Stephen McCahill’s kindness in helping Ardara local through grief recalled

The late Ardara businessman Stephen McCahill helped a local through grief by lighting the fire and putting up Christmas decorations in their home.

Mr McCahill was remembered for his kindness at a meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) in Letterkenny.

A 10-minute adjournment for Mr McCahill was proposed at the beginning of the meeting by Independent Cllr Declan Meehan. Mr McCahill was described as a “valued” member of the Donegal ETB Board.

He also served on the Donegal ETB Finance Committee, as well as being an ETB representative on the Board of Management of Coláiste na Carraige, Carrick.

Among the attendees paying tribute was Fine Gael’s Cllr Martin Harley, who said Mr McCahill was “a great advocate for everything Ardara”.

He recalled that Mr McCahill would visit wakes in his community, and even went so far as to light fires and put up the Christmas decorations for a local whose parents had both died.

Also paying tribute was Sinn Féin Cllr Albert Doherty, who remembered Mr McCahill as a “friendly, interesting person” who always had stories to share.

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Ms Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal ETB, extended her deepest sympathies to Mr McCahill’s family on behalf of staff, colleagues and friends. She said Mr McCahill “took an interest in everything” in his role at Coláiste na Carráige, and he was also involved in St Columba’s Comprehensive School in Glenties.

Ms McHugh was told by a representative from the St Columba’s Parents Association that Mr McCahill “went over and above, and always had a smile and a chat”.

“Stephen was a former Donegal Person of the Year, and he wore the badge with pride,” added Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Ciaran Brogan. “He was very passionate about every part of Donegal.”

The adjournment also remembered the late Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh from Na Doirí Beaga. A former schoolteacher and west Donegal county councillor, he served on the county council for 15 years and on Údarás na Gaeltachta for 26 years.

Fiona Higgins, Seamus O’Malley, Edward McGettigan and Margaret Boyle were also remembered during votes of sympathy.