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Charlie Bennett
1934 - 2001
From
humble beginnings to Donegal's First Citizen |
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| The late Charlie Bennett, born in Killaghtee
on 10th January, 1934, has left his imprint on many
aspects of Donegal life in his 67 years. From
humble beginnings and in his own inimitable way, the late
Mr.Bennett left a lasting impression with his generosity,
enthusiasm which benefited not alone his local area but
far and wide. |
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| Between 1954 and 1963, he spent various
periods in England where he worked with Cadburys, but
while home he worked with Bord na Mona. In 1956 he met
Marian Boyle, who he was to marry in Peckham, London on
24th September, 1958. In 1963 he returned permanently to Ardara and set up home at Hillhead, operating a B&B and petrol station and went to work with Mick Kennedy and Son. In 1969 he moved to Gallagher's Bakery where he was to spend 30 years on the roads of South West Donegal on his bread run. In 1952 he was part of the historic minor championship winning Ardara team and he also represented the club at senior level and also played for Donegal. He was secretary of the Ardara club in 1964 and was chairman in 1983,'84 and '85. He will also be remembered as one of the club's chief fund-raisers. He was Captain of Narin and Portnoo Golf Club in 1973. His love of music saw him progress from the La Scala band to be part of 'Charlie & Kevin' and the 'Evergreens'. Among his numerous fund-raising ventures were for the Downstrands Care of the Aged, churches of all denominations in the area. He ran the Dublin City Marathon on a number of occasions to benefit worthy causes, while one of his notable achievements was his involvement in fund-raising for Manorcunningham boy, Stephen Quinn, who was suffering from a rare skin disease. Amongst the many other groups he was associated with were the Ardara Care of the Aged, the Pioneer Association, St.Vincent de Paul, the Handicapped Association, Ardara Parish Council, The Heritage Centre and Community Centre. He was also Lord Mayor of Ardara for many years. In the eighties he was chairman of Ardara Tourism and he was Donegal Person of the Year in 1993. He was co-opted to Donegal County Council in 1997 on the death of his friend and colleague, Connell Boyle and he retained the seat in the 1999 Council election, before becoming chairman last year. Last year on 18th February, he was the subject of a 'This Is Your Life' presentation in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel in Ardara, organised by the Parish Council where the town and area were able to honour a life that had given so much. Little did they know what was to follow just over a year later. Charlie was one of Ardara's proudest in September last year when his local side defeated St.Eunan's to win their first Co Senior title in nineteen years. He will be missed in Ardara for many reasons - as the man who acted as MC at nearly every event; as the fund-raiser and as a friend. |
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Council offices close as a mark of respect |
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The offices of Donegal Co Council closed on Thursday,
22nd March as a mark of respect to the late Clr.Charlie
Bennett, chairman of the Council. The following statement was issued by the Co Council this week: "It was with a great sense of sadness and disbelief that members and officials of Donegal County Council learned of the untimely death of Clr.Charlie Bennett who passed away on Sunday, 18th March, 2001, while taking part in a St.Patrick's Day Parade in Brooklyn, New York. "As Cathaoirleach, Charlie led the official party from Donegal County Council on the St.Patrick's Day visit to the United States. The group had taken part in St.Patrick's Day celebrations in Philadelphia on Sunday, 11th March and Charlie led the Donegal Association contingent in the official St.Patrick's Parade in New York on 17th March. "Many tributes have been paid to Charlie over the past few days and members and officials of the Council wish to be associated with the many genuine sentiments expressed. "Speaking late on Sunday night, Mr.Michael McLoone, County Manager, said: 'Charlie was a man of great honesty and integrity. He was highly |
| respected by all those who knew him and
he had the ability to diffuse a tense and controversial
situation with his turn of phrase and wit.' "The County Manager went on to say: 'If we can take any consolation from Charlie's untimely death is that fate determined that he died while in his role as First Citizen of Donegal, the highest office that Charlie could have held and a role which he carried out with great pride and distinction. He was a great ambassador for the county and was proud to represent the people of Donegal.' |
