Anne bheag Gallagher recalled as a caring woman who was unwavering in her support

Moving tributes have been pouring onto social media following the death of Anne bheag Gallagher from Glassagh which occurred in University Hospital Letterkenny last week. Her concelebrated Requiem Mass took place  in St. Colmcille Church, Cnoc Fola  on Friday. The celebrant was the former Parish Priest of Gortahork Seán Ó Gallchóir and he was assisted by Father Brian Ó Fearraigh, P.P., Gaoth Dobhair and Father Nigel Ó Gallchóir, P.P., Annagry. 

In his homily Fr. Seán said that Anne had organised all her funeral arrangements prior to her passing.  Her request was that he celebrate the Mass and the other arrangements were: language, readers gift-bearers, singer, hymns and priests on the altar.  

He said ‘Its not easy to make your own funeral arrangements and to face up to your own death. It takes a lot of courage, a lot of faith, and a lot of strength to do that. Anne never lacked those qualities throughout her life. Her death was a great shock to so many of us and had left us stunned. Her request that I say her funeral Mass was an expression of her loyalty her faithfulness and her friendship’.

Fr. Seán said that when he came as curate to Cnoc Fola 30 years ago he had various points of contact with her. He used to visit her mother Catherine on a monthly basis when she became housebound. Anne cared for her mother with great love, affection and great patience for many years. Anne loved her family and they were very important to her and was always there for them. He described her as a great family person. Secondly, her love and  care extended far beyond her family and that was his second point of meeting. She was very friendly with his sister, Mairéad who both had a lot in common. Both liked company, companionship and the craic and Anne was a wonderful support to Mairéad during her journey with terminal cancer. 

His third point of contact with Anne was the quiz scene. Club Óige Chnoc Fola held a quiz every Sunday evening in the Foreland Heights and Anne would always be there. She loved the fun and company and the quiz its self. He added that she was very clever, very well informed, very knowledgeable and very competitive. She herself set a lot quiz questions for the Gaoth Dobhair United  and the Over 50’s Club. His forth point of contact with her was Celtic. He himself is an ardent Celtic supporter from an early age and he said his devotion to Celtic paled in insignificance in comparison to Anne bheag's unwavering support.  She was a wee girl in Glasgow the day of the first nine in a row of nine.  Her complete devotion to Celtic never waned. Celtic gave her great joy, great pleasure and great happiness throughout her life. She also devoted herself to Gaoth Dobhair United as a supporter, at the gate, fundraiser and management role as the under age teams. Father Sean’s fifth of meeting with her was her faith. He said she had a deep profound faith and was very faithful to the Mass.

She was very popular and much loved in the community even by those who didn’t share her political vision and philosophy.  She was a devoted Sinn Féin supporter and worked hard on committees, at meetings on campaigns and canvassing.

Despite her profound Glasgow ascent she was born in Bun a' Bhaile, near Glassagh and she had no English when the family moved to Scotland in 1964. She learned English at Holyrood School and was well educated there.  The family moved back to Gaoth Dobhair in 1975.  Anne went to Ard Scoil Mhuire in Magheraclogher.  She was intelligent and bright but she didn’t go beyond  second level education. At that time the Screabán was thriving and she worked in GT Carpets,  Telectron na Farraige Móire and Comer Yarns in the 80’s.  After that she went to work in Neill Ruaidh’s in Gortahork. She was very popular there and after that she looked after her mother.  She enjoyed life and liked to socialise in the Heights, Teach Jack, Micí’s and other places. She enjoyed the horses and especially the Grand National. She was a people’s person full of chat and full of humour.  She was laid to rest in the adjacent cemetery after the funeral mass.

Tributes

Gaoth Dobhair United FC in a statement said:  ‘Today is a very sad day for our club as we had to say goodbye to Anne Bheag, a club legend, a special friend and always a huge part of our club. She was always involved in someway and even when she wasn't well she'd be asking how things are going. She got involved as a young girl, playing for the women’s team, helping her dad Micí and she managed some of our young teams after he sadly passed away. She was a great manager as everyone listened when she spoke and she had a lot of success with her teams as she knew her football. She was always asking what she could do to help, from organising Table quiz’s to raise funds for decades, to making the tea and even on the gate for our senior matches in recent years to name but a few of the jobs she done with perfection. Even though today is a sad day for us all at the club, we will fondly remember Anne and hopefully make her proud in the years to come.  Ar  dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam Dilís’.

Before the start of  Gaoth Dobhair United Senior game away to Cranford on Sunday a minute silence was observed by both teams. The Gaoth Dobhair Utd. team  wore black arm bands as a mark of respect. She was a huge part of the club, and she will be sorely missed by all.

The local Dail Deputy, Pearse Doherty paid the following tribute to her:  ‘To say that we'll miss her feels inadequate. There's a void left which can't be replaced. She brightened up every day with her smile and wit.  She was passionate and she was proud. And I was beyond proud to call her a friend. A trusted confident and a constant rock. Codhlaigh sámh i measc na Naomh, Anne, go gcástar ar a chéile arís muid

She was predeceased by her parents Micí na Locha and Catherine [née Curran] Gallagher her  sister-in-law Margaret and nephew Sean Noel. She will be sadly missed by her sister Sandra McGivney, brothers:  John and Brian, in-laws; Oliver, Mary and  Sinead, nephews: Michael, John and  Mick, niece Kelly Marie and extended family and many friends.