The Late Paddy Burke

Thousands of people arrived in Lackagh last week to pay respects to well known and much loved community activist Paddy Burke of Baunmore. In his early sixties Paddy, finally lost a long battle with illness that he battled bravely with for almost two years. Paddy Burke was one of life's true gentlemen, always smiling, witty and helpful. During his lifetime Paddy made a tremendous contribution to the improvement of life in the parish in Lackagh. Paddy was seldom to the fore looking for notice, but with his unassuming personality played tremendous hands on approach in many organisations in his native parish.

Paddy Burke played a huge role in Turloughmore hurling club since the early eighties when he became one of the founding members of Bord na nOg, the juvenile section of the club in 1980. To raise funds for Turloughmore Bord na nOg along with his Baunmore native colleague PJ Qualter, Paddy play a major role in the foundation and success of the now famous progressive twenty five card game in Coolarne Hall, before the event later moved to Turloughmore Social Centre and a mark of respect last weeks card game was cancelled.Paddy remained an active organiser of the card game over all these years.

Later after Paddy took over officer ship in Turloughmore senior club Paddy was the first person to carry our research into starting bingo to Turloughmore to raise funds for Turloughmore Social Centre and brought club officers to a very successful bingo centre, shortly after the Social Centre was opened, to study the possibility of starting Bingo in Turloughmore as a fundraiser.

Paddy Burke had played a leading role in the development of Turloughmore Social Centre and Pitch at Lackagh and was a very active member of the Turloughmore Development Committee. When it came to fundraising Paddy Burke has few equals. He was the type of man that you couldn't say no to and when it came to supporting ventures outside the parish he was equally supportive.
Paddy assisted as an outstanding leader in Foroige for several years, where along with others, he catered for the needs of young people in the area and was always on hand to encourage and advise young people on the correct path.

Paddy also served as an officer of Turloughmore Fine Gael branch for many years and played a leading role in the election campaigns to his good friend Jarlath McDonagh. He worked as campaign manager for Jarlath for four successive local elections and as an advisor had few equals. He proudly watched Jarlath win every election he contested. Paddy was always available to help many candidates and in addition to helping many Dail candidates played a leading role in the late Pol O Foighil being elected to Udaras na Gaeltachta.

Paddy was a member of the Lackagh Mentally Handicapped Association and St Vincent de Paul Society. He served a member of the Bord of Management and on the parent's council in Baunmore National School. A leading member of Lackagh Museum committee, Paddy helped in the development of the old Carrick residence and shop into a museum that has been widely acclaimed over the years and as a tribute to Paddy, all classes were cancelled last week as the Museum team room was open to visitors to serve tea and refreshments at Paddy's removal.

However it was in parish and church activity that Paddy Burke made his greatest contribution. Paddy was a leading member of various parish organisations over many years. He was very involved in the development of a Mortuary Chapel at Lackagh along with the late Fr Michael Lyons. Paddy was a long time member of the parish finance committee and served as an active member on the interim committee of the pastoral team. Paddy was a Eucharist Minister in Lackagh parish and a collector at the church. The contribution of Paddy Burke to Lackagh parish and to the lives of many was enormous and he was much more than just the voice of Baunmore in the parish and his efforts were not forgotten as thousands turned out at his funeral.

Paddy had worked in the construction industry in his youth and the early seventies, changed career and went to work in the Steiner factory in Carnmore where he gave dedicated and loyal service over many years.

Above all Paddy was a dedicated family man was hugely proud of his wife Mary, and children Declan and Lorraine. His life was one of simple and joyous pleasures where he loved music and dancing and along with his devoted wife Mary, they treasured their time together. The week long holiday in Kelly's of Rosslare was one of the highpoints of Paddy and Mary's lives every year where they made many lifelong friends, who travelled long distances to pay respects to Paddy and share comfort with Mary. Paddy was struck down with sudden illness two years ago and since then fought courageously and bravely fighting every obstacle that came his way. Paddy was joined by his loving and dedicated family in his final hours.

The remains of Paddy Burke were removed from his home, where neighbours formed a guard of honour on the Tuam road. At Turloughmore Social Centre many members of Turloughmore Hurling Club formed a guard of honour as he made his way to Lackagh Mortuary Chapel.

Thousands of people queued over a four hour period to pay respects to Paddy Burke and many tributes were paid to the hardworking funeral committee who brought people in from the cold and seated them in the church as they waited, as to the excellent car parking committee who braved the elements to park cars throughout the evening.

Members of various organisations of which Paddy was involved in lined the route as the remains of Paddy Burke were taken to the Church of Our Lady of Knock, Lackagh. On Thursday morning Lackagh Parish church overflowed onto the church grounds as people once again came in huge numbers to his funeral mass where chief celebrant Fr Des Walsh, PP Lackagh, was joined by Fr John D Flannery, former PP Lackagh, Fr Daniel Richardson, Castleisland, Co. Kerry, Fr Seamus Nohilly SMA, Fr Joe O'Brien, PP Abbeyknockmoy, Fr Eamon O'Donoghue, MSC, Fr Martin Newell, A P Claran, Fr Gus O'Brien, MSC and Fr Ray Flaherty, Tuam.

Members of Turloughmore Hurling and Camogie clubs formed a guard of honour and escorted the remains of Paddy Burke as far as Turloughmore Social Centre and teachers, parents and pupils of Baunmore National School formed a guard of honour as his remains passed the school for the last time. Former colleagues at Steiner lined in a guard of honour and escorted Paddy to his final resting place at Cregg cemetery where Fr Des Walsh officiated at the graveside and Mary Prendergast played a musical tribute to a much loved member of the community who loved Irish music and dancing.

Paddy Burke is survived by his wife Mary, son Declan, daughter Lorraine, son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Mairead, granddaughter Muireann, brothers, Tommie and Jackie, sisters, Eileen, Katie and Mamie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and a large circle of relatives, neighbours and friends.

Courtesy of The Tuam Herald
18th November 2010 Tweet

Most Read Stories