Patrica Folan, Chairperson St. Patrick's Band, Galway died
on the 6 March 2001 and her funeral took place on Friday 9 March
2001. The following was a tribute to Patrica given by the band's
Treasurer at her funeral Mass.
Tuesday 6 March was a sad day for all when Patricia (Pat) Folan
passed away. She was a wonderful person as anyone who had contact
with her could testify.
St. Patrick's Band lost not only a loyal member and base trombone
player but its chairman or chairperson. Pat had been chairperson
of the band for many years.
When she became chairperson in 1986 she was the first female
person to undertake the role in the hundred years old history
of St. Patrick's band. Pat immediately rolled up her sleeves
and got stuck into a major project, the building of the bandroom.
She chaired an excellent committee and oversaw every stage of
development.
Today the magnificent bandroom stands in the heart of Galway
and it is a unique musical facility not only in Galway but probably
in Ireland. Many musical groups use the bandroom including,
of course the band and the Galway Concert Orchestra (of which
Pat was a playing member).
Who will ever forget the official opening of the Bandroom?
Pat Folan's speech, which was totally in Irish, surprised all
of us there as we had expected just the 'cúpla focal'.
Bhí an lá sin, 12 Márta 1989, speisialta
i stair an bhanna cheoil Naomh Pádraig. Bí óráid
Pat, as gaeilge, chomh maith, nó níos fearr ná
óráid Joe Connolly i bPairc an Chrocaigh i 1980.
Thug sí óráid fior mhaith arís
as gaeilge nuair a thánaig an tUachtarán, Mary
Robinson, go dtí an bandroom i 1996 nuair a bhí
céad bliain slánaithe ag an mbanna cheoil.
Pat will be remembered for her Freudian slip on the day of
the opening of the bandroom when she introduced Bishop Eamonn
Casey as Dr. Browne! She had, of course a stalwart committee
member's name, Tom Browne, on her mind on that great occasion.
Once the bandroom was up and running Pat became a playing member
of the band, becoming an accomplished base trombone player.
There is a great void in St. Patrick's brass band today.
Pat gave one hundred and ten per cent to the band. She organised
church gate collections, flag days, raised money for new instruments,
checked the uniforms, brought shamrock on St. Patrick's Day
and always had an ample supply of clothes-pegs for band recitals
on windy days.
She helped organise the band's two visits to France, and was
on hand when St. Patrick's band hosted their colleagues from
the Du Scorff Band from Lorient, Brittany, France. (The Du Scorff
Band has sent their condolences to the Folan family and St.
Patrick's Band.) The list goes on and on. You name it, Pat got
things done. She was a highly organised person and was generous
with her time and ideas. We will miss her.
One other item of note that stays in the memory involved the
band's rain coats. The band was forever getting wet on outings
and talked about getting wet gear. Pat swung into action and
organised the maroon Macs. Of course as soon as they arrived
it took six months to wear them as each time the band went out
on a parade or recital it didn't rain!
Her legacy is assured. The new bandroom is there, new instruments
have arrived and, with a new learner class and loyal members,
the band's future is secure.
She was one of the greatest in our band's 105 year history.
Patricia has a fine family. When Pat became ill they were not
found wanting in her time of need. Our sympathies go to her
husband Martin and their five children, all of whom played in
the band, Martyn, Miriam, Trysha, Paul and Michelle.
Ní bheidh a leitéid arís ann. Go ndéana
Dia Trócaire ar a hanam.
Peter Rabbitt, Treasurer, St. Patrick's Band, Galway, 9 March
2001.
