Death of Fig.Conway.

It was a grand Spring day in Dunderry,weatherwise.I am just after poking my head out the door and it is invigorating and would make you feel good to be alive.

dunderry drumbeat

I am therefor saddened in the extreme to be the bearer of the bad news that my great friend Phil Conway died at c.1.00 a.m. this morning in Beaumount Hospital where he had been languishing these few weeks back.
I last saw Fig about a week before last Christmas and although shook he was well with it and had no contemplation nor expectation of imminent death.
He had recently come home after a 5 week stay in the Mater where he had been treated for swelling of the body.
He was told that the dreaded cancer was not back and that the medics could find no reason for the swelling.Having seen about 50 doctors he could get no answers and came home.
I  had arranged a few pints for myself and a few others a few days later and asked him to come.He was delighted and promised that he would.He never landed.
I knew then that things were not good.
Shortly afterward he was admitted to Beaumount and the inevitable followed.
There are indelible ties of friendship between the Conways and the Mc Cormacks ,my, mother's people ,that defy time and space,that have their genesis in hardship and history.
Fig's uncle Jack was an important and brave participant in the War of Independence.H e was active.
For years in the 1960.s and 1970,s Dunderry GAA Club used his field for matches and training at  time when my uncle Tommy Mc Cormack was Chairman.
It had by far the best playing surface of any pitch Dunderry ever used including the present one.
It is no coincidence that an active participant and patriot in the struggle against imperialism should help out another and more enduring perhaps movement for sovereignty ,the GAA,in furthering the common  ideal.
Fig was a life member of Dundery GAA Club and was upset that he did not  receive a notification of last year's AGM,a matter of considerable concern to him at the time.
I  was glad to be able to sooth his mind on this omission.
Eaten bread ought not be forgotten.
I am proud to be related to Fig,although this link is buried in the mists of time.
I will explore this link further but am assured that my grandfather and Fig's walked to Longwood for the funeral of  Pappy Conway ,another great GAA man in the 19th.century and that he was related to them equally.
We called to the house today.Anne was there.She is a great friend of my wife Agnes and they both lost another great friend Eileen Mc Nally recently.
Liam Harte and his wife Bernie,Anne's sister and a brother of theirs and his wife  were up and about and in a state of shock.
His sons were resting after their recent vigils by his bedside.
Liam and Bernie have been on hand these last weeks and have done more than anyone could to help out.
His grand kids were all there and it is common knowledge that he adored them and they him.
His mortal remains will be resting in the Chapel of Rest ,Old Johnstown from 3.00 to 5.30 on Friday ,leaving to arrive in Dunderry Church at 6.30.
Funeral Mass is at 11.30 on Saturday ,with removal after wards to Dunderry Cemetery.
To his wife ANNE,his sons Anthony,Sean and Philip ,his grandchildren Cillian,Clodagh and Daniel and his surviving siblings Paddy ,Seamus and Richie and sisters Sheila ,Lily ,Phylis,Teasie and Imrlda we offer our sincere condolences.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a hAnam Dilis.