By Sean Hillen

SOMETIMES a person walks into life or into the fabric of a town and leaves an indelible mark, a lasting legacy if you will – that seems to sum up Aidan Hayes in Falcarragh.

Taking his last breath last week at the age of 78, Aidan led a fascinating and colourful life, one in which he was by degrees, father, poet, translator, singer, and teacher in schools and prisons in Ireland and France.

“What a lovely man,” said Ger De Róiste (Gerardine Roche), a talented singer, songwriter and multi-instrumental musician who co-hosts a very popular Sunday seisiún in The Shamrock bar in Falcarragh with her friend, Tara, also a talented singer-songwriter-musician.

“He spent a joyful time in Falcarragh and we were all lucky to have met him and enjoyed a poetry night in the Shamrock. A father, a poet, a teacher, a singer, a friend to many, Aidan was a joy to spend time with.”

Musician-songwriter, singer Ger De Róiste and Aidan Hayes enjoy a warm moment of joy.

Originally from Cork as was Ger, she met him first in Donegal.

“He brought a lot of laughter and could be completely himself without any worry about what others thought of him. He worked with many people helping them with their writing and poetry. He never judged. He was rich in kindness. He completely adored his family, his children and grandchildren he was extremely proud of and spoke fondly of them always. He was fluent in French and had a passion for that language as well as the Irish language. He spoke fondly of the Poets House here in Falcarragh and the wonderful Irish poets he admired.”

Ger was one of many people admiring the quality life Aidan led.

“He was a delightfully lively, flamboyant, creative addition to the Falcarragh community from his arrival at the Poets House in 2001,” said Ian Gordon, an artist from England, who left frantic urban London for the rural idylls of Dunlewey more than four decades ago. “I was fortunate to attend his monthly poetry sessions at the Shamrock for about ten years, where he spread his knowledge and humour copiously. Unfailingly generous with his time he launched two of my art exhibitions with wise and welcoming words.”

In 2014 and 2017, Ian Gordon published, through Ashlemon Press, volumes of Aidan’s poetry, such as ‘Like the Winter’ and ‘Staccato.’

“I believe poetry is about saying profound and beautiful things using a small number of words,” said Ian. “I said to him at one point, ‘Aidan! Surely it’s sensible, as a poet, to not write a poem every single day? But, happily he completely ignored this. From his shoes to his hat and his non-stop utterances, he was the complete poet. And we all loved him.”

Talented artist Ian Gordan holds aloft books of poetry written by Aidan Hayes.

Andrew Roddy, musician-actor-songwriter and close friend of Aidan’s, said: “My fondest memory of Aidan is when I called in to Brenda Hewitt’s shop, ’The Mermaid’s Purse’ in Falcarragh about fifteen years ago, and I had my dog in the car and my dog was dying, and I had finally got around to realising that I couldn’t just sit and watch the animal suffering, I had to do something about it, and I’d made an arrangement to go to the vet in Ramelton to have him put down, and I was heart-broken, completely heart broken,” recalled Andrew. “And I don’t know what I was in talking to Brenda about, it was just I was just distressed about the whole situation and as I was chatting to her Aidan came into the shop carrying two bags of shopping and he stood there silently picking up on what I was sharing with Brenda. He didn’t say anything, but when there was a lull in the conversation, he stepped forward and he put the two bags of shopping on the counter and said, ‘Here Brenda, will ye take care of those.’ Then he turned to me, and said, ‘Okay, Andrew, let’s go.’ He then accompanied me and metaphorically held my hand through something that was essentially painful and would have been much lonelier without his company. What really impressed me was the spontaneity of his kindness. I have a very clear memory of our journey together and the drive back.”

Aidan Hayes was laid to rest Sunday in the grounds of the charming St Anne’s Church in Killult overlooking the Atlantic Ocean not far from his ‘sleeping’ poet friend, Joe Kane.

His children, grandchildren, brothers and sister, nieces and nephew, family and friends miss him very much.