Son pays moving tribute to late Laois/ Offaly TD, Ger Connolly at his funeral Mass

In the eulogy, John said: “On behalf of Caitriona, Stephen, Ger and myself I would like to thank the many people who have sympathised with us over the last few days. It has been a great source of comfort for us to see so many and to hear old and new stories about Dad – all of which made us smile and laugh.

Dad was born not far from here, just down the road in Ballinnowlart. Although our postal address is Bracknagh, Rathangan, Co. Kildare – not for Ger. It was always Bracknagh – Co. Offaly, which resulted on our post taking about 4 times longer to get to us. He came from very humble beginnings, and was unfortunately the only one of his siblings to survive. I believe that this gave Dad his deep sense of family, of helping people, the importance of community, where you are from and to always be positive. It is not surprising then that he was drawn to politics.

Dad was first elected to Offaly County Council in 1967 and to Dail Eireann in 1969. He fought 9 general elections, undefeated, served as minister of state for the environment on 3 occasions, a post which he loved given where he was from. I was going through some of his old papers recently and found a couple of speeches he gave to the Council of Europe advocating for the closure of Sellafield – I felt very proud of him reading those and we as a family are very proud of all his achievements.

I spent many Wednesday evenings when I was in college in the Dail. I’d go over for something to eat – and a few pints! It was always very sociable – we would arrive into the Dail restaurant and we would end up pulling up a chair to a table with no room – there was always great craic and slagging. He used to say to me that you don’t make friends in politics only acquaintances, but I think he wouldn’t agree with that now as he has many lifelong friends that he met through his time in office.

Dad retired from politics in 1997. I went up to the Dail with him when Brian became Taoiseach and we were chatting outside the Dail to Jackie Healy-Rae. Jackie said to me – you know your father is a legend of this place! Although they are too many to mention I want to particularly mention Dad’s great friend Johnny Flanagan. They are life long friends – solved all the problems of the world over coffee and lunch in the Tullamore Court. I know in recent years and in particular over Covid he really missed these chats. Dad was also blessed to have many great friends. To Liam & Kathleen, Willie, Ray, Tom and all the Brereton’s, Ed & Dina, Peg & Dermie and all the Higgins family (who always included him) – thank you.

Dad had a one liner for everything:

Easy come easy go.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to do things.

We want everything in apply pie order.

You praise the bridges as you find them.

We’re not going to turn the place into a Dan Lowry’s. It’s only many years later that I learned that Dan Lowry’s was the pub in Mosney’s.

What do you want me to do – lie down and die!

If some was a complainer he’d say – the cow is always in the ditch with them.

Any time we would want to go anywhere or buy something he’d say – the cow will have to calve.

When he was electioneering – we need to get out to the highroads, the byroads and the cul de sacs.

And of course the famous story of one of his constituents who was about to get married and was looking for help with housing. He said no problem – you get the bird, I’ll get the cage!

Dad was great craic and loved out socialising – or galivanting as my mother used to call it. He had his regular clinics – the brewery tap, the court, the anvil, burbages, o’deas and the golf club in Portarlington. He loved these social gatherings where he was using more than milk to cool his coffee. I remember his good friend and best man, Mick Ryan, was at a funeral here in Bracknagh and went down to Murphys afterwards. About 7 o’clock when Dad got home, Mick’s wife Rosaleen said to Dad – Ger will you do down to Murphy’s and tell Mick Ryan to come home straight away. If someone uses your surname you know you are in trouble. Ger said no problem Rosaleen – leave it with me! Ger got Mick home alright – about 4 hours later! I spent many happy Sunday evenings in the Kitchen of Ma Rourkes in Portarlington where Dad played cards every Sunday night. I was the waiter making sure no one went dry – the reward a trip to the chippers on the way home. He was probably one of the last who played around that table.

