Tributes paid following Funeral of Derryreel’s ‘Wee’ Barney McFadden

Tributes were paid to ‘Wee’ Barney McFadden, (The Gap), Derryreel, Falcarragh, following his sudden death at the age of 64, prior to Christmas.

The Funeral mass for Barney took place on Christmas Eve (December 24), at the Holy Cross Church, Dunfanaghy, with his burial taking place afterwards at the adjoining cemetery.

His childhood friend, Owen Curran, told Donegal Live: “He was a well-known character, and a natural comedian. 

“Indeed, someone remarked at the Funeral that they had never seen so many sad, unsmiling faces in a gathering where Barney was present.

“He was a character and a comedian. He was also a farmer, shepherd, builder, fencer, bogman, scheme worker, a great neighbour and friend, a political commentator, a football analyst, a music appreciator, an air guitarist, a headbanger, a great cursor, anti-authoritarian, a whiskey drinker, a contrarian and critic. 

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“Barney was unconventional and independent. He did not think or behave in the same ways as other people. There was a wildness of spirit to him that marked him out as a true maverick. 

“It was not that Barney tried to be all things to all people - far from it - he was no people pleaser, Barney was just being Barney. It is true to say that Barney’s attitude was that rules and orders were only for people who did not know any better.”

Barney was predeceased by his parents Mary and Neil, and his sister Madge. He was survived by his brother Neilly, brother-in-law John, niece Marie and her partner Chris, their children Caiden, Clodagh and Ava, and all of his extended family and friends.