Glencolmcille activist to celebrate 90th birthday at Glen Head Tavern

A long-time Glencolmcille activist and a recipient of the 2005 Donegal People of the Year awards is to celebrate his 90th birthday at the Glen Head Tavern on Saturday, April 18.

“I would like to see all my friends and relations, and everyone from far and wide will be welcomed to the party,” said Gerry Gillespie. “Prepare no presents, please.”

Gerry Gillespie, born on April 16, 1936, has lived within the Glencolmcillie region for all of his 90 years, aside from 12 months in Gweedore. During this time, he has played a prominent role in local society, respected by his community, and involved in numerous projects involving culture, sport, drama, and infrastructure. 

The youngest of seven siblings, Gerry was married to Cait for over 50 years before her recent passing. Together, they raised two sons, Michael and Paul. 

Amongst Gerry’s team achievements and participation in the local Glencolmcille society include the building of the Halla Muire, the setting up of the fire brigade in Glencolmcille, the running of local sports and drama clubs and an instrumental leader of the Glencolmcille Festival. 

The continuous community effort by Gerry culminated in him receiving a 2005 Donegal County Council/REHAB Donegal People of the Year award, which he described as a “surprise.”

Former Glencolmcille Parish Priest, the recently-retired Fr Eddie Gallagher, and Fr John Joe Duffy, supported Gerry’s nomination at the time.

“Gerry Gillespie has been a leading light in the Glencolmcille community for the past 50 years,” wrote Fr Gallagher. “The people of this community owe him an enormous debt,” whilst Fr Duffy said: “For the past 50 years, Gerry Gillespie has played a pivotal role in the functional life of the Glencolmcille area.” 

“I always had an interest in helping out and was delighted to be asked to help out,” remembered Gerry. “Church gate collections were a big thing at an early stage of my life. I was always at the church every Sunday collecting for various organisations.”

Other community roles Gerry was involved in include being a founder member of the St Vincent de Paul Glencolmcille branch in 1973, an elected member of the Glencomcille Parish Council, a Neighbourhood Watch participant, a Treasurer and Secretary for Naomh Columba GAA and a Secretary for the Malinmore Handball Club. 

Aged 17, Gerry was one of the volunteer workers on the Halla Muire, an institution in Glencolmcille since 1953.

“I suppose that was one of my first projects,” commented Gerry. “The priest asked for 40 volunteers to have the hall ready and built at Easter. I used to walk over the hills and be at the hall for 9am and be there until evening. We all enjoyed it and knew it would be beneficial in later years for the community, which it still is and is being run for local functions.

“Later on, I served as a caretaker and helped with running functions and bazaars, and did the doors at nights of dances and things like that. I was involved in it most of the time.”

Over 30 years later, Gerry was prominent in the setting up of the Glencolmcille Fire Brigade Station, which was initially a volunteer force, following a serious fire in 1985.

The station officially opened on  June 9, 1990, on the feast of St Colmcille, by the then Bishop of Raphoe, Séamus Hegarty, and from then on, the Fire Brigade had “gone from strength to strength over the years.”

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“That was a good achievement,” Gerry recalled. “There happened to be a fire locally. It was far from Killybegs, and the Fire Brigade got here as fast as they could, but the house was pretty well gutted by the time they got here.

“So we tried to raise the issue that a fire brigade was needed in this end of the county. It took a while to supply. We had small pumps for a while. Then we had a voluntary brigade.

“All the lads built the foundation, and the fire station was run voluntarily. Then eventually, Donegal County Council established a serving fire brigade and the men were paid as normal fire brigade workers. At the moment, it is the same as any other fire station in the country.

“We’re very thankful for that. It was a big achievement. I happened to be one of the prime movers, along with a few more who organised the availing of the site, raising funds, and organising the whole event.”

The Glencolmcille Festival was another project for Gerry. Fr Duffy described Gerry as “a leading light of the Glencolmcille Festival - single-handedly organising the Car Treasure Hunt each year, which is one of the main attractions.”

“I happened to be chairperson of the festival committee,” said Gerry. “We used to run it in the second week of August.

“We did a lot for the children, with family plays, a pet show, discos, and other events in the hall. Sports down on the football field. We would maybe have a dance in the hall, and the pubs would have music every night and on an outdoor stage. 

“It was important. People were waiting for the festival. They would be gearing their holidays to come when the festival would be on. It was very important to the area.” 

When Gerry was asked what local work he was most proud of, he responded by highlighting his involvement in drama in Glencolmcille. His “commitment to the promotion of drama, in Irish and in English, as an actor, producer, and script writer,” and “his dedication to encouraging young actors” were mentioned during the 2005 Donegal People of the Year awards. 

“The drama was my main project,” Gerry declared. “I loved the drama and putting on plays. Getting people involved in drama. 

“It was the local priest who started me off on the drama. He was a great man for drama. We did a number of plays under his direction. When he died, I took over. 

“We ran and produced a play every year, and some Irish ones as well, which we went to festivals and competitions in Gweedore and Galway. All the actors enjoyed being involved. I haven’t been in it since I injured my leg, and another young man has taken over and runs plays.” 

As Gerry talks, he sits in a conservatory that has a prime location on the main street of Glencolmcille. When questioned about what differences he has noticed in the area from 1936, he responded: there is a lot more money for people, wages have increased, and there is a lot more employment. Nearly everybody who needs a job is employed in Kilcar, Killybegs, etc.

“When I first started at The Mart in Glencolmcille, I was on a fiver a week. Now there seems to be more wealth. 

“The houses are now built to a higher standard. In the old days, there would be just two rooms, and the kitchen would be small. That would accommodate a family. Now the houses are on a bigger scale, and it is nice to see.”

For now, Gerry awaits his birthday celebration whilst surrounded by family and friends, as he looks forward to the next decade of his life.

But his party invitation comes with one caveat. 

“Prepare no presents, please!”