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James Doherty RIP
The death has taken place of James Doherty, Geaglum, Drumkeeran.
James died in Mullross Nursing Home, Kilclare, on Sunday, 9th December.
He was almost
86 years of age.
James was born in Geaglum, the fifth and youngest son of John and Mary Ann Doherty
Having
attended Lisacoghill NS, James worked with Leitrim County Council
and with the ESB,
when the high-
to Carrick-
James was a popular and well liked member of the local community.
He loved the company
of people and he thoroughly enjoyed regaling them
with his story-
Indeed, he won popular acclaim
for his stories and recitations,
so much so that some local people in Creevelea arranged
to
have a DVD of James and his recitations published in 2006.
James was also a consummate actor in amateur drama.
His portrayal of the Bull McCabe
in John B Keane’s The Field was widely acclaimed
as one of the finest performances
of that role ever played on an amateur stage.
A big strong man, James was a keen footballer and a very powerful presence on the
field of play.
He maintained this interest in football long after his playing days
were over,
going to matches and watching them on TV.
Another sport he enjoyed also suited his size and strength.
That was the sport of
boxing.
Hunting and shooting were among his favourite pass-
He was renowned for his
accurate shooting and,
though he only ever used a single-
he was
well capable of bagging many’s a pheasant.
One of his lesser known talents was that of sketching and drawing.
He could quite
easily and quite quickly,
using a pencil and whatever piece of paper or cardboard
came to hand,
make a sketch of visitors to his house or of his pet dogs.
James had to spend the last eighteen months or so of his life in hospital.
Though
severely disabled by his illness, he still extended a warm
and hearty welcome to all
who visited him.
And that was James. A friendly man with a gentle smile and a warm welcoming handshake.
Drumkeeran, and Creevelea in particular, will sorely miss James Doherty.
In his passing
the community has lost a good friend.
But it has also lost one of its last real contacts
with
the traditions and the folklore of a passing generation.
He is survived by his sister-
and by his nephew John in
England.
The large crowds that attended the removal and the funeral
bore eloquent testimony
to the high esteem in which James
was held by all in the community.
After the Funeral Mass in St Brigid’s Church, Creevelea,
on Wednesday, 12th December,
James
was laid to rest in Drumkeeran Cemetery.