Mícheál Healy (1st of October 1935 - 6th of July 2013)
When people think of great men, they normally think of famous
politicians, religious leaders, movie stars, singers or the kind of man we
regularly read about in our history books and newspapers. There is also another
type of great man, the unsung hero, the man who never seeks fame, fortune or
personal recognition, but whose contributions to life are equally profound.
Their names are rarely recorded in the history books and are only remembered by
the lives they touched. Mícheál Healy will certainly be remembered by the many
lives he touched.
Mícheál was born in ‘Tig an Chúinne’, Ballingeary. He was the son
of Michael and Moll Healy. He was the youngest of three siblings and was very
close to his sister Noreen and brother Seán.
From a very young age Mícheál’s faith, integrity, good morals and
principles were lovingly instilled into him by his deeply religious and good
living parents. Moll was the local sacristan of the church as was her father
Jack Corcoran for many years before her. Cardinal Manning and Moll were close
neighbours and developed a strong friendship over the years. He often credited
Moll in teaching him to answer Mass in Latin as a young boy prior to entering
the priesthood. Cardinal Manning expressed his affection and gratitude towards
Moll by organising a private audience between her and Pope Paul VI in Rome in
1973. Pope Paul VI presented Moll with a papal medal which she wore with great
pride from thereon. On her passing Mícheál continued to wear this medal until
the day he died.
At the very young age of 15 years Mícheál trained as an
apprentice shoemaker in Macroom. On completion of his apprenticeship he worked
with one of the Harrington brothers in Castle St., Macroom. Mícheál returned to
Ballingeary and worked with Jerh. O Leary whom he initially served his
apprenticeship with. He proceeded to take the initiative of working on his own,
in his parents’ house ‘Tig an Chúinne’. Later Mícheál’s brother Seán joined him
in his work and together in the mid 50’s they built a workshop near where the
present workshop stands today. In the early 70’s they acquired a bigger
workshop which was attached to Mícheál’s home. Mícheál and Seán purchased new
machinery and equipment and started manufacturing under the name Barodee.
This progression and the allocation of three additional workers enhanced their
success in increasing their production ten fold and they sold boots throughout
the country. They supplied work boots and this type of boot was much quicker to
produce as against the original hob nail boot with the iron tip on the heel.
Mícheál was active in both the manufacturing and commercial side of the business.
Over a fourteen year period, he developed the business, spending many days on
the road selling Barodee boots to shoe shops in towns and in cites throughout Ireland.
This was prior to the introduction of Free Trade.
Until then all foreign imports were allowed into this country only on quota and
Irish manufacturers were protected.
Mícheál Healy standing next to machinery in his workshop in Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh Village, this year, 2013
With the ending of ‘protection’ it was impossible to compete with
cheap imports. As one door closed another door opened. Mícheál and Seán began
shoe repairs and used their skill and craftsmanship in repairing any leather
item such as footwear, belts, bags etc. Mícheál’s talent and expertise was most
evident in his orthopaedic work which he began in the 60’s. He always loved a
challenge and gained immense satisfaction in helping those with physical
limitations. This allowed him to combine his two callings in life - his passion
for work and his willingness to help other people. Mícheál’s philosophy in life
was whatever career he would undertake, that he would do so to the highest
standard. His craftsmanship and tenacity to help others stand testament to that
philosophy.
Mícheál also had a great passion for sport and was a very talented Gaelic footballer.
He was part of the Ballingeary team that won the Mid-Cork Final in 1965 and he also
played senior football for Muskerry.
cheap imports. As one door closed another door opened. Mícheál and Seán began
shoe repairs and used their skill and craftsmanship in repairing any leather
item such as footwear, belts, bags etc. Mícheál’s talent and expertise was most
evident in his orthopaedic work which he began in the 60’s. He always loved a
challenge and gained immense satisfaction in helping those with physical
limitations. This allowed him to combine his two callings in life - his passion
for work and his willingness to help other people. Mícheál’s philosophy in life
was whatever career he would undertake, that he would do so to the highest
standard. His craftsmanship and tenacity to help others stand testament to that
philosophy.
Mícheál also had a great passion for sport and was a very talented Gaelic footballer.
He was part of the Ballingeary team that won the Mid-Cork Final in 1965 and he also
played senior football for Muskerry.
Mícheál and Kay on their wedding day, 1968
Mícheál's greatest devotion of all in life was to his wife and family.
Mícheál met his wife to be, Kay, at the Montrose dance hall outside Macroom in
1966. They later married in Ballinlough Church in Cork city in 1968. Mícheál and
Kay lived in Ballingeary and had three children, Paul, Martin and Imelda. His
greatest qualities and attributes in life were kindness, good-nature, gentleness
and thoughtfulness. These traits were most evident in his relationship with his
wife and family. Mícheál lived by the principle of always putting others before
himself. He enjoyed life to the full and loved and cared for people. Mícheál
enjoyed interacting with people from all walks in life and had a natural
ability to communicate, sympathise and empathise with those around him. He
often comforted, offered advice without judgement and prayed sincerely for those
who needed help and support. Mícheál appreciated the simple things in life such
as the fine weather, going for walks and having a chat with those he met on his
path. He loved nature and showed great compassion and tenderness towards
animals. Love and appreciation for life and people formed the very foundation of
how he lived his life.
Mícheál Healy second from right in this photograph taken in 1961
The Ballingeary pipe band was one of Mícheál’s life long
interests. He enjoyed over 60 years in the band with various roles such as
drummer, tutor, chairperson and in later years as president of the
organisation. Mícheál first joined Buíonn Píobairí Barra Naofa in his early
teens. He played the tenor drums and enjoyed doing so in the 50’s and early
60’s. Mícheál was a very capable and competent drummer. Mick Leary, a national
instructor from the Cork pipe band stated that Mícheál was the best drummer he
had ever encountered. Although Buíonn Píobairí Barra Naofa was first established
in 1928 he held great honour and respect for the talents and efforts of those who
preceded him, such as Neilus Cronin who was documented as being the first
instructor to the band. Mícheál also held his own band mates in great esteem,
both past and present.
