COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (FEBRUARY 17 EDITION)
The recent passing of Jarlath Fahey has left the Abbey Trust without one of its longest-serving members.
Fellow Trust member Pat Higgins recalled how Jarlath was asked by the Augustinian Order to be its representative when the Trust was set up in 2002 to hold the historic St Mary’s Abbey (known locally as the Friary) in trust for the community.
“He was greatly dedicated to the preservation of the Friary church,” explained Pat, who, like Jarlath, studied at St Jarlath’s boarding school in Tuam prior to training as a teacher.
Jarlath taught Maths and Geography when he joined the teaching staff of Ballyhaunis Community School, established in 1977 with the amalgamation of the local convent and St Patrick’s boys school.
The Abbey Trust, which is made up of representatives nominated by the Augustinian Order, Mayo County Council and Ballyhaunis Community Council, will pay tribute to Jarlath when it meets on February 26th.
“He was a tremendous community person, and a great teacher,” said Pat of someone he described as a “great friend”.
“He had a great sense of humour. Even in school he would see the humorous side of things. He was a peacemaker; he would calm troubled waters.”
