Obituary: An inspirational man who refused to let tragedy loosen his firm grip on life

While Barney O'Dowd had "every reason to be consumed by bitterness for those who murdered his nearest and dearest, he chose a different route, achieving his own justice by outliving the forces that had sought to destroy him and his family", mourners were told at his Funeral Mass in Navan, yesterday (Monday).

One of the oldest survivors of the Troubles, Barney O'Dowd, passed away on Wednesday of last week in his 101st year, having miraculously survived being shot five times in a gun attack at his Co Down home that claimed the lives of his sons Barry(24) and Declan(19) as well as his older brother Joe (61) on 4th January 1976.

After the horrific attack, Barney and his wife Kathleen moved to Co Meath, settling outside Navan, at Kilcarn, to rear their family in the peace of the Meath countryside with Barney later moving to live with his daughter Eleanor in Drumree after Kathleen's passing in 1999.

St Mary's Church in Navan was packed to capacity on Monday as mourners from all corners of Ireland gathered to remember an inspirational man who "refused to let tragedy loosen his firm grip on life" or define him as a person and who believed that "understanding must win out over hatred".

Navan curate, Fr Martin McErlean, who celebrated the Mass recalled that he had worked with Barney's late son Barry on the jetties in the Shetland Islands taking in oil from the North Sea. He told how he was flying out to begin the next term after the Christmas break when news broke of Barry's death.

In the eulogy read by Fr McErlean, mourners were told: "The tragic event that shattered Barney's life and that of his family has been well documented and was again highlighted in the local and national media on the occasion of his centenary in May. It seems almost miraculous that Barney, while severely wounded and left for dead alongside his fatally injured sons and beloved brother Joe, would survive the horrific events of January 1976, never mind live to commemorate his 100th birthday and a little beyond.

"How did he do it? Good genes on their own certainly played a part to but understand how he got to almost 101, is to get to the essence of the man. A man with had a grip on life who refused to let it go."

Mourners heard how Kathleen and Barney had made the decision to leave Co Down and move to Co Meath to protect their remaining children and had established themselves in their new community marking firm and lasting friendships. Remarkably, this stage of his life lasting almost as long as Barney's time in Co Down.

Despite all the adversity in his life, one of the secrets of Barney's longevity was his optimism, his zest for life and his ability to adapt to and embrace the changing circumstances of his life.

He was determined to live until 100 and was delighted to receive the recognition from the President Higgins and other dignitaries.

Barney had a firm handshake, with an ironlike grip. "But Barney had another grip, a grip on life itself and all it could offer. He had a grip on politics, on morals, on family, on the difference between right and wrong, on the the belief that understanding must win out over hatred - as well as unshakable grip on the way a hedge should be cut and the way the lawn must be mowed".

Barney always had a strong work ethic and believed that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. He continued cutting hedges until well into his ninetes, something he took great pride in.

Barney always kept himself fit, walking every day right up to the day before he died and always and looked after himself.

He had a huge interest in current affairs and the news, reading the Irish Times from cover to cover every day and could converse on any topic from world affairs. A great reader, he was never without a book in his hand. He loved poetry and and was also a great raconteur, bringing characters from his past to vibrant life.

Barney always dressed smartly and loved dancing. Indeed, at 90 years of age, he took part in a Strictly Come Dancing event for Moynalvey Football Club

Barney was delighted to get his card of congratulations from President Michael D Higgins last May for his 100th birthday with President Higgins also including a personal note.

He also got a note of congratulations from Jon Boutcher, a former British chief constable who is leading a new investigation into the O'Dowd and related killings known as the Glenanne Gang Series.

"I have met many people who might consider themselves important and of a high status in society. None of these people hold a candle to you...You are an inspiration," he wrote.

Barney is survived by his children Mary, Noel, Loughlin, Ronan, Eleanor and Cathal, 18 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and a large circle of friends in the North and South.

Funeral Mass took place in St Mary's Church, Navan, yesterday (Monday) followed by burial afterwards at Mountown Cemetery.