Popular piper Seán Kelly laid to rest

There was widespread sadness and deep regret at the passing of popular piper Seán Kelly, Derrycramp, Cavan, at Cavan General Hospital, on August 7 last, after a short illness.

Seán was a much loved character who endeared himself to many people in different walks of life and he has left a lasting impression on those he met through his friendliness and good humour.

The youngest in the family of the late John Joe and Kathleen Kelly, Seán was a native of Drumora, Crossdoney, where he grew up. He attended Corliss National School and subsequently Cavan Vocational School.

After school Seán commenced an apprenticeship in plumbing and heating with the O’Reilly brothers in Belville, Ballinagh. He spent many years with the company fitting heating systems in different houses and factories. Following a car accident, he trained as a cobbler and really enjoyed being self-employed repairing shoes, handbags, belts, purses and all things leather, while enjoying the banter with his many customers on a daily basis.

Seán had a lasting ambition to drive a bus and he soon set about fulfilling that dream. He took driving lessons in his spare time, got his licence and purchased his own bus. He provided a service to schools, sports clubs and any community organisations that needed transport. He also ran a bus service to the University of Limerick every Friday returning on Sundays, which was much appreciated by the students and their parents at the time.

In 1997, Seán took up employment with Bus Éireann. He worked in school transport and he brought the students from Drung and Bunnoe to the Comprehensive School in Cootehill and, after dropping them off, he carried the children from the Drumgoon area to Dernakesh NS. Each evening, he did the run in reverse.

Seán built up a great relationship with countless students over the past 27 years and, as these students grew up and became parents, he brought their children on the same run. As their bus driver he was kind, considerate, patient and above all else he ensured their safety. He told them stories and fibs, teased them regularly especially about football, joked with them and they loved him.

Away from the day job Seán had many interests and he enhanced and enlivened many occasions with his conversation, wit and natural good humour. In his youth he played with Cornafean mostly at junior level. He served as club vice-chairman for a time and he also served as a selector in the early 1990s when his good friend Rogie Martin from Granard managed the team.

He was a natural fit for the novelty act in Scór and he took part for years winning county titles. In later years Seán was a founding member of the Cornafean Vintage Tractor club and he served as its first chairman.

Music man

Perhaps Sean’s greatest talent was in the field of music. He got his first introduction to music through the Cornafean Macra na Tuaithe Band. They played at numerous events and took part in Tops of the Town and Bard of Breifne competitions. Seán was raised on stories about the Drumcrow War Pipers Band and he was fascinated by their history and he interviewed and became friendly with many of the old members.

Soon he learned to play the pipes and he carved out a whole new pastime for himself. He played initially with the Newtownbutler Pipe Band and for the last 25 years with the St Naul's Pipe Band from Ardaghey, Co Donegal. Seán enjoyed many great occasions with the band – a trip to New York and leading the band in their parade down 5th avenue on St Patrick’s Day, playing at Ground Zero, playing in Flanders in Belgium, in Trafalgar Square in London, Áras an Uachtaráin etc.

In addition Seán was always available as a lone piper to play at weddings, funerals, charity events, parades, celebrations of any kind and he went the extra mile to please his guests. Among the highlights were some of Catherina McKiernan's homecomings to MacSeáins after her outstanding achievements on the world athletics stage.

In his spare time Seán enjoyed nothing more than a trip down to Leitrim village in his camper van where he met up with friends gathered there from all over.

A natural comedian, Seán was a people's person. He knew everybody and everyone knew him. He engaged in conversation with anyone and everyone. He was entertaining and funny the master of the one liner.

He will be sorely missed by his countless friends and work colleagues and he is deeply mourned by his loving family: Sisters Pearl, Patricia and Carmel; brothers in law John, Jim and Bud; sister in law Bernie; nephews and nieces; grand-nephews and grand-nieces, all of whom he was immensely proud and who he loved and adored.

Seán was predeceased by his parents, John Joe and Kathleen, and by his brother Felim four years ago.

Seán’s funeral mass took place in the Cathedral of Ss Patrick & Felim on Sunday of last week. The cortège was led down Farnham Street to the cathedral by the St Naul’s Pipe Band. Guards of honour were provided by the pupils and their parents from Dernakesh NS, Cornafean GAA and Cornafean Vintage Tractor club.

Chief celebrant was Fr Kevin Fay assisted by Fr Thomas Small and Fr Tom McKiernan. The Mass was enhanced by the singing of Geraldine and Brianna McCaffrey, Matthew Keaney, Cathal Gallagher and Seán’s niece Lisa O’Neill.

Seán’s good friend George Cartwright delivered a eulogy at the conclusion of the ceremony. As the funeral cortege proceeded to St Patrick’s Church, Drumcor, a guard of honour was provided outside Bus Éireann by fellow bus drivers, service drivers, inspectors and senior management. Seán was interred in the family plot in Drumcor cemetery. May his soul rest in peace.