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| "The late Councillor Bennett was first co-opted on to Donegal County Council on 30th June, 1997 to fill the casual vacancy which arose from the death of Clr.Connell Boyle. Clr.Bennett served on the General Council of County Councils Committee and the Islands Committee. He was also a member of the Glenties Electoral Area Committee and the General Purposes Committee of Donegal County Council. Clr.Bennett was re-elected in his own right |
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| to the Council following the local
elections in June 1999, and was selected as Cathaoirleach
of Donegal County Council at the Annual General Meeting
held in June 2000. "Clr.Bennett was renowned for his tremendous community and voluntary work and was a past recipient of the Donegal Person of the Year Award. He had a great love of Gaelic football and was very supportive of his native Ardara club, which he had served as player and at committee level. "Above all, Charlie Bennett was a gentleman who found it much easier to make friends than enemies. His passing will be sadly remembered by all his colleagues on Donegal County Council and by very many officials whom he had got to know over the years. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam." |
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Tribute
from Ardara GAA |
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The sudden and untimely death of Charlie
Bennett will be deeply felt in the Ardara area and
especially by C.L.C.G. Ard a Ratha. The GAA was a big part of Charlie's life. He was one of the outstanding stars of Ardara and Donegal Football. he was a member of the Ardara 1952 minor team that won the County title and represented the Club at county level for many years in the fifties. He was secretary of the Ardara GAA Club in 1964 and was Chairman in 1983, '84 and '85. He was Chairman of the Development Committee in the ninties. |
| Charlie also had a great interest in Golf
becoming involved in the sixties. He held the highest
accolade in Narin/Portnoo Golf Club when he held the
position of Captain for the year 1973. Music was always a great love. Having been part of the 'La Scala' band he was also part of 'Charlie & Kevin' and also the 'Evergreens', The 'Evergreens' played for eleven years on Boxing Day for the patients of St.Josephs in Stranorlar. Charlie was always a man to help others. His efforts in fundraising came to the fore in the late seventies and is well recognised throughout the nation. One of his first big events was the setting up of the Downstrands Care of the Aged and he was instrumental in the success of the Fundraising for the Kilclooney and the Ardara Churches. He ran the Dublin City Marathon a few times to raise money for different events. Amongst the many other groups and events he was associated with was the Ardara Care of the Aged, The Pioneer Association, St.Vincent de Paul, The Handicapped Association, The Ardara Parish Council, The Heritage Centre and the Community Centre amongst others. Charlie was the 'Lord Mayor of Ardara' for many years. Tourism |
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Shock Death of Council Chairman |
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| Charlie
Bennett collapses in Brooklyn parade By Martin McGinley There has been a reaction of shock in
Donegal to the news of the sudden death of the Council
chairman Charlie Bennett at a parade in Brooklyn on
Sunday. |
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| His wife Marian was with him at the time.
She said they'd been told he had suffered a heart attack.
He was aged 67 years. The late Colr. Bennett was one of
the best-liked people in public life in Donegal. He was
active for many years in fund-raising for charities, work
which led him to be named 'Donegal Person of the Year'
several years ago. He was co-opted onto Donegal County
Council as a Fine Gael member following the death of
Connell Boyle and then took a seat himself in the last
Council elections. Last year he became what's thought to
be the first Ardara Councillor to chair the Council. The Bennetts' two children are both in their twenties - Cathal, who lives in Ardara, and Sinead, who lives in Dublin. There is one grandchild, Cathal's son Conal. The family home is on the Portnoo Road outside Ardara and is a bed and breakfast which is popular with visitors. Former
Councillor Colm Gallagher from Mountcharles, speaking
from the Metropolotan Hotel in New York where he and the
Bennetts were staying, said he was walking with Colr.