Ger loved sport. He loved Bracknagh (he was president of our club) and Offaly. We spent many happy days in Croke Park or in the various fields around Offaly following Bracknagh. One of the best memories I have is back in 1998 when Jimmy Cooney had the good sense to blow up the All Ireland semi Final with Clare early. Dad, Grainne and myself were one of the many who invaded the pitch and sat on the grass that day. We had great craic in Thurles for the replay and of course to see Offaly win the All Ireland that year.

Dad loved Man United. I was fortunate to go to the FA Cup Final with him in 1994, we visited old Trafford on a few occasions along with going to see Real Madrid in the Bernebeu and Barcelona in the Nou Camp. and to see Ireland in the World Cup in 1994. On Tuesday I was looking at a documentary with Stephen about Celtic players who had helped Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool be successful in the 70’s & 80’s. The goal Norman Whitside scored in the 1985 FA cup final came on. Stephen said I remember it well – it was me and Ger’s first communion. Did you notice that Da is in none of the official photographs. Ye head on down to Richard May’s (who was the photographer in Tullamore) and I’ll follow ye down – he didn’t make it. He fell into bad company in the Bridge house – it was the FA cup final after all and it went to extra time. What could he do!

I loved in recent years going to Rugby Internationals with him. We’d get the train up – go to Doheny and Nesbitt’s, glass of Guinness and a Jameson. John get another one – a bird never flew on one wing. We’d go somewhere nice for lunch, head to the match, call into Smyth’s on Haddington Road afterwards, where he’d drink a few whiskey’s in about half an hour. He’d say that’s got me going again – my feet were cold. We’d get the train home and he’d be up and down the carriage – chatting and slagging anyone he knew.

We went on great holidays as kids. Arklow, Killarney, the Isle of Man, Spain. We were really lucky to go to New York in 1988. I remember Dad knew the father of one of the flight attendants and met a priest he knew. We never saw him for the 7 hour flight – he was standing in the galley, having great craic. Marie was delighted when we arrived in New York, 90 deg’s, 100% humidity, and Ger full of Jameson.

He was absolutely atrocious at DIY and I am sure much to the amusement of Bracknagh he is the only man I know who cut the grass in a dressing gown with a maroon tie as a belt.

To Dad’s many friends – it has been great to see you over the last few days – there are too many of you to mention. Thank you for being sure good friends. To his neighbours in Bracknagh – he loved you all. To Mary – as always we cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown to both Marie and Ger.

Dad was a very loving man, a big heart. His family was really important to him. He loved his grandkids, spending time together. He was really soft and would cry at the drop of a hat. When Mam died in 2015 it left a big hole in his heart, he would say occasionally to me that he missed Marie. The last couple of years were not kind to Dad. He couldn’t do things by halves – not alone did he break one hip – he had to break the other. Both times I was supposed to be looking after him. Covid did not help – for a man who liked company so much sitting in Bracknagh watching Judge Judy is not good for you.

We kept Dad at home for as long as we could. I want to thank everybody who helped care for Dad – from the pharmacy, his GP, staff in Portlaoise and Tullamore hospitals. In particular I want to thank the carers who looked after Dad at home. To Audrey, Dermot, Zanine, Fiona and Caitriona – we are very grateful for your help. Dad ended up in the Nursing Home in Dromnin in Stradbally – a place he said he never wanted to go but unfortunately his health dictated otherwise. We cannot thank the staff in Dromnin enough for the kindness and care you showed our Dad. The biggest compliment I can pay you is that you do a job that I simply could not do. You were brilliant to us over Dad’s last few days with us.

Thank you to the Maher’s for your professionalism over the last few days.

Dad said to Caitriona that he was happy with the life he had and wouldn’t change a thing. The last few months were very tough for him and although we are heartbroken we are not sorry that he is gone. I remember him saying to Marie near the end that we will be together again – we are happy Dad that time has come and ye are back together again.

You were a great father who has left us with great values, love and compassion. Every great character leaves behind great gifts.

Thank you for everything. Rest in Peace.”