It was with deep sadness that the Society learned of the death of Tom McKeagney from Fivemiletown (and Belfast). Society President Jack Johnston recalled his tremendous input over the years including his time as Treasurer:
“I am still thinking about Tom and the contribution he made to Carleton. He was on our committee for 25 years and our treasurer for ten. Tom had a keen interest in Carleton as his family farmed out in Aughentain (Tullyquin) not more than a mile from Carleton’s birthplace. He had a big interest in local history too and I remember when he took over his father’s licenced premises he re-developed the lounge with two big murals about Shane Bearnach (actually painted for him by Sam Craig). One year too he got his daughters (the Swing Gals) to do a music event at the Summer School and how talented they were too. He also researched and gave us a talk one year on Rose Kavanagh the poet from Augher (a talk he published in the 2007 Spark.). He also researched some McKeagney ancestors who settled on Cape Breton Island (three brothers in all, one a priest and another a lawyer) This he also published in the 2009 Spark. It was an extremely well researched article. I taught with him for a few years in Fivemiletown before he moved to take on the principalship of St Mary’s.”
May he rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílís. His funeral Mass is on Saturday 8th November in Fivemiletown chapel.