Bennett when he complained of cramp. |
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Locals
mourn 'Mr.Ardara' |
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The sudden death of Charlie Bennett has
left the Ardara area devasted because he was so well
liked and respected. The late Mr.Bennett was involved in everything that happened in the area and further afield. "We have lost the best man that ever was in this parish," said Stephen McCahill, chairman of the Parish Council. "It is just terrible. He was Mr.Ardara in every way and he represented us in that way and was proud of it. "It is just devastating and we are shocked by it. Charlie's work at community level was absolutely outstanding. There will never be anyone like him again. |
Community representative "He was purely the true community representative. Even though he went into the Council on the Fine Gael ticket, Charlie was able to go across all aspects of the parish. Everyone related to Charlie Bennett as Charlie Bennett. "He came from small beginnings in 1934 in Killaghtee and his family were particularly proud of his achievements. He was as good an orator as there was. "Any tragedy which occured in the area saw Charlie organise fund-raising for them. He was the Lord Mayor and used it to its full potential. He was the man behind our Community Centre. "He was an exceptional person. When the Church of Ireland were in trouble he had a big fund-raising to help with repairs to the church. "He ran the Dublin City Marathon to raise funds for Downstrands Church and he ran it again for the Town Traders to get lights for the town. "The fund-raising event that was closest to his heart was the young lad from Manorcunningham, Stephen Quinn, who had a skin disorder. Charlie raised, in a matter of months, over £80,000. It was fitting almost a year ago when the whole town came together to have a 'This is Your Life' for Charlie Bennett. He was particularly proud that that young boy, who he hadn't seen for some time, came to the event," said Stephen. Even though he was only a short time on the County Council, Stephen said his imprint was already made with a new reservoir and up to 25 houses being built. "The Council have never bought more land around Ardara and all that is down to Charlie," he said. "He was the first Councillor since Big Paddy (Mac a Ghoill) in the early 1960s and he was the first chairman we ever had," said Mr.McCahill. "Everything that has happened in Ardara, Charlie is written all over it," he said. Good Worker Devastated |
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Pat pays tribute |
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| Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP for Connaught-Ulster,
expressed sympathy with the wife and family of the late
Clr. Bennett. "I wish to offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Marian Bennett and her family on this sad occasion. Charlie will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. He was a most popular and highly respected man. In public life he was a man of the highest integrity and honesty. I would safely describe him as apolitical. His aim was to serve his county to the best of his ability and to work for the wider community irrespective of one's political affiliations." He added this was a great loss to Donegal and he was sure all who knew the late Clr. Bennett would agree. "He was once selected as the Donegal Person of the Year for his involvement in community work and I'm sure that it is for his utter dedication to serving his community that he will be remembered." |
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A 'terrific ambassador' during New York trip |
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| Council chairman Charlie Bennett
had a busy schedule in the days before his death,
representing Donegal at parades and functions in New York. Former
Councillor Colm Gallagher said he was in excellent form
on the day of his death, and was delighted that morning
when they were given special seats at the Mass celebrated
by the newly-created Cardinal Egan in New York. |
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Party
colleagues stunned by death |
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| Party colleagues of the late Councillor
Bennett shared the great sense of shock in the county at
his sudden death in New York. "The whole place is in shock," said Deputy Dinny McGinley. "I was devastated when I got the word. This tragedy is unbelievable. "I spoke to him at length the day before he left for the States and he was so much looking forward to it. He was looking forward to leading the Donegal contingent on Fifth Avenue on St.Patrick's Day. It was his sort of event. "We are terribly shocked," said Deputy McGinley." It is a big loss for Donegal Co Council. He was probably the first chairman, that I can recall, who died in office and in the line of duty," he said. "I suppose if Charlie had a choice, he would have wanted it that way. He was so proud to be chairman. "He was co-opted to the Council four years ago on the death of Connell Boyle, who died in similar circumstances. "He was held in high esteem. Charlie was a unique person. He was a public figure even before he went into politics. He was a great footballer, a tremendous entertainer and a dedicated community worker. "He raised more money for charitable purposes at home and abroad than any person I would know of," said Deputy McGinley." His services were recognised some nine or ten years ago when he was awarded the Donegal Person of the Year. "He crossed political divides and was a very good chairman of Donegal Co Council," said Deputy McGinley, who said the late Councillor was so involved with the local area that he could name any member of any household when canvassing. "He will be a big loss to the party and the county," said Deputy McGinley. Huge loss |
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A sense of great loss |