He always supported and encouraged the new members. Mícheál offered his
time and experience in tutoring the young upcoming members. He spent five
decades teaching the drums, from the 60’s to the 00’s and had the pleasure of
training many students over that period such as Finbarr Leary, Gary Hurley, Tim
Moynihan, Mary Kelliher, Kevin Lynch and Niamh Cotter. Mícheál was chairperson
of the Ballingeary pipe band for three decades from the 70’s to the 90’s and
his final formal association with the band was as president and assistant
treasurer from the late 90’s up until the day he died. Some of his proudest
moments as a drummer would have been playing in the band for the Munster
Football Final in Cork in 1952 and in Killarney in 1953. The band also had the
honour of winning a trophy at the Munster Pipe Band Competition in 1962 and
Mícheál had played the base drum on that momentous occasion.
Mícheál stayed very connected to those with whom he played and even stayed in contact
with Dónal O Sullivan who moved to Melbourne, Australia. Dónal sent on
photographs to himself when he played for some Irish dancers on St. Patrick’s
Day in Melbourne and of his privilege in playing the pipes in a “Guard of
Honour” for the Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
Mícheál’s final public participation with the Ballingeary pipe
band was on St. Patrick ’s Day 2013. He made a presentation to Dónal Cronin for
his long and dedicated service spanning over 50 years.
Up until his final moments Mícheál acted as a historian collecting information,
speaking to people and gathering photographs of historic occasions
of the Ballingeary pipe band, such as Danno O’ Mahony’s home coming
to the town of Ballydehob as world wrestling champion in 1936,
Cardinal Manning’s first Mass as Cardinal in Ballingeary in 1973
and President Mary McAleese’s visit to Cuan Barra, Ballingeary in 2010.
.
interests. He enjoyed over 60 years in the band with various roles such as
drummer, tutor, chairperson and in later years as president of the
organisation. Mícheál first joined Buíonn Píobairí Barra Naofa in his early
teens. He played the tenor drums and enjoyed doing so in the 50’s and early
60’s. Mícheál was a very capable and competent drummer. Mick Leary, a national
instructor from the Cork pipe band stated that Mícheál was the best drummer he
had ever encountered. Although Buíonn Píobairí Barra Naofa was first established
in 1928 he held great honour and respect for the talents and efforts of those who
preceded him, such as Neilus Cronin who was documented as being the first
instructor to the band. Mícheál also held his own band mates in great esteem,
both past and present.
He always supported and encouraged the new members. Mícheál offered his
time and experience in tutoring the young upcoming members. He spent five
decades teaching the drums, from the 60’s to the 00’s and had the pleasure of
training many students over that period such as Finbarr Leary, Gary Hurley, Tim
Moynihan, Mary Kelliher, Kevin Lynch and Niamh Cotter. Mícheál was chairperson
of the Ballingeary pipe band for three decades from the 70’s to the 90’s and
his final formal association with the band was as president and assistant
treasurer from the late 90’s up until the day he died. Some of his proudest
moments as a drummer would have been playing in the band for the Munster
Football Final in Cork in 1952 and in Killarney in 1953. The band also had the
honour of winning a trophy at the Munster Pipe Band Competition in 1962 and
Mícheál had played the base drum on that momentous occasion.
Mícheál stayed very connected to those with whom he played and even stayed in contact
with Dónal O Sullivan who moved to Melbourne, Australia. Dónal sent on
photographs to himself when he played for some Irish dancers on St. Patrick’s
Day in Melbourne and of his privilege in playing the pipes in a “Guard of
Honour” for the Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
Mícheál’s final public participation with the Ballingeary pipe
band was on St. Patrick ’s Day 2013. He made a presentation to Dónal Cronin for
his long and dedicated service spanning over 50 years.
Up until his final moments Mícheál acted as a historian collecting information,
speaking to people and gathering photographs of historic occasions
of the Ballingeary pipe band, such as Danno O’ Mahony’s home coming
to the town of Ballydehob as world wrestling champion in 1936,
Cardinal Manning’s first Mass as Cardinal in Ballingeary in 1973
and President Mary McAleese’s visit to Cuan Barra, Ballingeary in 2010.
.
Mícheál Healy with baby Paul 1970
Mícheál’s intention was to make a compilation of all these precious photographs
into a book so that the history of the pipe band would be documented for future
generations to come. He was determined that this book would go on sale
and that the proceeds would go towards the band.
Mícheál had most of this work completed and his family will endeavour to honour his
wishes by ensuring that his compilation of photographs pertaining to the Ballingeary pipe band
would be made available to the community of Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.
Mícheál Healy was a strong participant in the local community and I’m sure his spirit lives
on with us all.
Grásta Ó Dhia ar a Anam uasal.
into a book so that the history of the pipe band would be documented for future
generations to come. He was determined that this book would go on sale
and that the proceeds would go towards the band.
Mícheál had most of this work completed and his family will endeavour to honour his
wishes by ensuring that his compilation of photographs pertaining to the Ballingeary pipe band
would be made available to the community of Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.
Mícheál Healy was a strong participant in the local community and I’m sure his spirit lives
on with us all.
Grásta Ó Dhia ar a Anam uasal.
Mícheál Healy at the Wedding of his daughter Imelda 2004
Mícheál with baby Cian 2012
Mícheál circa 1968
Mícheál and Kay at a wedding in Kinsale in 1995
