‘We were floored by people's kindness’ - wife of late Michael McDonagh thanks community

Nell McDonagh, wife of the late Michael McDonagh, has spoken this week of how her family were so moved by the support they have received and the turnout for his funeral.

“We were absolutely floored by people's kindness.

“I will never forget how the people of Navan and Meath generally supported us.

“There was such a respectful, brilliant turnout. Shops closed and pulled down the shutters and they lined the streets.”

She said the attendance of the President, Michael D Higgins was a huge honour and spoke volumes about Michael's legacy.

“I want to say a sincere thank you to the people of Meath and Navan.

“The turnout was unreal and was a tribute to Michael's work breaking down barriers between Travellers and settled people.

“We are also grateful to Meath Travellers’ Workshop who were wonderful to use. We also had representatives of Travellers’ organisation from all over the country from Belfast to Cork.

“We want to thank the UN veterans and ONE groups from Navan and Mullingar, and Eddie Robinson, who was in charge when Michael was in the Lebanon, who organised the piper.

“The children from St Anne's, the Mercy and Scoil Mhuire schools came out and we also got great support from our neighbours in Reask, our friends around the town, and of course, Fr Declan Hurley and Fr Michael McCullough.

“It was a real honour that in Traveller Pride Week, so many organisations dedicated the day to him.”

She said it was wonderful to see all the organisations like Cultur and the prison service represented as well as so many local councillors.

“We have had strangers sending us letters and a woman who worked with Michael on a documentary tavelled over from San Diego.”

Nell said she wanted to pay tribute to the palliative care team for their kindness and the care they gave to Michael and her family.

“People have been so good. It was great to see such unity among the people of Meath - Travellers and settled people.

“Michael had a way of bringing people round, in a gentle way. He had great charisma and the outpouring of support we have received since his passing is testament to that.

“I will do my best to ensure his legacy lives on,” she said.