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| The death of Charles (Charlie) Bennett,
Chairman of Donegal County Council, while leading a
Donegal group in a St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York,
is indeed sad news. We are all very much poorer for his
passing. This was a quiet man but a great one who
achieved much and gave more., locally, regionally and
nationally. There are few politicians who will be mourned with such a sense of widespread regret and sadness as Charlie Bennett, who was at home in any company, happy in any arena, sporting, political or both! Charlie was seen by all sides as a facilitator, a man capable of compromise and of winning compromise. His leadership style was unobtrusive yet there was a steel within him that ensured the important things were not only said but done. People liked him. Not because he was 'an operator' who got the pot-hole filled or the form sent away. They liked him more simply because he was like themselves, no frills, no fuss. He had that common touch and while the golden chain of high office was worn with pride on the proper occasions it was quickly removed when the serious talking started. His elevation to high office, so soon after his co-option to the Council itself, was a source of understandable personal pride. He was simply delighted to be in this role. In a curious way his passing, while leading the Donegal group in a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Brooklyn, is an apt reflection of his own wider agenda in life. Charlie Bennett could lead and did so in many fields. Long before he entered the political arena, he had shown an incredible energy and commitment to a host of sporting, charitable and other organisations. His reputation as a fundraiser was legendary, his willingness to help on a plethora of voluntary committees was well documented. Ardara had long recognised his love for his native place, electing him as Lord Mayor. And in 1993 he got wider recognition with the honour of 'Donegal Person of the Year'. A lover of all sports, he played intercounty gaelic football and won a Minor Championship with Ardara but, like so many, one of his happiest days was on September 20th, 1992. No one was prouder to see fellow Ardara man Anthony Molloy deliver the Sam Maguire to Ardara and Donegal. Now it's our turn to lead. Charlie has taken his turn and taken it with typical panache and purpose. We mourn him, certainly, but we should remember him too as a man who felt fulfilled, achieved his goals and in doing so made this a better county for all of us. May he rest in peace. |
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| Charlie
Bennett The community is much saddened by the death of Charlie Bennett, who fulfilled the functions of Mayor of Ardara for many years as well as partaking in many other community involvements. Charlie was born on January 10 1934 and died whilst attending a St Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 18 2001. Charlie's achievements
were many.He maintained a lifelong interest in G.A.A.
matters, being a former county footballer and selector,
serving as treasurer, secretary, then chairman of the
local committee during the mid-80's.He held the position
of captain of the Narin/Portnoo golf club in 1973. He
helped organise the Downstrands Care of the Aged and ran
in a Dublin City Marathon to raise funds for the
renovation of Kilclooney Church. He was a lifelong member
of the Pioneer Association and was for some time
associated with the Ardara Care of the Aged. |
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| Our beloved Charlie By Roshe Mlynarski My
husband Fred, my brother Frank McHugh and his wife Betty
and myself have just returned to Pennsylvania from New
York city. We went down to the Metropolitan Hotel on
Lexington Avenue and 51st Street to visit Angela
McInerney (Fisher) Sally and Shawn (Brennan). While
there we had the pleasure of meeting Paddy Craig, Sister
Angela Brennan, Billy Maxwell, John Keeney and several
others not of Ardara parish. |
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| Tribute from Mary Coughlan, Minister of State | |
| Mary Coughlan TD, Minister of State at
the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the
Islands, said it had been an honour to have known the
late Charlie Bennett and to have worked with him. "He was a fine chairman of Donegal County Council and he never let politics interfere with his duty. He was equally available and even-handed with everyone. "His death will be a terrible loss to his family, to the County Council and to the people of Ardara. He was a dedicated representative and was rightly popular, especially in the field of community work. He was known the length and breadth of the country and he will be missed by all." |
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Tribute
from John McConnell, |
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| "The whole community is
flabbergasted at the minute. Charlie was Mr.Ardara; he
was our No.1 citizen and his loss is unquantifiable,"
said McConnell. "He was one person who could pull everything together. In the last election he was running for Fine Gael, but really there was no party line shown at all. People who would historically have never voted for Fine Gael would have rowed in behind him. He was the only person who could have done that and it was typical of his character. "Anything that he touched turned to gold. It was guaranteed to be successful," he said. "He was extremely pround of being Co Council chairman and he was also proud of the fact that the chairman of the Co Board and the chairman of the Co Council were from Ardara at the same time and he felt strong about that," said John. "The winning of the Co Championship last year was one of his proudest moments. He was a former club chairman and officer for years. Charlie would have raised tens of thousands for Ardara GAA as well as other organisations. "He was one in a million. "As chairman of the Co Council he was a great ambassador and his love for the GAA would have meant that he was always pro-active with what was going on in GAA circles. In a hectic schedule, he would always put the GAA first." The late Mr.Bennett had planned a major celebration at club level for the historic winning minor championship team of 1952 for the fiftieth anniversary. Charlie was an important member of that side. |
