Dunfanaghy’s Mary McAuliffe gave so much in a ‘long and beautiful life’
The Dunfanaghy businesswoman, who played a very important part in the life of the local community, has passed away at the age of 106
Feelings of sadness were felt in the communities of Dunfanaghy and Cloughaneely and beyond following the death of Mary Bridget McAuliffe (née Sweeney), Kill, Dunfanaghy, which took place in Falcarragh Community Hospital aged 106.
Feelings of sadness were felt in the communities of Dunfanaghy and Cloughaneely and beyond following the death of Mary Bridget McAuliffe (née Sweeney), Kill, Dunfanaghy, which took place in Falcarragh Community Hospital aged106.
Born on January 31, 1921, she was a member of the Sweeney family from Falcarragh, where she took over the family's shop at Sweeney's Corner in Falcarragh before moving to Dunfanaghy on her marriage to Jack McAuliffe who was the local chemist in Dunfanaghy.
Mary went on to found the very successful Tweed and Fashion Shop in Dunfanaghy, which morphed into McAuliffe’s Craft Shop and became one of the most familiar businesses along the Wild Atlantic Way before closing its doors in 2024 after many years of successful trading.
She always played a very important part in the life of the local community including Holy Cross Church, St Vincent de Paul, Ozanam Centre and the Dunfanaghy Workhouse.
Her funeral Mass was celebrated in Holy Cross Church, Dunfanaghy, by Father Martin Doohan PP, assisted by Father Sean O’Gallchoir.
During the Mass, symbols of her life were presented at the altar: a piece of Donegal tweed, showing her predilection for fashion, which was presented by her daughter Anne; a fiddle showing her lifelong love of music, presented by her son-in-law Robbie; a commemorative coin, which she received on her 100th birthday, celebrating her long and full life, presented by her niece Bridget; and her prayer book, symbolising her deep faith, presented by her niece Anne Marie.
Fr Doohan welcomed everyone to celebrate and pray for her soul, commemorating her long and beautiful life.
Rev Niall Johnson and all faiths were welcomed, along with family members watching from Singapore and Melbourne.
At 18, Mary’s mother passed away and Mary took on the responsibilities of looking after her father and her siblings. Local people and the community were her strength – she spoke of the kindness of the people of Falcarragh and Gortahork who supported her at that time, and again when her husband, Jack, died. It was the community and her friends that were there for her.
Mary gave so much back to the community in return. She started the Holy Cross choir, fundraised for St Vincent de Paul and the Ozanam Centre, and supported the Dunfanaghy Workhouse.
At 80 years old, Mary worked to secure funding for the Ozanam Centre. Due to her commitment to the community, she was given a 2005 Rehab Donegal People of the Year.
Her life touched so many others. She made our lives better and brighter for having known her.
Mary spent some time in Aras Gaoth Dobhair, and later in Falcarragh. Being a Cloughaneely woman meant so much to her, her heart was always there, so it was fitting that she returned there for this time.
At 6am on Tuesday, July 21, Mary’s beautiful life came to an end.
It’s our prayer that Mary’s soul has received the award she so richly deserves. During the Mass, Sean and Mary gave beautiful eulogies and thanked everyone that cared for their mother. The final prayers and blessing were by Fr Doohan and Fr Sean. Mary was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard.