Remembering the late Donal Glennon
Renowned for his love of traditional Irish music and Gaelic games, in equal measure, it is with sadness that we record the passing of Donal Glennon, who died in Dublin last week, following a brief illness.
Born and reared at the Mill on the Dublin Road, Donal was part of a large family. While much of his life was lived in Dublin, his ties with his home county remained exceptionally strong, particularly in later years when he operated a successful furniture business in Granard and was one of the founder members of the Granard Harp Festival committee.
His first job was with Con Durkins, on Ballymahon Street, in 1936, where he worked for two years until taking up a position with a store in Bray in 1938. During his four and half years there, he joined the local GAA club Bray Emmetts, before returning back home to the family business for a short period.
Donal returned to Dublin to work in a department store as a buyer of boots, shoes, readymades and bespoke tailoring in 1943, where he remained for 12 years, ten of which were as manager. One of his last roles in that position was to give a first job to a young Ronnie Drew.
His next job was in a department store in Henry Street, and it was there that he met a young Danny Doyle, the renowned Irish folk singer. In his article in the Dublin Association's 40th anniversary publication, 'Fostering Friendship', Donal recalled how they would go down to the boiler room in the basement with two mouth organs for a sing song.
Donal's love of music saw him enrol in Leo Rowsome's uilleann pipes class in the school of music, where he met fellow Longford man Peter Hanley from Newtowncashel and became a noted pipe player. He also played the fiddle.
He recalled in the article that it was Peter who brought him to the Pipers Club in Molesworth Street (later Thomas Street) where traditional music was fostered by teaching and music sessions.
It was out of the Pipers club that Comhaltas Ceoltir ireann was founded, and it was therefore a fitting tribute that current Director General Labhras Murch was in attendance at Donal's funeral.
GAA was always a part of Donal's life and it was during this period that he joined a club in Dublin called Ard Craobh, an old club that was part of the Gaelic League, which had Eamon De Valera as its president.
In 1970, Donal returned to Co Longford to set up his own upholstery manufacturing business in Granard, Glencraft Manufacturing, taking over the old cinema in the town on Barrack Street (now community centre). He operated a very successful business there for 15 years, commuting between Dublin and Longford until he retired in 1986.
The Granard Harp Festival was revived in 1981 and Donal was part of the founding committee, and was an active member for many years, promoting the event in a big way.
In 1985 he joined the Longford Association in Dublin and became part of the talent team that competed in the Laois Association talent contest. He maintained a strong involvement with the Longford Associaton in Dublin and was Life President at the time of his passing.
He also liked shooting, and he hand-reared pheasants and released them in St Margaret’s.
The removal and funeral services, which took place on Wednesday (May 7) and Thursday (May 8) last, were a moving tribute to Donal.
The grandson of the late Leo Rowsome (legendary uilleann pipes player) played at the removal, while a harpist, two pipers, accordion player and flute player and singer also accompanied the funeral mass.
Donal was laid to rest at Rolestown Cemetery, following Mass of the Resurrection at St. Margaret’s Church, Dublin. He is survived by his wife, Maura, sons Liam and Roly and daughters Julie, Maura, Hannah, Eileen, Bernie and Breda and by his sister Sheila (Colreavy).
Ar dheis D go raibh a anam dlis.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
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