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Tribute from Senator Enda Bonner |
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| Fianna Fail Senator Enda Bonar who was in
New York over the holiday weekend in a private capacity,
told this week of his shock and sadness at hearing of the
death of his council colleague shortly after arriving
back in Dublin airport on Monday morning. "I was deeply shocked and saddened when I received a call from former Fianna Fail Councillor Francis Brennan that Charlie Bennett had died suddenely hours earlier in New York." "I had walked in the New York parade with Charlie Bennett on Saturday afternoon and he was in excellent form. In fact he was in his element as we marched along saluting all the Donegal people who were in the crowd cheering us on. He was very proud to be Donegal's representative on the 240th annual St.Patrick's Day parade in the city". "When the parade was over we chatted about the great honour it was to represent Donegal in the parade." "Later that evening in my hotel I was watching the news on TV and to my surprise Charlie and Marian flashed across the screen on the main evening news standing outside St.Patrick's Cathederal with Cardinal Egan. I immediately telephoned them in their hotel, they hadn't seen it but caught it on the next news bulletin. "Marian told me when I telephoned her on Monday afternoon that they immediately rang John Keeney, a brother of Packy Keeney, after my call, who videod it for them. She was very touched at now having a video of Charlie in his second last official function." "Charlie Bennett was a member of the council for the same electorial area as myself and we were very friendly over the years due to our involvement in the GAA and in golf. In all that time we never had a cross word, in actual fact he was always inquiring about how I was getting on. He was happy as long as I stayed out of his own patch in Ardara!" He was a great councillor for the Ardara area and prior to that he did tremendous work for many voluntary groups and people who were in need." "He will be sadly missed by all the members of Donegal County Council, the people of Ardara and most of all by his family." |
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Tribute from John Boyle, Fine Gael Councillor |
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| "I was a personal friend of Charlie
Bennett for more than fifty years. He was born in the
town land of Corkermore and that's my townland too,"
said Fine Gael Clr. John Boyle. "Charlie was a very articulate man. He was an excellent footballer, and was very proficent in music as well. "I was with him in Cavan about two weeks ago and he was in the best of form. He did tell me that he was going to pack it in after this term. He said that he had given service to the people for fifty years and that was enough. "In his lifetime he raised almost a million pounds which is a huge amount of money," said Clr.Boyle. "When the late Connell Boyle died, we asked him to run. I remember attending the meeting and he said he would consider it and he came back a month later saying he would be delighted. "He was a very modest man and he didn't have an enemy in the world. "He was an excellent chairman and a great ambassador for the county. Everyone liked him. It is a very sad time for everyone," said Clr.Boyle. |
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Tribute from Fine Gael National Executive |
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| "The late Charlie Bennett was a 'political
gentleman' in today's world of politics. I was privileged
to know Clr.Bennett and his contribution to Fine Gael as
an organisation, and to the people of Donegal as a public
representative, he will be forever remembered by all who
knew him. "To his wife and family I extend my sincere sympathy on behalf of the Fine Gael National organisation at this time." Padraig Conneely - Chairman National Executive Council. |
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Huge
funeral tribute to the late Charlie Bennett |
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| The funeral took place yesterday of Donegal
Co Council chairman, Mr Charlie Bennett, who died at the
weekend while taking part in a St.Patrick's Day Parade in
Brooklyn, New York. The late Mr.Bennett (67)
was leading a party representing Donegal Co Council
during the celebrations in Brooklyn on Sunday when he
took ill. The previous day, St.Patrick's Day, he had led
the Donegal contingent in the traditional march down
Fifth Avenue. |
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| The cortege with the remains arrived at
Mr.Bennett's home on the Portnoo Road in Ardara on
Tuesday afternoon. Throughout Tuesday evening and all day
Wednesday throngs of people visited the house to pay
tribute to someone who was universally liked. Affectionately known as 'Mr Ardara', Charlie Bennett was known far and wide for his involvement in charity fund-raising. Before ever entering the political arena, Charlie was best know for his ability to help worthy causes. Raised
Over £1m Tributes Chief Concelebrant |
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| Visiting
Donegal politician dies at Brooklyn march © 2001 Irish Echo Newspaper Corp. March 21-27, 2001 By Pierce O'Reilly |
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| The chairperson of Donegal County Council,
Fine Gael's Charlie Bennett, 67, died of an apparent
massive heart attack while attending the Brooklyn St.
Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday. Bennett, who also took part in the Manhattan parade on Saturday, passed away in the Methodist Hospital on 6th Street and Sixth Avenue shortly after retiring midway though the parade, which this year honored the late Donegal stalwart Willie Joe Cunningham. Bennett, who neither drank nor smoked, was an invited guest. He was elected chairman of Donegal County Council last year after initially being co-opted onto the council after the death of Councilor Connall Boyle four years ago. Bennett, who comes from Ardara and was mayor of the town, was honored as Donegal Person of the Year in 1993 for his dedicated and successful efforts within the county as a fund-raiser for several charitable organizations. He was also honored with the title of mayor of Ardara. Several years ago, the Donegal Association of New York honored Bennett with its Distinguished Service Award. The 26th annual Brooklyn parade, which was remembering the 225th Anniversary of the Revolutionary War's Battle of Brooklyn, took place in Park Slope. Peter Touhy, one of the parade organizers, said the committee was devastated by Bennett's death. "Charlie was complaining of a pain in his knee midway through the parade and decided to pull out," Touhy said. "He wasn't feeling good, so he went to the local hospital, where he died shortly afterward. We're just all so upset. Charlie was loved by everyone and we're just numbed by what happened." Frank Molloy of the Donegal Association, who marched beside Bennett on Saturday in Manhattan, said he was in shock. "Charlie was a personal friend of our family and we just can't believe what has happened," he said. Molloy, who himself was guest of honor at the association dance this year, said that Bennett was in "great form" on Saturday. "He was in a great mood and enjoying the celebrations all around town," he said. "His wife, Marian, was also with him on this trip." Bennett came to prominence in Donegal when he let his name go forward for the vacant council seat four years ago. His popularity among locals was clearly evident when the County Council elections took place last July in which he received overwhelming support from his local town Ardara. Westchester resident and Ardara native Brid McGivney said she heard the news from Ireland. "My family called me to see had we heard anything out here," she said. "Charlie was such a popular guy all over the Northwest." Apart from his prominent political career, Bennett was loved as the local breadman. "Charlie looked after everyone in the neighborhood," McGivney said. "We're all just devastated by the news." Bennett was a popular member of the local urban council and had friends in all the local committees. His involvement in the Gaelic Athletic Association from an early age was well documented and his promotion to the county panel in his early 20s surprised few. When he hung up the boots, Bennett became active in the backroom affairs of the local club. He was also still very involved in the county team and was appointed a selector at one stage. He was always on the go, according to Frank Molloy. "Charlie was never idle," he said. "If he wasn't at a meeting, he was on his way to one." Bennett's remains were flown into Shannon Airport Tuesday morning and brought to Ardara parish church. He will be buried Thursday. Bennett is survived by his wife, Marian, and their two children. |
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One of
Ardara's favourite sons laid to rest |
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| Chairman of Donegal County Council, Clr Charlie
Bennett was laid to rest last Thursday morning in his
native Ardara at one of the largest funerals ever seen in
the tightly knit community. Hundreds of local mourners were joined by politicians of all persuasions, both national and local, as well as representatives from the multitude of organisations, sporting associations and charities that he was involved with over the last four decades. The President and Taoiseach were represented at the funeral and newly elected leader of Fine Gael, Deputy Michael |
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| Noonan was among the mourners, on his
first trip to Donegal since his election. Eariler, a lone piper lead the funeral cortege from the family home at Hillhead down past the Diamond and on towards the Church of the Holy Family. At the deceased's home the cortege was met by the first of the guards of honours - Narin and Portnoo Golf Club. From Hillhead to the Diamond another was made up of all the organisations of the parish that he was involved in, from the Pioneers to the Fine Gael party. The local GAA club formed a guard of honour from the Diamond to the Church and afterwards county councillors and members of Donegal County Council, lead by the County Manager, Michael McLoone formed a guard of honour to the grave. Chief celebrant at the Funeral Mass was local Parish Priest, Fr Austen Laverty and he was joined on the alter by Fr Pat Prendergast, Glenties; Fr Eddie Gallagher, Carrick; Fr James Sweeney, Glencolmcille; Fr Adrian Gavigan, Donegal Town; Fr McMenamin, Drumoghill and Fr Sheils from Burtonport. Also in attendance was Bishop of Raphoe, Most Rev Dr Phillip Boyce. In his homily, Fr Laverty spoke with pride of the contributions that the late Charlie Bennett had made to parish and county. |
