To compromise is to doubt your own convictions, run the old adage and it’s one that Padraig Joyce might well have coined himself.
Padraig who ?
Sorry we should have said “Seoighthe”, for that’s how he was known the length and breadth of his beloved Achill ,that fair place that he worked so tirelessly for throughout an all too short a life.
“Seoigthe” was born in Mewillian, Currane in 1920. He was educated at Currane N.S. Coláiste Einde, Galway and St. Patrick’s teacher training college in Dublin. He was principal of Derreens N. S. from 1948 to 1982.
He had a consuming life-long interest in the Irish language, Irish culture and Gaelicgames.
Together, they were the aphrodisiacs that gave him such a zest for life, and outside his school and his family, he dedicated his life to all things Irish.
“Seoigthe” was a man of considered opinion, but having made up his mind on an issue, he was steadfast in his views. The logic that he brought to debate in getting his message across often caused ire among his opponents but was rarely successfully challenged. He had an abiding concern for Achill and it’s people and this concern led him to be a founder member of the Achill Civil Rights Association in 1970 and later to the setting up of Comhar Chumann Forbartha Acla. Both are worthy of special articles in themselves, what can be said with certainty is that “Seoighthe” never spared himself in his efforts to achieve the goals of both bodies.
Sport to him meant only one thing, the Gaelic Athletic Association. He had a distinguished career in the Association, first as founder member of Achill G.A.A.Club and long-term administrator, and later as President of the West ;Mayo G.A.A. Board and the Mayo Minor Board. As with all his commitments to his own community his service to the G. A. A. was voluntary and unstinting.
A man of literary bent, it was only natural that he should write. His skills in this area found expression in a book of short stories “Diabhal Smid Bhreige Ann”, published in 1981 by FNT/ Mayo News. He had a long and happy association with “The Mayo News”, contributing to the “Flashes from Achill” for many years. Happily that association continues through his daughter, Dereens School Principal Catherine Seoigthe. His son Micheál, now based in Dublin, was also a valued member of our staff for many years and was the first full-time Advertising Manager appointed with “The Mayo News”.
Pádraig died in 1987 after losing his battle against terminal illness. In an action packed life-time he achieved more than most of his peers and certainly contributed more.
He will always be remembered with fondness and affection at “The Mayo News” and our special centenary supplement would not be complete without this small tribute to him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
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