JOHN O’MEARA (1921-2016)

Born on 16th October 1921, John O’Meara lived in Ballymote, Co. Sligo, until 1934, during which time he developed a deep passion for the railway, becoming friendly with many of the engine crews even at this early age. Sadly, in that year, John’s father died, and John went to live in Claremorris, where his fascination with the railway business remained undiminished. In the early 1940s, on completion of schooling, John went to live in Dublin, where he pursued a successful commercial career, while also continuing his railway interests and travels.

In 1957, John married Marie Noone, and they went on to have four children and, later, grandchildren, and to enjoy a long and happy life together. While John’s railway enthusiasm never waned, he managed to combine this with a full and active family life, a balance not always easily achieved, but no doubt facilitated by John’s warm and engaging personality.

JOHN AND THE SOCIETY

John O’Meara’s name first appeared in the Society’s membership list in Journal No. 3 of July 1948, with an address at 116 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. John was soon active in the Society’s formal structures. In Journal No. 7 of Summer 1950, he is recorded as “assisting”, along with Sam Carse, in “making arrangements for meetings”. At the AGM of 28 September 1950, he is recorded as serving on the Committee as “Liaison Officer” and was re-elected to the Committee at its fifth AGM on 20 September 1951. He was again re-elected in 1953, and in 1954 was serving as Hon. Assistant Secretary. In 1955, there was a rare event, a contested election for the Committee, in which John topped the poll. In 1957, he presented his first paper to the Society, “The Meath Road”. That year also brought another contested election, in which John once again topped the poll, and took up the post of “Programme Secretary”. Another momentous change of 1957 was John’s address changing to Beaumont Crescent, where he and Marie continued to live for their long married life together.

By the AGM of 1958, John’s title had changed to “Acting Programme Secretary” and he also presented the Secretary’s Report at that meeting. In the Summer of 1959, John led the Society’s first lengthy tour, an eight-day journey around Ireland in June, using mostly service trains with some specials to cover non-passenger lines. The highlight for the only Junior Branch participant in the group was an incomparable day on the Donegal, railcar to Letterkenny, carriage on the goods from Letterkenny to Donegal Town, and a special railcar on the branch to Ballyshannon. A never-to-be-forgotten experience in the Donegal’s last year, and with sunshine from Strabane onwards, after a damp start. In that year, the Society had 312 members, 165 being located in Ireland, this information being reported to the 1959 AGM by the indefatigable John, on this occasion speaking on behalf of the “Acting Secretary”.

1960 brought John’s second paper to the Society, “The Beet Campaign of 1959”.  At the 1960 AGM, John’s title became “Hon. Programme Secretary”. However, in Society Bulletin No. 4 [see endnote], of October 1963, the terse statement appeared that “Members have been informed that Mr. J. O’Meara has resigned from the position of Hon. Programme Organiser, and that the Committee has appointed Mr. P. J. Currivan to act in his place in a temporary capacity.” Apparently there had tensions, and not the first time, between John and PJ Currivan about John’s non-adherence to the programme set out in the circular for an outing. In fairness to John, deviations from plan were not always within the Society’s control, as witness our return from Baltimore, arriving at Kingsbridge at 03:40 of St. Patrick’s Day, 1961 (or rather the following day), and getting back from Rosslare via Waterford at 00:05 in the September the same year!

Memories are of a fractious and uncomfortable AGM that year, but the outcome was that P J Currivan went on to occupy the role of Programme Organiser until 1973, a period which saw also the second and final Steam Tour of Ireland in 1964, while John stood aside from the Society for a period of years.

JOHN AS AN AUTHOR

Happily the passage of time saw a resumption of participation in the Society by John and on 19 March 1977, he delivered a paper on the subject of Whit Week, 1961. That was the first of a series of talks and papers by John, several multi-part, which were subsequently published in the Journal, 26 in total so far, with a few still to appear in print. A full list of published papers appears below.

John was certainly one our more prolific authors and his presentations always attracted substantial attendances. He had a unique talent for recreating vividly in words the railway ambience of the past. He had astonishing recall for the journeys he made, but his papers were always underpinned by original research in the Society’s Library and Archive. John had a particular rapport with railway staff, especially enginemen, and his ability to remember those with whom he travelled on the footplate more that half a century ago was legendary. John’s final talk to the Society took place on 14 February 2008, when he read his paper “Banteer to Kenmare”.

The contribution of his wife Marie must also be acknowledged, who typed out his papers from John’s manuscript notes. John’s prolific output was enabled in no small measure by Marie’s behind the scenes activity. Marie was also most supportive of John in his railway activities. On a night when John was to present a talk to the Society, she unfortunately suffered a fall in their home and had to go to hospital. Despite the circumstances, she insisted on John’s going to the Society meeting and presenting his paper! Happily, she made a good recovery, but John was inevitably a little distracted during his talk.

John was a loyal attender at Society meetings and had his regular position, in one of the several throne-like heavy railway officer chairs which came to the Society from the GNR offices, and while the chair has not remained vacant, it remains a continuing reminder of one of the Society’s most esteemed and respected members.

It is agreeable to record also that the Society honoured John with Honorary Membership on 7 September 2006.  On 8 November 2011, at a lunch in Dundalk, this distinction was likewise conferred on Desmond Coakham, who travelled from Belfast for the occasion. John and Marie were also present at this lunch, to mark John and Desmond’s shared 90th year.

John passed away on 23 September 2016 at the age of 94.  The funeral took place on 27 September. The Society was represented at his funeral and members also paid their respects at his lying in repose the previous evening. We extend our sympathy to John’s wife Marie, their children Paul, Anne, Clare and Eoin, John’s sisters, his grandchildren, and his very many friends.        MJW