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Charlie
never lost the common touch - mourners told |
|
 |
The multidude of hushed mourners listened intently as
John Michael O'Donnell gave the graveside oration, some
short moments after Charlie Bennett was laid to rest in
his beloved Ardara. Heads were bowed in quite contemplation and reflection as John Michael acknowledged the herculean efforts, selfless dedication and youthful enthusiasm and outlook that were the hallmark of Charlie Bennett, right up to his dying breath. |
| "Like many of his contempories,
Charlie had little choice but to emigrate in his youth,
but his affinity to Ardara and his great love of Gaelic
football ensured that his stay in England was temporary. "On his return, he and Marian established a successful business at the Hillhead. Then he discovered his true vocation as a community organiser. Slowly and methodically he immersed himself in avery facet of community life. "Charlie was given many gifts and over the years developed those talents and used them to the full. He was an eloquent public speaker and a charming entertainer. He was youthful in his outlook on life and as for his personal charm he had few equals. Yet despite his many achievements and personal awards he never lost the common touch. "His mission was to serve, to represent and to build a more equitable and caring society in this community. His unselfish labour, an example to us all, will be his legacy to the people of his beloved Ardara. "His first venture was when he and his close friend Donal Whelan formed the first youth club in the parish. He immersed himself in the development of the local GAA Club and was immensely proud of their success during his year as Chairman of Donegal Co Council. He was involved in and associated with the raising of in excess of one million pounds for countless charities. "He did not forget either our emigrants in Britain, America or elsewhere where he was often a welcome and honoured guest at their functions and celebrations. |
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| "But above all he was a dedicated family man. We
recall with fondness his introduction at many functions,
'my lovely wife, Marian'. His love for Cathal, Sinéad, Conal, his sisters, brothers and indeed the entire Bennett family was evident to all who knew him. His other love was the media and the media loved him. "As his good friend Bart Whelan concluded our tribute to him on the 18th of February 2001, so |
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| do we: Former county footballer, county
selector, officer of Ardara GAA Club, past captain of
Narin & Portnoo Golf Club, Lord Mayor of Ardara,
Donegal Person of the Year 1993, Chairman of Donegal
County Council - we bid you farewell. "Ní bheidh a leithid ann arís. Slán abhaile Charlie and ar dheis dé go raibh do anam dhílis." |
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Priest
echoes sentiments of a grieving community |
|
 |
The impact that the late Charlie Bennett had
made on the community of Ardara was echoed by the homily
of local parish priest, Fr Austin Laverty P.P. last
Thursday morning at the Funeral Mass at the Church of the
Holy Family, Ardara. Fr Laverty said there
were times when many people felt words were inadequate to
express their sorrow and sadness at the passing of a dear
friend or family member. |
| them this morning as they come to join in
this celebration of the Eucharist for Charlie; to commend
his soul to the mercy and love of the son of God; to
ensure that they understand that we wish to support them
in any way that we can as they try to come to terms with
the suddenness - the tragedy that has come on their
family so unexpectedly in the last week," he told
the packed congregation. "When Charlie died on Sunday afternoon, it looked like the death of a very strong tree. Nothing prepared this family or indeed any of us for the suddenness of God's calling. And there has been and still is a sense of desolation in this community, a sense that is described in 'Our Hail Holy Queen' as being a 'valley of tears'. Today this is a valley of tears. Fr Laverty explained that the County Council Chairman would be a particular loss to the local community. |
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| "It may be difficult for people from other
communities to appreciate how much the death of Charlie
Bennett impacts upon us here in Ardara. When we cosider
that he was involved in almost everything good that
happened in this part of the country over the last thirty
years. "His name was almost synonymous with this parish and its well-being. How he worked tirelessly to make this a caring and progressive community, how he gave his time and energy unstintingly to every worthwhile project that |
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| ever started here - then you can begin to
get a small inkling of the sorrow of this community at
his death, and especially at the suddenness of his call. "And when most other people are seriously thinking of putting their feet up and retiring, his reaction was exact opposite. He was landed with more responsibility which he took on himself gladly and in a sense his premature death was almost inevitable given the kind of schedule that he had, especially over the last year." Fr Laverty spoke of deceased's loyalty to his community and Church. He also spoke of his dedication as a life long pioneer. |
