he had polio upon being drafted by the US Army for the Vietnam War and he was placed on the lowest category of the draft and avoided having to go off to war. His childhood friend, Michael Smith was not so lucky as he was killed in Vietnam only 3 months after being deployed. So the illness that cost him the ability to play Gaelic games may have inadvertently saved his life.

Andy was a lifelong Pioneer and his other great passion after his family and sport was going to the Leisure Centre – formerly at the High Rd. where the new courthouse is situated and later at The Aura in Sallaghagraine. For years he attended every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday night and Sunday mornings. He made many friends and thoroughly enjoyed the banter with people of all ages while moving between the pool, sauna and jacuzzi. He was also quick with advice and an ear to listen to for anyone having a tough time.

He was genuinely interested in people and their stories, he didn’t make small talk, he thought every conversation was an opportunity to learn something about you or something about him. Andy had become determined to learn to swim after nearly drowning – twice – in America. So he enrolled in a swimming class in the local YMCA because once Andy was determined to do something, nothing could stop him.

He would watch tradesmen that came to the house to work to see how they fixed a problem so that the next time he could fix it himself. He could turn his hand to anything – plumbing, electrical etc. it didn’t matter, if Andy couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed.

He enjoyed travelling with Kathleen, either back to America, where he had two sisters, Rose and Rita or to sunnier climates in Europe and he enjoyed return trips to see his family in Cavan where his brother Seamus and sisters Peggy, Bridie, Kathleen (Leitrim) and Eileen lived.

His nieces and nephews are well known musicians in traditional music and Fleadh circles while his grand nephew, Oisin McManus is a member of The Tumbling Paddies. Oisin stopped by the Hospice in Andy’s final weeks whilst in Donegal for a gig and Andy couldn’t have been more thrilled when Oisin played him a preview of their upcoming cover of “The Rocks of Bawn” – the song that played as Andy was laid to rest in Conwal on Sunday.

Kathleen has suffered with Alzheimer’s in recent years and after moving into Hillcrest Nursing home in August 2023, Andy visited every day that he was able to whilst battling his own illness, where the staff often commented on his devotion to her – indeed a woman that attended Andy’s wake commented that “I had to come to say goodbye. I saw Andy in the nursing home with his wife and he is an example that any man could learn from. The love in his eyes as he helped to feed his wife and as he held her hand and spoke to her of their lives together every day told me all I needed to know what kind of man he was… and I didn’t really know him, but I admired him so much”.

Andy had great interest in news and current affairs, particularly Irish and US politics and he read the newspaper every day from cover to cover. He liked to be well informed on the news at home and abroad and always formed his own opinion rather than repeating someone else’s!

Andy passed away, fittingly, on July 4, American Independence Day, as America remained close to his heart after spending 16 years living there. He was surrounded by his devoted sons, Andrew and Paul; his grandchildren, Matthew and Katie, who he adored; his daughters-in-law Anne & Elaine that he loved as if they were his own; his loving sisters Kathleen and Eileen; sister-in-law Madeleine and brother-in-law and great friend Charlie McAteer; nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents; his brother Seamus and sisters Peggy and Bridie. He has two other surviving sisters, Rose Ryan in North Carolina and Rita Tierney in Long Island, NY.

Funeral Mass in the Church of the Irish Martyrs on Sunday was presided over by Fr. Ciaran Harkin and a moving Eulogy was read by his son Andrew. Andy’s funeral procession stopped briefly at the entrance to Aura and at O’Donnell Park where members of St. Eunan’s GAA club formed a Guard of Honour.

The continuous stream of people that visited the house for Andy’s wake was a testament to the genuine gentleman that he was.

May he rest in peace.

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