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| Charlie Bennett at the
Philadelphia St Patrick's Day Parade Vincent Gallagher, outgonig president of the Donegal, Society, Philadelphia, and his wife Vera welcomes the late Charlie Bennett, chairman of Donegal Co Council and his wife Marian to Philadelphia for the St Patrick's Day parade. |
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| Funeral of Charlie Bennett
The funeral of the late Cller. Charlie Bennett,
Chairman of Donegal County Council, who died suddenly in
Brooklyn at St Patrick's week-end took place recently at
the Church of the Holy Family, Ardara and was one of the
largest funerals ever seen in south-west Donegal. |
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Tributes
at special meeting The enormous contribution the late Donegal County Council Chairman, Charlie Bennett, made to society and the dignified and unassuming manner in which he carried out his duties were recalled at a specially convened Council meeting on Friday, 30th March. The Fine Gael representative died suddenly while in New York for the St Patrick's Day celebrations. He was 67. Acting Council Chairman, Clr.Sean Maloney, who travelled to America last month with the late Clr.Bennett as part of the Donegal County Council delegation, told the meeting that his party colleague had been looking forward to leading the Donegal contingent down Fifth Avenue. "For those of us who were with him, it was a bit like Bill Clinton going down Fifth Avenue. Everyone seemed to know him. He led us with style and it was one of the high-lights of his career," he commented. Describing Charlie as "awfully proud man", Clr.Maloney added that the honour of leading the Donegal delegation in New York on March 17th had been the culmination of a lifetime's achievements. Clr.Maloney said that Charlie's wife, Marian, who he had spoken to earlier in the week, had asked for tributes to be paid to the Donegal County Manager, Michael McLoone, and to James Boyle, Assistant County Engineer, for their efforts in ensuring that her husband's remains were brought back home without any delay. "The help of James and the County Manager was very much appreciated and Marian wanted me to relay that message to the council chamber today," he stated. Speaking on behalf of the Fine Gael party, Clr.Bernard McGuinness, said the Bennett family will feel Charlie's loss most. "Fine Gael has lost a true son and a man who we were all proud to be associated with. He served the party well down the years and we were very proud and privileged to have elected him to the chair," he commented. Spoke from the Heart Noting Charlie's ability to defuse the most difficult situations he concluded: "We in this council are worse off for his passing. We will all miss him." Extending his sympathy to the Bennett family on behalf of Fianna Fail, Clr Bernard McGlinchey said that the late Charlie Bennett was only the second-ever Donegal County Councillor to die while holding the position of chairman - the other being Brian Brady who passed away in 1949. "Charlie was a unique person and everyone who knew him admired him for his decency, his courtesy and integrity. He was a great example to us all and his wit and humour which entertained us so often," he said. "His contribution to the Donegal and particularly to the Ardara area is unique and the various honours he recieved proved that. We all numbed when we learned of is sudden death. I think we all loved him and will all miss him. He was a happy man and I hope he is happy now." Paying tribute to the deceased chairman for Independent Fianna Fail, Clr.Dessie Larkin, said that, without doubt, no one showed the new group of councillors greater respect than Charlie Bennett. "He had the great attribute of being able to defuse any type of situation and had all the attributes of a first-class chairman. Fine Gael have lost a true gentleman, as have his colleagues who served with him in the Glenties electorial area," he said. "Today, in many ways, should be a happy day and I don't think his spirit will ever leave this chamber," he added. Highest integrity "Charlie's lifelong commitment to charity and voluntary work knew no bounds. He was a genuine person of the highest integrity and his untimely death was a great loss to us all. "Those who have suffered the greatest loss of all are his family. His passing has created a vacuum in their lives which will never be filled. "They are the ones who have to bear the intense sorrow," he said. |
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Charlie
Bennett Tributes Clr. Noel McGinley (FF) Clr. Padraig Doherty (FG) Clr. Enda Bonner (FF) Clr. John Boyle (FG) Clr. Jimmy Harte (FG) Clr. Peter O'Kennedy (FF) Clr. Paddy Kelly (IFF) Clr. David Alcorn (FF) Clr. Jim Sheridan (FG) Clr. Rena Donaghy (FF) Clr. Niall Blaney (IFF) Clr. Thomas Pringle (Ind) Clr. Francis Conaghan (FF) Clr. Gerry Crawford (FF) Clr. Declan McHugh (FF) Clr. J.J.Reid (FG) Cecillia Keaveney (FF) Clr. Patrick McGowan (FF) Clr. Joe McHugh (FG) Clr. Alice Bonner (FF) |
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| #www.geocities.com/ardaratown# |
"He was in the best of form,
speaking to people and waving to people all along the
route. He enjoyed every moment of the parade. He was
always a man who said 'hello' and who wanted to make you
feel comfortable and I remember saying to jim - "Charlie,
you're the gentleman as always".
